"It has to be here" Alicia crossed her fingers, stopping at the room she believed belonged to the panther. She had based this assumption on pure thought but rather a simple spatial spell was able to reveal to her the mana signatures of every assassin that had walked through the castle within a period of twelve hours.
Thankfully Leo's mana signature for an assassin was pretty strong and so stood out among the weak traces emanated from that of the other weaklings that called what she considered a pigsty, home.
The panther faced knocker on the door only helped to reaffirm her thoughts and with one silent spell the spatial Supreme faded through and entered the panther's den.
A brief look around the place revealed nothing but personal articles, bookshelves and a large red book that laid on the intricate reading table.
After seeing that this room and possibly the entire castle didn't have what she was looking for, Alicia decided out of curiosity to just take a look inside the book.
The book to her surprise turned out to be some diary, it's red cover was tattered and faded but judging by the fine print and the turquoise crystal in it's front; she could tell that this book in front of her had come from a time when important information was still written with beautiful runes that prevented outside readers from peering.
Shaking her head Alicia wondered why the assassin had such an ancient book in the first place and so she took it upon herself to find out its contents.
"That's strange" Alicia frowned, placing her hand on the book's cover again but still not getting any response.
"Most ancient texts including diaries rarely have powerful runes that could last for this long and are too complex for someone of my magical caliber, Maybe I am doing it all wrong".
Again she tried, but this time with two glowing hands that emanated a violent source of mana.
"This was obviously written by a very powerful mage". "Probably someone of at least Supreme level".
Turning the book to take a look at its back Alicia sighed.
"But the problem that remains is why the boy is able to read it, for the crystal show's signs that it has been used recently.
"Unless, if it was written by a long lost ancestor who had solicited the mage's help in keeping the secrets of his diaries away from anyone outside his bloodline".
"Sadly for you". Alicia smiled tapping the crystal. "I know someone that might prove helpful in uncovering your secrets, it seems this journey wasn't as useless as I thought".
"Good evening Supreme Alicia". A loud voice boomed from the doorway.
Clenching her teeth in slight anger Alicia turned around beaming with a smile that wasn't going to fool anyone.
"Care to explain what you're doing here? Bethran raised an eyebrow. "Cause I'm pretty sure Leo isn't into older women"
"Mind your tone boy" Alicia grinned. "Remember I started walking when your grandparents first learnt how to crawl"
*CREAK*
Bethran didn't even know when the door behind him slammed tight shut. All his false sense of bravado in that instant left him because he knew very well that if Alicia was really hell bent on going unnoticed here, she could practically do anything to keep it that way, even if it meant killing an assassin who wasn't going to be much of a match for her.
"Now that I've gotten your attention". Alicia's wide smile quickly changed into a serious frown. "Do you mind telling me where the crystal is?
"What crystal? Bethran asked while slowly getting into an attacking position.
Alicia clenched the table's edge in what looked like frustration before she stared right into the werewolf's green eyes. "I won't repeat myself".
"You don't scare me". Bethran growled.
"Tsk Tsk".
Bethran kicked off the floor in one insane burst of speed, cracking the floor and aiming five deadly claws for the mage's face.
To his surprise Alicia didn't try to block the attack and evaded the attack by just shifting her head to the right before slapping the back of his neck.
"Sh*t" Bethran growled. "What did you do to me". His massive muscles strained some more, desperately trying to free themselves from the unseen force that had managed to hold them in one place.
Alicia didn't reply for her eyes were now currently focused on the few beams of light that started to come through the opposite window.
She took one more step towards Bethran but then as if on a second thought she turned around and headed for the door.
Eventually she stopped at the doorway with a raise of the red book in her hand.
"Tell your friend to meet me at the sacred grove if he wants to see this again".
Turning around she smiled. "You are just lucky I didn't t pay attention in my telepathy classes as a kid".
"AS for that crystal". The Supreme chuckled maniacally before continuing. "I will still find it".
"You do know that once I'm out of here, everyone in the Phoenix is going to know that you snuck in here and how you planned to keep a book of valuable and dangerous knowledge for yourself. Bethran smirked
Alicia only shook her head as though out of pity. "Fine by me, but know this".
Alicia's last words came out as she slowly disappeared in a shimmer of golden light.
"I know your secret".
"F*ck! Bethran kicked the chair in front of him; sending it flying and making it scatter against the room walls. "Why didn't I see this happening".
"Though I wonder why he left the book lying around like that".
"Oh well, I just hope he will be able to keep his head on when he meets her at the grove".
…..
"This will be most interesting" Alicia smiled, stepping into her room and taking a seat at the table.
The red book instantly appeared on its center along with a red quill and a strange little stone that had a beautiful white crescent etched on it.
"Forget summoning, this book might actually be the key to finally getting my revenge".