The Vampire Queen's Rebirth

Chapter Twenty Two

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It may have been a masquerade ball but no one could be able to miss the beauty that descended the stairs calmly.She was in a black Victorian strapless ball gown with red lace folding over the front and back in exquisite pleats,her curly crimson hair held up with crystal rhinestone pearl flower hair pins with black lace embellished heels that clicked on the floor as she walked on down.She folded her decorative silk hand fan away once she got to the bottom,her red and black masquerade eye mask matching her hair and dress as well as her black long satin gloves.Her make up was light with deep red lipstick looking marvelous on her breathtaking lips.William walked behind her in a perfectly fitting Black Victorian suit with a white masquerade eye mask that he didn't seem to pleased to be wearing.

Reina smiled once a bunch of the guests approached her with a bow,the men seeming deeply enthralled by her beauty while the women stared on with mock smiles on their lips.

''Fashionably late as always.You'd think that after all this years,that would change.''the lime green eyed beauty muttered before turning to walk away.

''Wait...Please...I thought you weren't going to abandon me to all of 'them'...''Luke said,holding her hand.The warm feeling that had encompassed him earlier on filled him once more.There was something very special about her that he just couldn't let go of.

''For some weird reason,I cannot bring myself to abandon you...I'll come find you before the waltz begins,I promise.''she replied with a slight smile,watching as he kissed her hand lightly before she walked on away and disappeared through the crowd.

''Wait..but I don't even know your.....name.''Luke muttered before turning back to Zero who still seemed completely enthralled by Reina.

''I have no idea how you're going to repay me but it better be good.''They both stared as she greeted people all around,some bowing before her while others just downright flirted with her which earned them a scary look from William and a step back from Reina out of their personal space and back into hers.

''I told you she wouldn't arrive until everyone was here.She always was a master of the art of being 'Fashionably late'.If you'll excuse me,I have people to find and avoid.''the police officer said,walking away just as a tall,black haired middle aged man approached them.His black eyes behind his Colombiano Barocco Cavalli silver masquerade mask seemed aflame with amusement as well as satisfaction.Beside him was a gorgeous brunette clad in a nice blue ball gown,her grin exposing her fangs lightly which the two men did not dare miss.

''Looks like someone still hasn't gotten over California....''he said,staring after Chief Leonard's receding back.

''I'm sorry but do we know each other?''Zero asked,confused as he tried to recall where he'd seen him before.

''No....Unfortunately..but I did know your father....He was a great man.I never got the chance to pass my condolences to you back at the funeral.I got rather....occupied.''Zorin replied,glancing momentarily at Reina who seemed suddenly annoyed at the sight of them.Zero turned to Luke who also seemed to have gotten to the same conclusion he had.

''Thank you....You'll have to pardon me though,my father never really mentioned you....We weren't very...close.''Zero replied,earning a smirk from Zorin.

''No need....I'm sure you now realize why he never mentioned me,judging from the dilation in your pupils....We notice a lot of things,Zero,including the slight change of your heartbeat once you realized where you'd first seen me....''the man replied,a secret smile spreading across his lips once he saw the agitation on both their faces.The gullibility of the human mind was always a wonder to him.

''Where are my manners......I am Zorin Demonaire,Head of the Royal Demonaire Household. And this Diana.''Zorin said,shaking their hands.

''Zero Black but clearly you knew that already.This is my best friend Luke Mason.''Zero glanced at Luke who uneasily shook Zorin's proffered hand and lightly kissed Diana's as Zero had.Diana grinned,seeming to enjoy the events unfolding before her but she didn't utter a single word.

''I did but now that we have had a chance to talk in person and get to know each other,I have to say I rather like you.You really are following your father's footsteps....Its a pleasure to meet you both....''he said with a slight nod.

''The Family Legacy has to continue,don't you agree?And The pleasure is all ours,Mr Demonaire.''Zero watched as Diana frowned at the title he'd used to refer to him.She was about to speak up when Zorin held her back,shaking his head.

''Yes of course....Forgive her,she just hasn't heard anyone call me 'Mr' in a while......So I understand you have been looking for the person who murdered your father.''They both froze,completely perplexed by his sudden out of the blue question.

''News must travel very fast in this town for a Royal to have heard about my interests.''Zero replied,watching as Zorin grinned with a shrug.

''Yes well your interests happen to have caused quite the hussle around town....All that's left is for you to turn which seems to be approaching rather fast....I don't suppose you've met your helmurrin...''Zorin was saying when he was interrupted by a luminous blue black haired man in a black eye mask,the familiar ocre eyes a lit with exasperation as well as mischief.

''Now... now,Lord Demonaire. We both know that that is certainly none of your business.How about you stop overstepping your jurisdiction so that we can go back to the party,hmm?''Zorin stared at him,stunned.He clearly wasn't expecting to see the two.

''Dameon?I didn't....I had no idea you were coming..''Zorin stammered out,struggling to keep his composure.Zero and Luke glanced at each other,the tension between the two not lost on them both.

''Well,now you do.....I am actually quite glad I did..Now I get to confirm the rumors.....Really?New Born's?They're your pass times now?Such mediocrity.And to think you called my habits disgusting and repulsive once....''Dameon snorted,earning a cold look from Diana and an exasperated sigh from Zorin.

''That's enough,Dameon. If you could just give me a moment to explain...''He was saying,his tone sounding a tad bit pleading when she spoke up,her voice just as eccentric and powerful,silencing them all.

''Is there a problem here?Zorin?''Reina asked,her violet eyes narrowing as she looked casually from one to the other.

''Not at all,Lady Gremory. I was just getting to know the new head of the Black bloodline,but it seems I have overstepped my welcome.....It was a pleasure to meet you Zero.Mr Mason.....We shall have this conversation later....Come along darling.''Zorin replied,pulling Diana away who was having a stare on with a disinterested Reina.Dameon shrugged,not at all fazed by the Royal Vampire's affirmation.

Dameon turned to Reina,kissing her hand lightly before pulling her to him.The chemistry emmanating from the two was unmistakable,prompting Zero to look anywhere else but at them as a turmoil of emotions filled him.Luke glanced at his best friend,pity written all over his face.

''You look dazzling as always.The sight of you vaguely reminded me of the Forties.Good times,huh,my love?''Dameon said,grinning at her.She smiled at him,seeming instantly amused by a fond memory.She glanced passively at both Luke and Zero,the latter downing his second champagne glass in that very short moment,before turning back to Dameon.

''How could I not?And Thank You.I see you've had another blast from the past.''Reina replied,glancing to the other side of the room where Zorin was,deep in conversation with a man in uniform whom she gathered must be Chief Leonard.

''Yes well it was bound to happen soon enough.Either way,I'm glad I did.He was becoming rather probing on your friend's affairs...Its good to see you both again.''Dameon relied,grinning over to Zero and Luke who only nodded and smiled slightly with a shrug.

''Thank you Dameon. I owe you one.''he snorted,kissing her cheek.

''We both know you owe me more than one,especially after tonight......And that I would do anything for you.''she grinned,seeming to blush slightly at that.Zero rolled his eyes at that,picking another champagne glass from one of the passing waiters.For some weird reason,he certainly did not like this ocre eyed god.

''I would kick your ass if you wouldn't. Now,it seems your date is getting impatient....''Reina chuckled lowly,gesturing at a brunette in a golden dress who seemed pretty pissed at them all for some reason. Dameon grinned before planting a longing kiss on her cheek.

''I'll see you all later..''he said,walking off towards the brunette who was immediately smiling after a simple whisper in her ear.Of course he could do that.Zero was about to take another sip when Reina grabbed the glass and placed it on a passing Waiter's tray.

''That's enough for you,for now that is..''she said,raising a brow that halted him mid speech.They both stared at each other,none wiling to back down until Luke spoke up.

''I don't believe we've met formally.Luke Mason.''he outstretched his hand,kissing Reina's once she proffered it.

''Reina Gremory. Pleasure to meet you,Lucas.I hope its okay if I call you so.''she said with a wide grin.Luke seemed taken aback for a moment by her before finally replying.Zero glanced at him,an amused smile playing on his lips.He knew Luke hated being called 'Lucas'.It reminded him too much of his past.A past he'd buried along with his dead mother.

''Why of course.....just as I hope calling you Reina and remarking at how breathtaking you look won't make me tonight's dinner.''Reina laughed,completely amused by him while Zero stared at the events unfolding before him in pure shock.That sly idiot.Well played.William chuckled too,alerting them both to his presence.

''By all means...And thank you for the compliment...If it comes from you then surely I must have done something right......''Luke blushed profusely at that,earning a snort from Zero,''Oh,and believe me when I say that you are in neither my 'dinner' list nor any other vampire in this room for that matter....I personally already ate...as I'm sure most of them have.''she added with a wink before turning to the spiral staircase where the floor manager was perched,clicking on his champagne glass to quiet them down.

''Introducing our hosts for the night,Lord Saber Leviathan and his beautiful niece,Lady Maya Leviathan.''he announced,turning just as they both descended the steps.Saber was clad in an English dress suit as the rest were only his cravat was a sophisticated gold,matching his Roman Gladiator mask.Maya on the other hand was a resplendent dirty blonde haired beauty with the most alluring of brown eyes and perfect features that matched her Uncle's in most ways.She was clad in a light champagne colored ball gown with golden lace and embroidery,matching light cream lace gloves and matching waltzing air heels.She had a cream colored mask on over her light made up eyes,light brown lip gloss that matched her flawless skin.She held a matching hand fan which she held in her other hand as she held onto Saber with her other hand,a smile on her lips.The crowd clapped,everyone remarking on her perfection.

''Thank you.All of you.I would like to welcome you all to our home this evening.I swear I never thought I would see the day when this mansion would fill up this much but I'm glad and grateful for this moment,one that doubt I shall ever forget.This evening is dedicated to a foundation that my Uncle and I began a few years ago.One that is very close to our hearts.The Milan Leviathan foundation was named after my late mother who passed away when I was five years old due to a drug overdose.We both began this foundation when I grew older and understood the implications of her death in order to help those going through the same qualms of drug use as well as their families such as ours not to go through what we went through after she died.I had the privilege of having my Uncle Saber with me but others out there may not have anyone to give them the comfort and support he gave me.I mean,I was a very troublesome child...I was a complete mess but he got me back to my senses.Its a wonder he still looks so perfectly young.Makes you wonder what kind of tricks he's got up his sleeve....Either way,It is with a humble heart that I implore you all to make a donation to this worthy cause.By doing this,you would have contributed towards bettering the lives of others out there.And so without delving further into my disturbed childhood,I invite the man who made this night possible and the one with the killer hair products....Saber Leviathan!''she finished,earning a loud round of applause as well as laughs from the crowd.

Zero turned to Reina who seemed enthralled by her.Her gaze held so much longing and wonder during her entire speech.The emotion had been so vivid that it had taken him back a notch. William glanced at him with a knowing glance before turning back to the events before him.In that moment,he knew for a fact that there was a story there.A story he would ultimately know all about because he felt it had a very big connection to everything happening and everything about to happen.

''Thank you,sweetheart.I believe my darling here has said everything,almost including my preferred hair product.I am very proud of her enthusiasm as well as commitment to this foundation.I also have to say I am impressed as to how she just handle that speech.Honestly speaking,she was going crazy a few hours ago,with absolutely no idea what she would say.....It just comes to show that she will one day be an amazing head of the Leviathan Household.And thus,I ask you all to rummage into your wallets and make massive donations.There was a reason as to why we invited people with Bugatti's and lots of plastic surgery.''The crowd burst into fits of laughter,the Vampires around snickering at the comment.It was clear that that had been directed to the mortals present.

''The reason behind the whole Victorian Masquerade Ball theme was mainly due to my sister's love for the historic Victorian age.She loved the sophistication of the balls,her passion so in deep that you would think she actually lived in that age....It was through this that Maya saw it best to have such a party.In her honor.We would like to thank you for embracing it for you all look beyond lovely.I know it gets a little bit frustrating to find your date but that's actually one of the main reasons for the masks.You might never know who you meet in this night of many possibilities.....And so a toast to Milan Leviathan for this perfect night and to her passions and dreams.''Saber raised his champagne glass,clicking it with Maya who planted a loving kiss on his cheek before taking a sip.

''Cheers.''the crowd affirmed,following suit.

''And now,an Old Customary Waltz chosen especially for this occasion.If you could all please follow the floor manager into the ballroom.''Saber said,placing his glass down as well as Maya's before leading her through the double doors opened by the floor manager,revealing a beautiful chandelier lit ball room with an orchestra perched at the far end of the room,different from the one that had been in the other room.The brown tiled ball room floor had a big italicized 'L' in the middle of other urbane designs that brought matched the ones on the walls as well as the ceiling.Everyone filed in,their awe filled expressions all the same at the sight of the room.

''The First Waltz shall be Dmitri Shoshtakovic's Waltz no.2 that shall be danced by Lord and Lady Leviathan as well as their family acquaintances of whom it has grown customary since the days of their Ancestors to dance to;Lord Demonaire and his preferred Lady and Lady Gremory and her preferred Lord.If they could please join us on the ball room floor.''the Floor Manager announced,glancing at Reina and Zorin in turn.

Zorin nodded,proceeding to the center with Diana who looked beyond elated at the honor bestowed upon her. Reina glanced at Saber,the shock evident on her face when he prompted her to step forward.She knew he knew she wouldn't come with a date to the dance,especially one who knew the waltz they were talking about.It was why she had danced it with him back then,all those years before.

''What the hell is he doing?''she muttered over to William who only shrugged with a secret smile he'd been brandishing ever since the Floor Manager had mentioned Ancestors.Suddenly,without warning,Zero stood a proper distance from her and bent his body gracefully which he accompanied by a slight motion of the right hand in front.He looked at her amicably and respectfully spoke up.

''Will you favor me with your hand for this dance?''Reina stared at him in complete and utter shock,as did everyone in the room.They all wondered whether he could pull it off,Luke included who was about to step forward and pull him back with a sly comment like 'too much booze' and a chuckle when a familiar warm feeling filled him,prompting him to turn back to his lime green eyed mysterious lady.

''No....Don't.......''she whispered,gesturing for him to look back at Reina who curtsied with a secret smile.

''With pleasure, Sir.''was her reply as she let him lead her to the middle of the ballroom floor.She glanced back at the others who were completely speechless.All but William who was by now grinning and Saber who only winked at her.

''Please tell me your father taught you this waltz.''Reina muttered over to Zero who only shrugged.Even he had no idea why the hell he had done what he'd done.It was like he hadn't had control of his body in that small moment.

''I guess we'll have to find out.''he replied,winking over to her as the Floor Manager signaled for the orchestra to begin.They both bowed and began to circle each other before joining their hands together where Zero pulled her to him,his hand slightly above her waist as his hand joined hers.She placed her left hand on his shoulder,allowing him to move her through the entire floor,his grace and skill earning him looks of longing from the women and men alike.

''The trick with the waltz is that its so swift yet so graceful.''he remarked as they passed Saber and Maya who glanced at them,her interest piqued. Reina smiled at his comment,spinning as he turned her before pulling her back and continuing on swiftly around the whole room.

''Zachary used to say that all the time...He was a remarkable waltzer.You seem to have taken after him in that department.You actually seem to be better than he was....He would kill me for saying this but he sometimes slacked on his speed.''She replied with a grin,one that momentarily took his breath away.He gulped as she turned her back to him,moving with that rhythm as the notes went higher.

''I don't doubt that for a second....Even during combat practice back when I was eleven,it would give me a chance to land a few blows.''he remarked with a sad smile,turning her to face him only to see her disturbed smile.

''I hope you know that he did all he did to protect you.He loved you more than his own life.You were and surely still are everything to him.''she remarked,lightly brushing his cheek with the back of her hand before placing it back on his shoulder.The gesture resonated deep within him,pulling at a part of him that he thought had been lost a long time ago.

''I know he did....Its why I miss him so much.I never got the chance to say I was sorry for leaving.And also to tell him how much I love him.''Reina smiled,placing both her hands on his chest as he put his on her waist.She sighed,loving the safety feeling that came with it.One she hadn't felt for centuries.

''He definitely knows and will always be right here....In your heart.I mean, where else would he rather be than watching over you? Only he's comfortably enjoying all that the Fade has to offer....Maybe even having a whisky too!Such is Zachary Black.''she said,pulling away from him as the orchestra reached one of the low notes,circling him as he did her.It was then that she noticed the looks of envy on everyone's face at their synchronized moves.She was sure they were all dying to join in,much to their disappointment.Zero pulled her back,flush to his chest as the notes rose higher and higher.

''You really know him so well....Speaking of which,I found an entry about you in his journal.He seemed quite fond of you.''Reina froze momentarily at that.

''He did?Hmmm..Interesting.I always Thought he was writing his bucket list on that thing....Do you have it with you?I should love to see those 'fond' things he said about me.''she remarked with a slight chuckle.

''With pleasure.He might smite me with lightning or whatever the hell it is he can find up there but I'm sure he wouldn't mind you taking a sneak peek.''Reina laughed out loud,the sound traveling all round the room where everyone turned to them,astonished,especially the Vampires.Clearly no one had ever seen the great Queen of Vampires laugh as hard as she just did.And for it to be a Hunter's doing.It was Unspeakable.No one would have believed it unless they'd seen it for themselves.

Zero chuckled,taking in her heavenly Jasmine scent as she laid her head on his chest.It really was as intoxicating as his father had explained it in his entry.He stared at her,lifting her up as she spread her hands like a bird in flight before he put her down slowly,bending her down slightly before pulling her back up.

''What?''she asked with a slight smile when she noticed his stare.

''Have I mentioned you look...''

''Attractive..Pretty....Good Looking....alluring.....prepossessing.....and so forth..I swear I've heard every single synonym for beautiful get thrown at me tonight and for the past eight hundred years..and I doubt they're done.''she interrupted,rolling her eyes at it.Zero laughed,unable to hold back his mirth.

''Actually I was going to say......Disturbed by something.A thought.A feeling.But then again...they could work too.....Are you okay?''he said,watching as she looked away with a mild chuckle.

''Well played,Black........I'm fine though...I've never been this fine in a while actually...''she remarked with a slight furrow of her brows that made her look so vulnerable,it was completely otherworldly.

''But you really do look pulchritudinous...Wait...that sounded too smart and nerdy......Is that even a word?''Zero said with a frown,earning another loud laugh from Reina.

''Yes.....Yes it is.Don't worry,literature was my favorite major so I would know..I've never heard that one before though from any of my many insistent oglers...I shall keep it close to heart.''she replied,letting him pull her close to him as the last notes of the song played.

''Why do you look so surprised?I did have a life before!'she added,watching as he got out of his daze.

''I'd like to hear all about it someday...Your past life.''He said,bending her down as the last note was played,the whole crowd clapping furiously.

''Someday.''she whispered,staring deep into his fathomless gray eyes as he lifted her.Their hearts were beating as one,both of them feeling the rush of the moment.The exhilaration as well as the familiarity that couldn't even be explained.She backed away at that moment,curtsying as he bowed before her,presenting his right arm so as to lead her back to the crowd.

''Thank you for the dance.It was beyond incredible.''she muttered,squeezing his hand with a smile.

''No thank You,My Lady....For trusting me.''he replied with a proud smirk.She shrugged.

''Do You trust Me?''she asked,turning to him once they were a few ft away from the rest.He glanced at Luke who seemed pretty preoccupied with his lime green eyed date leading him to the middle of the ballroom.

''I assure you that he is in safe hands.Now do you trust me, Zero?''The look in her eyes was enough to tell him what he already knew.He would give his life for her if it ever came down to it.That was something he was sure as hell of.

''I do.''he replied,watching as she gave William a signal to which he nodded and approached them.

''Then follow me.''she muttered,walking off in the other direction towards the Orchestra,a bad feeling wadding through him.....

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