Chapter 29

Lady Annalise hadn’t expected this human to be greedier. If Vincent wasn’t the one to hire the governess, she would have drained the woman’s blood out of her body and let it rot in the forest.

“You are cleverer than I thought you to be,” Lady Annalise held a strong distaste in her mouth because she wasn’t someone who bothered herself with the poor class, lest talk to them. “I will double the sum of money,” smirked the woman.

Eve stared at the woman, who stared right back at her.

“I appreciate your generous offer, but I am a governess you cannot afford,” Eve’s words were nothing less than a verbal slap to the wealthy woman, where the earlier smirk fell from her face, and it was replaced by anger.

Eve had other motives, which didn’t solely concern money. But Eve’s refusal only made Lady Annalise believe that the human had stepped into the mansion with ulterior motives of gaining more wealth.

Lady Annalise stepped in front of Eve and warned in a low voice, “Heed my words and quit the job before it is too late. Else you won’t like the outcome of what happens to the people you care about.”

Eve didn’t like that the woman threatened the lives of the only two people who were her family. As if finding her weakness, Lady Annalise smiled.

Hurried footsteps appeared in the corridor that belonged to Alfie, who held Eve’s lunch box in his hand as if he was looking for her.

Lady Annalise took a step to the side to stand next to Eve but in the opposite direction, and she said, “Give it a thought.”

When Eve turned to meet Lady Annalise’s eyes, she noticed the woman’s eyes had changed to red. When the woman smiled, fangs peeked from her lips.

The Moriarty family were vampires…

Lady Annalise walked away, disappearing from the corridor, while the butler quickly came to where Eve stood.

Alfie asked, in concern, “Are you alright, Miss Barlow? I saw your lunchbox lying in the corner of the hallways and became worried.”

“Miss?” The butler once again called her when she didn’t respond.

“Yes, I am fine,” replied Eve, and her eyes briefly looked at the butler, who only appeared confused when in truth, he was a vampire too.

It wasn’t like Eve hadn’t already taken into consideration that there would be a possibility that she would end up working for a family of vampires or werewolves. But now that she was certain, she would have to be careful.

“Thank you for bringing my lunch box to me, Alfie,” Eve offered a bow to the butler for being thoughtful about it.

“Of course, milady,” replied the butler, who held an apprehensive look of doubt. “Let me see you at the entrance door.”

Eve didn’t refuse, and the butler walked her to the mansion entrance. A lot of things occupied her mind, but it was mostly the safety of her family that worried her. The world where they lived in was unfair, but the people from the low status, especially humans, couldn’t cry about it.

That evening when Eve reached her home, she saw Aunt Aubrey working on her woollen scarf while peering through the framed glasses in great concentration.

“Welcome back home, Eve. How was your day at the Moriarty mansion?” Inquired Aunt Aubrey. The woman tried to push the thread of wool into the needle and had been stubborn not to take Eugene’s help.

Eve let her umbrella rest on the stand and handed the lunchbox to Eugene, who took it to the kitchen. She then walked behind the older woman and put her arms around her aunt.

Lady Aubrey was taken aback by the affection, but she didn’t refuse it. Dropping the wool and thread to the side, she placed her hand on the young woman’s hand.

“Did you have a hard day?” Asked Aunt Aubrey, and Eve smiled.

“Not too hard, I think I managed it fine,” replied Eve, the side of her cheek pressing the woman’s cheek.

Eugene, who had stepped out of the kitchen, went back to the kitchen as if he had forgotten something, leaving the two women in the living room.

“Come, sit next to me,” said Lady Aubrey, patting the space next to her on the couch, and Eve let go of the woman before walking around.

Eve took a seat next to Aunt Aubrey, and the woman took Eve’s hand before enclasping it in both her hands. Aunt Aubrey said, “There is nothing I haven’t seen or heard when it comes to being a governess. Did you break something valuable in the mansion?” The older woman gave a look. “It is fine if they have fired you. That would be an experience for you to add.”

“I wasn’t fired from the job, auntie,” Eve smiled before shaking her head.

“What? That is always something I worry that might cost you your job,” responded Aunt Aubrey with her eyebrows knitted together. “What has gotten you so quiet today then?”

Eve didn’t mean to hide by keeping things away from them, from what she had heard. But she needed to ponder a little more on it before she would bring it to her lips.

“I just heard something in the mansion, and it has been there on my mind since then,” replied Eve, and she slid from her seat and placed her head on the woman’s shoulder.

Even though Lady Aubrey couldn’t take the place of her mother, she was there as a guide for Eve, who took care of her. And over the years, Eve turned to be part of Lady Aubrey and Eugene’s life.

After resting there for a while, Eve finally gave out the information, “The Moriarty’s are vampires.”

“I think somewhere we all expected it,” Lady Aubrey murmured, who didn’t look too shocked by the news. “How do you feel about it?”

“I am letting it sink in,” replied Eve, staring at the cold fireplace, which was yet to be lit with logs of wood. “I just have to make sure no one tastes my blood.” One drop and things would go downhill, she was aware about it.

Pushing herself to sit straight, she turned to Lady Aubrey and kissed her cheek, “I will be going to the river.”

Lady Aubrey watched Eve climb up the stairs and advised, “Don’t go too far and stay away from trouble.”

“Yes, Aunt Aubrey,” replied Eve and entered her room.

Eve picked up a dress from her dressing drawer, putting it in a small bag, along with a little container that had the mixture of salts. It wasn’t much, but enough to rub it on her legs. When she stepped out of the house, the sky had turned dark, pulled over by the blanket of stars.

The gate’s latch creaked. She could hear the sound of the crickets in the surrounding area. There was a light chatter in the air as there were still people walking up and down the streets. Lanterns hung outside each house in the town, the flames dimly burning as the families had to drag the flame and oil for the rest of the night.