Crossed Spells

Chapter 14: Revealed Heritage (Part 1)

The sun was setting over Ravenswood, bathing the small town in an orange glow that seemed almost supernatural. Lucas Blackwood was sitting at his desk, trying to concentrate on his homework, but his mind kept wandering to the strange events that had been occurring lately.

The entire town seemed to be plunged into an atmosphere of mystery and tension. Rumors were circulating, speaking of unexplained lights dancing in the night sky, shadows moving in impossible ways, and even strange sounds echoing through the deserted streets at night. Lucas knew that some of these phenomena were probably exaggerated by the overactive imagination of the inhabitants, but he couldn't help wondering if his own powers, or those of Aria, weren't partly responsible.

A knock on his door pulled him from his thoughts. "Lucas," called his father Damien's deep voice. "Can you come down to my office? We need to talk."

His father's tone was serious, more than usual. Lucas felt his heart race. Had he discovered something? Did he know about his secret training sessions with Aria?

"I'm coming, Dad," he replied, trying to keep his voice calm despite his growing anxiety.

As he descended the stairs, Lucas glanced at Shade, his shadow familiar, who was floating silently beside him. "Stay on your guard," the young man whispered. Shade rippled slightly in response, as if to nod.

Damien Blackwood's office was an imposing room, filled with old books and strange objects that Lucas had never really understood. His father was sitting behind his large oak desk, his grave face illuminated by the flickering light of an ancient lamp.

"Sit down, Lucas," said Damien, gesturing to the chair in front of him.

Lucas obeyed, trying to keep an impassive face despite his growing apprehension. "What's going on, Dad?"

Damien remained silent for a moment, his dark eyes scrutinizing his son's face as if trying to read something there. Finally, he sighed deeply. "Lucas, I think it's time we had a serious conversation about... our family heritage."

Lucas's heart skipped a beat. This was the moment he had both hoped for and dreaded for so long. "Our heritage?" he repeated, trying to appear confused.

"Don't play that game with me, son," said Damien, his tone becoming harder. "I know you've noticed the strange things happening in town. And I also know you've had your own... experiences."

Lucas swallowed hard. There was no more room for denial. "How... how do you know?"

A small sad smile appeared on Damien's face. "Because I went through the same thing at your age. Our family, Lucas, is not like others as you know. We carry a burden, a legacy that goes back to the very foundation of Ravenswood."

Lucas felt a shiver run down his spine. It was as if all the pieces of a complex puzzle were finally starting to fit together. "Dad, what exactly do you mean?"

Damien slowly stood up, walking towards an old cabinet in the corner of the room. He pulled out an ancient book, its leather cover cracked by time. "This book," he said, gently placing it on the desk, "contains the history of our family. A history of power, sacrifice, and... curse."

Lucas's eyes widened. "A curse?"

Damien nodded gravely. "Yes, Lucas. Our family is under an ancestral curse, linked to the shadow powers we possess."

Lucas felt his head spin. Part of him wanted to deny, pretend that all this was just an elaborate joke. But another part, deeper, knew it was the truth. It explained so much: the rigorous training, his father's insistence on control, the constant fear of being discovered.