Hemlock Grove: No Turning Back

••● Chapter Seven: The Ritual of the Soul ●••

Arriving at the house the car wasn't in the parking lot which meant I was home alone. It felt like ever since I moved I barely got to even see my dad. It made me wonder if there was something crazy going on in the white tower which caused him to work overtime. I unlocked the door kicking my boots off, "Layla I'm home." I called out through the empty house. It was a little strange that I found comfort in her presence, knowing she was around I didn't feel so... alone. 

"You know you don't have to shout. I'm right in the living room," the young girl's voice stated flatly, "Oh sorry." I added coming around the corner seeing Layla sitting on the couch swinging her legs, I gave a smile to the little girl, who gave a cheerful innocent one back. "Oh, what happened to your lip?"

 "Oh, This? Nothing, it was an accident." I replied, totally forgetting I had a cut lip from earlier today. She looked at me long and hard almost ready to say something but kept her mouth shut, "Hm?" I questioned with a simple sound, she shook her head clearly not wanting to talk about what was on her mind. Since she wasn't speaking I headed back to the kitchen to make myself a tea. I pulled a mug out of the cupboard placing my tea bag in and some sugar I paused, slightly biting my lip deep in thought, "Hey Layla, what do you know of werewolves? Or spells to send ghosts to the astral plane to cross into the light?" 

"Be a little more vague with what you are asking about werewolves, there is much more to a man-beast such as that." 

"Well, I mean what do you know of imprinting? What exactly is that? I mean I've heard of it but what does it mean to a werewolf?" Layla appeared on the stool, her facial expression quite serious "That's a rather odd question to be asking. But imprinting is when the werewolf finds its so-called soul mate. Its like love at first sight sort of, it doesn't mean that the individual it imprinted has to love it back. But I also think its a way of marking something so it can be hunted. It really depends on how the wolf sees it. I mean when the wolf leaves its imprint it can pick up your smell and everything else. Why don't you ask Peter? He knows more."

I gave a nod to her explanation "I might ask Peter. But right now I'm not in the mood to talk to him. Or Roman." 

 "Oh, did something go on between you all?"

 The kettle soon turned off with a click as  I filled my cup and put milk in it before taking a seat with Layla at the counter to continue our discussion, "It doesn't matter if something did or not. What about spells for ghosts?" I questioned taking a sip of tea, she gave a frown to my answer but left it at that not being one to pry, "I know there's one to help them cross over it can take your life force and it drains your energy a lot. It can be very dangerous. Unskilled witches, psychics and mediums could possibly die from it. Why do you ask?" 

"I'm just a little curious nothing serious, but thanks for the information. It helped quite a bit. Is there anything I can get you? something to eat or drink?" I questioned, "No. I'm a spirit, not human." she replied flatly as if I offended her, "I'm so sorry, I just forget. And of course you're human, just cause you're a spirit doesn't make you any less of a human. Actually, it makes you more of a human than you may know." I reassured her, as I saw a gentle smile form on her face.

She seemed very appreciative of my words, soon the front door opened my head shooting towards the direction to see my Dad come in. Looking back to where Layla was there was nothing but an empty seat.

"Hi Dad", I greeted him as he came into the kitchen he looked so tired, "Hey sweetie, how was school today?" He questioned feeling the kettle to see if it was hot, which it was as he grabbed a mug making himself a coffee. "Oh you know, school was school. I dissected a cow heart today."I said, to see my dad let out a small chuckle "A cow heart? How was that." "Super gross, I can't even imagine working on a human body. Dis- gust- ing."