Chapter 83

It was strange that it took Jackson and Jason knowing his secret to make him face his bottled up emotions about suzan's death, but nevertheless, he was glad some good came out of it.

***

Nestled in the heart of the sprawling estate of the Lockwood family, hidden from prying eyes, lay the enigmatic Serpent’s Den. The family’s mansion, an imposing Gothic structure with ivy-clad walls and towering spires, was a well-known landmark.

But the true heart of the Lockwood's sinister machinations lay deep beneath the surface, far removed from the grandeur seen by the public.

To the casual observer, the mansion’s library was a treasure trove of rare books and antique maps, bathed in the soft glow of ornate chandeliers.

However, behind a seemingly innocuous bookshelf, a secret passageway awaited discovery. Activated by pulling an inconspicuous volume of Edgar Allan Poe’s works, the bookshelf slid open with a quiet, mechanical hum, revealing a dimly lit staircase that spiraled down into the dept