The Hunted

Chapter 12

"What the Hell Faith?!" Clare wispered as she snached her hand and pulled her across the room into a unaccompanied hallway. Clare inpatiently awaited her answer as she shot her a angered Glare. "We agreed to keep a low profile!" She continued to yell in a hushed voice. "Dancing with the party hosts son who not to mention is a dangerous killer is not 'a low profile'!" Clare quoted the last part in a mocking tone, annoyed with the newbie Witch.

Faith shook her head. "By all means tell me what the all knowing and powerful Clare would have done?" She retorted. Faith didnt want to be the center of attention in tonights events, but Nicholas had other ideas. She felt that she wasn't responsible for his unpredictable behavior. She did her best under these ridiculous  circumstances.

"Girls." Ann wispered as she entered the hallway. "Did you see what she did??" Clare asked, sounding like a older sister ratting out the younger truble maker. Ann shifted her eyes over both girls. "You bet I did." She responded with a displeased voice. "However I do believe this was Hugo's idea. He and his son are up to something, I just know it." Ann finished. Clare's expression softened, and suddenly she felt bad for her outburst. "He did practically drag me out onto that Dance floor." Faith said, defending her actions. "But what do they have to gain?" She asked both woman as she thought back to the dance she had just shared. His hands lightly pressed against her sides as he smiled mischievously down at her. She shook away the recent memory. although she would never even admit it to herself, she had enjoyed it.
   
                              ~

Nicholas wore a bright smile as he exited the dance floor, leaving the girl completely dumbfounded. The smile however faded as his approaching father came into view. "Care to explain?" Hugo asked with anger in his voice. Nicholas glanced back to the dance floor knowing good and well that his little show didnt go unnoticed. Faith however was nowhere to be seen. Nicholas focused his attention back to his father. "You are the one always telling me to be more social." He answered with a crooked grin. He knew this conversation was headed to a augment, but Nicholas wasn't one to hold back on sarcasm.  "Social with appropriate young ladys, not she demons." Hugo wispered, now raged. Nicholas wanted to roll his eyes at his upserd comment but decided best not to due to his father's cerent mood. "Father she's just a girl.." Nicholas started before his father cut him off. "She is far from it. I know what I saw that night and it wasn't lighting." He spoke the last part with a laugh making fun of the idea entirely. Hugo scanned the room but the Penn family were no where to be seen. "These witches are clever, but they will slip. I must admit at first I was angered with you for interacting with the youngest of the group, but now I see the benefits it might have for exposing them for what they truly are." Hugo placed a hand on Nicholas's sholder, then gave him a half smile. "Keep up the good work son."

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Ann, faith and Clare left the hallway and made there way back into the party area of the home. They all understood that this party was no doubt put into place to rattle them, not to apologize to Faith for what they had done to her. They had to be couscous with every action they took tonight. Ann had instructed Faith to avoid Nicholas as much as possible.

The party guests were now making there way into the dining room for dinner. They followed along with the crowd. Once inside a unfamiliar woman waved them down. Once faith got closer she could see that the lady was well dressed in a silk dark green gown. She had long curly  brown hair and hazel eyes. Her face was friendly, and inviting. "Hello. I am sorry for not inducing myself earlier but I had so many last minute party details to etened to. My name is Eloise Dumas"

Ann smiled and lowared her head respectively. Faith took a mental note that woman of this time did not shake hands, so she did the same. "It's so nice to finally meet the lady of the house." Ann responded. "My name is Ann Penn, and these are my daughters Clare, and Faith."

Eloise looked over both girls oddly. For sisters they didn't share very many similarities. She decided that they had to be from two separate fathers, but she thought it odd that Ann showed up without either one. "Please come and sit with us." Eloise suggested as she led the way to her family's part of the table. Hugo was seated At the head of the table and Eloise took a seat next to her husband. She patted on the open chair next to her for Ann to sit. "I am honored, but Wouldn't your son like to sit with the family?" Ann asked respectfully. Eloise smiled. "Nonsense, please sit! Let us mother's get to know one another. I'm sure Nicholas can manage finding a seat for himself."

"May i?" Faith heard as she turned around in her seat. 'Speak of the devil.' Clare wispered to Faith. Before even awaiting Faiths answer Nicholas pulled back a chair and seated himself next to Faith. She sat there dumbfounded once again. How would she avoid him now?
"Are you always so nervous? Or is it just the company?" Nicholas asked.
"Forgive my little sister." Clare said as she leaned over Faith to speak with Nicholas. "She's a shy girl."
Nicholas pondered on Clare's words for a moment. Even though he brefly spoke with Faith earlier, he knew that it were doubtful. "My apologies." Nicholas responded to Clare. "I didn't mean to make her uncomfortable."
It was Faith who almost giggled at his words. Of course he meant to Make her uncomfortable.. why else take her out on to the dance floor after expressing her distaste for the idea? Why come seat next to her when plenty of other seats were available? Much to Faiths dislike, Nicholas did not even attempt to find another seat. They sat together in silence as she tried to make out the mumbles from voices in the crowd. Every now and then she would catch bits and peaces of conversation, but it would just as quickly drawn out among others drunken laughter. Faith leaned over the table and glanced at her mother and Eloise. They were both in a light conversation with Clare. Faith let out a breath as she lend back into her seat. She turned her head to see that Nicholas was looking directly at her. She narrowed her eyes at him. "Can I help you?" She asked beyond done with his actions.

"No.. your family just makes me curious." He answered. She swallowed hard doing her very best to hide her nervousness. "How so?." She asked as casually as possible. "Three woman all of whom are beautiful," he stopped to wink at her. "but no man of the house?" He asked. Faith wanted to punch him in his smug face then and there. "Man of the house?" Faith had to remind herself that this was a different time, and people thought differently about the way things should be. "My father passed away when I was very young." Faith lied without hesitation.  "My mother still can't bring herself to remarry." Nicholas cocky expression changed. "I'm sorry for your loss, I didn't mean to bring up painful memory's."

"Yes you did." She responded, and for the first time she could see that Nicholas was Suprised by her words.  She wasnt going to play into his games any longer. "You don't strike me as a Man who does anything he doesn't mean to do."

Nicholas smiled. The girl next to him was something else entirely. A rarity even. She spoke exactly how she felt, and didn't give a Damn about it. He raised his wine glass up in front of her. "I'll drink to that." He said as she picked up her own glass and placed it against his in a toast.

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New chapter! Hope you have enjoyed it! Please vote and comment! Mariska98