Dim lights lined the corridor the group walked through and they passed by countless, wall-sized paintings with eyes that almost appeared to be following them.
"Hey Vaggie." Angel whispered to her. "You ever get the feeling you're being watched."
"These portraits are realistic." She admitted. "If I didn't know any better I'd swear they were actual faces."
Charlie found the paintings lifelike as well but her attention kept moving from one structure to the other. Taking her time to study the Lacey balconies, Italianate galleries, and Gothic arches. She particularly liked one image of angels caught in a holy light. Her friends on the other were deeply disturbed by the piece displaying the horrific fires of hell rising up.
"Interesting decor you got here Al." Angel said looking at the painting nervously.
"Yeah very exotic." Vaggie said. "We definitely don't see interior design like this very often."
"Intriguing and exquisite, isn't it?" Alastor said proudly. "My ancestor spared no expense when he built this mansion. He was determined to provide the very best for his family. No price was too high for the comfort and elegance he wished to surround his loved ones with."
"Was he also trying to horrify them?" Angel mumbled.
"Ha-ha!" Alastor laughed which made Angel feel anxious when he realized that his comment had been heard. But the master of the household didn't seem upset by that remark. "Yes some parts of the house have a certain acquired taste to them."
"So does my job." The footman known as Husk said, feeling a lot of Gracey weight from carrying Angel's luggage. "Good lord, what's in this suitcase? Stones?"
"No my tools." Angel said.
"Tools?"
"You know, hair devices, product, cosmetics. Hey this look doesn't just happen people." Angel slicked back his hair and posed. Vaggie rolled her eyes.
"Oh great we're housing a bunch of weirdos." Husk snarked.
"Husk I must insist you watch your tongue. I will not permit such rudeness toward guests." Alastor said. "It's disrespectful to them and to Rosie."
"Sorry boss." He apologized. "Sorry Rosie."
"Oh Husk I thought we made a real breakthrough last week." Rosie said. "You said you were going to learn not to be so opinionated."
"Again, sorry. Old habits die hard."
She sighed.
"We'll discuss this later." She sighed and then stopped at the fifth door on the left. "Mr. Lombardi this is your room. I trust that you'll be very comfortable here."
She pulled a ring bearing many keys from her dress pocket, placed one of them in the hole underneath the knob, and unlocked the door. Inside was a large, shadow-filled bedroom decorated with heavy, dark furniture.
"Very...Homey." Angel said glancing at interior. He wasn't used to sleeping arrangements that were so muted.
"Before we go any further I must inform you all of the regulations here." Alastor said. "You're free to explore all rooms of the house hold except for the attic. It's strictly off limits."
"Why?" Vaggie asked with suspicion.
"The attic holds many precious and fragile treasures that belonged to my family. I wouldn't want to see any of them broken on accident. It is also very unsafe, there is no light up there and with all the items lying around, someone could easily trip and fall out the window."
"So just stay out of the attic?" Angel asked.
"No, I also insist that you do not wander about the grounds after dark."
"Why is that?" Vaggie asked twice in the same tone.
"As you have no doubt already noticed, Miss Vaggie." He replied. "This house is located in a bayou which is filled with snakes, bobcats, bears, and of course alligators. These beasts are mostly nocturnal so it would be in everyone's best interest that you all remain indoors after dark."
"Anything else we should know?" Charlie asked.
"If you hear any strange noises tonight, don't be alarmed it's only the animals. Ignore them the best you can and do not allow them to tempt you to leave the house."
"With all due respect, you can't just keep us here." Vaggie said.
"Oh I have no intention of doing so." Alastor smirked. "This is merely a warning and nothing more. You are all free to leave this house anytime you wish. But if you end up eaten alive because of your own curiosity, I can't be held responsible."
"Eaten alive?" Angel said further disturbed.
"Well what else what a bear or alligator do to you?" He chuckled. "But if you respect my regulations then you will have nothing to fear. In the meantime make yourself at home until dinner is ready. One of my staff members will send for you when the time comes."
They left Angel in his room and moved on to the one chosen for Vaggie. It was decorated the same way Angel's was. Grand, expensive, comfortable, and dark. When the escorting party attempted to leave, Vaggie stopped them because she had a few more questions. Much to her internal displeasure, Rosie and Husk stayed behind to explain everything while Alastor proceeded to lead Charlie to her lodgings.
"Since you are our guest of honor my dear, I felt it necessary to give you the loveliest bedroom in the house." He told her.
"Oh?" She inquired.
He stopped at a door and unlocked it with the key Rosie had given him. The room inside differed vastly from the ones that had been given to her friends. It was a suite bathed in the soft glow of lighter tones. Charming white furniture with gold trim, a magnificent fireplace, a canopy designed bed with peony images embroidered on the quilts and curtains, and on the walls there hung two paintings; one of Magnolias and one of a morning dove.
"Do you like it?" Alastor asked her. "If you're displeased, I can arrange for a different room to be made ready for you immediately."
He seemed almost desperate to please her.
No it's wonderful." Charlie said. "I love it. It's like walking into some kind of fairy tale."
He smiled at the way her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.
"I'll leave you to settle in now." He carefully placed her luggage on the floor. "If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
"Thank you but I don't require very much."
He looked up into her eyes and fell silent for a moment.
"Is something wrong?" She asked concerned.
"No. I'm sorry it's just been so long since I've had any visitors. It's very new." He slowly stepped toward the door. "I shall see you at later, Charlotte. Do whatever you wish in order to be comfortable."
Once he left the room she unpacked her suitcase and then called her parents to assure them that she had made it to Davenport safely.
"I wish you could see this Mom." She said over the phone. "This is house is so elegant and beautiful, a modernized version of this would be your dream home."
"Is that right?" Her mother replied on the other line. "What is your room like?"
"They gave me a suite."
"They did? Well you really are my daughter alright. Only glamour and the finer things in life will suit you. Just like how they'll only suit me."
Charlie silenced a rising giggle.
"Your father wants to speak with you dear."
Her mother handed the phone to Charlie's other parent.
"Hi Dad." Charlie greeted.
"Hello precious. Are you okay? Did anything happen on the flight?"
"Everything went fine on the plane and they had have me staying in the laps of luxury. So far this trip is going better than I hoped."
"Why did you have to take this trip anyway? It seems a bit too spontaneous for my tastes."
"It's no more spontaneous than your occasional trips to Vegas. Besides this is for my career. If all goes well I will have a set future."
"You already have a set future Charlotte."
"Only if I chose the career you want. Dad I don't want to manage your business."
"Why not? What's wrong with my business?"
"Nothing but it's not what I want to do. I want to be a writer."
"That's a dream Charlotte. Not reality."
"How do you know that? You can't look into the future."
"Darling don't be so naive. Very few people achieve dreams like that. Now why don't you just have your little fun on this vacation and when you come home, you drop this silly little fantasy and start studying for a real job."
"A novelist is a real job and it's not a silly little fantasy. It's something I'm going to become. With or without your support."
She hung up in frustration and after thinking of what she could do to get her mind off the previous conversation, she began to explore the bedroom. It really was like going back in time to the 1880's and she had seen many photographs of rooms like these but that was entirely different from actually being in one.
As she was admiring the vanity, she took noticed a small, intricately carved box that was perched next to the antique hair brush. She slowly lifted the lid. Chimes played an eerily haunting melody as two mechanical figures dressed in masquerade costumes started to spin in imitation of the dance. It was a music box. The music was lovely but it held a hint of melancholy. It was a tune that made Charlie feel that she had heard it before once. It teased at something long buried deep within her heart though her mind could not place what it was.
She might have spent hours listening to it but a knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. She carefully closed the music box and went to answer the door.
The person who had knocked was a very attractive and vivacious looking young woman of jade green eyes and umber dark skin that was flawless, dressed in a uniform attire that was quite flattering on her.
"Excusez-moi, mademoiselle." She spoke in a French accent. "I do not wish to disturb you but I have been informed by the master that dinner is now served. I am to escort you to the dining hall."
"Alright. Thank you."
"My name is Mimzy, I serve as one of the maids here so if you have a request I am at your disposal."
"I'm Charlie. Charlie Morningstar."
"Oui mademoiselle, I've already heard of you. You're all everyone in the house has been talking about since we received your letter."
"Really? I can't imagine why anyone would be so excited about me. I don't even know anyone here."
"Well you are very pretty and that manuscript you sent proves that you have a very fascinating mind. But I think it's mostly because we haven't had any company here in ages. No real reason to get excited or prepare for anything."
"Well that I can understand."
"I do not wish to be rude but we cannot converse much longer. The master is expecting you at dinner so shall we go?"
"Yes. Lead the way."
And Charlie followed Mimzy to where she was expected to go.