THE DEVIL'S BRIDE

Chapter Six

Adrian's POV

“Um… I didn't mean it that way. I… I just want to apply,” she stuttered.

For a woman who had spent the last several minutes arguing with Mojito, a guard at least twice her size, she suddenly seemed unsure of herself.

“Are you certain you want to apply, Eve?" I could barely hold back my smile.

The moment the words left my mouth, I noticed the faint change in her expression. Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away for half a second before forcing herself to meet my eyes again.

“Of course… but how do you know my name?"

She was an intriguing woman. If only she knew what I already knew about her.

“I know a lot of things, Eve. Especially when someone intends to work for me." I maintained eye contact with her.

“I must say, that's weird. But since you're Mr. Know-It-All, you must know I really need the money from this job." She narrowed her eyes.

“Well, my name is Adrian Nightmere. Welcome to Nightfall Estate." I smirked. “Walk with me, please."

She glanced behind her at my guard and made the two-finger eyes-point gesture. Mojito was livid. I almost laughed. Oh, my days. This is going to be interesting.

We continued through the estate, Evelina's gaze darting from one extravagant detail to another. She tried not to look impressed, but failed.

When we reached the entrance to the gardens, she stopped for half a second. "This is so massive."

We stepped into the garden, and I offered her a seat close to the fountain. She hesitated at first before sitting down while I remained standing.

“As my personal maid, your responsibilities will be different from those of the other members of my household staff."

“How different?"

“You will attend to my personal quarters," I said calmly.

She frowned. “Meaning?"

“You will ensure my room remains clean and organized. You will oversee anything that concerns my personal space and belongings, among other things."

She narrowed her eyes. “What does among other things mean? What happened to your previous personal maid?"

“The details will be explained to you by the head housekeeper. As for the other staff, you will not interfere with their duties unless instructed to do so. The position has been vacant for some time now."

“Okay. Will I cook?" she asked, seemingly oblivious to the tension between us.

“There'll be no need for that."

“Good. Because I should warn you, I can barely cook without setting something on fire."

At this point, we reached my chambers. I watched as disbelief spread across Evelina's face as she took in the size of my room.

“Don't tell me this is the room I'll be cleaning," she said, staring at it in disbelief.

“You won't be doing much, Eve. You will have designated hours, breaks, and days off."

She didn't respond because she was busy wondering why one person needed a room this large. I had caught only fragments of her thoughts, but they were enough to tell me she was carrying more worry than she let on.

That shouldn't have been possible.

Humans were usually the easiest minds to read. Something about her was different.

“Why do you worry so much, Eve?" I stepped closer.

She didn't step back. Instead, her eyes wandered anywhere they could as long as they didn't land on mine.

“I don't… when do I start?"

The temperature in the room had risen, and for the first time in centuries, I felt so alive that I almost believed my dead heart might start beating again.

“Tomorrow at noon, if that's convenient for you."

For a moment, we seemed to forget everything–the distance between us, the danger, even the reason she was here.

We were so lost in each other's eyes that neither of us noticed Miranda enter.

“And what is going on here?" Miranda shrieked.

I turned toward her. “Miranda… this estate isn't your father's house, where you can come and go as you please. Consider yourself warned.”

Miranda knew better than to challenge me. Of all the people who could have walked through that door, she was the one I least wanted standing there.

She was one of the women selected as a potential bride for me, a position she desperately wanted.

Unfortunately for everyone around her, she had never understood the meaning of the word no.

Miranda's eyes moved toward Evelina, then back to me. “Who is she?"

“My new personal maid."

Miranda's eyebrows lifted. “Personal maid?"

“Is there a problem?" I was already growing impatient with her.

“Of course not." She smiled and turned towards Evelina who had a suspicious look. "Sorry about earlier," she said with a smile. "Welcome to Nightfall Estate."

“Thanks. I'll take my leave now and prepare for resumption." With that Evelina left.

The moment the door closed behind Evelina, Miranda spoke. “Is she the reason you suddenly decided to hire a personal maid?"

I didn't have the luxury for such conversation.

“You haven't shown interest in anyone in decades. Yet, I see how you look at her. There's a glint in your eyes. And your skin... there's a glow I've never seen before. Are you in love with that lowly human?"

In the blink of an eye, I was in front of her. My hand closed around her throat. “You will not speak about my staff that way. Do you understand?” Pure, cold rage filled my voice.

“Please… she's just been here less… than twenty-four hours… and… you're reacting… this way…" She choked.

I finally freed her and she coughed, then she smirked. “When did you start caring how your staff is spoken to? Your actions just answered my question. And you, my darling… you've just brought your little sugar pie into the lion's den."

With that she disappeared, leaving me with my conflicting emotions and thoughts.

I looked toward the door Evelina had walked through moments ago. Miranda had seen the way I looked at Evelina. And if Miranda had noticed, there was no telling who else would.

For the first time since I had ordered that delivery, a thought struck me with uncomfortable clarity.

I had just made Evelina a target.