Becoming the Hunted

The masquerade ball was once called the Festival of the Hunt. Centuries ago before the cities grew and the dreaded cults of hunters began to follow the royal families of the supernatural. Though the times of the hunt had passed. No longer could vampires prey upon humans as they once did centuries ago. Then again, it came with perks. They were more selective of their prey, they chose wisely which human’s blood would be more beneficial. During the Festival of the Hunt years ago...it was a free for all…

It helped that vampires could make most humans forget an encounter. Most. Not all could be swooned by a vampire, most of those humans unfortunately would end up dead, or...they became what the supernatural beings knew as hunters. Wretched beings that lived only to kill. They did not care what sort of ‘monster’ they were hunting. They did not stop to think of the families that it broke apart...nor did they seem to care about the lives that they took. To the monster hunters it wasn’t a life, it was merely a beast. Nothing more than a wolf, or a lion.

Adelaide Bennett. She was the center of the masquerade. Daughter to Vincent Bennett the Third, a very well rounded aristocrat that seemed to have his fingers in every business within London. Nothing happened without him knowing. He was the richest man. The Bennett family was well known. But the granddaughter. She seemed to be a bit of a mystery. She had been kept from the lime light. Safety precautions Vincent told her. Her mother and father were both gone, passed when she was a child. Killed by hunters. Though, Adelaide knew nothing of the ordeal, she was simply told that they had died in a horrific accident at one of the packaging plants. A fire she was told.

She had noble blood rushing through her veins. Adelaide was much more important within the vampire community than she truly knew. A young vampire with a naieve sense of trust in her surroundings. Though this gave her a look unlike most of the old and bitter vampires, her eyes seemed to have a sparkle to them that others had lost centuries ago. To be young, it was a phrase her grandfather would always say. Though, Adelaide in truth was nearing 80 years, she looked to be in her early to mid twenties. She was young though, for a supernatural being. Just a child, most would say. A child with much resting upon her shoulders.

“Adelaide.” Vincent stood, a black masquerade mask over his face, he wore a black tuxedo with blue highlights within the stitching. “Are you ready my dear?” He asked as he held a hand forward.

Adelaide stood at a balcony, her hazel eyes gazed over the city and to the vicious bolts of lightening that scattered through the skies. She took in a breath as she turned to face her grandfather. “Is...this all necessary?” She questioned, a soft smile upon her lips. “A ball for men to court me?” She questioned with a laugh. “Isn’t it a bit old fashioned?” She gazed to him as a few strands of her lovely chestnut hair fell into her face. She wore a black small decorative hat upon the side of her head with a beautiful pink rose clipped into it. The dress that she wore was gorgeous, hand made just for her by the most renowned seamstress in London. It was flowing and red, though her shoulders were exposed, as well as her back. She wore gloves to match that accented the dress and ran up to her biceps.

Vincent smiled as he looked over her, a chuckle came over his lips. “You, may not understand Addie. But this is tradition. This is something that our family has participated in for centuries.” He brushed her hair from her eyes. “Now, come on, everyone is waiting for you.”

**

The grande hall was alive with music, laughter, and chatter of all those in the city that had come. Even those that had come from outside the city. The Bennett name drew them in. Some had traveled for days just to be at the event. Others, weeks. Adelaide walked down the staircase, her eyes looked about the crowd, she could feel the eyes of the men and women within the room upon her. Many bowed their heads to her to show respect. Out of tradition, she was the only member of the party to not wear a mask. It was to make it easier for the suitors to court her.

Just as she took the last step from the stairs a man swooped in, short black hair, a bright white mask with cracked lines upon it. He had stubble upon his chin and a smile that could swoon any girl. His hand had slipped beneath hers just as her palm left the bannister. “Adelaide.” The man spoke with a smile. “Please, allow me to be the first to offer you a dance.” He grinned again.

“Do I have a choice?” Adelaide chuckled as she willingly followed him to dance. Much of her evening was spent like this. She was tossed between many suitors. All of which behind their masks Adelaide knew they were not the man that they portrayed. Everything was an act. That was the point of this. Was it not? She was nothing more than a prize. Adelaide managed to slip from the dance floor, she drew in a breath as a crystal glass was offered to her. “Thank you.” She spoke as she looked to the waitress whom smiled from behind her mask. Adelaide glanced to the crowd once again and her eyes caught something. Or...someone to be precise. She tilted her head slightly as she looked to the fine lines of his coat, the top hat upon his head. He was mysterious in a way. She stood still for a moment, calculating it seemed before she took a sip from the red liquid within her crystal glass. Blood. Warm. Fresh blood. Her eyes melted into a yellow color for a moment as she took in the taste before her eyes faded back into the beautiful hazel color.

Adelaide took another sip as she looked about the crowd again. She gave a slight chuckle to herself as her eyes once again fell upon the mysterious man. It was then that she walked to him, she stopped next to him. “Sulking in the sidelines won’t offer you much attention.” She spoke, a smile upon her lips as she glanced to him from the side. She was facing the dance floor. “Though, perhaps that was your play?” She took another sip from her glass. “It’s refreshing, to not be chased like a rabbit to a wolf.” She grinned to him, her slender fangs showed with this comment. She didn’t seem to smile that wide very often. “I’ve, always seemed to have trouble with that. The Bennett name and all.” She took another drink before she fell quiet, she wanted to allow him a chance to speak.

Adelaide turned toward Henry as he spoke, a grin split her lips as once again her fangs showed. His response was interesting to her, that was evident. Her eyes seemed to light with curiosity, who was this man? Why was he not like all of the others? When he toasted to her she lifted her own glass and took a drink. As the blood washed over her tongue her eyes melted to the yellow color once again. This, was something that only seemed to truly show in pure blood vampires. There weren’t many around. “Well, good sir.” She smiled, “Even if you haven’t truly sought my attention, you’ve gained it.” She took in a breath and her lips parted to speak.

“Adelaide, would you be so kind?” A familiar voice came from over her shoulder. She had turned completely to Henry by this point, her back to the party.

Her expression faltered for a moment, the sweet smile turned to a sort of frown before she cleared her throat. “Zachariah.” She spoke as she turned slightly, the smile came right back to her face. She was indeed very good at masking how she felt. It came from growing up in such a lifestyle. An aristocrat, especially one of such a notable lineage, could not be seen in a negative way. A frown, just wouldn’t do. “How delightful for you to make it this evening, I was beginning to worry.”

The man that stood before her let out a chuckle and shook his head. She knew him too well to know his voice. Even before she’d looked to him she knew his name. He reached his hand forward and bowed slightly. His icy eyes looked to Henry and as a smug smile came over his lips. Almost as if he was claiming Adelaide as one of his possessions. “You wouldn’t mind if I took her for a dance, hm?” He chuckled. “M’lady, you aren’t supposed to address me by name.” He chuckled as she took his hand.

Adelaide let out a laugh, as if on cue. “Oh, you’ll have to pardon me on that. You’ve such an unforgettable voice.” She reached forward and brushed her fingertips along his jaw, “Among other things.” She noted the scar upon his jawline just before it curved up to his ear. He’d told her to the heroic story behind it. She stood back from him a moment and looked to his hand that was still outstretched toward her. She then lifted her glass to her lips and drank the small remainder of the thick red liquid before she handed it off to one of the near by waitresses. She turned her hazel eyes to look to the mysterious man. “I do want to continue our conversation, my lord.” Her eyes were locked on him, “Perhaps you would entertain me with a dance?” Her hand reached out and brushed against his upper arm, a grin upon her lips. “Though I might be busy. It all depends.” She winked to him before she turned her attention to Zachariah whom had an almost embarrassed look about his face now. “A dance then?” She smiled as she offered her hand forward. “Sorry to keep you waiting.” She brushed her fingertips along his cheek again and he seemed to melt to her touch. There was certainly something about her that was different from other vampires. Pure bloods had a way about them, an aura some called it.

Zachariah’s smile returned to his face, the smug look once again as he eyed Henry. Almost as if he was telling him to leave his prize alone. He turned and led her to the dance floor where they seemed to gather the attention of the others. Adelaide followed his lead perfectly, almost as if she’d danced with him many times before. In fact she had. Zachariah was the man that Vincent wanted her to choose. He’d made a point of pushing the subject over the past year or so. He’d set up meetings for them, they danced at every event that the aristocrats held within the city. To those on the outside it was quite evident that this was the choice that Vincent wanted his grand daughter to make. Some of the older vampires watched the two as they danced effortlessly upon the floor. Zachariah dipped Adelaide toward the polished wooden floor a grin upon his lips as she leaned back. It was almost like a display of power, his family was second to the Bennett line. If Vincent were to fall and the Bennett line were to die out the Martin family would rise to the top. A marriage of the two? It would be something to make history.

As the dance ended Adelaide smiled, her hands in his as she gazed into his icy eyes. “The night is still young, but you’ve my attention. Just as grandfather wants it to be. Hm?” She smirked, though this seemed to be more of a knowing smirk. As if she didn’t want to follow the bread crumbs. She didn’t like the idea that her husband was practically chosen for her when she was a child. It had always been the Martin family vying for Bennett blood. The money. The power. If anything, it was politically a smart move. But, Adelaide wasn’t so keen on the idea of listening to everything she was told.

She was slipped from Zachariah’s arms and into another man’s. It was dance after dance. Chat after chat. It was truly exhausting. To the point that after quite sometime Adelaide grasped a crystal glass of thick red liquid and she found her way out onto the balcony. The treacherous storm that had beaten rain upon the stained glass just hours before was gone. The night was clear, the moon above was nearly full. The stars sparkled within the sky as the flickering light from the lanterns cascaded over her complexion. She leaned against the stone of the balcony as she let out a long breath. This, was exhausting. More exhausting than any other event she had been forced to attend. She closed her eyes a moment as she took a sip from her glass. She took in the sounds of the city that was nearly asleep. The mysterious man had nearly slipped her mind by this point. So many others grasped her attention. It was a jumble within her head with Zachariah upon the top of the mess of conversation within the evening.

Adelaide had her eyes closed as Henry made his way out to the balcony. She figured someone would followed her in an attempt to call more attention from her and possibly win her as their prize. She didn’t turn to him as she listened to the sound of his feet leaving the ground so that he could sit upon the balcony railing. She half expected it to be Zachariah, triumphant with a grin, sure that he’d won. Though the voice that she heard surprised her. She opened her eyes and turned, her hip leaned against the balcony now. Her hazel eyes fell upon the mysterious man once again. A smile curved up her lips as she looked to him, even his eyes shadowed by the mask were a mystery. She hadn’t gotten a clear look at them even in the well lit grand room.

She took a sip of her glass, “Hm, I could entertain one more dance I suppose.” She looked to him with a smirk upon her lips. Though, she felt nearly certain that he wasn’t the type to want to dance. Her eyes looked over the golden lining of his mask a moment. The wind kicked up slightly causing her chestnut hair to filtered into her eyes a moment. She lifted her eyes to look to clouds that seemed to brew in the distance. “It seems tonight won’t be calm for long, hm?” She commented before she took a long drink from her glass. In the lighting her eyes looked golden as she looked to him again.

“You aren’t like any of the others.” She spoke as she watched him. She stepped forward, as if trying to get a better look at him. Though the doors pushed open which caused her attention to turn from him to see whom had joined their company.

“M’lady.” A young maiden spoke, a smile upon her lips. “Your presence has been requested.” She glanced to the mysterious man a moment. “Shall you come inside?” She took a step toward the door.

Adelaide grinned to the maiden a chuckle came over her lips. Her presence hadn’t been requested at all, the maiden saw her alone with the man upon the balcony and thought that she might need help to escape back inside. This maiden was Adelaide’s best friend, she’d known her since she was a young child. “Fran.” She stepped forward a smile upon her lips. Her hand touched the woman’s shoulder. “Thank you.” She finished off her glass and let out a breath, she leaned in close to the woman, her hand still upon her shoulder. “I actually wanted to speak to him.” She whispered softly before she leaned back and chuckled again. “I won’t be long.” She said as she held the empty glass forward. “Would you mind getting us both a glass of the vintage?” She smirked.

Fran, short for Francesca, looked to Henry for a long moment before her eyes tore away from him to look back to her friend. “Vintage?” She asked, her brows raised slightly. “Yes, of course.” She smiled and nodded before she turned and stepped back inside.

Adelaide let out a chuckle as she turned and placed her elbows upon the balcony right next to where Henry sat. She gazed up to him with a smile upon her lips. “So, tell me about yourself. Why should I choose you as a worthy suitor?” She asked, her expression almost playful. This was a true expression, it was nothing like the well practiced smiles that she’d held with much of her suitors throughout the night.

The chuckle caused Adelaide’s lips to curve up a bit more, her fangs glistened in the dim light. Though her brow raised and the smile faded slightly as he began his answer. Perhaps you shouldn’t. She turned to her side so that only one of her elbows rest against the railing. She then turned a bit more, her back pressed against it now, both elbows on it. She stared into the party. “Perhaps.” She spoke. “Perhaps that’s why I find you so interesting.” She glanced up to him her hazel eyes locked on the shadows that covered his own eyes beneath the mask. “Though, my grandfather wouldn’t be too happy with the ordeal.” She let out a soft chuckle. “Marrying me off is something he’s thought long and hard about. He’s searched London and beyond for the proper gentlemen that I am to choose.” Her eyes were once again on the double doors. She gazed through the thick glass to the moving bodies inside. Those that still danced, others that stood with their own glasses of red liquid.

She fell quiet as she watched Fran approach the door with two full glasses. She pushed off of the wall and approached the woman as she came outside. “Thank you Fran.” Adelaide took the glasses with a smile upon her lips.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” Fran whispered before she glanced to Henry again, she seemed as though he made her uneasy.

“Yes of course. Just enjoying some of the company.” She winked as she turned. “That will be all Fran.” She spoke as she made her way back to Henry’s side. She held the second glass to him and awaited him to take it. “This, may well be the best you’ve tasted yet.” She smirked as she lifted her glass and took in a long breath, without even tasting it her eyes changed colors. It was a special blood. The blood of the elders. A delicacy, something that not many commoners would ever have the chance at tasting. It gave strength to lesser vampires. It was almost like taking a supplement. Her grandfather kept the vintage under lock and key, but for such a special occasion he’d told her she could share a glass with one of her suitors if she wanted. Just one glass. “You should consider this an invitation to come back sometime.” She took a drink and closed her eyes a moment as she felt the strength course through her body. She gave a soft sigh then. “Though, I do need to be making my choices. I’ve only...” She looked passed the courtyard to Big Ben that stood over the city. “An hour or two.” She smirked before she took another drink.

Adelaide leaned against the railing once more as her now golden eyes gazed up to him. “I have three choices to make tonight.” She spoke and tilted her head slightly. “One has already been made for me.” She glanced back into the party, “So that leaves me two.” She paused a moment. “The one there.” She spoke as she pointed with her free hand to a man in a red vest with a mask to match. “He was my second choice, an interesting one...that is for certain.” She grinned to him her smile to most commoners was infectious. She could melt them easily with her glances and smiles. “So that leaves. One.” She said matter-a-factly as she took another drink from her glass. She had to choose three suitors to invite back to the Bennett home for another evening with her and her Grandfather. Of course there would be others. It would be a party. The aristocrats loved a good party. Though, the next round of elimination would be different. Long ago it was tradition to send the three chosen suitors out in Werewolf territory, the head of an alpha would secure a win. The head of a lesser werewolf would allow for second place. The third man would be knocked from the round, unable to compete for the noble’s hand. It was a bloody sport back in the day. Though, it filled everyone with adrenaline. “I think...I may have chosen the last one...but he doesn’t seem to convinced that I should choose him.” She turned to him again, her brow raised slightly. “I’m not so sure he wants to be chosen.” She took another drink, her glass nearly gone.

“Though, he does strike a hard bargain, promises of less responsibility.” She chuckled before she sighed slightly. “Well. Are you going to ask me to dance? Or is that something that a mysterious man such as yourself doesn’t find time to do?” She finished off her glass and smiled to him. It was clear that she’d made her third choice already. But she wanted to make it public it seemed. The mystery of this man, seemed to draw her in. He was different from the others. He wasn't posh. He seemed to speak his mind. This was something that she truly found herself drawn to. Day in and out she was surrounded by those that acted and put on a display, it was refreshing to see someone who did not. Though she did want to make a scene of it and dancing with him in front of all of the other vampires, those that wished for her hand and those that were merely there to watch everything play out...that would be a way for her to lead into her announcement to the crowd that gathered. She could already imagine her grandfather's expression, choosing such a man...a commoner it seemed. She was told to strictly search for a man that had power. Trinkets and things did not give all power. That was something that Adelaide firmly believed...

Adelaide watched him as he jumped down from the railing. When he apologized a curious look came over her face, though she still smiled. She handed him her glass willingly and when he spoke to ask her to dance the accent was so thick it threw her off. She took a moment to respond. Though the grin that seemed to be plastered upon her face said it all. Yet another thing she hadn’t expected from this mysterious man. She followed him as he led her onto the dance floor. She could feel the eyes of the others burning into them. She’d danced with many tonight, commoners, nobles, those like Nicholas...those that would only get the chance to be in the Bennett house on this night. It could be a century or more before they had the chance to dine like the rich again.

She wasn’t sure what to expect as they came to the center of the floor. She looked to their hands as his clasped onto hers, and then she smirked to him as his hand upon her waist pulled her closer to him. She placed her hand upon his shoulder near the base of his neck. Then, she followed his lead. Laughter came over her lips as he led her in a fashion that she did not expect. When he dipped her down she leaned into it tilting her head back. It was a display for all to see and everyone seemed to be staring. The song seemed to end too soon as Adelaide leaned against this man, another soft laugh came over her lips. “That...was nothing like I expected. You’re full of surprises.” She whispered as she was rather close to him.

There was the sound of someone clearing their throat. This caused Adelaide to step back from the dance, the whole room had gone quiet. “Sweet Adelaide.” The voice was of her grandfather whom stood upon the staircase that led up into the house. “The evening has become late. There is an announcement that all of you are eagerly awaiting.” He spoke with a smile as his grey eyes looked over the crowd. He paused as he stared to Henry, whom Adelaide still stood next to. “My dear grand daughter, won’t you announce those that you’ve chosen?” He questioned, his stare seemed to bore into her. She could feel the anger bubble up within him. The dance she’d just performed with Henry was far more of a display than that with Nicholas.

“Of course grandfather I would be delighted.” All eyes fell upon her once again. She stepped through the crowd to his side. “I have had the pleasure to dance and mingle with many of you this evening. There are plenty of fine suitors within this crowd….though be it tradition I can only choose 3 gentlemen to move forward.” She smiled. “You’ve hidden behind your masks tonight.” Her eyes gazed over the crowd, “Some of you have had a chance to shine bright within my presence, and some...have failed miserably to gather any attention at all. But that’s all a part of the game isn’t it?” She stepped down into the crowd. Her fingertips ran along the shoulders of some of the men that she had danced with. “I enjoyed every minute of the ball tonight. It marks an important moment. The Bennett family will move forward with new blood. We will find new strength in the bond that will be created.” She stopped before the man in the red vest.

“There are far too many fine gentlemen for me to choose from. But if I must.” She cupped his cheek and leaned forward to place a simple kiss upon his lips. This was tradition as well. There was light claps from the elders and others within the room. A low roar of whispers spread like wildfire as Adelaide began walking again. “My mother and father would have been proud to see the three men that I have chosen. I’m certain of it.” She spoke as she walked through the crowd. She paused before a man with a smile upon her lips. “To think that I am the last of the Bennett line.” She spoke before moving on. “My grandfather has worked hard to protect me. A young lady can get into quite a bit of trouble in London. Isn’t that right grandfather?” She smirked as she looked to the man that still stood on the staircase. She moved through the crowd and stopped before Nicholas. The corner of his lips twitched slightly, he was trying not to smile. It seemed to take everything he had to keep that smug look off of his face. Adelaide cupped his cheek and leaned up close to him her eyes gazed into his a moment before she kissed him. She then turned and continued walking through the crowd. “That’s two.” She spoke. Many seemed to hold their breath as if they thought that she would turn to them. She paused before several of the men that were begging for her attention. She could see it in their eyes. Though Adelaide finally came to a stop before Henry. She tilted her head slightly as she looked up to him. “I do hope you’ve all enjoyed your evening.” She spoke before she reached forward and gently cupped his cheek. She gazed into his eyes a long moment, as if she was calculating if this was the right choice. She then leaned forward and placed a gentle sweet kiss upon his lips. She smirked slightly as she leaned back, her hand lingered for a moment before she turned and stepped through the crowd to find herself at her grandfather’s side.

Vincent had a warm smile upon his lips as he looked over everyone. “Fine choices.” He spoke as he looked to Adelaide. “You three.” He found them each individually with his eyes. “Two days, you will return for a dinner party. Everyone is welcome to come, of course.” He looked to Adelaide then before he looked over the crowd. “Thank you all for coming this evening.” He spoke before he turned and walked up the stairs.

Adelaide looked up to him a moment before she stepped into the crowd. She walked to the door and said her goodbyes as many exited the home. She kept the same perfectly rehearsed smile upon her lips as she gave hugs and kissed the cheeks of other aristocrats that congratulated her on her choices.

Adelaide brought her eyes to him, her smile widened slightly. When he reached up to his mask she drew her brows together slightly in confusion. She looked to the mask and let out a soft laugh. “You, certainly are much different than the others.” She spoke as she took the mask into her fingertips. She ran her thumb over the material. She’d think of the dance. She didn’t need the mask for that. But, that mask would remind her of the dance, that was for certain. She lifted her eyes to him once again and offered a smile. “I am glad you asked me for a dance, my lord.” She chuckled slightly. She looked to the empty room. A few maids and butlers moved about cleaning up the after party.

“Adelaide.” Nicholas spoke, he’d waited as well to say his goodbyes. He glared to Henry a moment and scoffed. “You’re nothing more than a pity choice. It’s a political thing. You understand.” He turned his eyes to Adelaide and gave that same smug smile. “I’ll see you soon.” He spoke before he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Are you going to the play tomorrow evening?” He questioned. “Don’t forget.” He slipped passed her leaving Henry and Adelaide as the last of the party.

She took in a breath, “Don’t, pay any attention to him.” She spoke and shook her head. “I chose you genuinely. You didn’t chase me down like a starving dog in the streets.” She closed her eyes a moment, the frustration could be seen in her expression. “I don’t particularly like plays.” She then laughed and shook her head. “He thinks I do.” She looked to the mask again and then she looked to Henry. She took in his face, the scar. She reached forward and touched the scar upon his brow, a smirk upon her lips. “You’ll have to tell me where you go this.” She cupped his cheek just like she had before she kissed him. She then took a step back. “Two days then.” She gave a soft smile. “Unless you can find a way to save me from the play.” She drew in a breath. “Could I get your name?” She asked as she brought her eyes back to his once again.

Adelaide gave a smile and a slight nod to his response. He wasn’t wrong. The attitude of Nicholas was one of the most vile things about him. It had surfaced recently after she saw him coming out of her grandfather’s study. No doubt they had made a deal. “Well Henry Roberts.” She spoke and searched his eyes. “I look forward to seeing you again, soon.” She closed the door as he left the home. She turned then and let out a long breath as the smile fell from her face. Finally she could relax.

“He’s handsome. In the sort of rugged untamed way.” Fran commented as she approached a smile upon her lips. “Is that why you chose him?” She asked curiously as she walked with Adelaide toward her room.

“Partially.” Adelaide chuckled as she walked up the stairs. “Though, he is quite interesting. He didn’t chase me like the others. It...was nice...” She placed her hand over the door handle and pushed the door open. She moved to stand before her mirror as Fran loosened the back of her dress. “I’ve not met a man that isn’t begging me for attention. The Bennett name...among other things just seemed to draw them in.” She let out a soft laugh as she slipped from the dress and pulled on a long night gown. “What do you think of the choices Fran?” She asked as she brushed through her hair.

Fran sat on the edge of her bed and took in a breath. “Well, Nicholas was an obvious choice that you had to make. The other man. The one in red. Who is he?” She questioned curiously.

“I believe that is Elijah Miller. At least, he seemed to be. He was kind. Not as pushy as the others. In fact he seemed surprised that I chose him.”

“Wouldn’t everyone be surprised?” Fran giggled slightly. “Or excited I suppose.”

Adelaide looked to her as she laughed, “Everyone but Nicholas. He expected it. Of course he is entitled to my hand.” She rolled her eyes as she walked to her balcony window. She gazed over the city a moment before she drew the curtains to block out the light of the day. “We shall see how it all unfolds, hm?” She laughed lightly.

“What about that play tomorrow? Are you going?” Fran asked curiously.

“I may have other plans.” Adelaide smirked as she stepped into her bathroom to clean up before bed.

**

The night passed quickly. She dreamed of the dance with Henry. It was exhilarating. She dreamed of the party and all those that she’d spent time with. Before she knew it her eyes opened and the glow behind her curtains was gone. Night was upon the city. She drew in a breath as she rose from her bed. There was a soft knock at her door. Fran, as scheduled. “Come in Fran.” She spoke as she made her way to her dresser to pick out an outfit for the evening.

“How did you sleep?” Fran asked as she set a fresh glass of blood before her. “Well I hope.” She smiled.

“Yes, I slept well.” Adelaide took the glass and took a long sip from it before she set it back down. She looked to the mask that she’d set on her dresser the night before. She wondered if Henry would truly save her from an evening at a boring play.

**

Fran helped Adelaide into her dress for the evening, it was a beautiful blue dress with white lacing. It pushed out from her hips in the skirt, a fashionable dress for a night out. She pulled on a black overcoat to protect her from any rains, and as always clouds hung in the sky. There was a good chance that it might rain. Adelaide was met by Nicholas. He came dressed in the highest fashion. A smile upon his lips. He gave a kiss to her before he led her off down the street toward the venue. Adelaide had her arm wrapped around his as they walked down the street. Those of their own kind would nod their heads in approval to the two. To humans they were unnoticed.