Shadows Beneath The Silver Garden

The night the Silver Garden awakened was the same night Mira Alden’s life split in two the life she had always known and the life she was destined for.

Mira stood beside the overgrown iron gate clutching a lantern whose warm glow flickered in the cold breeze. The Silver Garden lay beyond the gate a forbidden patch of land stretching behind the abandoned Rosemont Estate. People in the town whispered about strange lights sounds like music and the faint scent of jasmine drifting from the estate even in winter. They said spirits walked there and that no one who stepped inside after midnight remained the same.

Mira had ignored those warnings her entire childhood until her parents vanished inside the estate on a stormy night twelve years earlier. No one found a trace of them no footprints no signs of struggle no explanation. Only silence. Only loss. Only the ever spreading shadow that consumed her heart.

Now at twenty four she stood alone with trembling determination. She had returned to find the truth even if it meant facing the fear others refused to name. Her breath clouded in the air as she reached for the gate. It creaked open like a sigh from the past.

The garden greeted her with silver light though there was no moon. Flowers that should have been dead shimmered with luminescent petals. Vines curled like serpents around shattered statues. A fountain at the center bubbled with water that glowed faintly. The air hummed as if alive.

Mira stepped forward. Every instinct told her to turn back but her grief pushed her onward. The scent of jasmine lingered faint and familiar.

Mama she whispered.

Her lantern flickered.

A gust of cold wind swept through the garden extinguishing the flame. Darkness swallowed her completely.

Then came the voice.

You should not be here.

Mira spun around heart pounding. A figure stepped from behind a twisted willow tree. He moved silently shadows clinging to his form. As he approached the dim silver light of the flowers revealed a young man no older than twenty seven with raven black hair and eyes so pale they almost glowed. His presence was both terrifying and mesmerizing.

Who are you Mira demanded her voice bold despite the fear clawing inside her.

The man stared at her as if he could see through her soul. His voice was low and rich. My name is Lysander. And this place is not meant for the living.

Mira raised her chin. I am looking for someone. For answers. My parents came here and never returned.

Lysanders expression flickered. Not pity something deeper something guarded. And you think the Silver Garden will give you answers

I know it will she said. Help me. Please.

His jaw tightened. I cannot. Leave before night fully settles or you will not leave at all.

Mira stepped closer refusing to be intimidated. Tell me what happened here.

Lysander suddenly vanished.

Mira gasped spinning around. But before she could panic cold fingers brushed her arm. She flinched.

He was beside her again emerging from thin air. His breath ghosted her ear.

There are things in this garden that should remain asleep.

Mira’s voice trembled. You appeared out of nowhere. Humans cannot do that.

I never said I was human Lysander said quietly.

A chill ran through her. Then what are you

He looked away as if ashamed. Bound. Cursed. Trapped by the very magic that protects this place.

Mira stared at him. She recognized the loneliness in him the pain she carried in herself. You sound like a prisoner.

Lysander met her gaze his eyes shimmering. I am. And those who come here rarely leave without becoming one too.

Mira did not move. Instead she reached for her lantern. Cold air swirled around her hand and the flame relit itself with blue fire. She gasped.

The light answered you Lysander whispered staring at the flame with something like awe. The garden has acknowledged you. That means something ancient has begun.

What does that mean

It means you are no ordinary trespasser. The garden recognizes your bloodline.

Before Mira could speak the ground trembled. Silver vines rose twisting and writhing like living snakes. A whispering chorus filled the air. Lysander grabbed Mira pulling her against his chest.

Do not breathe it in he hissed.

She buried her face against him feeling his cold yet oddly comforting touch. The whispers grew louder filling the air like a storm of voices.

Lysander raised his hand summoning a barrier of shadow that wrapped around them shielding them. Mira looked up at him in shock.

You are made of shadow she whispered.

He met her gaze. I am bound to the garden. I was once like you alive free. But I fell into its grasp. I became its guardian. Its prisoner.

The whispers faded and the vines retreated sinking back into the earth.

Mira stepped back breath shaking. My parents did not leave because they chose not to did they

Lysander slowly shook his head. The garden took them. It takes what it wants. It took me too.

She felt the world spin. And you did nothing to stop it

His voice cracked. I could not. I was still learning my curse when they entered. The garden devoured them before I could fight it.

Rage and grief tore through her. Then help me now. Help me undo whatever happened. I cannot leave them lost. I cannot lose everything again.

Lysander closed his eyes pain etched across his face. You do not understand. If you stay the garden will claim you. And I might not be able to save you next time.

Mira reached toward him surprising them both. Her fingertips grazed his cold skin.

Then stay with me. Protect me.

His breath stuttered. Mira you do not know what you ask.

I know exactly what I ask she whispered. You are the only one who can guide me. And I am not leaving without the truth.

Their eyes locked. The air thickened. Something ancient stirred.

Finally Lysander gave a slow reluctant nod. Very well. I will take you to the heart of the garden. But once we enter there is no turning back.

I am not afraid Mira said though her heart thundered.

You should be Lysander whispered.

They walked through winding paths where silver petals floated like snow. Strange lights flickered in the air. Mira felt unseen eyes watching. Her skin tingled with energy. Lysander walked beside her his form flowing between solid and shadow.

At the center of the garden stood a massive stone archway covered in runes. Beneath it the air shimmered like water.

This is the Veil of Echoes Lysander said. It connects the living world to the realm of lost souls.

Mira’s heart clenched. Are my parents inside

If they remain anywhere they remain here.

Before Mira could speak the air shattered like glass. A figure stepped through the veil tall and ghostlike with glowing white eyes. Mira’s breath caught.

Mama Papa

But the figure was neither. It was a wraith a creature of memory and hunger.

Run Lysander shouted pulling her back.

The wraith lunged with a scream that froze the air. Lysander threw a blast of shadow that slowed its advance but the creature consumed the attack with ease.

Mira lifted her lantern instinct guiding her. Blue fire erupted forming a barrier that pushed the wraith back. Lysander stared in disbelief.

The lantern responds to your spirit he said breathlessly. You are not here by chance. The garden chose you.

The wraith shrieked again forcing its way through the flames.

Lysander shouted Mira focus on what you want to call. The lantern answers intention.

I want my parents Mira whispered tears streaming down her face. Show me the truth.

Light exploded from the lantern forming a massive wave that consumed the wraith. When the glow faded the wraith’s form dissolved revealing two faint outlines a man and woman their smiles soft and sad.

Mira’s knees gave out. Mama Papa

Their voices drifted faintly. Mira you must let us go.

No I cannot. I came to take you home.

Her mother shook her head. The garden binds souls who died within its veil. We cannot return. But you can free us.

How

You must break the curse binding the guardian. Free him and you free us.

Mira looked at Lysander shocked. Him

Lysander’s expression shattered with pain. Mira I did not want you to know.

The truth hit her like a blow. The garden is tied to him.

Yes. It draws power from my existence. As long as he remains cursed the souls remain trapped. Break his curse and the garden will fall.

Mira turned to him heart splitting. What happens if I break it

Lysander whispered I will finally die.

Her heart crumbled. No there must be another way.

There is not he said gently. My life fuels this prison.

Tears streamed down her cheeks. I will not kill you to free them.

Lysander stepped closer lifting her chin. Mira saving them saves you. Saves your soul. Your parents would never want you trapped in this misery.

She shook with anguish. Lysander I cannot lose you.

He cupped her face his shadowy fingers trembling with warmth he should not have possessed. You never had me he whispered. But I wish you did.

The wraiths remnants screamed as the garden trembled. The Veil shuddered closing rapidly.

Your time is almost gone her mother whispered. Do what must be done.

Mira lifted the lantern tears falling like rain. Lysander stepped back accepting his fate his pale eyes soft with a sadness deeper than time.

She whispered brokenly Tell me what to do.

He smiled faint and tragic. Just call my name. The lantern will do the rest.

Mira sobbed Lysander please I cannot

You can he said. And know this if another life exists beyond this one I will find you in it. I swear it.

Their eyes locked one last time.

Mira lifted the lantern and whispered his name.

Lysander.

Light burst forth engulfing him. He smiled at her one last time a smile full of love he never had the right to confess.

The garden screamed then fell silent.

The Veil shattered.

The souls rose free drifting into the sky. Mira watched her parents fade their voices soft and peaceful.

We love you. Live a full life.

Then they were gone.

Mira collapsed sobbing into the empty garden. When dawn came the Silver Garden had withered into nothing but stone and dust.

She walked out alone the lantern now dark and cold.

But as she reached the edge of the valley a soft whisper brushed her ear warm as a heartbeat.

Mira

Her breath caught.

Lysander

A promise carried by the wind.

He was gone.

But somewhere beyond the veil his soul walked free.

And someday somehow he would return to her.