Mia's eyes locked onto Lyrein's, the cityscape blurring by outside the car window. "New Orleans?" she repeated, her voice barely above a whisper.
Lyrein's smile was enigmatic, his eyes glinting with secrets. "Your family's hometown. You'll start by learning your mother's old spells and uncovering the mysteries of the Alden legacy."
Mia's mind reeled as she processed the information. Alden. That was her mother's maiden name. She had always wondered about her family's past, and now, she was about to uncover the truth.
As they drove through the French Quarter, the sounds and smells of the city washed over her. Kia and Amara has their eyes fixed on her with a hint of nervousness filled with excitement,They turned a corner, and a grand mansion came into view, the gate emblazoned with the name "Alden".
Mia's breath caught in her throat. "Alden?" she whispered, her eyes fixed on the mansion.
Lyrein nodded, his expression unreadable. "The Alden estate. Your family's ancestral home."
Mia's eyes widened as they pulled up to the mansion, the iron gates swinging open to admit them. The mansion loomed above her, its balconies and turrets seeming to stretch up to the sky.
As they stepped out of the car, a statuesque woman with skin like dark honey and eyes that sparkled with warmth, hurrying down the steps towards her.
"Aunt Colette!" Lyrein said, grinning, as the woman swept Mia into a warm hug.
"Mia, ma chère, we've been waiting for you," Aunt Colette said, her voice filled with emotion.
Mia introduced Kia and Amara too Aunt Colette who welcomed them all with opened arms
Mia felt a sense of belonging wash over her as Aunt Colette led her into the mansion, the doors creaking open to reveal a grand foyer filled with family portraits and antiques.
But as she looked around, Mia noticed something strange. The portraits seemed to be watching her, their eyes following her every move. And the air was thick with the scent of old magic.
"Aunt Colette, what's going on?" Mia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Aunt Colette's smile was mysterious. "You'll find out soon enough, ma chère. The Alden legacy is full of secrets, and you're about to uncover them all."
Mia felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized that she was about to embark on a journey into the heart of her family's mysteries.