The ancient voice faded.
Silence settled over Blackwood Manor.
No alarms.
No footsteps.
Nothing.
It was as if the entire estate was holding its breath.
Victor recovered first.
His gray eyes locked on the glowing Moonstone around Alice's neck.
"So..."
His voice was almost reverent.
"It has begun."
Alice instinctively wrapped her hand around the necklace.
The stone pulsed beneath her fingers.
Warm.
Alive.
She looked at Victor.
"What was that voice?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Instead, he looked toward the cracked stained-glass window.
"The Guardians built this place over a thousand years ago."
Alice frowned.
"I thought this was Blackwood Manor."
"It is now."
Victor's gaze drifted to the floor beneath them.
"But it wasn't always."
A low rumble echoed through the co
