Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

E ve stood in the center of the room, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air as she performed the glamour spell. The surrounding air seemed to shimmer and pulse with energy, a tangible force that spread outward and enveloped us. I glanced around at the new faces taking shape, the spell transforming each of us into strangers, even to ourselves.

My eyes fixated on Faith, her usual confident stance now inhabited by a tall, dark-haired man with bulging muscles and several tattoos snaking up his arms. The transformation was astounding, every detail meticulously crafted by Eve's magic. "That's one hell of a spell," I said, unable to hide my awe.

Faith, now in the guise of the muscular man, turned to me with a grin. "What do I look like?" she asked, her voice a deep rumble that was at odds with her usual tone.

I described her new appearance, noting the tattoos and the impressive build. She flexed her new muscles, a look of satisfaction crossing her face.

Eve and Nishi stood together, their transformations equally striking. Both now appeared as blond women with short, choppy hair. Their hands bore calluses, and faint stains marked their fingers, suggesting a habit of smoking. The spell had given them a rough edge, perfect for blending in with a more rugged crowd.

"What do I look like?" I asked, curious and a bit apprehensive about my new form.

Salima glanced at me with a critical eye. "You're a short, average-looking man with red hair," she said, her tone matter-of-fact. "Nothing too flashy, but definitely different from your usual self."

I looked down at my new body, the unfamiliarity of it both unsettling and fascinating. The glamour spell had done its job well, turning us into a team of Westhaven Securities employees. Our blue shirts bore the company logo, a subtle but effective touch that completed the disguise.

Eve stepped back, surveying her work with a satisfied smile. "We should be able to move around unnoticed now," she said, her voice carrying a note of confidence. "Just remember, the spell will only last a few hours, so we need to make the most of it."

We nodded in agreement and bid farewell to Salima. We were outside when Faith indicated we all go together in her Jeep.

We piled into Faith's jeep, our new identities settling over us like a second skin. I glanced back at Mrs. Harriet's house, feeling a surge of relief that she wasn't outside. Her poor eyesight ensured she wouldn't notice that it was complete strangers driving away in Faith's vehicle.

Faith started the engine, and we began our drive to the empowered area. We took the same route we had the night we came to look for Kacey, but in the light of day, everything seemed different. The Madison mansion loomed in the distance, its grandeur unmistakable even from miles away, but our destination lay further down the road.

As we passed several massive homes, each more imposing than the last, Faith finally pointed ahead. "That's it," she said, turning the jeep down a long, winding driveway.

Eve suddenly sucked in a breath. "I forgot to glamor the vehicle. Hold on." Her power pulsed around us, a wave of energy that made the air hum and shimmer. When she opened her eyes, the jeep had transformed, looking as if it belonged to Westhaven Securities. "We're good."

My heartbeat spiked as we parked by the front door of the estate. The house was a formidable structure, all sharp lines and dark windows that seemed to watch our every move. We sat in the jeep for a moment, gathering our courage. The glamour spell had bought us time, but the real challenge lay ahead.

Faith cut the engine, and we all took a deep breath. "Ready?" she asked, her voice steady despite the tension.

"Ready," I replied, trying to match her calm. The others nodded, and we stepped out of the jeep, our footsteps crunching on the gravel driveway. The facade of the house loomed over us, a silent guardian of whatever secrets lay within.

As we approached the front door, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. Eve and Nishi flanked me, their eyes scanning the surroundings with practiced ease, while Faith brought up the rear.

Nishi rang the doorbell and smiled at the man in a black suit who opened the door. "Hi, we are here to..."

The butler stepped away from the door, opening it. "Yes, you must hurry. The electrical room is in the basement. Please get things sorted quickly. Mr. Wager does not do well with disruptions. He will have you all fired if this is not rectified immediately."

Nishi nodded. "Will do." She kept her face calm, even though I knew she was bristling at the threat. No man had the right to threaten a person's livelihood because they were inconvenienced, but Asham didn't care about the common man. He just wanted his toys to work. We followed her in, and I realized that her voice was her own. It was a good thing Faith hadn't spoken to him, though as she didn't come off as the friendly serviceman type despite her look.

"This way," he said, his voice smooth and polished, a perfect match for the opulence surrounding us.

We stepped into the foyer, and I couldn't help but be struck by the sheer luxury of it all. The floor was a gleaming expanse of marble, the kind that must have been imported from some far-off quarry, each tile a perfect piece of art. A grand chandelier hung from the ceiling, its crystal droplets catching the light and casting a soft, ethereal glow across the room. The walls were adorned with rich, dark wood paneling, punctuated by gold-framed mirrors and exquisite paintings that spoke of old money and refined taste.

The butler led us through the living room, a space that seemed more suited to a palace than a private home. Plush, velvet-upholstered furniture was arranged in perfect symmetry, each piece a testament to both comfort and style. Ornate rugs covered the floors, their intricate patterns adding a layer of warmth to the otherwise cold elegance. A grand piano sat in one corner, its lacquered surface reflecting the light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that lined one wall, offering a stunning view of the manicured gardens beyond.

Everywhere I looked, there were signs of wealth and status. Crystal decanters filled with amber liquid rested on polished side tables, and silver candelabras held tall, tapered candles that seemed almost too beautiful to burn. The air was scented with a delicate blend of lavender and something else I couldn't quite place, something that spoke of old books and polished wood.

Finally, the butler stopped in front of a single door, its dark wood and brass handle a stark contrast to the light and space of the living room. He turned to us, his face impassive. "It's down there," he said, stepping aside to allow us to pass.

Nishi nodded to the butler, then turned the handle, and opened the door to the basement. We all folded in after her, our footsteps echoing softly against the wooden steps.

The stairway was simple, a stark contrast to the opulence above. Plain wooden planks descended into the dimly lit space, the air growing cooler with each step we took. The walls were bare, save for the occasional cobweb in the corners, and the light bulbs overhead cast a weak, yellowish glow that did little to dispel the shadows.

We reached the bottom of the stairs, finding ourselves in a long hallway with multiple doors lining either side. The atmosphere was heavy, thick with the scent of damp concrete and the faint hum of electricity. At the end of the hall, a door marked "Electrical Room" stood out clearly against the muted surroundings.

Nishi moved with purpose, leading us straight to the marked door. She opened it swiftly and ushered us inside before closing it behind her with a soft click. The room was small and functional, filled with electrical panels and a mess of wires.

She turned to us, her expression serious. "We don't have much time," she said, her voice low and urgent. The flickering fluorescent light above cast shadows across her face, making her look even more intense.

Faith shifted beside me, her eyes scanning the room. Eve was composed as always, her presence a steadying force in the cramped space.

"We need to search these rooms one by one. I think we should go in pairs. Eve and I will take the right side and Tegan and Faith the left."

I nodded. "Agreed."

Faith and I slipped out of the electrical room, our footsteps cautious as we made our way to the next door in the hallway. I turned the handle and pushed it open, revealing a maintenance room filled with supplies for the mansion's upkeep. Shelves lined the walls, stacked with gardening tools, extra light bulbs, and an assortment of other items necessary to maintain a place of this size.

Faith rapped her knuckles against the walls, the sound echoing softly in the confined space. "What are you doing?" I asked, watching her move with focused intent to another section.

"That room we saw in the soulglass is likely behind one of these," she said, continuing her systematic knocking. "It won't be as simple as walking into a small room. Asham would never risk someone stumbling onto it."

I hated that she was right. The idea of a hidden room, concealed behind layers of everyday items, was unsettling. It spoke to the level of secrecy we were dealing with. Reluctantly, I began to rap on the opposing wall, listening intently for any change in the sound.

When we surveyed the entire room with nothing suspicious.

"There is nothing here," I said.

"Let's try the next."

Faith and I moved to the next room, our anticipation growing with each step. This door opened to reveal a wine cellar, rows of wooden racks stretching out before us, each filled with high-end bottles. The air was cool and carried the faint scent of aged oak and fermented grapes.

Faith ran her fingers along the bottles, finally pulling one off a rack. "This baby is worth over a thousand dollars," she said, a note of appreciation in her voice.

I raised an eyebrow, surprised. "I didn't realize you knew that much about wine," I said, my attention shifting to the floor. I inspected it closely, looking for any signs of scratches or disturbances.

"I don't," Faith admitted with a shrug. "But Greyson is teaching me." She replaced the bottle carefully, making sure it was positioned exactly as it had been.

We continued our inspection, moving methodically through the cellar. I tapped on the walls, listening for any hollow sounds, while Faith examined the racks and the floor for hidden compartments or clues. The dim lighting and the rows of bottles gave the room an almost cathedral-like atmosphere, but our search yielded no results.

"Damn it. We aren't going to find it this way. Let's see if Nishi and Eve have had any luck." We exited the cellar and moved across the hall, where Nishi and Eve were inspecting a large pantry. The shelves were lined with various ingredients to stock the kitchen and there was very little wall space left unutilized. But I had learned from my own dark vault that a magical room could be hidden anywhere.

"Any luck," Faith asked.

Nishi replaced a canister she had moved to inspect the wall behind it. "No. This place is massive. We need to narrow it down."

Eve rubbed her hands together. "Maybe I can home in on the wards. There has to be some magical output. Let's look for it."

Eve's voice was low and melodic, as she chanted a spell I didn't recognize. Each syllable dripped with an ancient power that sent shivers down my spine. I couldn't make out the words, but the rhythm and cadence spoke of something old and potent. Her power flared, filling the room with a tangible energy, and then a ripple of force arced outward like a wave.

Instinctively, I ducked into the hallway, my eyes scanning the area for any sign that her spell had revealed something. But nothing had changed. The walls remained solid, the shadows unmoved. It was as if the spell's energy had been swallowed by the very air, leaving no trace of its passage.

I turned back to Eve, frustration and determination warring within me. She continued her chant, undeterred, her face a mask of concentration. Faith stood nearby, her eyes flicking between us and the walls, the tension in the air almost palpable. We were so close, yet the secret room continued to elude us.

After a minute, Eve dropped her arms and sighed. "It's no use. Whatever Asham is using to cloak his secret room, is too powerful.

Faith glanced between us and rubbed her chin. "We have another problem."

I glanced at her, noting her agitated stance. The zipper of her leather jacket swayed slightly, as if she were ready to fight. "What is it?"

Faith motioned to her torso. "What do you see when you look at me?"

I grunted. "A pissed-off bounty hunter who looks like she wants to use Asham's head for soccer practice."

Faith shook her finger at me. "Accurate, but no muscles and tats."

My body froze. "The glamor spell is gone."

Eve's face paled. "I burned through my magic. But a glamour is not that difficult for me. I shouldn't have powered down so quickly. I don't understand."

Faith glanced around the pantry. "Maybe whatever is down here sucks your magic and powers the wards. Regardless, we need to find that room and get the hell out of here."