Chapter 1The Girl Who Believed in Legends
THE VILLAGE OF RAVENSHOLLOW HAD ONE RULE THAT EVERY CHILD KNEW BY HEART:
NEVER ENTER BLACKWOOD FOREST AFTER SUNSET.
The elders claimed the forest was cursed.
Some whispered that a monster lived deep within its shadows.
Others believed a ghost wandered beneath the ancient trees, waiting for the Blood Moon to rise.
A few even insisted that the Guardian of Blackwood had died centuries ago—but somehow never left.
Everyone feared the stories.
Everyone...
Except EVELYN ASHFORD. 🌙
At twenty-one, Evelyn had spent her entire life chasing forgotten legends. While others dismissed old tales as superstition, she believed every myth hid a fragment of truth.
She wasn't searching for fairy tales.
She was searching for answers.
One rainy afternoon, while sorting through her late grandfather's belongings, Evelyn discovered an old leather journal tied with a faded black ribbon.
Its pages smelled of age.
Most of the writing had faded away...
Except for one sentence.
"The Guardian of Blackwood is real. If fate ever leads you to him... don't fear his eyes. Fear the Blood Moon."
Tucked inside the journal was a rough, hand-drawn map.
It pointed toward the deepest part of BLACKWOOD FOREST.
Most people would have thrown the journal into the fire.
Evelyn only smiled.
"If this is true..."
"I'm going to find him."
Far beyond Ravenshollow...
Hidden among towering pine trees and surrounded by silver mist...
stood a quiet wooden cabin beside a crystal-clear lake.
Outside, a man split firewood with calm precision.
His raven-black hair swayed gently in the evening breeze.
His silver-grey eyes reflected the fading sunlight like polished steel.
A large wolf rested peacefully near the porch while two deer grazed only a few steps away, completely unafraid.
The forest trusted him.
Its creatures obeyed him.
HIS NAME...
WAS LUCIAN
He lived alone.
Not because he hated people...
But because people feared what they could never understand.
Every week, under the cover of darkness, he quietly left baskets filled with herbs, fresh bread, and food near the homes of struggling families in Ravenshollow.
No one ever knew who helped them.
Instead...
Whenever strange things happened...
They blamed the mysterious Guardian of Blackwood.
As the sun disappeared behind the mountains, the village bell echoed through Ravenshollow.
DONG...
DONG...
DONG...
"THE BLOOD MOON WILL RISE IN THREE NIGHTS!"
Panic spread across the village.
Doors slammed shut.
Windows were locked.
Candles were extinguished.
Only one man remained standing beneath the darkening sky.
Lucian slowly looked upward.
For the first time that day...
Fear crossed his face.
He whispered so softly that even the wind almost failed to hear him.
"Please..."
"Not this year."
Because he knew...
When the Blood Moon rose...
The ancient curse sleeping inside him would awaken once more.
And if fate brought the wrong person into his path...
Neither of their lives...
Would ever be the same again.
END OF CHAPTER 1 🌙🩸
