As Emma, Amelia, and Prescott materialized at the gates of Annabel’s mansion, they were met with a sight that took their breath away. The mansion stood proudly atop a hill, its grandeur unmistakable even from a distance. Surrounded by vast expanses of land, with a dense forest looming nearby, the house seemed to exude an aura of mystery and intrigue.
The mansion itself was a testament to old wealth and opulence, its imposing facade adorned with intricate carvings and ornate details. Gargoyles perched ominously on the corners of the roof, their stone forms weathered by time but still retaining an air of silent vigilance.
The gates through which Emma, Amelia and Prescott had arrived were wrought iron, their intricate designs hinting at the wealth and power that lay beyond. As they passed through, the gates creaked open with an eerie sense of anticipation, as if welcoming them into a world of secrets and shadows.
The driveway leading up to the mansion was lined with ancient trees, their gnarled branches reaching skyward like gnarled fingers grasping for the heavens. The sound of leaves rustling in the breeze added to the sense of foreboding that hung heavy in the air.
As they approached the mansion itself, Emma couldn’t help but marvel at its sheer size and grandeur. The building loomed before them like a monolith, its towering spires and turrets stretching toward the sky with an air of regal majesty.
The walls of the mansion were made of weathered stone, their surfaces marred by age and neglect. Ivy crept up the sides of the building, its tendrils snaking their way across the ancient stones like veins pulsing with life.
Despite its age and apparent disrepair, there was a certain beauty to the mansion that was undeniable. The windows were tall and narrow, their panes of glass reflecting the fading light of the setting sun. Turrets jutted out from the roof at irregular intervals, their conical shapes casting long shadows across the grounds below.
As they reached the front steps of the mansion, Emma could see that the doors were massive and ornately carved, their surfaces adorned with intricate patterns and symbols. She reached out a hand to touch the wood, feeling the rough texture beneath her fingertips.
Prescott stood on her shoulder, his expression unreadable as he took in the sight before them. The mansion seemed to loom over them like a silent sentinel, its secrets hidden behind the imposing facade.
Taking a deep breath, Emma dropped a knock. However, silence greeted her.
“Ehmm… I don’t think she can hear you. Unless there is a bell you can ring somewhere…” Amelia spoke up, finally finding her voice. Emma didn’t elaborate that her friend was rich, and maybe a supernatural fanatic, seeing where the house was located.
Emma searched the corners of the mighty doors with her eyes, and finding nothing peculiar pushed open the doors and stepped into the darkness beyond. The interior of the mansion was dimly lit, the air heavy with the scent of age. Dust motes danced in the shafts of light that filtered through the windows, casting strange patterns on the walls.
As they trudged down the very long hallway, Emma couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. The shadows seemed to move and shift with a life of their own, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease creeping over her. What was Annabel doing here? Where was her friend?
She got her answer, when Annabel walked out from the darkness-that’s what it seemed-toward them, a smile blossoming on her lips.
“Emma, welcome to my abode.”
**
Legardo slumped in defeat as his attempts to control Eva through the magic bug proved futile. The realization hit him hard-his carefully crafted plans had crumbled before his eyes.
As he sat there, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions, a new idea began to take shape. He couldn’t control Eva directly, but perhaps there was someone who could. Someone with more power and influence than he could ever hope to possess-the Black Mage.
The mere thought sent a shiver down his spine. Making a deal with the Black Mage was a risky move, one that could cost him dearly. The last one he made, he knew that he was still paying for it. But desperate times called for desperate measures, and Legardo knew he had no other choice. He needed Eva on his side, and if he couldn’t control her, then he would have to find someone who could.
But as he reached for his phone, his hand paused in midair. Something held him back-a voice of reason whispering in his ear, urging caution.
With a sigh, Legardo lowered his hand, his resolve faltering. He couldn’t risk everything on a gamble, especially not with someone as unpredictable as the Black Mage. He would have to call on Leonarya and Arnold again.
Too bad that he wouldn’t be killing them as he had thought.
***
As Margo and Ketura made their way through the dense forest, they stumbled upon the group of Ancients accompanied by Eva’s family. The tension in the air was palpable, and it was clear that they had been searching for the missing girl.
As they approached, Margo and Keturah exchanged wary glances, unsure of what to expect. But to their surprise, the Ancients greeted them with a mixture of relief and urgency, obviously seeing Eva who was on Margo’s back. However they could see that they were unknown to the group.
“Who are you?” Yodah asked, warily perusing the two women who he hadn’t seen before around the pack.
“I am Keturah.”
“I am Margo.”
Margo stepped back a bit, when the pronunciation of her name brought a flicker of knowing in the eyes of the people before. She was known of them. But how? Did Emma tell them of her?
She watched with narrowed eyes as Peter stepped forward. “Margo, nice to finally meet you.”
Margo exchanged another surprise glance with Keturah. Nice to meet her?
“We’ve been searching for Eva,” Peter said, his voice tinged with worry. “Thank you for finding her. She has not been herself lately.”
Margo and Keturah exchanged a knowing look, remembering the condition they had agreed on.
“We may be able to help,” Margo said, her voice steady. “But we’ll need your cooperation. I heard you have my da… my niece.”
Peter turned around and looked at the Ancients.
“You can have your daughter, free from the possession, if we can have Esther back.” Margo stated, not waiting for the result of Peter’s unspoken communication with his comrades.