The Stray Souls ["The Diary Keeper" Sequel; "The Dark Legacies" Series]

Chapter 29: Feline ancestry

I wasn't really interested in where Stormy disappeared for so long or how she managed to escape from a tightly locked room in the first place. The main thing was that the cat had returned, and that automatically meant that the beginning of summer holidays could be considered successful.

First and foremost, I shared this information with Caroline. Since both my family and hers strongly opposed having cats at home, we decided to hide Stormy at Di Flores Manor. If people were afraid to live in that place, at least let the cat live there. Another option was to keep her in my room at my house, as I did before joining Hazelford High. However, I thought this secret would quickly become known to members of my family.

Stormy is now grown and perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Our task will be only to bring her food, water, toys, necessary vitamins, and occasionally bathe her. However, there is no longer a need to watch over her so closely.

On the one hand, I have become much more at ease now. The cat was found by herself, what could be better? But still, there was a question that troubled me - where did Stormy find the locket, and how did she know that it would be needed for me?

***
We met with Martin at his cafe as soon as the opportunity arose. I've been working there three to four days a week this summer, but still, I have a lot of free time.

Over the last school year, we only saw each other a few times, so we have a lot to catch up on. Of course, I mean only things related to everyday life.

"Ever thought about what's up ahead?" I tossed at Martin, the cafe's low lights adding a chill vibe to our chat.

"Totally! I'm all in for being an AI guru," he shot back, his eyes beaming with excitement.

"Cool, Martin! Your passion's legit," I said, swirling my coffee absentmindedly. "But real talk, I've been wrestling with something."

"What's eating at you?" he leaned in, catching the shift in my tone.

"I'm all about photography, you know? But my parents are like, 'Nah, not the plan,'" I spilled, hoping he'd get where I was coming from.

"Seriously, Liandra, don't let anyone hold you back. Your passion is your North Star," Martin encouraged, sipping his coffee.

"Do you think I ever listened to anyone?" I shot back, a smirk playing on my lips. "I've been doing my own thing since forever."

"Exactly! Your rebel spirit is what's gonna make your journey epic," he declared, leaning back with a grin.

"Yeah, epic with a side of parental disapproval," I quipped, rolling my eyes.

"Parents will catch up eventually. They always do," he reassured, his confidence infectious.

If only his words came true...

***

Sometimes, especially when there's not much else to occupy my mind, I reminisce about my life as it was before the death of Amos Ronald Di Flores. Back then, his mansion was just an estate where no one had lived for many years. We didn't even know who its owner was. Everything related to that damned house was a strict secret. I remember how we fantasized when we were still little children, imagining that ghosts lived there, drifting through the corridors and just waiting to frighten unwelcome visitors. How we dreamed of getting behind its walls at least once.

I always felt that this ominous place had a rich history behind it. Unfortunately, its luxurious interior, gilded fence, and incredibly vast grounds sharply contrasted with all the misfortunes that haunted its inhabitants. And, most strangely, I also became a part of that history.

Enough of thinking about all that! Life moves at its own pace, and mysteries will eventually unravel. Nothing will change by pondering over it all day long.

I was lying in my bed late at night, reading a book under the dim light of the bedside lamp. I can't recall now what book it was. The more eventful life becomes, the more you tend to forget certain details.

At that time, I just needed some activity to distract myself and forget about everything that was happening. But it turned out that I only read a few pages - then it was not the right time for it.

Suddenly, against the backdrop of the wall, familiar outlines began to take shape. I quickly averted my eyes from the book to see who had decided to visit me so late at night. And within a minute, it got clear that it was Emberlynn.

"Hello," she smiled in a friendly way.

"Right on time! I was just about to go to sleep," my voice sounded somewhat annoyed, "Do ghosts purposely appear late at night so that the person waiting for them can't get enough sleep?"

"Liandra, don't be mad at me," she seemed to be trying to calm me down. "You need to know something."

"There's a lot I need to know! So, do I have to start finding out everything at midnight?"

"I am talking about Stormy."

It hit me like a lightning. What does Stormy have to do with this? She was just a stray kitten I picked up on a street almost a year ago. What significance could she have in this whole insane story?

"She brought me the locket," I clarified.

"I know. But have you ever wondered why?"

Of course, I had wondered. It's highly suspicious when your cat brings you a magical artifact.

"Stormy is not an ordinary cat," Emberlynn continued, "She is the heiress of a lineage of witch cats. She's a true treasure, Lia. Such creatures always serve their witch and can be beneficial to her."

I recalled the day I found her on the side of the road. Perhaps it wasn't such a coincidence after all? She didn't run away at all and didn't even try to hide from me. Can Stormy see and understand more than it seemed at first glance?

And that day when she escaped from the dormitory? If she felt uncomfortable with me and Caroline in the same room, the cat wouldn't have come back. But she came to my home, where she had been in early childhood. And not just came, but brought a clue.

"Emberlynn, but where did she find that locket?"

But the girl disappeared before I could finish that sentence.