Damien

Chapter 1

I looked around the room, feeling self-conscious. My gypsy costume was attracting a lot of attention. I was glad for the mask on my face. It was a beautiful costume, yes, and it looked spectacular on me, but I couldn’t help but feel that my friend had overdone it.

I looked around for Tristiana. Where was she, anyway? I stepped around the dancers and walked towards a woman dressed as a silver falcon. I was almost there when a man stepped deliberately stepped in my way.

“Hello, gypsy maiden,” He said, his voice silky. “Should I be afraid of you stealing my heart?” The man was well dressed and wore the mask of a lion with a golden mane.

“Not at all,” I replied. “If you’d excuse me…” I tried to step around him, but he blocked my way. I met his eyes. “Please, sir, I must get through.”

“You’re very polite for a gypsy,” He commented. His gloved hand tilted my chin up towards his face. I pulled away, and he smiled. “I hope you’re not going to be rude to me.”

“Please, sir, I need to get through,” I tried again. He walked in my way again. I peered over his shoulder. Surely Tristiana noticed my predicament?

“If you’d be so kind as to move, monsieur,” a deep, soft voice said from behind me. “The lady needs to get through, and I would suggest that you move out of her way.”

The lion looked over my shoulder at the person behind me. Deciding against an argument, the rascal backed off. He even gave a little bow to me. “Forgive me, my lady.”

I turned around to see who had come to my rescue, but there was no one there. My eyes searched the room, but no one had noticed. I walked over to Tristiana, confused.

“Oh, hello, Vivienne,” She said. “Are you enjoying yourself?”

“For the most part,” I replied casually. “Did you see anyone behind me just a moment ago?”

“I’m sorry, I’m afraid I didn’t notice,” She told me. “What happened?”

“Nothing, really.”

“Would you like to leave? I can tell you’re uncomfortable.”

“No,” I reassured her. “I’ll be fine. Enjoy yourself. I’ll be…around.”

“All right, then.” She kissed my cheek lightly. “Have fun, Vivienne.”

I nodded and smiled and walked away. A few people turned in my direction. Women whispered behind their fans, and men mumbled conspiratorially to each other. I blushed from under my mask and ignored them.

I stopped and sat on an empty couch to rest my feet. Someone sat next to me. It was the man with the lion mask. I tried not to groan.

“I’m sorry for my behavior earlier,” he said, not sorry at all. “Would you be so kind as to forgive me? You look very lovely in your costume.”

“Thank you,” I said uneasily. “Who are you?”

“Ah, but wait,” He said, grinning at me. “The point of a masquerade is to keep secrets, my lady. I shan’t tell you and ruin the fun, shall I?”

“No, I suppose not.” I looked away. Perhaps if I ignore him…

“To tell the truth, I’m quite attracted to you,” He admitted, his smile growing broadly. “I’ve never found gypsies attractive before, and yet…you truly master seduction.”

“That wasn’t really what I was going for,” I told him. Why in God’s name did I say that?

“You look absolutely ravishing,” He told me. His fingers brushed my collarbone and skittered down my arm. “That sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it?”