The Raven

Chapter One: The Raven

The Raven

Chapter One: The Masquerade

Suddenly, the heavy, gold-encrusted old wooden doors flung open and I was exposed to a room full of colours and music. I took one small step back hesitantly, but then I fully stepped in the light of the ballroom, carefully. My dress moved with me, flowing around my legs as a jellyfish in the water, pulsing around as I walked. I gently stroked the mask on my face, and double checked the lace behind my head to ensure it was tight. The doors closed behind me.

This was the King’s 15th annual Masquerade. The unmarried women and men were obliged to attend. But this was my first year, as I had only just come out.

I couldn’t identify anyone. They all looked identical, wearing masks decorated with lace, feathers, beads, embroidery flowers and glitter. Women wearing hundreds of different colours of dresses swished past me with their partners pressed against them, their heavy heels clicking on the white marble floor.

I could clearly see the throne from where I stood. I looked up and my gaze lingered on the King poised on the high chair. Queen sat on his right, but the left seat was empty. The young Prince would be off playing somewhere. I smiled.

“May I have this dance?” I heard a deep, husky voice behind me.

I turned. There, in front of me stood a very tall man, at least a head taller than me, and let me tell you I’m not that short.

He wore a black mask with a long beak pointing out angrily from where his nose was supposed to be. A raven’s mask. He bore into my eyes long enough for me to notice his piercing emerald green eyes.

“Certainly.” I said, and smiled broadly.

He bowed and I courtesied. He nodded diagonally once and extended his gloved hand. I tentatively put my hand in his and smiled. The warmth of his encompassed the coolness of mine. He led our hands to the side and took one step towards me, pressing his body against mine. Then his hand slid onto my back and I put mine on his broad shoulder. The music started in no time, so we stated to glide across the floor, dashing for the empty spaces in the crowd. He was an elegant dancer. For his size, I expected him to be somewhat clumsy, but he moved lightly on his feet. Each stride he made was more graceful than the last one.

“I saw you looking towards the throne.” He said after a while, his voice deep and masculine and very hard to ignore.

I didn’t reply, as he had stated a fact, he hadn’t asked a question.

“Are you close to the King?” He asked when I didn’t comment.

“Well, that depends on the meaning of closeness.” I replied cheekily.

He chuckled at this.

“Do you know him well?”

“Quite, since he is my uncle.” I said.

“Your uncle? Then you must be the infamous Miss Thekla Moore.” He grinned.

“The one and only. May I inquire as with whom I’m dancing with?”

“I’m sure you’re already aware of that” He locked his gaze with mine, his eyes enthralling, yet unreadable. Who was he?

“I’m afraid I haven’t yet been acquainted with you.”

“Pray excuse me Miss Moore, but the time has come for me to leave. Perhaps we’ll meet again soon.” He said, his jaw clenching, his husky voice hard now, staring at something in the distance. Then without further warning, he dropped my hands and darted towards the direction he had been previously staring.

I sighed and made my way towards the side, where a bunch on people stood to catch their breaths. What had just happened? In no time, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned and grinned at the person that stood in front of me.

“Miss Moore, would you be kind enough to honour me with this dance?”

“Why, of course Mr. Browning.” I replied.

James Browning was my best friend. He was tall with curly, angelic blond hair and baby blue eyes that made you want to hug him. He was lanky, not muscular at all and when you did hug him, you ended up injured, even when you didn’t want to be, because of his bones pointing in 126 different directions. But I loved him just like my brother.

It wasn’t hard to identify James in here even though he wore a hand-crafted navy mask that made his light blue eyes stand out.

“May I inquire as to with whom did you dance the last dance with?” He asked in a high English tone that almost made me giggle uncontrollably.

“Do we have to be so… formal?” I frowned.

“Unfortunate isn’t it?” He said, nodding.

“Very, as to your previous question, I am not quite aware of the name of the person I was dancing with.” I said a little louder.

“Miss Moore, I’m sure you’re already aware that the King has acquired a new statue, would you be interested in seeing it?” James smiled wickedly.

“Oh, how wonderful” I faked, “May we see it straight away?”

“Certainly, this way if you please.” James extended his elbow, which I kindly took and we strode towards one of the exits.

We found ourselves in the kitchen. I unhooked my hand from James’ to tighten my mask behind my head, when a flock of servants fled from the kitchen, separating me from James.

“Mr. Browning?” I called out, but the noise drowned out my voice.

“Miss Moore” Said a voice beside me. It was the Raven. I gasped, then narrowed my eyes at the tall man.

The Raven grabbed my hand and started to drag me towards the cellar.

“Let my hand loose this instant!” I commanded.

The Raven's hold on my wrist tightened and I tried my best to loose his grasp, but there was no use, he was too strong. A jolt of fear coursed through my body.

Suddenly, the man sped up and we both flew down on the hard concrete stairs, dirty from age.

He led me in a darkened room with only one torch hanging near the entrance. He took a hold of the torch and took one of the three doors. The door he’d picked lead to the exact same room and the previous one. Me eyes widened. He took another exit, and led me through a maze of identical rooms, until at last we came to a halt.

I turned to him, my expression hard.

“Get me out of this place right now!” I ordered.

The man chuckled.

“I don’t think you’re in a position to give orders Miss Moore.” He said in an amused voice.

Oh my god. He was kidnapping me.

I don’t know what I was thinking but I ran for one door out of three. But I never made it to the door. His hand extended and he caught me by the waist with just his one hand. Then he threw me across the room and I landed on the floor with a flat thud.

“I wouldn’t try that again, as you’ll never find your way out of here.” His voice softened as he said this, and that moment, I wasn’t sure that he was going to hurt me.

I realised my mask had fallen off from my face, leaving me completely vulnerable.

“What do you want?” I whispered, horrified.