"You can feed from me" Isabella said, smiling sheepishly while we walk towards the wagon. l will die if l ever do that!
"Thank you" l replied politely but curtly enough to indicate I wasn't interested in the conversation
"Gabbriel, did you see that useless Marina?" Isabella continued, shunning my rude tone.
Marina is a very rich human Lady who got her riches from several years of business in the blood market. She is part of the few humans that know of our existence and use that knowledge to their advantage. She gets willing humans to sell their bloods for pennies while she resells them at outrageous prices to us. However, she became a vampire all of a sudden, claiming to have been taken advantage of by a raging vampire who had just been turned and could barely keep his hunger in check. According to her, she merely escaped death by a thin line. Rumours have it that she willing surrendered herself to be turned but was able to escape punishment with her false stories. Isabella had always hated Marina for reasons unknown. She had always looked down on and threatened her for the fact that she was a weak human so when she was turned, Isabella felt threatened knowing she would no longer be able to instigate fear in Marina again. What a bully!
"And how is she useless? She makes blood available for you"
"What? Let the blood market law be revoked, see if l won't make blood available for myself. In abundance even"
"Well, you and l know that that can't happen so...she makes blood available for you"
"We can make it happen Gabbriel, we just need to form a rebel against those crazy ministers that made crazy laws" Isabella said, her eyes filled with brewing hope which l was quick to quench..
"No!"
"Why?"
"I stand with the right people"
"So you think they are right?"
"Yes. They are right. Eradicating the blood market law will make the world too bloody. You might think humans are weak and all but they are creatures that will do anything to keep living. They can seek help from the wolves, witches or Ghouls and you know that when that happens, we are all dead meat. Humans will make all living souls including themselves go extinct by the time we fight each other and kill each other. The aftermath will be too devastating."
"The witches and other creatures won't be stupid enough to help them"
"You think so? Just so you know, werewolves will jump on any chance to come at us. Witches would not think twice before killing both vampires and werewolves to increase their territories and the ghouls? They will kill anything killable. Even the humans that asked for help"
"Ghouls are such stupid creatures" she said, devastated.
"Very stupid" l concluded. We entered the wagon and journeyed home in silence. The both of us lost in our own thoughts.
"l heard news that people are dying outside. They said the people are killed by wide animals" Gerl said in an attempt to start a discussion since everyone was silent. The only sound that could be heard is the sound of clashing utensils and dishes as we clean the kitchen
"What?? And where did you hear such news?" Penny asked, disbelief lacing her tone
"It is true. l heard it from one of the guards when Lady Quinn sent me to the Estate" Lola defended
"Please is it really killing people like that?" l asked in concern as l thought of my aunt and her family
"Rumour has it that they've recorded over a hundred death" Lola said, her eyes bulging as if to say as a matter of fact
"What??" Almost every maid in the kitchen screamed.
"That is such a huge number!"
"Please l want to check up on my family"
"Me too" l agreed
"Ohhh really? l thought you were making a family here already" Danielle scoffed, her eyes looking pointedly at me
"What do you mean?" l queried, my brows furrowing at her accusation.
"Sorry Vanessa, l am beginning to speak rubbish. l drank some vinegar" Danielle replied.
l stared at her for a while looking for traces of lies and it is written all over her that she wasn't being truthful when she said she is drink. Something is wrong somewhere. I concluded I will speak to her later.
"What do you think the Lord and Lady would be doing at this moment?" Bruse asked
"Of course, they will be holding each other lovingly, looking into each other's eyes and speaking their vows over and over again in the presence of people of great importance" Gerl said dreamily
"You seem to have pictured everything in that tiny brain of yours" Grace said, amazed at Gerl's description
"You left out the blood convenant!" Danielle chirped in
"Ohhh that too!" Gerl said, chuckling
l felt waves of guilt and remorse wash over me. Am l a devil? Do l want to ruin the sweet matrimony? What if l were Lady Quinn? Would l like someone leaching off my marriage? My heart felt heavy as the girls kept ranting on and on about the couple's festival
"What do Vanessa have to say about the couple?" Danielle suddenly asked, jolting me out of my thought. Why is this girl suddenly interested in my opinion?
"Err...of course! They are such a lovely couple" l said, plastering a fake smile on my face
"Lord and Lady Quinn are back!!" Dija yelled all of a sudden, distracting us and ending our mini get together as we all scrambled outside to welcome them.
Contrary to the imaginary vow renewal festival we had envisioned for the couple where they were lovey dovey and happy, Lady Quinn alighted the carriage looking annoyed and agitated. She had cursed bitterly at Deja when she was slow to lift her dress while she walked to the mansion. Lord Quinn on the other still looked calm and less bothered though he also wasn't grinning from ear to ear like couples were expected to do if they get to renew their vows. He marched to his room in extra long strides as soon as he got out of the carriage, an attempt to get into the comfort of his room as soon as he could. He did not as much as spare me a glance...
We made sure not to cross Lady Quinn so as not to infuriate her further. We assisted her out of the ball gown, helped her prepare a bath, washed her thoroughly and prepared her for bed. Normally, she would have like about two of the maids to stay behind while she sleeps so as to attend to her when she needs anything in between her rat but for some reason, she sent us out saying she wishes to be by herself. We, however were extremely pleased by her decisions since no one will have to endure her rudeness and ill treatment all through the night... We had all retired to our quarters when Bruse was sent to fetch Danielle. She claimed Lord Quinn had called for her.
'He must have needed some help with his room.' I thought...
Danielle
I had not expected to be summoned by Lord Quinn for any reason at all. Yes, I am his personal maid and I alone handle the cleaning of his chamber but still...this doesn't feel right. I walked briskly, heart in mouth, hands shaking uncontrollably. My stomach had long twisted into a cruel, aching knot. Thoughts raced wildly in my mind, clashing and colliding. What could be the reason for this? Have I offended him in any way? Did I mishandle any of his belongings? Does...I swallowed forcefully. Does he know of my recent discovery?? My skin prickled, fear engulfed my being..
I knocked gently on his door, my legs barely keeping my weight. What will be done to me? What if he hurts me to keep me from talking?? The thoughts kept coming unhindered and I had to knock harder to silence my raging mind.
"Come in" Lord Quinn's voice echoed from behind the door and I thought I stopped breathing for a moment. I braced myself, reading to face whatever my face was head on. I opened the huge mahogany door and slid in..
"You called for me my Lord"
Silence...my announcement was followed by silence. The longest, most dreadful time of my life. And about a decade after, he broke the deafening silence
"Tell Vanessa to get ready for office tomorrow. Bring this dress to her." Lord Quinn commanded, his eyes boring holes into mine making me shiver from fear. It was like he knew something. Like he was telling me something indirectly and somehow, I knew what it was...
Vanessa
Today, I am to go to the office with Lord Quinn...
Yesterday, Lord Quinn had sent Danielle to deliver a dress to me. She was told to inform me that I will be resumimg my office duties today.
As usual, a high class ladylike dress have been made available for me and l fitted in well with my shape and swell. Grace has made my hair and face beautifully and l am once again looking gracious and charming however, my heart is filled with fear as this is the first time l will be going to the office with Lord Quinn in the presence of Lady Quinn. l fear her reaction would be disheartening.
"The head maid is yet to call you. Why is that? Why don't you go and check up on Lord Quinn yourself? He might be waiting for you" Grace voiced her concern after waiting for a long time without traces of the head maid. She comes to inform me that Lord Quinn is set anytime l am to go to the office but she did not show up today.
"No. The head maid will inform me when it is time" l replied
"Have you seen the head maid around since the couple's festival yesterday? I think she has been sent on an errand by the Lord or the lady. Go and check Lord Quinn yourself" Grace argued.
It is not like l don't want to check Lord Quinn myself, l am just scared of lady Quinn. Her warning since the first day l was brought here still reverberates loudly in my ears. l don't want to get on her bad side.
"Let us wait a bit. Then if the head maid still doesn't come, l will go myself." l told Grace skeptically, desperately praying for the head maid to show up.
My prayers were unanswered as the head maid still doesn't come after a considerably long time. l tried to prolong the time but Grace had had enoughof my whining. She forced me out of the maid quarters and watched me as l go up the stairs. My heartbeat wouldn't calm as l took each step. What if Lady Quinn is mad at my change in service and would not let me follow Lord Quinn? l hope she deciphers that l was choosen against my will to work in the office and l never wished to. I arrived at Lord Quinn's room and was about to knock when a female's voice resounded from the room. l paused to listen...
"She would not follow you. l do nothing at home and l can as well speak the foreign language fluently. l am learned, l can do whatever she does for you in the office"
My heart broke in realisation that l am the topic of discussion by the couple. l really don't want to go to the office anymore. l pray Lord Quinn heeds to lady Quinn
"I chose her already Isa. l know you are learned but a Lady like you is meant to stay at home and control the home while the Lord works. It would not sit well with our parents or the workers if they see you with me in the office and you know how fast news spread. l don't want to be tagged the merciless husband who subjects his wife to ill treatment by making her work for him in his office. Do you want a bad name for me?"
"No, l don't but still..."
"Issa please understand. l need to go now"
I quickly knocked the door so l won't be caught eavesdropping by the Lord when he opens the door
"And who is that?" Lady Quinn yelled in frustration and my lips quivered at the anger that taints her voice
"It is Vanessa, my Lady. l came to inform Lord Quinn that l am prepared" l rushed out in a small, fear laced voice.
"And why do you have to do that? You have no right! Go back to the servant quarters where you belong. He will send for you when he is set" Lady Quinn replied bitterly
"Yes, my Lady" l replied as l took to my heel, the need to exit their quarters consuming me. 'Why did she have to say that? Must she be so harsh to me? l am human too!' l thought as tears threatened to spill out. l went outside to wait by the wagon as l don't want Grace to see my pathetic self. Why me? Lord Quinn is subjecting me to danger... I did not have to wait long as Lord Quinn finally joins me. He is richly dressed in a golden colored robe that clung to his body like a second skin, his broad shoulders and muscular body beautifully outlined. The clothe showcased wealth and position. l bowed on seeing him, partially to hide my fear stricken expression and tear filled eyes and made for the wagon as quickly as I could. l threw caution in the wind and went against whatever ladylike rule l was previously observing to climb into the wagon unassisted. Amazement and confusion designed Lord Quinn's handsome face but l cared less. He is making things difficult for me and he wants to get me killed in the hands of his wife. He hopped into the wagon too and the malemaid reared the engine. Throughout the journey to the office, l kept my head down and played with my fingers. l said no word neither did Lord Quinn. We settled in the office and Lord Quinn gave me some paperwork and documents to sort out the way he had thought me some weeks ago and l started working immediately trying my possible best to ignore him. Lord Quinn seems to be unsettled about my behaviour as he kept trying to make me notice him. He eventually talked when he figured l was unfazed by his character.