The bloody thing would not open .
Serena had tried everything to open that spellbook but it was stuck like skunk blood on a pavement .
To think , her joy had been beyond comprehension . She had thought of becoming powerful , learning new forms of magic and maybe becoming a recognized witch . Maybe even form her own coven or cult to worship her . With the power inside the book , she would have been a godess , she knew . But instead , she was standing on her legs serving porridge with clumps to children in a holier than thou orphanage .
Serena had never felt so low .
Not that she hated the job , mind you , the job had perks. She had housing , her own kitchen stocked with food , they had given her some clothes ( plain ones , these people had no sense of fashion ) and then there was the chance to curse the Trinity God in front of their faces .
Yes , the job had it's up sides . But as a witch this was a very degrading position now , especially if she had a powerful spellbook so that she didn't need to work there .
" Oh , well , " Serena said as she flicked a large chunk onto an orphan's plate , it hit like a brick in water , " It's better than nothing I guess ."
" Everyone bow your heads . " Sister Becca said and everyone except Serena did .
Sister Becca began to pray and Serena rolled her eyes at the mention of mercy and grace . What utter nonsense , she thought , that deity was a blood thirsty monster . Ruthless and easily swayed by emotions . At least that's what Serena's mother had taught her . Everyday after they went to church as a family , her mother would tell her how the Trinity God was really like .
" Now , off to clean yourselves before lessons . " Sister Becca said and all the boys got up and walked out with her and the other Sister who Serena couldn't remember .
Serena watched them go with a sigh and then she remembered something . Quickly , she grabbed a small porridge pot , as big as a privy pot and went out with it . Taking two lefts , climbing up to the second level and taking a right , she found herself at the infirmary .
She walked in and when she saw her reason for being there and what he was doing , she frowned .
" What are you doing ? " Serena asked him .
" Oh , hello Miss Serena. " Henric said with a smile , " I am doing nothing . Just wiping dust from my eyes ."
" Huh ! " Serena said as she sat down next to his bed , " My brother always gave that excuse , ' there was dust in his eyes ' he would say . I found it dumb . If you're crying then you're crying . Why lie ? "
" Oh ... I ... I'm sorry . " Henric said wiping the tears in his eyes , " I just have things on my mind . "
Serena frowned and then looked him up and down . The boy looked paler than he had before but his eyes looked rested , if a bit red rimmed from crying. She had been coming for two days to give him food , Sister Irene had insisted on it since she would be busy with other duties .
" Duties like what ? " Serena had asked her .
" Important duties that have nothing to do with you . " Sister Irene had said and Serena had flicked her hair before leaving her .
But despite the sassy attitude , she didn't dislike the sister. When the other Sisters talked to her they had an air of disdain that boiled Serena's rage like poison in her vains . But Sister Irene didn't have that look in her eyes , she had a sharp mouth sometimes but she didn't act higher than Serena . So , although they were not friends and probably never be , she admitted she had started becoming tolerant of her .
Sister Irene became more tolerable as days passed and Serena learnt a few things about her . She was regarded by the other Sisters as a wild one and often not liked for her loose tongue. This made the Sister more favourable to her . Then there was the nurturing .
In the short times when Serena had been there when Sister Irene had been treating patients . She had learnt that Sister Irene had a nurturing way about her that reminded her of her own mother . Especially when it came to Henric . The care and the time Sister Irene had spent taking care of the boy had made Serena curious .
At first she had thought maybe the nun had developed feelings for him but then when she asked Irene , the nun had been angry and said she saw Henric as a little brother . She had then gone to talk about this other nun who had worked there before Serena started to work there , a Sister Cali . The name had sounded familiar but Serena couldn't place it .
So she'd minded her own business , curious about how a nun could show such blatant favouritism . Wasn't that not allowed ? Serena smiled as she looked at Henric then . An idea had come into her head .
" Henric tell me ... you have had sexual relations with a woman before ? " She asked him and the boy nearly choked on the porridge he was eating .
" Wh-what !? " He asked her with wide eyes and she got her answer . Although it was no surprise .
" Have you ever tasted a woman's flower ? " She asked him with low eyes .
Henric felt himself panic . This was a very upfront question and Miss Serena had never done it before . She would just bring him food and chat a bit before leaving . But now , she looked like she wanted to toy with him .
" I ... I can't ... this- that is not a proper question to ask . " Henric said as he looked at the porridge in the pot .
" Oh , so you have not . " Serena said slowly ," Does this mean you ... have peculiar tastes ? Maybe of the same flavour ? "
" What ? I don't understand . " Henric said and Serena smiled wider and her sky blue eyes shined warmly.
" Do you like the same flavour as yourself ? " Serena said softly and enjoyed the squirming look in the boy's eyes . Oh , he was so pure it was delightful .
" I ... still do not understand ... fully ." Henric said slowly and Serena's smile turned to a smirk . Innocent little fool , she thought , his denial was delicious .
" You could ask your beloved Sister Irene . " Serena said , " believe me , this is something you must know . "
" But ... I don't know if I could ... If I should. " Henric said with flushed cheeks " it might be something bad . "
" Oh ? " Serena looked into his eyes pointedly , " How would you know if it's bad if you don't even know what I mean ? "
" I ... well ..." Henric couldn't finish the sentence as Sister Irene walked into the infirmary .
" Hello , Henric . How are you this morning ? Feeling better I'd hope . " Sister Irene said as she walked into the room , " Cook Serena , you brought him the porridge , that is good . "
" Yes , now I best be going . You have much to discuss , I think . " Serena said getting up , " You can bring the pot when he's done . Bye to to you both . And Henric , don't forget to ask . "
Serena left the infirmary with a smile , she would have loved to see the face on Sister Irene when Henric asked the question . It would be worth gold and silver in trunks .
Serena turned the corner and froze .
In front of her , by the stairs , she saw it again. It had changed a bit now but she could still tell it was that thing she had seen earlier . It was standing by the stairs , looking down but as if it sensed her , it turned it's head and looked at her .
For a brief moment their eyes were locked together .
Serena was the first to react , she raised her hand and muttering under her breath she aimed a spell at it . But just as the magic gathered around her hand , the thing got up and as fast as a blast of wind , it rammed into her and sent her to her knees .
Its essence passed through her and it was so cold and dark that Serena's teeth clattered and she almost passed out . But after a moment , her body recovered and she turned around to see where it was .
The corridor was empty , it was gone .
" Bloody hell . " She cursed and got up from the floor .
She should have known she was no match for it . But she had been willing to try her luck After all , that thing had attacked her first .
.....
Serena had been sleeping peacefully on her bed , when her skin began to prickle . Her subconscious realised she was sensing magic and Serena woke up . That's when she saw it in her room .
It had been clinging to the corner wall and watching her . She had almost screamed when she realised she was only wearing a piece of cover and her body was mostly naked .
The thing had then fallen to the floor like a string of black rope . Then it had began to take shape , until it was in the shape of a man . It had looked at her and she had looked back at it ,unsure of what to do .
Then it had raised its hand and Serena's body had been lifted of the bed and into the air . With a simple motion from its fingers , the air flow was stopped in Serena's lungs and she began to suffocate .
Her body had felt hot , her head full and her chest as if it would explode . With her last coherent thought she had cast a small flash spell , creating a glowing ball of light . The thing had been distracted and backed away thinking it was an attack .
Serena had fallen to her bed and taking deep breaths , she had aimed her hand at it . But the thing had faded away into the wall and left her alone .
A coward , Serena thought as she walked back to the kitchen .
She knew she was no match for that thing and so the book was very necessary right now , if she didn't want to be killed by that thing .
A flow of blood oozed out of Serena's nose , she wiped it with her hand and she looked at it with contempt . She needed to get stronger , or it would kill her . She needed power and fast .
That's when it dawned on her . Serena looked at her hand with the blood on it . How could she be so blind ? She quickly picked up her pace and moved right . She was not going to the kitchen but to her room .
If she was right , she now knew how to open the book .