CH 1.
'The Meeting'
[Settridge Mansion, Kit's bedroom]
A few candles lit the old room in which they stood; old yet beautifully crafted furniture was placed around them, an old stone fireplace on the eastern wall, and a large bed sat on the western wall. Zephir had just buttoned the white button-up shirt he would wear today; laying on the bed was a dark red vest and a black waistcoat. The woman accompanying Zephir stood on the other side of the bed, brushing her long black hair Zephir watched her, still not liking the assignment given to him; though he had known Kit for more than a half year, Zephir didn't want to trust her so he just wouldn't.
"So you're going to be meeting my father tonight..." Kit said, turning to look at him, still sitting on the side of the bed, met by him turning his head away. "My father is strict and doesn't see humans as any more than slaves, if not just as food," Kit explained; her distaste for her father's ways was evident.
Zephir didn't answer her, pulling his vest on and then starting to button the item of clothing up; Kit had finished brushing her hair.
"I'll be back in a moment," Kit said, standing up to leave to the next room; she returned just as Zephir finished buttoning the coat over the vest.
"How does it look?" Kit asked softly, wondering what his response would be.
Zephir looked to see her wearing a shimmering white ball gown with poofy shoulders falling to her elbows, long sleeves extending down to the mid of her hands, a loop on the end of each sleeve for her thumbs, a poofy layered skirt that was pleated reached down to her ankles.
"Exquisite," Zephir said, almost too quiet for her to hear, noticing that she was getting up from the bed and heading towards him; Kit looked at his clothes before attempting to look at his eyes, Zephir avoided contact.
"Do you need help with your hair?" Kit said, touching his arm, causing him to flinch, pulling her hand back as she felt him tense up.
"I'll take care of it," Zephir said quickly, a hint of anger in his usually calm voice.
"Ok... if you need any help, I can --"
"I'm fine, thank you…" Zephir interrupted, "I'll join you downstairs," Zephir said, going to the next room, keeping his face turned away from her.
Kit sat down at the table that held a mirror with no reflection; looking back at her, what was she thinking bringing him on this mission Zephir hadn't shown any inclination that he would go along with this. Kit then finished styling her hair; standing from the mirror, Kit went to the door to the room Zephir was in, raising her hand to knock.
"Maybe this is a mistake; maybe I shouldn't have brought him on this mission… Zephir hasn't shown any inclination that he would actually go along with this, but, if he wouldn't do it, he would have never come with me," Kit thought to herself, hoping beyond all hope this man would pull together.
Dropping her hand to her side, Kit walked to the door leading to the hall, but before she left, she laid a masquerade mask out for Zephir as was the custom for men at these events, then she left the room towards the Ballroom.
[Kit's Washroom]
Zephir stood looking out the window as the first rays of light started peeking over the mansions around him Zephir didn't want this. Sure he wanted to belong somewhere, and he hated slavery, but how could he trust this woman who knows what she could do to him; Zephir closed the window's drapes and pulled his hair up in a ponytail, then opened the door, where he strode into the room where he had left the girl, yet found Kit had left; walking to the door, Zephir put his hand on the knob before looking over to the nightstand seeing the mask.
The dhampir's eyes narrowed at remembering he needed the face-covering; Zephir walked over and swiped the mask from its spot before exiting the room.
Zephir knew this would be difficult working with her, but he said he would, so he would indeed try to.
Stalking down the grand staircase, Zephir already could see the crowd of people there with human slaves doing all the work; it sickened him, but now he would have to act as though he didn't mind; for the sake of meeting the family, he needed to.
[Settridge Mansion, Ballroom]
Kit was waiting for Zephir when her father came up, kissing her on the forehead.
"So glad you could make it haven't you a date?" her father asked, clasping his hands together.
"He's around here somewhere," Kit said, trying to sound nonchalant.
"Let me know of his arrival, for I much desire to speak with him," her father said with a devious smile.
Kit smiled and nodded; just as the large window drapes were closed to block out the sunlight, the band started tuning their instruments, Kit couldn't see Zephir anywhere.
"How hard could it be to find, likely, the tallest person here?" Kit asked herself under her breath as she scanned the many faces gathered tonight.
She had nearly returned to her father when she saw someone noticeably taller than the rest; she stopped in her tracks, mouth slightly open; she knew he must have been waiting, for he was on the dance floor.
After a moment, he removed his mask, and though he at first hesitated to make eye contact with her since she could see his face clearly; when they locked eyes, both stayed in each other's gaze, not an emotion to be seen upon his face though her face betrayed her, he was handsome to her.
Someone passed in front of her view, obscuring Zephir from her sight; in this split second, he was gone; a little confused about how he could do that to her, she walked around the now dancing couples to where he had stood, no way she had imagined him why would she?
She barely avoided bumping into a couple dancing when she saw him again to her right; Kit made her way within a few feet of him; he stood straighter and stepped towards her, his face like stone.
Zephir was mesmerizing to her; the smooth skin of his face; she'd never seen him like this before, even without his regular clothes to hide his face; he used his hair as well, but now she could see it for the first time the entire time she had known him.
Eight months ago, when he begrudgingly agreed to join her cause, Kit could never have imagined this moment taking place.
Zephir raised his hand to their side for her to take; she placed her other hand on his shoulder, and his other hand went to her back; she was surprised that he could dance so well.
The two never broke eye contact; she was awed by the darkness, the anger behind his eyes.
Only now had she noticed he had dipped her, he was graceful and careful, the incredible strength in his hand holding her up was astonishing, it took Kit's breath away.
Julien noticed his daughter dancing; with what he assumed was her suitor, he approached quickly; the song ended as Zephir spun Kit so that she would face her Father.
"Father!" Kit said, slightly winded, from what she didn't know. "This is Isaac Fletching, my Fiancé,"
"Fiancé..." Julien said, trying to hide his distaste, "A pleasure to meet you…."
Zephir extended his hand. "You honor me with your presence," Zephir said calmly, shaking Julien's hand firmly.
"What do you do with yourself?" Julien asked dejectedly.
"I'm looking for work, as it were," Zephir said, feigning interest.
"Do you have a preference? or perhaps any applicable skills?" Julien asked, his attention peaking.
"My family are slavers; I'm comfortable in that setting," Zephir lied convincingly, remaining even-toned throughout.
"Ah, I would be delighted if you would meet with Mr. and Mrs. Berenger then," Julien said, acting as if he was enjoying the short conversation.
"If it pleased them, I would," Zephir said, noticing now that Kit still had her arm hooked around his own; every thought in him screamed to react.
After announcing that he would find the Berengers, Julien left on his newfound task.
As soon as Julien turned around, Kit removed her arm from Zephir's; a menacing glare was fixed on her shortly after her arm was removed.
"Playing the part," Kit said, not fazed by Zephir's gaze. "You already knew this," she added.
Knowing he had agreed to this, Zephir relaxed his body which had tensed as soon as Julien turned away.
[Near the grand staircase]
"I trust you have a reason for bringing us away from the party?" Thomas Berenger said with his wife on his arm.
"There's a young man out there interested in working slave selling..."
"Really... I assume he's a Vampire since the last human high-class family 'left' ages ago; what is his name?" Thomas asked dismissively, chuckling as he did so.
"Fletching," Julien said with disgust evident in his voice.
A look of surprise swept over Thomas. "I could be mistaken..." Thomas said, looking at his wife, who shared his surprise.
"What?" Julien asked, his brow furrowing at the sight of this older couple's behavior.
"The Fletching family were humans, but they lived here ninety ... six years ago, I believe… No heirs, they died out," Thomas explained in an almost hushed tone.
"And now a Fletching is trying to become a slave lord.. keep an eye on him? would you?" Julien asked the couple.
"I Will," Thomas said, bowing to the Lord of the Settridge Family before turning to go and greet the young Isaac Fletching.
[In the Ballroom]
Walking up to the taller dhampir, Thomas spoke first.
"Young Kit Settridge!" Thomas said, acting cheerful as he extended a hand to her.
She took it as he bowed, then looked up again. "I'm glad to see you again; meet my Fiancé: Isaac Fletching," Kit said, gesturing to Zephir with a smile plastered on her face.
"Mr. Fletching, it's a pleasure to make your acquaintance!" Thomas said, upholding his cheerful faćade.
"The pleasure is mine..." Zephir said with no expression.
"Julien said you might be interested in being a slave lord," Thomas said, somewhat quieter so the crowd wouldn't overhear this topic.
Zephir hid the anger he felt at the notion. "Julien speaks the truth, Mr. Berenger," the dhampir said with a straight face.
"I would ask you to grace us with a visit tonight then," Thomas offered, extending a hand to the taller creature of the night.
"I would be honored, and Miss Settridge would accompany me if it would not trouble you too much?" Zephir said, attempting to sound polite.
"It would be a privilege to have her... Eleven o'clock?" Thomas asked.
"Not a moment later," Zephir said, bidding the Berengers good night.
Zephir and Kit Stepped towards the grand staircase, Kit started up, but Zephir stayed at the bottom.
"Good job..." Kit said, looking back at Zephir.
Zephir growled as he turned away from Kit. "I'll return at Ten o'clock," he said as he stalked down a corridor towards the back door.
Kit lowered her head, lamenting her choice in partners, turning back to go up the stairs, she spoke in a quiet tone.
"I'll be waiting."