Audrey stood over the grave of her grandmother all by herself wondering what went wrong.
She was more than devastated that the blazing hope she was clinging to had bursted right on her face.Audrey was hurting deeply but had ran out of tears to express how she was feeling.She wondered what she was going to do with her life henceforth. No family, no lover, no friend. Her world was indeed lonely and dark.A man stood few meters away from Audrey. It is time for her to fulfill her part of the bargain. He knew how tenacious Lord Adonis was and Audrey might never make it back alive once she started working for him so he allowed her a moment to grieve her family.After a while that seemed like forever Audrey slowly turned around to go back to empty house when she noticed the presence of someone."Maybe he is here to pay respect to his loved one too" she thought within herself. She could relate to his pain but she wasn't in any position to sympathize with anyone so she walked past him."Audrey" the voice called out.Audrey paused not sure she heard him right."Did you just called my name?" She asked curiously, wondering how the man knew her."Yes Audrey, I did" the man responded raising his face up so she could see him properly."Azrail is that you?" Audrey took a few steps towards him. "I lost her Azrail!""She is gone" Audrey continued.Azrail was quiet and had a frosty aura around him. Audrey touched his hands but they were very cold. Audrey instantly felt a sense of deja vu."Have we met before Azrail?" Audrey had a lot of questions to ask. The events at the bridge came rushing."Yes we have Audrey " Azrail replied in a manner that shows his patience was running out fast."We met at the hospital remember!" His eyes flashed a crimson red in a twinkle of an eye.Audrey was frightened for a moment but quickly comported herself."I mean before our encounter at the hospital?" She further enquired"Enough questions Audrey, it's time for you to fulfill your part of the deal." Azrail groaned as he couldn't suppress his displeasure this time. He had a time target and had no time to play words with her. He must deliver the human maids that night otherwise he might get into trouble with Lord Adonis.Audrey knew in as much as she had lost her grandmother. A promise was a debt that had to be paid. She couldn't bear to be ungrateful to the man who fed her when she was hungry and treated her well but she couldn't understand why he had to bring that up when he obviously knew she was grieving.Just then, it hit Audrey. Azrail didn't know her house or the way to the cemetery, how then did he find her? She opened her mouth to ask Azrail how he found her but she was met by cold faced Azrail gesturing to her to keep quiet."No more questions Audrey, let's go" commanded Azrail."Where are we going?"There was no response from Azrail. "I need to get my clothes too" Audrey added walking behind Azrail.Azrail stopped on his tracks and walked back to Audrey."I know you have a lot of questions Audrey but unfortunately I don't intend answering them." Time is not on our side, let's join others, our master is not so patient" Azrail added.To say Audrey was confused was an understatement."Who are the others? And who do Azrail refers to as master?" She was puzzled.If anything, Azrail had only succeeded in confusing her more. She knew she agreed that to work for him but not knowing the specifics of the job was weird.Moreover, she does not understand this cold aura around him or was it because they were at the cemetery. The Azrail she knew was kind hearted or so she thought. She only knew him for few hours, even Desmond that she knew for days eventually betrayed her."Audrey, you're lagging behind" Azrail reminded her without looking back.Audrey knew she had nothing to return to. if Azrail needed her, she might as well just go with him. What could be more terrifying than what she had gone through anyways?She quickened her pace and caught up with Azrail. Outside the cemetery, she found two luxurious buses waiting for them.Azrail told Audrey to get into the bus, after she did. She met other young girls who were blindfolded. She took a seat and Azrail walked up to her stretching his arm. This bought another deja vu to Audrey. She recalled the smiling face that had offered her a bottle of water at the hospital."Take this and blindfold yourself" Azrail said in a cold tone.Audrey did as she was told and soon the bus started moving.Audrey sat besides a girl who was apparently shivering. Audrey held her hand to calm her down."Don't be scared" Audrey whispered to the shivering girl."Keep your mouth if you want to live another day" Azrail voice could be heard from the front seat.There was a deafening silence as the journey to the unknown continued.Audrey knew if Azrail wanted to kill them, he would've done it earlier but seeing he is taking them to a place means he has a plan for them.But why young girls? She pounder. Was Azrail going to trick them into prostitution?One thing Audrey was sure of is that Azrail was a mysterious man and to get answers to all of the questions in her heart. She had to play it by the ear.The bus eventually stopped after a long ride notifying the passengers that they have reached their destination.The girls were instructed to take out their blinds and step out. A total of sixteen girls came out of the two buses. They stood before a hefty and dark mansion. There was no light and most importantly it had a gruesome aura attached to it.The girls were panicking except for Audrey.At this point, she had nothing to lose and knew what is to come will eventually come."I welcome you all to the Palace of Ice and soul." You have one mission here and that is to serve Lord Adonis diligently. No mistake or sluggishness will be condoned. Let me also sound this notice of warning, as we had come through for you in your desperate times, your very best is expected. Anything short of this will lead you to your death. Lord Adonis is death himself and leaves no stone unturned when it comes to discipline. You have been sternly warned."The girls panicked."The good thing is your wages will be paid at when due and every other things you'll be needing will be provided!! Is that understood? Azrail shouted."Yes sir" the girls chorused.They filed up on a single line and was lead into the mansion.As Audrey stepped into the frosty mansion, she had a premonition that her previous experiences were just the tip of the iceberg. The real deal lies here in this unfamiliar and cold place that housed uncertainty and fear.The girls were ushered into a big hall with bed bunks. They had filed up on a straight line. A bowl with different tags was placed in front of them and they were made to choose a tag that will become their identity and help them to their bed space as well.Audrey picked the tag with number eight boldly written on it. She would share her bunk with the person with tag number seven.After the girls had finished picking their bed tags, they returned to their initial formation. "Number eight, you will be in charge of the other girls. Henceforth the girls are your responsibility, you'll be held accountable for their wellbeing and mistakes." Azrail said without looking at her direction.Audrey was beginning to find Azrail infuriating but she knew better than to talk so she just nodded her head."Is that a yes or no number eight?" Azrail asked"Yes Azrail" Audrey responded"Don't you dare call me by my name here. I'm the second in command to Lord Adonis. Is that understood?" Roared Azrail"Ye
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 miserab
Azrail ran as though his existence depended on it. He ran past the girls in the main hall and the girls felt a sudden cold breeze and were terrified. None of the girl could comprehend what was going on and gave each other quick glances.Lord Adonis walked towards Audrey and with each stride, fear filled Audrey's heart. Just as Lord Adonis was about to touch Audrey when Azrail called out."My Lord, the end of all things" Azrail said as he lowered himself while breathing heavily Azrail was more than thankful that he made it right on time but what next? He came running without no plan."It was my mistake, I instructed Audrey to inspect the other girls as I had other things to attend to, she must have lost her way while doing that. I know my fault master, please punish me." Azrail found himself saying.Lord Adonis looked at Azrail to be sure he heard him correctly."Audrey?" Lord Adonis asked inquisitively Azrail got Lord Adonis message and instantly corrected himself."My lord, I mea
Azrail walked away from Audrey with plenty of thoughts in his head. He walked into a room. It was his chamber. Azrail needed to be alone. A girl with the tag number eleven was seen cleaning up this space. The moment Azrail entered, the girl felt a old aura and froze dropping the hand towel in her hands to the ground."I hail you, second master" The girl said frightened while trying to pick up the towel. While the girl was trying to pick the towel, she accidentally kicked the bucket of water beside her and the water splashed on Azrail."Oh my!!! What have I done? Second master, I'm sorry." The girl with the tag number eleven lowered herself in the pool of water she had just created shivering."There are no rooms for mistakes, you know that already. How could you be so clumsy?and how do you intend to clean up this mess?" Azrail questioned while walking towards her.Azrail looked at the girl and immediately felt a sense of deja vu and stopped dead in his tracks. He sure was in the same po
Lord Adonis remained at the garden. The mansion bell jingled; a signal for the girls to turn to their various bed. Lord Adonis realized though he had spent his entire day at the garden, it seems like a short while. His mind was filled with numerous thoughts. He then decided it was time for him to retire back to his room. It's been a long and eventful day. He walked through the main hall and observe his environment. It was quiet, neat and calm just as he loved it."The girls ain't totally useless, I guess." Lord Adonis said to himself. He walked majestically through the corridors to his room. He looked around his room and was very satisfied with what he saw."No doubt, she does a great job taking care of my space, if only she could do the same for herself." Lord Adonis found himself soliloquizing as he moved round his room.The event that has earlier taken place continued to play in his head as he took off his clothes. As Lord Adonis unveiled his body, his body displayed an artistic
Audrey entered the room she shares with the other girls exhausted. She had expended all her energy cleaning Lord's Adonis quarters, she definitely can't have him interrogating her the second time for negligence towards her duty if she cherish her head, besides It had given her a moment to take her mind off what had happened.Audrey made for her bed but was stopped by a girl who gave her an unpleasant look before speaking."Do you mind explaining what happened earlier at the hall?"Audrey was too tired to give answers, she took a quick glance at the girl's tag. She had number five boldly written on it."Look all I want is to be left alone and I'll appreciate if you can respect that." Audrey said walking away from her but she was stopped again by a different girl. She was wearing tag number thirteen."If you really want to be left alone then I'm afraid you will have to explain to us what transpired between you and second master else""Else what? Since when do I owe you an explanation?"
Azrail heard the bell jingled and right away he knew it was going to be a long day. Everything gotten comes with a price, if he had pleaded on Audrey's behalf, he should be willing to pay the price as well."It's the red code, brace yourself Azrail." He said to himself. Azrail was still finding it hard to believe that he had interfered with Audrey's punishment knowing fully well he was putting himself into jeopardy."I wonder why I did that in the first place when it has nothing to do with me? It's totally impossible to know what Lord Adonis is thinking. What will his sentence be? What is to come will definitely come." Azrail mustered all his courage as he stepped out from his chamber to the main hall.***The girls were waiting at the main hall when Azrail walked in"We greet you second master" the girls chorusedAzrail walked passed the girls without acknowledging their greetings but stopped briefly to take a look at lucia before he proceeded to his position and bow his head, The g
On getting to the girl's oom, Audrey took Lucia's clothes off and helped her changed her into a clean one. She laid her carefully on the bed and sat beside her trying to catch her breath.Audrey then went to her bed space, she sat there with mixed feelings. She was sad Lord Adonis had made Azrail and herself people living with disabilities but she thankful Azrail was not killed. She won't have survived knowing someone died because of her. The mere thought of Azrail getting killed got her sick to her stomach. She could have been another Desmond.Audrey mind briefly drifted to Desmond, the originator of her woes. She imagined how he was eating and living well knowing that she lost her grandma because of him. She hated him even more "You just wait till I lay my hands on you beast, I'll make you pay in ways you don't know exists." She sworn.Audrey tried to talk but she couldn't. She used her hands to hit the bunk frame continuously hoping to hear a sound but unfortunately she didn't she