Sweet Serendipity

Chapter Nineteen : Dorian

Alice walked into the mansion with her head held high. She'd worked too hard, suffered too harsh, and given up too much to let her night out simply slip through her fingers. It was pointless, and degrading… but no matter what, she was determined to enjoy herself even just a little bit. Even if it killed her in the end.

Alice was suddenly faintly aware of a presence behind her. She knew she shouldn't be afraid. She was in a mansion, at a Peace Ball for vampires from around the world. No one would dare attack her if she 'belonged' to another coven, would they?

With a sickening realization, Alice remembered that he was stronger, faster, and more swift and stealthy than she was. Before she could even suck in enough air to scream, he could have her neck snapped, or his teeth sunken into her flesh. It was a battle she just couldn't win, and she was alone and exposed. It was a frightening thought… and one that undoubtedly kept her silent, calm, and relaxed as she sauntered through the halls. If they knew she was scared, why wouldn't it spur them to make a grander statement? Wasn't that how these sick creatures worked? Pleasure in pain?

After her continuous walking, Alice realized she was undeniably lost. Coming to a stop, she realized that no longer was she surrounded by the crowd, but left on her own, and the dead silence brought to her attention that perhaps her perpetrator had disappeared along with the rest. At that realization, her shoulders slumped, her posture collapsed, and she understandably collapsed into the pretty little bench on the right wall of the hallway. She'd never quite comprehend on what grounds the owner had come to make his house so beautiful. Even the hallways were immaculate, it was literally like walking into a fantasy for her. Except for the fact this princess had lost all hope, and impending doom was approaching Bram Stoker style.

"Excuse me Miss… I couldn't help but notice your dejection and wondered if I could possibly be of any assistance?" Alice's head shot up from it's slumped position as her eyes immediately found the figure that she assumed had been following her from before. Surprise and slight alarm flashed through her quickly as she met the set of blood red eyes, but as her eyes travelled further, she was also intrigued by his beauty. He was tall, just under Peter's height she assumed, and well built. Not over bearing, but a lot like the Major. He had dirty blonde hair, spiked and gelled to perfection with a softer set jaw and cheekbones. He was less striking than the Major, but he was beautiful all the same. "I'm Dorian…" he smiled, extending his hand for her to take as Alice shrunk back slightly, despite her first judgement. He was alluring and attractive, almost as much so as the Major, and he was polite… but something about him make her nervous. "Might I inquire as to what your name is?" he asked with a genuine smile as Alice returned with her own half upturned grin. He was charming. His English accent made him seem so formal and high class, Alice couldn't help the words that spilled out of her mouth after.

"Alice Brandon." she smiled as he grinned and kissed her hand, a sparkle in his eyes as she repressed her girlish giggle that threatened to break threw the seems.

"A beautiful name, for a beautiful Miss." he grinned as Alice blushed.

"Thank you… I feel I pale in comparison though." she stated with a half smile, his formal statements making her glad she'd actually paid attention in her English class as she tried to structure her sentences better than she'd done so before.

"I couldn't see how." he complimented as the heat in Alice's cheeks remained.

"You're much too modest Miss Brandon. If I may be so bold… I'd say you were the most attractive young lady here this evening." he grinned as Alice shook her head with a smirk. It was so different, her emotions felt all over the place, but she could honestly say that she felt absolutely gorgeous standing in front of him, despite his unnatural beauty. He made her feel confident, and sexy in the way she stood… the way his eyes lingered, and took in every aspect of her body. Standing next to the Major, she felt inadequate to be on his arm, like she wasn't good enough. Now… next to Dorian she really did feel like the most beautiful belle at the ball. And she loved it. She loved the feeling, and the confidence he gave her. She'd have killed to be kidnapped by him rather than the Major.

But in saying that, something in the back of her mind screamed at her no. To stay away from him, and find the Major, because he was the one she was meant to be with. "Is there anyway I could convince you to accompany me to the ballroom opening ceremony?" he asked, bowing forwards with a hand extended as if he were asking a queen to walk with him.

Alice flushed the feelings she harboured for the Major out of her system, and grinned wholeheartedly as she took his arm graciously and walked down the hall with him, her skin brushing against his as she focussed on not falling her in towering heels. Through the halls they walked, Dorian asking Alice simple question, complimenting her hair, and dress, and eyes… and Alice giggling every few minutes as she tried to gather up her giddiness and rein her middle school crush down to a minimum.

She wondered briefly if she was caught in a dream this time, rather than a nightmare as Dorian lead her towards the main event room.

Alice soon realized it was far from that, when Peter stepped into sight before them, an unreadable expression on his face. She froze at the spot as she felt her elated feelings from before quickly fading away as Dorian stopped and turned to look at her before following her train of sight, soon meeting Peter's gaze with his own. "Something the matter love?" Dorian asked Alice as she just shook her head silently, slipping her arm out of his as Peter glared at the connection between the two of them. Turning to him, Dorian set Peter alight with a glare of his own as he watched the tense feelings escalate between the girl and the vampire before him. "Anything I can help you with mate?" he asked as Peter just scoffed and shook his head, a smirk playing on his lips as he stared directly into Alice's eye. At that point, she feared the decision she'd decided to make. She was afraid of what Peter would say, what the Major would say. They couldn't be happy she'd been found on another vampires arm.

"Nothing that you can help with brother…" Peter called out, taking another step towards them as Alice shrunk back slightly.

To be honest, she liked Peter and Charlotte… and at times she could stand being around the Major. But if this is what vampires really could be like, she didn't want to go back to solitude and confinement. She wanted to laugh, and explore, and have fun, and socialize… if she couldn't return to her old life, than it was only fair she'd get a chance to enjoy this one.

"Alright then, we'll just be on our way." Dorian offered as he took hold of Alice's hand, who flinched at the contact before actually realizing who's cold hand had touched her. Alice knew she'd not be taking another step further with Dorian, but it was a reassuring feeling knowing that someone, whom she'd only just met, cared enough to make an effort to help her out.

"Actually, Mr. Walker. I believe I am quite capable of escorting my own patron to the ball this evening."

Alice's heart stopped when he stepped into the hallway. She felt her stomach jump up through her throat as she tried to control her breathing. Despite the confidence she'd acquired earlier, and the cold disposition, Alice was suddenly filled with the most crippling fear she'd ever experienced. Pulling her hand from Dorian's, she instinctively took a step back from the group as the Major's red, dauntless eyes stayed trained on hers. "Thank you Mr. Walker, for taking such good care of my Alice for me." his cold voice stated as she shivered at the tone of his words. He sounded like every evil villain off of every movie she'd ever seen... combined.

"Of course, Major… it was my pleasure." Dorian's voice called through the tense atmosphere as he bowed over in respect towards the lady. Alice wanted to offer her hand to which he waited for, but her entire body was paralyzed, whether in fear, shock, anticipation or a mix of all three, she wasn't sure. "I hope to see you again, Alice." he offered before making his exit. Alice tore her eyes away from the Major's, and watched Dorian's retreating back as her anxiety only grew.

"I'll be sure to see that you won't…" she heard the Major hiss as Alice tried to remember to breath.

oh shit... trouble in paradise (or hell... whichever you prefer)

passed one hundred reviews! you guys are the best!

reviews = updates

lowe101 - my one hundredth review! yaaaayyyyyyyy! and I like your little thought there "just because she's fun sized doesn't mean she'd a door mat"... I completely agree! haha. thanks for the review! lemme know what you thought of this chapter! lil more Alice, and fun stuff ;)

danny2631 - aww, thanks! haha, glad you're enjoying it and thanks for the compliment! hope you enjoyed!

princessoftherock - is it a nice rock to rule over? ;) haha. um, I got that you liked the dresses, but the second part of your comment confused me... my Spanish was never that good. it's not really a class they teach here all that much. haha. hope your enjoying it! very impressed you read in one language and write in another! totally badass!

Guest - sure, i'll link it to my profile right after I post the chapter! I know... obviously the Major aint too smart when he's organizing dates for parties, if I were him, I would have made that a condition also, but really... I doubt Alice would have listened all that much anyways. hahaha. and I know, but Alice being emotional, is Alice being human as well. I mean I wouldn't exactly say I'd be able to act normal when I'm taken from my home, forced to stay with strangers, find out I can have horrible nightmares/future seeing dreams, and possibly die... and I'd say I'm a very emotionally strong individual. ;) hope your still enjoying it!

ElizabethandDarcy - awww, thanks! and hahaha, no problem, but I'm ever so pleased you came back ;) haha.

Guest - aww! thanks! here's you're little thing to look forward too! i'll try and update sooner so you have something ELSE to look forward too as well! enjoy!

Anabeth601 - I know right! YOU GO TEENAGE-ALICE! haha. and an ignorant Major? what are the odds? lol. and I know, who wouldn't have figured it out? ;P lol. I love how you see right through and into some of these characters... ITS AWESOME! kudos to you kid! lol. lemme know what you think of this chapter as well! lil more scary/sexy/possessive major out there just for you ;)

justafan - I love fans... they're my favorite... especially when it gets so hot in the summer... it's . glad you're enjoying it! im just feeding your obsession now!

what did ya'll think of DORIAN? his links on my profile now too. enjoy!