Chapter Twenty

Ballroom Debut

DAVIKOV CASTLE. BLUE ASH. RUSSIA

Friday, December 20th, 2013

Flying at an altitude of thirty-thousand feet, Karou could see out of the window as the sun was starting to set. Its fading glow had turned to the tops of the clouds, a beautiful coral colour. Beneath, the cumulus were murky, grey and full of rain that fell as snow onto the mountainside. Warren's jet pilot initiated their landing, descended through the inclement weather, and smoothly onto the runway just before three in the afternoon.

On the tarmac, a robust black SUV waited for them to disembark. Inside, Magnus was waiting, but the moment Karou came down the jet's steps, he was at her side with an umbrella to shelter her from the snow. Warren was left to his own devices, but he was busy helping a porter pack their luggage into the car's trunk. Holding the door for Karou, Mag' got her out of the wind and into the car's rear seat, and once Warren had joined her, they were off and making their way towards the Davikov Castle.

"I can't wait to see the castle again. Oh, you'll get to see my reaction this time," Karou beamed, though she was already struggling to stay focused on Warren when the view out of the car windows was so impressive. "Look at all this snow; it's so beautiful."

"It certainly makes it feel like Christmas." Warren agreed.

"Wait until you see the inside of the castle, Karou! Ada has outdone herself this year. As soon as you confirmed you were coming, Roman increased her budget." Apparently, the nature of Karou's departure on her last visit hadn't put Roman off the scent. He was still eager to get her attention and please her. She didn't find it flattering at all; it was creepy and unwelcome now that she knew his true intentions. She felt foolish for ever assuming he wanted nothing more than a platonic relationship with her.

Karou and Warren were on the same page. She shuddered, and he scoffed, finding Roman's efforts misplaced and somewhat desperate.

"I know that there are other things to talk about, but just so we're clear before we start arrival greetings… Are you both going to be avoiding 'certain people'?" Magnus asked, trying to be as delicate as possible.

"Like who?" Warren asked; he was mildly insulted by Magnus' question. His aura disturbed the atmosphere in the car, and Magnus and Karou couldn't help but be aware of his mood change.

"Warren, I think Magnus just wants to mitigate any potential tension…" Karou reached over and set her hand into his knee, looking contrite.

"Perhaps for Karou's sake, you ought to try and avoid Lillianna this time." Magnus bit back; he didn't appreciate Warren's mood. They shared a look through the rearview mirror.

"Please don't fight." Karou pleaded.

"Do you want me to stay away from Lillianna?" Warren looked directly at Karou. "Do you think I'll make the same mistake as last time?"

Karou looked and felt awkward being cornered like that.

"What kind of question is that? She didn't expect you to do it the first time."

"Avoid Lilli; it is," Warren muttered and straightened his tie and shoulders with attitude. But he couldn't deny that Magnus had a point. I honestly thought we could all be more mature about it than this, but it seems I'm not trusted. He thought to his mentor, somewhat sulkily while staring out of the window to his right.

Given your track record, I think it's a reasonable request on Karou's part. At least try and be faithful while she's still here.

I didn't intend to be anything but…

"I know you're still bickering in your heads. I can feel the tension, so please stop it. I want to enjoy my last Christmas with you both." Karou said bluntly.

The words' last Christmas' got both the men's attention and ended their argument instantly.

That evening, Roman held a dinner in one of the castle's larger entertaining spaces. Many of the 'higher up' Coven members attended and crowded around the large oval table. Karou couldn't understand why it had been called a dinner when there was barely any food on the table; instead, vast amounts of wine and blood kept arriving in large silver juglets to be shared amongst the forty-plus guests because it seemed to vanish at quite a rate.

Karou sat sandwiched between Magnus and Warren, which she was thankful for because the gathering of primarily strangers was quite rowdy.

Across the way, Karou's eyes met a familiar set of purple ones; Lillianna. The woman smiled meekly and almost apologetically before her attention was distracted. Her eyes fell onto the person next to her, and he'd noticed her looking over too. From a close distance, she watched how Warren's cool glare gave Lillianna her first warning without there having to be any crossed words; that was assuming they weren't communicating telepathically.

Still, Karou noticed that throughout the evening, she'd catch Lilli looking over at Warren time and time again. He paid her no mind and continued to talk with Magnus and the woman to his side,. Her name was Ada, and she was another of the Coven's Elders; Karou had been introduced to her on her first visit. Then she had worn the customary Elder's robe, but now she was dressed for the party in a floaty yet flattering, vibrant red dress that matched her lipstick. Though she looked to be in her sixties, she was almost ten times older than that - she was a lady in every way and the sort of person that looked after herself. Her hair and makeup were done impeccably. Every detail of her appearance was arranged with care, down to her painted fingernails.

Amidst the festivities, Karou heard a lot of talk about 'the war'. From one topic of conversation regarding tensions rising within the worlds numerous Mythical Governments, Karou gathered that mythical forces had managed to remain defensive against the mortals' attacks so far. They'd added no fuel to the flames of war that had been raged upon them. Ada spoke up; she wasn't comforted by this and informed Warren that now there had been intelligence recovered to suggest that the mortal military powers were organising the 'next wave'. They hoped to irradiate any remaining willpower mythicals might have had to fight.

"It's been made entirely clear that mortals mean to exterminate all mythicals," Ada stated.

Magnus tried to lighten the mood with a little joke and fill Karou in on some of the topics raised so that perhaps she could participate, but really it all went over her head. The conversation was as enjoyable as it was scary, but it was nice to watch Warren engaging socially. He was so passionate about the welfare of his fellow mythical, especially regarding their fair treatment. Mostly, she sat, watching in awe of her Sire.

Ada questioned Warren on the art of modern warfare; being of such a grand age, she felt her knowledge was limited. He gladly explained that the way war was waged had altered since the first and second world war - he'd lived to witness both.

At the very beginning of the conflict, there were concerns about another holocaust type genocide occurring. Warren pointed out that even though mythicals had been made to register their race via ID cards in the early days, mortal governments held no power to segregate them from the mortal populous due to laws and regulations that had been put in place post-WWII.

"Of course, some countries handled their mythical population with less care than others, socially speaking. Many have sought out safety in numbers and had willingly segregated themselves in most cases." Warren noted. Ada nodded, appreciative of his sharing his knowledge.

It was all very fascinating to Karou. WWII was something she'd learned about in high school, so at least she had some knowledge to refer to when listening. However, her mood was dulled by Warren's next point. He'd stated his concern that now mythicals had corralled themselves, they had ironically become vulnerable to attack rather than safer.

"Gathering in locations such as Isadora and Alabaster. The US Compounds and other establishments all over the East has made those locations targets for bombs and, God forbid, nuclear attack." Warren explained.

This was a sore point for Karou because she knew from her dreams that a similar kind of catastrophe would occur at the Compound and that that would be the day she'd leave.

For a moment or two, Karou tuned out of the conversation and mulled over her dream; she must've looked glum. Despite his focus on the discussion, Warren took her hand beneath the table.

Something on your mind?

Talking about war is… heavy.

"Anyhow, there's no point whining on about war... Speaking of which, who chose this wine?" Warren asked and pulled an exaggerated face of disgust to break the depressing tone of the conversation with humour.

"Excuse me, Mijo! I personally chose tonight's wine list." Magnus piped up; he was already nearing drunkenness, and consequently, his reaction was quite hilarious.

"It's fucking awful."

"Pft, the other red on the table isn't much better..." The Spaniard muttered, pointing out that REDford had supplied the blood being served.

"Oh, is the red not fresh?" Ada chirped.

"I believe the crates put aside for tonight's soiree are some of my grown imports from India," Warren noted, sampling the glass he had in his hand.

"My my, who could imagine such a thing." Ada whinnied, chuckling. "But the difference is utterly undetectable, I must say. You're so accomplished, Warren." The way she looked at him amused Karou; she imagined the woman thinking, 'Oh, if I were a few centuries younger'.

"Thank you, Ada. I like to think that my mother would be proud of me."

"I am!" Magnus exclaimed.

"So am I, for what it's worth." Karou agreed.

"That means very much to me." Warren met her eyes and smiled, regardless of their company.

"Perhaps I can try some?" Karou offered up her glass.

Warren obliged, but when he reached to refill her drink from one of the communal jugs, he met Lilli's wandering eyes. Annoyed by the encounter, his eyes grew dark and harsh in their glare. Karou found the change in his appearance and mood disturbing; it wasn't an expression she wanted to remember him making during their last Christmas together. So, regardless of how public the display would be and even if he scolded her for doing it later, Karou reached out her hand and set her palm onto his cheek. Gently, she turned his face so that he had to look at her, and when he did, he smiled again. Despite how angry he'd appeared only moments ago, the expression was effortless and warm.

I promise I'll leave her alone. Warren thought, hoping to comfort Karou.

I know, but please, don't make that face. I want you to be happy.

What he did next was enough to quiet her worried mind and send Lillianna scuttling away from the table; he turned his face into her hand and kissed her fingers. This may well be the last Christmas I bother to celebrate, so I promise I'll make sure it's a happy one for the both of us.

Saturday marked the winter solstice and the day that Coven members began their Yuletide festivities. Being a Coven of such a grand age meant that their traditions combined Pagan and Neo-Christian beliefs to accommodate their members. So from the twenty-first to the twenty-fifth, they celebrated. From dinners to dances, those four days were filled with frivolity.

Once the moon had begun to rise over the lofty horizon of the mountains and embarked on its climb towards the ceiling of the sky, there was a hush... All the coven members disappeared to their rooms to prepare themselves for the largest gathering of the year. The staff busied themselves with arranging the final touches in the largest hall and side rooms so that they were ready for the ball's attendants. There was no time for chit chat when there was so much to be done.

Warren had left Karou with a goodbye for now at Ada's quarters. The Elder had invited her to join she and her assortment of upper-class lady friends in their pampering and dressing preparations. It would have felt rude to refuse, considering Ada had so kindly offered forth an olive branch. Secretly though, Karou was glad to take up the offer; she wanted to surprise Warren. He hadn't seen her dress yet, she and Isabella had chosen it amongst themselves, and Karou had been careful about storing it away from her Sire the moment the package had arrived at the Compound.

Karou hadn't known what to expect upon her arrival at Ada's boudoir, but what she found beyond the double doors, she would have never imagined. Ada's maid met at the door and showed through to the lounge that had become a make-shift salon for Ada's three other guests.

"Ah look, look, Magdalena, she's here." An unknown redhead woman announced on her approach. Her smile spread wide, friendly, though fanged. "We're so glad that you came."

"Oh, I'm really flattered that I was invited."

"Naturally, we invited you." Ada chirped, peering around a room divider with large rollers in her hair. "Do come in and get comfortable. This is Lena, Charlotta and Bea." Each woman nodded and smiled during their introductions, and Karou replied with her own shy, polite smile. "Oh and tell Ellia-" She gestured to her maid "-what treatments you'd like, and she'll get right to it, she's a fabulous beautician. Testament to her - look how youthful she's kept me?"

The three women giggled amongst themselves, but Karou didn't want to come off as rude by laughing too heartily. She still felt somewhat awkward, she knew Ada was a great deal older than her, but she was not so sure about the other women. They all appeared younger, at least, but that was all by the by with vampires.

"Yes, do come sit down." The woman indicated to be Lena patted her hand off of the seat available next to her. She sat, with her long slender legs folded and showing through the opening in her silky dressing-gown; her sling back heeled slipper hung off her toes as her foot bounced an idle, meaningless rhythm. The way she gestured and held her hands informed Karou that her nail varnish was most likely still tacky. "Make yourself at home. We all know how daunting joining a new coven can be, but don't mind us; we don't bite much."

"A friend of Magnus' is a friend of mine, as a general rule," Ada announced as she lit herself a cigarette and perched herself on the arm of Bea's chair.

Bea replied quickly with a wrinkled nose and a look over her shoulder at Ada when she made her opinion known, "Oh, other than his wife..."

"That vile woman will never be invited into this circle, I can assure you. I doubt she'd made a friend of you, has she Karou?"

"No, definitely not." Karou shook her head adamantly. There was nothing more certain to Karou than her dislike of her Sire's Sire. "D'you know if she'd going to be there tonight?"

"I heard she's isn't coming, though there was a rumour that she'd be bringing her new pet, you know the fellow from Budapest," Lena said.

"She isn't coming?" Karou asked, hopefully.

"Mhmm, the word is that she's been making some questionable moves in the wrong sort of circles."

"Mikhail has officially revoked her invite." Ada interrupted Lena bluntly, hoping to extinguish the topic of gossip.

"As wretched as she is, there is one thing to be thankful for..." Bea paused for build-up and glanced at each other friends with a glint in her blue eyes. "She gave us Warren,"

"Ooooh, amen to that." Charlotta finally spoke and spun around on the chair she had been sitting upon while Ellia fixed her hair. "Karou, honey, we're all dying to know how your got Charlie-boy wrapped around those pretty fingers of yours!"

Apparently, Warren's 'fangirl club' was castle wide, and though Karou wasn't surprised that he was adored for his looks, she couldn't help feeling that she'd fallen into a trap.

"We all saw you together at dinner the other night." Lena nudged her elbow into her, smirking coyly.

"He kissed your hand in public." Bea nodded.

It seemed everyone knew he didn't do public displays of affection. There was no hiding the bright blush that rose to her cheeks. She sat there, mouth agape, unsure what to say. "Uh-"

"Rela-x! We're not after snatching him, dear. It's just... well, not much interesting happens around here these days. We're sick of endlessly talking of war, so do forgive us if we appear fickle; we're not usually such shameless gossips." Charlotta apologised on behalf of her friends.

"So... -" Ada flicked the ash from the end of her cigarette and made her way over to Karou. She reached out and ran her fingers through the ends of Karou's deep brown locks. "... - what are you planning to do with all of this lovely hair of yours?"

The hands upon the ivory face of the grandfather clock which he'd been staring at for forty-odd minutes, hypnotised him. Its steady and sure movement as it tracked the passage of time was soothing, yet even though it captured him in his boredom, he was growing impatient. He'd been dressed and groomed for over an hour, and now the wine glass in his hand was empty too, so there was nothing and nobody to entertain him as he waited for Karou to exit Ada's quarters.

The minute hand struck twelve, the clock sprung into action and chimed eight times to mark the hour, which stirred him from his trance. He stood with a start from the chair he'd begun to feel was swallowing him.

The ball had technically already begun. Downstairs, the hall had started to fill with guests, and now Karou and Ada's posse were growing fashionably late. Anxious to see her, knowing that she'd purposely hidden her dress from him, he stroked his fingers down the tie she had presented him with, with the promise that it would compliment her garment.

At long last, the double doors opened and out filed Ada and her friends. A glimpse of Lena's golden ballgown caught his eyes as the glitter on the chiffon skirt twinkled in the low light. The lacey vines of flowers that descended over the bluebell gown of Ada's dress were eyecatching too, but the low backed and equally daring low cut frontage of Charlotta's clinging black cocktail dress caused him to avert his eyes altogether. Bea lingered behind to close the door after Karou. She picked up the floaty red tiers of her dress as best she could and scuttled off to join her friends, to give Karou and Warren a moment alone.

The moment his fledgeling was fully within his sights, nothing else around occurred to him.

Karou stood, shyly on display for him and waiting for his appraisal of her attire. Her hands clasped before her ribs as she toyed with the ring Ada had lent her along with two matching golden bracelets to finish off her elegant look. There wasn't a single brown hair out of place atop her head, where sections were clipped back away from her face - styled into voluptuous curls that cascaded down the left side of her neck, framing the delicate angles of her neck and shoulders perfectly. Incidentally, Warren's eyes were drawn to her shoulders, which were bare, save for the dainty straps that held up the bodice of her form-fitting mermaid dress. Now there was a feast for his eager eyes. The reveal had been worth the wait, was the first thought that came to his mind. Karou looked beautiful, stunning, graceful, ravishing... Words filled his head, but, frankly, words fell short. Clothed in her gown sewn from deep emerald green satin and overlaid to her mid-thighs in chiffon with meticulously crafted embroidery and beaded lace in black and gold accented the natural colouring of her wings. They ruffled behind her nervously and shimmering ink-black iridescence in the light of the corridors sconces.

Warren approached slowly and drew his hand from the pocket of his pants to offer it to Karou. Looking up at him through her thick lashes, her eyes framed in gold eyeshadow and black liner, she smiled cautiously.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" She asked timidly.

"There isn't anything to say that you don't know by now." Warren smiled and lifted her hand to kiss the back of her fingers as he had a few evenings before.

Karou beamed; his reply was his version of 'you look beautiful', honestly his aversion to obvious compliments meant more to her somehow.

Their moment of happiness flickered; like a fragile flame blown by a cool wind. "What is it?" Karou asked when she noticed Warren's brows furrow and general expression harden the moment his lips left her hand. His grip on them tightened; he looked to have had an unpleasant thought.

"I-..." Warren began. "I don't want to ruin our evening with my dark thoughts." Letting go of a sigh, he moved to loop her arm through his so that he could escort her to the Yuletide Ball as a gentleman should. Karou didn't allow that and pulled back to her arm.

Instead, she cupped his jaw and grabbed the attention of Warren's eyes with her's; they sought the depths of his deep blue irises for feelings. Secret feelings that he never let slip over his tongue. No, they nestled stubborn and unshifting in his mind, where even there, they were elusive and ill-formed. "We don't have much time, Warren. Let me share everything, even the darkest parts."

"I want you to look back at your time with me fondly, Karou. I'm going to make tonight count." He promised, removed her hands from his face and finally got his way in leading her down the corridor, to the stairs where they'd descend into the ballroom. On their way, he said, "And your dress... You don't need expensive cloth to be the most stunning creature I've ever seen; you know that, but it is beautiful. You're beautiful."

On Warren's arm, Karou felt less unsteady walking in the heels she wore beneath the floating skirt about her ankles. Still, she clung to him as a mixture of nervousness and anticipation bubbled in her stomach as they entered the spectacularly spacious ballroom. Karou's breath caught, and her eyes instantly panned upward, taking in the height of the ceiling. From which, crystal chandeliers trickled down, illuminating the glossy black panelled walls. The intricate gilded coving would otherwise have held her eye, but the room was far too busy to be marvelling over the ornate architecture for too long. The people, the sea of finely dressed, handsome people, were something to behold. Suddenly she felt small and out of place; she was just a girl from Concord after all, how she had ended up here begged belief. At her side Warren sensed her confidence falter.

Keep your head up, don't forget who you are, Karou. Warren started and shot her a calming, encouraging smile. You're Enochian royalty. And my fledgling.

I only ever wanted to be the latter.

You'll always be mine, one way or another. I hope you remember that no matter where you find yourself in life.

All the while they lost themselves in their shared thoughts, Warren held tight onto her arm and navigated them through the masses of vampires. Many and envious eyes flickered their way, joined by a curious remark that would undoubtedly form rumours. 'Who is that girl on the arm of Mr Howard?'.

Eventually, they came upon Magnus. No surprise, he was standing at a table having a glass of wine poured into his waiting glass.

"Dios Mio! What am I to say of this? Bo-nita, my darling, you are exquisite!" Magnus beamed, his flamboyance enhanced by the wine he'd already drunk and going on the fragrance of his breath; he'd already had quite a few. "Warren, isn't she the most magnificent woman you're ever seen?" He asked.

To their equal surprise, despite all those gathered around them within earshot, Warren nodded and said, "Yes, she is. Absolutely."

Karou blushed, and for a moment, Magnus laughed nervously. The last thing he'd expected was that sort of reply, but soon his shock faded, and he grinned cheerfully.

Magnus put drinks in their hands and negotiated his way easily into another conversation where he introduced Karou to some of his coven mates, friends, colleagues and the like. For the most part, Warren knew them and entered their busy discussions with brief, intellectual statements and the odd humorous remark. He wasn't sociable, but he was making a great effort for Karou's sake and came across as talkative enough to not appear rude. Although, that night, he made it irrevocably clear that he was disinterested in everything else while Karou was in his company. For an hour, his eyes barely left her; he watched her facial expressions and hand gestures as she chatted effortlessly with Magnus and his friends. As soon as Ada and Bea appeared, she seemed right at home; Karou transformed into a blossoming social butterfly before Warren's eyes. The hope and pride that watching her socialise sprung inside of him hurt a little; he could see that she would do well in Enochian court, but the thought that she'd be there soon didn't bear thinking about. He'd vowed not to tonight.

Suddenly from out of the buzzing chatter that had become background noise to his thoughts, he heard someone ask Karou to dance. Karou's eyes widened at the request. I don't know how to dance! She thought, floundering and unsure how to answer. It was only when the voice spoke again that the hairs over her spine stood on end. The man was none other than Roman Black.

All night he'd stared hard at her from over the room, and so far, Karou had done well to ignore how her skin chilled under his intense gaze.

"My Lord, I must dissuade you, for the time being, Karou has promised me her first dance." Warren chimed, coming to Karou's rescue. In understanding, the man nodded and allowed Warren his next move. Taking Karou's hand, he boldly led her toward the centre of the room and onto the dancefloor.

"Uh, Warren..." Karou said anxiously, but it was quickly getting too late to stop him. "I don't know how to-" When he placed his hand into her waist and pulled her close, she caught her breath.

"I have a little trick that will remedy that problem just this once. Step onto my feet."

"C'mon, only kids do that..." Karou knew he wouldn't appreciate her risking damaging his shoes in any ordinary circumstance. She glanced away from him, embarrassed by her lack of experience and skill in the footwork department.

"We don't have enough time for you to undertake lessons in ballroom." Warren insisted, cutting through Karou's tension and gaining her gaze again. Another song began, and impatiently, he nudged her foot with his.

Obediently Karou mounted the insteps of his feet, though she couldn't help shooting him a certain kind of look beforehand. She was giving in because she wanted to. But before she knew where she was, they were off!

Warren held onto her waist tightly and whisked her about the room in time with the orchestra's music. Tipping back her head with a grin spread over her face, she giggled gleefully - her spirit soaring like the melody that reverberated about the room.

The flowing fabric of Karou's dress concealed their secret to looking so incredibly in sync as they travelled the dancefloor.

Soon, Karou grew confident enough to disembark his feet briefly for a spin and twirl or two until it was time to climb back aboard his feet to waltz around the skirt of the room again. It was so exhilarating, and Karou couldn't keep her eyes from wandering, watching how the room spun about her and the other dances and how elegant they looked too. When he spun them about, the air caught her feather's, so she spread out her appendages and stared up at the twinkling chandelier, absolutely enchanted, like a child on their first fairground ride. Only when the music slowed after several paced songs did her attention turn back to Warren's face. Contrary to herself, his eyes hadn't moved from her face the whole time, and she found his gaze instantly.

"This is..." Karou grinned, catching her breath from her excitement. "It's just... wonderful, Warren." Looking at him suddenly made her want to cry. "Thank you."

"You're very welcome. I'm glad you're enjoying yourself."

"I am."

The mood changed now that the tempo slowed and lights dimmed. Many of the couples had left the floor, leaving only the two-steppers and lover's left. Karou wasn't sure which category they fell into but Warren hadn't negotiated their way off of the dancefloor. Instead, he'd slowed to a steady sway. Naturally, Karou's hands migrated, one held the back of his neck, and her other laid over his bicep as he held her close by her waist.

"Oh my, Mr Howard, I do believe you're the slow dancing kind." Karou grinned, threatening a giggle at his expense.

"I haven't been for quite a number of years, but they are perhaps the best dances of the night if you have the right partner." He smiled back warmly.

Karou sighed, contented by his answer, and moved closer to lay her head onto his chest. They lingered in each other's arms, but unfortunately, their happy Christmas wasn't going to be so for much longer. Larger beings were at play, and fate was on their side this time...

Magnus marched over the floor, somewhat frantic looking. Placing his hand into Warren's shoulder, he interrupted their dance and presented him with a cell phone.

Warren's brows furrowed in concern as he pressed the device to his ear and heard the voice of Isabella Finch sound warily down the line. "Sir..."