CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY - A MANSION IN THE DESERT

The drive to California was tense, filled with speculation about what they might find and concerns about who else might be on their trail. They took turns at the wheel, driving through the night, stopping only when absolutely necessary. The closer they got to their destination, the more Mara and Clarissa felt a strange energy building, as if the very air around them was charged with anticipation. Finally, as the sun began to set on their third day of travel, they arrived at the coordinates indicated on the map. It led them to a sprawling estate perched on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. An ornate gate barred their way, bearing the Noble family crest. As they approached, the gate swung open silently, as if inviting them in. They drove up a winding driveway, the sound of waves crashing against the cliffs below providing a rhythmic backdrop to their racing thoughts. At the top of the drive stood a magnificent mansion, its architecture a blend of old-world grandeur and modern ele