The ballroom was full of guests dancing and making conversation. I pulled away from the door and closed it before sitting at the vanity table and applying the finishing touches to my makeup. As I dabbed my lips with a tissue I heard the door open and close and felt a hand begin to caress my shoulder.

"You look stunning as always my little vixen" I held back a shudder and forced a smile as I stood and looked into the lavender eyes Aleistor Chamber.

"Flattery will get you everywhere my dear" I brushed past him and grabbed the necklace that was lying on the table and brought it up to my neck. A hand suddenly stopped me and took the necklace.

"Allow me my pet" I reluctantly allowed Aleistor to fasten the necklace for me and he stood back to observe the finished look. He clapped his hands together and let out a gleeful squeal.

"Oh the necklace is just the icing on the cake! You'll be breaking hearts tonight!" I smiled politely at the excited man and placed a hand over my heart.

"I'm just honoured you chose me, sir" Aleistor waved his hand and placed an arm around my shoulder as he lead me out of the room.

"With a voice like yours it would be a crime not to have you sing for my guests" I'm not here for them, idiot I thought as we made our way to the raised stage. The instruments had been set up and the musicians were waiting for me to join them. Aleistor gave me one of his famous heart-stealing smiles before ascending the stage and introducing me to his guests. I scanned the crowd as they began clapping and my eyes locked onto two people standing in a far corner of the room. The tall man was leaning down and speaking to a girl in a ruffled pink dress. A smile graced my lips as I watched the pair chatter away together before taking my place beside Aleistor. He gave me a cheeky kiss on the temple and walked off stage. The crowd waited patiently for me to begin and I turned towards the musicians that were at my disposal.

"Shall we start with something new? Let's give them a night to remember" The young musicians grinned and nodded enthusiastically and I turned back to face the audience. Music began drifting out across the room and the guests took their places with their partners. When I felt it was time I opened my mouth and let the words flow effortlessly.

"Here I stand helpless and left for dead...close your eyes so many days go by...easy to find what's wrong, harder to find what's right...I believe in you I can show you that I can see right through all your empty lies...I won't stay long in this world so wrong...Say goodbye as we dance with the devil tonight – don't you dare look him in the eye, as we dance with the devil tonight!" I could tell the lyrics were causing a stir in the audience and heads turned to give me shocked stares as I boldly sung about things people hardly dared to speak of.

"Trembling crawling across my skin feeling your cold dead eyes stealing the life of mine...I won't last long in this world so wrong...Goodbye!" The couples danced across the ballroom and every shade imaginable flashed before me. The guests were starting to get into the dance and the lyrics blurred in their minds as they focused on each other. My eyes passed over the couple I had spotted earlier and I had no doubt in my mind that it was him. When the song was over I was praised with thunderous applause and happily complied to sing a few more of my controversial songs before bowing and exiting the stage. Aleistor met me at the bottom of the steps and took my hands in his.

"Simply astounding! You truly have an angel's voice my pet" I looked over the crowd as he kissed my hand and saw the guests had dispersed and returned to their conversations. I searched for the couple I had been watching but couldn't find them. Aleistor was saying something to me but I wasn't paying attention. Where did they go? I was drawn back to the man in white when he gently tugged on my hands. He looked as if he was awaiting an answer and I gave him a dazzling smile.

"I'm sorry, dear, can you repeat the question?"

"I asked if you would like to accompany me tonight? Some friends of mine are having a little get together after the party" I pulled my hands from his and smoothed down the creases in my dress.

"I would love to, Aleistor, but I'm afraid I can't tonight" His smile fell slightly at the rejection but it instantly fell back into place as he looked over my shoulder.

"No matter, I'm sure I can find another young lady to join me" Without another word he walked away from me and I let out a relieved sigh. Thank god he finally left me alone! I thought. Now where had the gone...I walked through the crowds accepting any praise that was thrown my way and made a full circled around the room to find no trace of the man. I thought it odd, maybe I had missed them? I was about to do another round when a voice made me stop.

"You have quite a talent, miss" I grinned internally but on the outside I remained calm and collected. I turned and looked into the face of the man I would never forget. His deep red eyes took me in and I could tell right away that he had no idea who I was, who I really was. I placed a hand over my chest and gave him a smile.

"You are too kind, sir" I looked around him and couldn't see the girl in pink near him. The man smiled and I felt my heart skip a beat.

"How is it you know the viscount?"

"Mister Chamber and I are old friends. Excuse me sir but I didn't catch your name?" I knew he hadn't given me his name but the simply closed his eyes and carried on smiling.

"Of course, miss. My name is Sebastian" I gave him a coy smile.

"You remind me of someone I used to know Sebastian...but no. You certainly aren't him" Sebastian opened his eyes and raised his eyebrows.

"Oh? Who was this man?" He sounded almost amused and I gave a small shrug.

"Oh just a close friend of the family. You look very much like him...he used to wear this adorable tailcoat and gloves similar to yours. But again you cannot be him – my friend wouldn't be caught dead at an event like this, no he was far too...feral...to be allowed in a place like this" Sebastian's smile had been wiped from his face and he gave me a hard stare. I could see he was searching my eyes for a clue as to who I was and I could sense his growing frustration as he found nothing.

"I didn't hear your name announced, Miss" He had a fake smile and it was really nothing compared to his sincere one. I gave him an innocent look and fluttered my lashes.

"Oh how rude I'm terribly sorry! My name is Celine Rose" His eyes flashed as understanding dawned on him and I allowed a slow smirk to spread across my face.

"Ah there it is...I must admit I'm hurt, Marcus. You didn't even recognise me?" 'Sebastian' tilted his head slightly and looked me over.

"You were just a child when I saw you last..." He muttered. I gave a light chuckle and placed a hand on my hip.

"I'm no longer a child, Marcus" He nodded absentmindedly and brought his eyes back up to mine. He gave me a genuine smile and I couldn't help but mirror it with my own.

"How have you been Celine?" I rolled my eyes at the attempt for small talk.

"I've been well thank you. After that night I got sent to an orphanage until a nice man came along – doors really open up for you when you have a pretty face" I said bitterly. Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly.

"This man hurt you?" I laughed and shook my head.

"Oh lord no! Jacob was harmless he simply wanted me to be the beautiful daughter he could never have. Once my 'talent' was discovered he decided to make a profit until I ventured off into the big bad world on my own" He listened and nodded to show he was paying attention.

"What about you? It has to have been what...nine years? What mischief have you been causing?" He smirked and I saw a trace of my Marcus in that moment.

"I've found myself a new master actually" I raised an eyebrow and crossed my arms. So that's where he's been...

"Oh? He must be tasty then?" Sebastian leaned in close, our faces inches apart, and I saw his eyes turn a deep purple.

"Oh you have no idea" He pulled back and his eyes returned to normal and I was left speechless. He seemed to look around himself and a small frown graced his features.

"You must excuse me it seems I have work to do. It was nice to see you again Celine" He walked away from me before I could respond and I watched as he disappeared into the crowd. Then a thought hit me – surely his master should be around if he was here? He had definitely said 'master' too not 'mistress'...so where was he? I realized he could of been any male guest here and I began to scrutinize the crowd once more. As I did this I spotted Aleistor slip out of a room and straighten out his ascot. As he did this I noticed a shadow slip in through the closing door and narrowed my eyes. Whatever could he be doing in there? I made my way over to Aleistor and he gave me a brilliant smile.

"Celine! Can't stay away from me I see" I had two options. I could either ask him where he had come from or I could try and see for myself...

"Oh you know me, Aleistor" I ran a single finger down his chest and gave him a seductive smile. I saw his own falter as he looked over my figure appreciatively.

"Come to take me up on my offer?" He sounded hopeful and I thought to myself how easy this was going to be.

"If the offer still stands?" He placed a hand around my waist and I felt him squeeze my hip.

"Of course, my lady! A few of my friends have actually gathered already...how about we join them?" I nodded enthusiastically and Aleistor lead me through the door that Sebastian had slipped through moment ago. I then felt something being pressed against my nose and mouth and began struggling in a panic to remove the obstruction.

"Calm down my pet I'm not going to hurt you; this is just protection" I glared at Aleistor fully expecting him to have drugged me, but after a few seconds of nothing happening I realised that maybe he was telling the truth. Huh protection from what I wonder? But there was no time to ask as he ushered me through the room and through another door. We then went down a long flight of stairs and he removed the handkerchief from my face to tuck it into his pocket.

"You could have warned me" I grumbled. I began to hear voices through the door in front of us and Aleistor stopped to stand in front of me. He took my face in his hands and gave me a serious look.

"Are you sure you want this, pet? Once you enter there is no going back" I gulped as I looking into his eyes. What am I doing here? I was starting to reconsider until I remembered Sebastian. H e would be down here...I nodded and gave Aleistor an encouraging smile and he gave me a quick peck on the nose. As his back turned to me I scrunched my nose up and quickly wiped it on my wrist as if it had something on the end of it. Aleistor opened the door and pulled me in before locking it behind me and I was left speechless at what I saw. Tables were placed in the middle of a dimly lit room and there were multiple people occupying them – all wearing masks of some sort. In front of them was a small stage with a large cage in the centre and inside the cage...I felt sick to my stomach. Inside the cage was the body of the girl in the pink dress – her wrists tied and a blindfold was covering her eyes. She looked as if she had been knocked out and I felt my heart almost stop as I recalled what Aleistor had said; this is just protection. That room must of been filled with some sort of drug...

"You may want to wear this, little vixen" A black mask was held in front of me and I slapped it away as I turned to face him. Aleistor had donned a mask himself and was giving me a disgusting smile.

"Of course you don't have to but I advise you do; secret identities and all that you understand" I felt my jaw clench as I stared at the man before me. Jacob and Aleistor had been close friends and I had practically grown up with this man. I knew he was widely known among women and he may have a thing for the younger ladies but I would never of thought him capable of doing something like this.

"What is this place?" I somehow managed to keep my voice level.

"This is a little hobby of mine" He took my hand and lead me to a seat.

"Just sit here and enjoy yourself" He then took to the stage and the members present began to clap and cheer like they had done for me earlier that evening. Aleistor waved and bowed before holding a hand up to signal his audience to hush.

"I'm glad you could all join me tonight! What a treat I have for you!" He gestured to the cage and I felt my stomach drop.

"I have for you tonight a beautiful young lady! You can keep her as a pet, sell her for parts and play with her any way you like!" I'm going to be sick. The girl seemed to be waking from the sedative and sat up as she shook her head in an attempt to remove the blindfold. Aleistor, seeing this, reached in through the bars and pulled it from her revealing one very bright blue eye. My heart broke as Aleistor opened up the auction and people began bidding. This was horrible! What kind of sick place was this? I had to do something...but what? The price grew larger and fewer people were making offers; this would be over soon. Acting on instinct my hand shot into the air as I stood.

"May I inspect the girl?" Aleistor looked surprised to see me getting involved but that quickly vanished and was replaced with a cruel grin.

"Of course you can! All stock can be examined" I gave him a tight smile as I moved to stand in front of the cage and crouched down in front of it.

"Please would everyone welcome out newest member!" I paid no attention to the welcomes behind me and looked over my shoulder to see Aleistor speaking to the crowd. I put my face close to the bars and saw the girl scowling at me.

"It's alright I'm going to get you out of here. What's your name?" The girl didn't reply and I couldn't blame her. I began looking over the cage and the daunting realisation struck that there may be no real way of getting her out.

"I will get you out" As I said this Aleistor crouched beside me and placed a hand on my back.

"I never expected you to be so eager, Celine. However I am willing to offer you a discount seeing as you are a new member" I felt hope flare within me and cocked my eyebrow at Aleistor.

"How much of a discount?" He nudged his chin over his shoulder.

"The man in the front row has offered me £30,000...but I'd let you take her home for £20,000" The hope died away and I looked back at the girl.

"I don't have that kind of money..." I didn't know if I was saying it to the girl or to him. The hand at me back began to massage me and Aleistor's face came closer to mine.

"I'm sure we could work out some agreement to settle the debt" I closed my eyes and forced the bile back down my throat. Sure he had made the suggestion multiple times before but I had never once thought of sleeping with the man. But now there was a life on the line...I opened my eyes and turned them to Aleistor. I could do it...I could save this girl and tell the police...I was about to open my mouth and accept his offer when the girl spoke.

"Sebastian! Stop messing around and get me out of here!" I froze and turned to look back at the girl...who as it turned out was a boy. He had a hateful expression on his face.

"You...your his master?" The boy narrowed his eyes and I grabbed the bars.

"You're Sebastian's master? Why would he choose you?"

"What is this? What's going on?" Aleistor sounded almost scared and I turned around to see a shadow moving around the room leaving a trail of bodies behind it. Suddenly a man in black was stood in front of me, holding the girl/boy, and Aleistor was left crumpled on the floor. I stood and looked at the pile of white beside me.

"Is he dead?" Sebastian shook his head.

"Merely unconscious. I have informed the police of his hobby and they are on their way" I nodded and Sebastian turned to his master.

"What would you have me do with her, my lord?" The boy looked me over.

"She knows you" It wasn't a question. Sebastian nodded and the boy narrowed his eyes.

"How does she know you?"

"That is a question best saved for another time" The boy gave Sebastian a hard stare but seemed to relent.

"She was foolish enough to say she'd help me escape...bring her to the manor. She could be useful"

"My lord?"

"She knows you and what you are; if she knows that much and still lives there has to be a reason" Sebastian nodded and shifted the boy into one arm. He held out the other to me and I hesitantly took it. He pulled me against him and picked me up forcing me to wrap my arms around his neck.

"Hold on tight now" And then we were speeding through the night – the boy, the demon and I.

A.N

The song I referenced was Dance With The Devil by Breaking Benjamin and I hope you give it a listen as it makes me think of Sebastian. Hope you enjoyed the first chapter and please favourite and review!