The attic was what caught her attention the most the first time she visited the neighborhood. From the outside, one could barely spot a small circular window, with a cross-shaped frame. It also looked like a spacious place, due to the pronounced shape of the homely dome.
It had already been difficult enough to muster the courage to explore the common areas of the old house. Climbing up to the attic sounded almost like an impossible mission. It was the only part of the house she hadn't entered; even during the day, she believed she could hear footsteps and whispers coming from up there. Which wasn't that alarming considering she heard them everywhere—but still, the longer she could hold out without going in, the better.
But this time things were different, because deep down she knew perfectly well that she couldn't spend another night without uncovering at least a small piece of the mystery. Besides, if she turned a blind eye to her pitiful mental state, she hadn't suffered any physical harm yet.
-I don't want to wait until I do -she thought-, but the decision had been made. She had to go up there. It was the only way Sofía could keep helping her with her situation.
THUD—the attic's ladder dropped forcefully the moment Ana pulled down the trapdoor at the end of the last hallway. Even though it was nighttime, no light in the house had been left off, and she had her phone's flashlight ready just in case something failed.
Her first step on the ladder creaked louder than the basement door ever had, as if the house was returning all the gloom it had kept bottled up over the past day. Each step squeaked so sharply it was enough to make anyone turn back, yet Ana was so convinced she had to do this that even she didn't recognize herself.
The walk toward the dark entrance was, without a doubt, haunting. She kept her gaze fixed forward into total darkness, pointing her phone aimlessly, as it showed nothing at all. That made the surprise all the more shocking when her torso finally entered the attic—because once inside, the moonlight revealed nearly the entire room with ease.
It was, in fact, a spacious place. More than a typical bedroom. And it was crammed with odd objects and junk everywhere, to the point where Ana had to watch every step to avoid tripping. She saw broken furniture, shelves, and lamps. Countless books and loose pages scattered all over—some on mold-eaten bookcases, others directly on the floor. There were mirrors in every direction, clearly overwhelming her sanity, so she tried to ignore them. She spotted several mannequins, most of them draped in torn or frayed women's dresses, covered in withered roses, almost none intact.
And in the center of the room, as if it had carved out a space among the clutter, a large circle glimmered faintly, thanks to the moonlight filtering through the front window.
As best she could, she sketched a drawing of the circle in her notebook. She wasn't the best illustrator, but didn't trust her memory, and her phone camera failed to capture anything beyond a dusty wooden floor. Once she'd more or less copied what she saw onto a page, she bolted from that dreadful place.
She didn't look back once, though she could swear someone was calling her name. She rushed down the stairs and retreated into her kitchen, waiting for Sofía to answer the phone.
-The symbols resemble Latin letters. Which doesn't help much, because that broadens the range of possible entities that could be invoked. And I don't speak Latin -her friend lamented-. But I still find that thing with the seashells in the basement really intriguing. I'm sure it's not a coincidence-
-So...?-
-So, at two in the morning after a ten-hour workday, I can't say much. I really have no idea what it could be. But from the elements you described, I'd say you shouldn't worry-
-You're telling me not to worry about summoning circles in my house? -Ana snapped-
-Hey, I've got summoning circles in my apartment-
-Yeah, but you probably made them yourself!-
-I know, I know. I just mean they don't seem demonic or malicious. In fact, they contain several very noble components-
Ana sighed in frustration.
-Hey, I know you won't be completely calm—I wouldn't be either -Sofía soothed her-. But there's nothing else we can do tonight. You were super brave to investigate as much as you did. And your reward is knowing that, at least what you saw, isn't dangerous at all. Maybe the surprising part is that the circles even worked, since otherwise they wouldn't shine on the floor-
-T-thanks... -she murmured sincerely-. I'll try to get some rest, I'm exhausted-
-Try. I'll update you tomorrow for sure, but don't stress—could've easily been me doing that witchy stuff -Sofía said with a laugh-
Ana smiled faintly into the receiver and hung up.
Few things could be worse than staying alone in a gloomy house full of mystical symbols in both the basement and the attic—and without a doubt, trying to sleep there topped the list.
Falling asleep seemed as difficult as climbing into the attic again. And now, back in her bedroom, she had the constant feeling that someone would visit her. But it didn't scare her—in fact, she might even say she was strangely drawn to the idea of those crimson eyes she saw when closing her eyelids returning again.
Time passed. Several minutes. The shadows in the room shifted shape, sometimes smaller, sometimes larger. They moved from place to place, as if they were alive. After nearly an hour, when Ana felt the room's breeze drop in temperature, and the moonlight bathed everything in silver, one shadow in the corner grew large enough for a person to step inside. The darkness peeled away from the wall and fell into the middle of the room.
This time Ana didn't hide her face under a pillow, because there was something familiar about it all. As if every nightmare she'd suffered was now taking form and returning to her awareness like a distant memory.
The black mist made a soft, modest burst, and in its center appeared—like magic—a slender man with blond hair and red eyes. But perhaps this time, it was Ana whose gaze was fixed on him.
-Norell... -she recognized him-
-How sweet, you remember me-
The vampire gave a smile that revealed perfect teeth, white as snow, with two lovely fangs adorning the corners.
-Shouldn't I? -she asked, her voice soft and submissive-
Ana was entirely fascinated by the man's scent, inhaling without even trying to hide it. It was a refined blend of chocolate and red berries. Sweet, but not overwhelming. Ana thought that fragrance could make any man in the world attractive. But there was another scent she couldn't quite detect, and she was determined to figure it out.
-Is it cinnamon? There's something in the scent I can't place -she said aloud-
Lost in her desire to get a closer whiff, she stood up beside the bed. The man was much taller than her—he must've been just under two meters. She couldn't see his body beneath the cloak, but her mind was already imagining it.
-This potion never fails -Norell celebrated internally-. Just yesterday she wouldn't even look at me. And now she's like this, completely mine-
-It's not cinnamon -he replied kindly-. Keep guessing-
-Red wine, maybe? -Ana took a step forward, closing her eyes to sharpen her sense of smell-
Norell's smile faded. His gaze was fixed entirely on the girl's neck, exposed before him with her eyes shut.
-It might resemble wine. Not just in appearance, but in how vital it is for life. Some drink it from glasses, others straight from the source -his voice was much harsher now-
He licked his lips. His impulses were becoming nearly impossible to resist.
Ana stopped and opened her eyes. For a moment she snapped out of the trance—and in front of her, Norell was staring obsessively at her body.
She gave a faint gasp and stepped back twice, bumping against the bedroom wall. Her mind flickered between fear and fascination.
-Blood -Ana said-. You were talking about blood-
She rubbed her eyes and began to cough, trying to shake off the spell. Bit by bit, her hormones realigned with her usual self.
-Hey, it was just a joke -the man said with a returning smile, taking a step forward-
-Don't come closer! -Ana shouted in fear-
Norell obeyed, resuming his usual solemnity. Ana wondered, for a split second, why the man listened to her when he could easily attack. After all, she was just a defenseless woman in a haunted house.
-I won't do anything you don't ask me to -he said with a suggestive look-
-Don't be gross. I didn't ask you for anything and I won't-
-Then... would you like me to leave? -he asked with feigned sadness-
-Of course I want you to leave!-
The vampire's eyes widened in surprise.
-She snapped out of the trance so fast... -he thought-
The room fell into silence, Ana staring him down with the bravery that comes from staring death in the face.
-There's no need to get so mad -he continued-. I just want us to get to know each other better...-
Ana pulled the strap of her pajama top over her nose. She'd realized why she'd been so compliant.
-There's something in your scent. That's what's making me act like this-
-Such a perceptive girl -he marveled again-
-Hey, I know it's not ideal. I just wanted us to connect—without you bolting out the moment you see me-
-Of course it's not ideal! You're trying to drug me into obedience. If you were human, I could report you-
-Good thing I'm not human -he replied with a genuine smile-
-That's not funny...-
Ana kept covering her nose as much as she could. Her gaze no longer wandered through his crimson irises but now rested dull and wary on the wooden floor.
The vampire grew worried. She was no use to him in this state.
-You're right, it was wrong. I'm not used to being told no so many times in a row, and I resorted to that stupid cologne. I'm sorry -he said with a bow-
Ana felt even more anger.
-And that's it? You try to enchant someone, and when she figures it out, you just apologize and expect everything to go back to normal?-
Norell raised an eyebrow and smirked slightly.
-Was it ever normal?-
-N-no. I mean, not really. I never wanted a vampire visiting me at night—but trying to enchant me is a lot worse -she said, flustered-
-Ha! Now I get it! -he laughed-. You did want me to come. You remembered me and hoped I'd return-
-No! I never said that!-
-Your memory amazes me, miss -his voice returned to the earlier warmth-. I think we got off on the wrong foot. We should start over-
Norell was lying. He'd already "met" her three times that week, and each attempt had failed. It seemed Ana wasn't drawn to any particular personality—something entirely new for him.
So this time, he decided to erase almost nothing from her memory. The girl clearly wouldn't fall for cheap potions.
The dark mist began to swirl around his body, wrapping him once again.
-We'll see each other tomorrow night, my dear child-
-No, wait...-
But Ana's protest—unworthy of her proud spirit—was in vain. Norell vanished, swallowed by the swirling shadows.
Outside, with the moon and forest behind him, the cloud dissolved, taking the shape of a black bird flying toward the mountains.
Ana rushed to the balcony.
But he was already gone.
END OF CHAPTER 7.