Bloodline of Shadows

Chapter 3: The Hidden Truth

The morning light filtered through the rain-drenched windows, casting a muted glow across the room. Isla stirred, blinking against the soft illumination. The whispers from last night clung to her mind like a shroud, filling her with a sense of urgency. She glanced over at Tessa, who was still cocooned in her blankets, her brow furrowed in sleep.

Isla sighed and swung her legs over the side of the bed, the cool floorboards sending a shiver up her spine. Today was the day. She felt a mixture of excitement and dread, they would confront Aunt Seraphina about the mysterious door.

After a quick shower and a hasty breakfast, Isla and Tessa gathered their things and headed out the door. The air was fresh and clean after the rain, but Isla couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. Tessa, typically chatty in the morning, remained unusually quiet, lost in her thoughts.

As they walked to school, Isla stole glances at Tessa, wondering if her sister was feeling the same tension that gripped her. "You okay?" she finally asked, breaking the silence.

Tessa looked up, her expression contemplative. "Yeah, just... thinking about what we're going to say to Aunt Sera. Do you really think she'll tell us about the door?"

Isla shrugged, trying to mask her own uncertainty. "She has to, right? We deserve to know."

The school loomed ahead, and as they entered the bustling halls, Isla felt the familiar knot in her stomach. The memory of Lindsay's humiliation still lingered in the air, and she could sense the whispers and stares from their classmates. She and Tessa made their way to their respective classes, the anticipation of their conversation with Aunt Seraphina weighing heavily on her.

As the hours dragged on, Isla's mind wandered. She found herself replaying the events of the previous day in chemistry, the way she had felt that jolt of energy just before the beaker exploded. It was as if the world around her had shifted for a moment, allowing her to tap into something she didn't fully understand.

By the time the last bell rang, Isla felt a renewed sense of determination. She met Tessa outside the school, and together they walked home, both girls quietly steeling themselves for the impending confrontation.

"Let's just ask her straight out," Isla said as they approached Aunt Seraphina's house.

"Okay, but... maybe we should ease into it?" Tessa suggested, her brow furrowed in thought. "We don't want her to feel attacked or anything."

"Fine, but we have to at least bring it up," Isla insisted, pushing the door open and stepping into the warm interior of the house.

Aunt Seraphina was in the kitchen, her back turned as she prepared dinner. The scent of herbs and roasted vegetables wafted through the air, but Isla felt little appetite at the moment.

"Aunt Sera?" Isla called out, her voice a mix of hope and apprehension.

Aunt Seraphina turned, a warm smile on her face. "Hello, my darlings! How was school?"

"It was... fine," Tessa replied, her eyes darting between Isla and their aunt. "Can we talk to you about something?"

"Of course! What's on your minds?" Aunt Seraphina set down the knife she had been using and wiped her hands on a dish towel.

Isla took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her question pressing against her chest. "It's about the door upstairs. The one that's always locked."

Aunt Seraphina's expression shifted slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face. "Oh? What about it?"

"We were just curious about what's behind it. It's been bothering us," Tessa added, stepping forward. "You never talk about it, and we think it's strange."