But today, after a hearty lunch, I had a bit of a sweet tooth and went searching for them. After several minutes of fruitless searching, I called for the chef.
Vicki hurried over, wiping her hands off on a stained apron. She didn’t love it when I rifled through the kitchen on my own, but she held her tongue after she saw I had no plans to listen to her complaints about it. I purchased the groceries and sometimes I wanted a damn snack. If I wanted to rummage through the pantry in search of something to munch on, I damned well would.
“Yes, Lord Ethan?”
“I had some cookies in a storage container. Sarah brought them in last night. Have you seen them?”
Her eyes flickered. She looked down at her feet. “She brought them in last night.”
“Alright.” I guess I did ask only that question. “Care to elaborate on where she might have put them?”
“No, Lord.”
I let out an exasperated laugh.
“Damn it, Vicki. Where the hell are those cookies?”
“We have others in the pantry. I think there’s some lemon and maybe even some leftover sugar cookies from the birthday party a few days ago.”
I was growing weary of everyone lying and tiptoeing around me. “Answer the question. Where are the cookies Sarah brought in?”
Vicki sighed. “The trash, Lord Ethan.”
I blinked. “Excuse me?”
Vicki looked up at me, her face wary. “They’re in the trash.”
“Why on earth would you throw them away?”
Vicki looked down at her feet again. “I didn’t.”
It took me a moment to understand what she was saying. “Ah. Alright then. Thank you.”
I turned on my heel and strode straight to my bedroom. Sarah was in the master bath, touching up her makeup.
She smiled when she saw me. “Hello, darling.”
The incandescent light made her hair look like morning sunlight, but I was too annoyed to remark on the sight. “Why did you throw those cookies out?”
That same ugliness flickered through her gaze. She sighed. “Honestly, darling, if it’s that important, I’ll bake you some cookies later.”
I stared at her. Sarah was a wonderful person, but she couldn’t bake for shit.
“I don’t understand why you’d throw them out.”
Sarah put down her blush and snapped it shut with an angry click. “Because you’re a Lord, Ethan, and people want your power. What if she’d put something in those cookies?” She turned and touched my chest. “What if she tried to take you away from me?”
“Moira wouldn’t do that.”
Sarah scoffed. “And you’re defending her now. What if she’s already started? She’s a vampire, isn’t she? Most possess persuasion powers. Sounds like they’re already working?”
Her words triggered something within me. Sarah didn’t sound like herself. She’d never been jealous before. Today, she sounded petty and vengeful. And Moira…she wouldn’t do that, would she?
Sarah reached up to touch my face. “Your eyes are glowing. So pretty.” She patted my cheek, an almost patronizing gesture. “If you insist on cookies, I’ll make you some this evening.”
“Don’t bother,” I growled. “I’ll ask Vicki.”
Without waiting for her response, I walked out of the room.
