A/N: All right! I'm very excited and as always, nervous to bring you this chapter. It's the longest one I've written between all my stories (I figured you'd be pissed if I cut it in half and didn't post the masquerade again) but I've put a tone of effort into it, hoping to make it live up to the vision in my mind. Please, please, please, let me know what you think! I've had an absolutely wonderful time writing this one, locking myself in my room, getting my candles lit, and blasting :wumpscut: to get myself into the right mood to pull this off.

I should probably give you a slash warning, this is one of the slashy'st chapters this story will have (still nothing major though) so if you have a strong disliking for that kind of stuff you might want to skip the last few paragraphs but I wouldn't suggest it. Oh and thank you so much for the offer Feya but I'd feel awkward troubling someone else with my work, at least with my friends I can buy them coffee afterwards ; )

So yeah, I really hope you like this one, enjoy!

...

"I understand you're bringing your pet tonight." It was Aiden; she'd recognize his voice anywhere. Catherine was just cutting through his study and had hoped he wouldn't be there; they tended not to get along too well at times. He was also the only one in the coven that could actually match her in strength, which seemed to get put to the test more frequently than not.

Catherine rounded on him furiously. "She is not a pet!"

"Really? She's been following you around like a puppy for the past month and yet you've made no move to change her. Perhaps she is not as willing as you had hoped?" he replied confidently as he took a seat by the large fire.

"I simply made a small underestimation, after tonight she'll see things differently. It's that damn boy, he still holds her to this life."

"You're jealous," he said with out looking at her, but knew that he had struck a nerve.

Catherine's reply came more as a hiss than actual words, "you would be wise to watch what you say Aiden. I am not above throwing you into that fire, just to watch you scream."

He laughed. "If you can recall, it used to be I who would make you scream."

Her eyes went wide with rage as she regarded his cocky form, resting so calmly in that chair. Refusing to dignify him with a response, she furiously stormed out of the room; she'd show him for making such comments. Aiden simply enjoyed his small victory, knowing he had gotten off light; Catherine was known for having a bad temper.

Only a moment later he gasped out in stabbing pain. He looked down at the peculiar sight of the end of a rapier protruding from his now bloodstained shirt.

Catherine smiled wryly to herself, letting go of the swords handle and coming around to face him. There were many things that could kill a vampire, but a piece of metal through your gut was not one of them, though it certainly hurt quite a bit. He looked up at her, enraged but she simply giggled back at his shocked expression.

"I suggest you get changed, seems you've got blood on your shirt," she said with a grin before skipping out of the room, leaving him to struggle with the sword while cursing under his breath.

...

"Christine, I don't trust that woman. I must insist that you not go to that party," Raoul called to his wife as she rushed down the main staircase.

Christine shot him a furious glare as she stopped midway down the steps, her hands still gripping the sides of her skirts. "She's my friend and I'm going."

Taking advantage of her momentary pause, Raoul ran to catch up with her. He managed to just get in front of his defiant wife, successfully cutting off her path and causing her brow to pinch together in that adorable manner he so loved. "Well then I'm going with you."

"You were not invited," she said while trying to push past him.

"I am your husband. I have a right to go."

They stared at each other at eye level with Raoul just a step below her. Christine's voice changed to a more pleading tone as she beheld his worried eyes. "Please Raoul; if you deny me this, I swear I'll never forgive you."

"But why? What is so important about this evening?" He really was trying to understand her, but just couldn't see things her way. It was one thing dealing with her and Catherine's escapades throughout town, but there was something about this party that just didn't sit right with him. Catherine had brought her a magnificent black and red dress to wear that made her look positively enchanting yet sad and almost ghostly. Her hair too, was worn down, and entwined with red beads, which shone in the light, giving an ethereal beauty to her. Everything about her told him there was more to this than meets the eye, and he didn't like it.

"Raoul, please don't be mad at me, but just let me have this one night to myself..."

"You've had every night to yourself for the past month. It's not right that we spend so much time apart. People are starting to talk, Christine."

She pulled back from him angrily. "No Raoul, they were always talking. They talked about how their darling Vicomte de Chagny was seduced by an ambitious social climbing actress who had no right to marry him. Now that what they say actually concerns your reputation, you actually care.

Stepping up beside her, he looked at her, hurt that she could ever think such a thing. "Now you know it's not like that at all. Surely you don't classify me with those people?"

The pained tone in his voice cut into her, guiltily. It seemed she was becoming more and more defensive these days for no reason, finding insults where there were none. Suddenly ashamed for what she had said, Christine collapsed into his worried arms. "No, I'm sorry... it's just so frustrating sometimes."

He held her close, lightly running a hand over her decorated hair. "Hey, look at it this way, at least you don't have two meddlesome sisters constantly at you, pointing out who they thought would have made great wives and how their families would have helped the half a dozen sons I would have to new levels of prestige. You'd think I was twelve the way they still poke at me."

Raoul meant it jokingly but when he felt Christine's body stiffen against him, realized it was probably not the brightest thing to say at the moment. Wanting to change the subject quickly, he remembered the small box jabbing into his side from his coat pocket. Stepping back, he retrieved the light velvet case and presented it to his wife. "Here, I bought something for you. I felt bad for leaving you the other day and when I saw this, I knew you would love it."

Shocked, Christine slowly took the gift and opened it with guarded surprise. With a gasp, she beheld the contents while Raoul smiled brightly. Inside rested a thin, platinum bracelet set with alternating rubies and diamonds across the top with the platinum twisting around them in an almost Celtic design. Truly she had never seen anything quite like it. "Oh Raoul, it's beautiful."

"Well if you insist on wearing that ridiculous ribbon, which I'm convinced makes you look as though your family's been sent to the guillotine, then you need something to draw the attention away from your neck."

Christine held out her hand with the widest grin on her face as Raoul proudly fastened the bracelet around her wrist. She then practically jumped into her husband's unsuspecting arms, kissing him firmly on the lips and forcing him to hold her up as she leaned all her weight against him.

A much-embarrassed Sarah then interrupted the happy couple with a cough, announcing her presence at the base of the staircase. "Mademoiselle du Merrets's coach has arrived for you Madam."

"Well you had better get going then," Raoul whispered into her ear, still holding her close. She kissed him lightly once more before pulling away.

"Don't wait up, and thank you, for everything." She then skipped the rest of the way down the stairs and out the door, flashing him an excited smile before exiting.

...

Christine traveled alone but saw Catherine waiting for her at the front gates of what must have been her massive estate. The two walked in silence till they reached the front door, Christine busy taking in the sight of the expansive gardens and Catherine regarding her carefully.

At last Catherine spoke once they reached the imposing front doors, "Welcome to my home Christine." She opened them to reveal an entranceway like any other but already Christine could hear the sounds of excitement and merry making trailing into the room. Catherine led the girl quickly down a hall to the left and pushed open two great, beautifully carved doors, which lead to the main room of festivities.

Christine was awe struck as she and her companion entered the large room. People dressed in dark attire and small masks, which only covered the eyes, were scattered about in different groups, talking and laughing loudly with one another. The outfits them selves were not what she expected. Though many were dressed formally, most were not. A large number of the men wore only simple, loosely fitted shirts with dress pants, while some of the women were dressed simply scandalously. Many of their skirts were quite short, and almost all the women had ridiculously low necklines. Christine was also shocked to see that there were even some wearing trousers. She did not fail to notice a few with the same silk ribbon, tied carefully round their necks, as well.

A small band played the most peculiar music from the front, right corner of the room. It was at a medium to fast pace with a very strong underlying bass melody, the high strings playing longer drawn out chords in harmony, and the most eerie sounding flute did an imitation of the bass melody. Christine found the music to calm and excite her all at once. It seemed to do the same to the crowed, as there were a few dancing close by while others simply lounged and watched the musician with a sublime expression on their faces.

The room itself was not of a normal layout. Along the far right wall was a set of doors, immediately followed by a wide staircase curving around to the back wall where a balcony ran across with a few doors leading away. Below on the back wall, was a small platform, on which sat a large throne lined with black velvet and gold armrests and detailing. Immediately to the left of it were a few steps that lead to another plateau about five feet high. On this raised floor sat a few chairs and a table against the banister, so one could watch the on goings of the floor from a raised position. The back went in deep, going right underneath aforementioned balcony because of the height difference; this section was more like a small cave only three feet high and lined with oversized pillows for lounging.

The coloring of the room was very earthy in tones, mainly stained wood, maroons, reds, and blacks made up the few bits of furniture and walls. Long tables filled with punch bowls and various platters lined the sidewalls and seemed to be a popular spot for many of the guests to stand, most of which holding an ever-filled goblet in their hands. Strange incense filled the entire room, penetrating Christine's senses with its intoxicating aroma and filling the area with a thin blanket of smoke.

Catherine turned to the girl who was already becoming lost in the swirl of color, smoke, and music drifting ever over her. "I know this must all seem strange to you Christine, we come from very different worlds. But keep in mind, before you pass judgment, that I consider many of these people my family and that what one can find inappropriate, can be completely natural to another person. This is not a place of judgment, no one would dare speak of what goes on here to anyone not present, I do expect you to do the same."

Catherine looked very sternly at Christine as she spoke. Tonight was no game, and should Christine not keep her promise, Catherine knew what she would have to do, but she was sure the girl could be trusted. "That being said, also know that you are at liberty to do whatever you like, whatever your heart desires. Tonight is a night of freedom, something I know you're not used to."

Christine simply nodded her head, her eyes trailing from one form to another as each masked body walked by, occasionally giving her a slight nod or raise of a glass. All the thoughts in her head seemed to run into one another, not allowing her to concentrate on any one thing but only drifted constantly away from her grasp. Her hand was suddenly cold; someone had taken hold of it.

"Ah, you must be Christine. It is of the greatest pleasure to finally meet you." With the faintest smile, Christine allowed the man to raise her hand to his lips. She flinched slightly at the cold sensation but her mind quickly drifted away from it as their eyes met. "My name is Aiden and if there is anything I can do for you, do not hesitate to ask." His words were like honey to her ears while his eyes violated her own with their hollow stare, only escalated by that thin wrap of leather forming his simply shaped black mask. His looks, like his voice, were ageless. Neither young nor old but impassioned yet emotionless he stood there, with that same aura of strength she found in Catherine.

"Aiden, like my self, holds a certain seniority among our little group here. If you can not find me, he is the one to go to." Catherine spoke in an almost mocking sarcastic tone while facing Aiden.

Rolling his eyes, the man moved away and quickly returned with two full goblets in hand. With a smirk and a bow, he placed one in each of the women's hands. "For the ladies of the house."

"Thank you Aiden, now if you'll excuse us." Taking Christine's hand lightly, Catherine led her through the crowd and sat themselves on the steps to the semi-raised plateau at the back of the room. "Tell me Christine, what are your thoughts?"

Finally gaining some form of control of her senses, Christine regarded her friend while carefully choosing her words. "It's like being in a dream yet not... constantly on the verge of waking, yet constantly drifting just below the surface of a shimmering lake, just seeing the glow of stars above through its glass ceil. I'm floating yet drowning... does that make any sense?"

"Perfect, my dear," she answered, lightly stroking the dazed Christine's face with the tips of her fingers. "It's utterly perfect." She watched as Christine raised the goblet to her lips, while echoing the unspoken words under her breath. "It's like being alive yet dead."

The thick, potent liquid pored down her throat with ease. It had the queerest taste, causing her to stare curiously into that black pool resting in the bottom of her cup. "What is this?" she asked with unhidden intrigue.

The shocked expression on Christine's face was enough to bring out Catharine's joyous laughter. "We call it Styra wine my dear." Rising from the step, she gestured to the crowd dancing on the floor. An odd excitement seemed to come over her as Christine watched in fascination.

"Tonight Christine, we are the Bacchae, may we drink to Dionysus and all his pleasures!" And with that, she drained the contents of her cup, signaling for Christine to do the same. She did, and while giggling playfully, Catherine pulled the girl to her feet. "It seems we've let our goblets run dry, not something we allow to last for very long here."

Christine couldn't help but laugh as her friend pulled her up with ease, but her brow pinched together as she looked over Catherine's shoulder. Turning to see what had caused the girl's change in expression, Catherine too, was momentarily stunned as they watched a door to the right open.

Out came two men dragging an unconscious woman effortlessly between them while talking happily to one another. Unable to pull her eyes away, Christine could only stare dumbly at the woman's limply hanging head, gently rolling against her chest as she was pulled away. Her hair fell loosely down her face, successfully blocking Christine's view of the young girl's features as the men each held an arm around their necks. But it was the sight of those feet, dragging silently against the smooth surface of the floor as they carried her away, which truly unsettled Christine.

Forcing a broad smile on her face, Catherine turned back to Christine. "It appears someone has been drinking a little too much, too soon. Excuse me a moment." She then hastily followed the others into the adjoining room, leaving Christine alone on the steps. Without Catherine's anchoring presences, she found herself once again becoming lost in the atmosphere and slipped back down onto the steps, losing all train of thought.

"Another drink Christine? We prefer not to see a glass empty, our stream must always be flowing you see." It was Aiden now at her side, pushing a full goblet into her receptive hands. She gazed momentarily into that tempting black pool of liquid before acknowledging the man's presence, as though contemplating how this glass was now in her grasp. "Perhaps you'll join me for a dance?"

Without giving an answer she was already on the floor, goblet in one hand, Aiden in the other. He moved her across that heavily polished surface quickly, encouraging her to drink at every slow interval of music. In and out of couples they turned, moving with ease through the crowd, and leaving the room to seem constantly in motion. All the colors of the room swirled into one and nothing existed except everything as the drinks intoxicating effects descended on her clouded mind.

She was aware though, of Catherine's keen eye, ever on her from where she was perched atop the large thrown. It was the one spot in the room that didn't seem to be in perpetual motion, all these blurs, yet there was Catherine. Sprawled out sideways, with one foot on the armrest, she watched carefully over her young protégé, who was laughing in delight as Aiden once more spun her around.

Again and again she twirled about while the music escalated and the laughter increased all around her. She was not with Aiden now, but someone else, then another, oh and then there was another body being carried away, but no, she was once again passed off. It didn't matter to whom, she just didn't want to stop, and the hours pasted on, but then she did stop, it was Catherine now leading her away. "Come with me Christine, you should take a rest."

Catherine led her up the steps to the small plateau and sat her at one of the chairs. Christine knew Catherine was there but she just couldn't take her eyes off that mass of swirling color just beneath them, it appeared they were dancing just for her, everything here was for her. And there went another body; someone else had drunk too much. Aiden and Catherine were talking now but she couldn't hear them, she could hear nothing but that pulsating rhythm driving into her soul, she could feel nothing but the heat of the air lifting her away, she could see nothing but that dance, that wave of motion which moved only for her.

"For wanting her to come willingly, you've certainly done a good job of keeping her drugged up."

Catherine glared at Aiden as he stood just below them, on the main floor. "That is none of your concern, besides, when I do change her, she won't be. This is just to give her glimpse of our world."

"If you say so." With a shrug, he then disappeared back into the ever- crowded floor.

"Christine?" she whispered loudly, running the tips of her fingers down the girl's face but receiving no response. "What would you do for me Christine, if I offered you the world? Gave you all your dreams and life eternal?" She continued to trace her cheek lightly, following the curve of her jaw to the vein in her neck, while calling to her in a pitiful voice. "Would you love me then? Would you die for me then?"

She then took the girl's hand in her own and gazed upon it intensely, the same way Christine gazed out over the motion of people just beyond their perch. Christine could only vaguely feel Catherine run her hand down her arm, taking her time with her gentle caress, and settling at her wrist. Gasping at the sudden pain, Christine still could not break her eyes away from the floor as Catherine's teeth sunk into that delicate layer flesh, her lips clasping tightly around her wounded wrist.

The dream simply continued as her body weakened with each passing moment. The people below continued to dance on in a frenzied manner, their passion escalating to a new height as the minutes had passed by. Again a body was taken away, but there seemed to be lovers in every corner of the room now, people tightly embraced shamefully with one another yet everything seemed the way it should.

"You are not blind Christine. There is a whole other world waiting for you, calling to you. There is nothing here for you, only regret. I can see that, I can see many things, things you won't even admit to yourself. You can leave this life, this regret, and start anew. Reality is only a dream and dreams are real, is that not true? True to us, people who never belonged here? Leave the dream and become real, become what you are."

Catherine tilted Christine's head towards her, forcing the girl's eyes to break with that crowd and look into her own. Her sharp teeth bit into her tongue, allowing a thin layer of blood to spread over her crimson lips. Vampire blood was of the sweetest ambrosia to a human; she would give Christine a taste of her world too.

The girl looked at Catherine with fogged over eyes, comprehending nothing as she descended closer. Apprehensively, Catherine kissed her, her bloodstained lips trembling, and slowly allowing her sweet elixir to trickle into the girl's unsuspecting mouth.

At the first taste of that glorious, thick liquid, Christine pushed forward, wantonly drinking in every last drop that escaped Catherine's parted mouth. The taste was pure ecstasy to Christine, a dream causing her to whimper when she was at last released from that blissful embrace. Catherine gasped, her eyes burning with desire but knowing she must stop lest she forget herself. She would give Christine that final choice no matter what and this was not the time.

"You're tired Christine, you should rest," she said with a shaking voice, her face flushed as Christine's own blood coursed through her body. Catherine helped the weak, entranced girl from her seat, and led her to lie on the small bed of pillows, lining the back wall. Catherine sat beside her peaceful sleeping form, resting a hand on Christine's while watching the party. "Sleep Christine, sleep and forever dream."

...

R&R Please, I'm very curious how this one came off. BTW: you're all going to hate me after the next chapter. It'll also be another long one, but yeah, you'll hate me.