"Ohh something is wrong with me now? When you were deliberately ignoring me these days and when you would not say anything about the sudden disappearance of my friend, nothing was wrong with me then?" l spat bitterly
"Oh Grace, you wouldn't understand."
"I know my Lord. l know l wouldn't understand and that is why l will take my leave now"
"No Grace, No! Okay?" "l am sorry about me ignoring you. Vanessa is fine. She..."
"What?? Vanessa is fine??" l almost screamed in joy as l felt my aching heart heal immediately
"That is better now"
"What is better now?"
"The heart"
"What? What about my heart?"
"Grace...l wish l can tell you but l really don't know If you can take it"
"Please tell me my Lord. l promise l can take it"
"No. l would not bother your mind with such things"
"Tell me my Lord, because l wish to hear or l will be on my way right now"
"You requested for this Grace...l won't be held responsible if you can't take it all in"
"I can take it in" l said, curiosity getting the best of me
"Follow me" Lord Micael said, leading the way while l behind him.
★★★
I am yet to see Gabbriel and l am getting anxious. Lord Micael earlier mentioned that vampires can hear things from long distance and even whispers. Did he happen to hear all l told Lord Micael. l hope not! But then, where could he be....? Yes! a very good idea just popped into my mind. l should go to the dungeon. I should relieve what happened the other day...l can remember vividly how he was trying so much to hold back but l willingly offered myself to him. I sprung up from the bed as the need to see the dungeon overpowered the overwhelming weakness l am feeling all over my body. l carefully traced my steps to the hidden door and l am once again faced with a fleet of stairs. The memory kept flashing in my mind as l went deeper into the dungeon. l stopped abruptly when a certain memory l had skipped graced my mind. The head maid!! l almost ran back in remembering her but l am sure she can see me now since l am standing exactly where l saw her the other day. l braced myself up for whatever might come as my eyes searched every angle incase she is lurking around but she was not there. l let out the breath l did not know l was holding before proceeding to the exact room everything happened. The walk to the room was nostalgic. Before l got to the room however,l began to smell the metallic scent of blood. Panic filled my heart as l thought of different scenarios that might be happening. My subconscious advised me to head back to the room but l wouldn't have it. l kept going, this time more conscious and aware of my surroundings. l finally stopped right before the room and gathered every courage within me to turn the knob. The sight that welcomed me was loathsome and brutal. My heart ceased it's action for a second and breathing became difficult. 'How dare he!' How could he do this? What is Heavens...Hell! l instinctively ran to the self destructing Gabbriel that is halfway into tearing off the whole flesh that sheath his hands. He was so engrossed in the vicious act that he did not acknowledge my presence. l could not prevent myself from slapping him hard across the face when he was arm's reach. My action jolted him out of his depression and his dangerous eyes met with mine, furious at the person that had the audacity to stop his new found obsession. The smell and sight of blood appal me than his bloodthirsty eyes. l could feel my hands and hips tremble at the horrific sight... His eyes instantly had fear and remorse on sighting me. His head dropped immediately like he cannot bear to watch me.
"Why?" l managed to whisper from my quavering lips. He seems to misunderstand my question as he became rigid
"Yes! Hit me! Hit me all you want! l deserve nothing but hatred and pain" He ranted
"You deserve nothing but..."
The Lord stilled, his head bowed and l am totally sure his heart is racing. How l feel so good to tease this man. A ear blocking silence engulfed us and l could literally feel him give up. l had teased him enough and 'It is time to soothe him' l thought grimly as a smile crept to my face.
"You deserve nothing but all the assurance, love, care and trust in the world Gabbriel.." l said happily, unable to stop myself from giggling like a kid. His eyes found mine, disbelieve drawn all over his beautiful face. This man will definitely be the end of me. l could see his reluctance to believe my words. 'He thinks l am lying?' I almost cracked up at the thought. l stooped to his level, maintaining a eye contact with him
"My Lord, l know you will never do anything to hurt me. You love me. You did what you did out of instinct, it was not intentional. You know what you are and you cannot shield away from that fact. The surprising thing is despite the instinct, you still cared for me. l was the one that willingly offered myself and even at that, you were hesitant to hurt me. You are incredible my Lord. l don't hate you instead, l admire you. However, l might start to hate you if you keep doing this wicked thing to yourself" l explained in a very loving way l never knew l could talk. He did not react after my confession but his eyes remained glued to my face searching for any hint of lie. When he seemed to have gotten what he wants, he engulfed me in an incredible tight hug while l giggled happily at his display. His blood stained my being but l could care less about that. All l want to do is to assure him l am not annoyed at him in any way.
"l am sorry Essa...l hate what l am but l can't fight it. l promise to put more energy into learning how to control my instinct in time like this."
"l will be here to support you Gabbriel. I will be there for you always" l said my vow lovingly like a newly wedded bride. The thought of 'bride' made Lady Quinn cross my mind and l felt the sadness l had previously buried try to force its way in. l can't let this precious moment be ruined. No!
★★★
"Grace! Are you okay?" Lord Micael asked me worriedly. He shook me continuously to get a reaction from me but l just could not bring myself to react. What was it again? Vampire? Blood suckers? The man l have a deep crush on is also one? Vanessa knows about their nature? What in Heaven! My breath hooked in my throat and l struggled to calm myself. They don't feed from humans? They are not harmful? Gibberish! What assurance do l have that this blood sucking being before me will not one day sink his fangs in me and suck me till l draw my last? They have emotions? He felt it in him when my heart ache? We are destined for each other?!? l strongly reject such fate. l will not be destined to a blood sucker. Never! l struggled to get my limbs to work since l felt numb after the horrible secret was revealed to me. When l finally felt my legs, l rushed out of the garden in the fastest way l could. Who knows if he will suck me to death now that l know his little secret and can't bare it? I need to be extra careful. l need to warn the maids and every other workers in the mansion. The Lords and Ladies of this mansion are not who we think they are. They are horrible blood sucking monsters that get lured to our blood every time they set their monstrous eyes on us. We need to protect ourselves from them. They've began killing us but we need to stop them before they grow wings. 'How do we stop them when we mere slaves to them?' My head banged at the question and my shoulders dropped impulsively. We are done for! We need to act fast! First, l need to speak with Vanessa and Danielle. Oh poor Vanessa, Heavens know what the monsters would have done to her. They must have bruised every part of her fair skin with their fangs. A good litre of her blood must have been used to feed this monster. Hell! She must be all skinny and maltreated. Several drips of tears ran down my face as my heart clenched at the thought of all the evil things my friend would have been subjected to by this monsters. He said she will be back today. They must have been used to the taste of her blood and now, they want a new person, a new blood. l got to my room after staggering through the corridors. l almost screamed out my pain but l don't want the others to suspect anything. Vanessa, my darling Vanessa! Tears kept running down my eyes and l fear l would go blind. Danielle, Where is Danielle!
I helped Gabbriel clean and disinfect his wounds. l could not bear the look of the injury as it was so deep and horrible. My heart ached when at the thought of the pain he must be feeling. My lord on the other hand was all smiles and joyful he kept staring lovingly at my face like he won a lottery. He made sure he scrubbed me clean while we were in the bath. I tried to stop him but he kept saying he is indebted to me and would do anything to make it up. l love the attention l am getting though.. After cleaning him up, my heart went to Grace and the girls. What were they told? They must have been extremely worried about me. l really need to see them and clear their doubt. 'But where would l tell them l went?' Grace and Danielle must know where l went last before my disappearance. I had taken Grace' place to clean the rooms.