The invitations had arrived over a month ago, ornate cream envelopes posted underneath doors and through letter boxes each envelope housing expensive invitations dressed in gold and silver leaf inviting them to a masquerade ball and containing the masks to be worn; for the boys it was plain black covering their eyes and nose, a silver pattern etched into each of them, for the girls, Sarah and Kate the masks were cream with delicate gold patterns engraved carefully onto them. Clear instructions were given; they were all to attend brining with them bags packed for their stay at the Stoker manor. They were not to worry about getting there, as a car would be sent to pick them up.

Caleb Danvers, ever the cautious one had called a meeting, sceptical of the inviter's and how they knew the group but had been talked into attending by the others, Pouge Parry, Reid Garwin and Tyler Simms. The girls after all did really want to go.

Now however they all felt nervous stood outside the grand mansion, all dressed formally; the boys in traditional black tuxes and the girls elegant in their ball gowns masks attached firmly to their faces awaiting for the large oaken doors to be opened.

With a groan the doors were slowly pulled open revealing a magnificent interior decorated in creams and gold's, the party seemingly in full swing father away made the teenagers glance nervously at each other.

"Good evening." A tall thin butler with a beaked nose greeted them seemingly unimpressed with them as his cold squinty eyes studied them, "If you would wait here for a moment the lord and lady shall be informed of your arrival." He turned and spoke hastily to a small timid looking maid and sent her up the large flight of stairs.

Awed by the manor the six gazed round the decorations not noticing when the two figures descended the staircase gracefully.

"Son's of Ipswich." The butler announced making Sarah jump closer to Caleb, evidently nervous of her surroundings. "The Lord of the house, Master Stoker," he indicated to a tall, seemingly well built man his face, though hidden by the mask was distinctly hansom. "And his daughter, Lady Lillia."

The girl emerged from behind her father making Reid's breath catch in his throat, she wore a long cream dress, a golden design sewed delicately into the corseted bodice wound its way down the silken skirt her hair had been pulled back into an intricate knot; small gold feather placed in for decoration. Her mask, stuck onto her milky skin was gold leaf, started at her collarbone and climber up her neck fanning out across her eyes and splashed delicately on her long eyelashes. Her lips pulled into a smile as she stepped next to her father.

"We are glad you came." Her voice was soft and mesmerising Reid found himself wishing he could listen to her talk forever. "Come and join the ball." She led the way, pushing open a crystal door to reveal hundreds of guests, all in masks, dancing together. She walked into the crowd and soon vanished amongst the hundreds of bodies causing a wave of disappointment to wash over Reid as he attempted to look for her.

"Keep an eye on them Lillia." Her father was stood next to her, both surveying the ball. "In the morning they shall be informed." He watched the six closely.

"Yes pap." She nodded in agreement, her green eyes following the blond haired Ipswich boy closely.

"Make sure Chester stays away from them."

"Of course." She nodded knowing full well the possible consequences of him meeting the four boys. She stepped out onto the dance floor and was instantly consumed by the bodies.

"Would you care for this dance?" a pair of roguish blue eyes twinkled at Lillia from behind a black mask, a smile flickered across her face as she slipped her hand gently into his out stretched palm, noticing the goose bumps as their skin touched and slipped her arm around his shoulders.

"I'm Reid Garwin." He whispered making the fine hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

"I know." She smiled somewhat mischievously at him, both moving together, "I'm Lillia Stoker." She whispered back just before he twirled her.

"I know." She heard him say.