Chapter One: Two Beginnings.

Nothing is as long as the wait for love. As I fiddled with my napkin, ignoring my coffee altogether I eyed the clock. He should be here by now, the waitress passed by me again clearly trying to hint that it was closing time. A few more minutes, that was all I needed I had been waiting on this night almost 44 years. I turned from the door and dipped my spoon back in my coffee that I had bought purely for show, what I thirsted for they did not sell in this diner. I ran my fingers through my short hair flicking it out at the ends, I knew this would just add to my slightly pixie look. I knew up to a certain point how tonight was going to unfold. But after that my mind went blank, typical that my vision couldn't extend beyond my own choice. The only thing I knew for definite was that everything that had happened to me, everything in this life and life before that I couldn't remember had brought me to this moment, to him. I took out the yellowed piece of paper from my purse, I had drawn it when I was six years old the first time I saw him. His face was not how it had appeared in subsequent visions, he looked happy and while his eyes were dark they were filled with joy and love. This brought a smile to my face and I gently folded it again and put it back where it would be safe. I heard the clouds rumbling as if to replace the butterflies in my stomach, the setting couldn't have been more perfect. I glanced down along my petite frame, I had spent hours agonising over what to wear. I had finally settled on a dress that was almost twenty years out of date as I had seen from my vision that he dressed in clothes from his youth. We would both stick out as anachronisms rather than for our pallid beauty. A soft rain began to fall and I knew that is was almost time, he would have to take shelter here.

I fixed my eyes on the counter as the cook walked past, people didn't react well to my eyes although everything else drew them in. I knew tonight though that someone would look into my eyes and not see a killer. There was a crisp silence as the jukebox changed songs, "My love must be a blind love, I can't see anyone but you'" the soulful voice sent shivers down my spine, amazing how many actions my body still remembered. I swayed along to the music, something that always brought attention to me, my constant dancing. My feet tapped the stool I was sitting on, the rain outside was my accompaniment . "You are here and so am I" I heard the little bell above the door jangle and for the first time in nearly two decades my breath was taken away.

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She held her breath as she counted out the beats of the music; one two, one two, one two. Soon it would be her moment, the tragic finale of Swan Lake. One two, one two almost time soon she kept repeating. She felt the music rise., this was it she had left the stage for a brief second but it had felt longer. She gracefully moved out into plain view slowly, allowing the music to swell to its most dramatic point and then ….she jumped.

She dove onto the soft mattresses that lay waiting for her. She could imagine the look on Peter's face as his prince imagined his beloved dying. She smiled at the thought that any second now he would join her down here on the mattresses allowing them a private moment away from the audience and the Count.

He fell with a light thud so close to her that she could smell the chalk he had rubbed on his shoes.

"You were.." he began looking directly into her almond brown eyes "magnificent." How he whispered magnificent sent shivers down her spine, "You too" she replied half giggling as they struggled to remove themselves from their padded seclusion.

"Peter, Alexandra!" a stagehand barked "Curtain call in two minutes kindly make your way to the wings." Alexandra sighed and fixed her feathery crown "Well Siegfried, shall we?" she asked mockingly.

After the final curtain went down and all the roses had been thrown Alexandra danced her way to her dressing room humming the music she had spent the last few months memorising. As she pirouetted in to her rather sizeable chambers she noticed another bouquet had arrived from the Count, massive roses plump with beauty. What a waste she thought to herself as she read his clichéd card, she began the arduous process of undressing and redressing. Polina her dresser was of great help to her when it came to doing up corset strings and removing extravagant costumes. As she was expected at the end of Season ball that night she chose her finest gown of navy silk to wear. Alexandra prided herself on her appearance, fine dresses and statement hairstyles were an essential part of her life. By no means was she shallow but dressing up was part of her job while she was with the Ballet Company. Her entire persona was make-believe, even her name was fantasy. Her family believed that no one named Mary Adelaide Brandon would ever draw in crowds so they changed it to something more exotic and less provincial.

As she slipped her gown on she turned to allow Polina access to the intricate buttons. This dress was a particular favourite due to its ostentatious decoration, its frilling depicted peacock plumage with its greens and purples sweeping all the way down to the ground, this was put to great effect while dancing. She quickly swept her hair up into an effortless chignon leaving a few tendrils loose. She unlike many of her peers refused to chop her long hair into the current fashionable bob. This she held together with two beautifully embellished combs; one made of the finest sapphires-, a gift from the count, that glittered with every movement, the other; a design made of emerald glass that Peter had given her during their second rehearsal to keep her hair from her vision. "Will that be all Miss Alex" Polina asked, Alexandra smiled at the nickname her maid had given her "yes Polina that is all for tonight, thank you." As Polina made her way to the door Alexandra called out " wait , I have something for you" she went over to her trunk and pulled out a lavender evening gown and handed it to Polina "For you, I think this colour will look quite exquisite on you this evening." As she handed it to Polina the servant girls eyes glistened with emotion "Oh miss I couldn't, this is one of your finest gowns -" she was interrupted by Alexandra "Shush now, just take the gown wear it tonight to the ball who knows whose eye you'll catch." Polina blushed as it was a well known fact that she and the stage hand Ryan were quite fond of gazing longingly at one another.

As soon as Polina had left the room Alexandra began to spin around , humming one of her favourite tunes. Mid spin she felt her head crack open, she fell to the floor clutching at her skull trying to remove the combs that held her hair in place. Open your eyes she thought to herself, OPEN THEM!! Why couldn't she see?? Total darkness had taken over her vision, she heard a small whimper from the corner of the room she turned to see its owner , it was Polina dressed in her lavender gown "Please don't" she whispered in desperation followed by a guttural scream. It was the scream that brought Alexandra back, she picked herself off the floor and wandered over to the mirror. With a few quick sweeps and twists there were no traces left that she had suffered some form of fit. This had only happened once before when she was six years old but her parents had dismissed it as it had been almost 12 years since its occurrence. She however remembered the incident quite clearly, it was one single vision a lone man in great suffering. A strong man being corrupted by his only weakness. For months she had cried because she could not help him. She knew what she would do if she were to ever meet such a man.

There was a soft knock on the door "Come in" Alexandra called trying to calm her nerves and absent-mindedly stroking her hair.

"Miss you car is waiting for you" an orderly informed her.

"Thank you Sergei I shall be down momentarily…hold on Sergei" she cried just as the boy was about to leave.

"Yes Miss?"

"How many alleys lie between here and the Banquet hall?"

"Over two dozen Miss, why do you ask? Sergei asked.

"Just curious, that's all thank you Sergei" Alexandra turned from the boy to hide her worry, in her brief vision in which she had seen Polina attacked in what seemed to be a dark alley. She decided she would make her driver visit each one until she was satisfied no harm had come to her maid.

Nearly ten alleys later and not one sign of Polina had Alexandra seen. She was about to inform the driver just to go directly to the ball when a flickering shadow caught her attention. It seemed to originate from the rooftops, Alexandra followed the dark figure until with horror she realised it was coming to an alley-way. She knew that whatever it was above her was tracking Polina who at any moment would be directly below it. She motioned to the driver to halt and she leapt with grace to the ground, she hurried to the lane to stop whatever vile occurrence was about to take place. Once she was shadowed by darkness fear washed over her. What was she expecting to do once she found Polina, if it was even Polina who this figure was stalking. Further and further she walked into the alley when she fianally heard the rustling of skirts. Polina was headed directly towards her "Polina" she called loudly enough so that the shadowy figure above would know that Polina was not alone. "Miss Alex…is that…is it you?" there was an undeniable terrified tone to Polina's voice. As she came into view Alexandra could see why, the shadowy creature had now come into formation as a tall man who was clutching Polina by the throat while another hand ran along her face. He had short hair almost cropped down right to the scalp, he looked quite young but his dark menacing eyes revealed his true age. Unsightly purple coloured bruises circled under his eyes, they were in stark contrast to his pale luminescent skin. His attire was unusual in that it looked as though it were never intended for him, as if he had robbed it off someone of his size and build. How strange Alexandra thought that while this man was savage and wild looking he was undoubtedly the most beautiful creature she had ever seen.

"Hush, hush my pet" he whispered into Polina's ear "the fun is about to begin." He turned towards Alexandra "and who my divine mistress are you?"

"My name is Alexandra Kuliniv, I am a dancer with the-"

"LIES!" the pale man interrupted her "what is your real name?"

"Adelaide Brandon but I am a dancer with the ballet" she wondered how he could have possibly known that her name was a fake.

"I know my sweet, everything about you gives that away. You have such….poise" he smirked. " I bet you would have put up more of a fight than this one" he yanked at Polina's hair now trying to scare her, the whimper she let out did not suffice. "Oh come now my pet, I couldnt shut you up earlier" and with that he pulled her head back , a scream and tears erupted from Polina as the monster laughed.

"Please, let her go. I can get you anything you want just don't hurt my friend" Alexandra begged unsure of what she coud offer him.

"Anything?" that sickly smile crossing his face again he dug his fingernails into Polina's neck, any harder and he would've drawn blood. His idle hand slid down her waist, under any other circumstances it would have been suggestive but it reminded Alexandra of a spider playing with it's prey.

"Y...yes" she answered her voice cracking as the man stepped even closer. His face was a mere breath away from Alexandra's when he inhaled deeply, his eyes rolled into the back of his head as he threw Polina to the ground.

"Thank you" Alexandra muttered as she helped Polina to her feet, she turned to escort her back to that car. She was startled when she went two strong hands clasped her shoulders pulling her from Polina.

"Not so fast you have to hold up your end of the bargain."

"What do you require?" she asked worriedly.

His answer was one word "You."

As he said this he moved his lips towards her neck brushing them gently at first, Alexandra was disgusted by such a request and retuned his advances by screaming and elbowing him in his stomach.

This alerted her driver and he turned the car down the alley, he raced along and soon he came upon the ladies and their insipid hunter. As he neared, Alexandra thrust herself away from the stranger just as the car pummelled into her would-be attacker.

The driver was soon by Alexandra's side "Are you alright Miss? I knew I shouldn't have let you come down here by yourself." Alexandra smiled at him to ease his worry "don't fret about it we're both fine, aren't we Polina?" Polina nodded her head too shocked to disagree.

The three of them made there way to the car "Would you like me to return you home Miss?" the driver inquired. "Certainly not! As prima ballerina I must attend tonight's ball" Alexandra wanted to go home but she knew her attendance was more important than how she felt. Not once did Alexandra look behind her for if she had she would have noticed that the body of the man who had just assaulted them was nowhere in sight.

She helped Polina fix her hair and straighten her dress along the journey. "Miss…" Polina began but was interrupted by Alexandra "Hush now we shall speak no more of this tonight, tomorrow we will discuss tonight's events. Now go and enjoy yourself I'm sure Ryan is inside waiting for you." With that the two ladies descended the car and into the ballroom.

The air was filled with the heady scent of perfume and cigars a most seductive scent, to Alexandra it would always remind her of ballet. Well the end of a ballet to be more precise. She lifted a flute of champagne from one of the passing trays , it still shocked her that at the tender age of seventeen she was entitled to live her life like an adult. She sipped slowly from the glass taking in not only its flavour but the whole room as well. All of today's most influential and infamous member's of society were there; business men with their flaxen-haired buxom dates, the elite who considered themselves patron's of the art merely because they could afford the nicest seats, tall women draped in strings of pearls and other precious gems who had also brought the men who had supplied them. The crowd was dotted with the ethereal figures of the ballet company, Alexandra gazed at each face until she found the face she was looking for. And the face she was not. Leaning on the grand staircase, that she had just waltzed down was the tall figure of Peter, he too had changed into his finery and was anxiously fiddling with his sleeve. Alexandra smiled as she realised he probably had not done up his cufflinks, a problem she would soon remedy. Directly adjacent to Peter was the Count, well he wasn't really a Count he had bought the title with his first million and been referred by it ever since. He was a huge contributor to the Ballet's financial needs. It helped that whenever they requested monetary assistance they would always refer to Alexandra, "Oh we need a larger stage so that Alexandra can leap higher and dance longer…" or "Alexandra is appalled by the unflattering light that hides her magical footwork, she simply insists on new lighting." All of which was untrue, Alexandra would have been quite happy to dance by candlelight if it meant she got to dance with Peter. The Count and Peter both locked eyes on Alexandra at exactly the same moment and unfortunately arrived at her place of standing in the same moment. Peter bowed out knowing that when it came to such social affairs he was not equipped to compete with the count.

Alexandra's smile was tinged with sadness as she took the Count's hand and directed him to the middle of the floor. The band were playing a lively jazz number that Alexandra easily followed, spinning and twirling allowing the count and everyone else to see her at her most beautiful. Next to such an experienced dancer the Count looked foolish so he was relieved when the band reverted to a more subdued sound.

The Count pulled Alexandra closer to him, revelling in such intimacy. His hands slid along the silk of her dress, she was a thin-built girl, her body had been shaped by years of poor upbringing long before it had become a willing servant of music. There was no denying that Alexandra was the most beautiful creature the Count had ever seen, she had a startling beauty yet was clearly unaware of just how beautiful she was. You were unable to feel jealous or resentful towards her because of her sweet nature that almost outshone her beauty. The Count was lost in such a stare that he barely managed to utter the words "I could make you immortal."

"Pardon me" Alexandra who had been searching the room suddenly turned to him with a look of surprise.

"I could take you to Russia, Paris, London anywhere you wanted. You could become the most prolific dancer of your time, possibly ever. You could dance in front of Kings and Queen's, millionaire's and Princes and Princesses, Emperors and other people of great consequence. You could live forever as the greatest dancer of them all."

Alexandra smiled sweetly as she untwined herself from the Count's clutches, "Thank you Sir but I must stay with the Ballet Company, they are like my family".

"I would give you anything you desired; gold, dresses, cars just name it and it shall be done" there was a pathetic pleading tone to his voice now, he sounded more like a lovesick teenager than a savvy businessman.

"All I have to do is name it?" Alexandra asked, unable to hide the growing smirk on her face. The Count mistakenly recognising this as submission eagerly replied "Yes and it shall be done."

"Very well then what I want most in this world is to continue dancing with the New York Ballet Company" she looked around now hoping to see a face she could turn to in order to leave this awkward conversation.

"They are holding you back!" The Count was growing angry now, since attaining his title he had never once been refused anything.

" I belong with them" Alexandra was determined not to be bullied by this man, she had her reasons for staying, the bright lights of Paris did not beckon her.

"Besides I could travel the world and never find a more perfect dance partner the Mr. Volkov."

A quizzical look spread across the Count's face "Who?" was all he asked.

"Peter, he is the male lead in the company. We've played all the great lovers; Romeo and Juliet, Siegfried and Odette-"

"I see" said the Count cutting her off mid-sentence "all the great lovers" he repeated slowly. His moustache began to twitch and Alexandra was positive he was turning red.

She excused herself from the Count's company and walked towards the balcony, when she reached the railings she closed her eyes and exhaled a breath she didn't know she was holding. She was not prepared for what happened next, two crimson eyes flashed before her., yet the did not terrify her. A soft southern voice laughed the words "I'm sorry ma'am." Why did these words comfort her? Who was the owner of these ruby eyes? Why were there butterflies in her stomach as she pictured these monstrous eyes looking down at her, there was an unrecognisable emotion in them. Something almost loving but bigger. She reached out to stroke the face that seemed so lost…

"ALEXANDRA!", once again it was a cry that brought her out of her fit. As she glanced around her she realised she was almost over the railings, during the vision she must have lost her grip. Peter wrapped an arm around her tiny waist and pulled her back, "what were you thinking" he whispered in concern. "I don't think I was" Alexandra could think of no other explanation. She looked in Peter's perfectly normal blue eye's unable to shake the image of the burning eye's she had just seen. She wanted to tell him but she knew he wouldn't understand, no one would. Best stick to what her mother had told her, keep it to yourself.

Peter noticed he was still holding Alexandra's waist, almost a full minute had passed and he was still holding her. She felt so soft under his touch, he had never had a chance to notice it while they performed. Alexandra was completely oblivious to all of these growing emotions within Peter and continued looking at the dazzling lights. He gently removed his hand and offered it to her "Shall we?" he asked. He spun her around and they began to dance, it was a mixture of all the styles the had come across during their travels with the company. They spun and twirled, high-kicked, jived, waltzed, cha-cha'd their way around the balcony. Alexandra's feet barely touched the ground her arms swayed and her head bobbed, it was as if she were made of rhythm. As she came towards Peter he wrapped one arm around her waist and held her hand with the other. He lifted her then dipped her, where Alexandra was graceful and light Peter was fluid and strong. He made dancing look easy, as if any man could spin and lift a woman at the same time.

Alexandra let out a musical laugh as he spun her again but gravity takes hold of even the best dancers and they both tumbled to the ground in fits of giggles. They had forgotten they were at a ball, that they were in the presence of the elite and noble, that tomorrow they would have to wake and learn new steps for the next ballet. Tonight they were two young people dancing under the starlight, inspired by such romantic settings Peter cupped Alexandra's face and brought his lips towards hers. His lips emanated heat and smelt of lime, and although Alexandra liked the taste she found herself pulling away before they touched.

"I'm sorry" was all Peter managed before she stopped him.

"Don't be… I don't mind" Alexandra scolded herself on the inside for saying something so…predictable.

Peter groaned as she said this "Don't mind… don't mind. Is that all you feel towards me, passive indifference?"

"What do you want me to say?" Alexandra was not skilled in the art of men, yes she could dance with them but after that they were a mystery to her.

"I want the passion you show for me onstage! No one who dances like that would utter the phrase "I don't mind". Hit me or something getting annoyed and stomp off, or kiss me back!" he finished this off with a smile so Alexandra knew he was joking. Truthfully he adored Alexandra's calm side, she was able to manage everything and took it all in her stride. He hugged her and whispered "lets forget all this nonsense and rejoin the party." Alexandra simply nodded and took his hand walking towards the doors.

Neither one of them noticed the man watching them from the shadows.