A/N: So here is a new chapter. I love to read what you guys think and I would really appreciate it if you could leave a review or a PM :)
Chapter 11
A wand
Again I am finding myself in his car again. The seat familiar now - I open de window to let in some fresh air. My hands stroke the soft material of the car's seat. I see that Mr. Gold is drumming the steer wheel with one finger while the radio plays his tune. Somehow, this all feels like the calm before the storm. What if we don't come to an agreement.
We drive into the woods… how far did this man live from the main town? Soon I see a gate. It's elegant and it really suits his style. The gates open revealing this massive place. Flashes of the castle in my dream cross my mind, but I need to focus. So again - I shake it off. "Here we are." The dealmaker says while parking the car in front of the garage.
I don't respond since I am still struck at how beautiful and gigantic his house is. Like, the style is a bit classical, almost Art Deco-ish. The pillars are decorated with nice flowers and there are two statues of women that are holding the bows of the door in place. I can't even begin to explain the magical feeling I got from this. I think he is trying to ignore this as he walks to the front door. I follow – still looking at the intimidating building in front of me. "Do you like what you see?" He asks, a tiny smile lingering his lips. "It's… impressive. Beautiful."
He leads me to an office and sits down behind his desk – gesturing me to sit in front of him. I do as I'm being told and take a seat. The nerves that evaporated when I noticed this handsome building start rising up again. It is quiet for some time – the only sound is the ticking of the clock in the foyer.
"Hazel," He starts folding his hands together on his lap. His bad leg extended, resting on a footstool, while the other rests on the steel of the office chair. "There are a few practical point I want to discuss with you. It matters the housing situation and the working hours." I straighten in my seat, puffing my chest up – hoping this gives me the look of confidence. "What do you mean by housing situation?" I ask – gears turning in my brain.
"If you decide to accept my offer, I think it is necessary that you move over to one of the many rooms I have left to spare." He checks his perfectly manicured fingernails waiting for my reaction.
"You mean I have to leave my apartment?" I ask considering this. He nods then explains: " I want you near all time. From breakfast till after dinner. I expect full service when you are at work. Your payment will be raised with 10 percent and you can live and eat for free here. So I don't really think you could get a better deal."
"So, do I get days off then?" I ask. Again he nods and leans forwards. "During my time at the shop, you can fill in your own time. The only thing I expect when I do get home is a clean house and dinner."
So in my head I do the cons and the pros. One the one hand I must live with the most hated man in town. On the other hand I play his little servant and getting a royal pay at the end of the month. I could save and one day I will get out this wretched place. Working here provides a certain life of luxury I have never experienced and it makes the list of cons very short.
"Say if I do say yes, can I go outside whenever I wish… or do I need to announce to you that I leave so you can approve." This he has to think about. His index finger tapping his lip, eyes fixed on the ceiling. When he had made up his mind he directed his focus on me again. "When I am in the shop I want to have a text message, so I know that you are not home – should I want something. On the days that I am home – I want you to report to me. It's important that I can count on you that you are at my side when you are asked to." The little hairs at the back of my neck raise, but I ignore this feeling- already making up my mind.
"Alright. Three days at the shop. The rest I am here." I sum up and he extends his hand towards me. Just a few seconds of doubt fog my mind before I shake his hand.
"There is a moving truck at your house already." He says nonchalantly as he stands up.
"You were that confident I wouldn't say no to your offer, weren't you?" I say while standing up. "I know you are a smart girl." He grins and opens the office door. "We go to your apartment, load in the things you need and the rest we store at the garage box. Then when you have served me dinner, I will give you a tour around the estate." His one hand is resting on his cane while the other is behind his back, making him look pretty much intimidating. He has this all figured out, hasn't he now?!
"Sure." I reply and follow him out again so we can pack my stuff.
The kitchen is huge. Like at my old home – as I call it now since an hour or two – had two metres of working space. I don't even know how much space this really is. So many counters and drawers I yet have to sort through. Tonight I'm going for something simple. I used to cook at Granny's so well… sure I can come up with a meal for the man waiting in the main room.
"It smells amazing, little dove." He says while he limbs to the table to sit down. I made some soup, followed by a salad of tomato and feta cheese – as he ordered a salad a the diner I just assume I am safe with this choice of dishes. For desert I simply made a yoghurt pie, it's dough made out of cookie crumb and butter. "Enjoy your meal, sir." I nod my head and try not to feel odd as I walk out.
"Hazel, would you care to join me for dinner?" He asks politely. I made extra, but just assumed I am to eat in my own room. "You want me to stay?" I ask in return. "Well… aren't you hungry, my dear. You look awfully pale and I couldn't possibly eat all of this on my own now, can I?" I thick fog covers over my mind. It's like my brain wants to shut down any minute now. Flashes of dresses and swallows come and go. "No, I think I'm retreating to my room, sir." I say while holding my head in one hand.
"Are you all right?" I hear it, somewhere far away from me. I know I begin to walk, but I do not register any of it. And I don't remember any more of it because before I know it, I am passed out – sprawled out on the floor.
"Dearie, you must focus the magic inside of you for it to channel through the palms of your hands." The imp states looking more impatient every try. "I really try, but I cannot seem to stich the wound." I say while the rat in front of me is dying of blood loss. "How many more rats do I have to chase for you to get this simple healing spell in order?" Okay, now I know it. His patience is gone. I must fast learn this spell before he will lock me in my room for punishment. "I thought you practiced in my absence."
I did, really. But somehow it was not working. I could not heal. It is a fact now. As he sprawls out a new rat in front of me, slicing the belly open, I refocus. Chanting every word carefully, pearls of sweat grace my forehead. "FOCUS!" He roars besides me. "I CAN'T!" I yell back at him – blood staining my hands. He stops in his tracks and I cover my mouth. Did I just yell at him – oh Merlin. I'm dead meat.
Forcefully he grabs me by the wrist and pulls me up from my position. The wild look in his eyes makes me shiver and want to run away as fast as I can. "YOU!" His voice is raw like one of a wolf. "You ungrateful little human." With that a simple snap of the fingers poofs us away. And boy – how I would love to know how to do that trick already. Here I stand again – just like my first night in the dingy dark dungeon room. Only this time I am tied up against the wall – the rope tightly around my wrist. I try to free myself, but of course it is a magical rope. For every time I struggle, the robe seems to tighten even more around my wrist. "I'm sorry." I say – terrified of my teacher in front of me.
He is quiet though. Not a word comes out of his mouth – just pacing in front of me. It's unsettling!
"Rumple!" I try again but all he does – again - is one simple snap with his fingers and my voice is gone. No words come out of my mouth. It makes me even more scared and I struggle more, hoping it would get me out of it. The grip is so tight around my wrist, the rope cuts my skin and blood drips down on my head and face.
"You will stay here 'till my anger is gone." The door slams shut, covering the last bit of light with a thick black harsh shadow.
"Hazel, Hazel!" I hear faintly and when I open my eyes, the dream still plays in front of me. "No don't hurt me!" I scream at the top of my lungs clawing at whoever is in front of me. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" I keep repeating.
Finally something is holding me in place, making It harder to breath. It does clam me down though and my vision becomes more clear. It's then I noticed that I sit on the lap of none other than our beloved Pawnbroker. We sit on the ground and he has his arms tightly around me, holding them in place. He has a scratch on his face and some blood is finding his way out the wound.
"What happened, Hazel?" He asked softly. "I – I don't know, sir." My brain is telling me to flee. To get out of this man's grip. But something is making me stay. Something familiar. "I blacked out." I half lied – keeping the weird dream a secret.
"Do you have these black outs on a regular base?" I shake my head no and I feel his grip loosening. We sat there for a while. Neither one of us is speaking. At last I stand up offering a helping hand to the man in front of me. He takes my hand as his bad leg cannot lift himself up. The cane still rests against the dining table.
"I think we will postpone the tour, dear." He says while getting the cane and showing me the way towards my room. It wasn't a long one. Up the stairs the second door on the left. I can remember that, now, can I? "If there is anything you need, my room is over there." He says while pointing at the door across from me. "Alright, good night Hazel."
I see him looking me over, probably checking if I really was alright. At least that's what I assume.
As I open the door I gasp. My chin must have hit the ground – like that big of a gape. It is absolutely beautiful. This must be a bit weird – but he even knows my favourite colour! Green! I mean who doesn't love green, right?!
Closing the door I walk over to the boxes in the corner. In there I see my belongings al neatly packed. A soft sigh escapes my lips, knowing that I would get rid of most of it. My eyes then roam the room. It's delicate. That is the best way to describe it. Maybe Classic could do as well. The room has a high ceiling and one big window on the left side of the bed. It's actually pretty awesome, really, because there is this seat on the window sill. Great for sketching! A weird thought crosses my mind though; Didn't I already used to live in a room like this? It's a stupid thought because as long as I can remember I lived in that apartment. I can't even remember the room in my parents' house. Hell, even my parents faces are vague to me.
Getting out of my dress I hang it neatly over a chair – like I did at home. I'm sure everyone got their selves a 'junk chair'. In one of the boxes with a sign saying clothes I go fish out a long t-shirts that I baptised as my pyjama. "Good night." I whisper and let my eyes fall shut – hoping for a nice but dreamless sleep.
Sure. Like I ever get much luck!
"So, I know your answer for channelling your power. Sit." He orders as I still clutch my broom tightly in my hands. Ever since my punishment he had not invited me for another lesson. It made me sad, but really – I was being scared of him again. And for a good reason. I think I've been in the dungeon for a whole twenty-four hours! I can still remember the smell and taste of blood in my mouth.
He sees me looking taking a back and grins. Weirdo.
"If you pay attention today, my little birdy, I can assure you – you'll be fine!"
Unsure of what to do I nod, my lips a straight tight line. His brows knit together but he does not question me – obvious he can feel and sense my nerves. I know I am an open book to him.
"As I am the Dark One, my powers are different then yours. Yes, I did spark your magic. And maybe you've got some of my magic, but that does not make you a born or gifted magical person." He start while he sits down at one of the chairs. "So, I got some books." And with a quick movement and some purple smoke a few books appear on the table. "I know your answer." He repeats and laughs a little impish laugh. "You need a wand. But not just one stolen from the fairies." The last part pronouncing as if a poisonous snake had bitten him. "No, because you have dark magic in you, you need a new wand. A personal one. One that is connected to you and you alone." He patted the books and looks at my confused face. I try to hide it, but wands, really?
"When you are done with your chores, you must read these. Take notes and find out what you need to do – so you can make your own wand." With that he hops off his chair and exits the room – leaving me behind speechless.
So – as the good little apprentice I am – I locked myself up in my room after my chores for the day. I first opened a book called: 'The Complete book of witchcraft'. I scan the index with my finger, finding so many things fascinating. Finally I find the one I am looking for. Crafting… Well I think I am going to find my answer there. I read the section plus some more, taking notes as I re-read the crafting section.
At last I get this really ancient looking book in my hands. The cover of the book is wrapped in green leather and the letters are painted with gold letters. With a curly font it spells The Green witch. Well – it spoke to me the moment the title rolled off my tongue. He must've known that this is what I envisioned what magic is for me. The sneaky imp.
I move from the sitting position on the bed to my window seat. The sun is starting to set but I could still read the book clearly. This time I just start at the front of the book. And before I know it, it is time to make dinner.
"Could you find any information in your books, Dearie?" He asks and sips wine from his goblet- all the while keeping eye contact. "As matter of fact, I did, sir." I say and take a bite of the duck I had prepared for dinner. "Well?" He asks impatient. "I made some notes. Maybe you would like to read over them some time?" I ask and see a smirk cross his face. "Oh no no, dearie. You need to do this on your own. If you succeed in making this wand. Well, let's say we will continue out lessons then."
Dammit!
"And what about this book?" I ask while holding it up. He takes a beastly bite from his piece of duck and looks at the book – taking his sweet time chewing the bird. "I don't know how that got in the pile of the books."
I lower my eyes, disappointed with the answer I got. He seems to notice. "Do you like it. The book I mean?" The high impish pitch in his voice makes me look up again. "I love it." I can tell my face must be beaming with excitement. "I didn't know things like this. I mean; The potion making, magical creatures, even the healing part seems interesting." All my babbling and happiness got him quiet I think. I see him looking intently so I take that as the time to talk all about it. After all, life in this castle can get a bit lonely.
"Good." Is all he says after a while and in silence we continue dinner. The bubbly feeling never leaves my stomach.
Dammit! Those dreams! I wake up in a unfamiliar room and it takes me a few seconds to shake me into reality. Without further ado I kick the sheets off of me and walk over to the closet. A few of my clothing hangs on the hangers, but then something else gets my attention. Are those… uniforms? I frown at this. Does he want me to wear those? For real. Well – I guess so. Why else would hang in my closet.
Carefully I lay the dress on the bed. It's green – luckily. The apron is white and has a pocket on the front. Simple really. It all had gold seams, which is making it elegant. Oh well – it's not ugly. As I change into the work clothes I hear a tapping at the other end of the door. Immediately I recognize it as the cane of Mr. Gold.
He is up early?
I made some croissants, eggs and bacon for him. The only thing he really touches is his tea. The croissant with some jam on it is barely touched. "I see you later." He says and with a nod he leaves me alone. Okay! On with the job!
