Chapter 8 - Shattering the Pedestal
The central altar split in two.
A blinding column of pure, golden light erupted from the core of the earth, shooting straight up through the subterranean vault, tearing through the floors of Blackwood Manor, and piercing the dark storm clouds in the night sky above.
The six stone statues of the ancient brides began to disintegrate.
The gray stone peeled away like dry scales, revealing light beneath. One by one, the spirits of the long-lost women were released from their marble prisons, floating upward into the golden beam of light with expressions of profound, overwhelming peace before vanishing into the night air.
The gray petrification on Violet’s arm and leg instantly shattered into fine, harmless white dust.
Warm, vibrant blood flowed freely through her veins once more. The heavy, suffocating pressure that had weighed on her chest for three years lifted completely, leaving her light, free, and strong.
Beside them, the stone body of Victoria began to crack violently.
Because her heart had been consumed by greed and dark ambition, there was no soul left to save. With a hollow, echoing thud, the granite statue of the former matriarch collapsed inward, crumbling into a pile of lifeless, gray ash upon the marble floor.
"The foundation is collapsing!" Maeve yelled, pointing up toward the ceiling as massive boulders of black rock began to rain down around them. "The magic holding the mansion together is gone! We have to get out now!"
Julian scooped Violet into his arms, but she pushed herself down, landing firmly on her own two feet.
"I can run, Julian," Violet said, a magnificent, triumphant smile breaking across her face. "I can run!"
Hand in hand, Julian and Violet sprinted toward the spiral staircase, with Maeve leading the way. Behind them, the subterranean hall of statues plunged into the abyss as the earth reclaimed the dark sanctuary.
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They reached the bridal suite just as the walls of Blackwood Manor began to fold inward like a house of cards. Glass shattered, ancient mahogany beam splintered, and centuries of dark, cursed history collapsed into the deep subterranean sinkhole below.
They threw themselves through the broken bay window out onto the green garden terrace just as the grand central tower of the mansion came crashing down in a cloud of dust and thunder.
