The street we were going to was not far from the Scrolldart. While Addison and Bert were leading us there, I whispered to Kol and asked what a lower city party was like. He said there would be all sorts of people there and to watch myself. I must have looked scared because he laughed then told me not to worry. He assured me that it would be a night I remembered for a long time. The people in the lower city were a lot less reserved than the ones in the upper city so the party would be louder and the dancing faster. Even before we turned onto the street, I could hear the music clearly.

The people had accomplished their mission and the length of the street was lined with couples dancing to the wild music. Almost everyone was whirling to the music and very few were standing aside. Bert and Addison ran off to join the dance and quickly got in step with the others. The dance was similar to the measured dances at a royal ball, but sped up drastically until everyone was whirling impossibly fast around each other. I wondered at how they all didn't run into each other or trip over their flying feet.

"I am going to go see if I can't find where these people are getting their masks. I think I see the place over there. I will be right back." Kol said to me before going away to one of the few shops that were open on the street. I hoped he would be back soon; I did not want to be alone for very long.

I got my wish and I was not alone for more than a few seconds. However, the couple who came to keep me company was not what I was expecting. The man had little spectacles and thinning hair. His posterior was so large that it made him waddle when he walked up to me. His wife followed close behind and she was no better with her frizzy blonde hair and bulbous nose.

"Well, hello there," The man said. His voice was nasally and I could hear the breath that accompanied each word. "I haven't seen you here before. Are you new to the area? My wife and I are friends with everyone you see. We're like the welcome committee and we love meeting new people. Some people even call us the welcome wagon, you know?"

The man let out a gurgling laugh and smiled at me with crooked teeth. Beside him his wife introduced themselves. "My name is Mabel and this is my husband Myrtle. We couldn't bring the kids out of course. That's what we call our pets because they are like children to us."

I tried to back away from the strange pair, but they followed me step for step. Myrtle had begun telling me all about their pets even though I did not ask or want to know. "We have two bullfrogs, six little house wrens, three dogs, two lizards, a snake, and ten cats. Our little kitty Snuggle Boots has terrible indigestion and makes a mess every time she eats, the poor thing. Have you ever had a pet with indigestion? It will near break your heart to see the little thing suffering. Oh, and I almost forgot, Mabel found the cutest little mouse in our cupboard the other day and we've decided to add him to our family."

Mabel nodded and I was still trying to back away from them. I tried to excuse myself politely, but they wouldn't let me get a word in. "I just can't let any creature out into the cold. It's my caring heart I suppose. Myrtle says I'd let a dragon burn down our house before getting rid of it, and he's probably right."

I did not doubt they had all the pets they said because they smelled as if they lived with a hoard of animals and it was not pleasant. "I really should be getting back to my friends." I tried to get away, but they weren't having any of it. I accidentally had backed myself against a wall and the only way I would be able to get by was either push past them or dive into the mass of dancing people. Neither option was very pleasant.

"Who are you looking for, my pretty? Maybe we can help you find them. We know everyone." Myrtle began scanning the crowd. I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the unwanted conversation.

I tried to get them to leave and claimed I was fine and didn't need their help, but they were set on not leaving me alone.

I was so focused on some way to get past the irksome pair that I did not know Kol had returned until he stumbled into me. He clumsily threw his arm around my shoulder and our hips banged together. I looked at him curiously. He was holding a tankard of what smelled like some very strong alcohol that he was spilling everywhere as he waved that arm. He swayed where he stood and seemed incredibly drunk.

Tentatively, I wrapped my arm around his waist because it seemed that he may fall over at any moment. I started to ask if he was feeling alright, but he quickly cut me off with a slurred exclamation. "Howzya, doin' me ol' chummie chum chums Maggie and Myrt? Howzat duck horse cat animal that you gots last…days ago?"

"Oh, young Nikolaus," Myrtle stammered. Now it looked like they were uncomfortable. "It seems you have been drinking. Maybe we can talk later when you are more sober."

To my great surprise, the strange couple scurried off away from Kol and me. As soon as they were lost in the crowd, Kol straightened up and handed the mostly empty tankard to a passing man. He was completely normal now. He adjusted his shirt and sniffed disdainfully. "That man is a menace and his wife isn't much better. If they corner you then they can talk you into your grave. The only think I've found that drives them away is drunkards. They can't stand people who drink and avoid them at all costs. It is an unwritten law in this part of the city that if one of your friends gets cornered by that couple, then it is your job to act drunk and get them to go away."

"I'm glad you did get them to leave. I didn't know what I was going to do. I thought I would have to club them over the head to get away." I only half joked.

Kol laughed. "I would have liked to see that. Those people just don't understand that not everyone wants to hear all about their pets. You did wonderfully by the way. Most people don't understand the act drunk scheme their first time around. It took Addison nearly a month to not give away that we were only acting when Bert or I tried to get her away from Myrtle and Mabel."

"I was too traumatized by hearing about Myrtle's sick cat and their new mouse to even consider that you were even acting." I laughed and Kol laughed along with me.

"Look, they are playing a new song." Kol bowed gracefully and offered me his hand, "M'lady, may I have this dance?"

Without hesitation, I took his hand and we joined the dance. I stumbled at first, but Kol was an excellent lead and soon I found the rhythm. We laughed as we spun around with the other dancers. A few times we passed Bert and Addison as they danced just as wildly as everyone else. The fast beat of the drums and blasts of the horns kept us moving faster and faster. I leaned back and laughed while Kol held me up. He then pulled me back up and my hands went to his shoulders. The music was still getting faster and soon I would no longer be able to keep up. Then all of a sudden it stopped. Kol seemed to have anticipated the ending and dropped me down into a dip. My back arched over his arm and I looked upside down at all the dancers who had also stopped. I was breathing heavily from the rush of the dance and when I looked up I saw Kol was too. His face was mere inches from my own and I was staring directly into those jet black eyes. My fingers moved together around his neck to pull me closer to him.

"Wasn't that exciting?" Addison gushed from where she had come up hand in hand with Bert.

The moment was lost. Kol pulled me back up to standing and then stepped away. "Very," I exclaimed a bit out of breath. "I didn't know people could dance that fast."

"You looked like you were doing fine dancing that fast yourself. You're a natural." Addison praised and I smiled. "After all that spinning and whirling, Bert and I were going to see if we could find something to drink before the next round starts up."

Kol glanced at me quickly, "A drink sounds wonderful."

Bert and Addison were done dancing, they insisted on us coming with them while they found all of their friends. It seemed that the pair of them knew everyone and were constantly stopping to talk to one person or another. Kol also knew many of the people we passed and they stopped to chat to him. I was the only one who didn't know anyone. Addison was quick to notice this and did her best to introduce me to everyone. After a while I got used to the variety of characters that they seemed to know. Some of them were funny while others were so serious they never smiled once. By the time we left, I had met dozens of new people.

We all travelled back to the upper city in Addison's carriage. She almost immediately fell asleep on Bert's lap while she stroked her dark hair. Kol rested his elbow on the carriage door and watched the dark buildings pass by.

"So how did you have fun tonight?" Bert whispered as to not wake up Addison.

I nodded. I felt comfortable around Bert, Kol, and Addison – like I belonged.

Kol and I were let out at his house and Bert grinned knowingly when he said we would both get out there. Kol told her she was being silly and closed the carriage door.

"I really should return to the Gilded Leopard tomorrow. I can't stay away any longer or else they might come searching for me." I told Kol as we returned to his room. "I appreciate all that you have done but I really have to get back."

"I don't know, Ebb. I don't want to put you in danger again." Kol said slowly.

I laughed. What danger could Giselle and Victoria put me in? "I will be fine. I don't think that Count Garen will come after me again."

"That's just it. I don't think he is smart enough to come up with such a thing as putting you under a spell. He also has no reason to other than he is a slimy cur. He had to be working with someone else who does want to hurt you and until you know who that is you aren't safe. One more day couldn't hurt too much."

I thought Kol was overreacting. Whoever it was may or may not have been working with Garen, they could not get to me when I was at the inn. I had seen the sentries they posted on the doors at night. No one could get through without being seen and stopped. While I was at the Gilded Leopard I would be safe. I would make sure I did not wander the streets alone anymore, and I would definitely stay away from dark alleys where people could be hiding. I also thought it would be a good idea to distance myself from Kol for a bit to sort out my feelings. Dancing with him had been exhilarating as well as confusing.

"Don't worry, Kol. I will be fine. There is another ball in a couple of days and you can check on me then." I assured him.

Chapter 70 comes next and I feel like there needs to be some sort of warning about it. It will take some extra time to read because it is a bit longer than the average chapter. You will also need to prepare for some emotions. I am really excited for you all to read the next chapter. I'm even going give a little teaser:

" Kol tried to focus on Paislee. She was with him now and she was the one he was going to marry. It was probably some passing fancy for Ebb that he would get over once he married Paislee. Ebony was his friend, nothing more. "Yes, I just have a lot on my mind tonight I guess." "