CHAPTER SIX:

This one is for Ari, Flo, and Maureen, who loved/really liked Chapter Five. But it's also for vampluver 19, who told me I need to put in some more Jack/Sky.

Those who review, get a chapter dedicated to them. And then I write faster, to keep up with all the chapters that need dedicating! So if you liked, loved, or hated it, press the green button!

"Schuyler seemed too have made quite an impression at the dinner; as least far as Mimi was concerned. Outshone, and vilified, those weren't words that usually applied to the Forces. Well, not outshone, at least."

And now Mimi apparently owed the little beast her life. Oh, yes, just because Schuyler had proved her innocent, and stopped her from being executed. It wasn't like she had asked her to. She would have been found innocent in time, anyway. The little bright spot on her otherwise dark horizon was that she knew that Jack still had nightmares about losing her. Whether he was currently in love with her or not (and he was, Mimi tried to convince herself. It was just a rough patch. How she had laughed at anyone using that expression before. Just admit you're broken up, she would giggle), they were still the twins. They were in both vampire and red-blood terms. They were immortal. And they had an unbreakable bond.

*****

At around ten thirty, dinner was over. There were no more courses, and everyone stood up. Schuyler was all for getting up and leaving, but then Charles tapped his cake-fork against his glass, and gestured for everyone to go through the adjoining double doors. This appeared to be unexpected to no-one but her. From the size, weight, and gold leaf on that door, Schuyler knew that whatever was beyond it would be pretty spectacular. And not something Jack would consider important enough to show her.

It was a large, open room, with a polished wood floor, and a painting on the ceiling. It was of people ballroom dancing; the chandeliers were positioned so none of the portrayed people's faces were obscured. Schuyler's heart sank so far she was surprised it wasn't visible. This was a ballroom. There was going to be dancing involved. She couldn't dance very well at all. Maybe she could just pretend to have twisted her ankle or something. She started to push through the throng of people, trying to make it to the opposite wall unscathed. But no such luck.

The music started up when she was about halfway across, and people stepped up in two's, ready to start the dance. With Schuyler trapped in the middle. She ducked and weaved, desperate not to be in anyone's hitting range when the music began in earnest. If it was possible for someone to accidently kick her or catch her with an elbow, then it would happen, guaranteed. Especially if she were anywhere near Jack and his sister. Mimi would never let things that put her in a bad light slide. Schuyler nearly stumbled into a couple; a man and a woman, both with steel-gray hair and matching stern expressions. She mumbled an apology, and kept going.

And suddenly, there was Jack standing in front of her. How on Earth did he keep appearing like that? She knew vampires were fast, but she should still be able to see him coming.

'Miss Schuyler? May I have this dance?' he grinned wickedly at her.

Schuyler playfully slipped back into the old-fashioned, formal tones they had been using upstairs. 'Kind sir I would be an honor. But unfortunately, I do not know any of the steps.'

Jack pulled her into his arms. 'Luckily for us, I do.'

The music started. Schuyler didn't know what sort of dance it was; the only kind she knew was a waltz, and it certainly wasn't that. She twirled around, in perfect sync with the other couples, with absolutely no effort on her part. He had one hand on her waist, one hand holding hers. With his vampire strength, it looked like Schuyler was dancing by herself, but he was steering her movements for her. She smiled gratefully at him. 'Thanks.'

'You are very welcome.' They danced in silence until the music ended. Schuyler pulled away from him. It almost physically hurt to do so, but she was very tired, and she had seen Mimi sending her death-stares from where she was trapped dancing with the stern man from dinner. Schuyler didn't want to provoke her any further than she had already done. Mimi's patience was stretched so thin it could snap at any second.

'Wait!' Jack called after her. 'Where are you going?'

'I'm just tired, that's all. It's Monday tomorrow. I have an oral presentation due, and I'm absolutely dreading it. I should probably go and practice. You and Mimi have fun!' She waved – a little sadly – and exited the room in a swirl of her skirt. As soon as she was gone, Mimi stepped out in front of him, eyes gleaming like an angry cat. 'May I cut in?' she purred.

*****

Schuyler took of her dress, and got into her cotton pyjama bottoms. They were pink and green and white, and were very soft. The singlet top was new; it was the same off white that the pants had achieved with age. She pulled back the covers, and got into bed. She really did have to give a speech the next day, but she didn't really need to practice. Schuyler hated giving speeches. Just the thought of standing up in her English class and talking – with all those people looking at her – made her freeze up. Sometimes she wondered how she even got to be a model. Shy was so painfully shy that it was almost funny. Vindictive justice, she supposed. Speaking of, she hadn't gotten a call from her and Bliss's agent recently. Maybe no-one wanted to hire her anymore. Oh well, she thought, maybe next week.

She pulled her book of the shelf. It was the one Jack had been looking at – Melissa Marr, Ink Exchange. Just the thought of Melissa's creepy fairies kept her totally occupied until the book was over. Usually.

*****

Sorry this one is so short, I'm rushing! I'm going be late to school, but you guys are worth it. I know that I said Monday, all the reviews were so good…I couldn't help my self. Next chapter, vampluver 19.