In the early morning I find myself going around the whole house in search for Giacomo so we can leave, but obviously he already left. A woman told me he was running away with a lover on a gondola he stole, what a loyal friend...
Some people offer me a ride back but I refuse, I know most of those men and I wouldn't want to be alone with them on a boat no matter the price.
At the darkest hour of the day I make my way onto the secret garden of the house, it's not very big but some very high trees and bushes hide it away from the main building... Making this place completely cut off.
I step in, the moon enlightens only the center of the garden where no trees stand. I look up at the sky and listen at the music still going on inside the ballroom -I wished I could have danced a bit... But at least I got the opportunity to rest tonight- I murmur with my hands down my sides, noticing how this place looks perfect for dancing.
-Then shall we?-
My eyes falls from the sky upon realizing the presence of another person. There he is again... Wearing much nicer clothes this time.
That man of the night is in front of me with an arm behind the back and the other reaching to me. He's wearing a black suit with red velvet to complement it, black leather gloves and a mask that covers only one eye and one cheek... His long black hair are tied in a low ponytail giving him a much cleaner and gentle aura.
-I'm asking you to dance, don't just stand there and watch me- he smirks before reaching to grab my hand and taking me toward him, he passes an arm behind my waist and leads me in the ball -So, I noticed that you made some progress...-
He says between the steps, oddly so he knows how to dance... Probably even more than I do, I could picture him dancing in a castle for how elegantly he moves. He looks like a prince almost.
-Why are you here...? What's with all of this?- I ask looking down on his clothes and locking eyes right after, he smiles and looks away somewhat proud of himself -Why not? You deserved a reward- he chuckles -A lot happened today for you, so just enjoy it when I'm in s good mood-
-What do you know? And how are your fancy clothes a reward for me?- I ask wary of his intentions
-You went to the cemetery and had quite a... Particular afternoon, also you got a bit closer to that man thanks to your trip there... So we're finally moving forward, just do what I asked you and we'll both earn a victory out of it-
-What the hell do you mean...?!- He doesn't reply and just dances away -Enough talking now, silence is better when dancing-.
...
After a few moments he talks again -This is what you should be doing with that Duke on the night of the carnival...- he spins me around into a pirouette -He would love to have a dance such as this yet can't allows himself to, what a coward-
-Are we talking about the same man...?- I rise an eyebrow skeptical and he laughs -Indeed we are, I just know him better than you do. I decided that I should be helping you some more into seducing him, you lack the skills and it's so clear that it's embarrassing-
-I can always ask Lord Giacomo if I want some help- he looks me dead serious in the eyes -Never, don't ask such a thing from THAT man-
-"That man" as if someone like you is any better, at least he doesn't appear and disappear like a scary ghost... Well, you know what I mean- he frowns -He would only ruin everything and send all our achievements out of the window, never get him involved when it comes to the duke-
-Weird, you're the second person that warns me against him tonight...- I say kinda lightheartedly
-Is that so?- he asks, with one hand risen above and the palm spread out touching mine, as he step beside me -Who might that other person have been?-
I shrug my shoulders -That I do not know...- Instead of allowing me to talk he grabs my hand tightly and drags me along the whole perimeter, spinning on ourselves in circle. His red eyes fall on me and pierce me, a faint smile appears on his lips... Much more genuine than his usual ones.
-You like to dance?- I asks but he shakes his head with closed eyes now, some loose locks of hair moving with him -I don't like to dance per sé, I'm simply enjoying the here and now... You're probably the only person I've danced with in many years... Actually, you might even be the first one I can simply touch after so long...-
A hint of sadness passes over his face but disappears just as it came. Seeing him in such a raw state tonight is not bad at all... Being gentle and allowing himself to smile, he feels almost human for the first time.
-You're gonna pierce a hole through my face if you keep staring so intensely- he smirks, lowering down beside my ear. I looks away blushing but he forces my chin up -I never said I didn't like that, you can stare as much as you want-
I tilt my head a bit, not knowing exactly what to say to such unexpected flirtation -See? This is how you should do it with that man. You need to surprise him and wrap him around your fingers- he purrs those words out
-Are you saying you have me around your fingers?-
-Don't I?- his eyes shines as he tightens the grip on my hand, intertwining our fingers... Slowly and gently... -Looks like you're going to crumble if I push you just a bit further...- the warm breaths of his low voice makes me tingle down my back -Uhmph, I'm just training you... Don't get too much into it- he scoffs and straightens back up, leading me at the center of the improvised ballroom.
-Actually... I think you need a much more impactful training, now that you finally archived something you should go for the kill- he licks his canines while looking somewhere in the trees -Impactful? That sounds a bit too much-
He smirks and reaches an hand behind my head, untying my mask and letting it fall to the ground while also removing my hair tie... Swinging my golden locks in the night air -Ehy, what are you doing?!-
He cups my face and lean on me, pressing his lips on mine... Firstly just as a peck but soon after devouring me alive. He looks in my eyes and satisfaction is present in his gaze, along hunger... And not just a lustful type of hunger, a much more sinister and scary one.
I hear fast steps behind me and an hand forcefully snags me away, surprising me. The other man pushes me behind him and looks at that nightly creature with rage -Let go, I might be magnanimous enough to let you off for tonight if you disappear now- he growls like a wolf, marking his territory, to the other man.
He laughs and bows down before walking away... The other man faces me and I finally recognize him, it's that gentlemen from a few hours ago!
-I asked the Master of this House if he could lend you one of his boats to go back home, I've heard you were in need- instead of replying right away, I look at him in disbelief -Uh... Uh ah yes! Yes I do need that, thank you- he nods and show me the way -Let's go back inside for now- he looks back one more time and then follows me back into the mansion.