Chapter # 8

Zubie immediately packed what little she could, her belongings consisted of her clothes and some book she decided to bring along with her. Including the book that once belonged to Isabelle. Zubie latched the bracelet over her left wrist so that she will not lose it somehow.

The man Aurelius gave her an address and disappeared, she guessed she'll have to travel there on her own. She rented a cab to the place alone. While she was traveling all kinds of uncertainties were grazing her heart, what if Aurelius was not good as he appears to be and was leading her into a trap? This indictment was not based, she did not have any evidence that he was evil. He did save her and helped her since she was thrown into this spiral of madness.

Finally, she reached the address, she was not expecting it to be in the middle of nowhere. In a distance, she can see a metal gate surrounded by a brick wall. Was this the place they were supposed to meet?

Zubie walked closer, her eyes scanning the vicinity with close interest. The metal gate was rusted, a little tilted to the side. Zubie was expecting it to fall any time soon. The brick wall was covered in moss, due to the moisture. The grass almost reached her head, evident that it was trimmed ages ago.

She carefully opened the gate, it made a loud racket.

Zubie ignored the noise because her attention was taken by the structure in front of her. It was a manor from the looks of it, but a part of it was kissing the ground. She was no expert in architecture but she can tell it was rather ancient built, even historical.

She decided to leave her luggage outside and walk in, even if someone tries to attack her she can easily run back. The little flight of stone stairs stood broken. There was no doorbell, she decided to knock. Nobody answered the door, so she knocked again.

To her surprise, the door slides open with ease.

Breathing in, she walked inside.

The interior was no better than the exterior. The grey wallpaper was peeling from the walls and a thick coating of dust covered everything. Zubie's eyes were taking the interior with awe, she has never been in a manor before but she was sure that this place used to be luxurious once. Maybe some prince or lord used to live here.

Her eyes wandered to the ceiling, there was a hole to the side. The big chandelier was hanging from the roof for dear life. This place looked not safe to live in, this was hazardous. Zubie was taking her steps carefully, what if a hole appeared on the floor swallowing her whole?

"Welcome, you are finally here." the voice startled her, and for a moment she considered running back outside thinking this was the deranged brother of Aurelius. Zubie's eyes met his, he was standing in the doorway with a kind smile on his face and a twinkle in his grey eyes. This was no deranged brother but Aurelius himself, "I'm hoping your traveling hours were pleasant."

"not complaining but this place kinda looks like it's about to turn into rubble," Zubie said, her eyes leaving his.

"Yes, I know." he motioned her to follow him, "I know you have a lot of questions regarding this place so go ahead and ask."

"For starters, who this place belongs to?"

"My brother, well it used to be ours."

"Your brother!?" Zubie was terrified at this information, "what if he is here and attacks me again? I'm sure to die this time!"

"Listen," his voice was gentle, "he is not coming here, I know that for sure. This is the last place he'll look for you."

"Alright, I trust you." Zubie had no choice but to trust this man.

"Thank you."

"For what?" she asked, confounded.

"For trusting me of course." he was leading her down the stairs, to the basement level, "it's not every day people put their trust in a dead man."

"It's not every day people are attacked by a maniac version of the dead man and have a brush with death." Zubie was led to a small bedroom, with no windows. There was only a bed in the middle and a dresser and a small wardrobe.

"I know this isn't much but this is the only room I could find that was clean enough but it has been ages since anyone came here so it's expected," he told her, "but it isn't in the bed conditions so we gotta clean it thoroughly."

"It's alright, this whole house needs a thorough repair if I'm being honest."

"I know, maybe someday whoever decides to live here." his smile dropped, and shaking his head he said, "I'll show the place to practice your magic or potions but we also need to shop for necessities like groceries."

Aurelius lead her deeper into the basement floor, "this is the lab that belonged to my brother, I can not get in because of the boundary hex he placed," the door was not the last one in the hallway, there was one more, "my theory is that you can get inside, if that's possible for you. What else do we need?"

"Alright, do I try breaking the lock or something?" Zubie asked, picking up the half brick from the floor.

"You can try, but I dont think it's going to work---" there was a noise do metal clashing with stone.

"Your brother is not a genius." she kicked the door open, inviting herself inside the old lab, she was surprised to see the equipment was old but not completely useless at least not most of it, "he can keep out ghosts but not much was done to keep out humans, dumb indeed."

"Well, you look around the lab, I'm going up."

Zubei decided she was not going to be left alone in a creepy lab, "I'm not staying down here alone,"

"Of course, follow me I'll show you to the town nearby."

"That would be great." she looked back at the third door in the row, "what's in that room?"

"Nothing that interests you by any means." it came out abruptly and cold in tone, "it's nothing special really, just an old room with old stuff."

"Alright," Zubie said, maybe she imagined the change in his aura.