Page 47 of Wicked Magik

With a skip in my step, and holding her close to my body, I rushed back up to our room. But before doing so, I yelled down to the kitchen to make my pet a feast and bring it to our room.

Chapter 16

Veylor

Ipulled up to the estate, my two new black stallions snorting and prancing with energy as they drew the pull cart along. As we approached the gates, I noticed a transformation had taken place. The cobweb of vines that usually clung to the broken gate had vanished, and the once wild bushes now appeared neatly pruned, their branches now trimmed.

Despite these improvements, the front courtyard still bore signs of neglect, with piles of dead leaves, scattered debris, and assorted garbage gathered in unsightly heaps, hinting at the work that still needed to be done.

I huffed in annoyance. Benedict was going to pull a stitch, and then he would unravel.

My trip ended up being much longer than expected; what was supposed to be a two-day excursion stretched into a week. Ihadn't expected to encounter issues at the night markets when I started shopping. Once people recognized me, they wanted to discuss topics I no longer had any interest in.

Every merchant stall I came to was overly pleasant. They freely gave in their gossip and unfortunately it led to hearing about topics of the past and what the future could hold if I would justget out of my slump.

After the first two markets I visited, I wrapped my face and hands to conceal myself. I was not going to have myself exposed to that sort of social torture.

With my face and hands hidden, they couldn't distinguish me from a vampire, fae, goblin, or other creature that now emerges from the deep shadows of the forests. Since The Disturbance, all the creatures that once lurked in hiding have now come into the light.

“Heard that monster was wandering around here a few weeks ago. Be careful where you travel,” one merchant said, who sold some of the finest cloth.

I hummed and continued to feel the material on my exposed wrist.

“You know what I’m talking about right? That thing that runs around with a skull attached, tail like a dragon? It’s an abomination I tell you. I saw it eating the carcass of a dead animal on the side of the road. It had red eyes and…”

A woman scoffed beside me. “Did not Harold, you stretch the truth. It has no eyes. You leave it alone, and it leaves you alone. You all are a bunch of gossipers.”

My lip quirked to a smile underneath my mask.

“Says the old crazy lady witch of the town. Don’t you have somewhere to be? You reek of sage.”

She stuck up her nose and put her hand on her hip. “He’s got a good soul in him. If I ever see him and any of you messin’ withhim,” she pointed to the people that had gathered around us, “I’ll put a spell on you meself!”

The crowd erupted in laughter as I tossed a gold coin to the merchant for the red velvet fabric. I wasn't sure what I'd use it for yet, but it appeared luxurious, and I was confident Benedict could create something with it.

As I walked away, they all talked about Oryx like he was a monster, and he partly was but there were a few that stood up for him.

I inhaled deeply and parked the recently acquired carriage. I had turned into, what was it called? A shopaholic after listening to Oryx in his den. I purchased new fabric to make clothes for him, new blankets, and other essentials he might need.

While I had been distant with him, I knew I had to make it up to him now. He was changing, just as Benedict had told me.

Perhaps I could talk to him more plainly.

Or teach him, you fool.

But it wasn’t just the markets that took me so long, but the graveyards as well. I went around not just the closest town but towns further away to avoid suspicion. I can conjure some parts of the bodies. I was getting better, but some things I couldn’t do on my own.

And I needed to work faster.

I tugged on the reins, bringing the horses to a stop. The sound of their hooves brought Benedict out of the mansion, his sleeves rolled up and a cloth in hand as he dried them.

“My Lord, I know nothing about horses.” His shoulders slumped in dismay as he threw the towel over his shoulder.

I stepped down from my seat and heard the gravel beneath my feet. “You won’t have to. I’ve hired simple stablemen looking for work. They will be coming to the Estate shortly. I’ll need the servant quarters cleaned.”

Hiring vampires to work with any sort of animal was unheard of. They could go into a hunger frenzy and drink the blood of anything that has a heartbeat.

I was close to finishing a self-replenishing blood source that could satisfy and sustain vampires.