Book of Demons: Gabriela

9.

The evening was pleasant, despite the February wind and the upcoming storm. 

Gabriella was wearing an elegant dark blue dress with her hair up and sapphire earrings. She held a glass of champagne in her hand and walked elegantly around the guests.

The house was large and Victorian. There was even a ballroom. She generally preferred more unpretentious buildings, but this one had made her fall in love even as a child. She loved visiting her uncle, because of the thousands of corners where a small child could hide from the adults. The smell of old but well-kept furniture, the beautiful garden with thousands of herbs, and the observatory in the north wing. All this made her feel like a princess and imagine dragons and princes.

Now that she was older it was not uncommon for her to visit her uncle who often threw parties. Or rather, he often asked Gabriela to supervise them. But she didn't mind because every second spent in the house made her happy. Here were her last memories of her parents and the last time she heard her mother laugh. Oh, how she loved and missed that laugh. She was grateful to the house for keeping this memory which brought it back every time.

Letting herself be submerged in the lovely memories, didn't notice the man watching her. Sebastian was captivated by the woman and admired her beauty. Apparently, her thoughts were far away because she didn't flinch when a lady nearly bumped into her while trying to get around her poodle. He smirked. He was intrigued by the strength that radiated from her, the confidence in her posture. It seemed like the large rooms and the old style were a part of her. Then it occurred to him that this might be the niece the owner was talking about. 

From their conversation, he had the impression that he was talking about some old lady who only thought about her dusty rooms and the sale of her tapestries. Not for the dazzling beauty. He left his empty glass on the tray of a passing waiter and walked over to her.

- A wonderful house - he muttered in a low voice that sent shivers down her spine. 

- Agreed- she answered, trying to overcome the shock that her body experienced when she felt him so close to her. The man was tall and handsome and his eyes portrayed a sharp intellect. Her curiosity peaked. What was his occupation? How did he come to be here and was his interest in the occult as the many others here, or was he here for the connections? He seemed intelligent and charming. She would not mind having a few laughs with that man. there was just something else in his gaze that intrigued her - I'm sorry, I was deep into thought. 

- Yes, I noticed - he smiled at her, almost perfectly reading her thoughts. Let's see, shall we? - So I decided to come and find out what was so preoccupied with you that you didn't notice the poodle incident.

- Accident?- she was surprised and looked around to find some indication on the subject. Not finding any, she directed her attention back to him. Was he just teasing or was she missing something? - is everyone okay?

- Yes, - he laughed, amused.  - just a startled dog ​​and his slightly irritated owner.

- Ah, Mrs. Figg - now she understood the joke - Unfortunately, Toto is always angry.

- Do you know them? - he didn't really care, her presence alone was enough for him. She was captivating and her animated reactions were enchanting. He could tell that listening to her talk would provide plenty of good times.

- Of course - Gabriela confirmed - Frequent visitors to my uncle's celebrations.

- Ah, your uncle,- he declared, as if confirming his suspicions - so you are the niece.

- Apologies - she said and held out her hand - Gabriella Mago - Looked at her hand and slowly slid his bigger one into his. The moment their fingers touched it was like an electric current ran through them. She felt a stirring of air and a warmth that enveloped her from head to toe spreading light through her veins. Her consciousness whispered "there you are" and left her breathless. Even though it only took a second, it was as if she had been enjoying her sensations for a century. The magical energy that she had been suppressing until now seemed to burst through her body and bring her to the brink of escape. It was like she was a teenager again, but the power of her hormones had returned to a hundredth magnitude. Only constant training and the power of her mind prevented her from exploding into pure energy. And then it all settled back into normalcy.