The Blood Contract-Chapter 14: Unwilling participant

It was only after Lucian left that Serena finally stopped glaring at the door, her sharp gaze softening as the sound of his footsteps faded down the hallway.

She exhaled deeply, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly as she turned her attention back to the half-finished meal on the table. Picking up her fork, she resumed eating, though her movements were mechanical, her mind far away, lost in a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions.

Her frustrations had been building to a breaking point, a simmering storm within her that she could no longer contain. She felt as though she were teetering on the edge of something vast and uncontrollable, a place where her actions no longer made sense, even to herself. She couldn't believe she had just blurted out that she would be sick in three days. Who even says something like that?

A few minutes after she finished eating, the maid from earlier returned to the room to clear the utensils. Serena watched her out of the corner of her eye, noticing how the woman's movements were efficient yet hesitant, her eyes darting toward Serena every so often as if she were trying to piece together a puzzle. The maid's glances were fleeting but persistent, and Serena couldn't shake the feeling that there was something unspoken hanging in the air between them.

Finally, Serena broke the silence. "You've been looking at me since you came in here this morning," she said, her voice calm but laced with curiosity. "Is there something wrong? Something you want to tell me?"

The maid froze mid-motion, her hands hovering over the tray of utensils. Slowly, she turned to face Serena, her expression a mix of fear and embarrassment, as though she had been caught doing something she shouldn't.

"I'm sorry, ma'am," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please forgive me. I really didn't mean to stare. It's just that... I find you to be very pretty. I couldn't resist looking at you." She lowered her head, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red.

Serena studied the woman carefully, taking in the lines etched into her face, the weariness in her eyes, and the way her hands trembled slightly as she clasped them in front of her. It was clear that this woman had lived a hard life, one that had aged her beyond her years. Serena guessed she was at least two decades older than herself, her features weathered by time and hardship.

"What is your name?" Serena asked, her tone softer now.

"Rhoda, ma'am," the maid replied, still avoiding eye contact.

"What is your position in this house?" Serena pressed, her curiosity piqued.

"I am the chief maid and head of the kitchen staff," Rhoda answered, her voice gaining a hint of pride despite her nervousness.

Serena nodded thoughtfully. "Thank you for the meal, Rhoda. I really enjoyed it. Was it you who prepared it?"

"It was a collective effort by the kitchen staff," Rhoda explained, "but most of the credit would go to the chef who put everything together. Her name is Ari."

Serena nodded again, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Extend my appreciation to everyone—and to Ari. Tell her I enjoyed the meal. She did an excellent job."

"I will do that, ma'am. Thank you very much," Rhoda said, bowing her head slightly. Her smile widened, reaching from ear to ear, as she gathered up the utensils and left the room, her steps lighter than before.

Alone once more, Serena let out a long breath. She was relieved to be by herself again. But that relief didn't last. Just as she was about to relax her back against the headboard, another knock echoed through the room.

She hesitated, half-expecting the person to barge in without waiting for her response. When they didn't, she remained silent, her curiosity piqued. The knock came again, and still, the door remained closed. Finally, she called out, "Come in."

The door creaked open, and a different older woman stepped inside.

This one was tall and slender, with striking blonde hair pulled back into a sleek bun. She wore a tailored suit that exuded authority, and that made Serena instantly think she was from the Council of Vitae . Her presence was commanding, yet there was a warmth in her smile that softened her sharp features.

"Good morning, Serena," the woman said, her voice smooth and reassuring. "I'm glad you're feeling better today."

Serena's eyes narrowed as she studied the woman, her guard instantly rising. "And you are?" she asked with a cautious tone.

"My name is Dr. Marlowe. I'm a scientist," the woman replied, her smile unwavering.

The name struck a chord in Serena's memory, though she couldn't quite place it. It sounded familiar, like a distant echo from her past, but she couldn't recall where she had heard it before.

"Scientist... in other words, Council of Vitae, am I right?" Serena asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

"Ex-Council of Vitae," Dr. Marlowe corrected gently. "I don't work with or for the Council anymore." She gestured toward the sofa. "May I sit?"

Serena nodded, her gaze flickering to the woman's hands, which held an unopened syringe and a small pack that Serena assumed contained an injection. Her stomach tightened at the sight, and she instinctively leaned back, putting more distance between them.

"It's just medicine to help with the weakness you're feeling," Dr. Marlowe explained, placing the items on the side table. She noticed Serena's wary expression and added, "I see you don't recognize me."

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"Am I supposed to?" Serena asked, her eyes narrowing further as she scrutinized the woman's face, searching for any hint of familiarity.

"It's all right," Dr. Marlowe said, her tone understanding. "It's been a long time, so I don't expect you to remember. The last time you saw me, you were still a kid." She paused, her smile fading slightly as she continued, "I used to work with your father at the Council. He was my partner. He was a good man, and he loved you with reckless abandon. Everything he did was to keep you safe. But I guess his efforts weren't enough, or he wasn't allowed to finish his work before he was taken away."

A wave of sadness washed over Serena as memories of her father surfaced—his kind eyes, his reassuring smile, and the cryptic things he had told her when she was younger. She had always known there was more to his words than he let on, but she had never fully understood what he meant. Even now, the pieces of the puzzle remained scattered, just out of reach.

Despite the flood of emotions, Serena didn't let her guard down. "If you're not working for the Council, then what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice steady but laced with skepticism.

"I'm working with Lucian," Dr. Marlowe replied, and Serena's heart sank. The look of disappointment on her face was unmistakable.

"Yeah, right," Serena said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're working for the one who put me in this mess, and I'm supposed to trust you?"

"You've got it all wrong, my dear," Dr. Marlowe said, her smile returning. "Lucian did not put you in this mess. The Council did. He was also an unwilling participant, just like you. He was forced to do this."

"Unwilling participant?" Serena scoffed, her disbelief evident. "He looked very willing to me while everything was going on. Never once did he object to it."

Before Dr. Marlowe could respond, another knock echoed at the door, pulling Serena's attention away. She wondered who it could be this time.