In order to better understand the unusual magic surrounding the mansion, I entered Michael's former study. It was as though something heavy had just moved in, and the air felt rigid. Regardless, this was something unusual for Michael, who never kept anything sinister about.

A tiny scratch on the wood caught my attention as I approached the desk. There was a tiny silver line that looked like someone had drawn a circle but mostly erased it. As my fingertips passed over it, a gentle pulse shifted ...