3,697 words (15-17 minutes)
Genre(s): Gothic Horror, Supernatural Mystery
Originally published in United Amateur, November 1916

⸻

In a crumbling, ancient castle, the last heir of a once-mighty noble line recounts the curse that has haunted his family for centuries. Generation after generation, each male heir has died precisely at the age of thirty-two. As the narrator approaches this fatal age, he delves into the history of the castle, uncovering long-buried secrets, ancient alchemy, and the legacy of vengeance. Combining eerie atmosphere with a sense of historical doom, Lovecraft weaves a tale of dark family secrets, supernatural retribution, and the power of ancient sorcery.