Blood for Blood Chapter One

A Fancy Ball and an Uninvited Guest.

Disclaimer-Not Mine. The only characters I own are Alannah and Katarina-and my villain.

Alannah grinned as she watched Alice parade in front of the mirror that hung on the wall of the dress shop, twirling to show off the brilliant blue dress she was wearing. Alice sighed in exasperation, and started to pull the dress off. "No, no. This isn't the right one either!" She turned in consternation to Alannah. "Help Me!"

Alannah glanced in amusement at the pile of dresses that adorned the floor. "Alice, you have been trying on dresses for the past three hours, and I've pointed out several that would look perfect for you. But if you keep rejecting every choice I make, then I will find the ugliest damn dress I can and force you to wear that!"

Alice wrung her hands, and sat next to Alannah. "I'm sorry; it's just that I want to look perfect for tomorrow night. I haven't been to a masquerade before, and I want Tarrant to be able to recognize me."

"Alice, Tarrant could recognize you if he was blind and deaf and in a pitch black room. So what you're really wanting is a dress that will cause him to babble incoherently." Alannah said, amused. Alice laughed.

"Yes. Do you think we can find one by tomorrow?"

Alannah walked over to the bed, sorting through the dresses. She finally came up with a dress that was a deep blue in color, with a modest neckline. "With a bit of adjustment, this should do the trick. I hope you don't mind being a bit scandalous, but you'll have to wear this without a corset."

Alice laughed. "Oh no! That's terrible."

Alannah struggled to keep from laughing. "Yes, isn't it?"

They both suddenly collapsed in a fit of giggles. When they finally got themselves under control, Alice looked over at Alannah. "So have you chosen your dress yet?"

Alannah grinned, and held up a deep green dress with a rather low neckline and sheer sleeves. "I have the feeling that Ilosivic will be reduced to a few monosyllabic words when he sees me in this. I also have Katarina's dress around here somewhere" She sorted through the dresses hanging on the wall, crying in triumph as she found what she was looking for. "Aha!"

Alice gasped in amazement. "Alannah, that is so adorable!"

The dress was a light green in color, with ribbons and bows festooned throughout. The ends of the sleeves were lacy, and there was lace around the collar. Alannah smiled. "My baby is going to look so adorable."

Alice grinned. "She is going to be the belle of the ball, no doubt. Is she excited?"

Alannah nodded. "She is, especially since Ilosivic promised he would dance with her. It's all she's been talking about for the past three weeks. Her dance with Daddy."

Alice sighed. "Tarrant and I have been talking about trying to have a child. He sees you and Ilosivic with Katarina, and it reminds him of the family he used to have. Don't get me wrong, he's not jealous-well, not too jealous-but he does wish that he had a little Hightopp of his own. I know he adores Katarina."

Alannah put her arm around her friend, pulling her close. "Alice, talking is not going to get the job done. That is why we need to look absolutely gorgeous tomorrow night."

Alice looked at her, and they collapsed in laughter.

Alannah sighed in relief as she reached their cottage. Shopping for the dresses had been quite fun, but now all she wanted to do was to sit and relax. She walked in, and Katarina immediately ran over to her. "Momma! Did you get my pwetty dwess? Can I see it? Pwease, Momma?"

Alannah laughed, picking her up. "Yes, I got you a pretty dress. I want it to be a surprise though, so you can't see it until tomorrow night. OK?"

Katarina frowned. "OK."

Alannah smirked at her. "I'm glad you approve. Where's Daddy?"

Katarina pointed to the couch, and Alannah grinned in amusement. Stayne was stretched out, sound asleep. "Did you wear Daddy out?"

Katarina giggled. Alannah walked over to the couch and gently shook Stayne. He opened his eye and smiled. "Hello, love. Did you find a dress?"

"I did, but you will have to wait until tomorrow to see it. Did you and Katarina have fun?"

Stayne slowly sat up, and grinned at his daughter. "We did. But Alannah, why did you not warn me that she has boundless energy?" He mock glared at Katarina. "You ran me ragged, little one. I think I did more running today then I've ever done in my life."

Katarina giggled. Alannah sat down on the couch, leaning against Stayne. "Any word on Lieutenant Carter? I know you were looking for him a few days ago."

Stayne gave a small sigh, and then spoke quietly so Katarina couldn't hear. "Patrol found him this morning in Witzend. He's been killed. The worst part is that he had no business being in that part of Underland. His patrol is the Gummer Slough and Crims. So for him to be so far off his path unfortunately raises a lot of questions. The biggest one being-What was he doing?"

Alannah gasped in sadness. "Has anyone told his wife yet?"

Stayne nodded. "Yes, and she did not take it very well. It seems that Carter was going out at odd hours, and coming home in a very downcast mood. She suspected him of having a mistress, but he always denied it. But now she wonders if maybe he was just lying to avoid a scandal."

Alannah sighed. "He could very well have been." She fell silent for a moment, gathering her thoughts, only to be interrupted by a large yawn from Katarina. "I do believe it is someone's bed time."

Stayne grinned, and stood up. "A wonderful idea, My Lady." Alannah laughed.

"Well, I actually meant Katarina, but I am rather sleepy myself, and we have a big day tomorrow. So, come on little bit-let's get you ready for bed." She gathered Katarina in her arms and carried her over to her bed, gently tucking her in. "Want to hear a song, little bit?" Katarina nodded sleepily, and Alannah began to sing, gently stroking her hair. In a few moments, Katarina was asleep. Alannah gently kissed her, and then stood up. "Sweet dreams, darling."

Stayne came forward and gently kissed her. "Good night, my little one. Sleep well."

They walked into their bedroom, and Alannah collapsed, sighing in tired relief. Stayne climbed in next to her, pulling her into his arms and gently kissing her. "Goodnight, love."

The next night, the entire Court was abuzz. The White Ball was the Social event of the year, and all of Underland had turned out in their finest attire. Stayne stood in the massive ballroom, his gaze taking in all the elegant trappings, marveling at how different Marmoreal looked. Even though the palace was beautiful all year round, to Stayne it looked as though Mirana had saved the finest for this night. The ball room was decorated in blues and whites, and gave the impression of being in a field full of pristine white snow. The musicians all wore light blue colors, and torches placed strategically throughout the ballroom gave everything a soft, almost magical glow.

Stayne turned at the sound of footsteps, smiling quietly as Tarrant approached him, a nervous grin on his face. "Hello, Ilosivic. Have you seen Alice anywhere about?"

Stayne laughed. "She's with Alannah and Katarina. Alannah said something about making a grand entrance." Tarrant started to say something-and then looked towards the ballroom door. His jaw dropped. Stayne turned to see what he was gaping at, and gawped in amazement at the sight before him.

Alice, Alannah and Katarina stood in the doorway, and to the minds of the two men watching them, they had never looked more beautiful. Tarrant's eyes widened in appreciation as he took in the rather low neckline of Alice's dress, and he nudged Stayne. "It looks as though our ladies know how to make an entrance."

All Stayne could do was nod. He watched as Alannah came toward him, Katarina toddling beside her. Alannah stopped in front of him, smiling. "What do you think, love? Are we dressed well enough?" She glanced over in amusement at Tarrant, who was staring at Alice as if he had never seen her before.

Stayne gulped. "You both look marvelous. Alice, you look quite lovely as well, if I may be so bold as to say so. That dress flatters you."

Alice beamed with pleasure. "Why, thank you. Your wife was instrumental in helping me choose it. She has very good taste. Don't you think, Tarrant?" she asked, turning to him. Tarrant nodded. "Oh yes, wonderful taste, quite marvelous taste. You look very ravishing, very lovely, the belle of the ball, the most beautiful lady, the prettiest one here, the..."

"Tarrant. I'm flattered." Alice said, gently placing her hand on his arm. "Would you care to dance with me?" Tarrant grinned, and led Alice onto the dance floor.

Stayne let his eye rove slowly over Alannah's dress, and he smiled. "You look rather delectable, my love." He looked down at Katarina, and grinned. "And you look absolutely gorgeous, little bit. Your momma picked the perfect dress for you."

Katarina smiled. "Thank you, Daddy. Wanna dance?"

Stayne laughed, and picked her up. "I can't think of anything else that I would rather do, little bit. Alannah, would you mind saving the next dance for me?"

Alannah laughed. "Not a bit. Enjoy your dance."

She smiled as she watched Stayne squire Katarina onto the dance floor. She looked around, admiring the dresses of the ladies and the suits of the men. They were all dressed in bright colors-except for Stayne, she noted with some amusement. He was in a dark blue costume-so dark that it was almost black. But Alannah had to admit to herself that he looked extremely handsome, nevertheless.

She suddenly noticed a man standing near the far wall. She gazed at him, wondering what it was about him that made her feel so uneasy. He was dressed in a simple costume, and so far had not done anything except gaze about the room. But Alannah's instincts were telling her that he was dangerous. His gaze fell on her, lingering for a few moments, and she shivered quietly at the coldness of it. Then the man's gaze fell on Stayne, and Alannah gasped at the vehemence and hatred she saw. She began to walk towards the man, determined to confront him. But before she could, she heard her name being called. Mirana came over to her. "Alannah, I have been looking all over for you. Katarina is quite the charmer."

Alannah smiled, looking over to where Katarina stood, surrounded by the older Ladies of the Court. They were all cooing in delight at her dress, and she was enjoying every minute of it. Stayne stood nearby, smiling softly as he watched her ingratiate herself. Alannah walked over to them, stopping for a moment when she realized that the man who had made her so uneasy had vanished into the crowd.

He stood behind a white marble column, his predatory, flat gaze taking in all. To the casual observer, it looked as if he was merely gazing around at the ballroom. But if one looked closer, they would realize that his gaze never left Captain and Lady Stayne. He stared at them both, muttering quietly to himself. "You will pay for the crimes you committed. I promise you."

He watched as they began to dance, more than willing to wait for the opportune moment.

Author's Note-Who is this mysterious man? Will I ever tell you? Of course I will. Just not yet. Be patient, gentle readers-there's more to come. I do know where I'm going with this.