We had just finished dinner and my aunt and Sybil were spending time in the living room visiting with one another. I was charged with finishing the dishes before I was allowed to join them, but I didn't mind. I was slowly beginning to enjoy my dishes duties because it allowed me uninterrupted time to think and let my mind wonder. Once the last dish was dried and put away I made up a pot of tea and placed it on the tea tray with sugar and milk. I hoped this might get me a little extra points with my aunt.
"I'm telling you Sybil. Ever since my niece has arrived some strange things seem to be happening. The town is buzzing and she has been doing a lot digging into a subject she needs to avoid."
"Oh Elly. I think you worry to much. She is just a naturally curious girl and from what I understand has a real love for history."
"Maybe your right, but I am taking a real risk by putting her in that spare room."
"Why do you say that?"
"Let's just say there are some things in there I don't want her finding."
I stood there shocked for a moment. I had a gut feeling that book was important but now my aunt just confirmed it, which means she knows it's there. She was hiding it and wanted no one to find it. Good thing I stayed quiet about it over dinner.
I decided now would be a good time to enter with the tea. There was a higher chance of getting caught if I stayed here any longer. Keeping my head down I slowly made my entrance and placed the tray on the coffee table, waiting for Sybil and Aunt Elly to pour their cups. After everyone was settled with their warm cups of tea I took a spot on the floor on the further side of the room while then ladies talked about my aunt's doctor visit.
"Lexi. My therapist wants me to start some new stretches that I will need your help with. We will begin them tomorrow morning after morning prayers."
"Yes ma'am."
After that I chose to stay quiet while my aunt and Sybil finished their visit. It felt like an eternity before I saw Sybil stand from her seat and wish my aunt goodnight.
"Sybil, have Lexi accompany you. I don't need you falling on your way home."
Before Sybil could argue I leaped up and slipped on my shoes. She chuckled at my eagerness and slipped her shoes on before heading out the front door. We started out in silence before Sybil chose to speak.
"So I see you have a new piece in your jewelry collection."
I jerked my head and looked at her with panic in my eyes. If she noticed the rings then my aunt must have noticed them as well. She was probably waiting for the right time to saw something to me about them, or thinking of a horrible punishment for me.
"They suit you. Have you taken them to Grimald yet?"
I shook my head no remembering that I had wanted to visit him today but didn't get the chance.
"Sybil, I have a question."
She nodded for me to continue.
"Have you heard of a book called 'Accalia'?"
She stopped in her tracks and stared at me with a shocked and horrified expression. Her complexion seemed to pale and her mouth hung open slightly.
"How-how did you know about that?"
"I was reading a book on the town history at the library and the name popped up."
She seemed slightly relieved at my answer. I chose to lie to her since I wasn't sure how much I could trust her. What if she told my aunt of my discovery? I couldn't take that risk. There was a mystery here and I was determined to figure out what it was.
"Sweetheart, that book is evil. The things it was used for in the past, not only on Grimald but...others as well. It is an evil book filled with dark magic that require you to sell your soul in order to obtain the full effectiveness of its spells. It was created by Satan himself to trick humans into believing they could obtain ultimate power at no cost. Many have died mysteriously or simply disappeared once using this book. I have hoped that it's disappearance means it was destroyed. You must avoid this subject and not breathe a word of it to your aunt. Do you understand?"
I nodded my head again feeling absolute fear. I held that horrible thing in my hands today. I started to shake at the thought of what that book was capable of. We reached her porch steps and she turned and looked me in the eye.
"As you seek you will find. But with each new answer comes a new danger. I encourage you to keep looking for your answers, but please be careful. Don't trust anyone."
With those words she turned away and headed into her home. I ended up staying on her porch for another five minutes. I just couldn't seem to shake myself from the trance I was in until her porch light turned off and I realized I need to make my way back. With my head hung low and my mind racing I made my way into the living room and got ready for nightly devotions. I made up my mind that the next free day I got would be spent in the cemetery. This town was a lot stranger than I had originally thought it to be and my aunts word tonight confirmed that. I was going to get to the bottom of this one or another, I just hope the decision I was making wasn't going to be something I regret.
After my evening devotions I called my mom to check in with her and dad. I was happy to know that they were doing alright and let them know how much I missed them. Afterwards I turned my phone in to my aunt and made my way to bed to sleep on the events of today.