Challenged - Skinwalker Book 2

Chapter 2

Luc, Adam and Devon were quick to exit the car, but Sierra lingered a little. As exciting as the castle was, she couldn't help being apprehensive. Luc came around to help her out kindly, and she was suddenly appreciative of his naturally friendly demeanour - though she felt horribly out of place in her jeans and stretch-tee next to his more sophisticated European sense of dress. Her choice of clothing wasn't entirely intentional: she'd originally packed to work as a summer camp councillor in the US and had come directly from that location on a whim. As a result, pretty much her entire wardrobe consisted of comfortable stretchy sweats, shorts and bikinis – something that would have to change soon if she was to survive the fast approaching change of season in Europe. All her other clothing had been abandoned back home in South Africa, and she doubted she'd be seeing them again in a hurry.

Luc hauled her backpack out for her and shouldered it easily, then led the way forward. They made their way out of the garage, across the courtyard, through a heavy old wooden door and the ensuing passage, before turning up a narrow flight of stairs and finally filing into a massive hall.

At that point it became hard for Sierra not to be overwhelmed by her environment. She was actually standing in the great hall of an 11th century castle and, by the looks of things, a strong sense of respect for the family's historical legacy had kept the furnishings very authentic. A massive banquet table lined the one side of the hall, while an enormous hearth stood stocked and ready nearby. Tapestries that had somehow survived the ravages of time hung from the walls, and shields and weapons served as decorations between massive wooden beams. Windows with pointed arches let daylight seep in to light up the room cheerfully. Devon was equally spellbound as he gazed around at the setting in delight.

"This is our great hall. It is here that we dine and hold our group meetings," Luc informed them, beaming proudly. "But we mostly use the parlour for recreation and leisure. It is upstairs."

He led them through the doorway on the far side of the hall and into a sort of foyer with a massive marble staircase taking centre stage. The stairs branched off to the left and right from the midway platform and must have been a good 12 feet across on the lower tiers. Sturdy, beautifully-carved, marble columns formed a protective banister all the way up on both sides. There were doorways to the left and right of the foyer. Luc pointed to the one nearest on the left.

"That leads to the kitchens," he explained. Then he pointed to a similar door on the right.

"And that is the library - a good place for more private meetings or some silence."

"Its sound proofed?" Devon inquired in response to that last piece of information.

Luc nodded in response, not the least bit perturbed by Devon's question.

Sierra had come to realise that most were-creatures living in groups had created at least one place where they could communicate without being overheard by other creatures with heightened senses.

Luc then pointed out a narrower doorway on the far wall beneath the right arm of the stair case.

"The passage door under the stairs will take you to the gym. The other" he noted, indicating the matching doorway under the left wing of the stairs, "is a spare restroom."

"This place is awesome!" Devon mused enthusiastically as Luc started to lead them up the stairs, thick, rich carpets muffling the sounds of their feet as they went.

I'm sure you noticed that the chateau - the... er... castle - is not all in a serviceable condition. We do not use the older wings for living in as they are no longer suitable for such, though they still make for an excellent training area in the colder months, " Luc informed them conversationally.