The night that he had taken her back to Awelfor Manor, there had been an unspoken agreement between them that he would visit from time to time to check on her grieving process. The first time he had visited, she was nearly silent, so enrapt in one of many paintings of Nadia that she hardly acknowledged him. Damien had frowned, but let it go, leaving with an unease that made him wonder if she were truly finding her way back. He reminded himself of the day he lost his family and allowed her the space to grieve.
The second time he had visited Odessa, she was more aware of his presence, though still quiet. Again, Damien let it pass, his visit with her short and awkward, time still missing from her mind. As he left, he was at a loss of what to do - should he seek some alternative method of returning her to herself? Should he try to mentally move her? Should he seek out Nadia and end Odessa's nonsense? He decided, upon the suggestion of Rachel, who spoke to the deep part of him that didn't want to have significant concern over the Ancient's horrible decisions and madness, to let Odessa find her way herself. Damien cared for Odessa, of course, but since attacking him, Nadia, and Pierre, he hadn't been able to accept that she would be capable of sanity for sustained periods of time. There were too many moving pieces in Damien's life to make Sonya a priority. It was a terrible feeling on the one hand, but a relief in the other. Odessa had become a lot to care for.
He was supposed to have visited her last week to check in on her as was his habit, but something important had come up. Now, as he drove up the road towards Awelfor Manor, he called the Ancient to see what state she was in. As usual, there was no answer on her cell phone.
Damien parked in the driveway behind an enormous black SUV that Odessa's driver used. He stepped out of the car and knocked on the front door just as it opened by itself. "Odessa?" He called out to the Queen of the house.