Witch’s Promise (Shadowguards #3.5)

7. Gabe

Chapter 7

Gabe

T he Wisteria house loomed before him, a sprawling Victorian monstrosity that seemed to glower at him from behind perfectly manicured hedges. It was the kind of place that screamed old money and even older secrets.

He hadn't told anyone where he was going – not his family, not Sean, not even Jessy. This was something he needed to do alone, to get answers straight from the source without any filters or well-meaning interference.

As he approached the gates, Gabe reached out with his magical senses, probing the wards that surrounded the property. They were strong, ancient things that thrummed with power. But beneath that initial impression of strength, Gabe could feel something... off. The wards were weakening, their edges fraying like an old sweater starting to unravel.

"Interesting," Gabe mused, filing that information away for later. He knew he'd need an invitation to get past those wards, no matter how weakened they might be. So, squaring his shoulders and pushing down the knot of anxiety in his gut, Gabe raised his hand and knocked on the ornate iron gates.

The sound echoed ominously, and for a long moment, nothing happened. Gabe was beginning to wonder if he'd have to resort to more drastic measures when the gates creaked open with a groan that spoke of rarely-oiled hinges.

Gabe made his way up the winding driveway, the crunch of gravel under his feet unnaturally loud in the eerie silence that blanketed the grounds. As he approached the front door – a massive, carved monstrosity that probably weighed more than his car – it swung open before he could knock.

A man stood in the doorway, dressed in an impeccably tailored suit that made Gabe suddenly, acutely aware of his own worn jeans and rumpled button-down. The man's face was a study in polite blankness, giving away nothing as he regarded Gabe with cool grey eyes.

"May I help you, sir?" the man asked, his voice as crisp and formal as his attire.

Gabe cleared his throat, fighting the urge to fidget under that impassive stare. "Uh, yes. I'm here to see Caroline Wisteria. It's important."

The man – butler? majordomo? sentient mannequin? – raised a single, perfectly groomed eyebrow. "I see. And you are?"

"Gabe Reed," Gabe replied, drawing himself up to his full height. "Of the Salem Reed coven."

Something flickered in the man's eyes at that – recognition, maybe, or concern. But it was gone as quickly as it had appeared, leaving Gabe to wonder if he'd imagined it.

"Very well, Mr. Reed. If you'll wait here, I'll inform Mrs. Wisteria of your arrival."

Before Gabe could protest, the door shut in his face with a soft but final click. He was left standing on the porch, feeling like an idiot and wondering if he'd made a huge mistake in coming here.

Just as he was considering saying 'fuck it' and heading back to his car, Gabe felt a shift in the magical energy around him. The wards rippled, then parted like a curtain, welcoming him onto the property.

The door opened again, revealing the butler's impassive face. "Mrs. Wisteria will see you now. Please, follow me."

Gabe stepped over the threshold, suppressing a shiver as the house's magic washed over him. It was old power, deep and complex, but with an undercurrent of... something he couldn't quite put his finger on. Unease? Grief? Whatever it was, it set his teeth on edge.

As the butler led him through winding hallways lined with portraits of stern-faced ancestors, Gabe couldn't help but marvel at the interior. It was like stepping back in time – all dark wood paneling, plush carpets, and furniture that probably cost more than he made in a year.

The butler shot him a look that might have been disapproval, but Gabe was too distracted to care. They were passing by a closed door, unremarkable among the many they'd already walked past, but something about it made Gabe's magical senses go haywire.

He stopped in his tracks, turning to face the door. There was something wrong here, a darkness that seemed to seep out from under the doorframe like an oil slick.

"What's in there?" Gabe asked, unable to keep the tension from his voice.

The butler stiffened, his composure cracking for the first time. "That room has been sealed for many years, Mr. Reed. No one enters it."

Gabe's eyes narrowed. "Why? What happened in there?"

For a moment, he thought the butler might actually answer. But then the mask of professional detachment slipped back into place. "It is not my place to say, sir. If you have questions about the house, I'm sure Mrs. Wisteria will be happy to address them. Now, if you'll follow me?"

Gabe hesitated, torn between his burning curiosity and the need to get answers from Caroline. In the end, practicality won out. He couldn't afford to antagonize his hosts before he'd even spoken to them.

"Right," Gabe said, forcing himself to turn away from the door. "Lead on."

Gabe followed the butler down the winding hallway, his mind still buzzing with questions about the mysterious sealed room. As they approached a set of imposing double doors, the butler paused, turning to face Gabe with an expression of polite detachment.

"Mrs. Wisteria's office, sir," he announced, rapping his knuckles against the polished wood in three sharp knocks. "Madam, Mr. Gabriel Reed to see you."

A muffled voice from within granted permission, and the butler stepped aside, gesturing for Gabe to enter. Taking a deep breath to steel his nerves, Gabe pushed open the door and stepped into the lion's den.

The office was exactly what Gabe would have expected from the matriarch of an old magical family – all dark wood paneling, leather-bound books, and antique furniture that probably cost more than his entire apartment. But it was the woman behind the massive mahogany desk that truly commanded his attention.

Caroline Wisteria looked like she'd been through hell. Her once-impeccable dress was rumpled, as if she'd slept in it, and dark circles ringed her eyes like bruises. She glanced up as Gabe entered, recognition flashing across her face.

"Mr. Reed," she said, her voice hoarse but still carrying an edge of authority. "To what do I owe this unexpected visit?"

Gabe hesitated, thrown off balance by Caroline's appearance. This wasn't the put-together, intimidating woman he'd been preparing himself to face. This was someone who looked like she was barely holding it together.

"Please, have a seat," Caroline said, gesturing to one of the leather armchairs in front of her desk. It wasn't a request.

Gabe sank into the chair, his mind racing. He'd come here with a plan, with carefully prepared questions and arguments. But faced with this unexpected version of Caroline Wisteria, he found himself at a loss.

Gabe cleared his throat. "I wanted to discuss some concerns about recent events in the magical community. Specifically, some disturbances that have affected both our covens."

It was a weak opening, and Gabe knew it. But he needed time to recalibrate, to figure out how to approach this situation.

Caroline's eyes narrowed slightly. “I see. And what concerns, exactly, bring you to my home unannounced?"

Gabe took a deep breath, deciding to take a risk. "Mrs. Wisteria, I'm here about Jessy. I was hoping you might have some information about her whereabouts."

The reaction was not what Gabe expected. Instead of concern or worry, Caroline's face went blank, almost bored. "Jessy is an adult, Mr. Reed. She's free to come and go as she pleases. I'm sure wherever she is, she's fine."

Gabe blinked, caught off guard by the complete lack of maternal concern. Something was very wrong here. He'd seen Jessy and Caroline together at coven gatherings before – they'd always seemed close, loving even. This cold dismissal didn't fit at all.

"With all due respect, Mrs. Wisteria," Gabe pressed, leaning forward slightly, “You didn’t even notice that she’s not around your coven?”

A flicker of something – anxiety? guilt? – passed across Caroline's face, so quickly Gabe almost missed it. But when she spoke, her voice was ice cold. "I don't see how my daughter's comings and goings are any of your business, Mr. Reed. If that's all you came here for, I'm afraid you've wasted your time."

Gabe felt his frustration rising. This wasn't going at all how he'd planned. He needed answers, dammit, not this wall of indifference.

"Mrs. Wisteria," he said, fighting to keep his voice level, "I'm not trying to pry. But Jessy's disappearance could be related to the larger threats our covens are facing. If you know anything – anything at all – that could help us find her-"

"Enough!" Caroline snapped, slamming her hand down on the desk. The sharp crack made Gabe jump. "I've told you, I don't know where Jessy is, nor do I particularly care. She's made her choices, and they are no longer my concern. Now, if you have nothing else to discuss, I suggest you leave."

Gabe stared at her, a cold feeling settling in his gut. This wasn't just a mother being dismissive. There was real anger there, real hurt. Whatever had happened to here was throwing Caroline off.

"I'm sorry," Gabe said, softening his tone. "I can see this is a sensitive subject. But Mrs. Wisteria, Jessy could be in real danger. If there's anything you can tell me that might help-"

He never got to finish the sentence. Caroline's eyes flashed with fury, and suddenly the air in the room felt charged, crackling with magical energy.

"Get out," Caroline hissed, her voice barely above a whisper but carrying the weight of a shout. "Get out of my house, now."

Before Gabe could react, he felt the wards of the house surge to life. An invisible force slammed into him, lifting him out of the chair and propelling him towards the door. He hit the hallway hard, stumbling to keep his feet as the office door slammed shut behind him.

"Well, shit," Gabe muttered, straightening his clothes. That could have gone better.

As he caught his breath, Gabe's eyes were drawn once again to that mysterious sealed door. Now that he was closer, he could feel the wrongness emanating from it even more strongly. Dark magic pulsed behind that innocuous-looking wood, setting Gabe's teeth on edge.

Without really thinking about it, Gabe found himself moving towards the door. His hand was halfway to the knob when a throat cleared behind him.

"I'm afraid that area is off-limits, Mr. Reed," the butler's crisp voice cut through Gabe's concentration. "If you've concluded your business with Mrs. Wisteria, I'll show you out."

Gabe turned, fighting down a wave of frustration. He was so close to something. He could feel it. But pushing his luck now would only get him magically ejected from the entire property.

"Right," Gabe said, forcing a polite smile. "Of course. Thank you for your hospitality."

Gabe's mind whirled with questions and half-formed theories. What was Caroline hiding? What had happened in that sealed room?

One thing was certain - this visit had raised far more questions than it had answered. Gabe knew he should probably call for backup, bring in the full resources of the Shadowguards to investigate. But a nagging voice in the back of his mind whispered that this was something he needed to figure out on his own.

As he stepped out into the sunlight, Gabe felt the weight of responsibility settle onto his shoulders once more. He'd come here looking for answers, but all he'd found were more mysteries. And with each passing moment, he couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out - not just for Jessy, but for all of them.

With one last look at the imposing Wisteria mansion, Gabe started the engine and pulled away. He had work to do, leads to follow, and a missing girl to find. The mysteries of the Wisteria family would have to wait - for now.

But as he drove back towards town, Gabe couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just scratched the surface of something much bigger and far more dangerous than he'd ever imagined. Whatever was going on with the Wisterias, it was clear that uncovering the truth would be no easy task.