ASHWOOD

Chapter two

After minutes of deliberation, Lawrence and Elian found themselves standing before the Manson's residence, a grandiose mansion in the affluent Garden District. Allison had long despised Manson, far more than the boys did, and she thought this venture was utterly foolish.

Nevertheless, Lawrence and Elian proceeded, entering the opulent neighborhood for the first time. They couldn't help but be amazed by the sights. The district was indeed a haven for the wealthy and elite. The Manson's mansion stood at a distance from Ravenwood Street, its beauty somewhat diminished by the slightly overgrown lawns, which the Manson family could have better maintained.

As they approached the house, the exterior lights cast a bright glow, illuminating their path. Lawrence and Elian felt a palpable tension, which only intensified as they drew closer to the entrance. "Can't we just do this tomorrow?" Lawrence asked, his heart racing.

Elian turned to him and said, "What do I tell Soledad if I don't return with the sombrero? She'll panic, thinking the darkness has caught up with me. And what if this stranger doesn't attend Ashwood High? What if I never find the sombrero, and next year's Luminaria Festival arrives?" Elian's words betrayed his anxiety, and Lawrence could see the significance of this quest for him.

Moreover, Lawrence himself was reluctant to return home, as his current domestic situation was far from ideal. Elian glanced at his watch, realizing it was past seven. He knew Soledad would be worried about him, more so than the sombrero. Yet, he was resolute in his determination to retrieve the hat, driven by reasons beyond mere possession.

He sought to understand the stranger, Lucien, who seemed enigmatic and intriguing. The boys stood frozen in the foyer, their minds racing with ominous thoughts about Tyson's mother, whom they had never met. Lawrence turned to Elian, his eyes daring him to knock on the door.

Elian, in turn, used his eyes to challenge Lawrence to take the first step. The tension was palpable, as the two boys waited for the other to make the initial move. "Alright, fine! I'll knock, you talk!" Before Elian could protest, Lawrence rang the doorbell, prompting Elian to shut his eyes in apprehension.

Tyson was a bit of a racist, and Elian feared his parents might share the same sentiments. He wasn't prepared for any potential conflict. As he turned to leave, a melodious voice echoed through the foyer, halting his departure.

"Who might you be looking for?" Shelly asked, her warm tone a gentle inquiry.

Elian turned to face a woman of average height, with a beauty that was simply stunning. Her green eyes sparkled with kindness. Lawrence greeted her with a smile, "We were wondering if Tyson was home."

Shelly's smile was radiant, and Elian was taken aback. He had expected Tyson's mother to be harsh, but this woman exuded warmth. Her eyes met his, and she offered a welcoming smile. "Please, come in."

Lawrence didn't hesitate, entering the mansion with an air of curiosity. Elian followed, his mind racing with thoughts. But Shelly's kindness was disarming. The interior of the mansion was breathtaking, with artwork lining the walls. The silver and grey decor seemed newly polished, and the scent of jasmine and lavender filled the air.

"Would you boys like something to drink?" Lady Shelly asked, her smile still radiant.

Elian shook his head, his focus on finding Tyson and gathering information about the stranger. But Lawrence didn't hesitate. "A cup of tea, please."

Shelly smiled and went to fetch the tea. She returned with two cups, handing Lawrence his first. "Here you are," she said, before turning to Elian. "And for you, dear." As she handed Elian his cup, their hands touched, and flashes of images invaded Elian's mind. He saw moments of abuse, beatings, and a face behind the makeup, scarred and battered. He saw her being attacked with spells, though he didn't recognize the magic. The mug of tea fell to the ground, disrupting the visions. "So sorry," Shelly said, bending to pick up the broken mug.

Elian helped her, his mind reeling with thoughts. Why did she apologize when she was the older one, and it was his fault the glass broke? He concluded that maybe she was just kind, maybe too humble.

After picking up the glass, Elian went to sit near Lawrence, who was still admiring the house. Shelly returned from disposing of the broken mug. "Tyson will be back soon, please make yourselves comfortable," she said with a warm smile.

"Tyson's not home? When will he be back?" Elian asked, checking his watch and noticing the late hour.

"That I don't know, but if you boys are unable to wait, I could tell you where he went," Shelly offered, her calm and kind demeanor unwavering.

"We'll wait," Lawrence said, without hesitation. He was enjoying the luxurious surroundings and didn't want to leave.

"No, we won't," Elian protested, his voice firm.

Lawrence's face fell, but he quickly recovered. "We'd love to know where Tyson went, please," he asked, his tone polite.

"Alrighty, Tyson and his dad went to his uncle's house for the Luxioria," Shelly explained. "The house isn't too far from here, just go a little further down the street, and you'll find it."

"Thanks!" Elian said, standing up to leave. He turned to Lawrence, who was hesitant to stand, and gently pulled him to his feet. As they turned to leave, Elian's eyes met Shelly's, and he sensed her pleading and fear, despite her calm exterior.

As they stepped out of the house, Lawrence couldn't help but express his admiration for the mansion. "One day, I'm gonna build one way better than this, and we'll stay together, mate," he said, his British accent evident.

Elian remained silent, and the two boys walked further into the street, their footsteps echoing in the quiet night.

The Flynn mansion was far grander and larger than the Mansons' residence. In fact, it was the most beautiful house in all of Ashwood. The exterior walls were painted a stunning gold, brown, white, and grey, and the garden was immaculately maintained. It wasn't difficult for the boys to find it, as the name "The Flynn Mansion" was boldly displayed atop the building, illuminated by decorative lights. As they approached the house, Elian noticed men clad in white, which sent a shiver down his spine. He stopped in his tracks, his heart racing.

"What's wrong, mate?" Lawrence asked, noticing Elian's distress.

Just then, a young boy's voice distracted Elian from responding. "Are you looking for Lucien?" the boy asked, his expression eerily blank, as if he had no life in him.

"Actually, we're looking for Tyson," Lawrence replied in a British accent.

"Upstairs, third room. Don't wander," the boy replied before heading off in a creepy manner.

"What a creepy bloke," Lawrence said, shaking his head.

Elian, meanwhile, couldn't help but feel tension and fear as he gazed at the men in white, who were gathered outside the mansion, seemingly holding a meeting. "How are we going to get past them?" Elian asked, trying to avoid them.

"Those people? We just walk right past them, nothing to be afraid of. If they ask us anything, we just tell them we're looking for Tyson," Lawrence said in a reassuring tone.

He started walking, but Elian didn't follow, still frozen in fear. Lawrence noticed the fear in Elian's eyes and went closer to him, locking eyes. "Trust me, mate," he said in a gentle British accent. He then took Elian's hand and muttered under his breath, "Evitemus eos" (Let's evade them). Elian didn't hear, but Lawrence carefully cast a spell to ensure their safe passage. Soon, they walked past the men in white, untouched

Things were supposed to be easy, as Lawrence had protected them with his magic, allowing them to find Tyson and leave without a hitch. But Lawrence's magic wore off sooner than expected, leaving them to navigate the mansion on their own. They entered safely, without being seen, and climbed the large stairs to the top, where they were met with a daunting sight: numerous rooms lined the walls, with 24 rooms on each side of the mansion, 12 opposing each other.

"Which is the third room?" Elian asked, confused about where to start counting, as they stood in the hallway.

"You go left, and I'll go right," Lawrence said, and the two boys separated, searching for the numbered tags on each door.

Even after separating, they were still hesitant to knock on any door. Elian walked past a few doors, heading east, until his eyes met the room numbered 4. He couldn't walk past it, as he was strangely drawn to the door, as if it was calling him to uncover its secrets. He would have ignored it, but curiosity got the best of him. The door was slightly ajar, and he entered, squeaking it open slightly further.

As he entered, his mind sank, and his heart grew heavy. He couldn't think straight. The room was filled with photos of his family - his dad, mom, Soledad (who was much younger), and a bunch of other people he recognized from his childhood. His mind struggled to process why the Flynns had photos of his family.

Just as he was trying to make sense of it all, a stern voice filled the room. "What are you doing here?" Mason, a lanky man clad in white, glared at Elian with piercing eyes. His slender figure and mean goatee made him look even more intimidating. Elian was taken aback, unsure of what to say. As Mason approached him, Elian found himself stepping backward, away from the man.

Elian continued to back away, his eyes fixed on Mason, until he was stopped by the wall. Just as he thought he was trapped, Lucien's familiar voice echoed through the room. "He's with me," Lucien declared, standing by the door. He stepped forward, his eyes locked on Elian, and took him by the hand. "He's not a problem," Lucien assured, standing face-to-face with his uncle.

Mason's glare intensified, his voice stern and intimidating. "And how can we be certain of that?" he asked, his eyes boring into Elian.

Lucien's response was cold and measured. "The same way my father trusted you, Uncle. He didn't know for sure, but he chose to believe in you. And I'm doing the same with him." With that, Lucien led Elian out of the room, his hand firmly grasping Elian's.

Mason watched them leave, his eyes narrowing in suspicion and anger. His gaze followed them until they disappeared from sight, his expression unyielding.

As soon as they left the room, Lucien halted and turned to Elian, his voice laced with a mix of coldness, fear, and anxiety. "You shouldn't have come," he whispered, his eyes locking onto Elian's. For a moment, Elian saw fear flicker in Lucien's gaze before he could respond.

Just then, footsteps echoed up the stairs, and Lucien swiftly pulled Elian into a nearby room. The space was dimly lit, but it exuded a calming scent. The two boys found themselves standing extremely close, with Lucien's hand covering Elian's mouth. Elian's gaze was fixed on Lucien's eyes, which were focused intently on the door and the approaching footsteps. Neither boy noticed how close they were until Lucien's gaze finally met Elian's, and they locked eyes. Their hearts raced for different reasons, and the tension was palpable.

Lucien's stare seemed to bore deeper into Elian's, and for a moment, it appeared as though he was leaning in closer. Elian realized the awkwardness of their position and gently pushed Lucien away. Lucien cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence. The moment hung in the air, with neither boy speaking.

Lucien switched on the light, revealing his white clothing stained with Elian's fingerprints. He turned to Elian, his expression serious, and said without a smile, "Looks like you're bent on staining me." He joked, attempting to ease the tension. Just then, they heard the people pass by, and Lucien swiftly guided Elian out of the room, into the safety of his own quarters.

Lucien's room was a testament to opulence, with trophies and decorations adorning the walls, painted in a rich brown and gold hue. The air was filled with the intoxicating scent of Acqua di Parma Colonia, a classic Italian fragrance that exuded sophistication and elegance. Lawrence was seated at a reading table, flipping through Lucien's sketchbooks, when he heard the door open. He stood up and approached Elian, whispering, "I didn't find Tyson, but I found this bloke. He's a real character, if I may say so myself." Elian glanced at him, and Lawrence continued, "The chap is quite charming, if a bit enigmatic."

Lucien, however, was less than welcoming. "You both need to leave," he said curtly, his eyes cold and distant. Elian was taken aback by the change in Lucien's demeanor, from the warm and friendly person he had met earlier to this aloof and detached individual.

"Okay, we'll leave as soon as I get my sombrero," Elian managed to say, but Lucien was unresponsive. He continued arranging books on his study table, his movements precise and calculated. "It's with my dad. You'll get it tomorrow," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

As he finished arranging the books, Lucien turned toward them, his gaze cold and unyielding. "I'll drop you both off when I'm back," he said, his tone even chillier than before. With that, he swiftly exited the room, leaving Elian with more questions than answers. Lawrence, however, seemed unfazed, and he continued to explore Lucien's dressing table, sampling various perfumes. "This one smells like freesia, lovely!" he exclaimed, inhaling the sweet aroma of the flowers.

Lucien walked into the hallway of the Flynn Mansion, his heart racing with anticipation and fear. He stopped in front of room number four, the same room where Elian had discovered the family photos. Taking a deep breath, he steeled himself for what lay ahead. His mind was a jumble of thoughts, but one thing was clear - he had always wanted to join the Lux Coven, just like his father and grandfather before him.

With a tap on the door, he entered the room, and his eyes met the welcoming face of Flynn Lux, a direct descendant of the great Lux himself. Unlike his elder brother, Manson, Flynn exuded charm and warmth, his brown eyes showing care and love for his son. "Welcome, Lucien," Flynn said, as Lucien entered the brightly lit room.

The wizards, all clad in white, gathered around in a circle, their faces solemn. Tyson kneeled in the middle, and Lucien joined him, feeling a sense of trepidation. "Let us begin," Flynn said, his voice firm but gentle.

Both boys were given a substance to drink, and Tyson downed it without hesitation, earning nods of approval from the crowd. Lucien, however, hesitated, his eyes scanning the room for his father's reassuring presence. When their eyes met, his father smiled and urged him to proceed. Taking a deep breath, Lucien drank from the cup, and the wizards nodded in approval.

The next stage of the ritual was the oath-binding ceremony. Tyson swore his allegiance without hesitation, but when it was Lucien's turn, he stepped forward, his voice shaking. "Lucien Flynn, direct descendant of Lux, holy brother, are you ready to join the Lux family?" Manson's cold voice rang out, making Lucien's heart race even faster.

Lucien nodded, his voice barely audible, and was given the scroll to read. "I, Lucien Flynn, child of light, wizard of light, swear here in the presence of all present on this day of Luxoria, in the presence of the Nox Coven, to guide and protect this coven's secrets, to defend it in times of danger..." His voice trembled as he read the words, his heart heavy with fear.

Finally, he was given another substance to drink - blood - to seal the oath. He raised the cup to his lips, his hand shaking, but Tyson was quick to steady him. "Don't play tricks, little cousin," Tyson said with a smile, and Lucien reluctantly drank the blood, sealing his fate as a member of the Lux Coven.

The initiation finally came to an end, and Lucien waited for the perfect moment to slip away unnoticed. He snuck back to his room, where Lawrence and Elian were still waiting. Elian had been eager to confront Lucien about his behavior, but when Lucien entered, Elian felt a sudden pang of uncertainty. He thought to himself, "Who am I to question this stranger's actions?" and concluded that since their paths would never cross again, there was no need to seek answers. Once he got his sombrero back, he was done with Lucien for good.

The drive home was tense and silent, with Lawrence being dropped off first. Elian reluctantly joined Lucien in the front seat, and when he entered, Lucien greeted him with a smile, which only irritated Elian further. The silence that followed was even more uncomfortable, until Elian suddenly blurted out, "Stop the car!" Lucien halted immediately, and Elian stepped out, slamming the door behind him. "Don't forget to hand me my sombrero," he said coldly, before storming off into the French Quarter district, where his residence was located.

Elian sneaked into the house, noticing an eerie quietness and emptiness. He tiptoed to his room, passing Soledad's room, where he could hear her snoring - something that would have been strange to him, as Soledad had never snored in all 12 years of living with him. But he was too busy trying to sneak in unnoticed to investigate further. If only he had checked on her, he would have discovered that his beloved nanny was missing, and a stranger was occupying her room...