The Curse Unbound: Shadows of Wraithbourne, #3

By Morrow Blackwood

"The Curse Unbound: The Final Chapter"

 

Dive into the heart-stopping climax of the riveting trilogy with "The Curse Unbound," a masterpiece that weaves a tale of darkness, destiny, and defiance. Within the pages of this final installment, the shadows thicken around Nora, Julian, Izzy, and Flint as they stand on the brink of a confrontation that will not only determine their fate but also the future of the enigmatic Wraithbourne Manor.

As the sinister legacy of The Ancestor unfurls like a dark tapestry, our intrepid heroes are catapulted into a daring crusade to dismantle a curse that has clung to their lineage with relentless tenacity. Equipped with esoteric lore, a bond tempered in the fires of adversity, and a determination as steadfast as the ancient stones of the manor, they craft a strategy teeming with peril and fraught with the unknown. They face a malevolence that thrives on the anguish and fear it engenders, pushing them to the limits of their courage and ingenuity.

On a night painted with the ominous hues of a blood-red moon, where magic dances with fate, they are drawn into an epic showdown. The very earth bears witness to their struggle, a testament to the blurred lines between valor and sacrifice. This pivotal battle will exact a toll, challenge the essence of their beings, and unearth secrets shrouded in the mists of time, offering either redemption or ruin.

In the quiet aftermath, as a tenuous peace envelops the realm, Wraithbourne Manor stands reborn—not merely as a bastion of memories and stone but as a beacon of perseverance and hope. Changed irrevocably, Nora vows to shield the world from the resurgence of such abyssal forces, while Julian, Izzy, and Flint chart courses altered by the tempest they weathered. Together, they rise, not merely as survivors but as sentinels against the creeping shadows.

However, as the resonance of their ordeal fades into silence, the creeping whispers in the darkness and the fleeting shadows at the edge of vision whisper of a disquieting truth: darkness, once summoned, is loath to depart entirely. These murmurs pose a haunting inquiry—what malevolence bides its time in the gloom, yearning for its moment to ascend once more?

"The Curse Unbound" is a gothic odyssey that ensnares readers in its grip of suspense, terror, and the unbreakable resolve of the human spirit. It challenges you to step into the abyss once again, to confront the specters of your own past alongside our heroes. For the journey ahead is not merely about dispelling a curse but about confronting the inner shadows that bind us all.

Will you brave the darkness? Will you break the chains? Dare to unbind the curse and discover the truth within.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bacon Smile
• Release date: Feb 22, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224202683

Book preview

Morrow Blackwood

Chapter 1: Gathering Storm

The autumn wind whispered through the withered leaves of Wraithbourne Manor, carrying an air of impending destiny. Within the ancient walls of the manor, a light flickered against the gathering gloom of evening, casting long shadows that danced with the promise of a storm on the horizon. Nora, Julian, Izzy, and Flint stood in the grand hall, their faces etched with the scars of their past battles, both physical and unseen.

Nora broke the silence that had fallen among them. We’ve come so far, she began, her voice steady yet imbued with a weight that the shadows seemed to lean in to hear. But the hardest part of our journey lies just ahead.

Julian nodded, his gaze fixed on the intricate patterns of the ancient rug beneath their feet, as if deciphering a hidden message. The curse has never been this restless, he observed, the concern in his voice mirroring the unease that flickered in his eyes. It’s like it knows we’re close to uncovering something... monumental.

Izzy, who had been quietly tuning her senses to the manor’s whispers, chimed in, her voice a mix of determination and apprehension. The spirits are agitated, more so than I’ve ever felt. It’s as though the very air is charged with their anticipation... or maybe their fear.

Flint, ever the pragmatist, unfolded a set of blueprints on a nearby table, the ancient paper crackling under his fingers. We’ve scoured nearly every inch of this place, and yet, it feels like we’re missing a piece of the puzzle. Whatever’s anchoring the curse here, it’s well hidden.

The group gathered around the table, their heads bowed together, not just in concentration but in a silent show of unity. The blueprints detailed every known passageway, hidden chamber, and secret alcove of Wraithbourne Manor, marked with notes from their previous explorations.

Look, Nora pointed to a section of the blueprint, an area beneath the east wing that had eluded their thorough searches. The Ancestor’s diary mentioned a ‘sanctum of shadows’ where he conducted his most forbidden rituals. We assumed it was metaphorical, but what if it’s not?

Julian’s interest piqued, he leaned closer. You think it’s a physical place? Hidden somewhere within the manor?

It’s possible, Izzy added, her intuition sparking. There have been whispers, fragments of conversations lost in time, speaking of a place where light fears to tread. We assumed they were just tales, but now...

Flint scrutinized the blueprint, tracing lines with a calloused finger. If such a place exists, it would be well concealed, possibly through enchantments or physical mechanisms the Ancestor designed himself.

The conversation sparked a renewed sense of purpose among them, the lingering fear and fatigue momentarily forgotten in the face of discovery. They divided the tasks according to their strengths: Nora and Julian would delve into the remaining texts for any reference to the sanctum’s location or means of access. At the same time, Izzy would attempt to communicate with the spirits, seeking guidance or confirmation. Flint, with his keen eye for detail and understanding of mechanical devices, would re-examine the manor itself, searching for any anomalies or hidden mechanisms.

As they set about their tasks, the manor seemed to watch, its ancient walls echoing with the remnants of a thousand whispers. Nora and Julian poured over the texts in the library, the flicker of candlelight casting a warm glow against the cold logic of their search.

There has to be something we missed, Nora murmured, her fingers brushing against the spine of an aged tome. "A clue, a reference, anything that could