“The investigation has started, Mr. William. We might be dealing with something powerful. The fee won’t change so you can be at ease.”


    “That’s a relief.”


    Tom reported to his client on the phone. He had yet to conclude what they were up against, but it was safe to decide that it''s strong. Carelessness could be fatal. Tom made it a point to overestimate the enemy to leave no chance of error. He was cautious by nature.


    “Also, I have something to tell you I think I should have told you yesterday. Remember, I told you that my brother Peter always had an eye on that house. It''s just a possibility, but I think Peter has placed a curse on it. He can’t do it himself but can hire someone to do it.”


    “Did you say curse?”


    “Yeah.”


    “Thank you for telling me. I shall keep that in mind.”


    This information opened up a whole new possibility. The data was quite useful. But Tom wasn''t pleased to hear it.


    --Curses are a pain.


    There were two types of curses, natural and supernatural. Ironically, natural are more dangerous to deal with. They can''t be detected directly and change the laws of nature itself. They are problematic to dispel but so is casting them. Only grand mages can cast them, and even if you could hire one, it would take a fortune. The first one was out.


    Then there are supernatural. They aren’t really curses. You just contract some demons to haunt the place. If the demons are skilled, they can hide their presence. There were still some things that didn''t make sense, but that theory looked plausible. Tom needed more data.


    “Ray, get ready. We’re going.”


    “Where?”


    “Peter’s house.”


    “It’s unfortunate what happened to my brother. You can’t help but feel sorry for him.”


    It was plain as day that Peter was much better off than his brother. His full set of brown hair, healthy body, and bright face were just some of the proves that instantly come to display. His house was much grander than his brother as well.


    “Mr. Peter, do you have any idea on how the house could have been haunted?”


    "Hmm…No idea. I could come up with an arbitrary explanation, but I don''t want to throw you off your path."


    Peter sat crossed legged across the sofa.


    “You don’t need to worry. Any information would be helpful.”


    “Well, there’s a rumor going around that someone cursed the place.”If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    “It’s funny that your brother said the same thing except that he thinks that you had something to do with the curse.”


    “What?”


    Tom openly gave out the information. He wanted to see how Peter would react to this. People usually give a piece of valuable information when they are surprised. Though Tom''s skills were weak in this area. He specializes in dealing with paranormal creatures, not with humans.


    Peter gave a hearty laugh.


    “Of course, he would say that. You see, we have a bit of bad blood between each other. He was always suspicious of others and did what he wanted. I wanted the summer house and proposed 200 grand for it. But he outright refused me. Can you believe it? The guy refused 200 thousand dollars. I had the money and loved the house. It''s natural he would be suspect me to do something. I assure you I have no hand in this."


    “Will you still buy the house now?


    “I would for half the price I offered initially. But that stubborn idiot won’t give it to me even now. He’s hopeless.”


    “Thank you for your time, Mr. Peter.”


    “It’s alright. Hope you get rid of the ghost.”


    Meeting Peter boosted Tom''s suspicion that Peter could be behind this. He has the money to hire a demon contractor to haunt the place, but no sign of ill will could be sensed from him, not that this was Tom''s strong suit. If the demons are bound by a contract, then the contract can be broken.


    Demons are similar to humans in the sense that they will work if you pay them. If the contract is destroyed, they have no obligation to work and will leave. Tom just had to confirm one thing. Breaking a contract is possible, but with Tom''s current skills, he would need the help of expensive equipment to help break it. If somehow he is wrong, he could never recover from this financially. Tom had to be sure that it was demons.


    “Why are you taking this route?”


    Tom asked the driver.


    "The other road is blocked. This is longer, but it''s faster because there isn''t any traffic here."


    The driver was on the road that headed out of the town. They stopped at the post to get checked. The town is also notorious, serving as a hub for drugs. Every car is thoroughly checked for narcotics. They soon made it out, and the driver took a left turn to head into the forest and soon arrived at the summer house.


    Tom and Rachel had to wait till night to do anything. Weak demons generally hate sunlight or bright areas. They hide in damp and dark places until night arrives. Time was running out as the second day was almost over as well with no progression.


    Tom used this time to gather the things he needed. When night arrived, he began the ritual. He chose the bedroom as it was the cleanest of all and made a pentagram with mercury. He lit 5 candles and placed each one near the edge of the star. He stepped inside the circle and took out a blade to prick himself. He dropped 3 drops of blood in the center and chanted.


    “Zeistay…Ascenta…Shama!”


    The candles fell and lit the pentagram on fire. A purple light illuminated the room with hints of red and yellow.


    “Hey, demons. Show yourself right now.”


    "I don''t think they will come out if you ask so rudely. They might be scared. Try saying please."


    Rachel suggested as 5 minutes went by with no response. Tom wanted to slap his sister for saying that demons are scared of him but couldn''t because of the circle''s effect.


    “Da Vinci himself invented this ritual to interact with supernatural creatures. No one can lay a finger on the other without consent in its vicinity. Mind telling me how they are scared?”


    “It’s your voice.”


    Tom decided to wait until the circle to disappear to deliver the slap.


    The pentagram has many different uses but is usually affiliated with summoning the devil or demons when it only offers protection. Humans are generally the weakest of creatures when compared to other beings.


    Leonardo Da Vinci''s desire to meet them made him come up with this. This circle borrows the power of God himself to offer protection. Usually, all meetings with ghosts, demons, or occasionally with the devil are done this way, giving it its bad reputation. If you ignore that, the pentagram has many uses in magic, cosmology, alchemy, etc.


    The circle has the natural tendency to attract paranormal creatures towards it, yet no response was found in the house all night. Tom spent the entire night in the house trying other things to get their attention only to waste his resources.