He Strikes at the Hotel

Chapter Twenty Eight

Zachery left my room near midnight. It turned into a long night of chatting away about what could happen tomorrow, along with laughing over his dreadful attempts at showing off his dance moves. We drank tea and sat by the fire, and it wasn't until he was gone that I realised how much I enjoyed his company, and how much I missed it once it was gone.

He began as the arrogant Duke who would be staying for one week only. Nerissa and I went through Hell and back to get room 34 ready for his expected standards, and he floated in as if he had always been here. He fitted in. Him and Giles got on with everyone, despite their outward appearances, and they gave people the respect they deserved, based on merit opposed to class. All of his guards were pleasant, other than Jared, who was obviously a drunken creep, hibernating way too far up his own backside. I thought it was a strange situation to be in when we both began hunting the same eerie thing, even if I didn't know what it was at first, but it meant we spent a fair amount of time together.

I can't imagine what the hotel will be like when he leaves. "Oh God... I hadn't thought about that..." I softly let out, as if a part of me just started to slowly shatter. I guess I had just gotten used to the idea of him being around, as if he was here to stay now. It never occurred to me that he actually had a home to go back to.

Everyone loves the Duke. The Duke is the apple in every woman's eyes. But what I feel towards him is something entirely different to that of every woman craving him like an achievement they want to flaunt about. What I feel? Feelings? For the Duke? That's ridiculous... I couldn't deny that I thought he was very attractive, but I didn't swoon over him like everyone else seemed to. He just brightened my day, either with his sarcastic and witty comments, or his pure stupidity that he puts on just to make me laugh.

Everyone that has ever met the Duke will of felt this way when he left. I can imagine every hotel worker in England felt this way once he left. I am no exception to this, but what if it's different in some way? And what if he is thinking the same thoughts as me? He can't exactly say that this is how he regularly spends his leisure time, trying to hunt down a monster of a human with a chambermaid who is far too quick to snap at him.

No. No. I am not fooling myself into believing that the Duke will actually miss me. He is polite and kind to everyone, I have no reason to believe that I am any different. I'm messing with my own head over this, and I need to keep a clear mind for tomorrow. I can't risk anything going wrong. If it does, it could be someone's life on the line, and that life would be mine. Or Zachery's.

I began to focus on the ball more and more, planning each part of getting ready down to the last second. I had a bath and began to put my hair in rollers so that my hair would be fixed for tomorrow, especially as I had to work first, then get ready straight after. I wouldn't have time to curl my hair from scratch in that sort of time frame. My hair is usually a bed of wavy mess, so it would make a nice change to have it done properly for the whole day. Knowing Nerissa she will leave her rollers in for work just to make sure each curl is perfect for the evening... But I don't have quite that much dedication to my appearance. The steam from the bath had softened my face, and my intrusive thoughts, so I didn't need to do anything else tonight other than sleep.

I heard a creek outside of my door, indicating someone was stood by the door. I sat deadly still whilst I listened harder to the noise. It was near one o'clock in the morning, who on earth would be walking around at this time? I suppose it could be Nerissa not being able to sleep, or wanting help with her hair. I talked that one up really didn't I?

Before I could decide whether to go and open the door or not, I heard something fumbling about, and then a sound of paper being folded and crumpled. I stared at the door in silence, before seeing something poking underneath of it between the door and the wooden floor. I was right with what I heard, as it was a letter coming under the door, slowly and delicately, like the person holding it was trying to do it without anyone noticing.

The letter was now completely in my room, and whoever brought it here stood in silence on the other side of the door for a moment, before I finally heard to creaking sound of footsteps on the old flooring as they distanced themselves away from my room. I stayed still for a little while longer before getting up, just to be certain. I went and picked up the note and held it in both hands, which were now shaking slightly with nerves and curiosity. The only time I have had a note left for me was when Zachery did so, and he had only left under an hour ago, so there was no way it could be from him. Who else would write to me?

I stood there in my robe, rollers in, fresh faced and ready for bed, whilst my eyes were fixated on the letter which had just mysteriously been delivered. I unfolded the page, and before I even read a single word I let out a loud gasp and cupped my hand over my mouth so stop any more noise from escaping. On the bottom of the page, there were drops of blood. Barely dry. Looking as if it had been dropped onto the page, then leaking down trying to escape. My body froze, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up, shivers went down my body, and I felt as if my head was spinning out of control. The words on the letter made me feel as uneasy as the blood.

Audrey Rose,

You will regret going to the Royal Ball with the charming Duke Zachery.

Trust me.

Yours Sincerely,

A friendly word of warning.

I couldn't steady myself, I stumbled over to my bed before falling down onto it, with my head full of questions, and my heart full of fear. Whoever was behind the missing people knew exactly who I was, and has been watching me and Zachery for who knows how long. Was our plan working? Or have they seen through the charade, and have decided to play along themselves? Whatever the reason was, I didn't feel safe. It wasn't even as if I could go to anyone else's room to stay the night, as it would seem this person knows my exact whereabouts at all times. I couldn't feel safe anywhere, not until this was over.