A/N Sorry for the long wait I have no excuse other than my muse went into hiding and she has only recently reappeared, this story is almost at a close now, so enjoy and let me know you're thoughts :)

Chapter 21

Elena settled into a routine over the next week, she'd spend some time with Cami while she was working at Rousseau's and the two were becoming fast friends, she visited Davina when she could, seeing the girl wanted a friend, and Elena felt this protective instinct for a girl who was in the same position she'd been in, along with spending time with Josh and helping him with his urges and using his new abilities. Thierry and Marcel were busy a lot of the time running the quarter and setting up everything for the big event, but she still stole the odd few times with Marcel every day, and every time she could feel her attraction to him growing, he was fair but he ruled with an iron fist, and for the most part it seemed to work, the humans and the vampires co-existed peacefully, the witches while not exactly free weren't really in a position to complain, and after hearing everything from Davina she couldn't bring herself to feel that bad for them, ritual or no ritual no one should go through what Davina had.

As the day of the party arrived Elena spent the day helping out with last prep and getting her hair done.

She disappeared up to her room as night started to fall to get ready and put her dress on.

A little while later she sticks her head out of her room and sees everything almost set.

She sees Josh walking past since the sun has started to set and grabs him pulling him into the room.
"I need you to zip me up" she explains turning.

"Oh um sure" nods Josh as he does so and Elena turns.

"Wow, I'm gay and even I think you look great" he smiles.

"Thanks, presentable enough?" asks Elena twirling.

"Yes" nods Josh enthusiastically.

"Good, I want things to go smoothly tonight" she sighs nervously playing with her earring.

"They will, just be you Elena, you're the sort of person anyone would want to be friends with" smiles Josh.

"Thank you, I'll see you later" smiles Elena as she walks out.

Marcel was stood at the bottom of the stairs talking to Thierry his back to her.

Thierry was having a quick conversation about the other nightwalkers, when he stops upon seeing Elena.

Marcel turns and his face goes slack as he beholds her.

She looked unearthly, her hair pulled up, her make-up dark and dramatic emphasising her dark eyes and her gorgeous features, the dress extenuating her perfect figure as she walked down towards him, he sees the slit and he swallows, her mask twirling playfully in her hand.

"So?" she asks.

"You look beyond beautiful Elena" he smiles taking her hand and kissing it softly.

"You look pretty good yourself" she smiles.

"Well I do look good in a suit" he laughs.

Thierry shakes off his shock and chuckles as well.

"But you won't be needing this tonight" smiles Marcel taking her mask from her.

"Why not?" she pouts.

"Because I want to be able to stare at your beautiful face unobstructed" he replies.

Elena smiles and giggles before looking around.

"This is an insane thing" says Elena as she surveys the scene, the dancers in the ribbons and the other masked dancers around.

"I know how to throw a good party" agrees Marcel still unable to take his eyes off of Elena, he was keeping her close tonight, because looking as hot as she did was going to attract every male at this thing, but she was his and his alone, a possessive feeling going through him at the thought of anyone else being near her.

As the guests started to arrive Marcel introduced Elena to everyone, and she was perfect, charismatic and charming, she matched him perfectly.

They worked, from the moment he'd met her, his attraction to her had been growing and since everything had been sorted, it was getting even more intense, but he couldn't bring himself to complain about it in the slightest.

A/N So hope you enjoyed, lemme know thoughts and the next chapter will be some serious Elena/Marcel action :)