PreciousSmith650
In the hauntingly atmospheric village of Dovemoor, seventeen-year-old Isla Thorn returns to her ancestral home following the mysterious death of her mother, Celia Thorn. The Thorn house, steeped in generations of secrets and sorrow, becomes a character in its own right-its creaking floors and shadowed corridors whispering tales of the past.
As Isla settles into the decaying mansion, she is plagued by unsettling visions and dreams that blur the line between reality and the supernatural. A hidden locket bearing the name Ashen-a name eerily familiar yet unknown-unlocks memories and emotions that don't seem to belong to her. With the help of Ezra Wren, a local artist with his own enigmatic connection to the Thorn family, Isla delves into the mysteries surrounding her lineage.
Their investigation leads them to uncover the existence of Ashen, Isla's twin sister who was erased from existence through a dark family ritual. The Hollowing Circle, a clandestine cult intertwined with the Thorn family's history, emerges as a malevolent force seeking to exploit Isla's grief to awaken an ancient entity known as the One Who Sleeps.
Venturing into the catacombs beneath the Thorn estate, Isla and Ezra confront spectral figures, cryptic symbols, and the chilling realization that Isla's very identity is the key to a prophecy that could unleash unspeakable darkness. The culmination of Part One sees Isla making a harrowing choice, leading to Ashen's sacrifice and the unsettling awareness that the Hollow's hunger is far from sated.