From the looks of it, Yerald didn't notice my growl. However, I was left by surprise.
("Why did I do that?")
I followed Yerald trough the poorly lighten hallway. The only sources of light were a few candles who were nearing the end of their lifetime.
("Why did I agree to this again?")
Those who summoned me were now walking behind me, none of them saying anything. While Yerald was walking in front of me, he seemingly was so sure that we would follow that he didn't feel the need to look back. This unsettled me, but I couldn't do much against it.
The tapping of the stick Yerald used to lean on was like the sound of clock of death ticking away your life. Just like the claws of the monster in the Kastle. This terrible noise continued until we reached the end of the hallway.
He opened the door to reveal a large room full of books, notes and sketches. The bookshelves were all messy and disorganised, the tables were packed with notes and samples from something contained in the many jars and bottles.
"Allenya, Elisa, prepare some food. But leave one of the chickens alive, I need it for an experiment. Gert, I want you to catch some creatures alive and bring them to the basement. Alex, prepare a room for our guest."
Everyone immediately went away to do their tasks. How quickly they followed this old man's orders unsettled me. And considering the conversation he had with Allenya, he seems to keep someone hostage.
After we could no longer hear the footsteps of the others Yerald spoke.
"So, mighty demon, would you like to tell me your name?"
"Gustave"
"What a strange name for a demon."
I angrily stared at him, but this crazy old man just looked up to me like a child watching a colourful bird in a three. A hint of admiration could be seen in his icy blue eyes.
"Can I call you Rubedo instead?"
("Do I even have the right to refuse after this foolish deal I made?")
"I believe I can't refuse after the deal, so do as you wish."
Yerald looked at me in surprise.
"you mean those idiots actually managed to make a deal with you?"
"yes."
Yerald didn't ask further into the subject to my surprise. Which made things only easier for me, Afterall how should I explain to this old man that I wold eventually get his soul.
"Well then Rubedo, could you please take a seat there."
He pointed towards a chair at the back of the room.
I suddenly felt the urge to follow his command. ("This must be because of the contract.")
"You see, Rubedo. I have been recharging your kind for a long time now and I simply needed a life specimen."
("Wait, He resurges demons? If I really am one at the moment and if he knows enough about them. Then maybe, just maybe, he knows a way to reverse this.")
Now in a better mood I waited for him to prepare his stuff. He placed a white Christal in a black cylinder and added a yellowish liquid to it. He closed the tube and shacked it a few times before it shone a bright white light.
"Rubedo open your mouth, I will take a quick look at your teeth if you don't mind."
He walked over to me, for as best as he could. And I simply opened my mouth. ("Even if this man might be my salvation, there is no need to be formal to him.")
He shone the light in my mouth and looked at my teeth.
"I see, the teeth could best be compared to those of a wolf." He muttered as he was writing something down in a small worn-down notebook.
"Can you stand up and turn around? I would like to take a look at the markings on your back."
Without questioning him I turned around.
The moment I did so, I could feel the old man's fingers on my back. His hand was cold and uncomfortable. Then after some time he retracted his hand.
"So, you're a rather young one, aren't you?"
I nodded.
"According to the books I have collected your not even two decades old. Is that correct?"
"Yes."
"And if my eyes are not mistaken, those markings indicate that you will grow wings soon!"
("Wait what!! Its going to be even worse than this?!")
I shrugged, trying to give away as little of a reaction as possible.
Then Yerald stumbled back to his bureau to write down a few things in his notebook with a pen made from a beautiful white feather. This gave me the chance to take a second look at the 'resurge' room.
The wood on the floor was a lot darker than that on the walls. Even though messy it was perfectly clean. The room was well lightened with the few white candles that immitted more light than a normal candle should. Only a few spots in the corners were dark. Then I noticed the animal scull collection this mad man had on top of his shelfs. There where five skulls lined next to each other. I couldn't identify to what animal they belonged to. However the way they were preserved, the way they were positioned, it made them still look alive. The skulls seemed like they were still watching everything that happened in the room. It only made me grow more uneasy.
Suddenly I heard a few hurried footsteps coming from where I expected the stairs were.
It was Alex. He swiftly entered the room. At that moment Yerald looked up with a slight frown on his face.
"Didn't I tell you to wait for permission to enter this room?"
Alex scratched his neck wile answering.
"sorry sir, I just came to tell you that the room is ready."
Yerald was seemingly satisfied with that answer. And shifted his gaze back to his work.
"Great, now bring me that chicken that I asked to be left alive. And after that you can help Allenya and Elisa with dinner."
Alex left the room and Yerald continued with writing. It didn't take long for Alex to return with the chicken.
Alex handed the chicken to Yerald, who with chicken in hand walked over to me.
The chicken was Licht brown with some white feathers on the sides of her head. She started to kick in the air in pure panic when she laid eyes on me. I felt bad for the chicken, but just stared ad Yerald.
Yerald strengthened his grip on the chicken and snapped her neck.