I shifted uncomfortably in my chair, unsure what to tell and if any of it was really valuable. Onyx had said what little I did know could be very useful for them, but I wasn’t so sure. Then, if it came out that I was the one to provide the information, could Mr. D’Avare cause harm to me? Or even Onyx and his position?
Odessa spoke up next. “Dreya, we will protect you in any way we can. Even if you think the information you have isn’t important, we can decide if it is or not. I would be very appreciative of any help you can offer on behalf of the low blood borns.”
That hit me hard. She was directly asking me for help too.
I nodded uneasily. “All I can talk on our the regular aristocrats that attended dinners at the house or stayed after for private meetings with Mr. D’Avare.”
Odessa had once asked me why I referred to my father in this manner, which I then entrusted her with that information. She had initially looked sadly at me, then did something I had not expected. She had patted my hand. I had become a bit protective of Odessa, even if I had only known her a short time.
“The usual guests included Mr. Borne, Mr. Delacroix, Mr. Laframboise, and Mr. Pinchon.”
The group was quiet for a few minutes, digesting the names I gave.
Odessa nodded. “Mr. Delacroix is the owner of the meat packing plant. He has been rumored to be very rigid with his employees. Even limits bathroom breaks to two minutes for both men and women.”
Onyx added, “And Mr. Pinchon had been the one to fire workers who had missed days for bloodlettings that my grandfather had taken in to help get back on their feet.”
I turned to him, shocked. I had not heard that story of his grandfather. He smiled sadly at me. “It is time you met them.”
I felt my chest pinch. It seemed a bit late for that. But also, if Onyx hated Mr. D’Avare as much as he did, and treated me with that hate in mind, wouldn’t his family do the same?
As if sensing my anxiety, Onyx leaned in from his seat next to me. “They would love you. As I do.”
No he did not! I huffed at that last statement and turned back to the conversation.
Mr. Hautbois then mentioned my father’s secrets, one that I had suspected, the other I had not.
“We could also use that information about the blood whore to persuade Mr. D’Avare to make internal changes. We should approach him before the Blood Council gets to that part of the process so it does not appear that he changed his mind against his will. Not that I really care that it comes out he had mistresses and a blood whore.”
I gasped. “Wha….what?” I turned to Onyx who looked pained.
He turned to Mr. Hautbois. “I had not warned her of this information yet.” He turned to me, looking at me cautiously. “Devareaux mentioned to me about a week back that he had heard rumors of your fa--, Mr. D’Avare not only having mistresses, but also a blood whore. I had him seek out proof that may be beneficial to us for persuading him to make the changes we want him to.”
I sat with that for a moment, my hands clenched into fists on my lap. Mr. D’Avare had treated me like I was a dirty secret when he was the one partaking in a shameful act that society would have turned on him for. I hated the man even more. Did Mother know? I bet she did.
I felt a warmth touch my hand lightly, and I was about to jerk my hand away, when Onyx’s hand engulfed mine. He squeezed softly, but I continued to avoid eye contact.
Mr. Hautbois took hold of the conversation and began speaking with Onyx abut next steps. This would be a new undertaking for us all. But I hoped it would make positive changes for our kind.
Chapter 10
Dreya’s POV
The Blood Council was taking its sweet time with abolishing the bloodletting activities. Onyx had assured me this was normal practice based on what he had learned on his own as well as through his new partnership with Mr. Hautbois. I was anxious and frustrated with how long it was taking as I was concerned that Mr. D’Avare may try to do harm to me in some way, or even Onyx through his status. When I had expressed this concern to Onyx he had appeared surprised, but assured me we had an aristocrat of our own on our side.
It had been a couple of months of meetings among the four of us, but these had morphed into more. At least for Odessa and I. We began to spend more time together, and she introduced me to Mr. Hautbois’ sister, Estella. After about two weeks of meeting, Mr. Hautbois insisted I call him Devareaux. I had been uncertain, but both Odessa and he insisted. Onyx had simply smiled at me in assurance. Estella had called me shortly before the next gala event, asking me to attend. I was about to turn her down when she gave me a reason to attend.
“Devareaux will be presenting Odessa to the aristocrats. Please come with me and help give our support.”
I could not say no to that.
Estella sighed heavily. “Also, I may need you to do me a great favor.”
I held my breath. That didn’t sound good.
“Devareaux said he had been trying to persuade Odessa into keeping her hair down for the event, to which she was most against.”
I had finally heard from Odessa what had happened between her and her blood husband. I had felt honored that she shared her struggles with me, so I, in turn, shared the struggles I had with Onyx. We had been bonded since then.
