Mystery: Gray Walker

Chapter 141 Test

"She's resting upstairs."

Green said, "She barely slept last night, and after breakfast I told her to go back to her room and rest for a while."

Vera took a silver pocket watch from her leather briefcase and glanced at the time. "Is now an appropriate time to see her? Or should she rest a little longer?"

Green hesitated for a moment.

He hoped Sula could sleep a little longer, but every minute that passed increased the uncertainty.

"I'll go see if she's awake," Green said calmly.

"I'll go with you."

Vera said, while placing the suitcase on the dining table and opening it.

Various items were neatly arranged inside:

Several bottles of liquids of different colors, several bundles of herbs tied with silk thread, several small silver utensils, several leather-covered notebooks, and some strange items that Green did not recognize.

Vera took out a small silver incense burner and a small bag of powder from it.

"If she's awake, we can start right there in the living room. I need a quiet, comfortable environment, preferably with a fireplace."

"The living room is ready."

Clarice said, "Reinhard, go and light the fireplace."

"Yes, Miss." Leonard bowed and left.

Green led Vera up to the second floor. He stopped outside Sura's door and knocked gently.

"Sura? Is she awake?"

There was a rustling sound from inside the door, followed by Sula's muffled voice: "Brother? I'm awake—come in."

Green pushed open the door.

Sula had sat up, leaning against the headboard, clutching a pillow. Her eyes were still a little red and swollen, but she seemed more awake than before.

"This is Ms. Vera."

"She's here to help us," Green explained.

Sura's gaze fell on Vera, and she became visibly tense. She gripped the pillow in her arms tightly and shrank back slightly.

Vera didn't approach immediately, but stood in the doorway, giving Sula a gentle smile: "Hello, Sula. Don't be nervous, I'm just here to chat. You can call me Aunt Vera, if you prefer."

Her voice had a peculiar soothing quality, and Sula's tense shoulders relaxed slightly.

I heard you like to draw.

Vera continued, slowly entering the room but not getting too close, "Could you show me your work? Or describe what you've been painting lately?"

Sula hesitated for a moment, then whispered, "I—I can draw the sea. I can see the harbor from my window—"

"That must be beautiful."

Vera said she sat down on a chair by the bed, keeping a comfortable distance from Sula. "What color is the sea at sunset? I guess it must be gold and purple."

Sula's eyes lit up: "How did you know?"

"Because I've seen it."

Vera smiled. "Many years ago, I lived for a while in a small town on the east coast. Every evening, I would sit on the cliff and watch the sea. The sunset would paint the clouds with the color of fire, and the sea would look like melting amethyst."

Her description was vivid and evocative, and Sula was drawn in without realizing it: "I draw like that too—but my technique isn't good enough, and I can never capture that feeling."

"Painting requires time and practice."

Vera said, "More importantly, you need a heart that can appreciate beauty. From your description, I can tell you have such a heart."

As she spoke, Green noticed a fleeting, very faint silver glint in her eyes.

The light was very faint, almost imperceptible unless one looked closely. But Green could sense the spiritual flow in the air, gentle yet firm, like invisible tentacles gently reaching out to Sura.

Sula seemed completely unaware.

She was describing a new technique she had recently tried, her tone tinged with a rare excitement.

Vera listened patiently, occasionally nodding or asking questions.

But Green noticed that her fingers, which were resting on her knees, began to curl slightly, as if she were fiddling with something.

This process lasted about ten minutes.

Vera did not ask any questions about the Hayes family tragedy, nor did she touch on any topics that might make Sula nervous.

She just talked about painting, the sea, colors, and light.

Finally, she stood up. "Sura, would you like to come with me to the living room for a while? It's more comfortable there, and we can continue our conversation. I also brought some calming spices to help you relax."

Sura looked at Green, seemingly seeking confirmation. Green nodded: "I'll stay with you."

The three of them walked together toward the living room.

Leonard had already lit the fireplace, making the room warm and cozy. Hot tea and snacks were laid out on the coffee table.

Vera had Sula sit on a single sofa covered with a soft blanket, while she sat opposite him.

She took the silver incense burner from her briefcase and lit the packet of powder. A faint scent, a blend of lavender and sandalwood, filled the air, instantly relaxing the senses.

"Now, Sura,"

Vera's voice softened further, "Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Imagine you are standing on the beach in your painting, the warm sunset shining on you, and the sea breeze gently blowing—"

Sula obediently closed her eyes. With Vera's guidance, her breathing gradually became steady.

Green sat in an armchair in the corner of the room, while Clarice stood by the door. Both of them watched with bated breath.

The silver light in Vera's eyes grew brighter and brighter.

She remained in that position, her fingers tracing invisible patterns in the air. The room was so quiet that only the crackling of the burning wood in the fireplace and Sula's steady breathing could be heard.

Suddenly, Vera's expression underwent a subtle change.

Her brow furrowed slightly, though she quickly regained her composure, but that fleeting change did not escape the eyes of Green and Clarice.

Sula was still asleep, but her brows furrowed and her lips moved silently, as if she were saying something.

Vera's breathing quickened. She raised a hand and drew several symbols in the air, which Green recognized as the gesture of spiritual protection. Silver light flowed from her fingertips, forming a faint halo around Sura.

About three minutes later, the silver light in Vera's eyes gradually faded.

She took a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and then took a handkerchief from her suitcase and wiped her forehead.

"How is it?" Green couldn't help but ask.

Vera looked at him, her expression grave: "The situation is more complicated than we anticipated."

Vera didn't answer immediately. She stood up, walked to the window, turned her back to Sula, and said in a low voice, "Sula was indeed subjected to mental influence, but it wasn't a simple memory alteration or suggestion."

She turned around, the light moving between Green and Clarice, finally settling on the sleeping Sura.

"It is the anchor of dreams."

Vera frowned slightly, took a deep breath, and said, "A very sophisticated mental technique. The practitioner implanted an anchor deep within her subconscious." This anchor is normally dormant and does not affect her normal thinking and behavior. However, once the triggering conditions are met, such as hearing specific keywords, seeing specific images, or reaching a specific point in time, the anchor will be activated.