"Look what I got," Jaya said as she walked into the bar to show Tyran.
It was an invitation to a rather large masquerade ball thrown by a handful of large stores and committees of Serenity City. Somehow Jaya had been invited to go with Tyran. It had obviously been the work of one of her new friends through him.
"There's a party tomorrow night," she said as she handed him the invitation. "Basically a costume party to celebrate Halloween!"
"What? What party?" He asked her with surprise. "I was planning to have a quiet evening. I'm not gonna dress up like some monkey."
"Who said you had to be a monkey?" she laughed. "I think we could find you something infinitely more interesting!" Her smile was bright and her eyes danced with mischief.
"It seems that I won't be able to escape from this, huh?" He sighed. "Alright then, but only because you insist."
She giggled. "I definitely insist!" she replied. "I was thinking . . . because of your age and how wonderful you look . . . How about you dress up as a vampire? A very, very handsome vampire!" she added as she kissed him.
"A vampire? Me?" He grinned, liking the idea. "It's fitting with the only exception being that I am very alive, I don't bite and I'm also not fond of blood."
She laughed. "You'll make a wonderful vampire! As for me . . . I think I might be a princess. I've never worn one of those fancy dressed with the hoop underneath. I think I'd like to try that . . . I bet I could shift into one, or at the very least replicate one . . . Though shifting might be easier. That way I don't have to worry about it later . . ."
"Shifting?" He suddenly looked at her. "And what is the fun in that?"
"It's easier to control, I suppose," she replied as she shifted into another outfit, leaving her current one on the floor. The new one was all back, tight and very sexy.
"I have to say I like it, but how do I become a vampire? I'd like to be pale, have teeth that you can't tell are fake, yellow eyes . . . and also long dark brown, straight hair, because my own is sandy. I don't want anyone to recognize me at first glance."
"I think we can do that," she smiled, leading him off into the other room to make plans.
Jaya and Tyran showed up at the party in one of the large halls in town. So many people were there that they knew, it was almost as if they had called the party together themselves. Children were running around, getting candy from different tables and from selected people who were dressed up. Several games were also being played. Part of the hall was made into a carnival for the children. The other half was filled with a dance floor, a band, food and tables to sit . . . The back doorway lead out to a courtyard that was decently lit with a fountain trickling water softly in the center.
Tyran was dressed as the vampire he had wanted to be and on his arm was Jaya, dressed as the most regal princess anyone could have ever imagined. Her skirt was large, but wasn't uncommon for the era she was trying to portray. Even her hair was done up in a fancy, old-fashioned design, and it was a striking white. It offset the white and pink of her dress. And in her hair she wore a sparkling tiara.
Many people stopped what they were doing to look when the couple entered the room.
Tyran smiled as he helped her off the stairs where they entered. His green eyes were now yellow, with the help of his friend Dominic, who had altered Tyran's looks for him. He was dressed in clothing of the 19th century Earth. He looked stunning. Many women stopped to look at him as many men looked at Jaya.
"I guess we're stealing the show," Jaya smiled as she leaned in and kissed his cheek in a manner most royal.
"We sure are. It was a good idea of yours to let Dom alter my looks."
"I have a few good ideas every now and again," she smiled. "Let's find a table . . . then we can worry about food and drinks," she replied.
"I hope I can eat with those teeth, they're still sensitive." He grinned.
"I'm sure you'll manage," she replied. "You do look fantastic . . ."
"So do you . . . like a dream," He smiled and kissed her while they sat down.
"Look," Jaya said pointing over to the kids. "Rachel's over there . . . She's dressed just like a cat!" Jaya was smiling brightly as she watched Rachel play one of the games. She had to throw a ball and knock some little dolls over. She had to get at least two knocked down for a prize. She only made one, but the man tending the booth, threw another one and knocked the second one down for her.
"Now look at that! The little lady has won herself a prize!" The guy winked at her and Rachel giggled.
Though she hadn't seen the Peters very often, Jaya was taken in completely by their little girl. She reminded Jaya so much of Emmy.
"She looks like your Emily, the hair, the eyes . . ." Tyran said suddenly. "Look there's Bethany." He pointed at a young Klingon teen in complete Klingon warrior attire.
"That outfit suits her," Jaya said admiring the workmanship. "A lot must have gone into it."
"Her real father is half Klingon. Look there he is. He's not often here. He gave Bethany to her mother when he was sent out on several deep space missions. They divorced because he was never home. It eventually made it easier for Bethany to accept her stepfather."
"He's quite the Klingon," Jaya said admiring his attire as well. It was clear to see that Bethany still loved her father very much.
"He is. He was raised by humans. We became friends around 20 years ago. Back then he was ten."
He saw Bethany tug at her father's clothes and point at them. Her father smiled and together they walked over the Tyran and Jaya.
"Jaya? This is my father, T'kal."
"Greetings, T'kal," Jaya replied with a smile. "I'm Jaya Bourne."
"Greetings, Bethany has told me much about you." He smiled.
"Great dress, but where's Tyran?" Bethany asks.
"I believe he went to get us drinks or something," she smiled, her green eyes dancing with all the happy commotion going on around her.
Tyran soon returned smiling at Bethany.
"Are . . . is he dead?" Her eyes widened.
Jaya laughed. "No, he's what's called a Vampire; a mythical being from Earth's ancient legends. He looks very good, doesn't he?" There was a playfulness in her reply as she gave Tyran a once over again, admiring him for more than his costume.
He smiled back. "Vampires are dead, well the living dead, Bethany. They bite people and drink their blood."
Bethany nodded and her father as well. They talked a little more about vampires but someone caught T'kal's eye. "I must excuse myself. There is someone I must speak with. Come, Bethany." Bethany waved and followed her father.
Jaya waved back as she smiled. The girl was so sweet. "This really was a great idea. It brings everyone together . . . Everyone's having a great time . . . Definitely. Who ever came up with this idea should come up with more like it."
"You think so?" Tyran looked innocently at her.
She laughed softly as she took the drink he had brought and sipped it. It was some red concoction that was sweet and fruity - almost like punch, yet she could taste the alcohol underneath.
After watching the delight of the children more, Jaya then turned to look out on the dance floor. Several couples were out dancing to the eclectic sounds of the band.
"Shall we?" Tyran proposed and soon they were on the dance floor, enjoying themselves with the moves and the music.
Suddenly, a slow song began to play and Jaya smiled as she caressed Tyran's cheek.
Tyran kissed her while they danced close to one another, feeling her body against his.
But then, there was a tap on his shoulder.
He looked around to see who it was.
It was a man about Tyran's height. He was dressed in an old fashioned suit with cape and top hat. Three-quarters of his face was covered with a white face mask . . . He was suppose to be the Phantom of the Opera.
"May I cut in?" the man asked.
"Alright," Tyran sighed reluctantly, but he stayed polite.
As Jaya allowed the switch in partners there was something about this man that had her on edge. There was something almost familiar about him.
"I don't get the sense that you're from around here," Jaya said as they twirled around the room.
"No, not actually . . ." he replied with a smile behind the mask.
"Here on business?" she asked.
"Of sorts," he replied, his gray eyes gazing at her with mischief. "And I must say, though you seem to belong here, I venture you're not from here either?"
She looked at him, her green eyes assessing him quickly. "No," she replied. "I moved here a few months ago for a holiday."
"Ah . . . I see that you fit in and yet are apart as well," he said. "You're different from the others."
She didn't answer the implied question.
"And have you danced with the others?" she asked. "I mean, you really can't know unless you do."
"Well, they're not the ones I'm interested in," he smiled. "I'm only interested in Jaya Bourne . . . The quite accomplished Jaya Bourne."
Here eyes betrayed nothing, but a chill went down her back.
"And what do you know about me?" she asked.
He smirked. "I know a lot . . . Like you were on Kritarus not too long again . . ."
She stiffened at his words. Their eyes met. "And how would you know that?"
"I make it a point to know my adversaries . . ."
As the song ended Jaya pulled her hands away from him. "I believe the dance is over." She began to step away from him, but he said to her.
"The dance is just beginning,"
She turned to look at him, but he'd already melted into the crowd.
As she walked off the dance floor, she couldn't stop the trembling through her body, though it wasn't apparent to anyone other than herself. She was also pale and her breaths were short and rapid.
Tyran was talking to Danayal, who was dressed as Robin Hood not too far away. They both smiled when they saw her approach.
"How did he dance? Better than Tyran?" Danayal greeted her.
She forced a smile. "No one can compare to Tyran," she replied. But as Tyran looked into her green eyes, he could see something was there. Something she was hiding from those around her. Something, she probably couldn't talk about in the company of others.
"Danayal, excuse me for a moment, I need some fresh air." Tyran pulled Jaya with him. Soon they were in the large botanical garden. It was deserted. He sat her down on a bench, and handed her some water he'd taken from the refreshments tables on their way out. "What is it, Jaya?"
"I think he's here . . ." she said softly looking around the garden, but not feeling a presence. She took a deep breath knowing that at least he wasn't near.
"The Dark Shadow?"
She nodded. "I'm almost sure it was him . . ." she said, trying to steady her breath. "He knew I went to Kritarus . . . He was there. Of course, he'd know . . . But you were the only person to know outside of Alec."
"And I haven't told anyone." He said softly, knowing he spoke the truth.
"I know you wouldn't," she said as she caressed his face. "But he knows where I am . . ." she then took a breath and let it out. "Maybe it wasn't him? Maybe it was just someone from the space port that knew my flight path . . ." She was thinking of everything she could to make this man not be the Dark Shadow.
"Was it the man that asked me to give you to him for that dance?"
She nodded.
"Then we better warn, Alec."
"I need a drink first though . . . a strong drink . . ."
"You take that drink. I'll call Alec." He got to his feet and disappeared before she could stop him.
She returned to the table where they had been sitting after getting the strongest drink she could from the bar. On the table was an envelope. Her name scrawled on the front elegantly.
Her hands were trembling as she picked up the envelope, opened it and pulled out the note inside.
You're much lovelier than I anticipated . . . Smart and beautiful. I look forward to our further games.
Ever more,
Dark Shadow
As she looked at the signature, her stomach turned over. He'd seen her. He knew where she was . . . He could kill her . . . But she knew from the note that wasn't his intention. She pushed the drink aside and felt sick to her stomach.
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