18 The Masquerade Part 3

Making my way up the stairs I stopped in front of the door, It was opened slightly and a dim light shone through the crack, I could hear a soft whimper from behind the door.

Silently peeking through I froze for a moment, It was the Lord De Lioncourt dressed in his black breeches and a buttoned cotton shirt that he wore half undone exposing his chest and in his arms lay the maid with the red hair, She was completely naked and she lay almost lifeless in his arms as he held her tightly, his face at the nape of her neck.

As she tilted her head our eyes met and she smiled at me, her eyes began to widen as she gasped for a moment.

I wanted to turn away but my feet stood firmly planted on the floor.

That was when I noticed it, dripping down in tiny droplets onto the floor, Blood.

He was biting her!

Stepping back from fear of what was happening, I bumped the table next to me, causing a vase to drop to the floor.

The noise caused the lord to jerk his head up, blood staining his lips.

He let the redhead go, hurriedly she stumbled to her feet and dressed. Walking out into the hallway, she passed me as if nothing had happened.

I turned to see the Lord dressing calmly, wiping the blood from his mouth with a napkin. He looked at me expressionless.

"I am sorry, Milord. I did not mean to intrude." my voice trembled as I spoke.

Turning with a speed I hurried down the stairs and back into the ballroom, Pushing my way through the crowd, I made my way out to the gardens.

Not paying attention, I walked straight into the back of a man and as he turned he steadied me, "Zenobia, are you alright?" I looked up and my eyes met his. "Caleb." I wrapped my arms around him tightly. "Take me away from here, please." I pleaded.

Without question, he held me close to his side as we hurried out to his stable and taking one of the horses we rode out towards the lake.