Voices of Humanity

Chapter Forty-One

And here we go...! If you read After Humanity you have seen this scene from Magnus's pov. Might look different through Alice's eyes...The moment of reckoning has arrived 🔥

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The dining room was set in preparation for the most honored of guests. Assorted pastries and side dishes filled the long table, far too much for two diners to complete alone. But Dulane had always been a man of excess. In the center of the spread lay a whole roasted human veal. A child, less than two years old, beheaded, stuffed, and trussed. I'd prepared the poor creature myself. It would be my cruel Master's last meal.
   
I looked to the two ornate chalices beside the decanter of wine on the credenza. Of the cups, one was silver, tasteful with a simple design. The other, designated for Kendrick, was gold plaited, inlaid with a small ruby in its center. A supposed token of honor hiding the truth in plain sight. The red stone calling out the blood this glass would spill. Dulane had already laced its inner edges with a clear coating of poison.

     My Master was a clever one, skilled in his plans of treachry. He would call for me to pour their wine, offering the golden cup to our guest as instructed. The poison would seep into the crimson liquid immediately, Kendrick entirely unaware.

    Dulane would raise his glass and drink with a sly grin as he watched his guest do the same. A moment later, his unsuspecting victim's airways would begin to constrict. Dulane would look on in false shock as Magnus Kendrick turned blue and fell to the ground. He might even make a show of calling for a doctor to complete the duplicitous charade.

     It wouldn't matter. Kendrick would be dead before help would arrive and my Master's rival dispatched, no one the wiser. Of course, I had no intention of letting this happen. My hand brushed against the handle of the knife in my pocket for a moment in anticipation, itching to take hold of the weapon.  Eager for the impending death I would deal to this evil man.

    As for the ultimate fate of Magnus Kendrick, I'd decided to give him one chance to save his own life. I would warn him of the danger he faced before he picked up the cup. If he chose to heed me, prove worthy of my trust in his willingness to listen to my words, he could live. If not, he would die alongside his host.

    At the sound of voices, I took my place beside the table as if nothing was amiss. If all was going according to plan, the males were taking care of Everett at that very moment. Madam would soon drink her evening cup of tea and fall over dead. In the nursery, Dreda was seeing to her own overseer and the babies were drifting off into eternal slumber. By dawn, every sibla of the Dulane estate would be ended and, one way or another, every human would be free.

    "Mr. Dulane, I truly am humbled by your hospitality."

    I could not help but note the undisguised awe on Kendrick's face as he entered the room and beheld the magnificent table I'd set. Clearly a feast beyond what he expected. I found the reaction endearing. So many of Dulane's associates felt entitled to such opulence.

    "But of course, Mr. Kendrick," Dulane returned with false modesty. "We are to work together, yes? Those under my employ will always be treated as family on my estate. And please, call me Cedrick."

    Kendrick smiled warmly at my Master and I had to fight to keep from rolling my eyes. I knew this false comradery was intended only to lure a foolish man to his death. If Kendrick proved to be so nieve, it just might work.

    "Alice, show Mr. Kendrick to his seat," Dulane commanded.

     I gestured to the head of the table and watched Kendrick's eyes widen further at the honor as he came to me, sitting in the plush chair I pulled out for him. I hurried to provide the same courtesy to my Master.