Chapter 10: The Ritual
Ava's mind reeled as she stared at her daughter, the mark on her palm seeming to burn with an otherworldly significance. Catherine's words echoed in her mind: "A legacy of power, of wealth, of sacrifice."
As the days passed, Ava noticed strange occurrences around the mansion. Whispers in the night, shadows moving in the halls, and an increasing sense of foreboding.
One night, Ava woke to find Catherine standing over her daughter's crib, a look of reverence on her face. Ava's heart skipped a beat as she saw the symbol on Catherine's hands, glowing with an eerie light.
"Mom, what are you doing?" Ava asked, her voice firm.
Catherine turned, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity. "Preparing for the ritual," she whispered.
Ava's blood ran cold. "What ritual?" she demanded.
But Catherine just smiled, her eyes glinting with secrets. "The ritual to seal our family's legacy. The ritual to ensure our power and wealth for generations to come."
Ava's heart pounded. She knew she had to act fast to protect her daughter.