Damien

Chapter 7

“So,” Tristiana flopped on my bed, bouncing around. “Who is this guy?”

I gave her a look. “A guy from work. Albert Lefeuvre.”

“Is he handsome?”

I rolled my eyes. “Yes. Will you help me prepare for the party now?”

She giggled and rubbed her hands together gleefully. “Let it begin! I can’t wait to see your gown. What was the theme again?”

“Shadow elf.”

“Cool! I wish I were going as a shadow elf.”

“No,” I said. “A fire princess is much hotter than a shadow elf.” I didn’t realize the pun until it came out. I giggled. Tristiana slapped my shoulder teasingly.

“Hush up and put on your dress. Whew, that’s…that’s a spectacular outfit. I can’t wait until he sees you in it.”

“Thanks.” I frowned and looked on my dresser. “Tris, did you see a black-gemmed necklace set in silver?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“Hm.” My frown deepened. “I wonder what happened to it. Well,” I stood up and straightened the dress. “How do I look?”

“You need to put the mask on, dummy.”

I put the mask on. “Now how do I look?”

“You look amazing,” She said. “When is the lucky Albert going to get here?”

My doorbell rang. I grinned at her. She gave me a look. We both smoothed our dresses, and I went to open the door.

Albert was wearing a half-mask on the right side of his face. He looked fantastic and handsome. He stared at me.

“You look…” He couldn’t find the words.

Tris popped her head over my shoulder. “I said amazing. Would that work?”

He bobbed his head up and down enthusiastically. “Yes.” He came in and extended his hand. “You must be Tristiana. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“All bad?” She asked.

“All true,” I chorused.

He laughed. “Oh, uh, Vivienne? I have something to give you.” Tris wiggled her eyebrows at me from over Albert’s shoulder. I grinned.

Albert pulled the obsidian-silver necklace from his pocket. His face was bright red. “I, uh, borrowed this from your dresser,” He said. “I thought it would be nicer if I re-gave it to you.”

“Thank you, Albert,” I said. He twirled his finger, and I turned around. His fingers brushed my throat as he placed the necklace around my neck.

Tris coughed to hide a giggle. “Are you two lovebirds ready for the party? After all, it is a masquerade.” She laughed. “Wouldn’t it be funny if you went home with two different people?”

“No,” Albert and I said at the same time. We shared a look and blushed.

“As a matter of fact, that is why I wore the half-mask,” He admitted. “I didn’t want you to lose me in the crowd.”

“What if you lost me in the crowd?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

He cracked a sly smile. “I wouldn’t. I’m not taking my eyes off you for a second, Vivienne Rousseau.”

“How romantic,” Tris moaned. “I’m swooning. Can we leave now?”

I laughed. We walked to the ball since none of us could afford a carriage. We were perfectly happy together. Tristiana would crack jokes, and Albert would watch me with a happy yet I-can’t-wait-to-see-you-alone-tonight kind of look. I blushed.

We arrived, and the masquerade was just as fantastic as the last. Tristiana flounced away to mingle with people in a much higher class than her, and Albert and I were left to our own devices.

“Would you like a drink?” Albert asked.

“Oh, yes, thank you,” I said. He disappeared into the crowd to get the drinks.

Something brushed up behind me. “I see you’ve found a companion, Vivienne,” a voice whispered in my ear.

I turned around. There was Damien in his same costume. “Hello, Damien. May I speak to you for a moment?”

He tilted his head. I heard concern in his voice. “Is something wrong, Vivienne?”

“In a way. Here.” I led him to an outside garden. I gestured to the bench, and we both sat down. I looked him in the eye, or what was supposed to be his eye. “A man was killed a week ago, Damien.”

“Oh, no,” He said. “Was this a friend of yours?”

“Hardly. He was the same man who wore that lion-faced mask—the one you chased out of my home.” I glanced up at him. “And…my coworkers are concerned. They didn’t want me to meet up with you tonight because…well…”

“They think I killed him,” Damien finished.

“Yes,” I replied. “I told them that I didn’t believe you would do something like that. I mean, I know you are probably perfectly capable of killing someone if you wanted to, but why? I didn’t think you would do something like that.”

“Why not?” He asked.

“Well,” I blushed, “because I trust you, Damien.”

“Why do you trust me?”

“Because you saved me.”

He was silent for a moment. “Who was the fellow in the half-mask?” He asked after that moment had passed.

“He’s my…boyfriend,” I admitted. “His name is Albert.”

“Does he treat you well?”

“Oh, yes,” I said. “He’s very sweet and loyal.” I blushed. “I’m sorry. Forgive me.”

“Whatever for?” He asked.

“Well, I didn’t want to upset you.”

“You could never upset me, Vivienne. I just wanted to know if he was good to you.”

“He is,” I told him. I kissed Damien’s cheek—or, the mask’s cheek. “You’re so kind to me, Damien. You’re…you’re very much like an elder brother to me.”

“Vivienne?”

Albert stood by the door, holding not just two but three drinks. I stood up, and so did Damien. The two men nodded at each other. I accepted a drink from Albert. He handed one to Damien.

“You must be the infamous Damien,” Albert said. “Vivienne has spoken fondly about you.”

“You must be Albert,” Damien said. “I can’t possibly think that she speaks as highly of me as she does of you. Vivienne mentioned something about a murder… She told me that you were convinced I had done it.”

“No, not convinced,” Albert countered. “It was merely a theory. I do thank you for saving Vivienne. It was very fortunate that you were there to protect her.”

I sipped my drink. It’s going to be a long night.