Era of Greed [✔ COMPLETE] (Chrim Chronicles #1)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Wren van Velsen

A harsh breeze bared my neck and blew my long locks in front of my eyes. With my fingers clutched around a glass plate, I stared at the dark house standing half in the sea. I grasped the plate tighter and sniffed the scent traveling along with the wind. It smelled more sweet than it had the last time – so sweet it conquered the scent of the salt – and the bushes on the mountains surrounding the beach seemed to have gotten greener.

It was the valium, I knew, making me see roses instead of thorns.

When I was close enough to see the eyes of the S forming snake, I stopped. This evening too the windows were dark. I desperately wanted to see what lied inside that brick house, behind the black windows, underneath its pointed round roof. My legs felt heavy as I stepped up the stairs leading to the porch. I inspected the door knocker, a horned and frowning creature made of bronze, and smiled at the irony of the demonic portrayal. I hit the ring attached to the horned creature's nose against the wood and waited.

When the door opened and a pair of yellow eyes stared into mine, I silently gasped. This creature was definitely not Clyde. His translucent white skin showed purple and blue veins underneath, those on his bent bald head reminded me of a maze, and his lips were thin and pale and his back stood high and arched. As revolting as he looked, I didn't fear him, something this hideous couldn't possibly hide something sinister. It were the beautiful ones I feared.

I opened my mouth to greet him, but somehow all words were lost to me, so instead I gave him my warmest smile. To my surprise he smiled back, and his eyes slightly opened, as if blossoming.

"Hi," I finally managed to say, my voice full of brightness.

He opened his eerie pale lips to reply, but was interrupted by the thumping sound of footsteps. He closed his mouth and bent his head. A brief moment later a young man appeared next to the creature, his light-brown, wavy hair ending just above his shoulders.

"Who is it, Henry?" His eyes locked with mine. "Hello there. May I help you?"

This isn't Clyde, either. My eyebrows went slightly up. I was surprised at the creature's ordinary name. Henry. Henry bent his head further and stepped back, as if bowing to his master, and the long haired young man moved closer. Say something, I told myself, don't stand there like an idiot. "Eh..."

He nudged his head toward the plate. "Is that for me? Haven't had any neighborly gifts in a long time."

"Eh..." I took a deep breath and cleared my throat. "It's – it's a blueberry cheesecake."

"Blueberry. Are you Wren, the blueberry thief?" After I nodded, he added, "Yes. Clyde mentioned you. I'm Milos. Clyde is running a few errands, he should be back soon."

"Nice to meet you." I held out the plate in front of him and looked at the ground. "Sorry for disturbing you. Have a nice day."

Milos took the plate and chuckled. "Don't be silly. You're not a disturbance. I am thrilled you're here. I've been looking forward to meeting the demon Watchers."

With all my effort I managed a weak smile. Demon watchers. We are a freak show to them, the vile abominations, and I hated how I was reminded of it every day.

"Why don't you come in?" Milos asked.

I threw a glance through the opening between Milos and the doorpost. It was dim in the spacious hallway, yet bright enough for me to see the curling stairs, the double doors across from me and on my left and right, and the large golden frames nailed on the walls. "Eh..." I shook my head and straightened my shoulders. "Thank you, but I..."