It has been at least an hour after the ridiculous ambush. It was a surprise to me that the woman who let us stay at the hotel was a threat. I'm having this itching nerve not to stay oblivious to strangers.

I turn my head to check on Julian. He seemed content but at the same time his shoulders were slumped, eyes tired, and his walking speed was a little off.

I slow myself down and face him. He stops and slowly looks up at me. His tired gaze turns into mild confusion. I place my hand on to his forehead. Cold.

"Are you okay? Your body temperature is decreasing. You look pale...do we need to stop?" I whisper in concern.

He sighs and straightens his slouching body. I can see his skin has become even paler than before. Was that even possible or am I just forgetting how he looked a while ago?

Julian gently pushes my hand away. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine. I always look like this. We need to keep moving" he mumbles and drags his feet past me.

I sigh and shake my head. This man I swear! One second he's playful and then the other he's dead inside. Is this hereditary or something?

We come to a dead-end...well more like something I sort of expected. This creepy forest sure knows how to stir us in the right direction. The air around us is surprisingly cold and I could have sworn I saw a snowflake or two.

The faded cobblestone path has to lead us to the most gothic and looking mansion I had ever seen. Whatever this place is...I have a growing suspicion about it.

There is a steel rusted fence that somehow remains intact. The grass around it is faded away. It looks dark and hollow inside as the windows are dark and slightly cracked. The brick exterior was perhaps dark brown but the darkness covered it all too well.

I slowly walk up to it and place a hand on it. The coldness brushes my fingertips as I slowly trailed them down the wall. It was amazing how long this place was here. Maybe in hundreds of years? I take my hand of it and look around. Silvaus wasn't outside; he was inside and I felt it. He had to have come here for a reason. Why?

Turning around to Julian, I watch as he examines the door. "Hmph. It seems too quiet. A little too weird if you ask me." He quietly states, putting a hand up to the door.

I huff and take a step near the entrance. I knock once and the door slowly opens. "Well, here we go."

***

We enter and a cold blow of air hits me. The lights suddenly flicker on. I look up to see a beautifully crafted chandelier, hanging above us. The interior of the mansion is lined with an old-looking wallpaper. The floor was carpeted with red as well as the stairs that follow up to the second floor.

My nose wrinkles at the old scent. In other words, it smells like faded oil and burned bark. Weird combination for a place like this.

I look up at the top of the stairs. A rather small old lady stands up top. Her head is covered by a blue cowl and a wooden cane stands by her side. She slowly raises the cane with a smile.

"Cia, Lyla, and Mika! They have arrived! Do not keep them waiting."