The air in my room hung thick with the scent of old paper and dust motes dancing in the shafts of light from the tall, arched windows. My duffle bag, a gaping maw on the plush, velvet chaise lounge, seemed to mock my attempts at packing. Eighteen. A milestone for humans, a mere blip for an immortal like me. But this eighteenth birthday was different.

It signified freedom, or at least, the illusion of it. My parents, bless their overprotective, soul-reaping hearts, had finally agreed. I could venture into the human realm on my own. They envisioned travel, exploration, a chance for me to “enjoy life” before fully committing to my destiny. What they didn't know was that my definition of "enjoying life" involved a rogue mission, a secret investigation, and a desperate need to prove myself.

First stop? The Voice and Music Academy—an old opera house rumored to be teeming with ghosts. A perfect blend of my passion for music and my secret desire to hunt spirits. I glanced at my reflection in the ornate, full-length mirror, my dark grey eyes, inherited from Dad, gleaming with a mix of apprehension and fierce determination. This was it. My chance to forge my own path, to step out of the shadow of my legendary family, and to face whatever spectral challenges awaited me.