What Makes a Monster

♱Seven♱

"What did Lord Makai want to talk about?" Janein asks, one of the many maids of the estate that probably heard through the grapevine that I was suddenly called.

"I got a bit of a scolding for my cleaning job yesterday, but he let me off with a warning."

"Really?" Janein gives me a once over. "No broken bones or anything?"

"Has he done that before?"

"Yeah."

What?! Why would he do that?!

Janein never explains though, only goes on to say, "But I guess he's probably in a much better mood. The next few days he should be, at least."

"What makes you say that?"

"He fed."

My stomach twists at the memory that I definitely was trying very hard to forget because I haven't even thought of it.

"Does he...feed often?" I whisper, lifting the mattress to pull the sheets out.

Janein and I are cleaning one of the guest bedrooms that I doubt anyone has used in years, but Higra wasn't joking. There's no dust or dirt even in the unused rooms.

"I'd say around once every two months? Sometimes more, if something happened. If that man succeeded in getting away then Lord Makai would need to feed swiftly or the wound would take forever to heal. And he definitely needed it, otherwise that knife never would have reached him. Since he fed though, he's probably in a better mood. You can tell when he needs a drink." Janein leans over the bed to whisper, "He gets extra cranky and yells about everything."

"Thanks for the warning, but if it's once every two months, what—how does he?" I don't know how to phrase this, but Janein understands.

"Feeding doesn't kill anyone, not unless he wants it to. Usually a prostitute is called, y'know, so he gets a two in one deal."

"Wow, that's quite the way of putting it."

"How else was I meant to explain it?" Janein flushes with embarrassment. She brushes a few strands of green hair behind her ear. "Let's not talk about that. It's weird."

"You brought it up."

"You asked."

"You could have left that part out."

Janein groans. "Whatever, I need to take the linens to the laundry. Can you finish up in here?"

I nod and Janein leaves shortly after, leaving me to my own devices and thoughts.

So feeding doesn't kill the person? After what I saw, I can't imagine how. Then again, if I was stabbed in the back of the neck I'd be pretty pissed too.

And a prostitute is sent? Are they ok with that? I doubt it, but the pay is probably insane; that's the only way I can imagine one agrees to come. But thinking about it really is weird. He's our boss.

Yeah, I'm gonna forget I learned that.

Just as I finish up the room, Higra appears. "Wallace."

"Yes?"

"Your suit was ruined the other day, and a few others are in need of replacements so an order was made. Take this into town and pay for the new ones." She hands me an envelope that I peer into. It's full of cash; cash that no one in their right mind would attempt to take. "A carriage is already waiting for you out front. The driver knows where to go."

"So I just need to pick up an order?"

"Yes. When you return, Layne will tell you who to take them to. Now get going."