Sweet Serendipity

Chapter Fifteen : Donations

A. Brandon

Alice sat in cursing anticipation as her fingers wound around themselves before untangling… only to do so again. She was giddy… the thought of getting out of the confines of her room was driving insane. She wanted to run, and dance, and sing. But at the same time the prospect scared her. She wanted to get away from here, away from these people, and away from the way that the Major made her feel. She wanted to forget all of this… everything that happened and return to her old life, her old self. But she knew that was practically impossible. He'd made it quite clear Alice would never be going home, she was stuck here, with them… forever however long she could last.

The worst part about leaving, was the fear of coming back… would she leave with the Major tonight, and that would be the extent of their deal? Should she have been more specific? Told him she wanted to leave more than once, so he knew that it couldn't just be a one time thing? That she could leave for one night, then he would assume he could lock her back up, and drink from her whenever he pleased? And when she left, how did she know the fight or flight method wouldn't take over? How did she know she'd be able to control her fear and panic long enough to make sure she behaved on account? And why is it she was even considering being behaved? This was the man that had taken everything from her. Why did he get to look good with Alice on his arm, when he'd turned into the bane of her existence?

The possibilities scared her.

How should she act?

Would there be other of his kind there?

Would he feed from her in front of a crowd?

Would he drag her around and make her look foolish?

Had he brought her there to make an example of her?

Would he pass her off to other monsters like him?

Would she even come back alive?

As all these thoughts began to process in her mind, she hadn't even realized that Charlotte had entered the room carrying two large garment bags, and another couple of cases being wheeled behind her. "Alice?" Charlotte called out as the young girl jumped from her sitting position and her head whipped around to see her vampire friend, she'd now come to refer to her as. Visibly relaxing when she recognized the guest in her room, Alice's tense shoulders eased only just as she tried to offer her a welcoming smile, not reaching her eyes as Charlotte frowned slightly before brushing it off.

"Charlotte…" Alice grinned, trying to be happy to see her as the girl threw the bags on the nearby couch and came and took a seat next to Alice on the window seat. It was slightly overcast outside now, the grew clouds had all but blocked out the sun, but the warm breeze still filtered in through the window as the horses ushered themselves into the open stables, the approaching storm making itself known to nature.

"How are you holding up hun?" Charlotte asked as Alice's grin faltered slightly while she kept a cool exterior about her before trying to calm her raging thoughts and concerns.

"I'm fine…" she offered and crossed her legs in front of her as Charlotte sent her a look that clearly told Alice she didn't believe a single word coming out of her mouth. "Really Char… it's nothing." she offered as Charlotte simply scoffed and walked over to Alice, plopping down to her stomach as her fists rested under her chin, supporting her head as she gave Alice a disbelieving look, the smirk on her face telling her that Charlotte obviously wasn't planning on letting it go anytime soon. It the midst of the moment, the two had made their way to the bed as Alice sighed.

Looking at her now, Alice's heart clenched at the way the two were seated. Both sprawled on her bed like high school teenage girls, having a great night together before they settled down for pizza, popcorn, facemasks, candy, movies, and gossip. It was everything she'd do on a Friday and Saturday night back home with her own friends. Talking about boys, and cheerleading, and doing each others hair and nails. It was like home… except she was currently a hostage being held in someone else's house. Someone that planned to drink her blood. "So it's got nothing to do with the fact you have to get ready for a ball populated with vampires later this evening with the Major… who makes you feel things you don't understand, and you're afraid his control will slip and he'll end up killing you." she stated as Alice gaped at her while Charlotte smirked devilishly.

"Well… I guess that might have something to do with it." she sighed quietly as Charlotte rolled over on to her back and threw her hands behind her head to support it, a smile on her face as she recalled a fond memory.

"I still remember my first ball." she smiled as Alice turned to look at her as Charlotte's red eyes seemed to glow in fascination and wonder as Alice watched her eyes glaze over. "It was like a dream." she grinned. "The lights, the music… the dancing." she added like a woman that had seen the light for the first time as Alice couldn't keep the smile from her face, despite the fear that still gripped her stomach in a gruesome hold.

"You've been?" Alice asked as Charlotte nodded with a grin.

"Every year, all of the Coven Heads are required to attend. " she explained easily, as if it were a simple, everyday event. "Most of the time it's just the Heads and their mates, or they bring a respectable date of a royal family. But the odd coven will bring their Second in Command out of a show of respect, and that's Peter." she smiled. "The first year I went, Peter was my escort, and he courted me the entire evening… it was like a dream. The dancing, the people, the gowns. I've always loved it." she grinned from ear to ear as she sighed in content.

"Why a ball?" Alice asked as Charlotte turned to meet her gaze.

"Many years ago, during the Southern wars, every vampire clan was in conflict with one another." she explained. "When it finally ended, it was decided, that to remind us of our past mistakes, every year we would have a peaceful get together where we could mingle and greet each other in good blessings, and to remember all those vampires and humans to fall into peril during the wars. Kind of like you humans have a Remembrance Day for the World War every year." she exclaimed. "This is our Remembrance Day."

"I don't even know what I'm supposed to do. What I'm supposed to wear. How I'm supposed to act… I mean am I even allowed to go?" Alice asked as Charlotte scoffed and shook her head.

"What? Do you think we're soulless?" she asked with a smirk as Alice blushed slightly. "Everything we do at our event, genuinely reflects what you do at a charity ball. The dancing, the talking, the laughing, the drinking…"

"Except…"

"Except we don't drink your average champagne." Charlotte smirked at Alice's inquisition as the human girl shivered slightly from the statement, despite her knowing the answer to the question already.

"Are… are humans even allowed?" she asked as Charlotte stood from the bed and picked one of the garment bags up, opening the zipper as she pulled the gorgeous dress from its protective confines and held it up to her to-die-for body.

"Human Patrons and Patronesses are always invited." she stated as Alice's confusion only increased at her explanation.

"Patroness?"

"Blood donor…"

dun. dun. duunnnn.

so if any of you want to see, I put links of charlotte, peter, the major, alice, and the major's house on my profile. and after I post the next chapter, i'll add the links for the dresses. I promise I'm not spamming or sending you viruses, lol. I just know I love reading things when I already know what they look like.

thank you again, my beautiful reviewers!

deltagirl74 - I know... but he's a sexy ass all the same ;) hahaha. hopefully he'll soften up over the next few chapters. but you know... you just never know . hope you enjoy the chapter anyways!

Lil-Ruty - I knoowwww... it's cray right? hahaha. hope your enjoying itt! and you'll see! just wait ;) let me know what you think!

ElizabethandDarcy - haha. gotta hate those damn iPod's sometimes right? ;P lol. mine does that sometimes and it just freakin sucks! I hate it! I'm glad you found it tho ;) let me know what you think! hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Wink N Nodd - why thank you. lol hahahaha and hopefully you won't be disappointed with these next few chapters. they're about to get interesting ;)

Guest - you'll just have to wait and seeeeee ;)

lowe101 - hahaha. I like the way you think! that'd definitely make it interesting hahaha.

Anabeth601 - haha an unhealthy obsession with my story? lol that literally just made my day. haha. hope this chapter helps with the cravings!

Aprhrodite - hahaha. awww. thanks. glad you're enjoying it! it's about the get interesting!

princessoftherock - hola mi amigo. lol I hope it's a pretty rock you're princess of. hahaha. and thank you! glad you love jasper and want more ;) I love him tooo!

LilaDanes - hahaha every hour? I doubt I can write that fast ;p lol glad you're enjoying it!

enjoy!

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