Ravenwood Mysteries

Chapter One

The heavy wooden doors of Ravenwood Manor groaned open, revealing the vast and meticulously maintained estate. Wisteria Iris Ravenwood stepped through the doorway, the fabric of her dark green dress whispering against the polished marble floor. Her pale fingers trailed along the intricate carvings on the wall, a habit she had developed since she first moved into the manor, seeking comfort in the cool, smooth texture beneath her fingertips.

The house was quiet, as it always was in the early morning, the staff already at their tasks. Wisteria appreciated the serenity, the way the silence allowed her thoughts to take root and grow, much like the beloved plants in her garden. The wisteria trees outside were in full bloom, their lavender tendrils cascading down like a waterfall, swaying gently in the breeze. The scent of cherry blossoms lingered in the air, mingling with the subtle aroma of orchids and roses that filled the hallways, courtesy of the gardener, Violet.

She made her way through the main corridor, her footsteps echoing off the high ceilings. At 22, Wisteria had crafted a life of solitude and independence, far from her parents and their meddling. The sprawling estate was her sanctuary, a place where she could indulge her peculiar interests without judgment or interference. Here, she nurtured not only her flowers but also her curiosities—the strange and the macabre that had fascinated her since childhood.

In the heart of the mansion, hidden behind a grand tapestry depicting a scene of otherworldly creatures, was a room known only to Wisteria and one other. The room was her sanctum, a library filled with ancient texts, some detailing the art of dark magic, others chronicling the lives and deaths of long-forgotten souls. It was in this room, late one stormy night, that she had first summoned him.

Lucian.

His name alone sent a shiver down her spine, a mix of fear and something else she dared not name. He had appeared before her, a figure of elegance and danger, draped in shadows that seemed to cling to him like a second skin. His eyes, crimson and piercing, had seen through her in that first moment, laying bare all her secrets. And yet, she had not recoiled. Instead, she had extended her hand, offering him the contract that would bind him to her service.

He had accepted, of course, as demons do when they sense something intriguing. His loyalty had been unwavering, his service impeccable. But over the months, something had changed. Wisteria found herself drawn to him in ways she could not fully understand. His presence was both a comfort and a torment, the very air between them crackling with unspoken tension.

As she approached the library, she could feel the familiar prickle of awareness that always accompanied Lucian’s proximity. He would be waiting for her inside, as he always was at this hour, ready to begin the day’s duties. She paused before the door, her hand resting on the cool brass handle. For a moment, she hesitated, steeling herself against the flutter in her chest.

When she pushed the door open, Lucian was there, standing by the tall windows that overlooked the garden. The morning light cast a halo around him, highlighting the sharp lines of his face, the dark, flowing hair that framed his features, and the gleam of those unnatural eyes. He turned as she entered, bowing with a grace that seemed almost mocking in its perfection.

“Good morning, Mistress Wisteria,” he intoned, his voice smooth and rich, laced with the faintest hint of something dangerous.

“Good morning, Lucian,” she replied, keeping her tone steady. “Is everything in order?”

“Of course,” he said, a slight smile playing at the corners of his lips. “The estate is as it should be, and your staff is attending to their duties. You need not concern yourself with any trivial matters.”

Despite his assurances, Wisteria couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. It was her nature to care for those around her, to ensure they were well before tending to her own needs. Yet with Lucian, it was different. He was always one step ahead, anticipating her desires before she even voiced them. It was unsettling, how he could read her so well, and yet… it was also comforting.