There’s a slight rumbling around us, and the runes and inscriptions on the door and frame glow, before the door very slowly opens.
It turns out that I was right. The door is at least six inches thick and made of solid metal sandwiched between two dark wood pieces. Whatever it is that House and Ethel are guarding, it’s extremely important, and I would guess extremely dangerous as well.
The door opens up, and a stairwell lit by candlelight appears, leading down. I had absolutely no idea that this place even had a basement. I searchedit quite extensively when I first came here, in order to make sure that there weren’t any lurkers about, and I definitely didn’t find a basement.
Having said that though, I also never found this door, and I’ve been down this hallway multiple times.
I guess House has kept it hidden. I wonder if the owners know that it exists. Of course, that is something that has occurred to me. We may have decided to stay at House indefinitely, but if the owners come back, then that’s going to be a really awkward conversation.
The only thing that is making me feel slightly better about the situation is that, in the whole time that I have been coming here, there has been no sign of anyone else coming here. That, and Ethel is absolutely adamant that no one owns House. Well, she says that House is mine, but I don’t think she means in the literal sense, and I am reasonably certain the argument that a talking skull told me that House was mine wouldn’t stand up in court.
I guess I can just cross that bridge if it becomes an issue. I really hope that it’s not going to become one though. If it does, I hope that the owners will accept my offer to buy it, because there is no way that I’m letting anyone else live in House.
It’s mine.
Refocusing on what’s happening right now and not future maybes, I follow the guys as they start to move.
None of us talk as we all cautiously make our way after Ethel, who floats ahead of us. I can’t see the bottom. The staircase keeps winding deeper and deeper into the earth, and as we walk, I realize that the walls, ceiling, and even the steps themselves are all carved with protective and defensive spells and wards designed to keep whatever is down here safe.
Finally, we get to the bottom, and the room is only just big enough to fit us all inside.
Sitting, or rather floating in the middle of the room surrounded by various things that I have no interest in right now, is not something that I expected to see.
“Sup,” the very unexpected stranger greets us. When we just stare at him in absolute shock, he turns to look at Ethel and asks, “That is the greeting that the young ones use these days, Ethel Dear, is it not?”
“I don’t think it is, not for a while at least,” Ethel replies, although she sounds as unsure in her response as he does in asking the question.
“Ethel, are you keeping a supernatural prisoner in the basement?” I ask bluntly because how else am I supposed to ask that question?
“He’s not a prisoner here. It’s for his safety, and he’s not usually here,” Ethel replies somewhat exasperatedly.
“Ethel and House offered me protection. I’m being hunted, and let's just say if I were to be killed, all hell would break loose,” the stranger replies with a smile, and not seeming to be bothered by his circumstances at all.
Chapter Three
Neith
“Why do I get the feeling that you mean that literally?” Coen asks.
The stranger simply taps the side of his nose and points at Coen, letting him know that he’s correct.
“Can we help?” I ask.
I’m not sure why I offered to help him, he is a stranger and one that is in danger, and from his power level, dangerous as well. I’m not taking it back though, because I want to help him, and if Ethel is protecting him, then he’s clearly worth protecting.
Plus, all hell breaking loose is definitely something that I want to avoid.
“In time,” he replies, and then disappears.
“I thought he was down here for protection?” Van asks, as he looks around the small room, “Where did he go?”
Ethel sighs, “He is. But he uses his magic to create a fold in the realm, so his house is actually there, but safe in here.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound complicated or confusing at all,” River mutters, a slight furrow between his eyebrows as he tries to figure it out.
“It’s not worth explaining for the moment, you’re very unlikely to see him again. He’s just nosey,” Ethel replies.
“If he’s not what you wanted to show us, then what was it?” Griff asks, sounding confused and a little bit impatient, too.
