𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐃 ━ 𝐬. 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞

━━ . SIX

Katherine stepped through the portal and into a mansion with modern architecture that looked more like the entrance to an art gallery than a true home. The polished floor was made from different kinds of wood, or what looked like wood at least. She had never seen any material like this before; not in any place she had visited anyhow.

A sunburst symbol cast in black lighter wood tones lay in front of a staircase, with elaborate geometric patterns accenting its center—Katherine turned to admire the soft, warm lighting and noticed two paintings framing the front door, but nothing compared to the majestic staircase before her. It was wide enough for a full-grown elephant to ascend to the floor above and Katherine couldn't help but stare in absolute awe at everything around her.

For some reason, she felt more at home in this place than she had her entire life.

"Where...are we?" Katherine asked softly, making sure to be careful in her steps in fear of accidentally damaging something.

"177A Bleecker Street." She was taking in everything around her and Stephen couldn't help but smile.

"Welcome to the Sanctum Sanctorum."

Katherine glanced over her should warily at him. "Your home has a name, but your cloak doesn't?"

His smile widened slightly. "Touché."

He gestured for her to lead the way, but Katherine knew not where she would go. Besides, she was too busy admiring the patterns on the floor, the designs on the walls. Lines intersecting with shapes that felt familiar, though she couldn't say why. She wished to touch them but fought back the temptation to do so.

 When they arrived at the second floor, there was similar décor—Ancient Egyptian busts and various artifacts from antiquity tucked away in corners, yet still visible. Suddenly, she turned down a corner and it turned into a crossroads of dark, yet alluring corridors—unfortunately, Katherine knew not where she was and if hadn't been for Stephen, she was sure she would have found herself lost in the never-ending maze of a home.

"The bedrooms are this way." Stephen said, making a right. Katherine followed him until the designs and decor became minimalist and simple. Walls of art became replaced by rows of doors all unique in their own rights.

"Wow." Katherine went to admire the intricate design of one door. "How many people live here?"

"Three." He replied. "That's including you. I don't believe Zelma's back yet."

Katherine raised a curious brow. "Another magical inanimate object or your wife?"

"Neither." Stephen replied hastily, almost as if he was annoyed. Katherine threw up her hands in playful defense. The Sorcerer eyed her with annoyance, but she couldn't help but keep prying.

"I'm just teasing you," She said jokingly, but Strange's expression said otherwise. "If she's not either of those things, then who is she?"

Stephen eyed her for a moment before responding. "A former student who's life I saved and to repay me, she decided to make herself the Sanctum's librarian."

Katherine mouthed an 'oh' and he rolled his eyes. She stifled a laugh as they continued down the hallway. Stephen went on to explain to her how he wished to one day, turn the Sanctum into an academy for the mystic arts and train students in it. He was obviously a very passionate man with high ambitions and Katherine appreciated the Sorcerer's vision for the future.

"Did you train here?" Katherine asked.

He shook his head. "I was trained under Mordo and the Ancient One at Kamar-Taj. That feels like a lifetime ago now."