Under the dappled sunlight filtering through the dense canopy, the forest near the lodge was almost eerily quiet, save for the rustling of leaves and branches that came from small animals in their hiding places. The birds were chirping happily to each other while enjoying the warmth of summer in the middle of the day. I heard the rustle of wind flowing over the leaves and the brush of a gentle breeze that carried the scents of fresh grass and damp soil along with it.
I took a branch and brushed my fingers across its rough surface. It felt slightly softer than a leaf and felt more like an actual limb than a tree branch. Even though the sun was shining brightly, I found myself shivering as I held the branch tightly with both hands.
My mind was much calmer now, especially since I returned to nature once again after being busy for a few weeks. Yesterday, Nikolai told me that my astral projection was successful, but it was a bit traumatizing. When I realized that I could not see Nikolai, I wandered around my hotel room, which looked strangely different. Then I saw weird and inexplicable things flying around my room like little shadows. Then they began to take shape in the form of humans, except that they had lion heads. I uttered an incantation for protection, and I saw them scattered around, their skin turning into dark green scales, and their voices sounded raspy. I felt a hand grab me from my back, and after that, I found myself back in my body. Nikolai looked tense, but he did not tell me why.
So the next day, I went back to the lodge. I was told that we were preparing for my new amulet, so we needed to gather some materials from the nearby forest. Some lodge members were also doing the same thing, but Magnus decided to help me search for specific types of plants and woods.
"Here, Masha," he said. He gestured to a cluster of slender white flowers nestled beneath a tangle of ferns. "This is moonlit jasmine. Its essence enhances clarity and intuition, making it an ideal choice for your amulet."
I carefully plucked the delicate blossoms, placing them gently into a small pouch. "Thank you, Magnus."
As we continued our journey, Magnus would pause occasionally, his gaze fixing on a particular plant or tree. He would explain its properties, its connection to the spiritual realm, and how it could be used to amplify magic. With every word he spoke, it was as if he were unveiling the ancient language of the forest, teaching me to see the world through the eyes of a magician.
I couldn't help but admire the way he spoke, his words flowing effortlessly like a melody. It was clear that he held a deep reverence for the natural world, and his passion was contagious. For someone so knowledgeable about all things magical, he still treated me very casually, never pushing for anything out of the ordinary.
"Tell me, Magnus," I ventured, my curiosity getting the better of me, "do you possess any amulets or talismans yourself?"
His gaze flickered, and a hint of hesitation crossed his features before he replied. "Indeed, I do."
"What are they for?" I pressed.
A ghost of a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "Protection, primarily. Some are attuned to certain magical beings, allowing for evocation and communion. Others serve as conduits for specific energies."
We ventured deeper into the heart of the forest, the play of light and shadow creating an otherworldly tapestry around us. The air was cool and refreshing, despite the warm weather. As we walked, we passed large patches of tall trees whose tops reached the sky and whose roots intertwined together with thick roots and leaves, creating a giant tunnel under the forest floor. Their trunks extended further than the eye could see. I was following Magnus since he knew the forest paths, but then he stopped for a moment and turned without looking at me.
"Let's go to that area," he said, pointing at a clearing in the forest floor. I nodded, following him. We entered a patch of sunlight, which highlighted several trees. They grew close enough together that they appeared to block out the sunlight, causing their silhouettes to appear darker.
I looked back at the part of the forest where we intended to go. I only saw tall bushes and shrubs with a variety of colorful flowers blooming, but then, at the corner of my eye, I thought I had seen something move. When I turned my head, there was nothing, and the wind blew harder.
"Is someone spying on us?" I muttered softly to myself.
To my surprise, Magnus heard my voice, and he answered. "Perhaps it's a lodge member. Some of them are also here to find some herbs for potion making."
"I see."
"Here, Masha." Magnus's voice drew me from my thoughts. He gestured towards a towering oak tree with broad, outstretched branches. "This is the heartwood oak. Its wood possesses a grounding energy, making it an excellent choice for your wand."
His hand moved forward. "Try this one. The bark feels soft to the touch, unlike others. Try another tree." He pointed at several trees farther away. I examined their appearances as he spoke. "These trees also have an unusual texture, resembling bark covered in hairs, which is considered a kind of protection against harmful spirits."
With care, I selected a branch that felt right, its wood smooth beneath my fingers. As I carefully removed the branch, a surge of connection seemed to flow between me and the tree—a connection that transcended the physical, reaching into the realm of magic itself.
I glanced slowly and found Magnus was staring at me. "Dryads," he murmured. He smiled cheerfully.
After some time, Magnus momentarily stepped away to find a specific plant, leaving me alone with my thoughts and the rustling of leaves. The air was filled with a sense of quiet serenity, punctuated by the occasional chirping of birds.
I glanced around, taking in the beauty of the forest around me. In the distance, I noticed a figure—another lodge member, perhaps—approaching. Carrying a collection of plants and branches, he seemed to be focused on his task. Curious, I decided to approach and strike up a conversation.
"Hello!" I called out as I neared the mysterious man.
He turned to face me, his features obscured by the shadows and the play of light. "Greetings," he replied, his voice low and velvety.
"I'm Masha," I introduced myself, offering a friendly smile. "Are you here to gather materials too?"
His lips curled in response, but something was unsettling about his gaze—a sense of intensity that seemed to pierce through me. "Indeed," he replied, his tone a mixture of intrigue and something else I couldn't quite place.
As I looked closer, a shiver ran down my spine. There was an aura of otherworldliness about him—an energy that felt both alluring and dangerous. Still, I dismissed my unease, assuming it was merely my imagination running wild.
I noticed a pendant hanging around his neck, a dark gemstone that glinted mysteriously in the sunlight. It seemed to hold an eerie allure, drawing my gaze inexplicably. "That's a unique pendant," I remarked.
His gaze remained fixed on me, and for a moment, I felt an odd sensation, as if he could see my very soul. "It has its purpose," he replied, his words cryptic and laden with meaning.
Suddenly, without warning, his demeanor shifted. The air grew charged with an unfamiliar energy, and before I could react, he was upon me. His movements were swift and fluid, and it was only at that moment that I realized the truth—he attacked me.
Fear flooded me as his grip tightened around my wrist, his nails digging into my skin. I cried out in both shock and pain, my heart racing as panic threatened to consume me.
Instinctively, I began to chant incantations, the words tumbling from my lips in a desperate plea for protection. Yet, despite my efforts, the man seemed unnaturally strong, his grip tightening, making me feel more pain.
My heart raced as I realized the dire situation I was in. Panic surged within me as his intentions became terrifyingly clear. His gaze was fixed on my neck, his fangs elongating in a grotesque display. He aimed to drink my blood, to drain the life from me.
Desperation fueled my actions as I fought back, my voice trembling as I continued my incantations. And then, in a swift and violent motion, he tore at the chain around my neck. My amulet—the source of the searing heat—was ripped away, the abrupt loss leaving me momentarily disoriented.
As the amulet fell from my grasp, a surge of power seemed to emanate from it for a brief moment. But the man didn't flinch; instead, his grip on my wrist tightened even more, pining me to the ground.
In the blink of an eye, the forest around us seemed to ripple and distort like a mirage in the desert. Suddenly, Magnus appeared, as if manifesting out of thin air, without making a single sound. His presence was so sudden and unexpected that it sent a shiver down my spine.
The man's gaze locked onto Magnus, his eyes widening with recognition and a flicker of fear. His grip on my wrist loosened, the pressure relenting slightly, as if the mere presence of the magician had paralyzed him.
In a voice that was as soft as a whisper, he uttered a single word. "Magnus."
The atmosphere grew tense. Time seemed to stretch, elongating each second, as the two figures locked eyes in a silent battle of wills. And then, as suddenly as he had appeared, the man retreated. His movements were swift and nimble, an unnatural grace that propelled him through the underbrush. He turned and ran with an otherworldly swiftness, his figure disappearing into the depths of the forest in mere seconds.
I stood up shakily, my heart pounding in my chest, the adrenaline still surging through my veins. My eyes shifted to Magnus, who had remained remarkably composed throughout the entire encounter.
"Masha," he said softly, his voice carrying a mixture of concern and reassurance. "Are you unharmed?"
I took a deep breath, my hands trembling as I clutched the spot where my amulet had once hung. "I—I think so," I managed to stammer out, my voice shaky. For a moment, I wondered how he had returned so silently, his presence a sudden and unexpected relief. "Magnus, who was that man?"
He hesitated, his gaze flickering with something I couldn't quite understand. "A vampire," he finally replied, his tone subdued.
My eyes widened in shock and realization. A vampire—here, in broad daylight? The questions swirled in my mind, each demanding answers. How could a vampire walk in the sunlight? Why had he attacked me? And how did he know Magnus?
His gaze held mine for a moment longer before he spoke again. "We should return to the lodge. It's not safe to linger here."
Numbly, I nodded, my mind still reeling from the intensity of what had transpired. As my mind replayed the encounter, I realized that the vampire's reaction had not been one of fear but of recognition. Magnus, with his enigmatic aura, held a power that surpassed my understanding. Perhaps he was that powerful to be feared by dark beings.
I stole a glance at Magnus, his expression a mask of calm determination. His eyes, usually filled with a mischievous glint, were now clouded with a hidden burden. There was a grace to his movements, an air of mystery that had always captivated me, but now it held an added layer of intrigue.
I turned to Magnus, my voice barely above a whisper. "Who was he, Magnus? Why did he attack me?"
His gaze held mine, the weight of unspoken words heavy in the air between us. "There are things about me, about our world that I have yet to reveal," he said, his voice tinged with regret. "But I promise you, Masha, I will do everything in my power to keep you safe."