Verónica Sombravida traced the symbols in her stolen book by candlelight. The forbidden magic called to her, dark and dangerous. No teacher would help her learn these spells. She didn't care. She would master them alone, even if it killed her. The old ruins outside town held what she needed. Stone grimoires carved with runes covered the walls there. Those symbols hummed with power from ages past. Verónica pulled her cloak tight and slipped out into the night. The forbidden magic wouldn't teach itself. She needed a place where ancient power still lingered in the stones. The ruins would be perfect for her first real experiment. Her fingers tingled at the thought. Tonight, she would either succeed or fail completely. Either way, she would finally begin.