Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74

~Chapter 88: Dark Embrace~

"A cat?" Edward cooed, gently stroking the cat as it nuzzled against his leg.
He, Henry and Julian had entered the room once Jiu had left, to administer the medication she needed to take before she was forced to nap.
"Isn't he just the charming-est thing?" Leora sat in bed, watching the cat nuzzle the butler, with a smile.
Edward smiled," He certainly is quite-"
"A nuisance," Julian cut in, measuring out a dosage.
Leora scowled.
"Honestly," Julian sighed, casting a bitter gaze at the creature nuzzling the butler with much affection," I hate those repulsive little beasts."
Leora cooed," Oh honestly! Victor wouldn't hurt anyone, would you, Victor?"
The cat glanced at Leora and let out a happy mew.
"Victor?" Henry raised an eyebrow," You named it?"
"Of course I did," Leora smiled, patting the bed to get the cat to jump up there and join her," He's part of the family."
"The name does quite suit him," Edward chuckled.
Victor leapt up and curled up beside her, licking his paws in a contemplative sort of manner.

"You know our grandparents don't take fondly to animals in the house," Henry sighed.
"Oh please, they don't even like humans in the house," Leora scoffed, raising an eyebrow," Besides, Victor won't dare go to that floor, will you, pretty kitty? Smells like old, miserable creatures up there."
Henry groaned, rubbing his sinuses," I may be allergic to Victor."
"Allergic? How could anyone be allergic to such a pretty boy?" Leora cooed, stroking the cat's back.
"Allergies are no laughing matter, they have, many a times, been...fatal," Julian muttered, coming over with the medicine bottle and dosage.
"Well, if it will keep Leora in her room, what more is there to complain about?" Edward shrugged, reaching over to ruffle the cat gently.
Julian scowled, glancing down at the cat; who licked its paws, in a handsomely clean manner.
"Cats are creatures of the devil, and yours, is an omen of bad luck. Of witchcraft."
"You're a man of science, you should know very well that talk of witchcraft is absurd hogwash they came up with because of the cruel nature of man," Leora grumbled.
Julian pried her mouth open, tugging at her bottom lip to keep it that way.

"That may be the case...but whilst I'm a man of science, I do not know all the answers to the world. I'm not opposed to any sort of otherworldly notion, as long as there's rhyme or reason behind it..."
He shoved the spoonful in, watching with a twisted sort of pleasure as her face twisted into disgust and the taste; a whimper escaping her throat.
"...God...the Devil, himself...those ideas have been present in humanity for a long time. Neither disproved or approved...humans struggle and strive, until suddenly-"
He forced her chin upwards, a smirk tugging at his lips as she was forced to gulp it down.
"...we find our meaning."
His finger traced over her bottom lip, as he kept her mouth clamped shut, watching it with bated breath.
"I think that's enough," Edward muttered, his voice cold.
Julian glanced at the butler, the smirk fading from his mouth. He glanced back at the girl. Her eyes glazed over slightly, her mouth slightly open as small whimpers escaped; a small drop of medication pooling out from her bottom lip. He glanced at the cat, who was now much more on edge, and hissed at the man with a wary gaze. Julian gave a final swipe at her lip, the drop of medication on his finger, and licked it with an unreadable expression. He too, shuddered at the taste, but it didn't seem the same as Leora's shudder. Unmistakable pleasure. Nobody else in that room, aside from Leora and Victor, seemed to notice that.

"The medication should kick in soon, let's give her space to rest," Julian nodded, gesturing for them to leave.
Henry left first, not even bothering to say goodnight to his sister; frustratedly rubbing his nose.
"Let's get a train to London, I need to tend to work at the surgery briefly," Henry muttered.
Julian nodded," Very well."
Edward smiled, weakly, stroking Leora's hair out of her face," Get some rest, alright?"
Leora nodded, settling down; her gaze never quite leaving Julian's, who stood there, waiting for Edward to leave. The butler gave the doctor a cold expression as he passed, but said nothing, and left to tend to his usual duties. Julian did not leave. He shut the door, but stayed in the room.
"Just so you know," Julian murmured," I hear Lord Bramston has been a popular choice with the women, recently..."
Leora glanced down at Victor, whose sharp gaze was fixed on Julian, hostile. She had suspected Lord Bramston of being uncommitted for a while now. She had no reason to not believe what Julian was saying, no matter what his motives would be. Julian's gaze flickered to her hair.
"Tuberculosis makes hair glossy," He smirked," It truly does...beautiful things to the female complexion."
Leora's eyes widened, but before she could yell at him to leave, he had already gone; shutting the door behind him.

Julian walked down the corridor of the manor with Henry, into the foyer. Jiu passed them, and then stopped in his tracks.
"Leaving again?" The general frowned.
Henry nodded," Yes, business doesn't stop, especially not with all these issues in Whitechapel. We shall be back later this evening."
A maid helped Henry and Julian put on their coats, gently. Jiu frowned. He'd rather they never return.
Henry sighed, glancing at the foyer," It is nice, to get out of the house once in a while, if I do say so myself."
The corridor upstairs creaked, as, after all, the staircase was in the foyer. Henry grimaced.
"Yes, a way out of this place is always much deserved..."
The Lord left first, making his way out of the front door. Julian followed after, but not before glancing back at Jiu and giving him a small smile. It wasn't a polite smile. It was chilling, arguably disturbing. Before Jiu could react, the maid closed the door. The house let out another groan as a strong wind thrashed against the building outside. Jiu walked to the bottom of the steps, and glanced up. At the very top, where the roof was, was a window; almost shaped like a conservatory one.

Many days, it would be pleasant to have the light shining down. But with the grey clouds gathering overheard, there was something so miserable about it. A rumble of thunder in the air made his breath hitch, instinctively grabbing the banister to support himself. He cast his gaze to the restricted fourth floor; where the grandparents were, and Duncan's old room. For a moment, he thought he saw the young boy staring back at him. Gripping the banisters too, with a dark expression maring his features. But, when he blinked, Jiu only found the shadows staring back at him. He let out a shuddering breath and turned on his heel, walking off as the ghost boy stared at him, concealed within the house's dark embrace.