The Queen's Mate

EIGHT

Eleanor and Adonis searched the highs and lows of the entire Sparks estate in hopes of finding anything which connected her parents to the Elarmas, the Demonworld, or the Angel realm. The duo turned the manor upside down but unfortunately, could not find what they were looking for.

“This is absurd.” Eleanor spat slamming shut yet another one of his father’s files which did not indicate anything supernatural. “I don’t think my dad was involved in all this.”

Adonis rolled his eyes continuing his search through Daniel’s private library, “the blade wouldn’t be here if he wasn’t Ellie.” He replied nonchalantly.

Eleanor threw her head back and groaned before cracking her neck to get rid of the stiffness which had settled over the past few hours. She took a deep breath and picked up another folder from the pile in front of her whilst Adonis worked his way through Daniel and Mary’s online trails.

“What if Anderson was the one who hid the weapon in our house and dad never found out about it?” She pondered before realizing how ridiculous she sounded.

Adonis shook his head. “Ellie, Anderson would not have killed your parents for the key if he was the one who planted the weapon in the first place.” He stated confirming her thoughts. “Like it or not, they are involved and we just have to find out how.”

She nodded knowing that his assumptions were not misplaced. However, she still hoped that this was all a nightmare and that suddenly she would wake up in her penthouse in New York and start the day again without having to hear of her parents’ death at the end of it.

She was still in immense grief for her to start focusing on the possibility that there, in fact, exists a world she knows nothing about.

The two were deeply engrossed in their work when the door to the library opened and the housemaid walked in with a blank face before her eyes widened when she saw Eleanor.

“Oh, my, why aren’t you dressed yet, miss? The guests have already begun to arrive!” She shrieked and looked like she was going to lose her bearings.

Eleanor furrowed her brows and exchanged a confused expression with Adonis as she stood up from where she was sitting on the parquet floor with her back facing the fireplace with all of Daniel’s files scattered in front of her. Adonis too straightened his back to look at the maid from behind the Oakwood desk he was leaning over to search through the computer storage.

“What guests?” Eleanor questioned setting down the glass of wine in her hand which she had poured for herself to ease her nerves.

The housemaid looked at the heiress as if she had lost her mind. “It is the annual ball before your birthday, Ms. Sparks. How could you forget?” She cried out in her thick accent making Eleanor look at her with horrified eyes whilst Adonis simply wandered off to gaze at the endless rows of shelves covered with hardbound books which led to the far end of the enormous room.

“I did not realize that we were still hosting it, especially since my parents are no longer here, Charlotte.” Eleanor jabbed pointedly.

Charlotte looked taken aback by the harshness in her tone but did not comment. “The invitations had been sent out two months ago and Anderson asked us to get everything ready.” She explained.

“Yes, but Anderson left; how did you even manage the preparations without him?”

“We were trained by the finest, Miss Sparks,” Charlotte spoke defending her skills, “besides, Anderson was here this morning and he asked me to give you this.” She added retrieving an envelope from the pocket on her apron as she handed it to Eleanor who looked absolutely shaken.

Adonis too halted in his actions and took an interest in their conversation as his feet took him closer towards the heiress, hence abandoning the leatherbound journal he was about to pick up from the shelf.

Eleanor fumbled with the intricate seal on the white cartridge paper as she tore it open and read the contents of the letter.

Dear Elle,

Enjoy the feast for your birthday tonight, it is going to be your last. I missed the chance of killing you once, this time I won’t.

Anders.

Eleanor continued to stare at the letter with wide eyes as her fingers shook and suddenly the small piece of paper seemed too heavy in her hands as she looked at it as if she had seen a ghost.

“Ellie? What is it?” Adonis asked coming to stand beside her before his eyes fell on the words scribbled on the paper in her hand.

Blood rushed wildly through his veins as he snatched the letter before crumbling it into his hands and throwing it into the fireplace in angst whereas Eleanor stood still in her place when a tear rolled down her cheek.

Charlotte realized that she was perhaps being intrusive, and hence, the housemaid nodded to them and walked out right before Adonis crossed the distance between himself and Eleanor and placed his hands on her shoulders.

“Eleanor?” He called out, shaking her out of her dazed expressions.

“I did not realize that my death was necessary for Anderson’s quest.” She whispered in a strict tone.

“He knows your identity and thinks of you as a threat,” Adonis stated.

“What the hell can I do? I am barely a functioning human.” She spat rolling her eyes.

“Only as of now.” He pointed out, “once you have your powers back, you will be what he fears the most.”

Eleanor pondered over his words before nodding. “What do we do now?” She asked, waiting for an explanation from the man who seemed to know everything about the predicament they were in.

“You have to attend the ball.” He stated blankly making her eyes widen.

“Are you out of your mind? Did you not read the death threat in that letter?” She hissed pointing to the cartridge page burning in the flames.

He squeezed the top of her arms whilst looking into her eyes with determination. “He does not know what I am capable of. Trust me, I know how the Mares are, and if you don’t show up tonight, all of your guests will be slaughtered. We can’t let that happen.” He reminded her.

Eleanor seemed to think for a moment before nodding readily. “You’re right, we should go.” She said running her hands through her hair.

Adonis took her hand in his and gave it an encouraging squeeze. “I am not going to let anything happen to you, Ellie.” He promised and the brunette knew that she could see the resolve in his eyes; that she could trust him.