Time went by and without realizing it, it had already been a month. She had to wait almost a week before being able to enchant some cloths and brooms to help her speed up the process, but seeing how now the most simple of spells seemed to be taking a toll on her, she’d rather be cautious not to completely deplete her magical core.
Once she noticed this, she had made it a habit to take an herbed bath once a week. It wasn’t as effective as if she did so under the full moon or in a natural body of water, but it should suffice for now. At least until the ice melted.
Snow began to fall over 10 days ago and after a sudden drop in temperatures since then, made sure to keep it there. Lucky for her, she was able to find some old but thick coat to hide herself in until she got a hold of her magic and was able to control a small, but constant fire in the hearth that warmed the first floor.
Whoever built the place, was a genius. They had created some kind of internal structure so that the warmth could be spread to different sections of the castle from one single point. Her room seemed connected to the one in the kitchen, being what she had assumed were the servants quarters, but she truly didn’t mind. Her bed was comfy and even had a small desk and bookcase, which she often made use of with books she borrowed from the library.
Because yes, of course, they had a beautiful library filled with books of all kinds and she couldn’t help herself. She was always very careful in the manipulation to avoid any potential harm, accidental or not. Some were very obviously older than her, and she’d hate to see their knowledge lost forever because of her occasional clumsiness.
So, she only read once she finished her tasks and took with her two or three books at a time, with a small preservation incantation.
That morning, while peacefully contemplating her journey so far, she couldn’t but feel grateful.
It was the first time in such a long time she could enjoy herself like this.
Trouble started a few days later, when she had started taking care of the East Wing. So far, for all the rooms she had gone through, it had been apparent that nobody lived there for a long time. The furniture, contrary to what she had encountered in the kitchen or library, seemed to be not just old-fashioned, but truly antique, and some of them were in a pretty bad state.
It was a shame, as some of the pieces were really beautiful.
There was a door, at the very end of this corridor, that caught her attention from the very first time. Before she realized it, her hand had been on the handle trying to open it. When she did come to her senses, she quickly jumped back and let it go as if it burned.
She decided to leave that room for last.
However there as only so much she could o before she was back there. And that’s how she found herself looking at it, tightening her grip on her bucket with the deminishing rays of day behind her.
“Come on, this is no time to chicken out. What is the worst that could happen? Some insects, a little monster maybe?”
She muttered a small prayer to the Goddess just in case.
“It’s a door. Just a door.”
Once again, taking the handle, she pushed it down and pushed the door holding her breath.
She could now breath with ease, feeling a bit stupid, but also relieved her instinct had been wrong.
Except once she stood a few steps in – trying to take in the room – the door suddenly banged close.
Okay, let’s see. No need to panic. She had a few windows open through the castle despite the cold to help with air renewal and it might have been just that. No need to assume of any cursed rooms trying to kill her.
Drawing in the air with her free hand, she casted a few small blue flames she commanded to scatter through the room. They wouldn’t provide the brightest light, but they would make sure not to burn anything.
Past experiences taught her of the trickster nature of fire. It was not to be played with.
A cold voice spoke behind her, making her jump a little.
Not her proudest momento.
Their tone was commanding and did not sound too happy.
Well, neither was she to be honest.
She slowly turned around, holding her breath. Please let it be a ghost, just an angry lonely ghost... He might be angry and who knew if lonely, but the way she was suddenly hanging in the air, held by her neck, they were certainly no ghost.
“I might not have made myself sufficiently clear.” he practically growled, sending shivers down her spine. It wasn’t the red eyes that panicked her, but the two long fangs in his mouth.
As a witch, there were some creatures she should always be on the watch for. Werewolves, nightmares and vampires were no joke.
“You tell me, right this instant, your name and purpose in my home, and I might concede you a quick death. Otherwise...”
Her grip on his arm was useless, but fortunately he alleviated some of the pressure for her to speak.
Not trusting her voice or his judgement to believe her, she went for a different way. Taking her hands to his temples, she showed him. Everything from the day they told her of the job to everything she had been doing until their encounter. She left some details out, regarding her backstory or motives, but... That was pretty much all.
He let go of her completely now. Coughing, taken aback by the sudden action, she stumbled, taking a small table and its content down with her.
He seemed freezer in his spot.
“Out.” he said in a very calm voice.
When she didn’t move, he went on.
“Are you deaf girl? I said, get the hell out!”
She didn’t hesitate this time and ran for the door, not caring when she fell once out, and didn’t stop until she reached the main door out.