Chapter 2: The Heiress of Light
The next morning, sunlight poured through the tall windows of Mia's seaside villa. She stood on the balcony, looking over the bright blue waters that surrounded Moonvale Island. It looked peaceful — as if last night's horrors had been a dream.
But she couldn't forget the man with silver eyes.
Or the creatures that disappeared when he touched them.
Her phone buzzed. "Miss Brightstone," said her assistant, "Father John from the Holy Guard has requested a meeting. He says it's about… spiritual disturbances on the island."
Mia frowned. "Tell him I don't believe in ghost stories," she said.
But her voice shook slightly. She wasn't sure she believed herself anymore.
The old church of Moonvale stood in the middle of the village, surrounded by stone walls covered in ivy. Father John, a young priest sent by the Holy Guard, studied strange symbols drawn across the altar. His calm eyes hid a sharp, thoughtful mind.
When Mia arrived, the light from the stained glass fell across her like colored fire. Father John smiled gently.
"Miss Brightstone. I've been expecting you."
"You have?" she asked. "We've never met."
"No," he said. "But the island told me about you."
Her brow furrowed. "The island… told you?"
He nodded. "Moonvale has a heartbeat. It senses things. And lately, it's been afraid."
Mia gave a nervous laugh. "Afraid? Of what?"
He looked straight into her eyes.
"Of what's awakening. And of the man who saved you last night."
Her breath caught. "Ben?"
Father John nodded slowly. "Yes. He's not what he seems. He was created long ago to fight the same darkness that attacked you. But his curse… makes him both protector and danger."
That night, rain swept across Moonvale again. Ben stood alone by the rocky shore, his coat whipping in the wind. He watched the distant villa lights flicker through the storm.
"Mia Brightstone…" he murmured. "Why now? Why you?"
Memories returned — of another woman long ago, who shared Mia's eyes and heart. The one he couldn't save. The one whose death had cursed him forever.
He looked down at his sword.
The steel shimmered faintly — reacting to a dark force rising from beneath the island.
Ben whispered, "The shades are awakening."
Thunder echoed. The sea roared. And somewhere in the depths of Moonvale Island, something ancient opened its eyes.