Hidden World

Chapter XIX - The Spring Festival

Rose sat on the bean bag in the balcony admiring the blue sky. There was a storm brewing but not outside, no... outside the warm spring air was blowing gently, the storm was in her soul. On one hand she had Sebastian who clouded her judgement and on the other hand she had Malwin that kept his distance but helped bring some clarity in her life.

Mal's last letter made her uneasy, but she kept it close to her heart, the paper smelling like red roses transported her back in time. She was conflicted by it, and she could not understand what came over her, but it seemed that her memories unlocked more than glimpses into her own past. They also unlocked pain and love but also, they took away more of the fear that she was feeling.

Her train of thought was interrupted by her phone pinging and a half smile appeared on her face as she read the text message. "At 8 in front of the bar." She mumbled and checked the time before replying and getting up. She did not realize that she's been sitting there for hours now, just lost in her thoughts. It was quiet and that did not help her keep track of time.

A few days back Isis and Fenrir left to investigate and try to find who they were against. In a way they knew but they were not certain. They needed to know and at the same time, they wanted to find out where Malwin was hiding. Isis knew that he sent Rose all the riddles as he stole them from Fenrir a few years back, but it was hard to find someone that could shift and look like anyone else, even hiding his nature from other Gods.

Rose walked to her wardrobe and started to shuffle through the clothes. She looked at a short white and pink dress but decided to not even try as the nights were still cold and she was not really a fan of it. She opted out instead for a pair of jeans and a soft pink sweater that was falling off on one of her shoulders.

She grabbed her phone and went downstairs after putting on some light makeup. She was not an expert at it, but she had a passion for eyeliner and red lipsticks. She sat at the dining table and opened Devon's diary that she left there the night before. She wanted to read more than the pages she already did but she could not seem to get herself to do it. Seeing that she had at least an hour before she had to leave, she decided to use it to pass the time.

"June 10th, 1671, England

Ah dear diary, it has been months I know but so many have happened since I came to you last time. I know I promised to come the next day as I always to, but life is so unpredictable. My brother has been going weaker and weaker each waking moment, yet he does not want to quit that dreadful job in S's service. He is so loyal to that man and but giving your life for another's well-being is wrong yet... Ah, I do not want to think about him, but I feel so drawn to the mystery.

You see my dear, that man has a dark cloud following him. Whenever I see him, day, or night, from afar, I feel as if shadows move at his will. I feel as darkness itself is his slave, yet I cannot believe that he might have an evil nature. No... not even, or maybe he is, and my mind's been clouded by his charms whenever he smiles towards me.

These days is getting harder and harder but gladly the first days of summer have brought warmth and sunshine. I wish I knew what is to come next but, at the same time the future scares me.

Did I tell you, we used to live in London when the great plague came upon us. When out parents got sick, Louis took me to this town and out life's been comfortable, but I wish I knew then that that was the last time I would meet their eyes. I remember as it was yesterday, yet I was much younger as the year was 1664. We wished to return there as the illness passed but then the city burned, the fire taking with it all that was left of our life there.

Ah I hear Louis, I guess he's back...."

Rose closed the diary and sighed deeply. Every time she reads Devon's words, she felt like she was talking with a friend long lost as at the same time the girl's image appeared in her mind. Different than the one she saw in the portrait. "Maybe we met at some point..." Rose told herself before getting up from the chair.