Demon's Path

Chapter 10 The Apple

The curtains were drawn and the light outside came pouring inside awoke me, and I saw Elijah approaching my bed instead of Anthony. "My lady, it is a wonderful day is it not?" He smiled brightly, but Aviana was nowhere to be seem.

"Where's Aviana?" I asked as he picked out a long red dress with a black ribbon on the waist.

"Outside, she has been quite bothersome since yesterday." Elijah said and helped me up, and out of my nightgown, I then noticed my arm didn't hurt anymore. Now that I think about it, when did I have a nightgown?

I looked in the mirror by the window, there was something red on the side of my neck. I turned my head slightly so I could get a better look, I saw a pentagram in the middle of a rose. "What is this?" I asked Elijah, though I still faced the mirror, I pointed to it.

"The seal of our contract, I am also branded with the seal." He said, he removed his jacket then unbuttoned the first three buttons on his shirt. There was the same symbol under his collarbone like Vincent. Both of our seals glowed a crimson red, like the eyes of the demons that surround me. "My lady, am I still to be Elijah? Or am I someone else?"

"Stay as yourself, when will you begin Father's torture?" I asked and he fixed his clothing, then helped me put a choker on, it was black with white frills.

"Soon my lady, you have given me two years which is more than enough time to drive him insane to the point where he will practically beg for his death." In the middle of his sentence he leaned in lowering his voice to a mere whisper, sending chills down my spine.

"Very well, what is scheduled for today?" I asked and he helped me finish my clothing.

"Your father is going to be in his office speaking about certain objectives that need to be completed. You will have your dance lessons, once finished Marquis Hunter Richardson has requested your presence at his manor, then you will have your cello lesson with Mrs. Haley, then your piano lesson here. Then at night before bed you must read a chapter from your book and you will be sent off to bed my lady." Elijah said as we began to walk to the dining room for breakfast.

"What objectives does my father wish to complete?" I spoke, keeping my voice cold, I was starting to care less, but I had to know.

"I am afraid he kept that to himself, my lady." He opened the door.

"So you won't tell me?" I glared, how dare he?

"No, as in I have no clue." Elijah said pulling out my chair.

"While I eat, search what he is planning, I want to know Elijah." I said, he bowed.

"Yes, my lady." He then went and brought me my meal. As I took a bite, he left. Father came shortly after with Anthony, he seemed to be avoiding me.

"Zera, when you are at your lessons, make no mistakes, and at the Marquis Richardson's home, don't be you." He said while Anthony left to get his meal.

"Yes Father." My expression felt empty, my voice was low.

"Good, if he wanted to he could break off the engagement, so I plan on making sure he will put up with you until the wedding." Father said, then Anthony brought him his meal. "You are dismissed." Father said, beginning his meal, Anthony bowed then left.

The time was long, quiet, and anything but peaceful. I slowly ate, Father ate everything on his plate quickly leaving a mess. He left without a word, I sat there waiting for Elijah. The doors opened and Elijah closed them picking up Father's mess, "What did you find?"

He smiled, "Impatient are we? It can't be helped I suppose. Your father is meeting with common rate thugs from the underside of London, he hopes to surpass the Queen." He left the mess in the kitchen about to pick up mine, he stopped, "Now my lady, you must finish your food."

I rolled my eyes, "Now Elijah, come leave the mess to the other servants. Or else we'll be behind schedule Elijah, we don't need that." I stood and Elijah chuckled, "Now. Elijah." I glared at him and he grinned.

"The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree I suppose." He opened the doors and guided me to the carriage.

Once in the carriage the driver started it and I looked at Elijah. "While I am in my lessons, I want you to alert the Queen, Elijah." He stared at me with an unreadable face, was it in shock?

"If he is to find out you ratted him out to the Queen?" Elijah asked, his soothing voice was filled with curiosity, but he sounded like a lullaby.

"I'll handle his punishment, if he does more damage than I can handle then come for me. Make sure he can't recognize you. I don't want him to know what you are until I say so." His grin deepened.

"Yes, my lady." The carriage stopped, we looked out, we were outside the building. "Your stop, I shall be back momentarily m'lady."

I nodded, not quite believing it wouldn't take him long, but I exited and entered my dance lesson. "Lady Zera, welcome." Mr. Williams greeted happily.

"Hello Mr. Williams." I said plainly, if I were to even try and sound happy, I would waste too much energy unnecessarily.

"We will get you started right away!" He cried out and after he set the music, we danced the waltz.

After what seemed like ages, the music ended along with the dance, there was clapping as Mr. Williams bowed. "Brava my lady." I turned to see Elijah entering.

"She has improved greatly since her last lesson." Mr. William's said.

"Well she is a Blackwell, anyhow, we must be on our way before Marquis Richardson is kept waiting." Elijah opened the door.

"Thank you Mr. Williams." I curtsied and left, "Is it done?"

"Yes, they are on their way to the manor, we must hurry to Marquis Richardson." Elijah opened the carriage door and I entered, then he left to sit beside the driver.

We began to move, and I looked out the window, I sighed. "I'm beginning to be more like that bastard with each passing day. When will I be consumed completely to the point where I can no longer change back to who I was? Would I even want to change?" I thought to myself aloud, and drifted to my thoughts the rest of the carriage ride.