Tangle (BWWM)

Chapter 9- Faeries, and Lycans, and Witches! Oh my!

A/N: Hello again, all! I know, I know. It felt like forever, but chapter 9 is finally here!

So, I think I should come outright and say that my updates may change to once every other week, just because of the hectic summer I'm having so far. Between work and all the other things happening, it's a bit more difficult to get the time or privacy to write. But I'm trying my best! Also, I entered a few contests, so we'll see how that does. Here's to hoping!

Ok, so the dress in the image is the what Gabrielle wears when she's dancing an especially sexy dance with sexy Vincent (just to help the imagery a bit). ;) Now, enough chit chat! Let's see how this date goes!

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The corridor they walked through was dimly lit. Gabrielle, who strolled in front of Vincent, became increasingly nervous the further into the building they went. She would have paused her stride if Vincent's hand wasn't on the small of her back, urging her on. "I can hear your heart racing," he whispered into her ear, his voice low and gruff. "Relax, love." His words should have calmed her, and they probably would have if they were back outside. But they were walking into a dank, dark hallway with no sight of an end.

Had he tricked her again?

Seconds later, Gabrielle could make out the sounds of faint classical music echoing through the hallway. A sigh of relief escaped her. Soon she could make out the voices of a crowd, the raucous noise restoring her faith in Vincent's word. Lastly, the light at the end of the hall became brighter before the pair emerged from the corridor and into a vast ballroom.

"Wow," Gabrielle sighed to herself, her eyes lighting up in amazement. "It's literally a ballroom..." The place reminded her of those historical romance movies she would watch as a college student and fantasize about being swept off her feet by a high society gentleman. "I've never seen anything like it!"

Vincent smirked behind her. "I told you so." He stepped in front of her and took her hand, leading her to a vacant table covered by a white tablecloth with golden trim. He pulled out one of the chairs for Gabrielle to sit down while a young man came by with a tray full of champagne flutes. Vincent shifted his gaze to Gabrielle, asking with his eyes if she'd wanted one. She nodded, and the young man placed a glass directly in front of her. "Please send some water for the lady, as well as some hors d'oeuvres." The man nodded and disappeared into the crowds.

Gabrielle took that time to observe her surroundings, taking in the people, their clothes, the decorations of the ballroom... anything that caught her eye, really. The place was packed! Men and women spun around to classical music played by a string quintet set up on the side of the dance floor. The dancers wore clothes that resembled Victorian Era high fashion, women twirling around in poofy ball gowns of different colors and styles, and the men in traditional looking suits. They were dancing a waltz with more grace than Gabrielle could ever hope to muster up in her pinky finger. They appeared effortless in their motions, and she could feel intimidation creeping up her spine from a new source. "Wow..." she muttered again.

Who were all of these people?

"This place is a refuge," she heard Vincent say. "Most of the people seen here are supernatural in some form." He began to point at a man. "There's a fellow vampire." He pointed to another man. "There's a wizard." And he pointed to a woman. "There goes a faerie."

Gabrielle's eyebrows scrunched in confusion. "They look like regular people, though."

Vincent shrugged. "So do I."

She nodded. "Point taken." Her eyes surveyed the area once more. "Are there any humans here?"

"I'm sure there are." His eyes scanned the room. "Somewhere about." Just then, the original server, along with two others, came along with trays full of fancy finger foods for them to choose from.