The Demon's Mate

Chapter 5: The New Master

" Do you think I'm damned? " I can't help but question Cassie, as I stay tucked in my bed.

It felt like I had one job to do, make the mayor agree. And I did just that, but just when everything was right, it turned wrong.

Ron's words were explicit and disrespectful, but I could have handled the situation more maturely, one that wouldn't lead the orphanage to grave consequences. In a way that would not hang the sword of impending doom over my head.

Not only did I manage to piss off the church but also the mayor's only son.

It was due to me, that the church cut off our donations. And what did I do? I messed up the situation even further.

It was never my intention to do so, but it's like chaos itself has taken a peculiar interest in my mere existence.

I bring trouble to the ones that love me. And I do that just by existing. I must be a bad omen.

" Don't say that, Hazel. " Cassie scolds me for coming up with such a bizarre thought.

She's only a year older than me, but I shelter myself in her. Like Mama, she knows about the dreams and the marks that are engraved on my body each night.

Yet she manages to turn a blind eye to each one of my flaws.

" I feel like I destroy everything beautiful. " I let out, looking aimlessly at the window that swings with the jolts of a light breeze.

" I can't see you guys suffering because of me. " I mumble, thinking over tonight's actions.

He's the mayor's son. The news will reach him soon and I will be summoned. Accusing his son would only land me in trouble, even if the accusation holds truth in it.

There just isn't a way out of it.

" We won't. Th...the mayor! "Cassie tries to give me hope.

Hope that I have forsaken with my own very hands.

" He'll surely understand our situation and make the church amend their decision. " She adds, a ray of expectancy glistens in her orbs.

" I...I don't think he will. " I pull my dry lips apart as the words croak out.

I deny her of hope, ever so cruelly. Just like I've been doing it to myself.

There was someone, who offered me a different sort of curse. But we can't rely on strangers now, can we?

Just then, the blow of wind sheds its disguise and comes at full force, banging the window open. A harsh noise echoes in the room before it all calms down.

The roar of the wind has been put to ease, but for how long?

" What was that? " Cassie questions alerted, eyeing the area of catastrophe with a doubting stare.

" It's... it's just the wind. " I mutter, taking refuge in the little white lie.

Nothing in this room is constant, things fall and disappear. Sometimes the tap water turns on, and other times there is steam in the bathroom while the floor is completely dry. The blub blinks now and then.

At first, it scared me. Now, I've come to terms with the fright that it has instilled in my heart. I will have to live with it.

" I'll go close it. " I state, walking towards the window and locking it. This should do the job.

" Why? " Cassie asks, baffled to the core.

The question is directed to tonight's events. Is it money, or is it power?

That you could be mortal, yet live as if there is not a grave that awaits you. I expect no justice from the mayor when it comes to a decision against his son. And thus I have lost hope from his side.

I tell Cassie, everything from the start. Leaving the details of the stranger out, he's a mystery. And some people are better if they remain like that.

"I'm sorry Haze. " She consoles, me once I'm done narrating.

She takes me in for a warm hug, and things feel alright. Even if for a moment only.

" What are we going to do now? " She raises a question in trepidation.

A part of me knows how to fix this mess, but I can't go down that path.

If Ron doesn't complain to his father then we can be saved from this mess, but it is unlike him to do so. Not unless he's getting something in return.

" I don't want to appease the mayor's son. " I whisper looking down.

Just as I'm done uttering those words, the locked window slams open. It smashes against the wall, obliterating itself into a thousand pieces.

" Ahhh!" We both scream in union, as our eyes dart towards the destruction.

A moment of utter silence is placed upon us as we stare at the sight in horror, trying to gauge the source of such terror.

" Maybe you should sleep in my room tonight. " Cassie whispers, her voice barely above a whisper now.

I nod in agreement as we both step out of my room. The truth is, my own room has started to haunt me. That's because it's where he resides.

Morning comes as my savior, as the night was simply spent twisting and turning in bed. There were fresh marks, black and blue.

I wear a white, long flowy dress, doing well to hide my marks. I cover it up with a yellow drape over my shoulders.

After Cassie and I have our breakfast we venture towards the castle. The distance is tough as we go through an incline. However, formidable yet brief it is

Just as we reach the high castle walls, we are welcomed by an abrupt noise. The presence of living beings is something that we haven't witnessed.

We see many people scurry here and there, carrying stuff. Attending to the different areas of the castle. I squint my eyes at them. Trying to decipher the change.

" You're the two girls that have been working here, right? " A woman in her late forties inquires, as she approaches us.

She's dressed in black from top to bottom, even her orbs give more of a shade of black than brown.

" The owner of the estate has returned. " She informs us, after analyzing our confused faces.

" His stay will be limited, however, he seeks your presence. " She further adds.

Such preparations for a limited stay? The rich live in a different world for sure

" Why? " I ask.

Why would the owner of the castle like to meet us?

" Master Ezra likes things in a peculiar way. " The woman responds, eyeing me with disdain in her eyes.

" His way. " She spews in a venomous tone.

Eyeing me down for having the audacity to question her master's way. I can't help but look down. Her sheer attitude makes me feel self-conscious, like I already made a mistake.

" Your previous working ethics are no longer deemed fit, discuss that with him and then start working. " She bothers to elaborate.

Though she lets out each word as if she's wasting breath on mere servants.

" Who has been responsible for the room in the main chamber? " She then probes into our duties.

" Me. " I come forward.

" Great, come with me then. "

" Cassie, Master Ezra expects you in his office now. " She directs her, asking for her to walk her way alone.

Leaving me be, with this condescending woman.

" Prepare the main chamber. You have an hour, then I expect you to report to Master Ezra. " The woman orders, as we stand in front of the main chamber.

" The chamber is too huge to be cleaned within an hour. " I inform her, looking a bit puzzled.

This has tens of rooms with multiple corridors and a few other essential structures. I can't do it all alone. Besides, we didn't need to do it all in one day.

Cassie and I would make shifts and get work done in bits and parts. We were only paid to maintain a certain part of the castle.

" Too bad then. " The woman lets out in a dismal tone.

Though it just doesn't match her aura as I get a hint of sarcasm in it.

" Tardiness has led many of the servants to punishment. " She states in the utmost formal tone as if it's normal.

" Pun...punishment? " I ask timidly.

" Whipping, a night in the dungeons, starvation are all sorts of punishments that can be administered. " She snickers in a tone filled with malice.

I have heard the mayor administer such punishment but never did I live in the fear of one being put on me.

Now, I feel otherwise. As the woman looks too cruel and she seems to have developed a dislike for me already.

I will have to be very careful from now on, as I can't lose this job and I don't want to get whipped either.

" I expect it to be clean by the time I'm back. "These are her final words before she departs from the scene, leaving me in a frantic state.

I grab the cleaning supplies and start rushing to each room, hoping I'll at least make it look presentable. Time passes quicker than expected and the lady of doom arrives before I have even dusted a single piece of furniture. I was just done mopping around!

She eyes me, passes me a scornful look then runs her finger on the table, to point out the dust.

" Master Ezra awaits your presence. " She states firmly, not berating me yet.

She leads the way as I follow her with my head bowed down. My heartbeat races as I ponder over the new master.

She stops abruptly, as we stand outside tall wooden gates. With an intricate design running through the oak wood.

" Expect your first repercussion as soon as you step a foot outside the office. " She sneers, nudging me harshly inside the room.

I stumble initially, before gaining some stability. I finally flutter my eyes, making contact with the master of this castle.

And just my luck, it's the stranger. The same stranger I disrespected so blatantly. The same stranger that seemed to have an edge even over the mayor.

In that mini second, I send an internal prayer to God. I hope that he doesn't recognize me. But that too is proved wrong.

" My my, you're like a deer stuck in the headlights. " Comes his very first comment.

His husky voice resonates in the room, where only the sound of our breathing remains. The atmosphere is tense and I can feel him analyzing my timid frame with a hawk-like state.

True to his words, his aura is that of a predator eyeing his prey!

" Won't you welcome your new Master? " He raises a question slyly, with a smirk plastered on that well-sculpted face.

I stand there dumbfounded, trying to pick up its and bits of where it all went wrong.

Master Ezra, the man I'm supposed to attend to, as a servant is the one I so 'kindly' called a swine.

I'm doomed!