Lord Theodore's Favorite Ritual
Chapter 143: Suspicious Presence Discovered.

Chapter 143: Suspicious Presence Discovered.

Nighttime.

Employed Quarters, Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

****************

"Gabriel something is suspicious about this mansion" Tom whispered like it was an utmost secret he was unfolding.

They were both just retired for the day after the unhealthy amount of food they’d had from the generous lady of the house. Gabriel didn’t even have the energy to tease Joyous and neither did Tom for the horses. The horses have been alright since Tom, after that day when Lydia got pissed at the interruptions, Theodore had confirmed it and Tom took care of them.

Gabriel scrunched his face. "Are you telling me that now because you only now noticed that?"

"I am serious, Gab." Tom replied with a roll of his eyes.

"What is new?"

Tom nodded before shifting closer to Gabriel. "I think there’s an invisible presence" he said dramatically before a pause making Gabriel raise a brow. "Lurking and watching, it might be a threat to the mansion"

"Uhhh well I’ve heard some too" Gabriel admitted with narrowed eyes. "The Lord, Lady, Sir Conan and that other maid talking to someone when I am sure they were alone" he narrated.

"The maid is talking to the cat, Gabriel" Tom deadpanned.

Gabriel lied on his bed, both his arms under his head. "I am trying to be helpful here, Tom that is all I know" he retorted.

"And the lady always knows when someone’s at the gates" Tom claimed before his voice rose. "Wherever she is in the mansion, her office, bedroom or garden, she just asks for me and tells me someone’s at the gate that I should guide inside, mate it is creepy as hell" his voice kept rising as he explained.

"You think the rumors are true?" Gabriel.

He held his brother’s eyes, they had always been talks about the mansion having a life of it’s own. The energy and presence in the mansion might be from a particular existence.

"We live here now, come on" Gabriel invited, vacating his bed.

"You think that is right? Where shall we look first?" Tom was asking questions but his feet was already moving in agreement.

"We should confirm from the gates" Gabriel gave out.

Tom who had left his crouching position stopped in his tracks. "Why?"

"Because there’s never anyone there yet" Gabriel started and with his index he tapped Tom’s forehead. "We are never surprised when a guest shows up"

Gabriel was already unlocking their door as he steadied his shoes on.

"It is late now, Gabriel calm." Tom advised.

"Are you coming or not?"

"I am coming with a sword" Tom announced "If it is a monster we should be prepared"

Gabriel ran his hand down his face. "If it belongs to this mansion, you stand no chance" he countered his brother matter factly.

Tom groaned. "Be optimistic will you?" he would appreciate it if Gabriel thought the mansion was safe.

"I am optimistic with Joyous" Gabriel sassed with a soft smile on his face as he thought of her stern expression.

"Do you really like the girl?" Tom whispered to Gabriel, his eyes scanning the area.

"She is something" Gabriel admitted.

"Because she looks like Meceline, is it?"

Gabriel sighed. "She does not look like Meceline, she talks like mother" his forehead pinched. "It is as though she is her or more considerably, as though mother brought her up" he completed.

"Mother has been gone since Meceline was two" Tom reminded so maybe indeed she has met their mother or their mother is dead.

Gabriel sighed. "I know, we are here" he alerted they had successfully past the whole way to the gates without spotting Hound. He must’ve left for bed, they thought which was indeed true.

"Nothing is here" Tom.

"The watch room then" Gabriel.

Tom shushed his brother before whispering. "Do you feel it? A gaze" Tom asked.

"Yes, it might be a tiny insect or an animal of some sort" said Gabriel but Tom found it silly.

"No body senses a watching insect and an animal can’t stay so silent" Tom deadpanned his eyes focused on the room.

Gabriel spread his arms, his tone strong. "Okay, show yourself, we know you exist"

Right then and there a light whooshing and there stood a figure, short with an uncultured looking hair. His presence oozed of mystery and uncertainty, it was a force when he was invisible and now standing in flesh it felt even more overwhelming, the brothers took steps backwards.

Shade in his brown clothing, he appeared unbothered and casual.

Tom’s eyes widened in panic at the sight before them. "Shit Gabriel, what have you conjured?"

"Stay calm" Gabriel advised softly, Tom was the one with a sword afterall.

Gabriel held Shade’s eyes as he asked. "Who are you?"

Shade looked behind them towards the entrance. "What are you boys doing here?" He watched his fingers as he flexed them. "It is late, the lord would want you strong and healthy tomorrow"

Tom frowned. "What is tomorrow?"

"Another day in the mansion" Shade replied easily.

With a nod. "Haha funny, who are you?" Tom asked.

And as Shade moved to take a seat, Tom drew set his blade.

"Relax young man, I am the mansion’s shadow now" Shade sighed.

"Now? What were you before?" the boys asked in unison, they glanced at eachother before they went back to starring Shade down.

"Lord Theodore’s shadow" he shrugged.

Gabriel’s brows drew together. "So you are harmless?"

"Only until you harm me, or try to" Shade replied with a shrug.

And they said in unison. "What then shall happen?"

"What then shall happen?" Tom repeated.

Shade smirked.

Tom moved prompting Gabriel to warn him. "Tom, do not engage" he said.

"Now you relax mate, he can’t hurt us" Tom retorted and so he swung his sword to cut a good amount off Shades hair but as he dropped his hand, expecting to see the fallen strands he was met with nothing.

The frown on his face mirrored the one kn Shades face.

"Tom!" Gabriel yelled from behind his brother making him turn abruptly.

"What is it?" Tom asked eyes wide, pissed.

"My curls!" Gab. screeched.

"Shit shit shit, I did not mean to" he confessed his eyes wide in shock regret now "You saw my aim, you know"

"I told you not to!" he scolded while Shade merely watched them.

"You see, You are right, I cannot hurt you when I can use you instead" he muttered with ease.

Tom faced Shade so quickly one could get a whiplash watching him do it. "Why did it happen to Gabriel instead of me?"

"Perhaps because you are twins, or somewhere in his heart he had wanted to orchestrate it too" Shade narrated his eyes on Gabriel.

"I am leaving!" the said boy yelled.

"Have a good night, son" Shade teased.

"Shut up, you have a long night" Gabriel wished before dashing for the mansion side.

Tom’s eyes were wide and excited when he turned to Shade. "That is impressive, enjoy your work" he said.

"Thank you" Shade replied, he felt better after their little visit.

*

* *

*

A DAY LATER.

Dusk.

Office, Theodore Mansion.

Critic Arley, Critic-Ishire.

****************

Theodore had read all the Muckraker’s papers and that one about Hound and Shi’Enz had been unsurprising despite the surprising nature.

He knew Hound must be important from his previous existence but he just couldn’t figure out who he is.

Soon, events will let the truth out.

He never knew of Hound’s origin because the man looked too wounded to be opened and the few times he’d been curious, Hound had remained cold and distant but maybe his affection for Shi’Enz would guide him.

Theodore sighed before looking back down onto the strange looking stationery that had arrived during breakfast yesterday but he had been too occupied to open it and as he did he only became disappointed in himself.

It was a topic of crucialilty and he had neglected it, he tapped his fingers on the desk thinking when his office door swung open.

"Theodore" Conan said his lord’s name in a grumble as he plopped onto the cushion with a groan.

"Sir Conan, I was not expecting you" Theodore admitled but he had needed him just now.

"I cannot stay in that bungalow anymore" Conan whined exasperated. "The neighbours have become so silent I feel like I love alone in the whole area"

Theodore scoffed. "Maybe it is just your walls haunting you" he retorted

"Speak for yourself" Conan countered his perceived exhaustion from earlier, vanishing. "Why are you in the office this early?"

To Conan’s question Theodore replied easily. "There are underground issues Conan, we need to send a letter"

This made Conan sit up straighter. "A letter?"

"Can you write one?" Theodore.

"No" Conan replied too quickly but as Theodore continued to hold his gaze he felt uncomfortable and blurted out. "Let me get one of those your handsome young boys"

"That was exactly how Helena called them" Theodore announced with a grin.

Conan narrowed his eyes at Theodore. "She thinks they are handsome?"

Theodore raised an elegant brow. "You too did, just now, knight"

"I... where do they stay?" with a sigh Conan tood up.

"The male employed quarters" the lord’s answer.

"Finally been put to use" Conan grumbled as he headed out.

And Theodore couldn’t agree more, that place has been vacant for year’s now and it us reassuring for the mansion future to have it occupied now.

The twins from Critic Izinghale, mmm.