Disclaimer: I am crazy and don't you know it! Muhahahaaaa! Well my pretties, are you anxious to see what is going to happen next? I must confess to you that these chapters might go a bit slow for some, plot thickens like pea soup in the Exorsist (don't go imagining that, ye faint of heart) and the real action with Abberline sets in at the end of the chapter following this which I am almost finished writing. As in regards to the contest: Those that have picked are the only ones I will be using at the moment I might change my mind about a few others but as of now this is it.

I hope you like these next few chapters because I'm planning on drawing out that unbearable tension to the breaking point. Told ya I was crazy!



Our hiding place did not stay hidden for long. The hounds of the party sniffed us out and made themselves unwelcome by barging in.

"The Chevely's approach! All cower in fear." I hissed to Julie. She coughed back a laugh.

"Oh Cass, dear, so this is where you ran off to." Olivia said in an overly pleasant way, "What on earth are you doing here of all places?"

"One usually does read in a library." Julianne muttered from behind her book again, "I believe that is it's purpose."

Olivia's eyes landed on Julie harshly, then her smile softened, "Yes, of course. Hello, Julie, darling, have you recovered from that humiliating rejection from Sir Henry? We were all so worried about you when you left the party in tears.........."

Angelina smirked and Damara's eyes scrunched, trying not to smile. Olivia looked perfectly innocent, as if she really cared about Julianne, who had sunk a bit in the chair at her words.

With a triumphant smile Olivia turned to me, "Come, Cass. Everyone is complaining that they haven't seen you all night." She held out her hand and for a moment I thought about taking it. But then I remembered her eyes and what was in them. Lies. She was made up of sweet lies.

"You go on ahead, dear." I said placing a hand on Julie's shoulder, "but I think I'll stay here for a while more.........with my friend."

Olivia's eyes narrowed to mere shards. She was warning me without words, 'Get off your ass and away from that girl and follow me, or I'll make you regret it.'

And then I clinched it, saying kindly, "Run along, pet."

Angelina's and Damara's smiles dropped from their mouths like flies, and despite her dominant stance, Olivia took a step back, "You've changed." She accused.

"For the better we hope." Julie murmured softly beside me.

Olivia began to pick under her nails again, "Girls," she addressed calmly to Angelina and Damara who snapped to attention, "let's return to the party. I'm afraid Cassandra won't be joining us."

Taking the hint the girls walked to the door. Olivia however stood still before us, before a disquieting and unnerving smile spread across her face.

"I understand that you're not feeling quite well, dear, and while your attitude stings me to the core, I hope you will reconsider your words. After all," her grin widened, and while I knew it was insane it seemed her teeth were sharpened, like fangs, ready to rip into anyone who displeased her, "you shall always be my friend."

And with that she turned on her heel and gracefully exited stage right.

Julianne shivered faintly beside me, "I can't stand her."

"Neither can I."

"You should have just gone with her," she said suddenly.

"What?! Why?"

"Because things are going to be worse now, for the both of us."

"Oh really.......?" I asked sarcastically.

"You don't know who you're dealing with, Miss Harlington."

"And who am I dealing with exactly?"

Julianne returned to her book, "I wasn't teasing when I said they were the Spawn of Satan. Be careful."



I realized a little too late that Abberline was still with Olivia. I nearly screamed with frustration when I remembered. Leaving him with HER!! I must have been out of my mind!

As it was I wasn't given much time to pout because not more than ten minutes after Her Highness had swept from the room a certain doctor came to fetch me.

"Ah, Cassandra, dear, there you are!"

I tried to hide behind Julie, who smirked at my desperation.

"You've been like a ghost all night. People have to catch a glimpse of you or they'll think you've been murdered."

Ironic coming from you.

"How did you find me?" I asked meekly.

"Oh Miss Hernandez informed me of your whereabouts."

Julianne's eyes flicked to mine saying, 'Told you it would be bad.'

"Come on," Farrel said pulling me to my feet without any pretense or apology, "You never used to be this shy."

I waved to Julie before I was tugged out the door and down the hall.

I don't know why he needed me so direly. He was once again talking for me. There's nothing more boring than being ignored. Luckily, I channeled that boredom into something much more useful.

"Oh!" Angelina shrieked nearby, "Someone is throwing stuff at me!"

I happened to be that someone, and I wasn't throwing stuff, I was FLICKING it, and they happened to be small spitballs. I had just successfully managed to get one in Damara's hair when someone called my name. Turning I saw Rayanna making her way through the crowd to me. My spirits immediately lifted as this was one person I was happy to see.

"Rayanna." I said smiling as we embraced. She kissed each cheek quickly.

"So sorry we're late but the traffic was unbearable."

Beside me Farrel whitened more than his usual paler.

"I'm so glad you're here." I confessed.

She caught the tone of relief in my voice, "Don't tell me we went through unbearable traffic to come to an unbearable party." She laughed, "Oh yes and you remember Andre, don't you." She remarked addressing the man at her side. He was one of the Fab Five from the shop.

"Yes I do."

"Where is Abberline, the old chap?" He asked pleasantly.

"Well, Andre, your suit was so artfully done that he was whisked away by a group of young ladies as soon as he entered."

"By jove, really?! Smashing!" He exclaimed excitedly. Rayanna frowned at his side.

"But what about you, dear?"

"She's been hiding herself in the library for half the night." Farrel said stiffly.

Rayanna's eyes caught ahold of Farrel and sparkled darkly, I felt as if a wave had swept over all our heads. A wave of old hurts and humiliated hearts.

"Ah! Doctor Farrel, how good to see you again! It has been some time."

Farrel bowed tensely, "Miss. Stewart."

"Come, come we can use first names. We know each other better than that."

Farrel's left eye twitched.

"Why are you here?" He asked sternly.

"Why, only to view my masterpiece." She claimed, her hand moving to indicate me, "Isn't that right, Andre?"

"Hmmn? What was that, my dear, I was distracted by the most ghastly looking waist coat I have ever seen. Good god, something must be done! Excuse me, Miss Stewart.......those clothes should be banned or burned." The man was gone like a bat out of hell, had the poor guy by the arm and was ushering him into another room.

"Oh Andre, work, work. Always work." Rayanna sighed sympathetically.

"Miss Stewart.........." Farrel began.

"So........tell me has the scent worked?" Rayanna asked me anxiously.

"It's a beautiful scent..........." I answered truthfully.

"Well, yes, yes of course it is," Rayanna rolled her eyes, "but has it taken on it's desired effect?"

I shook my head, "I'm afraid not." I was a bit embarrassed about the whole thing as a matter of fact. It was a pleasing fragrance, nothing more.

"Miss Stewart........." Farrel said again.

"Drat. Perhaps I should get a refund on it then, cost the devil........"

"Miss Stewart!" Farrel barked.

"Yes, Doctor Farrel?" Rayanna replied sweetly.

"It is imperative that I speak with you...........NOW." He growled and without so much as a 'forgive me while I drag her away,' Farrel took Rayanna's arm in a grip to crush her bones and led her away.

What was all that about?

I shrugged my shoulders. Old boyfriend or something.



"What are you doing here?" Farrel hissed through his teeth.

"I think we've established that I was here to see the success of my creation."

"I will not ask you again Rayanna. What are you doing here?"

She merely smiled.

"I forbid you to be here."

"Oh please, don't start pretending now you've had any say in what I've done or what I do."

Glancing at the people passing, he said gently, "Leave. Leave now before I have you thrown out."

"And miss the Party?" There was that secret smile again as she turned to walk away.

"My god, woman." Farrel whispered in horror, "What are you scheming?"



Olivia Hernandez stood in a corner, overseeing the young Inspector's cross of the room to refresh her empty glass.

"Olivia........" A voice purred beside her, she smirked softly hearing it. A solid presence stood beside her.

"What are you doing here in the shadows? Don't you usually enjoy the limelight?" The velvet voice questioned.

"Hunting, my dear friend. I am hunting."

"Obviously, but what kind of game?"

Her delicate finger pointed to the figure of the Inspector. The man beside her appraised him.

"He seems to common for you. Not your regular tastes at all." He commented.

"There's something different about this one."

"There always is.......in the beginning."

Olivia shook her head, "No. I want this one."

The figure beside her chuckled an amused dark laugh, "And what shall happen after?"

"After what?" She asked sharply.

"After you have tired of him. After he's ceased to amuse you. After you're done with him."

Olivia smiled, turning to look at her old friend in the shadows of their shared corner, "That is yet to be decided. Who knows, this one might please me longer than the last. There is but one small thing in my way."

The man's brow rose in a silent cocky expression asking her to continue.

"That girl over there."

The dainty hand was now pointed at the Guest of Honor.

"Keep her out of my hair."

The man's eyes raked over the distant woman's exquisitely full figure.

"I shall be only too happy to oblige."



I was left alone in a sea of people who occasionally stopped to say a few words or so to me.

Just nod your head and smile, and you'll be fine. No sudden movements, that's the key.

But it seemed I was in luck, someone of greater standing had made an appearance and the crowds were now flocking to the other end of the room to fight to shake whoever was there's hand.

When Farrel finally returned to my side, Rayanna was not with him.

"Well, my dear, shall we go see what all the fuss is about?"

He didn't even wait for my answer as he led my straight into the growing circle. The whispers began to eat at my ears.

"He's back from the Americas.........."

"Made another fortune, no doubt.............."

"I heard the President let him stay in his house.........."

I snorted. Really if that excited people these days then they would have keeled over if they ever saw Rocky Horror.

"Oh this is preposterous! Let us through!" Farrel commanded pushing people out of the way, "Hold on, my dear, I'll see if I can get a closer look and snatch whoever it is away for a moment." Farrel slipped further in as if he were swimming through crystal clear water instead of a muddle of human bodies.

I entertained myself by tilting my head and nosying in on more of the gossip circulating around me.

"He must have found a wife by now, don't you think? What else would he go to America for?"

"No, thank god. He's as free as ever. Still the most sought after Bachelor, all the better for us. We still have a chance."

"Cassandra."

I turned as Farrel approached, "I would like you to meet a good friend of mine from Oxford. Lord Darque, Lady Harlington."

The man behind him stepped forward and I felt a fear so acute run through me that I lost all ability to move under his hard ice shard eyes. I was afraid. As afraid as I had ever been. I couldn't..........do anything. I was dumbfounded, because I knew who this was. I had seen him before. Not here but I had seen him.

Ebony black hair was cut and parted in the times traditional way, but other than that there was no change in his appearance. Impossibly blue glacier eyes pricked my skin like needles and his cruel features amplified their mute devil-look as his lips rose in a disarming smile.

"It is a pleasure, Miss Harlington." I flinched a bit at the voice. If chocolate wrapped in satin were a poison that destroyed you it wouldn't have half as much power as that voice.

Taking my hand, as I had yet to stir, his lips covered two of my knuckles in a shivery kiss that lasted perhaps four seconds at most. My hand twitch in discomfort under his mouth and my eyes closed as another slight tremor shook me. I opened them quickly only to find I had not been deceived. It was he.

I could not move. Despite that one sentence was screaming in my head like a runaway train in Speed, "SINCE WHEN THE FUCK WAS JASON ISSACS IN THIS MOVIE?!!"

Well there ye have it. Hope ye like it. And if ye don't ye can shove it. Hehe, and if any of you are wondering who the hell is Jason Issacs I suggest you look him up on imbd and find his pictures as Captain Hook in Peter Pan. Needless to say, if this story were about me (which it is) our little Inspector might be up against some competition.