~ Chapter 11 - No One But You ~

The night felt deeper inside the mansion. And darkness seemed a loyal ally of Villa Azul. Every corner seemed to hide a different secret, as though truth slipped further away with each new discovery. Yet Ana was beginning to spot patterns in the shadows of the enigma. Reality might have been closer than it sometimes seemed.

Perhaps the young woman had grown used to living with fear, and the doses of terror needed to break her will had risen so high that the darkness no longer sufficed. Or perhaps, quite simply, she had resigned herself to having no other choice.

Her cat walked between her legs just as she shut the door, as if sensing her human needed companionship.

She went over everything in her mind, though only briefly. It was nearly midnight and had been a long day of revelations. She definitely needed rest. But her thoughts kept circling back to the mysterious man who had visited her room on several nights.

Norell, she repeated in her mind. She had already accepted that the vampire attracted her. Reluctantly, yes, but she had promised herself to stop lying.

The problem was that thinking about Norell had become so constant it was annoying, like the whole day felt wasted until she saw him again.

A strange feeling, no doubt, especially considering how good she felt when she was with Leon. But the vampire's scent had her so captivated that imagining anything else felt nearly impossible.

Still, she had to stay focused. She was caught in a massive web of rites and summonings, and though she was heading to her room now, she couldn't help but think about the two mysterious summoning circles forming within the house.

The only reason she felt she might still fall asleep was that the rituals were dedicated to Venus, the Roman goddess of beauty. And although she wished those circles weren't there, since they involved white magic and harmless materials, it wasn't so alarming.

A very different story was unfolding at Leon's grandmother's mansion, where the owner had not only gone mad but crossed every boundary of morality. Her soul had become fully corrupted. According to Sofía, that's what truly caught the attention of dark entities.

–Sacrifices are purely symbolic –her friend had explained– Demons want to see if someone is truly willing to do anything for power. That's why they're so effective.

–Oh, Sofía... when will you answer me? –Ana whispered to herself.

She had a strong feeling that much of the mystery would unravel once they knew who Leon's grandmother's letters had been addressed to—something Sofía was investigating. Being deeply versed in the spiritual world, she had the means to study symbols and dead languages.

Ana went over the clues they'd gathered one last time. She felt that, though through different means, everything was deeply connected.

The day she arrived at Villa Azul, she had met the neighbors. Two women, both aggressive and aloof. Mrs. Oswall had been somewhat kind that first afternoon, but never spoke to her again afterward. She even sent a rather unfriendly letter. She always spoke in code, as if expecting Ana to understand the village's hidden truths.

The woman in red, meanwhile, had been hostile and utterly inexplicable. At least back then. Now, Ana started to notice patterns resembling Leon's grandmother, didn't she?

N-no. I must be going mad, she tried to convince herself, ignoring her own rule about honesty.

But there was something... That woman also seemed like she'd made an effort to dress up. Her disheveled look could've come from a hysterical fit—like the ones Leon described his grandmother having.

Some concepts lined up perfectly in her mind—until they hit a wall.

But how could that connect to Leon's grandmother? Maybe she was just having a bad day and I'm making wild guesses. Besides, if it happened in every house, how would you explain Mrs. Oswall not being obsessed with her appearance? She was in pajamas when I saw her...

Her eyes began to close. She tried to stay awake—Sofía might message her any minute—but it was nearly impossible not to doze off.

She felt guilty. She wanted to rest, protected by the security she found in Leon, but her mind wouldn't stop thinking about Norell.

So great was her disappointment when the sparrows' chirping woke her from the balcony.

He hadn't come that night.

The day dragged on monotonously. She even managed to work nearly eight hours—something rare since arriving at Villa Azul.

Leon and Sofía messaged her constantly, and their words were important—but Ana didn't care. Just imagining that Norell might not return left a hollow pit in her stomach.

–They're Norse symbols. Quite old, actually –Sofía said. This time they were on a video call through their laptops– It's really hard to find information about them. That's why I'm taking so long. Hey, are you listening?

Ana stared blankly through the windows overlooking the garden, hoping to spot a strange silhouette.

–Y-yes. Ancient symbols. Got it... –she replied.

–Norse symbols. That part's important.

–Right.

–Don't you want to know why that's important?

Ana turned her eyes to the screen. Sofía was practically glued to her laptop. With her glasses and notebook, she looked like one of those conspiracy theorists they bring on TV.

–Okay, tell me. Why's it important? –she humored her.

–Hey, don't just say that for my sake. You're the one who asked me for help.

Ana blinked. Her friend was right.

–Yes. I'm listening.

–It's extremely rare to even access these symbols—they're practically lost. And writing coherent messages with them is even harder. They're not letters, but symbols whose meaning changes depending on the others around them. It takes years of practice.

–All right –Ana said, still not understanding– So...?

–So I'm really curious where you got them. Are you on vacation in Norway or something?

Ana gave a nervous laugh. Sofía had half-joked, half-meant it. She was fascinated by the spiritual world, but Ana's questions seemed to grow darker by the day—like there were details she wasn't sharing.

–I need you to be honest –Sofía pressed, taking off her glasses– I've practiced many summoning circles, that's not unusual. But this? I've never seen anything like it.

Ana was touched by how much her friend cared. But she had promised Leon not to speak another word of what he'd told her.

–No, I'm not in Norway. I just found some letters around here –she half-lied.

Sofía felt a little let down that Ana was hiding something. But instead of getting upset, she chose to be the support Ana once was for her.

–All right... Just be careful. Reading some of these texts under the wrong conditions can be very dangerous. I'll keep trying to translate them. Take care, okay?

They said their goodbyes with affection. Ana felt increasingly guilty—but what else could she do?

She barely spoke to Leon that day. Just a few exchanged messages.

–I'm doing a bit better than yesterday. Sorry for leaving like that.

–Don't worry –Ana replied– These are intense days.

–No doubt. I'm not sure I'm ready to keep going just yet. Maybe I need one more day to process things. But if you want me to come by, I will.

–No rush. Take the time you need –Ana replied, ending the conversation.

Under different circumstances, she might have asked to talk in person. But today, she wasn't in the mood.

She passed by the mirror and looked at herself. Why hadn't Norell come the night before?

She glanced at her waist, then at her legs. Wasn't I pretty enough?

She pulled the skin on her face gently. Was I getting old?

What puzzled her most wasn't the vampire—but her own reaction. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was the problem.

Maybe I should wear makeup tonight, she thought.

For the first time since arriving, Evangelina didn't leave her side all day. The cat curled up on her lap through noon, afternoon, and evening.

Normally, Ana would have found it odd—but today, she had other concerns.

The day became eerily dull, the clock ticking like lead. Still, it passed, and night returned to Villa Azul.

Ana didn't manage to put on any makeup. Every time she tried, Evangelina got in the way. Finally, Ana shooed her out to the patio. But the cat had done her job. Exhausted from work, Ana slipped into one of her nicest nightgowns and lay down to sleep, longing to see Norell again.

She blinked slowly, still heavy with sleep. It took her a few seconds to realize she was awake. Outside, the moon shone clearly between white clouds through the window.

She grabbed her phone. It was 3 a.m.

She tried to go back to sleep—she was exhausted—but the sound of wind whistling through the balcony made it impossible.

Wait. The balcony? I closed it before bed, she thought. She sat up and rubbed her eyes.

The shadows in the room began to shift. Some changed places. Others grew larger. Ana, now fully awake, felt her heart race.

He was here. He had come to see her.

The darkness beside her wardrobe doubled in size. Slowly, it detached and slithered across the floor to the center of the room. Ana fixed her hair.

The shadow rose, levitating slightly. A black mist engulfed it, and with a soft burst, it expanded from floor to ceiling.

Then it began to fade—until nearly vanishing. And in its place stood a pale-skinned man, hair golden like honey, eyes red as forgotten rubies.

Ana's heart flipped with joy. She had feared she'd never see him again. But she didn't want to make it easy for him.

–Finally decided to show up –she said, breathing in his familiar, enchanting scent.

–I thought you'd be happy to see me –he replied, stepping closer to the bed.

He wore the same black cloak as always, hiding everything but his face and hands.

Inside, Norell was surprised—Ana's condition had advanced considerably.

–I am. But with so much time alone, I thought you were seeing someone else.

–Child. There's no one but you –he lied, reaching to caress her cheek.

He would have touched her—deepening her unhealthy infatuation—if not for a sharp hiss.

Evangelina leapt from under the bed and challenged him.

Norell smirked. Just a cat.

–Ha! You startled me, little one –he said, trying to pet her.

Evangelina unsheathed her claws and swiped at his hand. He dodged, but felt deeply insulted.

–Wretched little beast. You'll learn to respect me.

He raised his hand to strike, but something stirred in Ana.

–Hey! What are you doing? Her name is Evangelina—she's my cat!

Ana scooped her up, kissed her head, and took her out of the room.

Still enchanted by Norell, a flicker of doubt began to grow in her mind. An inner struggle.

–You mustn't treat animals like that –she murmured, lowering her gaze.

The man glided toward her with eerie grace and gently raised her chin.

–Forgive me, little one. I'm not used to dealing with animals.

It was the first time he touched her—and she felt so drawn in that she forgot her anger.

–It won't happen again –he continued, drawing symbols in the air, eyes locked on hers.

Behind the door, Evangelina meowed and scratched the wood.

–Especially now that we'll live together, yes? –he said, nodding slightly to suggest the idea.

–L-live together? –Something in Ana resisted.

Norell pushed harder. Now or never.

–Of course, if you wish it. Just give me a part of yourself. And I... will give you all of me.

Ana nodded, gazing up at him, lost in submission. But fate—or an angel—intervened:

Her phone buzzed loudly in her pocket, breaking the trance.

She glanced down. It was Sofía. Notifications flashed nonstop. She barely read them—until one word caught her eye.

As if the man before her had vanished, Ana unlocked her phone and read the messages carefully.

After the second one, a shiver of terror chilled her to the bone. She looked up—and no longer felt enamored. She was frozen by the vampire's blood-red eyes.

–Girl! I translated some parts of what you sent. They really are nearly lost Norse symbols. They're tied to fallen angels or vampires—be careful! –read the first message. But the second unraveled it all:

From: The Will of Lilith. Soul of Griselda.

To: Norell Dahl. Lord of the Wolves.

I'm off to bed. Be safe, sweetie!

END OF CHAPTER 11