Ch. IV Excerpt

That night…

“Good Evening, welcome to The Midnight Masquerade.” Our butler Daniel Nicks greets everyone at the door. His second, Peter Miler is checking the invitations at the ballroom door.

It’s a really great turnout, but it is every year. I like to see the other immortals from the far corners of the earth gathered in one place. Unlike our parents though, they actually call themselves Vampires, but unlike the Drastida they are how you say, more civilized. All of them are from different countries and cultures but they sparingly dress in their ethnic cultural garb. It’s all suits, casual, business casual, (a lot of Tom Ford, Versace, Alexander McQueen, Gucci, Giovanni, Armani) basically they dress like we do with their own styles similar to modern humans. I mentioned them before but I will go into more detail now. I guess, if you think about it, the immortal species has three distinct types: The Immortals (Can reproduce similar to other mammals on this planet) which are limited to the six families, The Vampires that are spread out all over the world, we turned them and they are as civilized as us yet drink blood like an addiction, and The Drastida that are uncivilized brutes that are highly rebellious, gluttonous blood drinkers that like turning humans and or killing them, without any regards to the rules of the First Council. And, believe it or not none of the hybrids are allergic to the sun, silver, stakes, or any of that other dribble, i.e. immortality in its purest form with one minor exception…

“Ah, Daevaako. You look more like your mother every time that I see you.” Aunt Artemis Drapolis says to me as she walks up grabbing me by both hands and pulling me in for the both cheeks kiss exchange. I have yet to pull my gold bordered black mask with dove feathers in gold embroidery over the top half of my face.

“Thank you Aunt Artemis.” I reply warmly smiling brightly.

“Artemis, it is always a pleasure to see you at our events.” My mama greets her pleasantly, dressed in a blue Spanish ball gown with black floral taffeta ruffled around the waist and black lace ruffles in a princess cut across the bust.

“And it is a pleasure to always be invited Mistress Tadanya.” Aunt Artemis replies graciously.

From the eavesdropping that I do from time to time on the adults, Aunt Artemis is one of the three representatives of the Vampire community on the First Council. She has deep black eyes, long curly black hair, bronze skin; medium built, and is the same height as mama.

The ball is so amazing! I love the acrobats that David found, they are beautiful, swinging from slim nylon curtains that are hanging from the ceiling and wrapping themselves in them above our heads, the magnificent cakes that Aunt Essy and Aunt Wendy made with the help of the kitchen cooks.

Everyone is merry dancing with one another circling each other in a waltz even though the choice of music is that of heavy metal played by Korn. Many of us, including the adults like groups like them and Slipknot, Disturbed. Sure Lucian and his father play the piano, Adam and I play the violin, and the list goes on of the classical instruments that we all play and the classical music that many of us also enjoy, but our balls and parties are still filled with the musical sounds of these groups as our parents pay top dollar to have them play. After waltzing for the first half of the ball we break out into random dancing, jumping around wildly. Some of the men and women mosh pit for a few while others are allowed to get just a bit crazy with their powers. It’s a totally wild and exciting weekend. We start the party before All Hallows Eve and end it at twilight on Halloween with the adults going off to the theater to watch, from what Aunt Olivia secretly told me, ‘it is a very enthralling and erotic show’. That’s as much as I can ever get out of her. I try to ask her every year throughout the course of the weekend that all of us stay in The Manor, but she only tells me that simply and refuses to budge. I think this time I will try to get it out of Uncle Michael, he is known for having a very loose tongue.

As the first night winds down and the adults begin to make their way to the theater for night one, I quickly seek out Uncle Michael whom is gabbing it up with Uncle Sayen. I tug on his bellowed right sleeve to get his attention, but Uncle Sayen sees me first. As Uncle Michael turns to see me a big smile appears on his face. Grabbing me up by the waist he hugs me tightly.

“Daevaako! How is my favorite niece!?” His voice is brash and booming somewhat. If you were to only hear his voice you would think that he was a middle aged man, but in fact, Uncle Michael is very young in appearance. He could not have been any more than seventeen or eighteen when he was turned. He looks very much like Uncle Damarcio save a small beauty mark underneath the corner of his left eye and his thin lips. You would think that they were twins if you didn’t know any better. Even with his toned muscle built it’s still hard to believe that such a powerful voice could emanate from someone such as him.

“Hi Uncle Michael.” I say looking down at him as he always lifts me above his head as his way of hugging me.

Uncle Sayen says to him that he will save a seat for him as he walks steadily to catch up to the retreating crowd of adults.

“Uncle, I want to ask you something.” I say trying to catch my breath as he gently sets me back on my feet.

“Of course, dear Daevaako. Ask me anything.” He replies kindly still with that big smile on his face.

“What do all of you watch in the theater?” I whisper to him coming in closer.

He bellows a laugh as he says, “My dear, all that I may tell you is that it is quite the spectacle and most enjoyable.