Chapter 8: Dark and Creepy Castle

It had been at least an hour after the ridiculous ambush. It was a surprise to me that the woman who let us stay at the was a threat. I'm having this itching nevre 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. The power he had awoken...was it too much?

      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.

     "Your vampiric side is kicking in. I can tell. Your body temperature is decreasing" I whisper in concern.

     He sighs and straightens his slouching body. I can see his skin has become even more pale 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. We need to keep pushing on" 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 faded cobble stone path had lead us to the most gothic and old castle I had ever seen.

    There was a steel rusted fence that some how remained intact. The grass around it had faded away. It seemed dark and hollow inside as the windows were dark and slightly cracked. The stone exterior was perhaps gray 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 hundreds...thousands 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. No draw bridge. A little too weird if you ask me." He says.

    I huff and take a step near the entrance. "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. The interior of the castles was linned with an old wallpaper. The floor was carpeted with red as well as the stairs that followed up to a new floor.

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

    My instincts kick in and 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."