Secrets in the Moonlight

The night air was crisp as Evelyn made her way through the dimly lit corridors of the Whitmore estate. The moon cast silver beams through the tall arched windows, illuminating her path as she approached the east wing conservatory. Every step she took echoed softly, a reminder that she was alone, save for the shadows that clung to the corners of the ancient halls.

She pulled her shawl tighter around her shoulders, the anticipation in her chest warring with anxiety. Rosaline had promised her answers, but Theo's warning still rang in her ears. This could be a trap.

When she reached the conservatory doors, she hesitated. The scent of night-blooming jasmine drifted through the air, mingling with the distant hum of the city beyond the estate's walls. Taking a steadying breath, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Rosaline was already there, standing beneath the arch of a grand glass window. The moonlight illuminated her golden hair, casting her in an ethereal glow. She turned at Evelyn's approach, her expression solemn.

"You came," Rosaline said softly.

Evelyn nodded. "I need to know the truth."

Rosaline glanced toward the door before speaking. "I found something," she whispered. "Something my mother left behind before she disappeared."

Evelyn's pulse quickened. "Your mother vanished?"

Rosaline nodded, stepping toward a nearby bench where a small, leather-bound book rested. She picked it up carefully, as if it were the most precious thing in the world. "She always warned me about those who traveled through time. She said they were never safe here."

Evelyn took the book, running her fingers over the worn cover. "And this… what does it say?"

Rosaline hesitated before answering. "It speaks of a doorway. A way back to where you belong."

A wave of hope and fear surged through Evelyn. She had spent so long trying to survive in this world, but the possibility of returning—of going back to her real life—left her breathless.

Before she could respond, a sudden noise broke the quiet. The sound of approaching footsteps. Rosaline's eyes widened in alarm. "Someone's coming."

Evelyn clutched the book to her chest as Rosaline grabbed her wrist. "We need to leave. Now."

As they darted toward the hidden passage behind the conservatory, Evelyn knew one thing for certain—this night had changed everything.