Brooke and George led the team out of the office and through the large house. Built to house the preserve’s caretaker and their family the house was spacious and well decorated. The walls were lined with pictures, most in black and white.

“Only a couple of you should come with me to meet Blake” Brooke said as they made it to the front door “He doesn't like to be around a lot of people”

“I’ll take the rest of you to the guest cabin” George stated

“We’ll go meet Blake” Josh said nodding at Eve

“Is this cabin cursed?” Elijah asked suspiciously “What's up with the only three nights rule?”

“That’s part of the treaty” Brooke explained “The cabin is better protected than nearly any other structure in the preserve. Even fairies and imps are included in its protections. However the protections will only last for three nights, on the fourth night the protections will fall”

“Magic in your world has weird rules” Elijah grumbled

“Remember them well” Kasha said “Powerful magic can be performed through simple means”

“Are fairies and imps usually excluded?” Louie asked suddenly

“Fairies are creatures of light” George asked “They could also be considered one of the most peaceful magical creatures on preserves. They are often given access to protected areas as they don’t cause trouble. Imps have a unique relationship with fairies, sometimes they can cross boundaries free for fairies.”

“As you saw we allow fairies into the gardens surrounding the house” Brooke added “No other creatures are allowed in the yard”

“Don’t mistake their peacefulness for a lack of danger” Kasha warned from George’s shoulder “They may be creatures of light but they can cause plenty of harm if you get on their bad side”

“What's the relationship between fairies and imps?” Louie questioned

“Imps are fallen fairies” Brooke answered “George can answer anymore questions on the way to the cabin”

Brooke opened the door and held it as George and the team members exited. Josh and Eve waited on the long porch for Brooke while the others followed George down a path.

“Blake should be a little into the woods” Brooke said “I’m sure he’s anxious to get away from here”

“Does Blake not live here?” Josh asked as they started walking

“He has a room where he stores some items” Brooke explained “but his work leaves him out in the preserve for days. I don’t think he’s slept in the bed since he started working here”

“So he's very committed to his work” Josh mused

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“That and he doesn't want to be around people” Brooke said “His words, not mine”

“At least he's honest” Josh said with a nervous chuckle “So he probably won’t want to guide us”

“I doubt it” Brooke said honestly “but I don’t know the guy very well. He hasn’t been with us very long”

“How does one become a groundskeeper for a preserve?” Eve asked “Did he need some kind of training”

As the trio walked they passed deeper into the forest surrounding them.

“He chose the job” Brooke said “Usually George and I share the task but when he heard about the job he hopped on it. Like I said he really doesn;t like being around people”

“You weren't worried he’d get hurt?” Josh asked in concern

“Like I said, he chose the job” Brooke said evenly “He said he was confident he could do it and I had no reason to doubt him. So far he’s been doing a great job”

“I’m glad to hear that,” A new voice said.

Whirling Josh and Eve saw a man walking behind them. The man was of asian descent and stood taller and broader than Josh. His hiking clothes clung to his muscled frame.

“We talked about that Blake” Brooke said annoyed “You can’t silently follow people, say something”

“Sorry” Blake said without inflection “You need me to guide you somewhere?”

“Our guest’s want to visit the abandoned hamlet” Brooke said, motioning to Josh

Blake noticeably stiffened at the mention of the hamlet, a frown growing on his face.

“We have to see them” Josh said “We would like to have a guide as we aren’t familiar with the creatures on this preserve. I understand if you don’t want to but I promise my team is strong and will protect you as we travel”

“What do you want with the hamlet?” Blake questioned, his voice stern

“We found an artifact that came from there” Josh answered “It holds magic that is being used to kill people. We’re trying to learn how best to fight this magic”

Blake’s fists clenched as Josh spoke, veins were protruding on his forearm by the end. He glared at Brooke who was staring at a tree.

“I’ll take you” Blake decided “I have to go there anyway now. We leave tomorrow at dawn”

“Thank you” Josh said hesitantly “You seem upset about this though”

Before Josh finished speaking Blake turned and began walking away from the group.

“Let him go” Brooke said “He’s just being paranoid”

“He looked really mad” Josh noted

“He has personal problems with the archaeologist that explored the hamlet” Brooke explained “He probably thinks its his fault”

“Could it be?” Eve asked “It’s a little suspicious that he’s gone missing”

“No it's not” Brooke shook her head “Not for him. Blake is just being bitter, there's no way he would harm anyone”

“What happened between Blake and the archaeologist?” Josh asked

“Don’t know” Brooke said “If I did it's not my business to tell”

“Why don’t you say the archaeologist's name?” Eve questioned “Not once have you mentioned it”

Brooke didn’t answer right away “He goes by many names and prefers to remain anonymous”

“Does that mean you won’t tell us why he went to the hamlet?” Eve continued

“That’s correct” Brooke said “I don’t tell other people’s business”

“Any information could be important to us” Josh said

“I’ll show you too the cabin” Brooke responded and began walking back to the house

Eve and Josh let her put some distance between them before following.

“What are you thinking?” Eve asked quietly

“I think we have a lot to talk about with Blake” Josh answered.