"I am sorry Victoria."I am sorry Victoria. I do not mean to insult your mother." Sarcasm oozed out of every word. "But your -- absence -- has left the castle unprotected." "I am doing... something about that. This will be our home once again," my wife replied. She was hiding something, but Marta didn't pick it up. It was getting very close to sunrise, and Marta said, "I must return to my cof- fin." She paused and looked at us. "I am sorry, but there is only one. They have destroyed or removed the others." I was about to say that that wasn't a problem, but Victoria spoke first, cutting me off as I inhaled. It was obvious that I should be quiet. "We have made the necessary arrangements, Marta. Good night." Marta bowed mock- ingly, then cast a hungry look at me as she left the room. She made sure that Victoria noticed, too. "Damn that whore!" Victoria hissed. After the sun had risen up, and Marta was definitely asleep. |