The windy back roads led them deep into the woods, on the Jacksonville side of the Rogue River–Siskiyou National Forest, and it was nine o'clock by the time they arrived at huge estate. The car passed through a huge, ornately carved wrought-iron gate. The gravel driveway was lined with huge torches shaped like jack-o'-lanterns casting an eerie glow over everything. The long driveway led them deeper into the woods until it opened up and they pulled up to the massive two-story mock Tudor house.

As soon as Damien turned off the car, they could hear the music thumping. Excited, everyone left the car and joined the mass of supernaturals filling into the house. Stepping through the huge double doors Julia looked around. The entrance led into a vast open space, the size of half a football field. It was stuffed with tons of dancing bodied packed in like sardines; everyone was high on excitement that no one cared.

Ren pulled Julia aside as the others disappeared into the crowed. She gave him a tentative smile, not sure what his mood would bring.

He smiled back at her, "look, Jules, I still don't trust Damien," but his tone was hard. "And I will not apologise for what I said to you. But please, can we put that behind us?"

Relief washed over her tense body that he was as least talking to her. All she craved was to hug him. Yet they had resolved nothing, and she didn't want him thinking he could get away with acting like a jerk just because he was jealous. "Ren, I want to get past this, but you know what I think and how I feel about Damien, and that will not change. He's a good guy; if you can't treat him nicely, then we can't move forward."

Ren grit his teeth. "Jules, you know I would do anything for you and I will protect you from danger. Why can't you trust me on this?"

She sighed, frustrated at his pigheadedness. He was bringing her down before she could even have any fun at the party; it was such a buzz kill. "Ren, I really don't what to fight with you. Let's just have a good time." She gestured around her. "We're at a freaking huge supernatural party not some lame party in Havenswood. All I want to do is have a good time."

Abby danced up to them and shouted over the music. "Come on, you guys give it a rest and party. Woo-hoo!" She flashed Ren a huge smile and a wink as she hooked her arm around Julia and dragged her off. "Your prince thought you needed rescuing," Abby said with a grin waving at Damien. Grabbing two pink drinks off a passing tray she handed one to Julia. "I have no idea what they are but these are delish."

Julia eagerly took a sip, it was like a rainbow exploded in her mouth, everything became brighter and more vibrant. "Wow," was all Julia could manage as she looked around. The drink was washing away all her cares.

Abby grinned and shouted over the music, "I know right!" Then she knocked back the rest of her drink. "Well, have fun. That tengu over there has been checking me out for the past ten minutes. Wish me luck."

Julia gave her a suggestive grin and quickly hugged her, "You don't need it, but good luck any ways," and then walked over to Damien.

Damien took the pink drink out of her hand and gave her a green and orange drink. "This one's amazing; the pink one doesn't even compare."

Giving him a smile she couldn't wait to try it. Julia took a sip and what could only be described as bliss in liquid form passed her lips and slid down her throat. Her whole body lit up like the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree. She gulped the rest of the drink down and excitement coursed through her veins. Happy and full of life all at once, all she wanted to do was dance till the end of time.

Damien led her into the throng of dancing bodies and they let loose dancing like crazy, spending all their energy. It had numbed the voice that had held her back from getting closer to Damien. Julia could finally enjoy herself without constantly second guessing her feelings and actions. Their bodies swayed and gyrated to the wild rhythm of the music, tangling their arms and legs together as Julia got into the tune.

After what could've been hours for all Julia could tell, Damien said, "Come on I need a break let's find somewhere a little more quiet and a lot less crowded to sit."

She was drenched in sweat and her breathing was a little heavy yet she was having too much fun and didn't want to leave. "I still want to dance. I'm so not ready to stop. But I'd like another one of those green and orange drinks?" she replied somewhat out of breath.

"Here you go my dear, you'll love this drink." a man said in a sultry voice like liquid velvet, before Damien could answer, handing Julia a purple drink with silver balls that sparkled like tiny stars.

Julia looked at Damien and then back at the man. He was very tall with wavy shoulder length sandy blond hair. His face was young yet it had an age to it, with its razor sharp angles and high cheekbones that gave it a steely sexiness.

Julia couldn't help but rake him over with her eyes. He was dressed as a very sexy pirate. His top was unbuttoned down to just above his navel; showing off his rippling abs. The black leather trousers were figure hugging showcasing his muscular legs. She suppressed the grin that wanted to spread across her face as she admired yet another fine male body. When she could tear her eyes away from his body and looked into his brown irises that had a coldness to them, she felt a prickle down her spine.

Damien looked somewhat annoyed over her blatant ogling and grabbed the drink from Mormo. "Julia, let me introduce you to Mormo Shadowmist," then handed her the drink.

Hearing his clipped tone snapped her back to reality. She looked back at Damien and graciously took the drink. "Nice to finally meet you, Mr Shadowmist," Julia said making sure she didn't stare at his body.

Mormo took a deep bow and on his way up he gave her a wicked smirk. "The pleasure is all mine," his eyebrow shot up suggestively, "and please call me Mormo." When he looked at Damien, his expression cooled. "Surely you can let this beautiful princess dance a little more, Damien."

The purple drink was divine, coating the world around her in a warm and fuzzy blanket as she drank it. Her mind slowed and her body started swaying to the bass line, getting lost in the music. Each silver ball exploded on her tongue and sent a pulse of pleasure through her body. Julia could feel her senses fading and her baser impulses taking over. It was the best feeling she'd ever experienced; almost on a par with the red juice that Damien had been giving her.

"We should really take a break; I don't want to burn her out," Damien snapped.

"Damien, the night's still young. Let the girl dance." Mormo turned to Julia. His hungry eyes looked at her waiting for her to finish her drink. "There. Now you go and have fun and Damien will find you in a while." He took her empty glass, twirled her around a few times, smiling as she let out a glorious laugh. Then pointed into the crowd. "Look, that inugami has been staring at you since you arrived. Why don't you dance with him?"

Julia grinned. As her eyes locked onto the inugami nothing else mattered and she pranced off into the mob of sweaty bodies toward him.

An angry heat rose in Damien; clenching his jaw and fisting his hands as he watched Julia dance. "You shouldn't deviate from the plan," his words were sharp. "What happens when the drugs from that drink kick in?"

Mormo slapped him on the back hard. "Don't worry so much, boy. It will be at least a half hour before anything happens, until then enjoy yourself."

Damien's eyes narrowed, and he snarled. "I'll go make sure everything's ready in the study. Keep an eye on her until I get back."

Mormo waved a dismissive hand at him like he was an annoying bug. "Do what you like. But honestly, you should enjoy her while you can."

Damien shot him a murderous look. "What's that supposed to mean? I swear to the gods, if you are planning to harm her I will end you."

Mormo took a step back. "Relax dear boy," his face was the epitome of calm yet his voice was icy, "you're wound up so tight you might just snap." When Damien walked off he said to himself, "Besides I'm not the one you have to worry about, boy."

Julia arms draped over the inugami's shoulders as her body swayed with his. She felt a ripple of recognising jolt her body. Looking up she spotted Alex dancing with Véronique. A deep frown cut across her face watching them. Her unfettered desire for him bubbled up and a torrent of jealousy consumed her. What Véronique was doing couldn't even be considered dancing. It was more like a cat in heat rubbing up against things marking its territory with its scent. It took everything Julia had not to march over there and rip Véronique's heart right out of her.

Julia a growl rumbled up in her chest trying to rip its way out. She bit down hard on her lip to stop herself from screaming in rage as she watched the pair. Alex looked up at her; in that moment the music seemed to fade into the background as they stared hard at each other. Her entire being focused on him and it felt as if an invisible rope had been tied to her heart and was pulling her toward him.

Her body move on its own accord through the throng of dancing bodies toward Alex. He walked away from Véronique closing the gap between him and Julia. The music changed and as the haunting voice of Fleurie wafted over the room; they came together. The words to "Hurts Like Hell" struck a chord in Julia's heart as she gazed into his eyes. Alex slipped his arm around her waist; and they danced away from Véronique and the inugami who both looked irritated.

Neither of them said a word as the song played. His strong arms caged her against his chest as they danced intently staring at one another. Her hands made a slow ascent up to his neck as they swayed and twisted as one, around the jungle of bodies. More of the wall inside of her eroded away and a deep yarning to be with him burning inside of her. That feeling of them being two magnets attracted to one another returned. When the song finished, they stopped dancing. Both of them were out of breath and Alex pushed Julia up against the wall they were near.

Her eyes locked on his as she slowly reached her hand out and caressed his cheek with the back of her hand. The attraction toward him only grew stronger, caught in his gravitational pull there was no hope of her getting away from him.

His breath hitched as her silky fingers trailed against his cheek. He closed his eyes for a second and when he opened them it was as if her touch had ignited something deep inside of him. Alex clasped her hand in his lightly kissing her fingers. "What are you doing to me?" he whispered.

The desire to be something more took over shoving out all her doubt, anger, hate and annoyance as if they never existed. She stood on her tip-toes and said, "I could ask you the same thing." Alex wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her closer to him, their lips almost touching.

Damien cleared his throat and said, "Now isn't this cosy," in such an acid tone it could've burned everyone at the party. "However, Alex, if you don't want your date to murder the two of you. I'd suggest removing your hands from my date and going back to yours." He pointed at Véronique who was dancing with a red oni but glowering in their direction.

Damien's words lifted some of the trance Julia seemed to be under. She turned red, "Damien," her face plummeting the moment completely destroyed. A voice burned inside of her demanding Julia tell Alex Damien was not her date. Its force of will took hold of Julia, "Alex, he..." she stuttered.

Before she could say anything else Alex let her go. His hand slid down her side and Julia grabbed it holding onto it for a split-second before letting it go. Her body ached at the loss of his touch. Without a word Alex turned and walked back into the crowd, but not toward Véronique.

"Come on, Jules," Damien said in such a possessive tone it made her wince. "I want to show you something."

Turning she gave him an incredulous look. "What was that all about? You know I'm not your date."

He leaned in; the nice-fun-guy that she knew had vanished. "He doesn't deserve you," he hissed, snatching a blue drink off the tray of a passing server.

"Damien," she started, but he cut her off by shoving the glass in her face.

The look he gave her ̶ like a snake ready to strike ̶ had her obeying his silent command. Julia took the drink and knocked it back. Her insides warmed as the liquid slid down her throat making her feel giddy. Forgetting all about his behaviour, a lopsided grin cut across her face. "What did you want to show me?" she slurred.

Damien grabbed her hand and led her off the dance floor. Weaving their way out of the crowd they passed Ren and Abby dancing. Julia watched the pair but was finding it hard to focus on anything and barely registered that Ren and Abby were locked in each other's arms. As Ren looked up at Julia, she smiled at him as Damien yanked her away.

"Mormo said we could hang out in his study. I thought you might like to look at some of his books." Damien quickly tugged her around the corner and down a long hallway toward the back of the house.

When he opened the door to the study, two of the walls were covered in floor to ceiling bookshelves with hundreds of old leather-bound books. There was a huge red pentagram painted on the floor and lit candles were everywhere. Julia looked around then back at Damien. "This is cosy." She giggled and tapped the tip of his nose with her finger. "Are you trying to make a move on me?"

"What would you say if I told you I was," he answered walking over to the red leather sofa was in front of a roaring fire and sat down with her.

"I don't know..." her voice trailed off, resting her head on the back of the sofa. It felt heavy and everything started to change colour. First turning orange and red, then green and blue, and then deeper blue until everything went black.

Damien knelt over Julia and bent down until his lips were brushing hers.

Mormo walked in and said, "Now that's not very gentlemanly of you dear boy."

Damien turned his head and gave the warlock a dirty smirk, "whoever said I was a gentleman," and then sat back down.

"The age of chivalry is well and truly dead," Mormo chuckled shaking his head. "Come on then. I want to take a little peek inside her before those idiots take her away." He motioned for Damien to bring Julia over to the pentagram.

The warlock's cavalier attitude got his heckles up. "No; the plan is in place for a reason and you need to stick to it," Damien warned. "I don't want to feel Thorsen's wrath if something goes wrong because you couldn't stick to his plan."

Mormo walked over to Damien pushing him aside and picked Julia up. "You really need to lighten up." He walked over to the pentagram. "I only want a tiny peek at the spell that's binding her. Thorsen won't mind and it'll help me get a better idea of what I'm dealing with. Grab that chair and bring it over." When Damien didn't move Mormo said, "If I don't know what I'm dealing with and have no time to prepare. It'll only cause your princess more pain if I force the binding open. You of all people should know that once Thorsen gets his hands on her, he won't want to wait."

Damien huffed as he grabbed the chair. Mormo gently sat Julia in the chair then looked at Damien. "Go sit over there in the corner out of the way."

He paused, giving Morno a pointed look before walking over to the corner and sitting down. "You better not hurt her."

Mormo looked at him and said in a rather annoyed tone. "Boy, I've been alive for over five hundred years; I have some experience. Now shut up and let me concentrate." He placed his hand on Julia's forehead and closed his eyes. She started to stir; Mormo's eyes shot open, and he frowned. "I gave her enough devils wart to knock out two fully grown ogres." Then he gave Damien a sharp look. "Did you give her any of that blood today?"

"Only a little. I don't see what the big deal is; I've been giving her the blood for weeks now. What does it matter that I gave her a tiny amount today?"

Mormo's face twisted with rage. "Damn it, boy! I specifically told you she wasn't to consume any more of that blood. There is a reason I told you to cut her off this week. The blood intensifies her dark faerie side, and it also botches the effects of drugging her."

"Julia was terribly ill. You should've seen her. If I hadn't done something she would not have come, so I improvised," Damien said defensively. "Jeez don't get so uptight, I even put some mugwort in it to cut the amount of blood I gave her."

Utter annoyance colourer Mormo's face as looked at Damien. "Fine. What's done is done." Mormo eyes racked over Julia, a wicked grin cut its way across his face. "Boy, if you move a muscle from that seat I will make you regret it."

Damien opened his mouth to say something back but decided against it. Mormo stepped closer to Julia placing one hand on her head and the other on her chest and started to chant. She went rigid, her eyes snapping open she gasped for breath her face contorted in pain. Damien gripped the arms of the chair nearly ripping them off, fighting the urge to jump up and tear Mormo's head off.

Mormo looked at Julia's eyes, elation lit up his face. They were now the unearthly icy silver that all dark faeries had. He waved his hand over Julia and she fell back into the chair.

Walking over to the bookshelves he grabbed an enormous red leather-bound book and opened it. "I wasn't expecting this," he muttered, deep in thought flipping through the pages.

Damien moved to get up, Mormo said, "sit down, boy," without even looking up from his book.

Curious anticipation burned inside of Damien. After a few minutes he couldn't take it any longer and said, "What is it, what is going on?"

Mormo snapped the book shut, placed it on a side table and walked back over to Julia. "She has an ancient and powerful bind on her. Exactly what I'd expect from one of Lilith's descendants." He took a deep breath. "I'm not even sure I can break it; and Thorsen is certainly not going to be happy with this turn of events."

"Well, what can be done then?" Damien said with a hint of desperation.

"I don't know. I will have to do a lot of research. But I am curious about one thing and I want to test it." Mormo walked over to a dark wooden cabinet and pulled out a large crystal decanter full of red liquid. Then he walked over to Julia and signalled Damien to him. "Now, I want you to tip her head back and hold her mouth open." Mormo held his hand over her chest; a burst of red flashed from his hand and hit her in the heart. She gasped opening her eyes in a trancelike state. Mormo said in a commanding voice, "Drink," and pour the liquid into her mouth.

"What is that you're making her drink?"

Mormo gave Damien an evil smile. "It's my stash of the blood. I want to see what happens to the binding when I flood her system," and he poured every last drop of it into Julia's mouth.

********************************

Man Julia is a danger magnet. Wonder what will happen to her and who's side is Damien really on.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to vote.

Xoxox J