Adonis knew the girls at his disposal were just alternatives to his one true option, he had to find himself the one person whose blood would liberate him from his weakness. A weakness no one should find out or he would be at risk to lose everything his existence stood for.
He clenched his fists. At any cost, he will do everything and anything to find her.
Audrey and the other girls continued to live their lives in great torment mixed with fear and a faint glimpse of hope. They woke up each day with uncertainty filled in their hearts. The next moment wasn't promised for them so they worked very hard yet with great caution.
Audrey was determined to leave the Palace of Ice and soul but didn't know how. She was also aware that a single mistake could cost her life.
Audrey thought about her escape a thousand times in a day. If Azrail could find her the first time, he would always find her again but the only difference was that she had nothing to lose, probably she still have her miserable life and ain't no way she was going to lose it without paying Desmond back in his coins.
Audrey and the other girls had enough food and drinks but they were denied the most important thing humans desired...Freedom.
With their freedom taken away from them, they felt so small, smaller than animals and their spirits were gravely broken.
It had been six days in the mansion and Audrey had managed to stay out of trouble and not come across Lord Adonis at all.
Audrey had been using the wall clock that rings every twelve hours in Adonis chamber to calculate day and night.
After a long day of work, the girls eats silently and retire into their beds without ever saying much to each other. Everyone was totally lost in the world of their own.
The 6th Night
Audrey laid on her bed taking the foetal position. Her body ached but her heart was bleeding more.
The bed was her only comfort after surviving each day. She thought of Azrail, she had thought he was her friend. This moment he is warm and the next he is cold towards her. She hated the fact that she had to put up with his mood swings. She was the one who was suppose to be experiencing mood swings with the series of events that has happened in her life.
Her mind drifted to Adonis. She has been cleaning his room for days now but she hasn't ran into him. Not like she would like to run into him but she wondered what he looked like.
Series of thoughts ran through her mind but one thing was for sure. If she was to escape this nightmare of a mansion, she would definitely be needing Azrail help since he was the originator of her being there in the first place.
On the other hand she knew getting Azrail help would be impossible but she had to try, until then she can't say she had failed in her quest. A plan came knocking in her brain, she smiled and closed her eyes to sleep.
The next morning
The bell rang and the girls quickly left their various beds to go to their various posts.
Audrey stood at the hall scanning the whole hall with her eyes, she saw the other girls at their posts and decided this was her opportunity.
She started walking towards the back door but the moment she started walking towards the back door. Her compass started clicking rapidly indicating that she was on the wrong path but she continued. She had a viable excuse anyways, she was in charge of the other girls.
Adonis left his room earlier than usual, it was embarrassing and amusing that the king of death was intentionally avoiding a mere mortal and Adonis was doing a great job but he wouldn't admit the fact that he was avoiding Audrey.
Adonis opened the backdoor that leads to the garden. Nothing has changed, it was just the way he had left it. It was his favorite place when he needs to clear his head. It was a place that has an ambience of serenity and sanity. He shut his eyes and inhaled deeply, then opened his eyes slowly. Adonis was pleased with the sight that greeted him and reciprocated with a smile. He instantly felt his uneasiness melting and like he could see the whole world at once.
"Feels good to be here after a long time" Adonis mustered to himself.
It was his first time of visiting that part of the mansion since his return. Adonis mind wandered to the reason for his uneasiness.
"This fragile being worries me so much and even much more as she is closer to me, I've been doing a great job to escape her presence, but for how long do I have to do this and for what reason?" Adonis thought within himself.
Just then he heard the flinching sound of a compass. None of the angels of death could dare cross over to this side of the mansion when they were still in the mansion. Who dares to interrupt his quiet time?
"Could it be Azrail? Of course not, Azrail wouldn't be needing a compass around the mansion." Adonis reminded himself and listened to the approaching footstep.
Adonis heard a gentle foot walk and knew immediately that it was one of the human maids.
"What a delightful way to start the day. Having a human meal at my favorite spot." Adonis was excited
Adonis eyes turned into flames as he listened and waited for his prey.
Audrey walked into the garden, it was the most beautiful garden she has seen all her life.
"Never will I believe in a million that such a paradise exist in this cold and lifeless place." Audrey forgot about her mission for a while.
She admired the flowers but somehow felt she wasn't alone, just then she felt a very cold aura around her, she knew it has to be Azrail or so she thought.
"Reveal yourself" Adonis roared behind her
Adonis voice bought Audrey out of her assumption and immediately she knew she had chew more than she bargained for. She never thought she would run into this monster this way but here she is about to be squashed into pieces by this cold and heartless stone. This could as well be the end of her but definitely not without trying. Audrey then proceeded with her plans.
Audrey lowered her knees and bowed down before responding
"My Lord, the beginning of all beings!!! My name is Audrey." She bolted out of fear.
"I don't care about your damn name" Adonis said losing his patience.
"I am number eight my lord." Audrey quickly corrected herself.
"Number eight! No one was assigned to this part of the building, so what brings you here?" Adonis questioned her
"My Lord, I was inspecting the cleaning of the mansion, when I lost my way. Pardon me my Lord." Audrey said hoping her response would make sense to this senseless man.
Adonis looked down at her for a moment before responding. She is the familiar lady.
At the main hall
Azrail came in found the girls working in their designated posts. He decided to check on Audrey. He walked towards Lord Adonis quarters and opened the door but unfortunately he found no one
"Number eight, where are you?" Azrail called out.
Azrail mind ran wild, he was losing it at the speed of light.
"Audrey!!!" Azrail called out desperately this time.
"I hope I find her before Lord Adonis does" Azrail closed his eyes to activate his super powers. He was able to travel throughout the mansion in seconds... Just then, he saw her.
"The garden" Azrail gasped and ran out of Lord Adonis in a flash.
At the garden.
"Are you testing my patience or you're showing off your stupidity? The compass is meant to guide your way around the mansion but you lost your way. You seems to be more stupid than you look, there is no point keeping you alive. I guess you didn't learnt your lesson the other day despite making one of you a scapegoat." Adonis roared
"My lord, I was only trying to find my way" Audrey said with so much fear
"How am I sure you were not trying to escape?" Adonis responded
"I dare not my Lord" Audrey blurted out
"You seems to have your answers ready, number eight. If you cherish your life, then you shouldn't have been so careless about it. . Don't worry, I will make it painless for you." Adonis said as he moved closer to her.
This was Adonis opportunity to get rid of the mortal that has been nuisance to him once and for all.
It was glaring she had lost this battle. Audrey was so shaken as beads of sweats formed round her forehead. Was this really her end? She immediately regretted her decision and felt she was indeed stupid. No excuse would be reasonable enough to get pass this monster. Maybe, just maybe this could be for the best.
"Could this really be my end? "Audrey sighed softly as she resigned to what is to come...