Semua Bab Whispers of Stardust: A Cursed Destiny: Bab 1 - Bab 10

Nightingale Books has been in my family for three generations. The old Victorian that houses it has been in the family for even longer five generations of Nightingales have walked its creaking floors and ducked beneath its low-hanging doorways.I unlock the front door, the familiar scent of paper and binding glue washing over me as I step inside. Outside, the wind picks up, rattling the stained-glass transom window that casts blue and purple shadows across the worn floorboards.The bookstore occupies the entire first floor shelves crammed with everything from bestsellers to obscure poetry collections. The second floor is my apartment, and the third... well, the third floor has been locked for as long as I can remember. My parents' private domain, and now just another space filled with questions they took to their graves."Morning, Oscar," I say to the fat orange tabby curled on the checkout counter. He yawns in response, stretching luxuriously before settling back into his self-appoin

The Blackwood estate looms against the afternoon sky like something from a gothic novel—all weathered stone and sweeping gables, surrounded by ancient oak trees whose branches scrape against upper windows when the wind blows. I stand at the wrought-iron gates, second-guessing my decision to come alone.Luna had offered to accompany me, her aura pulsing with protective blues when I told her about meeting Vivian Blackwood at the lighthouse. But I'd fed her a sanitized version of events, omitting the parts about family curses and mysterious convergences. Those revelations would prompt questions I'm not ready to answer.So here I am, alone, pushing open a gate that creaks in cinematic perfection.The front door swings open before I reach it. Cain stands in the doorway, dressed in dark jeans and a gray henley that matches his eyes. Without his usual coat, he looks less intimidating but no less intense."You came," he says, sounding faintly surprised."Apparently I'm making a lot of questio

The lighthouse keeper's cottage sits dark and empty, shuttered for the off-season. Cain bypasses the main entrance, leading me around to a weathered door nearly hidden by overgrown shrubs."Maintenance access," he explains, producing a key from his pocket."Let me guess—Blackwood family privilege?"A hint of a smile. "Something like that. My ancestors helped build this place."The door opens to reveal a narrow spiral staircase winding downward. Cain hands me a flashlight from his pack, then takes my hand again. His touch has become strangely familiar in the short time since we fled my house."The stairs are treacherous," he says, misinterpreting my startled look at our joined hands. "And I can shield you from any residual energies down there."We descend in silence, the only sounds our careful footsteps and the distant crash of waves against the cliffside. The air grows cold and heavy with salt and dampness. After about thirty feet, the stairs end at another door—this one reinforced w

Mrs. Holloway's enchanted journal flares to life at breakfast, words appearing on the previously blank page in her meticulous handwriting:Making progress. University equipment helpful. Discovered pattern in the Lens symbols—star charts tracing back to 1739. Will return tomorrow with complete calculations.CAUTION: Vivian on the move. Reports of strangers asking questions in nearby mountain towns. Strengthen your wards. Limit magic use—she may be tracking energy signatures.Cain frowns at the message. "If she's expanding her search to the mountains, we need to be extra careful.""How would she track energy signatures?" I ask, pouring more coffee."The same way you sense emotions. Some practitioners can detect magic use, especially powerful or distinctive types." He glances around the cabin. "Mrs. Holloway's wards are subtle, but if we start practicing combat magic or attempt larger workings...""We might as well send up a flare." I nod, understanding. "So what do we do?""Focus on the

Morning brings unexpected hope in the form of a single line appearing in the enchanted journal:Safe. Location compromised. Meeting impossible. Proceed with preparations. Will contact with further instructions.The message is brief and offers no details about Mrs. Holloway's whereabouts, but it confirms what matters most—she's alive and still working with us."That's our cue," Cain says, relief evident in his voice. "We need to get to the lighthouse, assess the chamber, and start preparing for the ritual."Luna, heading to work at the café, offers to gather intelligence on Vivian's activities and the town's growing awareness of the Convergence phenomena. We arrange to meet at the café after closing, using the back entrance to avoid being seen."Be careful," I tell her as she leaves. "If Vivian suspects you're helping us...""I'll be the picture of innocent curiosity," Luna promises, her aura pulsing with determination despite her light tone. "Just another local business owner concerne