Secrets in shadows

Chapter 11: The Blackwood Legacy

The morning light filtered in through the curtains, casting a soft glow over Vivian's room. She had spent the night poring over Liam's letter, her mind racing with the implications of Eliza's revelations.

Carefully, she reread the final lines, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"The shadows that have taken root in this place are older and more powerful than you can imagine. If I do not return, you must find a way to uncover the truth, no matter the cost. The Blackwood legacy has been tainted by dark forces, and only you can set things right."

Vivian's grip on the letter tightened, her determination solidifying. Liam was counting on her, and she refused to let him down. Pushing aside her fears, she rose from the bed and began to dress, her mind already whirring with a plan of action.

As she made her way through the winding corridors of the Blackwood Estate, Vivian couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. The whispers seemed to follow her, a constant reminder of the unseen forces that lurked in the shadows.

Steeling her nerves, she sought out Eliza, determined to extract more information from the enigmatic housekeeper. She found the older woman in the kitchen, her brow furrowed in concentration as she oversaw the morning preparations.

"Eliza, I must speak with you," Vivian said, her voice firm.

The housekeeper turned, her expression unreadable. "Miss Vivian, I had hoped you would heed my warning and stay within the safety of your room."

Vivian shook her head, her gaze unwavering. "I cannot, Eliza. Liam's life is at stake, and I must find a way to save him. Please, tell me more about the Blackwood legacy and the darkness that has taken root here."

Eliza's eyes narrowed, a flicker of resignation crossing her features. "Very well, Miss Vivian. But what I am about to tell you may shatter the very foundation of your beliefs."

Vivian steeled herself, bracing for the revelations to come. "I am ready, Eliza. I must know the truth, no matter how difficult it may be."

The housekeeper nodded, her expression somber. "The Blackwood family has long been cursed, Miss Vivian. Generations ago, they made a pact with a dark entity, trading their very souls in exchange for power and influence."

Vivian felt a chill run down her spine, the implications of Eliza's words sinking in. "A pact with a dark entity? What kind of entity are we speaking of?"

Eliza's gaze darkened, her voice barely above a whisper. "Demons, Miss Vivian. The Blackwoods have made a pact with demons, and the price they have paid has cast a shadow over this entire estate."

Vivian's breath caught in her throat, her mind reeling. "Demons? But how is that possible? How could they have done such a thing?"

The housekeeper's expression hardened, a hint of sorrow flickering across her features. "The Blackwoods were a family driven by ambition and greed, willing to sacrifice anything to achieve their goals. They turned to the occult, engaging in rituals and practices that defied all that is good and pure."

Vivian felt a sense of dread wash over her, her hands trembling slightly. "And Liam? What does he have to do with this? Is he also a part of this...this pact?"

Eliza's gaze dropped, her voice heavy with regret. "I'm afraid Liam's fate is inextricably linked to the Blackwood legacy, Miss Vivian. He is the heir to this cursed bloodline, and the demons that have claimed the family will stop at nothing to ensure their hold over him."

Vivian's heart sank, the weight of the revelations crushing her. "Then what am I to do, Eliza? How can I save Liam from this darkness?"

The housekeeper's expression softened, a glimmer of hope flickering in her eyes. "There may be a way, Miss Vivian. But it will require great courage and an unwavering determination to confront the demons that have taken root here."

Vivian straightened her shoulders, her resolve hardening. "I am ready, Eliza. Whatever it takes, I will do it to save Liam."

Eliza nodded, a hint of respect in her gaze. "Then listen closely, Miss Vivian, for the path ahead will be fraught with peril..."