"I am not what you think I am, Lucia." Damian turned around to face her, his eyes holding a menacing gaze that sent a shiver traveling down her spine.
Damian turned away sharply when he smelt her fear. Of course, she was scared like the rest of the humans. She was no different from them.
"Lady Lucia!" Anna called for her but Lucia didn't move.
Lucia blinked twice, her hand traveled to her chest but remained where she stood. "I was scared for a second."
"You should be." A voice that wasn't Damian's replied.
"Who's there?" Lucia demanded.
The owner of the voice flew out of the stables. It was a bat.
"Jesus Christ!" Lucia fell to the floor and the bat transforms into a human, laughing his eyes out.
"Oh. You should've seen your face. It was priceless." The bat-turned-human slapped his knee, laughing.
With a frown, Lucia got to her feet and pushed him to the floor. "There. Now, we're even."
Bat is startled at her reaction. "You pushed me."
"You almost scared me to death and I fell. Now, my dress is ruined. You're welcome." Lucia rolled her eyes.
Bat smiled and took to his feet. "You're not scared of what I am."
"Aren't you a vampire? I hear vampires can transform into bats." Lucia puts her finger to her chin.
Bat chuckled. "You're a funny one."
"You must be Damian's right hand man."
"If you would call it that then yes. Yes, I am."
"What is your name? I'm Lucia."
"Brave Lady Lucia, I am Bartholomew but my friends call me Bat."
"I'll stick with Bat. It's easier to pronounce." Lucia laughs.
"Likewise Lucy."
"I see."
"Bat, get up here!" Damian ordered.
"Duty calls. You should leave too. Your maid is worried." Bat smiled and turns to leave.
"Wait." Lucia followed him into the stables. Damian was brushing a horse.
"Will you come to the dance?" She asked.
"No." Damian rolled his eyes.
"My maid and probably 100 foot soldiers are looking for me right now in the estate so I've gotta run. But before I do, I want you to say you'll come to the ball with me." Lucia said, looking into his blood-red eyes.
"And it's not a request." Before he could answer, she gave him a peck on the cheek and runs along, leaving Damain stunned for words.
"Such a fascinating creature, isn't she?" Bat smiles at him.
Damian says nothing, still brushing the horse's hair.
Bat loses his patience. "Oh come on. Don't tell me you don't feel anything from that kiss she gave you?"
"Mind your business, Bat." Damian replied.
"Fine," Bat scoffed. "You're no fun."
"We came here to find the white wooden stake. The moment we do, we're leaving." Damian said.
"Leaving to where?" A voice interrupts the duo.
Damian whipped around to see a tall lean stranger dressed in a long black cloak that fell to his knees. His red eyes were sheltered behind a pair of dark rimmed glasses and his jetblack hair was pulled back in a tight ponytail.
"Rayven!" Damian said with disgust.
"Hello, Damian. I couldn't help but listen to your conversation with the human. What a fearless lady she is." Rayven chuckled.
"You will not hurt Lady Lucia!" Damian roared.
"Relax. Who said anything about hurting her?" Rayven smiled. "Uncle Jarlen seeks your presence, Damian, and it's not a request."
- - - - -
Lucia skipped happily to her bedroom. Damian would attend the ball with her. Lost in her own happy thoughts, she didn't realize it when she bumped into a wall. Not just any wall but her eldest sister, Lexa.
- - - - -
Anna gets Lucia ready for lunch in the best gown possible, warning her, of course, not to wander off again but the young lady made no promises.
Lucia went to the dinning room with a smile plastered on her face. Nothing would beat the joy she felt in her heart.
"Hello, family." She greeted with a smile and as usual went to sit beside her Aunt Melissa whom she enjoyed tormenting.
"Hallelujah, somebody. Lucia has finally taken a bath." Lexa chuckled as she spoon-fed her 3 year old son, Lancelot.
The table burst out with laughter but Lucia held her smile.
She returned with a counterattack. "Says the woman who's been led to the altar 4 times but can't keep a husband."
The laughter died down and she smiled.
"I'm sorry. Did I hit a nerve?" Lucia sipped a wine passed to her by Anna.
"Nope." Lexa forced a smile.
In an instant, a freshly buttered roll was thrown at Lucia's face.
Lexa apologised. "Oh I'm sorry. It was just an unprovoked attack from the baby. You know how kids are."
"Aww. He's so cute." Everyone around the table gushed at Lancelot totally forgetting the one who had been attacked in the first place.
Lucia wiped her face with a napkin knowing fully well that Lexa had put her child up to the act.
"I'm sorry. Did I hit a nerve?" Lexa beamed Lucia a mischievous grin.
Sipping her wine, Lucia mouthed to Lexa. "This means war."
Darkness fell over Count von Burren's estate. The ball was about to begin.
In her chambers, Lucia couldn't stop laughing upon hearing Lancelot's cries.
"The poor kid hasn't stopped crying for 30 minutes. His doll is gone." Anna said as she styled Lucia's hair.
Lucia laughed evilly. "Too bad."
Anna shakes her head and went to open the jewelry box. A gasp escape her lips as she lifted the non-jewelry item she had found.
"My Lady, what is sir Lancelot's doll doing in here?" She asked.
"Shh. He'll never find it in here." Lucia whispered.
"But he's crying for it."
"That will teach him not to mess with me." Lucia smiled. Then she quickly changed the topic. "Have you asked Bat what Damian would be wearing tonight for the ball?"
"Yes. I was scared out of my wits when I arrived the stables." Anna recalls her experience.
Lucia snaps her fingers. "Anna, no one cares about your late night fantasies. Tell me what Bat said."
Anna rolled her eyes and picked up a jewelry. "Right. Bat said Sir Damian would like to wear black."
"Good. I'll be matching with my husband-to-be." Lucia smiled.
Damian, from his end, chuckled to himself when he recalled Lucia's kiss.
Bat who was knotting his tie, looked up at him. "What's funny?"
"Nothing. Go get my coat." He says.
"Okay, lover boy."
The party in the great Burren hall begins and all the attendees were gathered in the ballroom.
Lucia held her head high as she walked past ogling eyes with Anna. She enjoyed the fact that people stared at her. That was what she wanted.
"Mommy," she heard Lancelot's voice as he ran by.
When no one was looking, Lucia tripped him and he fell.
He cried. "I'll tell my mommy."
"Go ahead. No one will believe I'd do such a thing." Lucia stuck out her tongue at him.
"I think they would, My Lady." Anna said.
Lucia rolls her eyes. "Well, I don't care. Tonight, I will meet my future husband."
"Me?" August came up beside her.
"Isn't it time you grow up? This is getting old." Lucia replied with a hiss.
"Everything will grow old but not my feelings for you." He said.
"Oh please." Lucia rolled her eyes.
Lucia walked past him. The band of musicians slow down the music they played as the Herald walked to the door, announcing the presence of the vampires processing into the court with a loud "All arise for their Vampire Majesties!"