Fate

Chapter 10

Ella’s heart was in her mouth as she walked up to the imposing house with its high wall. She found the main gates, guarded by a man.

“Excuse me…I would like to speak to the Dasz family,” she said in what she hoped was a confident voice.

“Are they expecting you?”

She swallowed, “No,”

“Then I’m sorry, I can’t let you in.” He returned to his post.

“Please,” Ella said, “It’s important.” He turned and looked at her suspiciously.

“How so?”

Ella motioned for him to come closer, “It has to do with Ana’s murder,” she whispered. The guard’s eyes widened in surprise, “Follow me.”

She followed him up to the house. The front door was pulled open, and the sumptuous entrance hall revealed.

“Wait here,” he said, “Let me get the master of the house.”

Ella nodded, and stood nervously. She had not prepared what she was going to say, and desperately realized that was a mistake. Her heart was pounding too quickly for her to think logically, so she resolved to simply observe her surroundings. Before long, the Duke made his appearance.

“Well, well, well… who do we have here?” he asked.

“I wish to keep my name private for the moment please, sir.” Ella replied. If Sebastian saw her, there was no way she could hide her identity. Part of her wanted that, the other desperately wanted to just get this over with so she could go back to her normal life.

“Humph, well all right. Come here, to my study,” He led the way, and Ella followed meekly. She was acutely aware of how bland her dress was, compared to the Duke’s rich clothing. The room where she ended up was decorated somberly, with an ebony desk and matching chairs. The Duke took a seat behind his desk, and motioned for Ella to sit on one of the chairs in front. She did.

“Now,” he began, “Samel told me you had something to tell me concerning my daughter’s…murder?”

“Yessir,” Ella said quickly, “I’m not sure where to start, nor how to explain…”

“Starting at the beginning would be helpful, I’m sure,” he said dryly.

“Okay… here goes nothing,” Ella took a deep breath, “I was in the park when Ana was murdered. I…err…witnessed it.” Xander of Dasz’s eyebrows shot up, “No sir, I was not involved. I swear by the Goddess. I was out for a walk, because I couldn’t sleep. The park has often soothed me.”

“Did you see who killed her?”

“Two men. I couldn’t tell you whom exactly… they had rags over their faces to hide their identities. They came from the overhead branches and the bushes. May I continue?”

“Yes, yes go on.”

“Ana seemed to know she was being followed… Or she was checking that she wasn’t. I’m not sure, but she glanced behind her many times. The two men came out of nowhere and asked her something. I don’t know what, I was too far to hear, but I saw her shake her head. That…that is why they killed her, I believe.”

“She died from the cut to her throat?”

“Yes sir. But the other cuts on her joints? Those are markings. She was killed by the Black Snakes.” The Duke blanched at those words.

“The…the Black Snakes?”

“Yes sir. Living on—living the way I do, I know things.”

“Hmm…”

“I don’t know any more about the Black Snakes though, I’m sorry. Joint cuts are their markings though. Not much to do with a snake if you ask me…” she let her sentence trail off. The Duke was obviously lost in his own thoughts.

“What did you say your name was?”

“I didn’t.”

“Sir?” Ella asked after another pause, “Is there anything else you would like me to do?”

“Hum? Oh, please excuse me,” he said, “Yes, I would like you to stay here. The guardsmen are going to have to ask you some questions.” Her eyes widened in fear at the prospect.

“But…”

“Hush. I’ll get the maid to take care of you. My son Sebastian will come fetch you for lunch.”

Ella could only nod, as the maid appeared to lead her to a guest room.


‘What have I gone and gotten myself into now?’ she asked herself as she followed the maid. ‘I only wanted to say my bit and be on my way. And I’m going to have to face Sebastian again. Oh dear Goddess…’

“Here Miss,” the maid pushed open a door.

“Please,” Ella said, “Don’t call me ‘miss’. I’m truly on the same social level as you.” The maid didn’t answer, just inclined her head slightly and closed the door, leaving Ella alone in a room far too big and luxurious for her taste. She sighed, made her way to the settee, and sat down. There was nothing to do except wait. Wait until Sebastian came to fetch her.

As things would have it, she was required to change clothing before she could have lunch. The maid came again to help Ella with the corset, and arrange her hair. The young girl sighed as she remembered the other two times she had come, and the fun she had had with Ana, getting ready. How the older girl had chosen the best jewelry and clothing to suit and highlight Ella’s assets. This gown was plain dark blue, over an under-gown of paler blue. It was pretty, of course… simply not the same. There were no clip-on earrings, and just the barest touch of make-up. Her hair was loosely held back by hair clips.

When Sebastian came to bring her down, Ella was nervously pacing in the room. She didn’t know if it was from nerves at seeing Sebastian again or having to endure this with him there, or just being in this place again…without Ana. The young man knocked, then opened the door. Ella looked up, composed, and registering with some satisfaction the look of utter surprise on his face.

“Wha…What are you doing here?” he asked.

“I take it your father has not yet told you?”

“Told me what?”

“Never mind… He’ll tell you soon enough.”

“Ella, tell me!”

“If he didn’t tell you, he must have a good reason. It is not up to me to betray that. Now, I thought you came to get me for lunch?” Ella deliberately wanted to get away from being alone with him. It was too dangerous. She inhaled deeply.

“Yes, of course. Come,” He offered his arm. Gingerly, Ella slipped her hand around the crook of his elbow and allowed herself to be steered to the dining room.

“SEBASTIAN!” screeched a woman as they came into view.

“Shen-doa,” Sebastian cursed as he let his arm fall, “I forgot about her…” Ella looked at him curiously.

“My wife,” he said shortly.

“Oh.” Ella looked down. So he was married. Her heart, if it was possible, twisted and broke some more.

“Miranda, allow me to explain. Ella is a…good friend of mine…and was to Ana.”

“There is no need for you to offer your arm to her,” she retorted.

“I was being polite. What did you want me to do instead?”

“Excuse me, can we just get to lunch?” asked the Duke, who had just come in, accompanied by his wife.

“Yes, of course,” said Sebastian.

“Let’s,” agreed Miranda.

They settled themselves around the table, only this time, Ella was alone on one side, facing the recently married couple. She couldn’t help but feel like she was alone against these nobles. She wasn’t one of them.

Lunch was tense. Ella could tell Sebastian, Miranda, and Lilith were bursting to know why she was there, and she was thankful the Duke’s attitude prevented them from doing so. The hour dragged on, petty talk filtered over and through her. Lilith had no obvious recollection at seeing Ella before, the same as the Duke. After lunch, they went into the salon for coffee. However, once they were seated, Xander of Dasz stood by the fireplace and looked at them solemnly. They fell silent.

“I am sure you are curious as to why a common girl joined our lunch table this day, and is still with us.” He deliberately avoided looking at Ella. Who felt a flush creep up her neck and spread to her cheeks as Lilith, Miranda, and Sebastian turned to look at her, some longer than others.

“It is concerning a matter of utmost and immediate importance,” he paused, dramatizing or perhaps simply regaining his composure, “Ana’s murder.”

A sob escaped Lilith, and Sebastian put his arm around her, all the while shooting a confused glance at Ella. She ignored him.

“The guardsmen will be here shortly to question her; however, I want you to hear what she has to say before them. I have already heard her testimony.” With that, the Duke sat, his eyes finally settling on Ella. She felt as though she was required to stand and give a little speech about what she had witnessed. The silence stretched. Finally Lilith, her voice slightly broken, but retaining the distance that was required of her rank, spoke,

“What did you see?”

Ella took a deep breath, and focused on the wall, as she repeated what she saw.

At the end of her story, she stared at her folded hands in her lap. Lilith burst into tears before disappearing through the door, most likely to her rooms. Miranda’s arms were around Sebastian, but his eyes were trained on Ella. The Duke sharply nodded and left the room to see if the guardsmen were arriving, or had already arrived.

The silence was, if anything, more awkward and heavy than ever.

“Miranda, please leave,”

“What? But darling…”

“I said, leave.”

She got up in a huff and left the room. Sebastian got up and sat by Ella. He tried to take her hands into his, but she pulled away.

“Why didn’t you come sooner?”

Ella remained silent.

“Ella, speak to me. Why?”

“…because of you.”

“What?”

“I didn’t want to see you. I still don’t want to see you. But I felt like I owed it to Ana to tell you and your family what I saw. Now leave me. I must speak with the guardsmen.” But she made no move to stand.

Troubled, Sebastian tried again to take her hand. This time, she did not resist, yet did not comply either.

“I’ve missed you,” he said softly, tracing her thumb with his own. She turned her head away from him, so he would not see the tears that began to fill her eyes.

There was a loud knock at the door, and Sebastian sprang to his feet. The Duke entered, followed by two guardsmen.

“Follow us,” they said to Ella. She got up without a word and followed them out of the room.


Four hours later, Ella was walking back to Sty’s, dressed in her own bland dress. Luckily for her, the guardsmen had been lenient and did not press for involvement in the murder. She knew her slight information about the Black Snakes had been useful, but there was nothing they could do know. The Dasz family would never know why Ana was followed by the Black Snakes, where she was going, why, and nor the motives behind the killing.

But Ella was, if anything, more empty and numb than ever. Seeing Sebastian had awakened her feelings once more. His touch had excited her. But now he was married. And she would just be a whore-girl he once fell in love with. A whore-girl to be forgotten.