The tension in the Thornhill household was palpable, though unspoken. Marcus stood by the window, gazing out at the horizon, his mind swirling with questions about the strange occurrences that had taken place over the last few days. The discovery of the artifact had set everything in motion, but now, it felt like their lives were on the brink of something far more dangerous.
Clara entered the room, her presence grounding him as she approached with her characteristic calm. "The council has agreed to meet," she said softly. "But they're wary, Marcus. They sense the disturbance too."
Marcus nodded, turning to face her. "It's not just the artifact. Something darker is at play. I feel it."
Clara crossed her arms, her brows furrowing. "And Sylvie and Kael? How are they?"
"They're fine for now," Marcus replied, though his voice betrayed his concern. "But I worry about what's coming. They're so young. This... world we're dealing with now feels like it's beyond our control."
Clara placed a hand on his arm. "We've faced difficult times before. We'll find a way through this too. But we need to act fast."
As they strategized, a knock interrupted their conversation. A servant entered, bowing slightly. "My lord, my lady. A visitor has arrived. He says he has information about the artifact."
Marcus and Clara exchanged glances. This was unexpected. "Bring him in," Marcus ordered.
The visitor was an older man, cloaked in a dark robe that concealed much of his face. His presence was unsettling, and Marcus felt the hair on the back of his neck rise as the man stepped forward.
"I've come with a warning," the man rasped, his voice low and ominous. "The artifact you've uncovered is not what you believe it to be."
Marcus stepped forward, his tone firm. "Then tell us what it is."
The man chuckled darkly, raising his head slightly, revealing deep-set, eerie eyes. "It's not merely a relic. It's a key—one that unlocks a force far more ancient than you can imagine. And the moment you activated it, you set things in motion that cannot be undone."
Clara narrowed her eyes. "Who are you?"
"I am a keeper of secrets, Lady Thornhill," the man said, his voice filled with cryptic intent. "And if you do not heed my warning, your family will fall into a fate far worse than death."
Marcus's heart raced. "What must we do?"
The man's gaze flickered between Marcus and Clara. "Prepare yourselves. For the darkness you've stirred will soon come for you—and your children."
Without another word, the man turned and left the room, leaving Marcus and Clara standing in stunned silence.
The storm was coming, and now, they knew their fight had only just begun.