The morning came without sound.
Mist covered the grounds of Bly Manor, thick and pale, wrapping around the grass and crawling up the stone walls. Ivy stood by the window, her hands cold against the glass. She couldn't see the driveway. She couldn't see anything past the fog.
A crow landed on the gate.
Caw.
One sharp sound. Then it flew away.
Ivy swallowed.
Downstairs, voices murmured. Kate. Mrs. Grose. The soft clink of cups. Tea. Normal things. Ivy stayed where she was. Her stomach felt tight, twisted—not hungry. Waiting.
Flora hadn't come to get her this morning.
The house felt… alert.
Like it was listening.
Ivy turned away from the window and straightened her bed. The sheets smelled clean—lavender, maybe—but underneath was something old. Dust. Time. She hadn't slept much. Every time she closed her eyes, the cracked mirror caught the moonlight and split it, throwing broken shadows across the walls.
Then—
An engine.
Ivy froze.
She stepped into the hallway and looked down the stairs.
A black car rolled slowly out of the fog. Gravel crunched. The engine stopped.
Footsteps thundered behind her.
"He's here! He's here!"
Flora raced past her, nearly knocking her over.
Kate appeared from the sitting room. "That must be him," she said, already smiling. "Her brother."
Mrs. Grose moved quickly toward the door. Her back was straight. Too straight.
The car door opened.
A boy stepped out.
Tall. Older than Ivy expected. His coat hung loose, and the wind pulled at his dark curls. He didn't rush. He didn't smile. He just stood there, hands in his pockets, like he knew the house was watching him.
"Miles!" Flora screamed.
He knelt and lifted her easily, spinning her once. "Little beetle," he said softly. "Still loud."
Flora laughed.
Then—
His eyes lifted.
To the house.
To the stairs.
To Ivy.
Their gazes met.
Ivy's chest tightened. She stepped back quickly, turning and disappearing down the hallway before she could think.
Her heart wouldn't slow.
They met properly in the kitchen.
It smelled like apples and warm bread. Kate unpacked groceries. Mrs. Grose chopped quietly at the counter. Flora sat on the floor, coloring with fierce focus.
Miles sat at the table.
He looked up when Ivy entered.
Not smiling. Not cold. Just watching.
"This is Ivy," Kate said. "My younger sister."
Miles stood. Slowly. "Nice to meet you."
He held out his hand.
Ivy hesitated, then took it. His grip was light. Warm. Like he wasn't fully there.
"I didn't know you had a sister," he said to Kate, then back to Ivy. "How long are you staying?"
"I don't know," Ivy said. "A while."
"Good," he replied.
Not happy. Not joking.
Just good.
Kate frowned. Mrs. Grose didn't look up.
By afternoon, Ivy needed air.
The garden was damp and quiet. Trees leaned over the paths. The hedges felt too close. Flora skipped beside her, hitting stones with a stick.
"I missed Miles," Flora said suddenly. "It was boring without him."
"Why did he leave?" Ivy asked before she could stop herself.
Flora didn't look at her. "Grown-ups don't understand boys," she said lightly.
"What does that mean?"
Flora smiled. Too wide. "He doesn't like rules."
"And?"
"He says things," Flora added. "Things that make people uncomfortable."
"What kind of things?"
Flora laughed and ran ahead. "Games! Let's play hide and seek!"
Her voice echoed after her.
Dinner felt longer than it should have.
Candles flickered. Shadows moved along the walls. Flora talked nonstop.
Miles barely spoke.
He watched.
Sometimes Kate. Sometimes Mrs. Grose.
Mostly Ivy.
Not staring. Just glancing. Always stopping when she looked back.
When Flora mentioned losing her doll under the stairs, Miles smiled faintly.
"I told you not to play there," he said. "That place is for bones and shadows."
Mrs. Grose froze. "Miles."
"I'm joking," he said calmly.
Flora giggled. "I like bones and shadows."
Ivy pushed her plate away.
That night, Ivy woke suddenly.
Footsteps.
Slow. Bare. Moving down the hallway.
She sat up, heart pounding.
Step.
Step.
Then silence.
"Old house," she whispered. "Just the house."
She got up and crossed to the mirror.
The crack looked deeper now.
Wider.
She leaned closer.
And—
Someone stood behind her.
Ivy spun around.
Nothing.
Only her room.
Only Bly Manor.
Quiet.
Breathing.
Waiting.