Dark quarters

Vera and Ogi sat at the Basilisk Kafe. It was there that Vera felt the dark energy from a nearby house. It was the Basiliskenhaus, the place where the very first Basilisk was found and killed.

After the first monster's defeat, no other Basilisks had been seen in the area. It was supposed to be a safe place.

However, Vera could feel the energy of something very much alive move under them, under the streets, as if walking in the sewers.

«Hey, are you sure this place is nice?» she wondered. Not that she feared that creature crawling under them; just, she didn't look forward to meeting anything supernatural for that night.

«Why not? Are you afraid of the Basilisk?» Ogi replied. «Don't worry! I will protect you if any appears, I promise.»

«Thank you, but... Oh, whatever,» she sighed.

The evil energy was leaving the area, regardless. As if afraid of something. She could survive the deadly powers of a Basilisk, but there was no way one of them would run away at her appearance.

She was powerful but not menacing. The night creatures often ignored her, as if she was just another one of them.

However, the young man in front of her, with his golden aura and otherworldly appearance, might as well have been the cause of the fleeing.

He took the mask off and leaned back on the chair, taking the cap off as well, exposing his face to her eyes. He was around her age, more or less. His hair was longer than Neven's, but their resemblance was stupefying. She felt he was as familiar as to relax.

«So, Ogi... You live here,» she said.

She didn't feel anything pushing her in his arms, so there was no reason to be wary of him. However, did that mean Neven had used whatever power he had at his disposal?

He didn't need to, that rascal!

Oh, she thought, maybe he couldn't control it. Or both the men couldn't stop their power from charming around, but one was more powerful than the other.

«What do you do for a living?» she asked.

«Music,» was the reply.

«Yes?» she chuckled. «You're talented. I liked your melody very much... It reminded me of something in the past.»

«Really?»

«Yes. It was full of emotions.» Even though not as hypnotic as another melody that had charmed her. «So, are you a violinist?»

«Not really. I do it as a hobby. My real job is about my voice. I sing.»

«Oh, are you famous?»

He narrowed his eyes, trying to find any trace of deception on her face. However, she seemed honest.

She really didn't know who he was. But, when she had stopped in front of him, he had felt warmth in his heart. Someone had recognised his talent, right? Someone could tell he also knew how to play the violin.

It was not his face she liked, but his sound!

«I love to think so,» he said. «That I'm famous.»

«Nice. That's why you were covering your face, right? I was wondering why would a street performer go undercover,» she chuckled.

Her laughter made him blink, and something deep inside him pushed him forward. So much that he leaned on the table to be closer to her.

However, Julie didn't react. She looked back at him, unfazed. She didn't care about his closeness, and it did hurt a little.

He could have any girl in the world with a single smile, and they would give him their bodies and hearts without thinking twice.

But not the woman in front of him.

His eyes moved on her body, analysing her features. She had the right curves, and her face was delicate like that of a doll. Yet, not even under his scrutiny did she blush. She was resisting, wasn't she? It was impossible for a woman to feel nothing.

His lips curled in a grin, and he felt the adventure coming his way. Someone interesting, finally!

«How long do you stay in Wien?» he said, switching between German and English, and back, without realising it. He was so taken by her that he had no space for any other thought.

«I don't know. But I'm curious about your voice now. Will you sing anywhere these days?»

«No, but I can send you a ticket for the next time if you give me your number. I'm currently under forced rest. To protect my throat from damage and other bullshit.»

«What a pity. And here I thought I could find something to do!»

«Will you come back to Vienna anytime soon?»

«I don't believe so,» she said. «It doesn't depend on me, and the boss at work is unpredictable. But, if I come, I will text you.»

She offered her open palm, and it took him a while to understand she didn't want to give him her number. But she would have taken his. How unfair!

And how challenging. Not just that she was resisting, but she had enough brain cells free to counter-attack.

«Shall I save you like Ogi? Ognyen? Do you have a surname?»

«No surname,» he said. «It's more fun like this.»

Also, by telling her his full name, she would have found out who he was. The manager wouldn't be happy to hear he gave his number to a potential psycho fan.

They had their drink in that part of the city, not far from the place where a deadly creature was found and killed. Such places used to attract dark energy from every direction, but Vera didn't feel anything amiss. It was like being in an oasis.

That man made her feel safe, even though she wasn't a hundred per cent sure his intentions were pure.