AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Interesting idea,” Fiona mused, her gaze distant as if she could already see the ghosts in question. “But how do we even begin to approach her? She’s proven elusive up until now.”
“Maybe we could offer her something she wants,” Bella proposed, her voice tinged with mischief. “Like naming Fiona’s baby after her or Charles?”
“Ha! Can you imagine?” Fiona laughed, the tension in the room dissipating for a brief moment. “Baby Clarissa or baby Charles, destined to be a little ghost whisperer like their mom.”
“Hey, I’m not opposed,” Max teased, grinning at his wife. “If it helps us get rid of these ghosts, I’m game.”
“All right, let’s stick with Jake’s idea for now,” Layla decided, her heart swelling with love and admiration for him. “We’ll try to reach out to Clarissa first. Bella, can you use your moon powers to track her down tonight?”
“Of course,” Bella replied confidently. “Just give me the word when you’re ready.”
“Then it’s settled,” Max said, standing up from the table. “Tonight, we’ll face Clarissa and see if we can break this dark bond once and for all.”
As they dispersed to prepare for the confrontation ahead, Layla couldn’t help but feel a mix of fear and hope. They were facing ancient forces, bound by love and blood, and she prayed it would all go well. She would never forgive herself if something happened to Fiona or the baby she carried.
The crumbling Harrington mansion loomed before them, its once grand facade now marred by time and neglect. As Layla felt the cold wind blowing from the north, she knew that this was where they needed to be. Her heart raced with anticipation, her hands trembling as she reached for Jake’s strong, calloused hand.
“Are you ready?” he asked, his voice steady, as if he could sense her unease.
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she replied, drawing strength from his presence.
Together, they approached the entrance of the mansion, the others following close behind. The heavy wooden door creaked open, revealing a dark, dusty interior. Cobwebs hung like abandoned shrouds, and Layla couldn’t shake the feeling that something sinister watched their every move.
“Charles!” Max called out, his authoritative tone echoing through the shadowy halls. “We have a proposition for you.”
Silence greeted them, but Layla’s sixth sense told her that they were far from alone. She nervously fingered the delicate silver pendant around her neck, hoping its protective powers would shield them from any harm.
“Charles, we know about Rebecca’s baby,” Fiona declared, her voice laced with determination. “Tell us, did you raise her?”
A ghostly chuckle filled the air, sending chills down Layla’s spine. Charles’s spectral form materialized before them, his once-handsome features twisted into a malevolent grin. “Rebecca’s child? Ah, you mean the little girl who was never meant to be.”
“Answer the question, Charles,” Max demanded, his voice unwavering despite the supernatural threat before them.
“Very well,” Charles conceded, folding his arms across his chest. “I did not raise the child myself, but my dear Clarissa took care of her. It was part of our agreement, you see—she would bear the burden of raising her sister’s illegitimate offspring, and in return, I would grant her immortality.”
“Immortality?” Layla whispered, her eyes widening in shock. “You mean Clarissa’s still alive?”
“On this plane she is,” Charles confirmed, his grin widening. “But I’m afraid that your little plan to reunite mother and daughter will fail. Rebecca’s child is long gone, taken by the wind, just as you will be if you continue down this path.”
“Taken by the wind? What do you mean?” Bella asked, her voice trembling with a mix of curiosity and dread.
“Enough,” Jake interjected, stepping forward and staring directly into Charles’s ghostly eyes. “We’re not here to play games. We want to help you find peace and release your hold on those you’ve hurt.”
“Help me? Ha!” Charles scoffed, his laughter echoing through the mansion. “You cannot help me, for I am bound by love and blood. Only through a union of souls can the darkness be undone.”
“Then we’ll find a way,” Layla vowed, her determination flaring up like a fire within her. “We won’t rest until you are gone from this house.”
“Very well,” Charles said, his gaze settling on Layla with unnerving intensity. “But remember, my dear—some things are better left unknown. The winds may whisper secrets, but they also carry the seeds of destruction.”
With that cryptic warning, Charles vanished, leaving them standing in the eerie silence of the abandoned mansion. As they regrouped, Layla couldn’t help but feel that they had only scratched the surface of the dark mystery surrounding the Harringtons.
As she walked toward the front door of the mansion, she couldn’t shake the feeling that someone was watching her. She spun around, but there was no one there. Just as she began to dismiss the feeling as her own paranoia, she heard a faint whisper coming from somewhere in the room.
“Hello?” she called out, her voice echoing through the empty space.
There was no response.
Layla sighed and shook her head, telling herself that she was being silly. She turned to leave the ballroom when she felt a cold hand grasp her shoulder.
