Odessa

Chapter Eight

Marcus tucked his arms into his chest as he surveyed the people in the room. He smirked with amusement; an invisible circle had formed around him which none of the royals dared cross. No one held his gaze, and no one ventured within two yards of him. He was totally unapproachable.

He could not blame them; he didn't exactly look like a jolly fellow worth socializing with.

He leaned against the castle wall, waiting for Camer to steal as much loot as he could from the castle treasury. When Camer finished, it would be Marcus' turn -- and after that, they would both abandon Thestria, their pockets heavy with gold.

He was slightly surprised to see his partner-in-crime emerging from the crowd so soon--Camer had only departed five minutes ago. Marcus arched his brow at him, saying, "Done already? If so, that's a record time."

"Not quite," Camer said with a sly wink. "I brought you a slightly different treasure than you intended."

Camer stepped aside and gestured toward the dazzling woman who stood not far behind him. Marcus' eyes were captured at once; her dress was a delightful blue color, much brighter than the usual deep shades that royals wore.

He stared into her face for a bit, and his eyes widened substantially. He recognized her, and he was not happy.

"Milady, I give you Sir Euchanius." Camer said with a gesture toward Marcus. "Euchanius, this is Lady Odessa, a noble of Thestria." He looked rather pleased with himself.

Odessa curtsied gracefully, but Marcus made no bow.

"Chise..." Marcus growled crossly to his friend. "What in the named of the damned Underworld do you think you are doing?"

"This stunning young lady desired to meet you. I suggest you treat her nicely." Camer's smile melted away; he grew fairly serious as he said, "Ask her to dance, mate. You have to learn to take to women sometime. Be a human."

Marcus' jaw seemed to flex at the thought of dancing.

"I would not mind a dance, actually," Odessa said nervously. Dancing was good; it would buy her time, it would make him talk to her.

However, this 'Sir Euchanius' acted as if he wanted to meet nobody, least of all her. She wondered how such a man could come to a ball if he was only going to stand by himself all night.

The worst part was, she could not remember having ever met a Sir Euchanius in her entire life. Why, then, did he seem so familiar?

Odessa and Camer waited for Marcus' response; he glared back at them with fierce intensity. And then, unexpectedly, he scoffed to Camer: "Fine, then. But you'll pay for this." The filthy glare that he shot his friend could have killed something with its intensity.

Marcus grabbed Odessa's arm with unnecessary force and dragged her out to the middle of the great hall, where countless other couples were twirling in unison. Then, he secured her waist with his right hand and began to twirl along with them. Odessa scowled at his rudeness.

Somehow, his eyes were still hidden beneath that dark hood. She surmised that it must be enchanted to be able to mask him so effectively.

Camer winked proudly, unaffected by Marcus' anger, and disappeared into the crowd without another word.

"There's no need to grip me so tight," Odessa said curtly to Marcus.

"Enough of this idiotic charade," Marcus snapped back as the great hall whirled around them. "What do you want from me?"

Odessa's face shifted from a look of shock, then to one of anger. "What do you mean? Why should I want anything from you?"

Now, Marcus was the confused one; he speculated her, searching for some trace of mischief in her face, but saw only bewilderment. Even in anger, he could not deny that she was incandescently beautiful. Her fair skin, her soft, golden hair, her storm-gray eyes (never had he seen such a color on any woman's face!) could not be called anything less than perfect.