Just as Gray had predicted, the girls were very concerned about what was keeping the boys. Natsu, Gray, and Gildarts all three confirmed that everything was fine and that it was nothing for them to be worried about. They interviewed Gildarts on further information he could give on Regine and after that they returned to the organization to report it to Erza.
"Did he mention how Regine was defeated last time?" Erza asked them.
"We asked him about that and he said that he wasn't at the exact moment when Archibald took her down. He had passed out from too much blood loss." Natsu said.
"Well at least he was able to give us some information." Erza said. "So Regine doesn't just prey on the body. She preys on the mind as well. I have heard supernatural creatures resulting to that method and they're probably the most dangerous of them all. We will have to be extra careful."
"What do you propose we do?" Gray asked.
"I propose that we keep in touch with Gildarts because so far he's pretty much the only vampire slayer who's faced her and is still alive."
"But he doesn't want anything to do with this." Lucy said.
"Perhaps but in the end he may not have a choice. This is war after all."
"So what's our next move?" Natsu asked.
"Glad you asked. After I had finished smoothing things over with the public I decided to get started on some scheduling which led to me discovering that a very important night is due to come this week."
"What?"
"The blood moon rising."
"Oh has it really been a hundred years already?"
"What's a blood moon rising?" Juvia asked.
"Are you aware of the harvest moon?"
"Yes. It occurs around the time of the autumnal equinox. Centuries back many cultures would have festivals when the harvest moon appeared to celebrate the fruitful harvest of their crops."
"Well to the vampires the blood moon is their harvest moon. Meaning every one hundred years they get together to celebrate their fruitful harvest of blood. Nearly every vampire in all the world celebrates this occasion and I doubt that Regine is any exception."
"So you think we'll be able to find her at a blood moon celebration?" Gray asked.
"That's my hypothesis."
"But where are we supposed to locate a blood moon celebration? It's not like they advertise it."
"Actually they do."
Erza placed a slip of paper on her desk. The group leaned over to read the fancy lettering written on it. It was an invitation to a gala being held by local millionaire Edgar Browning.
"After prodding our vampire prisoner for information, he disclosed to me that Edgar Browning happens to be one of Regine's spies and the date of the gala is on the exact night the blood moon is supposed to rise. I am willingly to bet my entire weapons vault that this gala is actually a cover for a blood moon gathering."
"Seems like it but why invite humans?" Natsu asked. "If I remember correctly those celebrations were private and for vampires only."
"Yes back when a large number of humans believed in vampires. Now that vampires are mostly considered non existent to the human race, they see inviting humans to this event as an opportunity. An opportunity to feed."
"Isn't that a bit risky for them?"
"Not if all the human guests are killed and vampire ones are left standing to lie to the authorities. So this gala will not only give you all a chance to locate Regine but it will also provide protection for the humans who were invited."
"I get it. So the four of us are just going to wait outside the party and keep our eyes peeled?"
"Not quite. You four will be going undercover as guests."
"Say what?"
"My inside men manged to intercept four invitations delivered to human socialites. You all will masquerade as those guests and attend the party."
"But Erza these are one of those rich, high class, snobby parties."
"And?"
"I don't know what to do at those."
"You're joking? I thought vampires were supposed to be naturals at acting aristocratic."
"That's a myth. Something horror novelists make up to make vampires appear more interesting. I've never been to anything fancy in my life."
"I haven't had much experience on the subject but I've had enough to get a general idea on how to behave." Gray said.
"When have you ever attended a fancy event for classy people?"
"You don't know me my whole life. For your information I spent three years of the 17th century in Great Britain surrounded by Catholics and royals, and believe me that crowd was not easy to blend in with at the time."
"Well blending in at this event shouldn't be too hard for me." Lucy said. "I have been to plenty of galas and parties for socialites. I know their customs and mannerisms."
"I don't think that I should go." Juvia said.
"Why not?" Lucy asked.
"Because I've never been to these kind of events either. All of the parties and celebrations I've attend were related to the church and nothing else. Money and class meant nothing to us, only faith."
"It's not that hard Juvia. I'll teach you. In fact I'll educate you all on how high society is expected to act nowadays."
"Thank you Lucy." Erza said. "And while you see to that I shall make arrangements for your clothes."
"Clothes?" Natsu said.
"Of course. You all can't honestly expect to attend a gala wearing what you have on now. I'll make an order for two suits and two gowns in your correct sizes."
"Can I come?" Wendy asked.
"I'm afraid you'll be staying here with me." Erza replied.
"But I want to help."
"And you will. You'll help by staying here and out of trouble. You're much too young to infiltrate an area with that many vampires."
Wendy blew in frustration. She didn't like being treated as a child and being left out. Although technically speaking she was a child and she wasn't really being left out. Erza intended to let her help out but it would be done from the organization rather than from the source of the problem.
"Don't worry Wendy you will be helping us with this." Erza assured her. "As for the rest of you, you have til the end of the week to be ready for the gala. You need to look and act the part of socialites. Here is who you'll be going undercover as."
She handed each of them a file which held information on the guest they would be impersonating.
"Natsu you will be attending as Anton Gatz the heir to a steel fortune, Lucy you will be masquerading as Veronica Buchanan a debutante, Gray you will be replacing entrepreneur Alexander Carraway for the evening, while Juvia will be replacing Mr. Carraway's fiancé Caroline Baker."
"Fiancé?!" Gray and Juvia cried while blushing.
"Oh grow up. You only have to pretend to be engaged for one night."
The two looked at each other nervously.
"I think you two would make an adorable couple." Natsu teased. "You know I think you two should kiss at the party to make it really believable."
Gray glared at him.
"Oh and did I forget to mention that Mr. Gatz and Miss Buchanan have been having a public affair for the past six months?" Erza said.
"What?!" Natsu and Lucy cried.
"It's a huge scandal. Probably going to be the talk of the whole gala." She giggled.
"That's not funny Erza." Lucy said.
"It is for me."
"You sneak! These weren't just randomly chosen invitations! You picked them out just to mess with us didn't you?" Natsu accused.
"Maybe I did. Maybe I didn't." She grinned. "Either way that night should be very interesting for you all."
She then giggled to herself again and turned toward the next room.