Cobblestone streets with connected buildings lined up on either side. Ancient stone and wood that built the city remained far longer than any human ever could. The music, light and fun, echoed through the streets. There were tourists and a lot of them, but you could pick out those who lived here easily. There eyes didn't linger on the celebrations and street performers. They were not in awe of the old buildings that visitors gawked at, and they had little interest in touring through them.<br/><br/>The natives to the city were able to thread through the crowds without concern. They spoke softly and smiled politely when they meet someone, then turn away and take their secrets with them. An incredibly secret bunch, but Celeste knew that it was necessary.  The city held all sorts of secrets. One of the biggest was Serpent's Gates. It wasn't the name she would have chosen, but it came with the grounds.<br/><br/>A beautiful home: a white Colonial house with a wrap around porch and balcony. A front door painted all in black was her own personal touch. A single snake was painted in gold on the front door along with two gold handprints: hers, and her partners. The home was surrounded by a tall hedge that was broken only at the front where an iron gate blocked the driveway. There was a large back yard filled with a pool, Barbecue and seating area.<br/><br/>Near the back of the yard, there was a small area, surrounded by greenery enough so that it was secluded. Within the greenery, a small stone staircase led into the Earth. Within, was a small cellar. All light from above was blocked by a single door. Inside, candles let the edges of the room though shadows moved freely within. Spinning and churning around the small woman, the shadows whispered. The hushed voices were muddled, but Celeste knew very well what they were saying to her.<br/><br/>Her eyes shut, she was focused in on the stories the shadows told her, absorbing all information. The velocity of the shadows spins accelerated and focused down into a tornado as tall as her, focused on the spot in front of her. Celeste opened her eyes and the shadow started to form into a body when a loud sound broke her concentration and the shadows dissipated in seconds. The room was empty, aside from Celeste, and she let out a loud growl of frustration. Someone in the house had caused the commotion that broke her concentration and she was about to unleash hell on whoever it was.