CASSIDY'S POINT OF VIEW:
Gold. Color. People. Thousands of people. My mouth dropped and became one with the floor as I stood at the top of the grand staircase. New Hungarian tapestries hung from the walls and the demonic statues were dusted in gold. My eyes widened in every detail they drank up.
So many people in golds, blacks, and dark purples danced about the floor, making their own dance to what the orchestra played. The music was haunting, graceful and fluid it was. Some acrobats blew fire and some flipped back and forth on swings in the air.It was beautiful. The only thing that was remotely disturbing was the cold. The ballroom was filled to the brim with the undead…and I felt unwelcome. I can't do this. I saw quite a few pairs of golden male eyes peering up at me through their masks and I began to shake. No…I can't do this.
I slowly backed up to the large doors I had entered through, not daring to turn my back on the scene before me. I put my hand behind my back and felt the doorknob. I closed my fingers around and it turned it ever so slightly to the left and gently pushed it. The door only opened a creak when I heard a voice behind it.
"Cass, get your butt down there!" I heard Thomas hiss. I gasped, but didn't turn to face him. "Why are you still there?" I muttered under my breath. "I had a feeling you'd try to make a break for it. Now go." Thomas gave me a push and softly closed the doors behind me. I groaned inwardly and glanced back out to the crowd. The orchestra began a new song and a woman, tall, dark, and hidden under a mysterious veil began to sing a wordless song to it. I closed my eyes and just listened a moment. Music. I have never heard music…well, at least not like this.
I cautiously came to the first step and shakily descended one at a time. I had to pause halfway down for my heart was beating like a drum. I felt like my chest was doing all it could to make sure my heart stayed put. Why am I so nervous? I know…I'm afraid Dracula will get mad and I'm afraid the Brides will see me and…I'm dancing…Why am I dancing? I looked up to see a man with a black mask over his handsome rigid face. His cloak was fixed neatly over one shoulder and his full lips were glued into a smirk.
I was so busy thinking about my fears for coming, I didn't even notice this man pull me into the dance. But I noticed now and I wasn't happy. The man chuckled a bit when he noticed my accusing scowl. "You seem distraught, my dear." He said huskily. I scoffed and replied; "I don't recall asking for a dance with you, Octavian." He threw his head back and laughed at that. I turned away disgusted.
His arms around my waist felt tighter and more possessive than they were before. He lowered his head near my ear and breathed, "I wouldn't have needed to, my lovely Cassidy." He lowered his lips to my bare neck and trailed them teasingly over my shoulder and collarbone. I backed away from him in disgust and he smiled a bit. "Darling, Cassidy…where are you going to?" He asked tauntingly as I backed away from him slowly.
A pair of dancers twirled by me and I took the chance to duck and make my way away from Octavian behind dancers. I sighed as I reached the refreshment table. I looked across the crowd, making sure that Octavian wasn't pursuing me. He wasn't. Good. I turned to the table and grimaced. A punch bowl of blood. I'm not so thirsty anymore. I turned away as a group of women came to the table and began to pour themselves glasses of blood. I leaned up against a pillar nearby and sighed.
The women began to gossip excitedly and pointed to the crowd every once in awhile and giggled. I couldn't help but inch my head nearer so I could make out what they were saying. "Look at him. Oh, he's so handsome." The redheaded beauty said. Just whom were they talking about. The blond one spoke up and said, "Mm hmm, Dracula is looking very good this year, wouldn't you say Patricia?" Patricia smirked and stared off into the dancers. I followed her gaze and narrowed my eyes to see well. My breath caught in my throat.
There he was. My vampire. He was talking with a few gentlemen, but seemed quite distracted and uninterested. I took the time to notice his attire. Black as night his suit was. I expected nothing else. The inside of his cape was gold and so was his mask. His hair was up in its usual elegant ponytail only the clip was gold instead of silver. Gosh, he looks gorgeous. "He would take me." Patricia declared suddenly. I turned to her and frowned as her friends giggled restlessly. "Patricia!" The blond one cried with a smile. She turned to them with a secretive quirk at the corner of her lips.
"Why wouldn't he? He has before." She announced proudly. The girls gasped happily. "Really?" "Oh, no Patricia, you lie!" They cried together. "Oh no…125 years ago in Paris…we met on a hunt. I'll tell you something, ladies…he was wonderful." Patricia said, her eyes reliving the memory. I narrowed my eyes at her as a rush of jealousy flooded my senses. I wanted to grab her cup of blood and dump it down her overexposed cleavage.
I inwardly scowled at them as they passed me by. I slumped up against the pillar, trying to cool myself down. Of course Dracula has had other women in his bed. I mean…he's Dracula. This I know, but I still felt like he was…mine. I light tap on my shoulder brought me out of my thoughts and I turned to see a handsome young man with short brown hair and an adorable smile.
"Forgive me, miss, but your beauty entranced me the moment you walked through that door. I don't recall ever seeing you at the Masque." He said politely. I smiled and introduced myself. "I'm Cassidy…I-uh…just moved to Budapest and received an invitation to the Masque." He looked at me a moment before smiling and kissing my hand. "I'm Drake. A pleasure to meet you, Miss Cassidy" He said lowly. I shivered slightly at the way he said my name.
A new song began and Drake looked up and out to the dance floor. "Would you mind terribly if I asked for this one dance?" He asked with a smile. "Not at all." I said, returning the smile. He led me out to the dance floor and gently placed his arms around my waist. Yes I didn't know the steps and yes, I was nervous…but hey, that's ok. He gently led me into the dance and I almost gasped at the way I felt like I was floating. He chuckled slightly at my expression and gave me a small twirl.
As the dance continued, I couldn't help but feel some eyes on me. Well, Drake is looking at me, but no…that's not it. A penetrating gaze was upon me and it was driving me insane. I turned my head every which way as Drake spun me about the floor, searching for those eyes. Where are those eyes? That's when the music stopped and Drake bowed to me, but I wasn't paying attention.
Dracula was on the other side of the room, gazing at me. I stood still as the music began again and the dancers joined in. I gaped as I saw a flicker of recognition pass his eyes. He frowned and tilted his head as I began to slowly back up. I turned suddenly and took off into the crowd. I came back to the pillar I was at before and hid behind it. I breathed deeply and clutched my chest. I can't do this. I can't do this.
"I knew I could feel you, my love…" I inhaled sharply as I felt an arm snake around my waist and draw me nearer to them. I felt icy kisses being trailed up my neck and against the corner of my mouth. Dracula leaned against my cheek and breathed seductively against my lips, "I can always feel you."
Lady Kathrin: lol! thnx for ur review! yes, i knew what came out may 3 and i already have it now, so hehe! Tell me what u think of the ball! happy birhtday...you LOSER, lol (inside) Love ya!
Fox of the Nova: Yes, i would definitely say that Cass is the bell of the ball. Sorry there wasn't any of the brides here but they will absolutely make an appearance in the next chapter...grins..and they won't be happy! thnx for ur review! let me kno what u think of this chapter!
Riah Riddle: Thank you so much for your review! Not much Dracula in this one but as u can tell, there will be mostly just him and cass in the next chapter! review:)
Fortune Zyne: lol! Likewise!
Angel of Beauty: Thank you so much! Hope you like this chapter!
Eth: Thanks a whole bunch for your review! Oh, yes Dracula recognizes her, but not at first! He can certainly feel her presence tho! lol, let me kno what you think!
Lucky: YAY! I updated! Do a lil dance...read a lil fic...get down tonight! woo hoo!
TranslucentFlame: Here's the new chapter! I hope it's not killing you anymore:)
Remember: Hey you writing genius! I'm so sorry i haven't been reviewing your story! I've been reading it, i just haven't been reviewing! (gets on knees) Don't spear me! lol, i liked Cassandra's character and i still love Dracula's possessive side over Elizabeth...or Aunt Lizzy, hehe! Yes, i know drac's gorgeous...mmm hmm...he's going places. I hope the suspense isn't killing you anymore! lol! Sorry there wasn't too much of drac/cass in this one but the next chapter will most likely just be them! Review!
Vanity is My Name: Yes, i do feel a bit sorry for Thomas too...i'm sure he'll find love one day...Thanx for your terrific review:)
Gem: Hey! My favorite reviewer! I hope you like this chapter! I was hoping there'd be more Dracula, but u can tell he's definitely gonna be in the next chapter...WOO HOO! Yes, it would be awesome to get all dressed up and go to a Ball...especially with Drac...drools well...anywho! I love ur story and i can't wait to see what happens next...in fact...i might just have to write your new chapter myself lol! Tell me howu liked Octavian and Cass's lil escapade, lol! Love ya man!
Almost-Lost-Hope6: Ha! Thomas as the fairy godmother! that cracked me up! i loved your review! let me kno about your thoughts in this chapter!
Punk Rock Prinsses: Thanks:)
Sorry about the wait! More Drac in next chapter i promise! Love, Countess Alana! Review!