Chapter 1
Opening Scene — The Calm Before the Emotional Storm
Sunnydale High always looked deceptively normal in late August sunlight. Dawn Summers stood at the front steps, clutching her schedule like it was a talisman against embarrassment. Junior year. New teachers. New lockers. New chances to humiliate herself in front of cute boys.
And one cute boy in particular.
Dawn spotted him—Evan Marks, the new transfer with the floppy hair and the smile that made her stomach do gymnastics. He waved. She waved back. Then immediately tripped over her own backpack.
Great start, Dawnie.
But she didn’t have time to wallow. Because the moment she stepped inside, she felt it—magic. Dark magic. Old magic. Something stirring beneath the school like a restless heartbeat.
Sunnydale wasn’t done with them.
