Thank you to all who reviewed. It was much appreciated. Now I'm going to sort this out in this chapter. So here we go…..
Xx Jez xx
Ps just adding a disclaimer for the forbidden game. I'm taking a few things here and there so you have been told.
Oh and a bit of strong language.
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The Rise of the Darkness
8.
Fleta awoke with a start.
*What? Where am I?* She looked around. Her head was spinning, and images of the night came swarming back.
Fleta looked and on either side of her were James and Poppy. She very carefully got out of bed as not to wake either of them and went into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
* * *
Quinn awoke and looked around. After all that tossing and turning he had done all night, worrying about his sister he must have finally fallen asleep. He looked to his side and saw Rashel still fast asleep. He lent forward and gently kissed her forehead.
After showering Quinn headed off downstairs to find his sister. He wanted to make sure that Damon hadn't done anything to her.
* * *
Thierry was sat in his office reading over some very important documents when a certain envelope caught his attention.
It was cream and very expensive looking. On the back was a black seal with a dahlia stamped into the onyx black wax.
Thierry carefully opened it and pulled out a small piece of card. It had a frilled edge and looked very fancy. It was an invitation from the witches… inviting the whole of circle daybreak to a masquerade ball this Sunday to celebrate the vernal equinox.
Thierry sighed. He wasn't too keen on parties and balls but to keep allies they had to attend. It was a matter of principle.
Thierry rose from the desk and headed downstairs to inform everyone of the up coming event.
* * *
"Oh I don't believe it!" Bonita cried whilst slumping onto one of the luxurious chairs.
"What is it?" Fleta asked as everyone came crowding around.
"Oh fuck him!" Bonita exclaimed.
"Who?" Thea asked.
"Ben." Bonita replied.
There was a slight stillness from the girls around Bonita before Elizabeth opened her mouth.
"I thought you already had!" She blurted. She received shocked looks from most people and Ciara already sensing trouble grabbed Bonita before she had a chance to pounce on her.
After some laughing as Bonita tried to get her hands on Elizabeth they all calmed down.
"What's he done this time?" Ciara asked.
"He has sent me a letter!" Bonita laughed. "Oh Listen to this."
"Dearest Bonita,
My heart is still unsure of how it feels at present, which is why I write, searching for answers I can never find, after our nights together I feel so full with the love you give me and then so deflated when I see you giving your new boyfriend all that love, after traveling so far to be with you, which I can only take as a meaning of uncertainty in your love.
This is why I was compelled to write you this:
Someday you'll cry for me.... like I cried for you
Someday you'll miss me...... like I missed you
Someday you'll need me..... Like I needed you
Someday you'll love me..... But I won't love you.
But my love, do not think you have disposed of me so easily. I will be back and we will be together again. That I promise you.
Yours lovingly forever,
Ben x"
A hushed silence fell over the room before a chorus of laughter broke out.
Thierry strode into the room of blurry eyed people and gave them all a quizzical look. Every head turned looking at him, faces red with laughing and tears rolling down cheeks.
"Well now that you're all composed I'd like to inform you that we have been invited to celebrate the vernal equinox ball hosted by the witches this Sunday. So girls I expect you want to go shopping." Before Thierry had a chance to finish a squeal came up from most of the girls and they all hurried out of the door and up to grab their money. All the guys just sat there once again with jaws dropping.
"Come on we will show you all the best shopping places." Blaise said taking Bonita's arm.
Fleta went up to Poppy and pulled her to one side out of reach for anyone to hear.
"Look Poppy I don't know what happened last night I can't remember but all I would like to say is yes I do have feelings for you but not in that way. It is just too weird for me at the minute. Do you understand?" Fleta let out all at once.
Poppy looked at her and smiled. "I understand." She said.
Fleta gave her a hug then they went to catch up with the others to go buy their dresses.
The local dress shops were in absolute ecstasy when the twenty girls came in one great motion, all high spirited and excited for the upcoming event.
"What is wrong with my normal attire? You know how I feel about looking like a lemon." Rashel was complaining.
"Me too. I don't like all this fancy stuff. Give me my leathers any day." Jez agreed.
"You can not go to a ball dressed like you normally do." Blaise told them.
"Yes. It will be an insult if you do not come properly attired." Thea said backing up her cousin.
Rashel was just about to open her mouth to argue that she wouldn't go, when Hannah interrupted her. "And don't say you won't go because you know what Thierry is like."
Both Rashel and Jez frowned.
"Don't worry Ciara and I will have you two looking stunning in dresses." Bonita told them both.
"I believe that when I see it." Jez muttered. Ciara shot her a sly grin.
* * *
With his sister out of the way Quinn was able to corner Damon and question him to find out just what his intentions are.
The more they talked the more Quinn started to like the dark vampire. So did most of the other guys. Ash did think of him as a slight threat to his good looks but knew that, like himself, he was tied by the strong bonds of the soulmate principal.
Thierry thought that he was a good asset to circle daybreak, and that they might gain more connections through him. Also he had had experience with extremely strong powers.
After moping around the mansion for seven hours the front doors finally opened to the excited clamor of the return of the girls.
On the way up the stairs the girls stopped and turned to the opening of the downstairs door and the guys came out with quizzical looks as to what all the fuss was about.
Ash lent seductively at the bottom of the stairs and looked up at his soulmate. "Are you going to show me what you have bought?" he purred.
Mary-Lynnette stalked down the steps and lent over to him. "If I did that then it wouldn't be a surprise now would it?" She turned on her heel and went up to put her new things away with the rest of the girls.
"Well at least give me a clue for my tux?" he called after her, but she just gave him an 'I will later' look.
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The days flew by and then Sunday was upon them. The house was full of movement and excitement with all the girls running around getting ready.
"How can it take them all afternoon to get ready for one Ball?" Delos declared flopping on one of the seats.
His only reply was the weary shrugs and faces of the other guys in the room. They whom had soulmates had been thrown out of their rooms with their things for the ball. They were all to get ready in one of the far wings that was used for guest quarters.
Ciara and Bonita had taken the liberty of doing Jez and Rashel's hair and make-up, and were happy with the results. So were Jez and Rashel and hugged the two girls then went off to get dressed.
* * *
Hours passed and soon all the guys were waiting at the bottom of the stairs, starting to get impatient. There were a few murmurs of "where are they?" and "What is taking so long?"
Then the moment came. All twenty girls came down the stairs in a line, all looking more inhumanly beautiful than normal.
Ciara was the first to descend. She was wearing a black satin dress with a straight A-line skirt. The bodice had a light blue beaded design around the top and bottom of the bodice.
Ciara was followed by Blaise who was wearing a burgundy strapless a-line poly chiffon gown. It seemed too elegant for Blaise but did show her perfect curves.
Following Blaise was Rashel. Quinn's eyes popped out when he saw her wearing a Tulle strapless dress with a full beaded skirt, but most of all it was fuchsia pink.
Elizabeth followed in a black a-line gown with spaghetti straps. It gave the effect of a under slip which was visible at the front and went half way up the dress. It was white to match the beaded flora embroidery which went all the way around the hem of the skirt, up and around the under slip and around the top of the bodice.
Elizabeth was followed by Thea whom was wearing a strapless lilac organza a-line gown with beaded tulle overlay.
Following Thea was Jez wearing a black/teal beaded silk chiffon a-line gown with a deep "v" neckline and spaghetti straps. This also caused Morgead to stare.
Iliana was close behind wearing a white fully beaded silk chiffon, with spaghetti straps and matching shawl. It made her look more like an angel.
One who got a few stares was calm Nissa who followed Iliana wearing a red stretch halter gown with a beaded bodice and low cut back.
Next came Poppy bounding down the stairs in a light blue strapless a-line tulle gown with a beaded neckline in front and a lace up beaded back. Phil was praying that she was going to cover up a bit more.
Following Poppy was little Winnie. She was wearing a turquoise, strapless fully beaded silk chiffon gown with a matching shawl.
Next came Mary-Lynnette wearing a dark navy off the shoulder taffeta gown with a flower accent the shoulder and a matching shawl. A purr came up from Ash.
Mary-Lynnette was followed by Kestrel. Kestrel was wearing a black spaghetti strap halter a-line silk chiffon gown, fully beaded silver flowers with a sheer train and shawl.
Kestrel was followed by her elder sister Rowan whom was dressed in a burgundy strapless taffeta ball gown with a pearl beaded bodice.
Next came Bonita in a red fully beaded gown, spaghetti straps and a cowl neck. The straps criss-cross at the back. It had a mermaid hemline and a matching shawl. The curves were greatly emphisised.
Behind Bonita was Jade. Jade was dressed in a tropic blue "rainbow Sheer" gown with a beaded "soft net" over the dress, with a lace up back.
Following Jade was Hannah. She was wearing a pink beaded bodice of a two piece "rainbow sheer" gown with lace up back. It also had "soft net" over the dress.
Hannah was followed by Gillian who came down in a beautiful violet printed ombre satin lace up back a-line dress that went from dark to light going from top to bottom with a scooped spaghetti strap neckline.
Thierry was gob smacked, and still so when his little sister followed Hannah wearing a lilac stretch glitter dress with a spaghetti scoop neck and straps and a sexy low open back.
And lastly came Keller wearing a black satin tulle dress with crystal beading and sequins, and "soft net" over the top of the dress.
All the guys' eyes were popping out of their sockets. Everyone took an arm and headed out to wear six magnificent limos were waiting for them.
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The ball was amazing. Everyone was spinning in brightly colored dresses and masks.
All the soulmate couples were enjoying the bonding they were having and everyone was mingling.
There were many people. And it was hard to tell who was who with all the masks and strong defenses up.
Ciara and Damon had been dancing all night. Poppy and Fleta were taking it in turns to dance with James. Bonita and Blaise were never partner less. Everyone had someone except Elizabeth. She was sat at the side of the room looking out to the twirling figures and was depressed by it all.
*Well this is bloody typical* she thought to herself whilst looking at them all.
She headed over to the bar and started to have a few drinks.
*I might as well do something. The parents aren't around to tell me not to so I will.* Back in England Elizabeth's 'parents' never seemed to let her really drink. She was never sure why.
After getting sick of that she wondered over to the chairs but on her way she was swept up by a guy in a black thematic mask. Grateful to him for saving her from herself she lent onto his shoulder.
He held her very lightly. Elizabeth floated in his arms and let her mind drift. After being lost in thought for a while she realized that she and this guy had swayed a little away from the other dancers. They were on the threshold of the balcony now and Elizabeth could look out over it onto the gardens.
Oddly there was no one on the balcony and her partner was leading her towards the darkest corner.
The music seemed distant. Elizabeth had the queer feeling that she was falling.
They were near the edge of the balcony now.
*I should go* she thought, but she couldn't seem to resist.
Then at last she realized what he was. She tried to pull away. But her partner wouldn't let her. She was held in a grip if steel. One of his arms was trapping her arms; the other was holding the back of her head.
She couldn't move. She could see a strand of her partner's hair now. It was blond. No blonder than blond…almost white…as white as frost or icicles or mist, as white as winter…as white as death.
She saw behind the mask eyes like liquid cobalt. His entire face was shadowed. His hair shone in the dimness, as white as moonlight on water.
He wasn't like a human or a Night Worlder. He was sharper, fiercer, and brighter than anyone could be.
*oh god he is going to kill me*
But to her surprise he lent forward and kissed her. It was like nothing she had ever experienced before. Tiny sweet kisses turned into long, wild and passionate ones. There was also a kind of link, a sense of drawing together. And a pink haze that swam in her mind.
*Oh god* Elizabeth thought to herself.
She thought she heard him sound shocked but in her mind.
She pushed her mind and found that she could see into his mind. But it didn't occur to her that he could probably see hers.
She pulled away and he let her.
"Julian?" Elizabeth whispered.
He looked shocked for a brief moment.
"You are a shadow one. Rising to take over?" she breathed not knowing if she wanted to cry or not.
He smiled a wicked smile that frightened and amazed her. She took that for a yes.
"And we are soul…." Elizabeth was interrupted. Someone was coming towards them. She saw a look of annoyance on Julian's face. She looked again to see who was coming. It was Rowan, Kestrel and Delos.
"What are you doing?" Rowan asked her big wise brown eyes looking at her with concern.
"Oh I was just…" Elizabeth looked and realized that Julian was gone. "…getting some air." She finished.
"Well we are going now, half of them have collapsed and Thierry thinks it is best that we head home." Kestrel informed her.
Elizabeth smiled then followed them.
*I can't tell them about Julian. If they find out they will go off it. This is something I'm juts going to have to keep to myself. Shit this is going to be hard.* Elizabeth's head was a spin as they headed off back towards the rest of their lot and helped the helpless to get to the limos.