I awoke from a shallow sleep, disoriented and momentarily unaware of my surroundings. The room was a vision of elegance and simplicity, unlike any place I had ever stayed. The soft, pastel-colored curtains allowed a gentle stream of morning light to filter in, casting a warm glow over the exquisite furniture and the plush bed that beckoned me. I lay for a few moments, basking in its warmth, before I turned towards the window. The first rays of sunlight fell across my face as if welcoming me home.
It took me a moment to register where I was, but as the fog of sleep cleared, it dawned on me—I was in Victor's house. The thought sent a jolt of excitement through me.
The bedroom was a symphony of muted colors and graceful design. Delicate patterns adorned the wallpaper, and the aged wood of the furniture held the history of countless years. The subtle scent of polished wood filled the air.
My gaze landed on a vintage clock resting on the wooden bedside table. Its hands pointed to 6 AM, a time that was early even for me. Victor's house seemed to operate on its own schedule, unaffected by the bustling city beyond.
As I turned my attention to the bedroom door, my breath was caught in my throat. A man stood there, his presence oozing elegance and regal grace. He was dressed in a dark suit that befitted a prince, and his piercing gaze locked onto me. It was Nikolai, though what he was doing in Victor's house was beyond my comprehension.
With a playful smirk and silence, Nikolai teased me with his mere presence. Bewildered and intrigued, I finally found my voice. "Nikolai, what are you doing here?" I stammered. "How did you—"
Before I could finish my question, Nikolai's voice carried a mysterious air as he interrupted me. "You've really done it this time, Masha. Walking into the lion's den, I see." he declared cryptically, his tone sending chills down my spine.
"What are you talking about?"
"Did you think you could leave me behind? You're in deeper than you know." Then, in the blink of an eye, he vanished into thin air, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
I was left to wonder whether I had hallucinated the entire encounter. I glanced around the room once more before rising out of bed. It was still fairly early, so I figured I might as well go get some breakfast.
Quickly, I dressed in some outer garments, trying to piece together what had transpired since I had arrived at Victor's house. My mind was a foggy mess, and my brain still ached from sleep deprivation.
As I walked to the dining area, I was surprised to find no signs of life anywhere. The house looked empty, which was odd given that Victor had several servants. I decided to search for him.
I went into the foyer when I heard faint voices that seemed to come from there, and my eyes widened in surprise. Victor stood there, engaged in a seemingly serious conversation with a familiar man. It was Magnus, his ever-present smile almost permanent on his face. They both turned toward me when I entered the room. I didn't miss Magnus' smirk of victory at my entrance, while Victor remained unreadable.
"Good morning, dear," Victor said. "I see you're up and about. Did you sleep well?" He smiled warmly but also seemed slightly nervous. I wasn't sure why—the two of them never argued. They got along great, I guess.
The question caught me off guard. "Yes, thank you," I replied, my voice sounding rather raspy like I hadn't spoken in quite some time. As soon as I spoke, I realized just how tired I actually felt. My whole body seemed heavy as if I had aged ten years overnight.
Magnus offered a cheerful greeting as he turned his gaze towards me. "Masha, what a pleasant surprise to see you in Victor's house this morning." There was an undeniable twinkle in his eyes as he continued, "Are you and Victor in some kind of relationship?"
Victor raised his eyebrows at Magnus's forwardness, and he laughed softly. "Don't tease her too much, Magnus," he chided gently, though there was no real bite to his words. "She's had a long day yesterday. Besides, I was just helping her with something, that's all." His eyes were filled with amusement.
It didn't take long for me to realize that Magnus was making fun of me. I couldn't keep back my own laughter, despite everything that had occurred. I tried to hide it behind my hand, however, not wanting either of them to think less of me. I felt incredibly silly giggling over such a trivial matter, even if it did have the desired effect of getting a smile out of Victor. It helped clear my head, at least, which was nice.
Magnus turned back to me, his expression softening. "You are indeed a curious young lady. I'll be waiting for you at the lodge, my priestess," he said in his low voice. He gave us both a playful smile, his enigmatic demeanor unchanged, before making his way toward the waiting carriage. Once he had reached the doorway, he paused, one hand resting on the doorframe. "And by the way, good luck," he added before stepping inside and slamming the door shut. The carriage began rolling down the drive moments later.
As soon as Magnus had driven away, Victor turned back to me. "Come on, we need to go. Breakfast is ready."
I nodded silently, unsure of what to say. Was he embarrassed or angry at the teasing? Or maybe I was reading too far into things again. Maybe Victor really was as happy as he appeared to be.
We left the foyer behind, making our way to the kitchen, where a tray of food was set on the table. I sat beside Victor, offering him a grateful look before starting my breakfast, the events of the morning already creating ripples of change in the currents of my life.
After breakfast, as I gathered my belongings, Victor led me to the door. With a warm smile, he said, "I'm glad you enjoyed your stay, Masha. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
I nodded in gratitude. "Thank you, Victor, for your hospitality and kindness."
He walked me outside to where his personal carriage was waiting. As I climbed aboard, he offered me a reassuring nod. "You can use the carriage to return to your hotel. It's the least I can do."
I thanked him once more. As the carriage began to move, taking me back to my hotel, I couldn't help but reflect on the mysteries that had unfolded in Victor's home and how they would shape my path moving forward.
I returned to the hotel by 8 AM, my emotions swirling. Victor's kindness had offered a temporary escape from the chaos of my life, and now, going back felt somewhat daunting. The last time I was here, it was a mess, all thanks to Nikolai's mischievous ways.
I stepped out of the carriage, the nervous anticipation of our next encounter gnawing at my insides. The hotel looked the same as I had left it, the hallway outside my room bathed in soft lamplight. I was surprised to find my room clean and organized, just like the first time I arrived here. There was no sign of Nikolai or any other spirits, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness.
I called out to Nikolai, hoping for some kind of response, but the room remained silent. My heart sank, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I had somehow upset him. I remembered his desire to find the talisman, and I wondered if my actions had disappointed him. I felt a wave of sadness wash over me, but I knew that Nikolai was not one to stay away for long. I was certain that he would return soon, and that our journey to uncover the secrets of the talisman would continue. Or maybe, he found someone who could help him in that situation.
My day had begun like any other. I went about my routine, preparing myself for another day at the apothecary. There, I worked alongside my cheerful co-worker, Emrys, whose playful nature never failed to bring a smile to my face. The shop was abuzz with activity as we tended to the herbs, concoctions, and tinctures, with Mr. Hawthorne, our kind yet serious employer, keeping an eye on things.
Our work consisted of shipments of herbs and plants, assisting Mr. Hawthorne, and brewing soothing teas for the esteemed Mrs. Hawthorne when she graced us with her presence in town. The day passed uneventfully, filled with the familiar sights and smells of herbs and remedies.
As evening approached, I left the apothecary and made my way to the lodge for my nightly meditation and concentration training. The rigorous exercises kept my thoughts occupied, helping me momentarily forget the odd occurrences of the previous day. I was beginning to immerse myself in my magical studies, and I held hope that someday I might be officially accepted into the ranks of the lodge. That night, I found myself focusing more on my training and less on the perplexing events involving Nikolai.
When I returned to my hotel room, my mind was preoccupied with the day's accomplishments as well as thoughts of returning to visit my family one day. Stepping out of the carriage, I started my journey through the darkening streets. A cool breeze blew through the area, reminding me of the nights I spent outdoors in the mountains. This reminded me how much I missed home. I wish I could visit my family again.
But as I walked through the quiet streets, a male voice pierced the stillness. I turned to see a group of men approaching. My heart quickened, and unease washed over me. The men's faces were hidden in the shadows.
"Look what we have here, gents," the apparent leader of the group sneered, his voice thick and heavy. "A young lady out for an evening stroll. You wouldn't be carrying anything of value, would you, miss?"
I attempted to continue walking, my pace quickening. "I have nothing of interest to you," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
The men didn't seem satisfied with my response. They closed in, surrounding me. "Oh, but I think you do," the leader continued a sinister glint in his eye. "What business do you have with that sorcerer, Magnus?"
Panic gnawed at my insides. How could they know Magnus? "I don't know what you're talking about," I said, my voice trembling slightly.
The men wanted information about Magnus, perhaps something that could give them an advantage or leverage over him. "Tell us everything you know about him," another man demanded, stepping closer. "And maybe we'll let you go unharmed."
I was now trapped, the men too close for comfort. Fear began to consume me. I stammered, "I... I really don't know what you want. I'm just a magician's apprentice, and I study mostly healing magic. I have nothing to do with any sorcerer or dark magic."
The men grew increasingly aggressive. It was clear they would resort to violence if I didn't comply. Panic flooded me, and I struggled to come up with an escape plan. In that desperate moment, my mind was filled with thoughts of how I wished Nikolai or any entity were there to help.
Just when the situation seemed dire and my breaths grew shallow with anxiety, a sudden and unexpected presence materialized beside me. The men stopped, their faces contorted with surprise, as a tall, mysterious figure with long, dark hair and piercing eyes stepped forward. The dim, flickering light of a nearby lamppost revealed his striking features, and my heart skipped a beat. His energy seemed familiar, but I could not see his face clearly.
"Well, well, what have we here?" the leader said, eyeing the newcomer.
The stranger's voice was smooth and low. "A group of brave men accosting a lone woman in the dark. Charming."
The men hesitated, uncertain of how to react to the newcomer. The mysterious man's demeanor was captivating, but a sense of dread seemed to emanate from him.
One of the men, recognizing the stranger's strange aura, stammered, "Who... Who are you?"
The newcomer's lips curled into a wry smile. I swear that I could see his eyes glowing unnaturally like a sleep paralysis demon. "Just a traveler passing through."
The men exchanged wary glances, and the leader seemed to realize that they might be out of their depth. He motioned for the group to retreat, their bravado shattered by the stranger's presence. With a final glance in my direction, the men hastily withdrew, vanishing into the night like shadows.
The stranger turned to me with an enigmatic smile. "Are you alright?" His gaze lingered briefly on my neckline before drifting back up to meet mine.
I glanced around, afraid of being seen. "Y - yes. Thank you, sir. For saving me."
His expression softened. "You're welcome. Though I must admit that I had expected you to make more of an effort to get yourself out of danger, your skills with your magic may have saved you."
The words struck my mind like lightning. I looked up and saw the man's face more clearly, thanks to the bright moonlight. Of course, it was Nikolai, except that his chest-length hair was now much shorter and darker.
My jaw dropped for a moment and I blushed slightly at his words. "Nikolai? I thought you left me. So I panicked. And then when I realized..." My voice trailed off as I considered the scene in front of me: those men closing in on me without warning; Nikolai standing guard; his inhuman features, which only accentuated his dangerous appearance, staring directly at them; the fact that I hadn't heard him approach. The entire incident seemed so surreal that for a moment, I wasn't entirely sure that it had actually happened at all.
Nikolai placed his hand gently on top of my head, stroking the short strands of hair that fell between my earrings absentmindedly. As I watched his fingertips move through my hair, my stomach flipped uncomfortably. I tried to avoid looking at him, but my eyes caught sight of his gleaming eyes, and it sent shivers throughout my body. I took a step backward, feeling uncomfortable with his sudden proximity.
He raised his eyebrows. "What?" he asked quizzically.
"Nothing!" I exclaimed loudly.
For a few moments, neither of us said a word. I stared at him, mesmerized by his unusually light blue eyes that almost resembled the moon, unable to look away. The sensation was strangely unsettling, and I began to feel dizzy from his nearness.
Nikolai seemed amused by my reaction, but it quickly faded when he caught sight of my wide eyes. "Don't worry, little lamb," he said quietly. "I am here."