Page 31 of The Vampire Debt

I hurry to the night table and grab the dagger and fit it into the sheath, then strap it to the bottom half of my leg. It’s not ideal by any means, and the skirt could pose a problem. It’s all I have for right now and still relatively easy to grab.

No hesitation.

I stride out of the room and down the hall, ready to face the vampire.

Making my way through the halls, I come across the butler, Mr. Steward. He carries a silver tray with an empty glass still tainted red with blood. He says nothing but I can feel him watching my every movement as we pass.

Everything looks like it had been cleaned moments before. The entire house has the feel of being busy, but almost always just out of sight. I’ve only ever seen three of them, but for a house this large, surely there must be at least half a dozen more.

I get to the front end of the manor and hear the sound of dishes coming from the dining room. I stand at the edge of the doorway, staying hidden from whoever is inside. I press my back against the wall and slowly look in. Two slender hands belonging to a woman are arranging various dishes and cutlery on the table, and the soft murmur of feminine voices.

I glance around the large dining room, wary that Alaric might be near.

“Are you looking for something, Miss?” The young servant from yesterday asks. Her red hair has been pulled back into a bun at the nape of her neck. She smiles warmly and looks at me expectantly as she waits next to the dining table with the head housekeeper dressed in the same uniform.

“No,” I say slowly as I step into the room. There’s only one place set.

“He’s out, Miss,” Mrs. Westfield says.

My gaze drifts back to hers as I quit skulking and walk up to the nearest chair, resting my arms along the back. Her voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “He? Oh, you mean Ah—Mr. Devereaux?”

The two women look sideways at each other.

“Yes, Miss.” The younger clasps her hands in front of her. “Will you be having lunch?”

Both of them assess me from head to toe, and if they suspect my motives for inquiring about Alaric’s whereabouts, they won’t hesitate to inform their master.

I feel the tension leaving my shoulders. He’s not here. I am half relieved I won’t have to confront him now. But also in that same breath, disappointed.

The older housekeeper lifts the silver dome cover and reveals a plate of sausages, boiled eggs, potatoes, pork, and bread with a side of jam. It seems a little over the top.

I eye the meal. I have never had such a feast for my morning meal. I might as well take advantage of it while I can. I don’t plan on staying here for long.

“Yes, thank you, Mrs. Westfield,” I say.

“You’re welcome, dear, but please call me Lydia,” she says with a smile. It’s almost a warm expression, but her eyes are slightly too narrowed to be genuine. She dips her head then turns and leaves through the door that leads to the kitchen.

The younger is still watching me. I lift my brows, not sure what to call the girl who can’t be much younger than I am.

“Elise,” she offers.

“Thank you, too, Elise.” She turns to go but something occurs to me. “Elise?” I say. She stops and tilts her head inquiringly. “I do have a question.”

“Yes, Miss?”

I breathe in then let out a breath. “Why is he treating me like this?” I motion to my dress, then the food on the table that is fit for someone far more important than a poor girl from a nothing town. “When will I…” I frown, not quite sure how to put this without being rude. “When will I become his…servant?”

“You are his guest, Miss,” she says, frowning.

I scoff and glower at the plate of food, the rich aromas waft up and tempt me. “I am not a guest—I am a possession.”

“If that is what you think, then you are mistaken. And we are not his servants—we are his hired staff. The others have come to him seeking employment. I was born into it, my parents worked for him until they died, then he was kind enough to take me in. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other duties to attend to.”

She bows curtly then leaves me to sit and dine.

I stare dumbly after her, shocked by her outburst.

That vampire must have compelled them all into loyalty… though when he compelled me, my body was under his control, but my mind was still my own.