After a few seconds, sleep overcame me like a gentle wave, pulling me into its embrace. However, when I awoke again, it wasn't the ethereal landscapes of astral realms that greeted me, but rather the intense gaze of Nikolai. His sharp and predatory eyes bore into mine, and a gasp escaped my lips, a reflexive response to the unexpected.
Nikolai's expression was unreadable, though his eyes were softening ever so slightly as he watched me with obvious pleasure. "Good morning. Like what you're seeing?" he chuckled.
I shook off the remnants of my initial shock and propped myself up on the bed. "You scared me," I admitted, attempting to mask my unease with a feeble smile.
Nikolai's expression softened, and then, unexpectedly, he teased, "Well, I couldn't help it. You were sleeping with your mouth open, drooling like a baby."
Embarrassment flooded my cheeks, and I swatted his arm lightly. "You shouldn't stare at people when they're sleeping, especially if they look less than elegant doing it."
He chuckled, the tension easing. "Point taken. So, what's on your mind? I think I've heard you moaning as you sleep. Or maybe it was something else." Nikolai leaned back, a hint of curiosity in his eyes.
I took a deep breath, deciding to shift the conversation to a more comfortable territory. "I had another astral travel, Nikolai. This time, I met someone interesting."
"Hmm, let me guess. A ghost? An incubus doing a sexy dance, perhaps? Or a naked male siren singing love songs in tenor?" He raised an eyebrow, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in amusement. The vampire was enjoying himself.
"No, nothing like that!" I protested, feeling heat creeping up my neck. My irritation made it seem as if the redness on my skin was coming from embarrassment rather than blood rushing there. I felt foolish for being flustered by him, considering we were only friends. "You're too dirty to be a vampire noble."
The corners of his eyes crinkled as his laughter rang in the air around us. "Then tell me about this mysterious creature." Nikolai leaned forward expectantly, his expression eager.
I heaved a deep sigh. "It's your brother."
Nikolai tilted his head. "Anyone who claims to be my brother is probably lying. What does he have to do with anything?"
"Don't underestimate your little brother. He seems to know a lot of things about you."
"Yeah, did he tell you his real name?"
I frowned, confused. "What do you mean?"
"It is rare for us dark spirits to reveal our true names, as we can be controlled by the mere utterance of our names."
I nodded. "Yes, I remember that. But I feel that he told me the truth. His name is Maxim."
Nikolai paused, frowning thoughtfully. He seemed to be making an effort to remember, his brow creasing as he struggled with the memory. "Ah yes, Maxim, the youngest of three children."
"Three?" I asked incredulously.
"Yes, I have one younger sister and a younger brother. Does it bother you?"
My mouth twisted, but I shook my head and shrugged, unwilling to admit that I was shocked to learn that he had two other siblings. I was already surprised when I met his younger brother in the astral plane. "No, not really. You didn't mention any of your siblings before."
"They aren't important for my mission here. Did Maxim tell anything to you?" Nikolai asked.
"Not much," I murmured. I refused to say that Maxim seemed disappointed with his brother. "He told me about how a fallen angel could help us find the talisman, but it seemed that the fallen angel did not know anything about it either."
"Hmm," said Nikolai. "Interesting. Let's hope my baby brother has some answers."
His words sent a tingle down my spine. "Do you think he knows something?"
Nikolai smirked knowingly. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. We'll see." He paused for a moment before saying, "I will guide you again tonight, so you can find the talisman's location and thief. I felt its presence more strongly." He narrowed his eyes as he looked at me. "Yes, I could feel it is very close."
We fell into silence once more, each lost in our thoughts. After a few minutes of staring at the wall like a curious cat, I spoke.
"I need to get to work at the apothecary. I don't want to be late again," I told him, jumping out of bed.
Nikolai's lips curled into a half-smile, and with a casual wave, he said, "Off you go, then. Don't let my charming presence distract you from your duties, my dear Masha."
I rolled my eyes, a mixture of annoyance and affection settling within me. "Well then, you must go outside the bedroom as I change my clothes, okay?"
The corners of his lips quirked upward in amusement. "As you wish, my lady." Then he went outside, walking stealthily.
As I prepared to leave, I couldn't shake the feeling that Nikolai was holding back more than he let on about Maxim, but for now, duty called, and the mysteries of the supernatural world would have to wait.
For now, I had work to attend to.
*****
The morning sun painted the cobbled streets with a warm glow as I made my way to the apothecary, my senses invigorated by the crisp air. Breakfast had been a simple affair, a routine that provided a moment of tranquility before the day's hustle began. The bell above the apothecary door chimed as I entered, and the familiar scent of herbs embraced me.
Emrys, my ever-cheerful co-worker, was already at his station, arranging bundles of dried herbs with expertise that bespoke years of experience. His eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint as he saw me. "Good morrow, Masha! Ready for another day of labor?" He gave a hearty chuckle at his humorless joke. I grinned weakly in return, and I caught sight of the young woman standing beside Emrys behind a counter, watching him intently. Her long blond hair was pulled back into a low ponytail, and she wore a plain dress of white linen and a dark hat. She appeared uncomfortable, her arms crossed in front of her, and I wondered briefly how long she'd been waiting for Emrys to finish up his job.
She looked over at me and immediately flushed, averting her gaze and ducking her head. Her face was pale, and her posture was rigid. She motioned impatiently to Emrys, and I watched curiously as Emrys gathered several vials, bottles, jars, boxes, and packets, all wrapped in brown paper and labeled in an unfamiliar scrawl. Emrys put them in the bag and gave it to the woman. She thanked him fervently before hastily exiting the shop, casting me a furtive glance as she left. After the woman had gone, Emrys cleared his throat.
"We must keep working. I feel that something exciting is going to happen," he muttered.
Our morning was spent immersed in the alchemy of herbs. Emrys taught me different techniques for formulating remedies, emphasizing the importance of precision and the delicate balance required in blending various ingredients. His animated explanations painted a vivid picture of the mystical dance within each potion, the herbs weaving together to create something greater than the sum of their parts. The aroma of freshly brewed potions wafted through the air, along with the smell of lavender, rosemary, mint, thyme, sage, clove, and pepper.
After almost two hours, our hands were stained crimson from using the same mortar and pestle, mixing in the various medicinal herbs. Despite the exhaustion that weighted my limbs, I still felt lighthearted. I loved the feeling; it was as though the weight of my worries had disappeared as if I had shed a heavy garment, leaving behind the barest of impressions. My heart felt lighter as well. I didn't realize how much I needed this until this morning; I'd been working hard lately, so it was nice to take a break to breathe a bit of fresh air after work.
"Masha, are you alright?" Emrys asked.
I blinked, realizing that I'd zoned out of my surroundings and focused solely on my surroundings. "Yeah, sorry. Did you say something, Emrys?"
"Yes, I said... I'm surprised that you haven't collapsed yet." Emrys sounded perplexed. Then he chuckled and shook his head. "I was only kidding."
I rubbed my temples tiredly, trying to ignore the throbbing pain. "I think I am just tired."
As we continued to work, the doorbell chimed again, heralding the arrival of a visitor.
"Come in, sir," said Emrys in greeting, smiling slightly.
A tall, slender man stepped into the shop. He was dressed in expensive clothing, although worn and faded, and his jet-black hair stood in an unruly mess atop his head. He wore dark glasses, which cast a shadow across his eyes, giving him a sinister appearance. However, what struck me most was the intense intensity with which he stared at me, and I instinctively drew away a step. He seemed out of place, and the way he stood reminded me of a highborn gentleman. His lips curled upwards into a sardonic smile, revealing pointed incisors, as he walked to stand before us. There was something oddly familiar about him, but I couldn't quite place it.
He scanned the entire room for a moment before removing his glasses. As soon as he did so, I instantly recognized him. It was Mordecai Lancaster, a high-ranking member of the Shadow Covenant in his late thirties. I rarely saw him at the lodge as he was extremely busy, but he was friendly to me, as were most members. A subtle tension hung in the air as our eyes met, creating a moment of awkward silence.
"Good morning, Mr. Talbot. And good morning to you too, Miss Montclair. It's a pleasure to see you again after some time." His voice was silky smooth and pleasant, as usual.
"Good day, Mr. Lancaster. How may I assist you today?" I inquired, my voice steady despite the underlying unease. I wondered what he was doing here.
Mordecai returned the gesture with a courteous smile, a veneer of politeness covering the enigmatic depths beneath. "I seek some rare herbs for a particular concoction. Could you guide me through your selection?"
This was odd. I am certain that the lodge has always had enough herbs and plants for magical practice. I glanced toward Emrys, who was observing us both in interest.
Then I turned back to Mordecai. "Of course."
I gestured towards the shelves full of medicinal plants as I spoke. "Are there specific things you're looking for?"
Mordecai nodded, a subtle eagerness coloring his tone. He studied me carefully before replying, his expression turning slightly cold as he spoke. "Yes. I am searching for a specific herb known as the wolfsbane." His lips formed a thin line as he added, "I have heard rumors that there might be some in the woods nearby that could aid my purpose."
I arched an eyebrow in curiosity. "Wolfsbane is a rare and dangerous herb. May I ask what purpose you have for it?"
"My business requires discretion," said Mordecai in a clipped tone. "If anyone knew that I sought such dangerous plants, I'd be ruined. That is why I need the herbs. I'll pay you handsomely, of course."
I frowned at the blatant demand, wondering what he was planning. Mordecai responded with a sly smile, "Sometimes business requires bold decisions. I'm sure you understand the value of discretion."
"We do not sell such plants, sir," Emrys explained with a friendly smile. "We don't stock wolfsbane. If you wish to purchase some, you'll have to procure it yourself."
I raised an eyebrow at Emrys, noticing the way he exuded confidence and charm even in the face of Mordecai's request. However, the older man seemed unfazed, his mouth set in a hard line.
"You may purchase it elsewhere. Or perhaps we can give you something else," Emrys added with a casual air. "What are your needs, sir?"
"A vial of silver nitrate would suffice. Just a few milliliters, yes?" said Mordecai.
"Very good, sir." Emrys turned and headed for the back room.
As Emrys disappeared into the back room, leaving me alone with Mordecai, an uncomfortable tension settled in the air. The apothecary seemed quieter, the soft rustle of herbs and the distant hum of the city outside amplifying the weight of Mordecai's presence.
Mordecai's gaze lingered on me, his eyes calculating and penetrating. "Your friend seems quite confident and knowledgeable," he remarked casually.
I shifted uneasily, acutely aware of the delicacy of the situation. "Yes, Emrys has a good understanding of our inventory," I replied carefully, my eyes flickering to the closed door behind me.
Mordecai's lips curled into a mysterious smile. "Knowledge is a powerful tool, isn't it, Masha? Especially when one deals with the secrets of nature."
His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I forced a composed nod. "Yes, it's essential to understand the properties of the plants we handle."
Mordecai leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone. "But there are plants with properties beyond the mundane, wouldn't you agree? Ones that conceal their true nature, waiting for the right moment to reveal themselves."
I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "Nature is full of surprises, sir. Some things are best left undiscovered."
He chuckled softly, the sound sending a chill through the room. "Undiscovered, yes. But not necessarily unnoticed."
As the air thickened with tension, Mordecai's curiosity seemed insatiable. "Tell me, Masha, what draws you to the secrets of the natural world? What motivates you to delve into the unknown?"
I took a cautious breath, my mind racing. "There's beauty in the mysteries, and understanding them grants a sense of control."
Mordecai's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Control is a coveted commodity, indeed. But sometimes, one must relinquish control to truly comprehend the enigma of existence." He paused for a moment before he continued, "The threads of fate weave an intricate tapestry, Masha. Some threads remain hidden, and others dance in plain sight."
A shiver ran down my spine as I struggled to decipher his cryptic messages. "I'm not sure I follow, Mr. Lancaster."
He smirked knowingly. "Not all paths are straightforward. Sometimes, the shadows reveal more than the light ever could."
As I fumbled for a response, Mordecai dropped another cryptic clue. "Beware the shadows; they hold secrets that can change destinies."
His warning hung in the air, leaving me bewildered. "What do you mean?" I asked, unable to hide my confusion.
Mordecai's response was deliberately vague. "In due time, Masha. In due time."
As Emrys reappeared, carrying the vial of silver nitrate, Mordecai straightened up. The enigmatic smile that adorned his face vanished, replaced by a scowl that gave him an uncanny resemblance to a dark owl.
"Well, now that I've made my purchases, I shall take my leave." His hand reached for the cane, and his movements seemed stiff and unnatural, almost like an automaton. With a swift, robotic motion, he snatched up his cane and briskly departed from the shop. We observed as he strode purposefully down the street until he disappeared around the corner.