"Stop doing that."

Zoye's voice was just a hiss as she stopped next to Angelo. He returned her annoyed angry look, cool and dismissive.

"I'm not doing anything."

"If Viv were here, she would rip your head off."

"She would if she could. But as you say, she's not here."

"The guest goes first."

"The guest means trouble."

A bang, then a gust of wind that swept across the room. All the lights flickered for a moment and faded, as if a shadow were casting over them. But just a few seconds later, everything was back to normal. Except for the fact that the door was still open. The silhouette of a woman peeled out of the darkness of the night. Her long, light brown hair fell in light waves onto her long black cloth coat. Her face looked like a colorless mask against the dark fabric, her skin was so white. Curious brown eyes slowly wandered the room. She paused at each person, wandering to Ian last. She just looked at him for a moment before curling her dark red lips into a friendly smile. The heels of her black boots clicked as she stepped down the small step into the room. She carefully closed the door behind her before crossing the room towards the bar. Everyone in the room followed her movement.

"A mulled wine", the woman ordered halfway.

When she arrived at the bar, she pulled her hands out of her black leather gloves with an elegant movement and put them down in front of her. So far, neither Zoye nor Angelo had moved or said anything. But when the new guest raised an eyebrow, Zoye took a deep breath.

"A mulled wine? Of course. Welcome to the Gray Inn. Do you plan to stay longer, my dear."

"That depends entirely on the circumstances. For now I would be satisfied with a drink."

Her gaze wandered to Angelo as she began to unbutton her coat. A tight smile showed on his face. Zoye inwardly sighed. At least he tried. However, that seemed to amuse the woman very much.

"Relax Angelo. I'm not here for you."

"I don't know we know each other."

"No, we never met. But I know your name."

The woman had Zoye take off her coat and took a seat at the bar. Under her matel she wore a plain white blouse and black trousers. Ian couldn't help but think of an undertaker. He had only heard half of what was being said, but it was enough to wonder what kind of place he had gotten into here.

Angelo still hadn't moved and so Zoye took on the task of preparing the drink. In the meantime, the woman leaned her right cheek on her hand and openly returned Angelo's gaze.

"I make you nervous don't I?"

"No."

"Of course not."

She gave a small laugh before shaking her head.

"All the same. Always think they have to be the bravest in the room. As if not everyone in the room feel their fear."

Angelo let out a snort. He grabbed his towel and headed for the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" Asked Zoye, confused.

"Do the dishes. You said the dishwasher needs to be cleared out. "

He was through the door before the cook could reply.

"Yes, I said that yesterday."

She shook her head in annoyance before serving the guest her drink.

"I apologize for his behavior. That's not the way we generally do our service here."

The guest raised his hand and waved it.

"That's fine. I tend to get that kind of reaction in people like Angelo. I don't take it personally. Will the lady of the house be back soon?"

"Unfortunately I can't give you any information about that. But I can inform her of your presence as soon as possible."

The woman glanced toward the front door before taking a detour to Ian.

"I don't think that will be necessary, but if you do, I would be thankfull. I think I'll sit by the fireplace. There is nothing nicer at this time of year than a warm fire. Is there a recommendation for the meals? "

"We currently have pumpkin soup on the menu, as well as rabbit ragout."

"The latter sounds good. I need some meat again. Could you bring me a portion?"

Zoye nodded in agreement and the woman rose. She looked for a place near the fireplace, to the left of Ian. On the way to the little couch corner, which she had chosen, she passed Ian. She smiled at him. Ian tried to move the corners of his mouth up, but the feeling of stiff skin had returned. Was the door still open? His eyes wandered to the front door, which seemed tightly locked. But where did the cold breath come from that suddenly began to fill the room. Ian picked up his hot chocolate. The whiskey helped get him out of his thoughts a little, but this feeling of restlessness remained. Out of the corner of his eye he thought he saw the shadows slowly beginning to circle around him. How they darkened the room, just before the woman appeared. And the framework above him twisted again, groaning and groaning.

It's just an old house. They just have it. They are cold and make noises. What else should it be? Ghosts?

With a strange feeling of having to face his fears, Ian cleared his throat.

"May I ask what brings you here?"

Did this woman ever stop smiling? It was slowly becoming more of a mask than it was generally friendly behavior.

"I'm here for business. I have a job that involves traveling a lot and getting a break in a place like this is a real treat. Even with Angelo's disgruntled disposition. And you Ian, what brings you here? "

"I needed a break."

The answer came out faster than he could think. And the clarity surprised him. Far more than the fact that she knew his name. Did Zoye mention him earlier?

"I understand. We all need that from time to time. You made a good choice for that."

"I didn't really made the choice. It was the only building nearby."

"Was that it? Then you are probably even more fortunate than I thought."

Ian nodded, but wasn't sure if he should really call it luck.

"What's your next goal?"

"I don't know. I didn't think about it."

Cold crept up Ian's body again. As if he were out in the blizzard again. Almost at the same time the shutters started to rattle outside. Presumably the wind was pushing its way through the cracks of the house. The cold was really unyielding. Couldn't he even escape her here?

"Where are you from? Where do you come from?"

"I dont know."

He couldn't help but give her an angry look. Slowly the questions became exhausting. And inappropriate. What was it to her, where he came from or what his plans were.

"You don't know? Really? What do you remember?"

She didn't even seem to understand the look. Ian sat up. The cold had increased further. Ice crystals began to form on the inside of the building.

"Come on Ian. You have to remember where you're from."

She leaned forward, her eyes fixed on his. Did she challenge him? She knew very well that he didn't want to talk and asked further anyway. How could a person be so rude. He straightened up, still raging in an ice-cold rage. He didn't even notice how the woman's body was tensing. And as the shadows began to displace the light again.

"Good evening. How nice to see you in my Inn."

The touch of a hand on his shoulder made Ian wince. He spun around, the feeling of anger suddenly gone. Behind him stood a woman, her golden blonde hair tied up in a loose bun, dressed in a dark red sweater, dark blue jeans and black, high-heeled boots. But what caught him most was her warm smile. While her gray-blue eyes were like ice, it was the only thing about her that looked distant. She had taken her hand back after drawing their attention. After a friendly nod in his direction, her gaze wandered to the woman.

"Emma, ​​we haven't seen each other in a long time. What an unexpected surprise."

The woman rose, came over to her and the two kissed each other on both cheeks.

"You know how it is Viv, it only takes me near if my job allows it."

"I see. Then please, rest and I think Zoye will be with you shortly with your meal."

Viv put her hand on Emma's elbow and directed her to a table closer to the bar. Ian couldn't see her interlocutor's reaction, but if he was honest he didn't care. He was glad that she wasn't sitting right next to him anymore and pestering him with her stupid questions. He quickly drained the last of his hot chocolate before moving closer to the fire. The cold should go out of his body again and yet it persisted. Ian sighed in frustration as he kept his eyes fixed on the flames.

 

"Can you explain to me what you do?"

Emma raised an eyebrow when she heard the cool voice in the others.

"I do my job Vivenya. I thought you would understand that."

"But it would be very helpful to me if it didn't end in me needing to renovate everything afterwards. And you know that I prefer Viv."

"Which I don't understand. Very few who come here would be surprised at such a name."

Emma sat down at the table to which Viv had directed her.

"Now what? I can't go empty-handed."

"You can have Angelo."

"Hey."

Angelo, who had been forced by Zoye to serve the food, almost let the plates down with too much force. Angry and reproachful, he fixed Vivenya, who did not react in return. Emma shook her head.

"First of all, it doesn't work that way, and you know that, and we have an agreement on Angelo, if you remember?"

"Of course I remember. I went to see you to negotiate."

It was obvious that Angelo wanted to say something else, but he stopped at Vivenya's last sentence. Only now did she look over at him for a moment.

"You can go Angelo."

"Yes, boss."

As the man left, Vivenya turned back to Emma. The woman examined the food while she rotated the fork in her hand.

"So how do you think we should do better?" She asked.

Her gaze made it clear that she didn't expect any method other than her own to work.

"Give me until dawn," Vivenya replied, "Then if he doesn't go willingly, do it your way."

"Well then I wish you the best of luck", Emma smiled and began to eat, "You will need it."

With an annoyed snort, the proprietor of the Inn turned away. Since the bar area was empty, she headed straight for the kitchen. She wasn't surprised that she found both Zoye and Angelo here. Both looked up when she walked in.

"Can't you get rid of her boss?" Asked Angelo.

He kept running his index finger over his beard.

"No. I cannot deny her what she is entitled to. And would it be so wrong?"

Zoye shook his head and then handed Vivenya a wine glass with a thick, red liquid in it.

"Viv is right. You saw what Ian looked like when he got here. And he didn't remember anything. He needs help."

In the brief pause that arose, Vivenya took a few sips of her drink and then licked her pale lips thoughtfully.

"I think the basic approach was not wrong. The implementation was just questionable. I'll see what I can do. Zoye, can you bring me another mulled wine?"

"With or without blood."

Already walking in motion, Vivenya paused again and tilted her head thoughtfully to one side.

"Without. I don't want to risk frightening our guest. And Angelo?"

"Yes boss?"

He stuck his chin forward a little and took a broader stance.

"Bring Mr. Lengh his food and then take a break. I'll call you when we need you again."

"I ... um ... okay boss."

He quickly picked up a tray full of sandwiches and left the kitchen for the basement. Vivenya waited for the door to close behind him.

"Can we shield the taproom?"

"Do you fear our guest will cause such problems?"

"You never know. And it's always better to be safe than sorry. Will you keep me company outside?"

"I will as soon as I have prepare the drinks and the protection circleet."