The secret of heritage

Part 8

I hesitated for a long time about Marcus and Amelia. They seemed suspicious to me, and I wasn't sure if I could trust them. However, one day, I accidentally overheard their conversation, which made me change my mind. I decided that I could tell them about the amulet. They were discussing how they wanted to thwart Grayson's plans, and I felt that I could trust them, knowing the amulet was in danger. I assumed Grayson would come back for it.

Deciding to share the secret with them, I invited Marcus and Amelia to a late evening meeting to show them the room and the amulet.

— Thank you for coming, — I began when we gathered in the corridor outside the secret room. — I have something important to show you. It's related to my Aunt Isabella.

— We're listening, — they replied in unison.

I opened the heavy wooden doors to the secret room.

— This was Isabella's private room. And among her secrets is this amulet, — I said, pointing to the ancient artifact.

— What does it do? — Marcus asked.

— It controls magical powers, — I replied.

— Incredible, — Amelia whispered. — Why did she trust you with it?

— I don't have an answer to that question myself.

— How did you learn about its power? — Marcus continued.

— She left a journal. I haven't read all of it yet.

— It's very old, — Amelia noted, touching the amulet. — Where did it come from?

— I don't know. Just that it's been in our family for centuries.

— It could be dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands, — Marcus said.

— That's why I shared it with you, — I replied. — I feel like I can trust you.

— We'll help, — Amelia confirmed. — What do you plan to do next?

— Continue researching the journal. Maybe there are clues there.

— We're always ready to help, — Marcus said.

— Thank you, — I replied. — Your support means a lot.

— What do you think about the amulet's origins? — Amelia asked.

— It's still unknown, — I replied. — I hope to find answers in the journal.

— Is there anything else important in the room? — Marcus asked.

— Many things I haven't explored yet, — I admitted.

— Maybe you should start with the oldest entries, — Amelia suggested.

— That's a good idea, — Marcus agreed.

Marcus stepped forward, his face growing more focused.

— Do you know how to use this amulet? — he asked, not taking his eyes off the artifact.

— Not really, — I admitted.

At that moment, Marcus suddenly lunged toward the table, grabbed the amulet, and quickly hid it in his pocket. His hands moved with incredible agility, snatching the amulet from my hands before I could do anything to stop him.

— Thank you for the information, Evelyn, — he said with a cold smile. — But now this amulet belongs to me.

— What are you doing, Marcus? — I exclaimed in shock. — You can't do this!

— I can do whatever I want, — he said with cruelty in his voice. — You were too trusting.

— Marcus! What are you doing? You've lost your mind! — Amelia cried out, looking at him in horror.

— You shouldn't be so trusting, Evelyn. You thought Grayson was the danger, but you would have been better off trusting him than me, — Marcus said with a smirk.

Amelia was in shock; she looked at her brother, not recognizing him. Marcus quickly ran out of the room, and I chased after him.

We ran after Marcus, out into the yard, and saw a scene unfold: Marcus was running fast, but he was being pursued by a cheetah that moved incredibly swiftly and silently. The cheetah caught up with him and, with incredible agility, leaped at Marcus, knocking him to the ground. They tumbled across the ground, and Marcus tried to hold on to the amulet, but the cheetah was too strong.

With elegance and precision, the beast tore the amulet from Marcus's hands using its powerful paws and sharp claws. Marcus tried to resist, but with one swift move, the cheetah ripped the artifact away and turned back to me, holding the amulet in its teeth.

Marcus got up, looking furious and powerless.

— This isn't over, — he said, glaring at me with hatred before running off into the darkness.

Amelia was stunned, and we returned inside, breathing heavily from the ordeal. Everyone else had disappeared from the estate: Oliver, Laura, Lydia, Grayson—as if they had never been there.

I invited Amelia to my room. Once we entered, I started the conversation:

— Amelia, did you know about all this? About what's really happening in this estate?

Amelia looked confused:

— No, Evelyn, I had no idea.

— What can you tell me about Marcus? Who is he really?

— I don't even know who he is anymore...

— I don't understand either, — I sighed.

— Evelyn... — Amelia began, but I noticed something more intriguing and ran to the window.

Suddenly, I saw a silhouette outside. Approaching the window, I saw the harpy. She stood motionless, as if waiting for me. I asked Amelia to stay in the room and ran out to face my fear. It was time to find out what this harpy wanted from me.

Outside, the harpy stood still, her gaze piercing through me. She was as tall as I was, enormous, and incredibly beautiful. I approached her slowly, cautiously, not taking my eyes off her massive wings.

Before my eyes, the harpy began to transform into one of the maids. I was in utter shock from this transformation, words caught in my throat, and I couldn't say a word. She handed me the amulet. Her voice was soft and sad:

— Evelyn, I'm sorry I couldn't tell you about this amulet sooner.