Steven spotted her immediately, standing in the middle of the reception hall, gaping at the decorations. An unnatural amount of light shone through the windows, giving a better view of the décor. As he entered her head snapped towards him and she opened her mouth to say something. Steven was however quicker. Three clarion calls echoed through the mansion as he fired three curses at her in short succession.

Already he was weaving counter spells, the music now hurried and sounding vicious. A lot could and had been said about Dark Mage Cairn, both behind his back as well as to his face. None however, had ever had the gall to call him weak. His power was recognized and feared by light and dark mages alike. If this intruder was indeed his niece, something that remained to be seen, it was about time she learned how to behave in a fellow mage’s home.

There turned out to be no need for counter spells. The three curses had found their mark. He dropped the counter spells, letting the magic unravel as the music became quiet. “Currently you are bound, silenced and blinded.” He said softly as he walked towards the younger woman. She was in her late teens, or possibly early twenties, he had never been good with ages. She looked just like his sister had when she was younger. Big bright eyes, that were currently milky white. Average height. Red hair, shaven at the side, very much unlike what his sister had preferred at that age. Pierced ears, multiple rings, all unenchanted.

“Your defences are pathetic; your mother should have provided you with shield charms. She at least remembered what our father told us about rings.” He calmly said. “Better in your ears than on your fingers.” He looked around her, not a single protection charm or even a luck enchantment. “I will be contacting your mother, I am disappointed. Now, close your eyes.”

The girl followed his orders at least, but that might be because she was terrified. Her breathing was short and he could almost smell her terror. A soft hopeful melody began to play as he cast different restoration spells. In short order her sight returned and she could move her lips again, she remained bound to her spot. She opened her mouth, but before she could speak Steven lifted a finger. “If the next sentence out of your mouth contains profanity, I will have you locked up.”

Where he was going to lock her in was very much the question, unlike some he didn’t have holding cells in his mansion. His magic didn’t require human sacrifice and for people as well connected as he obtaining the right quantities of quality human blood didn’t require bleeding some poor soul in a dungeon. Contrary to most fiction, mages did move with the times. A quick phone call to the blood bank and a sizable donation usually sufficed.

“Your mother sent you to me to learn about the talent, did she not?” He asked softly.

The girl swallowed, then nodded. “Yes, she did, she never explained to me fully what that meant. Or anything for that matter.” Bitterness, anger, clearly the girl was shit at hiding her emotions.

“Lesson number one.” He barked, making the girl flinch. “Never, ever, start casting in another mage’s house, unless you are absolutely sure you can kill said mage.” He continued in a softer tone. “Follow me to the drawing room, we will have tea and I will give you time to ask questions.”

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Five minutes later they were sitting in awkward silence, having tea, which had been brought to them, by mister Stone, who had given the girl a warm smile. “Something on your mind mister Stone?” Steven asked a bit annoyed.

“Forgive me sir, the young lady reminds me of your sister, I was overtaken by nostalgia.” Steven’s lips curled into a smile.

“I imagine you must sometimes miss how lively things could get. My sister,” he elaborated, “was a trouble maker. Whenever our parents left the house she would invite as many people as she could and throw large parties. Mother didn’t appreciate those at all, did she Stone?”

The butler nodded, amusement in his eyes. “I can still see mistress Irene getting scolded, trying to hide her hangover.”

Steven nodded, grinning. “Or when father caught her in bed with Wilhelm. His laboratory wasn’t safe to enter for a month after that. Of course, since she left, the parties here have been lively in another manner entirely.” The smile slid off mister Stone’s face, and it settled into a polite mask.

“Where you thinking of hosting another one, sir?” Steven gave his niece a once over. “Perhaps, once she is ready.” He said.

“Can the two of you perhaps stop talking as if I’m not in the room?” His niece suddenly asked angrily. Mister Stone hurried to stand up straight as Steven leaned back into his chair.

“Forgive me niece, I barely had any forewarning of your coming and I’m prone to solitude. Mister Stone, could you perhaps prepare the ballroom for use? Make sure the mirrors are spotless.” The butler nodded and left them to their tea.

“So, niece, at long last we meet, did your mother ever tell you that you had an uncle in the old country?”

Serena shook her head. “Mother never talked about home or magic or anything to do with her old life. I always thought she was trying to put all that behind her.” Steven let out a bark of harsh laughter that made Serena jump.

“You could say that.” He softly said a second later, no mirth in his eyes. “She didn’t even come to your grandparents’ funerals. Father’s funeral I expected, they never got on well together, but surely, I thought, she would come to bury mother. Less emotional and sentimental than I thought.” Steven said with approval.

“And yet.” He said, staring at Serena with a cold, calculating gaze. “And yet, she sent you to me.” He leaned forwards. “I wonder why that is. The last time we spoke harsh words were said and when she didn’t respond to my letters or answered my calls, I thought her position was clear.” He shook his head, his lips curled into a sardonic smile. “People keep surprising you.”

Serena cleared her throat. “So, uhm, we’re mages, you and I, and mum is….” Steven tilted his head studying his niece, hope? No. Desire? Maybe.

“Completely and utterly normal.” He finished her sentence.

“And if I had children, they would be mages as well?” Serena half said, half asked.

“Perhaps, but statistically it is more likely you either won’t have children or they will be normal, like your mother. Magical lineages aren’t as clear cut as most people like to make them out. The talent often skips generations and a lot of mages lose their fertility once they start practicing.” Different emotions flashed over his niece’s face, clearly readable for all to see. “We’re going to have to work on that.” He muttered.

“Work on what?” She suddenly said angrily.

“Might use a mask for a while, even though it is silly.” He added. The cup in Serena’s hand was shaking.

“Now you listen here, uncle, so far, you’ve attacked me, talked about numerous things without any context whatsoever and now you’re making decisions for me, without explaining a thing. I’m not going to move an inch until you tell me what in the bloody hell is going on!” Her eyebrows were set in an angry furrow.

“Just like your mother.” He said with a smile, that for once reached his eyes.