The Bookstore Mage

The day passed by normally with no signs of the house fairy. Lucien would have been lying if he said he was not disappointed. A sigh escaped his lips as he glanced at the untouched glass of milk and plate of cookies.

It was already close to closing time, and tonight was special. He had promised to go visit the Hermits for their weekly meet-ups. Lucien unhurriedly stood out up and stretched. Moon who was seated next to him on the floor pushed her head against his leg, Lucien obliged and scratched her back and head.

After doing that, Lucien closed the bookstore a little bit early for the day. The meet-up would take place at 8 pm, and it was already 7. He made his way upstairs and changed into his grandpa's favorite dark suit before he studied his reflection and nodded in satisfaction.

Lucien left the door to the house on the second-floor open. He glanced at Moon who was following him and spoke:

"Can I count on you to watch the house while I'm out?"

'Meow'

Her reply prompt a smile to stretch across Lucien's face, and he was unable to hold himself from patting her again. Once he reached downstairs, his eyes subconsciously glanced at the glass of milk and plate of cookies.

"I guess he's still shy. Or is it a she?" With such thoughts swirling through his mind, Lucien took his leave and closed the door behind him.

The bookstore turned silent. Moon who was left alone jumped on top of the counter and glanced at the milk and cookies with clear desire in her eyes, yet she forced herself not to touch them. A cry escaped her mouth following which a small hand materialized out of thin air.

The hand was as pale as a corpse. It reached out for the cookies first, making them disappear one after another. After the cookies were gone, the stranger finally appeared.

If Lucien was still here, he would be surprised to see that the stange house fairy was different from the ones he read about. This one had long white hair reaching its back, pale white skin, and piercing grey eyes.

It was difficult to ascertain the gender of the house fairy, as it wore a suit that typically belonged to butlers but Its features looked feminine. The house fairy quickly reached out for the milk and drank it in one gulp, it left a tiny bit and passed it to Moon who was watching the whole ordeal with shining eyes.

Moon, seemingly happy with the house fairy moved to the glass and finished the milk with a satisfied expression on her face. Soon after, the house fairy disappeared and the glass and plate began to float in the air.

*****

As always, Lucien found it hard to catch a cab that was willing to drive him to Avenue Lancaster. He didn't blame them either, that street was not known for its safety. After a while, an old driver finally agreed.

The ride was mostly spent in silence. Once they reached in front of building 101, the old driver finally spoke for the first time:

"I don't know what you are doing here son, but you'd best not linger for long. This place is not for people like you, there's evil lurking around here." Said the old driver.

Lucien thanked him for his advice and handed him his fare before he got off. The old taxi driver spoke no further and hastily left. Lucien first scanned his surroundings, after making sure that no one was following him, he quickly approached the invisible barrier surrounding the building.

As soon as he reached it, however, the barrier made way and allowed him to enter. This was the work of Estrea after Lucien was accepted as an unofficial member of the Hermits.

He didn't need to knock when the door suddenly opened. A pretty young girl with dark hair and brown eyes greeted him with a smile:

"Mr. Lucien! I was thinking about when you'll finally visit again!"

"Hello, Layla. I apologize, I've been rather busy lately." Lucien answered with a smile as Layla made way for him to enter.

The duo chatted amicably as they made their way to the fourth floor. The design of the house was once again different, which made Lucien inwardly sigh in wonder. The whole house was an old magical item according to Estrea.

Except for the master bedroom and the teleportation room, the inside would constantly change every three days, sometimes even daily. It was interesting to see and it reminded Lucien of the many applications of magic he had yet to unveil.

The fourth floor of this time was akin to a hotel lounge. The mages were all situated on the chairs and couches talking to each other in small groups. Lucien's eyes, however, were instantly drawn to the figure standing by the window.

The second he appeared, all mages stopped what they were doing and stood up respectfully to greet him. Lucien still found it a bit hard to get used to the treatment, yet he maintained his smile and greeted everyone before he made his way toward Estrea who was smiling at him.

"Well, look who finally decided to join us." Said Estrea with a smile.

"What can I say, I've been a bit busy with some unwelcomed guests," Lucien answered and kissed Estrea's cheek in greeting. She didn't mind and instead frowned and asked:

"Unwelcomed guests?"

Lucien nodded and continued:

"An old Vampire, Darius I believe was his name."

Estrea's eyes widened slightly before her frown resurfaced.

"You know him?" Lucien asked.

"Not personally, but I've heard about him before. Hard not to when he's been around for a couple of centuries. He's also a rogue, but the difference is he is one of the most wanted ones by the Council."

"Hmm."

"Well, let's talk more about it after the meeting," Estrea added with a smile.

Lucien nodded and replied with a smile:

"After you."

"Ladies, gentleman. Let the meeting begin." Estrea's voice silenced the entire floor.

Lucien's eyes shone as strands of mana began to move across the entire fourth floor. As if on cue, all of the mages present, stood up and made their way to the center of the floor in a circle.

The furniture slowly came to life and made its way to the center as well, forming a large circle behind the mages. A tall comfortable chair appeared behind Lucien where he promptly sat down. Estrea was to his right, and Layla was to his left.