Demon's Path

Chapter 2 The Masquerade

After Father rushed me to the carriage and Anthony sat in the driver's seat , we were driven to the masquerade ball that the Marquis Richardson was hosting. His parents were deceased and even though he was thirteen, he became the family head. "Zera, you better not make a fool of our family name," My father warned.

"I won't Father, I'll be on my best behavior," I answered.

"That never turns out good you stupid girl, the Marquis Richardson is one of the richest nobles. I'll try to get him to be burdened with you before someone else gets him engaged," Father said and I sighed. I liked Hunter, but he probably doesn't care much about me. He probably doesn't even know I exist.

The carriage stopped, and Anthony opened the door, "My lord, my lady, we have arrived," He let my father step down and then helped me down out of the carriage.

"Make sure Aviana is taken good care of, Anthony," I ordered.

He seemed to panic slightly, "Y-yes my lady." He escorted us to the white manor, with beautiful white roses blooming, and window designs that were magnificent. He then left to the carriage and headed for home.

"Now, stay with me until I tell you to go," My father reminded me. I nodded. "Good, at best there is something you understand." He said, a little agitated. We entered the manor. Everyone was there, and Andrew ran to greet me and my father.

"Hello, you look lovely Zera," he bowed. He wore a black and white suit, his mask was black with golden edges with a single white feather sticking out of the side.

"Thank you An-,"

"Keep your eyes on your own fiancée, Andrew." My father cut me off, glaring at Andrew.

"Yes sir, I didn't mean to be disrespectful, sir, I was just trying to be polite," Andrew said.

"Good. Have you seen the Marquis Richardson?" Father glared as he looked at Andrew, who pointed in Hunter's direction. "Come Zera." He left us.

I was about to follow, but Andrew grabbed my shoulder, "Meet me in the gardens." Then he ran off, so I hurried to follow Father before he got mad.

"Ah! Marquis Richardson! What a pleasure to see you. This is my daughter, Zera Blackwell," said Father, attempting to sound pleasant.

"Hello, my lady, you look lovely," the marquis said, smiling just a tiny bit. I blushed just a touch. My long blue dress had white frills a vest that was light blue, a blue and white hat, and my mask was blue with golden edges and golden designs.

"Thank you." I said quietly.

"Zera, why don't you go and have fun?" my father said, his eyes anything but kind. I took that as my cue to take my leave. I then headed to the gardens where I was to meet Andrew.

More white roses, the pond shimmered in the moonlight, the trees and hedges cut perfectly into humans posing. The stars shined brightly, and as I walked through the edge my collar got caught on a branch. "H-help! Andrew!" I cried out, I was choking, but then my collar broke and I saw Andrew come running.

"Are you ok, Zera?" Andrew hugged me and I caught my breath.

"Th-the tree caught onto my collar." I said looking at the ground for it, but it seemed to disappear.

"Well you got scratched, but that's all, you'll be okay. Want to play a game of hide and seek?" Andrew smiled childishly.

"It's a child's game, Andrew. We are nobles, not children," I rolled my eyes, brushing the hair from my face. "We are supposed to act like our age."

"Come on, you are such a bore. Come find me!" Andrew said, before I could stop him he ran to the forest and disappeared.

"I swear he has no common sense! Who knows how far this forest goes on!" I yelled and trumped through the forest. I walked and walked, then tripped on a root and rolled down, down, down. I could hear my dress ripping, and I thought a bone had broken as I screamed. Then, finally I came to a stop. My arms were scratched up and my arm was twisted at an awkward angle. I whimpered as my arm moved. My dress was extremely torn up. I looked around, my breathing ragged. The twigs and rocks were covered in my blood, and when I looked closely I saw the cuts and scrapes covered my body.

"H-help..." I choked out, my voice cracking, and I tried to stand with my good arm. I looked around and limped to where I fell from. I sat leaning against the edge that I fell from. My body ached more than it should have, but most likely because of the beating I had the other day. I accidentally scared Jenaveve while she handled the porcelain china cups, causing her to drop it. Father scolded me and then beat me. My arm was hurting and I cried. Even with all my beatings, this was the first time I'd broken a bone.

"Help!" I called out. "Andrew! Somebody!" I called out again, but no response came.

I looked up, barely able to see the stars, for my sight began to blur, and the thickness of the trees didn't help. I leaned my head back and felt a warm trickle from my head down to my neck. I used my good arm to feel the warm liquid, and my fingers were covered in crimson blood.

"S-somebody! He-help! I-I'm bleeding!" I cried out.

"No one is around. It's just us," I heard a voice speak.

"Who's there?" I began to shake, was I hearing things?

"Someone who is aware of your father's actions when at home," the voice said, it sounded sweet, but something was hidden behind it.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I didn't like defending my father, but I couldn't tell just anybody of my father's abuses. If Father found out I had told someone, I wasn't sure about what he would do to me.

"My dear, you and I both know that's a lie," the soothing voice came closer.

"S-show yourself!" I yelled, standing quickly, but I let out a cry when I moved my damaged arm.

"You are injured, let me guide you back," it said, getting louder.

"J-just a few scratches," I said, shaking.

"You don't need to lie to me, I'll help you," Following the voice, a black cat stepped out of the shadows.

I backed up against the earth wall I fell down, my head began to feel heavy. "Wh-what are you?"

"I am not in my true form, but I am a demon," the black cat said, I fell to my knees, barely staying conscious. "Here, if you believe your father has gone too far, read this aloud." The black cat stuffed something thin into my hand. Everything began to fade to black, and the last thing I heard was the black cat walking away.