A/N: Okay, so I'm updating again, and I'd like to say thank you to all that have reviewed so far… 10 reviews! Woo hoo! Not as many as I had hoped, but hey, I'm only just starting! I know most people only like to read fics that have more than, like, 5 chapters! Hopefully I'll get there soon. To those of you who have reviewed so far ( MIDNIGHT-PIXIE, Hermione-Potter-McTaggart, Elvin, insanemarionette, gatermage, Hiei lover-nikki, Lady Sonora The Black-Rose, shadieladie, and GaurdedxSanctuary) I thank you from the bottomless pit that is my heart! I mean, the bottom of my heart. Whatever. Thank you so much for reviewing, and I hope you review again. I don't think I'll be able to post anoter chapter if I don't get anymore reviews…sniff….sniff… and I think you'll want me to update. Okay, before I give anything away I'm going to stop babbling and continue with the story! I present…. The Bash!

The Bash

The bash was held at a classic ballroom that surprisingly was just of the main street of New York. Sarah had followed Nathaniel's directions and bought a dress. It had been so long since she had worn something so formal. The last time she put something as dressy on was the Halloween dance at her high school. But the sweet sun and moon outfit was this one's polar opposite. It was black as night, with a hint of burgundy coloring running through the satin fabric. It was simple in the front, spaghetti straps and a slight v neckline. The back plunged down to end at her lower back, just high enough so it didn't show anything inappropriate. She had placed a vintage rhinestone broach at the end, extenuating how low it was. Her perfectly pale and unblemished skin was pearly white, and contrasted the dark fabric. If she were still human, there would be inch deep scars from when Nikolas had used her as a human art easel. But thanks to the fact that she couldn't die, and that she had a very high tolerance of pain, Sarah got the help she needed to get them removed. A local dermatologist was doing some testing and needed a subject with lots of scars to work on. She needed the money, and would do anything to be rid of them. After two months of pain and hard work, Sarah's skin had come out beautiful. You would never have known someone had signed their name into her skin with a knife.

She was going as Selene, so she could leave her hair blonde and not wear a wig. She had pulled it into a high plait at the back of her head, letting the curls fall just below her neck. She had braided her long bangs into two small twists on either side of the top of her head. She had also weaved black and burgundy ribbons into each braid, curling the tails so they would fall down with her hair. She outlined her eyes in coal, the heavy lines made her black eyes even darker. Gold glitter brightened them and gave them a sparkle that enhanced the one her eyes already held. The blood red color on her lips and fingernails finished her darkly striking outfit. She looked the part, now she had to play it.

Nathaniel had insisted on picking her up, so she gave him the address of an apartment that was two miles away from her own. She waited outside, in her long black velvet overcoat, for his black Jag. As it pulled up, the passenger window rolled down.

"Do I get to see what's under there?" He asked, raising his eyebrows at the buttoned up coat. Not an inch of her outfit was showing.

"Not yet, darling. Patience is everything." She said, in a light British accent. Selene was from London.

"All right. Get in quickly. I'll speed all the way there." He did. They would have gotten there in two minutes if there hadn't been the New York traffic. Sarah didn't even bother owning a car, she left her own Jaguar when she skipped town.

Nathaniel opened her car door when they arrived at the valet parking area for the ballroom. It was huge, a gold door the size of three normal put together was open and inviting. A lanky vampire in a tux similar to Nathaniel's was checking names off a list. Nathaniel told him theirs and they were admitted into the entrance hallway. This bash was bigger than any Sarah had seen. She thought they were only things like the house parties she had been to. Nothing of this magnitude.

"Beautiful isn't it?" A voice said from behind her. She turned to see a vampire she had never met. He had long brown hair, and piercing black eyes. He was wearing a black dress shirt and black pants. He smiled and turned her around so that she was facing away from him again. The movement was very catlike.

"Let me take that." He went to unfasten the buttons, but she had beaten him to it. She didn't want these strangers hands all over her front. He didn't mind, and slid the coat of her bare shoulders. She didn't see where he put it, but when she turned around it was gone. She smiled at him slyly.

"Thanks luv."

"My pleasure. Please, let me introduce myself. I'm Jaguar, line of Jeshikah, future owner of the new Midnight. But it's still in plans. And you are?" Before she could answer, Nathaniel came up beside her.

"Selene! Fabulous dress! Stunning, really! I see you've met Jaguar. Nice to see you again. Really love to stay and chat, but we have to go into the ballroom. Jager is about to make a speech." He put a hand around her hip and pulled her with him to the door that led to the actual ballroom. She didn't protest, but threw a backwards glance over her shoulder. Jaguar was watching her with something that looked animalistic.

"I'll see you in there." She said, smiling a secretive smile.

"Count on it." She turned and watched her path. They were making there way through the crowded entry way and into the main room. It was amazing. The lights were on low so there was a sensual glow about the room. A small dais was set up in the middle, and an ensemble of string and wind instruments were gathered on it. They were playing an eerily quiet song that resembled the waltz. There were black drapes lining the walls and covering the windows, making the dark room even darker. The door they had entered through opened into a balcony leading to a wide staircase covered in black carpet. From her position, high up about two stories above the dance floor, Sarah could see just about everyone in the room. The assortment of guest was wide, ranging from some of the most important vampires she had ever seen, to some that were unknown to her.

"Come on," Nathaniel said, "let me introduce you to Jager before he makes his opening speech." Sarah had already met Jager, but as Anya, so she didn't say anything. She nodded and swayed her hips as she walked with him down the stairs. Several onlookers, of the male variety, turned to watch her walk by. She lowered her head, staring straight ahead with a small smirk playing on her lips. She didn't enjoy the eyes on her, but needed them there. Selene would like it. Sarah noticed that there were no humans present. When a bash was held that was exclusive to vampires, it was either because there were important matters to discuss, or it was being held in honor of someone very important. From the setting and the required dress, Sarah guessed it was the second option. There was someone very important here. When they reached the ground floor, Nathaniel waved to a group of people. Sarah recognized Jager and Ather among them, but they didn't recognize her.

"Nathaniel! Wonderful you could make it. And who is this exquisite woman?" He said, his voice like low rumbling thunder. His eyes raked across her, starting at her feet and landing on her eyes. She held his gaze. He smiled.

"Jager, this is Selene. I would tell you her line but she has yet to inform me." He pushed his hand into her lower back, making her walk into the middle of the circle. She smiled seductively and walked towards Jager, keeping her eyes connected with his the whole time. His smile widened.

"I like to remain mysterious. It's a pleasure, Jager." She reached out to shake his hand, but he beat her to it, grabbing her hand and bending down to kiss it.

"The pleasure is all mine," he replied looking back up into her eyes.

"Nathaniel, do you mind if I steal Selene for a little while? I'll be sure to return her by the end of the evening." He looked sideways at the vampire in question. Nathaniel frowned visibly, but then regained his composure.

"Of course. Kingsly, didn't you say you had something to tell me at the last bash?" He said to another member of the circle. Sarah didn't hear his answer, though, for Jager was pulling her across the room to the bar. She went willingly, happy to have the time alone with the bash's popular host.

"So, what are you doing with Nathaniel? You're easily ten times more powerful then him. I bet you could squish him in his sleep." He turned and smiled, pulling out one of the high chairs that lined the black and silver bar.

"Knowing Nathaniel has its advantages. Being invited to this bash, for one." She replied smoothly, taking the seat he offered her.

"If I had known you before, I would have invited you in an instant. Tell me, have we met before?" He took his own seat and leaned one elbow casually on the bar.

"I'm afraid not. I just moved here three years ago from London. Still getting my bearings, I suppose." Sarah was remaining vague on purpose, giving him a reason to continue talking to her. The longer he was alone with her, the more information about future bashes and parties she could get. She looked around in awe.

"They didn't have parties like this there. Clubs, sure. But never such…events." She paused and smiled at him. "You throw one heck of a get together."

"I usually don't do things this formal, but two of my favorite vampires just got into town, and I wanted to give them a proper welcome. They haven't been to New York together in a very long time. Oh! You should meet them. Quite a tag team, they are. Very creative. Love to inflict pain. Do you like pain, Selene?" He looked at her, and she sensed she was being tested.

"Only when I'm the one creating it." She looked at him from under her eyelids, a smile on her lips that told him she was telling the truth. She really did like inflicting pain. But not just on humans.

"That's what I like to hear. You are my kind of woman. But I won't hog you all to myself. I have a feeling my guests of honor are going to love you. Will you keep them busy while I get ready for my speech? They still don't know that this party is for them." He stood, picking up the drink he had ordered while she had been talking. Gin and tonic. Interesting. She herself had passed on a drink. She didn't like to work with alcohol in her system. It gave her a weakness.

She let Jager lead her once again into the middle of the ballroom, or, more accurately, to the left side. The right side had become a dance floor. Strange, she never saw vampires as a slow dancing type. She realized that she was speaking of vampires like a different species again. She had never really grasped the fact that she was one, also. She had best start acting like one, though. From the way Jager had spoken of them, these mystery guests were pretty powerful. They would know many of the plans to take out the Vida line, if they enjoyed pain as much as he said they did. If a strong vampire wanted to inflict pain on someone, it was a Vida. To them, the world was better off one more Vida short. She wouldn't let that happen.

They approached a group of strangers at the side of the room, by one of the draped windows. She didn't recognize any of the very serious and artsy looking vampires that were there. There were four people facing away from them. The one on the far left was in deep conversation with his neighbor, neither was really paying attention to what the group was discussing. The one on the far right was holding a champagne glass full of a dark liquid that wasn't blood. She laughed softly at a story a man had been telling. It must have been the end of it, because everyone in the circle laughed, including what Sarah assumed were the guests of honor. She could only see their backs, but they were dressed in identical black suit pants, one with a white dress shirt, and the other with a dark burgundy one. The one with the burgundy shirt had his long black hair tied at the back with black ribbon. She had the faintest idea she had seen that style before. But couldn't place it. It was when they started to turn towards her and Jager that she recognized them. Twins. Nikolas and Kristopher.

A/N: Dun dun dun! Cliff! Yeah! Okay, as I said before, I won't continue until I get more feedback. I hope I get to 15 reviews! Is that reaching? I don't think so! So hit that little review button and make my day! Please!