the Vampire's Mistress part two

chapter 18 : homecoming ball

page 58.

" are we just going to sit here all night and stare into space?"  Mark's voice jerked me out from my present thoughts, which consisted of a plan to shield my mind from his intrusion and act like i hadn't just spent the last, two night after catching him and Clara kissing---crying my heart out and trying but failing, to put the shattered infenitestimal pieces back together again.

courtesy of Michael's friendly advice, i feigned blessed ignorance and not let Mark catch a glimpse of my still, bleeding heart.

during the last two days after the meeting with him at the bar, and inevitably pouring all my troubles regarding Mark, Michael had been my only source of comfort.

his easy-going manner, incredibly good sense of humor, and his ability to listen without expressing any judgment, soothed me almost as much as the magic healing oil he'd given me.

but now that i was actually here, in the corner of the smoking parlor of Sylvia and Alfred's estate in montreux where the homecoming ball was being held, i found it hard to pretend i was perfectly comfortable sitting next to Mark on the ivory settee that stood across a rectangular glass topped coffee table---when his very, nearness disturbed me to no end.

i couldn't even finish eating the plate of italian spaghetti and glass of orange juice, which remained untouched, since one of the maids served them.

Mark's glass of red wine was already empty.

'"Of course not, but i need to rest for a bit.  it's pretty tiring smiling and shaking hands with everyone don't you think? considering the fact that there are three hundred people here." i said,  finally forcing---and succeeding to meet his gaze.  a feat i hadn't been able to accomplish since that night with him and Clara.

" Good, because i'd really be pissed if you just sit here all night, picking at your food, when you're the one ho dragged me all the way out here even against my will."  he took my hand, and with only a half-hearted sigh, i let myself be tugged down the great hall, where some of the council memberes with their family sat nursing the same, red wine concoction That according to Mark, was mixed with synthetic blood.

there were only a few silver tray on the small, square table that was shoved against one wall and was covered with a plain, white table cloth that held food for human familairas that some vamps brought with them.  like fish fillet, italian spaghetti, beef steak, cream of mushroom soup, baked scallops and a large, crystal bowl filled with punch.

we passed Sylvia and Alfred who waved at us from their seats.  i followed Mark's example and gave them a nod.

David and Allen dissapeared right after their parent's homecoming speech and was still nowhere to be seen.

i've scanned the area but found no sign of Michael either. which was kind of dissapointing.

i kind of expected him to be here, preovode me with a little moral support to get through this night withou falling apart---or crumble my resolve---  a dangerous possibility that threaten to become a reality whenever i was near Mark.

there were only two couples dancing. and i was very, much aware of what must have been a hundred pair of eyes turn our way   when Mark and i took our place in the middle of the ballroom.

my nerves assailed me in no time.

it was with supreme effort and will on my part not to pull away from Mark's hand and run straight outside.

i managed to breathea little easier when the musicians started playing and the lady singer in the ruby silk dress sang.

she had a nice, mellow voice. it suited the soft, jazz music the band was playing.