Chapter 807 Forced

Chapter 807 Forced

Aubrey Hall's office was still neat to look at, even though she had plenty of work...

Her day began with the collection of paper or old newspapers and even some copies of police reports, that were preserving tales of hauntings and arcane mysteries. She was able to get connected with the police information because of her connection to the Arcanist Guild of the town.

On the left side of her room, bookshelves were lined with leather-bound tomes on paranormal phenomena, their pages worn from frequent consultation.

Her morning was spent cross-referencing a client's report of spectral apparitions with historical accounts from "Ghosts of the Old Cities" and "Ethereal Encounters".

Notes were scribbled in the margins of her notepad, as theories took shape as she connected the dots between past and present.

Well, she had many other cases, so she couldn't simply focus on the living flesh. She had bills to pay and had to work on cases.

Midday brought a new client, a farmer who spoke of crop circles and lights in the sky. Aubrey listened intently, marking his account against similar cases in "Beast Art's Rituals" and "Elemental Arts' Formation Patterns".

She promised to visit his farm, her mind already cataloging possible explanations.

The afternoon was reserved for the enigma residing in her basement—the living flesh.

Aubrey descended the stairs with nervousness, the memory of the previous night's experiment weighing heavily on her.

The cat, once vibrant and full of energy, now lay listless, its life force seemingly drained by the entity.

She confirmed that the living flesh could really take life force from living beings.

Of course, the cat was already sent to a carer who would try to heal it back.

Anyway, Aubrey's approach to learn more about the flesh was methodical.

Her observations were detailed as she monitored the flesh's reactions from various experiments.

"Untainted Sentinels," she murmured, a hint of wariness in her voice.

These figures were none other than Teresa and Clare, who had arrived in this two several days ago.

Teresa stepped forward, her tone polite yet edged with steel. "Ms. Hall, we've come for the remnants of the vampire you've taken into your possession. It was quite difficult to sense it with the layers of protection in your office... Is that made by your father?" She asked with an amused tone.

Clare chuckled and chimed in, her words laced with mockery.

"Surely, a Paranormal Investigator of your caliber understands the danger of harboring such... relics. You may have taken an interest in it and brought it in your place, but that should be enough... Just continue with your daily work as a public servant."

Aubrey, of course, didn't like their tone.

Perhaps, if they explained more clearly and kindly, she might consider cooperating with them.

However, she felt that she was being mocked by these two.

After taking a deep breath, she shook her head and squared her shoulders, meeting their gaze.

"I'm conducting important research. That 'relic' is key to understanding a broader phenomenon. I won't hand it over without proper cause."

Teresa's smile was thin, unamused. "This is beyond your pay grade, Ms. Hall. Hand it over, or we'll be forced to take it."

Aubrey's response was firm, her voice rising. "I refuse. And if you attempt anything, I'll file a formal complaint with the Arcanist Guild."

The Arcanist Guild wasn't should not be underestimated as recently, it had become a lot more powerful under the guidance of the new Guildmaster called Merlin. This old man who came out of nowhere was a Half-Immortal and was several times more active than the previous Guildmaster.

Because of that, the Guild became respected by every town and city where it had a branch.

Clare's eyes narrowed, and she took a step closer. "We were hoping to resolve this amicably, but you leave us no choice."