Chapter 39: Whispers in the Dark
The mountains that cradled Moonshadow Ridge were restless that night, as though the land itself sensed a storm rising. The wind rushed through the towering pines in long, mournful sighs, carrying with it the scent of pine resin and damp earth. Clouds scudded across the face of the moon, sometimes veiling its glow, sometimes letting it spill silver light across the sprawling estate. That pale light touched the gables, turrets, and balconies of the old house, sketching sharp shadows that seemed to quiver and breathe with a life of their own.
Elena stood on the balcony, her shawl wrapped tight against her shoulders. The night air bit into her skin, but it wasn’t the cold that made her tremble. Her mind replayed the words she had overheard earlier that evenin
