Mystic - EN version

Chapter 13 : Acquaintance

– What?

– I'm a telepath! repeated Noah.

– You're lying.

– But not at all...

"In truth, why does that surprise me?" thought Clave. 'I've seen magic before, which isn't very common... So a telepath? It's not so different any more...'

– Alright... So you can read minds?

– It doesn't really work like that. My power has a few restrictions... And I've already told you to be on first-name terms with me, because I am.

– Good for you! I'd have been a bit embarrassed if you'd... er, if you'd got into my head at any time...

"And especially not when we met for the first time!" completed my young girl in thought. "And now, I hope he can't go into my mind either..."

– I could tell you the rules of my gift, but I suggest you do it on foot, so I can show you around the mansion, said Noah.

– If that pleases you... Speaking of which, where are we? We're not in Arthur's mansion, are we?

– No, you're right, replied his guide. We're in my aunt Griselda's manor.

– I suspected as much.

– That makes sense. Well then, if the young lady will follow me.

Noah held out his gloved hand to the young girl, who took it, but noticed something.

– Aren't you taking off your gloves?

– It's part of the restrictions of my gift. I can't read other people's thoughts unless my hand is bare and I'm touching their skin, or unless I've made a 'connection' first. We can try if you like, I'll explain how it works.

– I'd rather not, if possible...

Noah nodded and fell silent, staring ahead, his golden eyes shining like two flames. Clave found himself studying every feature of his face one by one.

"He doesn't look at all like Arthur," she noticed.

They set off, walking through the corridors of the mansion, up staircases and past many doors. Then, after a while, Noah stopped.

– Clave? Do you know where you want to go? Because we've been going in circles for several minutes.

– Couldn't you say so earlier?

– Griselda's waiting for you, isn't she? Don't keep her waiting too long, or she'll be in a bad mood...

– How do you know about that?

– I may have overheard your conversation earlier...

– And I've got the feeling that you weren't passing by by chance..., Clave said with a little smile.

Noah smiled back, then put his white mask back on.

– Come on, the stairs to the roof terrace aren't far away, he announced, quickening his pace.

He led the blonde through the corridors, chatting to her gently, telling her about Griselda. But Clave noticed that he avoided talking about Arthur and the rest of his family. After a few minutes, they reached the top floor of Noah's aunt's mansion, in front of the staircase leading to the roof.

– Ladies first, said the young man, bowing slightly.