The next morning, the manor felt heavier, as though the spirits of the past were watching Sophia and Liam's every move. The journal they had uncovered painted a horrifying picture of the Harrington family's legacy, but it also left them with more questions. Who were the mysterious figures Henry referred to in his journal? And how could they break the pact that had cursed the manor for generations?
Sophia spread the journal and other letters across the library table, her brow furrowed in concentration. Liam paced behind her, his hands resting on his hips as he processed everything they had learned.
"The pact demanded blood," Sophia said, her voice steady despite the chill in the air. "It wasn't just James—it was anyone Henry thought would satisfy the terms of the deal."
Liam stopped pacing and turned to her. "But why would anyone agree to something like that in the first place? What could be worth that kind of sacrifice?"
Sophia flipped through the journal, her fingers brushing over the brittle pages. "Power. Wealth. Henry was desperate to ensure the Harrington family's dominance. And it worked—for a while. But it was never going to last. Deals like this always come at a greater cost."
Liam's gaze darkened. "If the pact required sacrifices, and Henry failed to deliver, that would explain his death. But what about the rest of the family? Did they continue the cycle, or did it end with him?"
Sophia hesitated, her mind racing. "We need more answers. The journal hints at a connection to someone—or something—beyond this world. If we can figure out who 'they' are, maybe we can find a way to break the curse."
---
The search for answers led them back to the manor's hidden spaces. They started with the safe where they had found the journal, meticulously examining every corner for additional clues. Behind the shelves, they discovered a small compartment containing an ancient book bound in cracked leather.
Sophia opened it carefully, revealing pages filled with strange symbols and cryptic text. The language was unfamiliar, but the imagery was clear: diagrams of rituals, circles drawn in ash, and depictions of shadowy figures.
"This isn't just a journal," Liam said, peering over her shoulder. "It's a grimoire."
Sophia's stomach sank. "Henry didn't just make a deal—he performed a ritual. He summoned something."
As they flipped through the pages, one entry caught their attention. It described a ceremony involving blood and fire, designed to seal a pact with an otherworldly entity. The instructions were precise, detailing the use of specific herbs, symbols, and sacrifices.
"This is how it started," Sophia whispered. "Henry summoned something dark to secure his family's future. But he didn't realize it would come back to destroy him."
Liam's jaw tightened. "If this is how the pact was made, then maybe we can find a way to undo it. There has to be something in here about breaking the bond."
They continued reading, their eyes scanning the dense text for any mention of reversal. Toward the back of the book, they found a passage written in Latin, accompanied by a rough sketch of a broken circle.
Sophia translated it aloud: To sever the bond, the cycle must be completed. Blood given must be returned. Fire must cleanse what remains.
Her voice faltered. "Blood given… Does that mean—?"
Liam nodded grimly. "We have to acknowledge the sacrifices—the lives that were taken—and release them. If we don't, the curse will continue."
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