Secrets of blooming estate book one

Chapter one the invitation

The wind whipped through the overgrown trees as Sophia Marlowe stood at the gates of Blooming Estate, staring at the iron bars that had once separated her from the mysteries within. The estate loomed before her, an imposing silhouette against the darkening sky, with ivy creeping up the sides of the ancient stone mansion like fingers reaching for something long lost.

She hadn't been back in nearly a decade, not since her parents had died. Their deaths had been ruled an accident—something to do with the unstable foundations of the Estate—but there were whispers, always whispers, about the Marlowe family and their connection to the Garden, the mysterious heart of the Estate.

Sophia wasn't here by choice. The letter had arrived two weeks ago, an invitation to return to Blooming Estate and assume her "rightful place" in the Society. The words had been cryptic, but the seal at the bottom was unmistakable—the crest of the Blooming Society, a secret order that her family had been connected to for generations. Her father had told her little about them before his death, but she had always sensed something dark lingering beneath the surface of their estate, something that her family had been protecting—or hiding—for centuries.

Now, standing at the threshold of her family's legacy, Sophia felt a chill creep down her spine. She hadn't expected the estate to look so... abandoned. The once meticulously groomed gardens were overgrown with tangled weeds, and the windows of the mansion were dark and lifeless. The estate had always felt strange, but now it felt like it had been waiting for her.

With a sigh, she stepped forward, pushing the gate open. The creaking of the iron sent an eerie echo through the air, and the cold wind seemed to pick up as she walked the familiar path toward the front door. Every step felt heavier than the last, as if the land itself didn't want her there. But she had no choice now.

At the entrance, a large wooden door towered above her, its ornate carvings depicting scenes from some forgotten era. The weight of history pressed down on her, reminding her of everything she had left behind. Taking a deep breath, she lifted the brass knocker shaped like a coiled serpent and let it fall with a solid thud.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then, from within, the sound of footsteps—slow and deliberate. The door creaked open, revealing a tall woman in a deep purple cloak. Her face was pale and sharp, her eyes dark and calculating. She regarded Sophia with an almost predatory interest before stepping aside and gesturing for her to enter.

"Welcome back, Sophia Marlowe," the woman said, her voice low and smooth, like velvet wrapped around steel. "We've been expecting you."

Sophia hesitated, feeling the weight of the woman's gaze. "You are?"

"Beatrice Hawthorn," the woman replied, inclining her head slightly. "I serve as the steward of Blooming Estate in your family's absence, and I am the second-in-command of the Blooming Society. But more importantly, I'm here to guide you through what comes next."

Sophia stepped across the threshold, the air inside the mansion feeling somehow colder than outside. The interior was just as grand as she remembered—dark wood paneling, high ceilings, and chandeliers that flickered with an unnatural light. But there was something off about the place, a sense of decay hiding beneath the grandeur. Dust hung in the air, and shadows seemed to move in the corners of her vision, disappearing the moment she tried to focus on them.

"Why now?" Sophia asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why call me back after all these years?"

Beatrice closed the door behind her, the sound echoing ominously through the hall. "Because, Sophia, the time has come. Your family's legacy—your legacy—cannot be avoided any longer. The Blooming Society has kept watch over the Garden for centuries, but the balance has shifted. The power within the Garden is growing restless, and only a Marlowe can truly control it."

Sophia felt a knot form in her stomach. "What does that mean? What's really happening here?"

Beatrice's expression softened slightly, though the intensity in her eyes remained. "You've been told some of the truth, but not all. The Garden is not merely a place—it is a source of power, one that your ancestors have been bound to for generations. It's why the Society exists, to protect and guard it. But the Garden has been... changing. And without you, it cannot be contained."

Sophia clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms. The Garden. Her parents had mentioned it in passing when she was young, always in vague terms, always with a sense of foreboding. She had thought it was just a strange, hidden part of the estate, a place off-limits for reasons unknown. But it was more than that. It had always been more.

"You're telling me that my family has been keeping some kind of... power here? Why didn't anyone tell me?" Sophia asked, her voice rising with frustration.

Beatrice's expression hardened. "Your parents kept many secrets, Sophia. They thought they could keep you safe by keeping you away from the truth. But they were wrong. The Garden has a will of its own, and it has chosen you. Now, you must decide if you will embrace your inheritance or let it consume you."

The words hung heavy in the air, and Sophia felt a wave of dread wash over her. This was why she had been called back—not just to reclaim the estate, but to take on a burden that had been passed down through her bloodline. The weight of centuries of responsibility pressed down on her, and she wasn't sure if she was ready to bear it.

Beatrice's eyes softened slightly. "There is still time to understand what's at stake. The Society will guide you. But know this—once you step deeper into the Garden, there is no turning back."

Sophia looked around the grand hall, her mind racing. She hadn't expected this—hadn't expected to be thrust into a world of secrets and ancient power. But now that she was here, she couldn't ignore it. She couldn't walk away.

With a deep breath, she looked back at Beatrice. "Show me the Garden."

Beatrice smiled faintly, a glimmer of approval in her dark eyes. "As you wish. But be warned, Sophia—what lies within the Garden is not easily understood. It will test you. And it will change you."

Sophia nodded, her resolve hardening. She had come back to the estate to find answers, and now she was ready to face whatever truths lay hidden within the Garden's depths. Even if it meant confronting the darkness her family had kept buried for generations.

With that, Beatrice turned and led Sophia down a long corridor, the flickering candlelight casting their shadows across the walls. As they walked deeper into the estate, the air grew colder, and Sophia could feel the pull of something ancient—something that had been waiting for her all along.

The Garden was calling, and there was no turning back.