Who am I? Why am I here? The age

old questions of life, right? Well for

me, they seem to be a reoccurring

theme which I will tell you as I share my story with you.

You ever feel like you can never

catch a break? Perhaps that karma

has it out for you or that maybe

you're meant for something greater.

Well I'm seriously hoping it's the

latter.

So much has happened that has made me question everything, everything but one thing…bonds. There are many legends and prophecies about various types of bonds. I had once thought that I may have been linked to one, but as my life unfolded I learned so much more.

This is my story…

How about I start from the

beginning, a few years ago I was

what you'd call a mostly normal

graduate student just trying to finish

my internship so I could finally

graduate with my master's degree in

journalism. I had a few setbacks, so

I'm a bit older than the average

graduate student.

I love writing it's my passion in life

or at least was until my life took a

strange turn. Turning 25, made me

question a few things. But I will get

into that in a bit.

I work for an online magazine

writing about all sorts of things from

strange disappearances to the

possibility of the existence of aliens.

I enjoy the strange and unusual,

because I myself have become the

strange and unusual.

The magazine is called Stranger

Things for a reason. It definitely

fosters my creativity and does allow

for me to do a bit of research and

investigative work which I enjoy the

most because I love learning and

exploring. Why this became my perfect career.

I have long dirty blonde hair and bright sage green eyes. I have pale skin with a few tattoos and piercings. I don't post photos of myself in the magazine unless I'm wearing a disguise. I

prefer to keep myself hidden as best

I can. I even use a pseudonym. It's

Midnight Rose because I'm a night

owl always have been. Plus there's

beauty in the night. I chose a rose

because it's beautiful yet has a

certain harshness represented by its

thorns. Plus roses are pretty resilient

just like me.

I live in an apartment building with

my good friend Katie Smith. Katie has dark brown hair and bright blue eyes. She's so bubbly that it's infectious. We met freshman year and have

been best friends since. She's my

only family really. I was an orphan

and know nothing about my family.

All I know is that they're all dead. I

grew up in the system. I was smart

and hardworking so I was able to

put me through college.

Katie is finishing up her Masters in

Education while substitute teaching

at the local high school. Even

though she's a few years younger

then me, we get along wonderfully.

Katie comes in holding a box," Hey girl, you got a package."

My eyebrows shoot up, "Really?"

She throws it at me and I begin to examine it. "Funny, it has no return address. I wonder who sent it?"

Katie suggests that I open it to see if there's a note inside. It's a plausible idea so I quickly open it.

I pull out a golden ornate mask. "Wow, it's beautiful."

"Hey Eva look, there is a note!" Katie cheered.

I take it and read it aloud. You are cordially invited to

"Experience The Night" a

Masquerade Gala at St.

John's Cathedral this Friday

night from dusk till dawn.

"Sounds interesting. You should go for work," Katie said.

"Katie, I'm not going alone. You're coming with me." I am not going to let her not go.

She sighs, "But they only invited you."

I respond, "The fine print says may bring

a 'guest'."

So we went shopping. We found our dresses and her a mask. We both chose red dresses. Mine is a mermaid-cut floor-length dress with golden beading and appliques. Hers is a red floor-length A-line dress that fades to black towards the bottom.

I always feel out of place when I dress formally. It feels like I'm playing dress-up. Before I knew it, it was the night of the gala.

"Damn you look hot! If I were

into girls we wouldn't be

leaving right now," Katie exclaimed as she saw me leave my room.

I can't help but laugh, "Haha, you look sexy yourself."

Katie is a bit boy crazy still. She

chases after romance but it never

pans out for her. Me I'm the

opposite. I don't look for love, I'm

more career-driven. I figure love will

find me at some point. I'm only

turning 26 later this year, so I've got

plenty of time.

I date occasionally, don't get me

wrong but there's yet to be anyone

that I'd trust with my life. Until that

day comes, I'm fine being a happily

single loner.

Katie and I hop into my car ready to see what adventures tonight brings. I drive us there. I opted for no purse

as my dress had pockets.

I snap a few pictures of us outside

and of the church. When we get

inside we are blown away. I take

many pictures of the elegantly

decorated interior.

There were tables for dining and a

dance floor. There was also a more

intimate area with small raised

cocktail tables. Guests were

standing around them

I assumed that's where we go until

the hosts have us move to the

dining area. l'd been to a few fancy

parties so I understood basic

etiquette.

"This is just wow," she said.

"I know right? Just stay cool

and follow my lead," I replied in an effort to show the confidence that I'm lacking.

Katie scans the room, "But check out these guests,

they're basically all hot!"

"Katie, they're just people like us," I retorted but I am not so sure that they're all like us. I just have this odd feeling.

"Eva, very sexy beautiful

people. No wonder they invited you.

You fit right in."

I roll my eyes, "Whatever." She can be so over-the-top.

"Come on! No you're one of the hottest

people here. Definitely the

sexiest woman by far!" she says as we move through the throngs of people.

As I squeezed her hand, "You say that because you're my best friend."

"That's bullshit and you know

it!" she says as she grabs herself a glass of champagne. I just roll my eyes because there's no use arguing with her when she gets like this.

I grabbed a glass of red wine and took a sip, "Oh this wine is to die for!"

As she took my glass from my hand, "So if it is so good you'd die for it, then let me have a sip."

I giggle,"I would not actually die for it,

but it's very good.

It's beautifully balanced with

flavors of peach and

mirabelle plum with soft oak

notes and a long finish. Quite

good. I'd say it's definitely

European maybe from Austria

or Hungary."

"Eva, you know that I don't like red wines, but this one I do like," she said as she took another sip before handing me back my glass.

A smooth deep voice spoke from just behind me, "You're quite right, miss. You

could be a sommelier."

I instinctively turn to the voice. My eyes lock with his. Wow! The man before me dressed in a fine black suit has a head full of silky hair that's blacker than a starless night. Its dark tendrils frame his chiseled pale face with plump pink lips. His eyes are bluer than any ocean that I have seen. He's a God among men. He's way out of my league. Hell, he's not even the same sport!

He says, "Pardon my manners. I'm

Vincent Black."

Katie and I introduced ourselves to Vincent. She asked if he was the host. He said that he wasn't but was acquainted with him. I can't help but think that Vincent knows more than he's saying.

I decide to ask what's on my mind, "Do you know who invited me

here? Some of the people

I've seen around the city, but

I wouldn't consider them and

myself in the same league

much less sharing the same

room."

He seems perplexed by my statement, "You seem very much at home

here, though. Perhaps you

sell yourself short."

Katie laughs before she glares me, "I tell her that…daily."

There's something different about

this guy. Yes he's handsome beyond

measure but his eyes. They're

deeper than the sea and they hold a

secret. This man has walls much like

I do. I wonder why?

His voice is smooth like silk yet soft

like velvet. Katie seems memorized as if she's in a trance.

"Hey, Katie!" I snap my fingers until she looks at me. "I think the champagne is

going to your head."

Vincent looks into my eyes like he's

trying to tell me something. I return

the look with one of my

"what the

f*ck do you think you're doing"

looks and he takes a step back. This guy isn't human, he can't be.

He raises his eyebrow at me, "Interesting, very interesting."

I lean over and whisper, "I don't appreciate what you

tried on my friend or me. I

suggest you not try again and

explain yourself." I'm just guessing that he tried to read our minds.

He whispers into my ear and it causes goosebumps to appear, "Eva I'm afraid you wouldn't

believe me, if I tried."

I want to know. I'm not afraid, but maybe I should be, "Then show me, after all

seeing is believing."

His lips graze the shell of my ear, "Not here."

Then the hosts come in. A man and

a woman wearing black masks with

red jewels dressed in all black

command the attention of all.

Shivers go down my spine. There is

something powerful about them but

something dark too. Maybe the

darkness is only attached to one of

them, but I hope I don't have to find

out which one.

I have always been a good judge of

people, well mostly. I did misjudge a

guy once. But it seems like my

senses have peaked since I turned

25 and I have acquired a few other

talents too.

I jump back. Vincent seems worried, "Do you know them?"

I say, "No and I'm not sure that I want to. They feel strange. Do you know them?"

Vincent answers, "Yes. Why did you withdraw and change your tone?"

"Just a feeling it could be

nothing," I say dismissively. I don't know Vincent so I'm not sure how much I can or should say.

Katie chimes in, "Eva, you know to always trust your gut. So what's it saying?"

I just blurt out, "Well it's saying to stay clear of one or both of them."

Vincent touches my arm, "We must talk in private later."

I turn to him, "I just met you and you think I'd go somewhere alone with

you?"

He gives me a playful smirk, "Judge for yourself Miss Sims,

I mean you no harm and I'm

pretty sure you can realize

that."

We go to be seated and there's an

attractive gentleman at our table. He's in a dark blue suit. He has long light brown hair that's pulled back into a ponytail. A tight well-groomed beard frames his ruggedly handsome face. His eyes are a steely blue-green.

He stands and introduces himself, "I'm Sam Fall."

We all introduce ourselves. Then Vincent says something that takes me by surprise, "No pack with

you? It's rare to see you

attending without the others."

Pack? What pack? Is Sam not human either? I sense a tension between them too and I don't like it.

I have to ask, "Do you two know each other?"

Vincent says, "Somewhat, but not closely."

Sam adds, "I more know of him than

know him. We only briefly

encounter each other at

mixed functions like this one."

Mixed functions, just what does he mean by that? I feel myself losing my filter and with it my decorum, "Well, let's keep the

testosterone levels down shall

we and be civil too please."

"Eva!" Katie smacks my hand.

We all share a laugh at my expense, but I don't care. I feel oddly at home right now.

I look around and then at Katie, "What this has to be the

oddest night of my life by far.

What's next talking animals

and dancing fairies?"

Katie cocks her head, "What are you talking about?"

I decide not to elaborate, "Just nothing, I'm just getting

ideas for my next article is all."

Writing about the paranormal has

made me hyperaware. I am

convinced that humans aren't the

superior species that they think that

they are. I think many myths and

legends existed and perhaps some

still do. I might be sitting at the table with two such legends right now.

Katie giggles, "What's it going to be this

time? A serial killer slaughter

ball or a romantic vampire

masquerade?"

I smirk. She doesn't know how close

she is. We are certainly in mixed

company. As we are some of the

only humans here. I am certain that I'm right the more I look around and the more my feeling from earlier intensifies.

Vincent asks, "Exactly what do you do Eva?" He is really studying me now. Has he read some of my articles?

Before I can answer him, the couple from before comes over. The man addresses me, "Miss Midnight Rose, I'm glad

you could make it."

He makes me nervous but not in a fearful way, "Umm yeah. Who are you and

how'd you know it's me?"

"I'm Eric Wood and this is my wife Vicky.

I have eyes everywhere Eva. I

know you are Midnight Rose

and I am glad you came."

I am almost positive that Eric is a vampire and his wife seems familiar too. I really don't like her for some reason, "Then why am I here? I'm not

one of you or them. I'm in the

minority here."

He speaks very calmly and extremely dignified, "I need your impartiality and

your journalistic ability. You

know of my world, and it needs your help."

I keep looking at him. He's pale with perfect pale skin. His eyes are a tantalizing teal. He's timelessly handsome.

I cock my head, "For what?"

Vicky decides to speak and I wish that she hadn't, "Ugh, why her? She's clearly a moron. I don't get why you

bother with food."

She's the epitome of a haughty pretentious bitch. I want to slap her but I feel Vincent place his hand on mine and I feel Sam's warm hand on my knee.

"We don't need her, Eric!" Vicky yelled.

Oh no she didn't! I glare at her and then envision me strangling her.

She grabs her throat and starts to

drop to her knees as her face starts to change colors. I wonder if I can turn her into a rainbow?

Sam squeezes my knee, "Holy sh*t, but you don't smell

like them. You aren't one of

them or a witch because I

would know."

Eric looks me in the eye, "Eva, please stop."

I'm mad, "Why should I? You obviously won't

put her in her place so I will.

She's part of your problem!"

I let up, but only a bit. I recognized

her now. I know exactly why I was

creeped out earlier and it wasn't

because of the guy it was because

of her. I know her from a few weeks ago.

Eric is shocked, "What?"

I'm just going to spit it out, She's sloppy and careless. I

recognize her now. Last week

she attempted to hurt a

young man. I stopped her but

never got a look at her face. I

just feel it's her, plus her

voice is familiar."

Vicky tries to defend herself, "But I didn't.."

Sam doesn't let her finish, "Wait! My nephew!"

I ask, "Is his name Steven?"

He says yes as he glares at Vicky while she still tries to plead her innocence.

I have nothing to lose so I fully speak my mind, "Then why do I keep seeing

pictures of the event when I

look into your mind?

You don't hide well. You have

no mental walls. Perhaps out

of weakness or just plain

arrogance. You think because

you married power that

you're powerful."

Eric asks. "Do you know who I am?"

I reply, "No but I'm guessing since

you organized this and

tracked me down, then you

must be powerful and not just

because of your infinite

resources." I turn to Vicky, "Why'd you need Steven?"

Vicky says, "To stop you and those like

you. You're going to ruin

everything she has planned."

I'm so pissed off and confused. This woman and some of her cronies attacked a high school kid.

I glare at Vicky, "What the hell are you talking about?"

Vicky replied, "The ritual." Then she just bursts into ashes. Katie screamed, but I calmed her down as the guys just watched me.

Eric asks, "Have you always had this gift?"

"I've always been able to read

people and sometimes see

things. More has happened

since earlier this past year," I say.

Sam pats my knee, "Well my family owes you for

saving Steven."

I can't have Sam thinking that he owes me, "No one owes me anything, l'd

gladly do it again. I was just in

the right place at the right

time."

Matter of factly Sam says, "That's why we owe you."

Eric suggests, " Let me introduce Katie to some great people and then

we will talk further."

I glare at Eric, "Fine but if…"

He smirks, "Nothing will. Everything is

fine."

He has that same voice. What are

these guys? Vicky called me food.

Are they vampires? No, but maybe.

Hell, what am I? I just strangled a

woman with my mind. What made

her explode though? Was it me?