Is this the beggining?

Gabriela headed for her apartment. She was tired from all the running around during the day. Also, needed time to think.

She should have talked to someone about this earlier. Maggie was right. It was hardly a coincidence that it all started after she put a defence on the terrible book. Delaying the resolution of a problem would only lead to new and possibly more unpleasant situations.

Deep cleaning of the apartment was due. No negative energy was allowed in the studio, as it would also interfere with the spells. Also going back to the information provided on the gallery items was a must. Probably there was some information on the root of the problem. When in doubt, go back to the beginning as her grandma always says. She would read the email again tonight.

About her apartment, maybe some wormwood and white sage, and some violet would be added to the cleansing. Use of the few stalks from the one that grows on her windowsill would be good - that way the magic will be stronger. Why not some hemlock as well? It wouldn't hurt.

Her mother-of-pearl bowl and hammer that her grandmother had given her when she finished her training would do the trick. Three separate bowls – one for each room. It would thus ensure a wider impact. Although there was no threat at the moment, other than sleep deprivation, it seemed especially important to Gabriela to protect her home.

When she entered the apartment there was something in the air for a moment, but the impression quickly passed. She hung her bag and dropped the keys into the small bowl on the table by the door.

Entering the kitchen, she looked around. Isis was still angry because there was no sign of the cat. She put the groceries in their respective placements and put the wine in the cooler. One of the few joys she allowed to become a habit was a glass of wine before bed. Not only did it help the body, but also the spirit. For her, there was nothing more pleasant than a quiet evening with a book and a glass of wine.

There was a sound coming from the pantry that startled her for a second before she recognized it was a purr.

- If you decide to forgive me, I could give you some of the fish I brought for my dinner- she said while turning around to gaze upon a pair of green eyes that looked at her mockingly. - OK, the fish I bought for you. Here you go - she put the fish in a kitty bowl and left it in front of her magnificent familiar.

After that, she moved to her studio and began preparations for the ritual. Deciding to use herbs and a spell she had to create according to her wishes. Gathered a few sprigs of each herb he needed and placed them on the work table. There was no fresh hemlock, so dried was to be used. Light white rosemary-scented candles throughout. Chopping the herbs with an old knife, then placing them in the mother-of-pearl bowl. She used magic to ignite the mixture. It was an easy undertaking and created a stronger connection between her and her home. Thus the protection became even stronger.

First, she lit the candles in each room, mumbling protective charms while doing so. Then picked up the smoking bowl and started going around the room trying to go over everything, especially the sills, and doors. True, she had smeared them with lavender when she moved two years ago, but since then she had not prepared any special defences.

She continued to wander around the premises, muttering a spell to herself all the while.

When she was done smoking all the rooms she dusted the soot and reminded himself to remove it as soon as possible. She took the used pan and rinsed it with clean water and then put it in the dresser with her other items. Then she went through all the rooms and put out the candles back in the order they were lit. When that was done she went back to the kitchen to prepare dinner.

She hadn't put even a morsel in her mouth since morning. She saw that there was a message left on the phone. Someone had been looking for her while she was busy with the ritual, but then even if a bomb had fallen she wouldn't have heard it. Concentration and exclusion of the outside world were especially important for the proper performance of any home defence spells.

She looked at the display but saw no text. Then pressed play and heard her uncle's voice:

"Gabriela, why don't you pick up?" - an irritated tone was heard.

- Maybe because not everything revolves around you - Gabriela muttered under her breath. It wasn't so much that she didn't like him as she resented the fact that he thought she needed to be at his fingertips all the time. Also, there was the notion that he disrespected her career choices.

"I don't understand what keeps you so busy not answering," came his unperturbed voice.

- Maybe my life? - she said to herself. She was tired, irritated, hungry, and just wanted to go to bed. She was already regretting pressing the button.

"As you know Saturday evening I am organizing a celebration at the house and I need you to ensure that everything goes smoothly" - his commanding tone was heard from the machine.

- As always, uncle - she replied to the secretary, aware that no one would hear her.

"I don't trust these people" - his negative statement was heard.

- Who do you believe? - she laughed with bile in her voice.

Despite the strong family ties, there was always someone in the family you didn't get along with. In this case, despite Gabby's best efforts to get closer to her uncle and establish some sort of relationship, all she had accomplished was to leave him with the impression that she would always be there for him at any whim. 20 years of trial and error had passed, and she still held out hope that something could change and reach his steely heart.

"After all, they are paid to do their job. You have to be here by five at the latest so you can smooth things out if they messed something up."

- Of course, uncle - she sighed tiredly

"You know what I want. I'll see you tomorrow." – then the message cut off.

Gabriela sighed. As much as she and her uncle didn't like each other, he was still family and she had to help him. It was a matter of honour. She had been taught from a young age that you should help and do your best for the family, and she did. She had been living alone for years and had refused to use the family fund, with which she could grow old quite comfortably. Her uncle would not give up.

It cannot be said that he felt any affection for her. Ever since she was a little girl, she used to go to his house to learn one or another side of magic. Because magic was not uniform. There were many branches and varieties and each child of the family had to spend some time with each relative to understand and learn about their heritage.

Her uncle was a specialist in written magic - that which was expressed through spells, written words, and runes. From him, Gaby had learned all about written magic and the power of words. If you've seen movies that talk about magic books, the true names of things, and the power of words, it has something to do with that part of the magic.

For years, and centuries, scribes, wizards, and witches had dealt with it, but in the last hundred years, this kind of magic had swept over the rest of the world. Now any person with even a little skill was capable of creating something magical.

However, Gabriela was not an expert in this field. Her element was will magic. The silent magic, no hand-waving, no potions, herbs, and cauldrons. No books, wands, or crystals. Her power needed no medium. It came from the heart and was fueled by the young woman's will. That is why she was chosen as the guardian of the family stone - a strong and mystical object of unknown origin. Or so she was told, as the legends about it were extraordinary and fantastic.

There had always been a chosen one in her family to guard the stone and use it as a weapon in the fight against evil. This was their legacy. Humans with paranormal abilities and several other groups and individuals around the world had united into an organization that was almost entirely concerned with fighting evil in this and other worlds. It had managers, structure, subordinates, schedules, and everything else that one would find in an ordinary company. But they dealt with magic, demons, the mystical and the unexplainable, and sacrificed their lives every day in defence of humanity.

Gabriela was chosen from a young age to be the guardian of the family stone. She accepted this role with pride and responsibility but refused to become actively involved in the organization. After all, she was an artist, not a hero. Her grandmother, a member of the council, understood her and supported her in her desire to stand aside. The council didn't mind as long as she was doing her assigned tasks, like the gallery protection task two weeks ago. Everyone realized that sooner or later there would come a time when she would become more actively involved.

So she spent every minute enjoying her life as an artist because she knew it wouldn't last long. Everyone in her family was giving their all to the cause and she wasn't going to be left behind.

Her uncle Boris was also in the organization, but he behaved more like a gatherer of information about the region. Something like a librarian from whom you can get the necessary information for your tasks.

He was a grumpy old bachelor with a paunch and a moustache. Like any loner, he fancied himself an eccentric, and considering the family he came from, he was downright weird. Unsociable, conceited, and often rude, he used all his powers and cunning to obtain the artefacts he desired. No one could mistake him for a good-natured uncle. Despite his shortcomings, or perhaps precisely because of them, he was the best in his field. If there was a book or artefact he wanted, the council knew it would be theirs in no time. His work was impeccable.

It was said that since her parent's death, he was not the same man. He had become more withdrawn and rude, and his anger at the injustice of the world had grown. But with the accumulation of negative emotions, little by little he had lost his strength.

Now, years later, he was the most famous librarian on the continent, but also the most hated. His attitude toward the world and people's responses had embittered him and sharpened his harshness. He communicated only with a few of his relatives and Gabriela the most. He received his orders by mail and deliveries by courier.

Maybe because of her feelings at the loss of her father and how his death had affected her uncle, but she always gave in to his whims and demands. A person so frozen by the loss of her parents could not be unpleasant to her. Although it was pretty close to that thought from time to time.

She sighed and reluctantly dialled back her uncle's number. If she didn't answer him today, he would be unbearable tomorrow. After one beep her uncle answered her.

- Gabriela! Where are you lost, girl? – his indignant exclamation was heard – I've been looking for you all day!

- I was out on business, uncle - she answered him calmly. If she showed her true feelings she would get another long lecture. One of those that give you a headache, and she already had a headache.

- Um, work! - exclaimed her uncle undermining.

- Don't start again - she begged.

- Okay, okay - said her uncle, - I don't have time for that anyway. I am calling you with another purpose - he noted self-importantly.

- And what is that? - asked Gabi and sat down on the couch.

- On Saturday, as you know, there will be a celebration in our house - he began importantly.

- Yes, I heard your message, uncle - answered wearily. Everyone knew he threw these parties to gather gossip and expand his tentacles in the trade. To him, they were just another business trick to ensure future profits. And besides, an ideal moment to stand out and rub someone's nose in his successes. And yet all those invited did not miss a gathering. A quiet night was not worth the risk of losing his influence and connections.

- Yes, and so. I wanted to ensure your presence as well as ask how you are.

- I'm fine, I just have a little headache - she sighed with relief.

- Strange state after a two-week vacation - he was a little annoyed, but his usual disapproval was not felt in his voice. Gabriela breathed a sigh of relief.

- It must be due to the stress from working for the gallery, and I didn't sleep well last night either.

- Ah, there was an order, but I don't recall the exact details - he started with a tone demanding additional information.

- I'm sure I told you, uncle - she answered him. For him, every piece of information was profitable and essential, so she continued. His awareness was for everyone's benefit - the Council had an order for me. I had to do the defence of some old artefacts on black magic in a private gallery. They wanted to make an exhibition of artefacts from the Middle Ages, and they also had a lot of magical and alchemical ones. The owner and manager of the gallery insisted on the protection of The Society and got it. - she explained.

- What were the items? – he asked intrigued.

- Most items are used by priests and alchemists. But there were several books with terribly unpleasant powers. One of them was so powerful that even my defences wouldn't work if something happened. Since then I've been having terrible nightmares and seeing omens everywhere. I can't explain it, but I think my task there has something to do with something evil that is coming. And every time I think about it, that book pops up in my mind. I am very concerned and think that it is dangerous to be displayed to the public.

- Did you tell the manager of the gallery that? - he asked, and there were notes of excitement in his voice.

- Of course, but they wouldn't listen. My being there was a bother for them. But it was the contract with the owner. They just laughed in my face when I told them what I do - she complained in annoyance.

- Describe to me in more detail the book and what you saw and felt during the ritual - he commanded.

- Well, it was big and heavy. The covers were made of leather. I suspect it could also be human, possibly from a sacrifice. Its clasp was heavy metal, but I couldn't make out exactly what kind. It was in the form of a Celtic braid with a seal behind which the locking mechanism was hidden. I feel like it unlocks with blood. I didn't dare open it because I felt a terrible power inside it. But I did the best I could. It felt like it shouldn't exist. - she added quietly - On the other hand, I think it can't be destroyed either - she explained.

- Why do you think so? - curiosity could be easily heard.

- The way it was. Not visually, but how I felt. As if there was something alive in her - she answered and shuddered - I get goosebumps just thinking about it.

- Which gallery did you say it was in? - he asked insistently.

- "Verità in Bellezza" - she said not particularly surprised by the excitement in her uncle's voice. He was interested in everything related to artefacts, especially books.

- Hmm, interesting - he whispered.

- What's interesting, uncle? - Gabriela wondered if she had done something wrong, like sparking his curiosity about something dangerous.

- Ah, nothing, I'll have to hang up now - he said quickly.

- Okay, I will – she started but there was no need to continue because there was no one on the other side. Her uncle had hung up before he could inform her of the arrangements for the party. But her head hurt too much to wonder at that fact. He was like that. As soon as something interested him, everything else was lost for him. She was sure that he would have thoroughly checked the information and collected everything in detail in the folders in his library. And by the library, she didn't mean the usual great room in any mansion.

No, Boris had one for day-to-day visitors, that was only the entrance to the catacombs. Beneath the large house, he lived in, was a small city of nothing but corridors and rooms filled with magical artefacts, books, and archives. And he was their guardian.

She pushed the thought of her uncle to the back of her mind and spent the rest of the evening finally having dinner and a long shower. By eight she was completely exhausted and snuggled into bed where Isis watched her intently in her sleep.