Holland runs to her car but finds it disabled. A dark SUV blocks her exit, and the driver, Gabe Cabral, insists she must come with him. Gabe has an antiquity eye tattoo on his wrist, identical to the tattoo on Holland’s sister, January. Holland touches her necklace: a gift from January, which bears the same symbol. Gabe claims January sent him to protect Holland. As police approach, Holland reluctantly gets into the SUV.

In a flashback to one of the Professor’s lectures, the Professor tells her class that time moves differently in certain magical places. She describes the Chained Library at Hereford Cathedral and a legendary book that once performed miracles. A woman named Mary Young, linked to the book, did not age. The book vanished and reappeared a century later, hollowed out, containing only a slip of parchment with a series of dates predicting when a powerful object would reappear. A student realizes the final date falls in the current month.

On the freeway, Gabe confiscates Holland’s phone, throws it out the window, and gives her a burner to call January. Holland leaves a voicemail. Gabe shows her a torn note from January asking him to keep her safe. He also claims that January is engaged to an untrustworthy man.

Holland reveals the folder from Jake’s apartment and mentions the Alchemical Heart. Gabe says the Watch Man’s predictions are never wrong. He warns that if the Heart is her only hope, she faces nearly impossible odds.

Gabe explains the myth of the Alchemical Heart. He says the Heart grants magical abilities and draws protectors and enemies; some want to destroy it to end magic, while others seek to find it for their own ends. Holland connects his account to the Professor’s story of the Chained Library. Convinced her mentor can help, Holland persuades him to take her to the Professor’s house.

Holland and Gabe arrive at the Professor’s deserted house. Holland insists they look for the Professor’s research journal and leads Gabe to a gnome hiding a spare key. Before she can use it, Gabe finds the French doors to the office unlocked. As they step inside, the lights flip on, revealing that the house has been ransacked.

At the Old LA Zoo, students gather for Folklore 517, but the Professor does not arrive. A young woman appears in her place and announces that the Professor’s classes are suspended indefinitely.

While Gabe searches the house, Holland remains in the wrecked office. She finds her sister’s business card and remembers a fight where January called the Professor a crackpot. Holland studies a framed poster of Price of Magic, a film by her father, Benjamin Tierney, remembering that he hid “easter eggs” in his posters for her to find. Hearing footsteps, Holland turns. Adam Bishop stands in the doorway.

Adam claims January sent him to protect Holland and that his professorship was a cover. As proof, he shows the same antiquity eye tattoo that Gabe and January share, then warns Holland not to trust Gabe. Gabe returns, pushes Holland behind him, and tells her to run. He and Adam draw guns on one another; Adam insists he is January’s partner.

Two gunshots ring out. Gabe is hit and pulls Holland from the house. As they flee, Holland sees Adam slumped on the floor. Gabe tells her that Adam fired first.

Holland drives Gabe away as neighbors emerge. Bleeding from the chest, Gabe refuses to go to the hospital. Holland recalls the package she has not yet opened and suspects it contains the research journal. She turns toward her Santa Monica house, a property she hides so people do not connect her to her famous family.

They enter the house and secure the door. Gabe weakens and slumps against the stairs. Holland retrieves an oversized first aid kit that January once insisted she keep.

When Holland returns, she finds Gabe guarding the package, a gun in his other hand. He warns her not to trust him, saying he is not a good person. She removes his blood-soaked shirt, notices a familiar scar, and stitches his wound under his guidance. He admits the Watch Man has visited him, but will not reveal his predicted time of death. Once she finishes, Gabe nods at the package and tells her to open it.

Holland opens the package and finds the Professor’s journal. On the back is the symbol of the Alchemical Heart. An entry in the journal describes the Chained Library and lists dates. Holland connects one of the dates to when her father leased the safety deposit box at the Bank. She suspects that her father hid the Alchemical Heart inside the deposit box.

Holland’s friend, Chance Garcia, arrives unexpectedly. To drive him away, Gabe pretends to be Holland’s boyfriend and unsettles Chance by referencing conspiracies about a missing episode of his old show, The Magic Attic. Chance leaves, hurt and confused.

Holland confronts Gabe for his treatment of Chance. Gabe insists her friend cannot be trusted. She searches the guest room where January stayed, finding her sister’s backpack and two emerald-green letters from the First Bank of Centennial City. As she opens the letters, Gabe warns that the bank is “evil” and dangerous. Headlights flood the windows as a car pulls into the driveway, blocking their exit. Gabe grabs Holland’s hand, saying they need to leave immediately.