“Miss Estella is here.”
I grumbled and rubbed a hand down my face. I grunted, and muttered, “Let her in.”
I ha to brace myself. I wasn’t sure why she was here, but I had my suspicions. She had been unable to attend the gala for some reason or another, so she may be here to ask about Odessa.
She came swooshing in, energetic and upbeat, her eyes lit up. It made me anxious and edgy. Estella was every bit the aristocrat, with her short light brown hair, brown eyes, and a medium shade skin tone like mine. Our skin was darker than Odessa’s but there were some that got even darker. She also dressed the aristocratic style to the tee with her loose crème silk blouse and a long silk beige skirt that went to he ankles. She always wore high heels outside of the home. Her hair was pinned back at the sides.
“So where is she?”
I grimaced. “Who Estella?” I knew who, but I needed to draw her away from this topic somehow.
Her smile dipped as she rolled her eyes. “Your blood wife, silly. Of course. I missed her the other night. I heard she was quite the spectacle. Wore a red dress and all that! Scandalous!” She put and hand to her mouth, her eyes gleaming.
I flinched. “Ummmm…….Odessa left the gala early so I was unable to present her.” I paused. “And she isn’t here.”
Estella’s eyes flickered around. “Why did she leave early? Who was the woman in red then with you at the gala?” Her eyes narrowed. “And why wouldn’t she be here now?”
I looked away. “I was talking with Quinn at the event for part of the evening.” Estella huffed. “Okay,mostof the evening.”
“Uh huh.” She didn’t sound impressed.
I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, and continued to avoid eye contact. “Odessa saw me standing with Quinn, and may have got the wrong impression.”
“And why would you think that?” She looked irritated now, crossing her arms.
“She left the gala early, came back here, packed a few things and left.” I sighed. “I don’t know where she is.”
Estella looked angry. I had never seen her this angry before. Estella was a tall vampyr at 5’8” and graceful. She had a soft elegance to her that even our mother didn’t have, but right now she looked anything but elegant or graceful. Her face was contorted in such disgust, making me unsettled.
“How could you? How could you disgrace your blood wife like that? And in public no less.”
I felt desperate and ashamed. “She was of low blood. I could not announce her as my blood wife.”
Estella’s expression flickered, but then she glared at me in pure anger. “It doesn’t matter what level she is at. Her blood was tasted. Her blood was meant for you. And you deliberately disrespected and shamed her with your…...your…..blood whore,” she roared at me. “I hope she never returns. That is what you deserve, Devareaux.” She spun around and stormed out of my office. Shortly thereafter, I heard the front door slam.
I needed to find my wife!
Losing control, I shouted, “Renald! Renald!”
Renald came quickly, looking on edge. “Yes sir?”
“Where is Odessa?”
He seemed flustered. “I don’t know sir.” I was ready to scream at him, when he sputtered out, “But Chauffie should. He drove the Madam.”
“Send him here! Now!”
I was losing all control. I needed to find her. I needed to get her back here. I had messed up so badly. I needed to make amends, I needed to get down on my knees and beg my wife’s forgiveness. But first, I had to find her.
Chauffie strode in a few minutes later looking tense. “Yes sir? Renald said you were looking for me?”
I got up from behind my desk, walked around swiftly and stood in front of Chauffie. “Where did you drop off Odessa?”
His eyes glazed over for a minute, as he turned his eyes away from me.
Back to her flat.”
That hit me like a punch. So, she had returned back to her old place. I needed to get her. I needed to bring my wife back.
