Wednesday called Aleksander that night and led him straight to the Edgar Allan Poe statue in the Quad under the dim glow of her flashlight. She pointed upward without preamble. "I saw the Nightshades Society emblem right there."
She stepped closer to check the emblem etched on the cover of the book held by the statue.Wednesday then ran her fingers over the engraved text on the statue's open pages. It was a riddle—a puzzle meant to unlock entry to the Nightshade library. She read it aloud in her flat, precise tone:
> The opposite of the moon (Sun)
> A world between ours (Nether)
> Two months before June (April)
> A self-seeding flower (Pansy)
> One more than one (Two)
> Its leaves weep to the ground (Willow)
> It melts in the sun (Ice)
> Its beginning and end never found (Circle)
> Every rule has one (Exception)
The clues spelled out "SNAP TWICE." Wednesday snapped her fingers sharply—once, then again.
A low grind echoed from the statue's base as a hidden panel slid open, revealing a narrow staircase descending into shadow.
She started down without hesitation, Aleksander close behind, until they reached the secret room below. There, amid dusty shelves, hung a faded photograph of her parents.
Wednesday's eyes narrowed as she spotted the Nightshades Society book on a pedestal—but in the next instant, hooded figures lunged from the darkness to apprehend them.
Aleksander reacted first. He thrust out his hand, unleashing a concussive blast of air that hurled two of the figures—backward, then telekinetically slammed them against the stone wall, pinning them there. Aleksander already sensed it was Xavier and Rowan.
A third figure moved to free them. Aleksander sensed it was Ajax, coils already stirring under his beanie as he prepared to petrify. With a casual flick of his fingers, Aleksander drove Ajax into the ground with a thunderous crash that and startled the rest.
Wednesday moved like a shadow, flipping the disoriented attackers with precise strikes and knocking them out cold. It was over quickly, but the last three hesitated, freaking out in the flickering torchlight. Bianca stepped forward, lips parting to unleash her siren song on both of them.
Aleksander cut her off simply. "Zip."
A nonverbal Silencio spell sealed her voice, stripping her siren ability mid-breath. Bianca clawed at her throat in panic.
Xavier struggled against the invisible hold. "Stop, it's us."
Yoko yanked back her hood, hands raised. "Yes, we give up."
Aleksander smiled faintly. "Already knew it was you guys, but had to teach you a lesson for ganging up on us."
He dropped his hand, releasing Xavier and Rowan. They crumpled to the ground, groaning in unison.
Among the fallen was Divina, the siren with shoulder-length brown hair and striking pale blue-green eyes—part of Bianca's clique alongside Kent. Bianca, still mute and frantic, locked eyes with Aleksander. He waved his hand lazily, restoring her voice. She blurted, "What did you do to me?"
Aleksander grinned. "A small trick."
Bianca's face twisted in anger—she was the leader, after all. As Wednesday pocketed the Nightshades book she'd found, Bianca pulled back her hood fully.
Wednesday deadpanned."So Bianca. And just like that, my hopes were dashed against the rocks of bitter disappointment. My foe was no psychotic killer. More like a bunch of high school clowns. Wait, I preferred you with it on."
Bianca's annoyance sharpened as she crossed her arms. "How did you get down here?"
Wednesday met her gaze evenly. "I tracked the watermark to the Poe statue. Then I solved the riddle."
Ajax pushed himself up from the ground, rubbing his head. "Wait, there's a riddle? I thought we just snapped twice."
Wednesday scoffed. "Well, aren't you the brightest in the bunch?"
Bianca straightened, voice dripping authority. "The Nightshades are an elite social club. Emphasis on elite."
Yoko leaned against a shelf, smirking. "We have roof parties, campouts, the occasional midnight skinny-dip."
Divina chimed in softly from the floor, brushing dirt off her jacket. "And Yoko's an amateur mixologist."
Ajax grinned through his wince. "She makes a killer virgin mojito. It can get pretty wild."
Wednesday's deadpan stare swept the group. Wow. Do you guys even have a bedtime?....Last I heard, the Nightshades had been disbanded."
Divina nodded. "Yeah, the group kind of lost its charter 30 years ago after some normie kid died."
Both Xavier and Rowan knew now who the normie was.
Yoko shrugged. "But we have a lot of wealthy alumni, so Weems looks the other way as long as nobody makes any waves."
Bianca turned her focus back to Wednesday and Aleksander, eyes narrowing in the torchlight. "Question is, what are we gonna do with them? Only members are allowed in this library."
Xavier and Rowan spoke up in unison. "We can pledge them."
Bianca cut them off sharply. "Nope. I can understand Aleksander. But I am not letting a psychopath into our group. It's meant for elites, not psychos."
Wednesday's expression didn't flicker. "I have no interest in your little group."
Aleksander raised a hand casually, drawing all eyes. "Also, the thing is you cannot stop her from joining. But she can kick you out or even disband this group."
This got everyone's attention.
Rowan frowned. "Aleksander, what do you mean by that?"
Aleksander shrugged. "The Nightshade Society was created by Goody Addams, who is Wednesday's ancestor. So she has special perks. Just check the last page of the founders book. You will see the Addams Family insignia and credo: 'Sic Gorgiamus Allos Subjectatos Nunc' or 'We Gladly Feast on Those Who Would Subdue Us.'"
Rowan extended his hand. The founders book lifted from the pedestal and flew into his grasp. He flipped to the last page, eyes widening as he confirmed it—the Addams insignia gleamed under the dust. He looked up at Bianca and nodded slowly.
Bianca scowled at the revelation, her jaw tightening as the group's murmurs filled the chamber.Aleksander added with a wry grin, "Amazing bit of history, right?"
Wednesday turned toward the stairs, voice flat. "I don't care about your elite snob club."
She started to walk out, but Aleksander called after her. "You know she didn't create this club for elites. It was for helping Outcasts against abuse, racism, and other threats. So don't think bad of her."
Wednesday paused at the threshold, glancing back. She nodded once.