Caged Wings

Chapter Sixteen: Masks and Mistress

The next day, Raven woke up with a yawn. She gets up and goes to her room. Raven then sees Evan walking up to her in the hallway. Raven then says, "Morning."

Evan nods, "Morning."

He then stops in front of her. Raven then asks, "W-why'd you take off last night?"

Evan shrugs, "I needed the bathroom."

Raven sighs, "That's a lie."

Evan shakes his head, "No it's not."

Raven repeats, "That's a lie."

Evan sighs as Raven gentily places her hands on the side of his arms. She whispers, "Please don't lie to me."

He looks at her, "What do you want from me? I left because....because.....it pained me to see you with him!"

Raven's eyes widened. Evan then says, "And I already told you....I don't trust vampires."

With that, Evan walked away from Raven. She looks at him as he leaves. She sighs as she thought to herself, "It pained him...to see me with Dimus?"

Raven, Hikari, and Serenity walk into a dress shop. Hikari jumps, "I can't believe you've been invited to a real masquerade!!"

Raven smiles, "I find it hard to believe myself."

Serenity the asks, "Did he say it was an all vampire masquerade?"

Raven nods, "Yeah."

Serenity sighs, "I'm starting to not trust this guy. What if he's bringing you just so you can be the main course?"

Raven sighs, "Dimus would never do that to me. And if he did....well he'll have another thing coming."

Hikari chuckles, "Yeah, Serenity. You should know of all people that Raven can kick people's asses."

Serenity then says, "Can she fight off a whole raid of vampires?"

Hikari the says unsurely, "Umm....."

Raven then says as she looks at a dress, "Yes!"

Hikari smiles, "There's your answer."

Serenity sighs, "Raven.....you can't always take on all these things by yourself."

Raven looks at more dresses, "You worry too much. Let's just have fun. That's why we came here."

Serenity then nods, "......okay."

Hikari starts to help Raven look for a dress. Hikari holds one up, "How about this one?"

Raven looks. It was a blood red dress. Raven shakes her head, "No. That's not what I'm looking for."

Serenity then starts to look as well, "What type are you looking for then?"

Raven looks through more dresses, "I don't know....something a little dark and yet.......perfect. It's hard to describe."

Hikari and Serenity then look more. Raven then looks up at a display wall. Her eyes widened, "Oh....my.....God!"

Hikari and Serenity look from the dresses to Raven. Serenity asks, "What is it?"

Raven's eyes were still widened. She points to the wall, "Th-that."

Serenity and Hikari look at the display wall. Both of their eyes widened. Raven was peering at the dress she wanted. Hikari gasps, "Th-that's gorgeous! You should buy it!"

Raven smiles, "I'm gonna."

She then goes up to the clerk and requests to buy the dress on the wall. The clerk's eyes widened when she saw Raven had enough money for it. The dress Raven had picked out was expensive beyond belief.

Raven now carried a big white bag with the dress in it. She still had a pinch of money left over. The girls then walk the streets. Serenity then says, "I can't believe you spent that much money."

Raven chuckles, "Well....technically this isn't my money."

Hikari asks, "Then whose is it?"

Raven smirks, "Dimus gave me the money last night."

Hikari laughs, "Nice!!"

Serenity gasps, "Dimus gave you that much money just for a dress??"

Raven shrugs and smiles, "I guess so. Now let's go find me a mask."

Raven, Hikari, and Serenity find a store with masks in the display window. Raven smiles, "Let's go in here."

They all do so. Raven starts to look around as did the other girls. A clerk comes up to them, "Can I help you?"

Raven then says, "Yes you can. I'm looking for a nice looking mask for a masquerade."

The clerk smiles, "We have plenty of those. What type do you have in mind?"

Raven then asks, "Do you have ones that come in black with a hint of gold?"

The clerk then says, "Right this way."

The girls then follow her. The clerk then tours them around. She shows the girls a few masks. She then says as she walks, "This is some of our finest work."

Some of the masks displayed were gruesome looking and others were pretty looking. Hikari sees a bat one, "You should get that one. It'll work for the party."

Raven shakes her head, "No. I need something better."

Serenity then sees a butterfly one, "What about that one?"

Raven shakes her head again, "Nah. Too girlie."

Raven's eyes widened when she looks upon a mask that she wouldn't even dare imagine. It was the mask of her dreams. Something that was wonderful. It was a mask with a crown of feathers, a small beak, and a gold pendant on the center of the forehead. It was a raven mask. Raven points to it, "I'll take that one."

The clerk looks at the mask and then at Raven. She smiles, "Very good."

Raven and the girls walk out of the store. Raven now carried a big white bag and a small purple bag with her mask in it. Raven sighs, "Now for one last thing."

It was finally dark. Raven was getting ready. It was 6:30pm. She only had half an hour till Dimus came knocking. Raven looked at herself in the mirror in the bathroom. She was wearing a long, fancy, black dress with gold patterns of curved lines all over it. She then puts on black eyeliner with black eyeshadow. She then puts on a purplish pink lipstick on. She then makes her hair extra spikey. She didn't bother putting in her usual raven feather in tonight.

Raven then puts on a choker with a gold pendant on it. She then puts on her black high heels, the last thing she bought. She then twirls around, making sure she looked good. She then puts on small, fingerless, fish net gloves with black ribbion tied on the wrists. The last thing she did was paint her nails pure black. Raven then looks at herself one last time,"I feel stupid."

There was a knock. Serenity's voice was heard, "Are you done?"

Raven says, "Yes."

Serenity then says, "Come on out. We want to see."

Raven sighs, "I look stupid."

Serenity then says, "You won't. Now stop being a chicken!"

Raven sighs again, "Alright."

She then opens the door and comes out of the bathroom. Serenity and Hikari's eyes widened. Serenity gasps, "Raven. You look beautiful."

Raven sighs, "Thanks...."

Hikari then says, "Yeah. You look awesome."

Raven looks down at herself, "I feel ridiculous!"

Serenity then drags Raven to the livingroom, "Come on. People want to see."

Raven pulls back, "Hell no!!"

Serenity insisted, "Oh come on."

Raven pulls harder, "I said no!!"

Hikari then pushes her, "Oh. It's not that bad."

Raven then gets pulled AND pushed into the livingroom by Serenity and Hikari. Everyone was sitting in the livingroom waiting to see the amusement. Raven sighs as everyone looks at her. Pheonix's eyes widened, "HOLY CRAP!!! I now wish you were my date again!!!"

Raven laughs as she then thinks of the time her and Pheonix went to a prom together. Zero then says, "Wow, Raven. You really outdone yourself."

Raven giggles and nods, "Th-thank you."

Coslotus just shrugs, "What's the big deal anyways?"

Serenity shouts, "John!!"

Sith then says, "You look good."

Raven waves her hand, "Quit with the compliments. I get it."

Sith then says, "Yeah guys. You're embarassing her."

He then picks up a guitar paddle, "Now I'm gonna have some fun."

Zero then says, "Okay, I'll join."

As they went to play a game, Evan comes right up to Raven. He sighs and smiles, "You......you look good."

Raven smiles, "Thank you."

She then hugs him. Evan smiles and hugs back, still hurting deep down. Pheonix then gets up, "Ahem! Where's my hug?"

Raven laughs, "Come here."

She then hugs Pheonix. He lifts her up and Raven shrieks, "Gah!"

Just then, there was a loud knock on the door. Raven's heart skips a beat. Pheonix finally puts Raven down on her feet. Raven then looks at Serenity. She smiles, "Good luck."

Raven smiles as she hugs Serenity, "Thanks."

Raven then says, "Later."

Everyone says bye as Raven goes to the door. She opens it and it was Dimus. He was dressed in a black tuxedo with small ruffles under the tux coat. He's eyes widened as soon as he looks upon Raven. He then smiles softly, "You look ravishing."

Raven blushes, "Thanks..."

Hikari comes behind her, "You're gonna need this."

Raven sees that Hikari was handing her her mask. Raven takes it, "Thanks."

She then turns to Dimus, who was smiling at her. He then hands her a red rose, "For you."

Raven takes the rose, "Thank you."

Dimus then puts his arm out. Raven smiles and takes it. She turns and waves to Hikari. She waves back as she closes the door.

Dimus then leads Raven to the foot of the driveway. There, could be seen a black carriage with a skeleton horse. Raven's eyes widened, "Cool!"

Dimus smiles as he opens the carriage door for her. Raven smiles as she steps inside. Dimus then steps inside with her. The driver at the front then whips the skeleton horse and they were on their way.

After a short amount of time, they finally arrive. Dimus then escourts Raven out and leads her ahead of them. Raven's eyes widened when she saw a huge castle. Dimus smiles, "Welcome to my home."

Raven gasps, "Wow!!"

Dimus chuckles at her reaction. He then leads her inside. Inside was big and beautiful. The ceiling was gold and there was at least two giant chandeliers made from gold and diamond. Raven gasps again, "You didn't tell me you were loaded!"

Dimus laughs, "You didn't ask."

Raven chuckles, "You're right. I didn't."

Dimus smiles at her as he lead her to the main hall where it all took place. There was people everywhere. Some in giant dresses and others in just bizarre outfits. Raven whispers, "These people are all vampires??"

Dimus smirks, "Every one of them."

Raven shakes a little. Dimus holds her hand tight, "Don't worry. I'll protect you."

Raven and Dimus then smile at one another. Dimus then places a mask on. It was a black devil mask. Raven smiles, "Nice."

Dimus smirks, "Thank you."

Dimus then puts her in a corner with a chair, "Wait here."

Raven's eyes widened, "Umm.....okay."

Dimus then runs up a big flight of stairs. He then meets up with a woman with really long black hair. Her eyes were a cold green. She smiles, "Glad you could make it."

She then kisses his cheek. Dimus kisses hers, "So am I."

This woman was extremely beautiful. She wore a big, glittery black dress. She then takes Dimus' arm. He then says, "There's someone I want you to meet."

She laughs, "Don't tell me it's that mortal you babble on about."

Dimus growls as they begin to walk down the stairs, "I suggest you watch your attitude when you're around Raven, Den Maco!"

Den Maco smirks, "Please. All I wish is for you to be happy, dear brother."

They finally see Raven. Her eyes widened as soon she saw this really pretty woman. Dimus smiles at her, "Raven. Meet my sister, Den Maco Nomed."

Raven's eyes widened even more. She extends her hand out, "N-nice to meet you."

Den Maco smirks as she takes her hand, "Pleasure is all mine."

She then kisses Raven's hand. Raven's eyes widened, "Umm...."

Den Maco lets go of her hand, "I heard so much about you."

Raven raises an eyebrow, "You have?"

Den Maco nods, "Oh yes. He talks about you non-stop."

Raven looks at Dimus, "He does?"

Dimus pulls his collar, "Umm.....yeah."

Den Maco smiles, "Well anyways.....enjoy the party. I got things to attend to. Chow."

She then leaves and disappears into the crowd. Raven then looks at Dimus, "She's really pretty."

Dimus sighs, "So people say."

Raven asks, "What?"

Dimus shakes his head, "Nothing. Let's enjoy this. This is our night."

He then takes Raven's mask and gentily puts it on her. Raven smiles, "Alright."

Dimus smiles at her. He pecks her lips, "You look lovely. Like a queen in one's dreams."

Raven blushes under her mask, "Uh....umm.....thanks."

Dimus smiles as he takes her hand. He leads her into the crowd as the music began to play. Some of the people in the crowd looks at her, sensing her heart rate, sensing she was a mortal. Dimus then turns around and faces her. He places a hand on her waist and takes one of Raven's hands in the other. They began to twirl around to the music, the same as everyone else's dancing.

Dimus twirls Raven back and forth and then pulls her close. Raven picked up on the formal dance quickly, when she never knew how to before. Dimus then dips her and pulls her back up. He spins her and then lifts her up in the air and spins her. Raven gasps at the sudden action. Dimus then places her back on her feet and began to twirl back and forth with her. The music ends and people clap.

Dimus smiles, "You're light on your feet."

Raven chuckles, "Am not."

Dimus pulls her close and whispers, "Are so."

A beautiful song begins to play. It was a song with only piano and violin. It sound romantic and yet.....dark. Dimus looks at Raven and they began to dance smoothly to the music. They twirl back and forth to the music. Raven asks, "What is this song? It's beautiful."

Dimus smiles, "It's called Unforgetable."

Raven smiles, "I like it."

Dimus whispers, "Me too."

They continued dancing to the music. No words were spoken. He spins Raven and then pulls her into himself and began to go back to the same pattern of dancing. Dimus stares at Raven passionately, falling in love more and more with each passing second. Raven stares back, feeling warmth fluster all over.

Dimus spins Raven once again and pulls her back to him. Raven's dress flowed with each movement, like a flower that kept blooming over and over.

Dimus and Raven didn't pay attention to what went on around them, only to each other. The song finally ended. Dimus and Raven looked at one another. Dimus smiles at her. As he leaned down to kiss her, a voice calls, "Dimus! There you are!!"

Dimus leans himself back up and sees a woman with long, curly blonde hair. She hugs onto Dimus' arm, "I've missed you so much, my love!!"

Raven's eyes widened. She places her hands on her hips, "Excuse me?"

Dimus looks at Raven, "Don't worry. This isn't what it appears to be."

He then pushes the woman off of him. This woman was pretty as well. She was pale with brown eyes. She wore a big, black, silk dress. Dimus sighs, "For the last time.....I am not your love. I told you this century and I've told you the last century."

He then wraps an arm around Raven, "Now....this is my love here."

The woman's eyes widened. Dimus sighs as he looks to Raven, "This is Sarah Corlune. She's......well......Den Maco's friend."

Dimus then looks to Sarah, "Sarah. This is Raven Corvinous."

Raven nods and says coldly, "How do you do?"

Sarah looks her over. Her eyes narrow, "Dimus chose a mortal over me?! HA! That's a laugh! I bet you're not half as beautiful as me!"

Raven then takes off her mask and gives her a cold look. Sarah takes a good look at her, "Hm! You're not THAT pretty! Why would he choose you?!"

Raven replies, "Because I'm not blonde and stupid."

Her eyes widened. She was now angered, "Wh-what did you just say to me?!!!"

Raven says, "You heard me. Dimus rejected you and now he's with me. Get use to it!"

Sarah growls and shows her fangs, "I'll tear you apart!!"

As she went to attack Raven, Dimus came in front and growls, "Not while I'm around!!!"

Sarah gasps, "But....but she insulted me!!"

Dimus smirks, "It's not insulting when you're only stating truth."

Sarah's eyes widened at Dimus' words. Sarah then glares at Raven, "You're gonna pay for this!"

Raven smirks, "I'll be waiting."

Sarah then storms off. Dimus turns to Raven and chuckles, "I never seen her so furious."

Raven shrugs, "There's always a first for everything."

Dimus shakes his head, "You have a lot of nerve, saying those things....especially to a vampire."

Raven then says, "I'm not afraid. I'd slaughter her if I ever saw her grab onto you again."

Dimus eyes widened and then he smiles at her, "Strong words from a strong woman."

He then strokes her cheek with his hand, "I bet you really could slaughter her with your rage."

With that, he kisses Raven's lips. Raven kisses back. Dimus then puts his hands on her waist and pulls her closer. He keeps kissing her, feeling her heat. Raven then wraps her arms around him as the kiss went on. Dimus then parts the kiss. He smiles, "If it wasn't for this number of people....I'd tell you I wanted you right now."

Raven chuckles, "Aw....that's too bad."

Dimus and Raven both chuckle with one another.

After a long night of fun, Dimus finally brings Raven home. He escourts her out of the carriage. He then walks her to the front door. They stop and look at one another. It was silent for a few moments. Dimus takes off his mask finally and looks at her. Raven breaks the silence and whispers, "What's it like?"

Dimus makes a puzzled expression, "What do you mean?"

Raven then says, "I mean.....what's it like....to be like you?"

Dimus' eyes widened. He sighs, "Well....it's not what it seems that's for sure."

Dimus then says, "A life of eternity can be a life of curse. You have weaknesses that shouldn't be......and you have.....you have...."

Raven then asks, "What?"

Dimus sighs, "I've said too much."

As he went to walk away, Raven grabs his arm, "I'm sorry....I shouldn't have asked."

Dimus turns to her, "It's alright. Everyone's curious once in a while."

With that, he kisses Raven good night. He then whispers, "Good night.....my love...."

Raven whispers, "Good night."

With that, he turns and walks away.