"NO! Please! Stop!" I grunted and shouted, trying to pull away from his grasp.

I tugged the sleeve of my arm out of his grip and he reached out again. I found myself backed into the corner of the bathroom, my face turning red in embarrassment.

"Please do not struggle.." He tried to say calmly, but I could hear the patience thinning in his voice.

"I can undress myself!"

"You are in a weakened state-"

"GET OFF!"

The room became quiet as I shoved him away with all the strength I could muster. He didn't budge much, but staggered back a step and held his gloved hands up. He opened his mouth as a reaction to the hot angry tears streaming down my face. I hugged my shirt closer to my body. The tub continued to fill in the other corner of the room.

With a soft sigh, He went to the tub and turned off the faucet. "Very well. I will leave you be. Get in the tub before you catch cold."

I looked away as the tears began to flow stronger and waited until I heard the door click closed. Sniffling, I undid the buttons on my long shirt and let it fall to the floor. The room was quiet. The faucet dripped, and I could hear the muffled chirping of the birds outside. A bright shade of orange covered the wall as the sun began to set. I exhaled shakily and wiped my eyes before settling into the large bathtub. The water was nice and hot and was filled just over my shoulders. I closed my eyes and laid my head back on the porcelain, the back of my hand set to my forehead.

Why did such a creature live in this home? How could something with a scary face look and act like a gentleman? He was a creature, wasn't he? Just like the shadows I would see in the corner of my eye. Like the ones that stalked me at night.

I splashed some water on my face and took a bar of soap off of a tray. It was gently used. I gave it a sniff. It was lightly perfumed and smelled similar to Mr. Ainsworth. I pouted and threw the bar of soap into the water.

"I can bathe myself dammit…" I huffed.

I took a moment to gather my strength and compose myself before fishing out the bar of soap and lathering it up. I leaned back again after rinsing the soap off my skin and closed my eyes. I tried to relax my shoulders. My eyes felt heavy and tired. What a day.

I nearly jumped out of my skin as the door creaked open. "Ah!" I quickly hunched over to hide myself. My long hair was too wet to help. It stuck to my back.

"Good, you're still awake." He casually walked in and I could see his horns above the folding screen.

At least I had something to hide behind.

"I don't have any clothes for you… but I thought this would do for now. I'll leave it on the table here for you." He waited a moment before taking a step to peek around the screen. "Do you need any help-?"

"NO!" I sunk deeper into the tub until the water was up to my chin. "I'm fine!"

He had stopped and paused for another moment. "Come downstairs when you are finished."

With that he finally left again. I laid my head back and exhaled heavily. I understand this is his house but…. Does he not understand privacy? I lifted myself from the tub and quickly felt a rush to my head. I leaned over to the wall to steady myself. My head pounded and I worked to catch my breath. After a moment it subsided and I was able to get out.

I used a nearby towel to dry myself off and was surprised it was regular sized. I then pulled the plug to the tub. I retrieved my undergarments from the floor and put them on before going around the screen to the door. I looked it over and groaned. Of course it didn't have a lock. I pushed myself against the door to ensure he wouldn't be barging back in and reached over to the table on my left.

On the table was a pretty blue vase and it was filled with dried up roses. The clothing he provided was an oversized grey silk shirt. I picked it up and looked it over before giving it a sniff. I half expected the smell of laundry soap and home… but it just smelled like the wooden drawer it had been stored in. I wrapped it around me and buttoned it up in the front. It covered me up better than the shirt the man at the auction house had given me and I was thankful for that. The silk felt better on my skin as well.

I turned and reached for the handle, opening the door slowly before poking my head out. The small hallway was dark and the two other doors were closed. After I checked each corner I hurried out into the hall and to the top of the stairs. I paused to look at the dim light coming from the bottom. The house was quiet. As I began my descent, the green patterned rug muffled the creaks escaping from the wooden stairs. I hugged the wall and stopped on the last step, poking my head around the corner.

Through the open doorway was the kitchen and Mr. Ainsworth sat in plain view at the table. He was sipping a cup of tea and reading a book. The kitchen was much brighter than the other parts of the house, even at night. The cabinets and walls were white. As I shifted my weight to lean further, he turned his attention over to me.

"Come, sit."

I looked around, finding the front door to be right in front of the stairs, and paused for a moment.

"Dinner is ready for you."

I pulled my gaze from the door and found that suddenly I had been starving. I couldn't remember the last time I ate, and he made dinner for me…? I took the final step off of the stairs and cautiously made my way into the kitchen. I took my seat across from him where a plate was prepared.

"Don't expect too much of it.." He paused to turn a page in his book. "I'm not much of a cook."

On my plate was a slab of ham and side of asparagus. I didn't hesitate to dig in. The portion was big, but I didn't mind. I ate it all up even though the ham was slightly burnt and the asparagus was a bit tough and unseasoned.

Mr. Ainsworth peered at me briefly over his book. "Feel free to ask me any questions. I'm sure you have many." He paused a moment before continuing. I'm sure you're exhausted though. I can show you to your room if you'd like."

He has a room for me?

I pulled the cup of tea he prepared for me closer and peered down into it. "Why did you do it…?" I said shyly. I felt like such a stranger in this house. So, so far away from home...

"Hm?"

"Why did you spend so much on me…?"

He paused a moment, either calculating his answer or finishing a paragraph in his book. He closed it and set it down on the table.

"Sleigh beggy are a rare commodity and are quite expensive."

There was that word again. I furrowed my brow. "What is that?"

"That is what you are. You are a being with much magical energy and are usually quite gifted in the magical arts." He continued on despite the confused look I was wearing on my face. "Many of your kind are sought out and used as a sort of 'battery'. You can generate a lot of energy."

"So…. I'm something to be used?"

"I wouldn't say that." He stifled a chuckle. "I plan to take you on as my apprentice."

For the first time since arriving I felt that I could relax a bit, the tension in my shoulders fading. I sighed and propped my head up on the table with my hand. "I wouldn't say I'm 'gifted'."

"Sleigh beggy usually are. You have the sight, do you not?"

I lazily looked around the room and only found us to be inside. "I see things sometimes… but your house... It seems pretty empty."

Elias gave a nod and crossed his arms. "I prefer it that way. I put up a spell to keep them out. Docile creatures make their way inside from time to time. It's the troublesome ones I want to keep away."

I nodded, feeling my eyes grow heavier. My head bobbed slightly. "Mr….. Ainsworth…?"

"You may call me Elias."

I couldn't help it. My eyes finally closed and I passed out into a deep sleep.