Chapter 23 Devastated
The sitting room went silent. Everyone froze. They knew exactly what that meant. The rules of this mansion were strict enough; what could be more difficult for the maids to endure? Ezekiel would make sure these new rules affected his cousins and the rest of the family. This mansion belonged to his father, Malcolm Donovan. He could do what he wished, and everyone had to live by his rules. This was his house, and anyone staying here would have to live by his rules.
All faces went stiff, as if time had stopped. Evan was motionless as well. She couldn't help but ask herself the question: ‘Why is he changing the rules? Isn't life hard enough for the savants? Is it because of me?’ Numerous questions spun inside her head. The maids were already going through a lot, especially after the last tragedy. Many vampires who had transformed into reapers used maids as their food. The majority of maids died due to that horror, and Ezekiel wanted to make it harder? Evan's heart bled when it reminded her of Olivia. Someone close to her heart had also died that night.
She wanted to tell Ezekiel that he wasn't the only one who lost a loved one.An urge to speak threatened to erupt, and she tried to hold it back, but it was impossible. She gritted her teeth as her hands turned into fists. Taking a deep breath, she stood up.
“Master Ezekiel, we are already going through a lot. What rule do you want the savants to live by? We lost a lot of loved ones and we are still mourning their deaths. They were like family to us. Don't we have a voice?” The words left her lips in one go. Hurt was evident in her eyes, but it would never be seen by anyone. The only person who would be able to feel her agony was herself. She spoke from the heart, her voice trembling, her eyes watery and about to spill over. Her heart pounded.
But Ezekiel's expression remained blank,like stone. His eyes were unblinking, his lips set in a thin line, unmoving. He was like a god from the Awakened, an ancient descendant with elegant features.
“This is considered disrespect! Where are your manners?” Ezekiel's aunt was the one who spoke. She stood up furiously, ready to pounce on Evan.
“You deserve to be locked up in the dungeon.All my family is gone because of your foolish act.”
“I agree!What is she still doing here, Zeke? Take her to the council. She is supposed to be executed!” It was one of Ezekiel's cousins who spoke: Mikey. He had grown up with his uncle and over the years had come to strongly believe humans were nothing but food. He disliked them and saw them as slaves.
“I am not a black witch!”Evan's words were firm, making it very clear she wasn't a black witch.
“You really don't need to defend yourself.It will be confirmed when you are set on fire,” Mikey declared. He was stunned that this girl had the audacity to talk in the midst of pureblooded vampires.
“I suggest we test her ourselves. Let's see if she's really a witch or…”
Evan's heart sank at those words.She didn't want to be in this situation, a life-and-death situation. She hadn't really discovered what she truly was, but she was 100% certain she wasn't human.
According to how the situation was,Ezekiel loved her blood and thought it was delicious. If she could find Isabella, she would ask which creature had good-tasting blood. That way she would know the variety of creature she fell under. She was sure she had more power as well, like how a wound had disappeared on her face. Hopefully no one would ask her about that.
“I-I'm not a black witch! I'm just human. Master Ezekiel, you have to believe me.”
She turned to Ezekiel,hoping to see a change of expression. But nothing came. Blank, unblinking, expressionless.
“I can sense a dark aura from you,indicating that you're clearly a black witch,” Ezekiel said. There was no warmth in his words at all. Evan could imagine how ready he was to get rid of her. Her jaw dropped and her eyes became dull.
“I-I’m not a black witch.Please don't do this,” her words were pleading. She was sure of it; even if she didn't know what kind of creature she was, if she were a black witch, Isabella would have told her back in her coven.
“Tomorrow, first thing in the morning, you and I are going to the council. You'll be locked up until the day of execution. For now, you're going back to the dungeon.” Zeke's final verdict left his lips. One could tell he was never taking it back. The words were cold and hard as ice.
It was as if her soul was about to leave her body.She wished it would. She would die anyway.
“The new rule is simple:all savants will be marked with my ink to show their loyalty. If you know you will not want to be marked, kindly stand up and leave. Your final payment will be given to you.”
The Duke informed them. No maid dared to stand up. They knew the tone of his voice. If any maid truly left, they would be killed before they reached their destination.
Evan slowly sat down,crossing her legs in a frog-like gesture like the other maids.
Seeing that no maid dared to stand,he removed a small reddish container from his pocket. Walking to the table, he placed it on top.
“One by one,all savants should come and mark yourselves where you wish.”
…
The rabbit waited all night for Evan, but she never showed up. It was so lonely to stay inside a rabbit hole, not moving. It was frustrating, annoying, and irritating. He wished he had superpowers to come out of this hell. The rabbit's thoughts drifted to Evan's words. She had been in the dungeon last night.
Its invisible bunny heart felt a pang of pity for the girl.Staying in this room, he observed the girl wasn't as bad as he had predicted. She was living her life in a nightmare. Ezekiel, who pretended to show a little attention, was now putting her into the main hell.
Meanwhile,Evan and Zeke were inside his expensive carriage. Memories of the last time she was here flickered in her head. Who would have ever imagined she would be here today in this same place? Her hands were bound with unbreakable chains, her eyes dry from crying, her belly grumbling from hunger, her body hurting from lack of care.
She couldn't feel the physical pain. Her heart was absorbed by the death ahead of her. They were headed for the council, and she would be locked up until her execution. Minutes later, they reached the council. The building was tall and massive, painted gray. The Duke got down, leaving Evan sitting alone in the carriage. Two men dressed in council attire came and took Evan inside. Until they put her behind bars, she noticed nothing, her mind completely somewhere else.
She saw a hand holding her own. Looking up, she saw a man. His eyes were hollow black. Looking around, she discovered where she was. Outside the cell, Ezekiel stood observing the examination of the man holding Evan's hand.
“Confirmed.She is truly a black witch.”
“Fix a date for execution,”Duke Ezekiel instructed.