Chapter 9

Azrail ran as though his existence depended on it. He ran past the girls in the main hall and the girls felt a sudden cold breeze and were terrified. None of the girl could comprehend what was going on and gave each other quick glances.

Lord Adonis walked towards Audrey and with each stride, fear filled Audrey's heart.

  Just as Lord Adonis was about to touch Audrey when Azrail called out.

"My Lord, the end of all things" Azrail said as he lowered himself while breathing heavily 

Azrail was more than thankful that he made it right on time but what next? He came running without no plan.

"It was my mistake, I instructed Audrey to inspect the other girls as I had other things to attend to, she must have lost her way while doing that. I know my fault master, please punish me." Azrail found himself saying.

Lord Adonis looked at Azrail to be sure he heard him correctly.

"Audrey?" Lord Adonis asked inquisitively 

Azrail got Lord Adonis message and instantly corrected himself.

"My lord, I mean number eight" Azrail quickly responded trying so hard to conceal his mistake.

Azrail tried to explain himself further but was cut off by Lord Adonis wave.

Lord Adonis knew Azrail to be an attentive, fierce, tenacious and careful agent, little wonder he was his second in command. Azrail was definitely not the type to let a mortal name slip out of his mouth but the agent in front of him looked... Lord Adonis couldn't place his hands on it.

"Move closer to me" Lord Adonis commanded Azrail in an angry tone

Azrail moved very slowly and finally made it to Lord Adonis. Lord Adonis placed his hand on Azrail chest region and listened and was glad there was no single beat.

"Your heart is as cold as ice, you are still the Azrail I know. there is no beat in your heart so why are you trying to protect her? Lord Adonis questioned Azrail.

"No my lord, I'm not trying to protect this human maid. My assignment is to bring end to lives as at when due my lord. I have no business protecting and I have never for once forgotten who I am. I'm just..." Azrail tried to explain himself

Lord Adonis interrupted Azrail midway 

"What has changed about you Azrail? You are beginning to talk to much. How dare you stand in my presence and try to defend this mere being? Was this how you were making excuses for other death agents? Little wonder, they were so carefree in my absence. As my second in command, you should be firm and feared." Adonis said with so much venom in his voice.

"My Lord gives rewards and punishment when due this is I know. It was negligence on my part not to have informed her about this place. She was only discharging her duties based on my instructions. I'm guilty my lord, let the punishment come to me" Azrail said as he lower himself further." 

Adonis couldn't believe his ears for a second.

"Azrail!!!" Lord Adonis lost it immediately and grabbed Azrail by the neck.

"My lord, I'm just taking responsibility for my actions." Azrail struggled to say.

Lord Adonis threw Azrail hard against the ground and Azrail screamed out in pains

Audrey was visibly shaken and dumfounded to say the least, how could Azrail lied so effortlessly just to cover her up when he should be ganging up with Lord Adonis to see her end and for what reason was Azrail trying so hard to protect her. Audrey was scared, scared of what Lord Adonis would do to Azrail and of course her. Not only has she failed in her quest but has also succeeded in taking Azrail down with her.

Audrey prayed silently in her heart that by some sheer of luck, Azrail and herself will scale through this imminent danger without much hurt because there ain't any way they are getting out unscratched.

Adonis looked at the both of them long and hard deliberating on what to do with them 

"Azrail, I do understand you delegated some duties to her but I can't understand her stupidness. Of all places, she had to find herself here. She just disrupted my quiet time, that is totally unforgivable and for this, she will have to pay with her life. Stay out of this and you won't get hurt " said Lord Adonis

Azrail was more than determined not to have any harm come to Audrey but he was out of ideas and helpless

"Azrail, you've done enough. Come back to your sense." Azrail tried to persuaded himself 

Lord Adonis took few steps towards Audrey but Azrail in a flash covered the distance between Lord Adonis and Azrail. Lord Adonis took a step backward and he was standing face to face with Azrail.

Azrail looked at his master and fell on his face.

"My lord, I, Azrail has never done anything to hurt you or reputation. Neither have I done anything to shame my position, but if my master no longer trusts me, I have no reason to continue to exist. You just checked my heart, I have felt nothing since the beginning of time. My heart has always been cold but one thing I will never be is being a coward and evade my responsibility. I know my sin Lord Adonis, I delegated such special duties to her and in the process, she offended you thus I should take the punishment." Azrail was already at his dead end.

"Let me ask you this one question Azrail, does this mean you'll responsible for others or you're being responsible for only her?" Lord Adonis asked with his eyes fixed on Azrail.

Azrail felt cornered, he lowered his head and was mute

"Answer me Azrail" Lord Adonis roared

"If it is my responsibility, I will have to bear it master" Azrail replied eventually.

To say Audrey was touched by Azrail kindness and perseverance was an understatement.

Adonis paused for a while, he couldn't bring himself to punish Azrail although he knew one or both of them were lying. He wondered why Azrail was trying to protect her. It had better not be what he was thinking but then there he was, he had saved Audrey twice already. He was not in any position to judge Azrail either. Adonis cleared his throat before talking.

"Azrail, since you appointed her and she was found lacking, it makes sense to punish you both. I wouldn't want to see blood right here in my beautiful garden. I'll carefully think about your punishments and summon you both." Lord Adonis said with a note of finality

Azrail and Audrey couldn't believe their ears and felt relieved.

There was no way Lord Adonis was letting them keep their heads for a little more while when he could have them snapped in a twinkle of an eye.

"Thank you master" Audrey said in a voice filled with gratitude... At least she gets to keep her life for a while

"Thank you my Lord" Azrail said alleviated.

"You may go with her leat she miss her way again, who knows she might not be so lucky to keep her life for a second more." Adonis facing Azrail 

Azrail led Audrey out of the garden with her head bowed back to the hall.

Azrail and Audrey walked back to the main hall slowly without saying a single word to each other. Audrey was ashamed of her actions and it showed in her demeanor.

Soon, both of them were at the main hall, the reappearance of Azrail with Audrey terrified the girls more and they added more effort in their work.

Azrail continued walking and Audrey followed suite until they got to a corridor void of eyes and voices.

"Do you have something to say to me?" Azrail asked Audrey in a low voice laced with anger.

"I'm sorry second master, are you hurt?" Audrey said with so much pain in her heart, her eyes were dripping with tears.

"This is no time to worry about me, you should worry more about yourself. Lord Adonis is probably thinking of a million and one ways to shred your skin into pieces, I knew from the day I saw you that you would eventually bring about your own demise with your forwardness but I never knew it would come so soon Audrey. "Azrail said in a tone filled with regret wondering why he had to step in the first place

"Why did you do it then?, Why did you throw yourself to protect me?"Audrey asked

"What about it? And don't you try to change the topic. Now we both have to brace ourselves for whatever punishment Lord Adonis wishes to give. So tell me what were you doing there? Azrail asked Audrey

"I'm sorry, I don't know what I was thinking" Audrey said feeling so remorseful

"I knew it, I'm so disappointed in you, I put you in charge of the girls and you messed things up. I entrusted you with more tasks to keep you busy and you blew that chance to my face. It's time to face the music, get back to work now." Azrail said angrily

"Yes second master" Audrey replied while she watched Azrail walks away.

.

Audrey stood there for a while reminiscing about what just happened. She walked slowly with an heavy heart to Lord Adonis room to start work while she awaits what is to come.