She’d also worked out a routine for her own work, got back into the groove of her weekly meetings with Joline and Keith, all of them on video conference now. Both Joline and Keith teased her about how happy she looked, and that married life seemed to agree with her. She laughed and nodded her head. Yes, it really was starting to feel like a good life now.
Unfortunately, that was also the day that her luck ran out. She was walking towards the kitchens to talk with the chef about a dinner event coming up the following week, and laughing when Janus seemed to attack a shadow, when the vicious words struck her like a physical slap.
“You’re not doing your duty!” Julia snapped as she rounded the corner, her blond hair snapping behind her head like a furious crown.
Shantra noticed that all of her bodyguards were chattering with each other and Milak, her lead guard at the moment, looked furious. “It’s okay, Milak. It couldn’t last forever,” she told him, putting a gentle hand on his arm.
The man stepped back, but he was still muttering into his microphone, although she couldn’t hear what he was saying. Possibly because Julia was still sniping.
“Laithir has a very important guest arriving next week, and what have you done to prepare for it?” she sneered. “Nothing! Nothing at all! I’m going to Laithir and telling him that I’m taking over. You’re completely inadequate at this job, and he needs someone with better hostessing skills!” She was just about to walk away when she noticed Janus who was crouched down, about to attack one of the tassels on Julia’s outfit.
“And get rid of that mongrel! He’s a disgusting, mangy feline that has no place in this building! It is pathetic to think that you have a pet with you all the time! Don’t let the guests see that thing,” she sputtered out.
Shantra quickly lifted Janus into her arms, aware that the vile woman looked like she was about to kick her cat. “Don’t you dare touch Janus!” she snapped.
Julia stepped closer, and Shantra felt her guards moving in as well. “Your cat is disgusting. Angela never would have allowed a dirty feline to muddy the palace floors!”
Trying to remember that this woman was sort of family for Laithir, she took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “Julia…”
“Forget it!” she snapped, her hand flying outwards in disgust. “I’ll just have to take over. You just warm Laithir’s bed. I’ll do the rest.” She was about to turn away when she stopped and looked at Shantra. “Well, you may warm his bed for now.” With a nasty smile, she went on, “I plan to take over that role as well. Very soon!” She laughed when she saw the impact of her words. “After all, I was privy to all of Angela’s secrets. The woman was very good in bed. She had Laithir panting after her.” Julia smiled maliciously when she saw Shantra’s face drain of color. Leaning in for the kill shot, she said, “I know what the man likes, and I’m more than willing to give it to him. Obviously, you don’t have what it takes to keep a man like Laithir interested.”
Shantra glared at the woman as she sauntered away, her scrawny hips swaying as if she were already anticipating being in Laithir’s bed.
Shantra had had enough! This Angela ghost had to be banished!
“That’s it!” she growled. Holding Janus in her arms, she walked down the hallway, her goal blinded by the red fury in her eyes.
When she reached the portrait gallery, she stood in front of the painting of Angela, her whole body shaking with fury. She carefully handed Janus to one of her guards. “I might need your knife,” she said, but walked over to the wall and, with several tugs, finally had the hated, heavy painting crashing to the marble floor.
With a sigh of relief, she walked over to the guard still holding Janus and pulled his knife out of the sheath protecting it. Without hesitation, she walked over and stomped on the painting, separating the canvas from the elaborate frame. With relish, she took the knife and sliced through the painting, destroying the picture with the first slash. It was ridiculous violence, but she didn’t care! It felt wonderful to get rid of that taunting smile! Angela had died five years ago, but she was still haunting this building!
When she’d knifed through the whole painting several times, the woman’s face slashed and destroyed, she stood up and surveyed the wreckage with relief. Oh, that had felt wonderful! It was childish and petty, but darn, she’d like to continue to thrash the woman!
“What have you done?” Linda screamed, running into the room with Julia right behind her. They’d obviously been alerted to the destruction, and had come running.