A Slayer's Daughter

14

The day of the "ball", Lillian had come into my room a little nervous. The day before, we talked about how I felt and she asked if I could forgive her for not telling me? I was still mad, but I wasn't even sure with who, so I let her off the hook. Even with that, she walked a little cautiously on the day. She told me someone had sent me flowers early this morning, so I went to see them. There were two bouquets of roses, but one had a mix of black roses and the other just the reddest and the buds were in bloom. Both had notes, one said "I can't wait." and the other "We need to talk". I wasn't sure which gave me more anxiety. Lillian came to stand next to me, as a knock came at the door again. As a new bouquet of orchids came in, she took the card, and giggled. I was just relieved they were from John.

Lillian then explained that I'd been under so much stress. What did I think of going to get dolled up before the ball? I accepted, even though Dalton had dropped off some things I needed to look into, it could wait for a day. Once at the nail salon, they started with a much needed foot rub and a pedicure. Then they moved to our hands. That's when I realized I didn't even have a dress for the ball. Lillian squealed with excitement. After we got done at the nail salon, we went to a dress store, and to my surprise, the man had a very unusual wedding dress style. He was into the Goth idea, a lot of beautiful black, some dark blue, and all red. If I could just find one not so over the top. I looked around until I ran into one. It was in my mind, perfect. It was a deep red and a lacy black cover on top. It had the old-fashioned style of a ball gown, big and spread out wide. The only modern thing was the cold shoulder top. As I looked at it, the man came up behind me.

"Want to try it on?"

"Oh, um...sure." I said nervously, then he got it off the hook, and Lillian helped me into it in the changing rooms. She was on the verge of tears as she looked at me.

"You look gorgeous, Alex."

"Thank you, Lillian."

I went out so that the man could see if it needed any fixing. He, too, was astounded by how it looked. He wanted $3,000 for it. I was about to leave the dress, but Lillian wouldn't hear of it.

"Lillian, it's too much!"

"No, it's fine, go take it off, and we can have him put it in a box for us. Without the train. Please."

The guy nodded once, and went to do what he was asked. Came back with the box. using my magic to make the box float, we didn't have to carry it out. The man was paid and we left. Once in the car, I went off on her. She just smiled. We got to the house, and soon after, another car parked behind us. It was the woman from the hair salon. She was there to do our hair, and one of her girls did our make-up. We got inside and they got started with me. First, I had so much hair, and the hair stylist had an idea for it. It was to curl the whole thing. After she did that, she did a half up, half down style. I was in love with it. My hair was half way down my back, this made it look shorter, but it was beautiful. Once she was done, I headed to get my make-up done. The make-up artist did a whole line of things, from foundation, to lashes. By the time she let me see, I was convinced I was born in the wrong era. I went to get my dress on, and when I saw the finished product, I even surprised myself. All I needed was the crown.

"Oh!" I heard at the door, and found Lillian, now in tears, " Alex!"

I had to smile, the artists were definitely proud of their work. When we came down, by then it was already six.

"Is it really?"

"Yeah, it took us a while to get ready."

"Wow, so what now? We wait?"

As if to answer my question, there came a knock at the door. It was John. He was definitely dressed for the part, but with a modern twist, making him look more dashing. The look he gave my aunt filled my heart with happiness, the man was just smitten with her. Then he turned to look at me, and gave me a small bow. Making me laugh.

"I didn't realize I was in the presence of royalty." he said jokingly.

"Stop, John, but thank you for the compliment!" I said. Soon another knock came at the door, it was Will. For some reason, John looked confused, and Lillian's expression fell when she saw him.

"Will." I said. He took in my dress and my hair. He seemed...put off somehow. But he shook his head, and led me out to a limo. There was something off with everyone, and again I was the last to know.

The ride over seemed tense, and it put me on edge. We arrived at the biggest hotel in town. It was decorated to the fullest. Everywhere you looked, it was as if I had just walked into the middle ages. Before I could walk in too far, Will handed me a mask. I looked around and everyone else was wearing them. So I took it and put it on. I looked around and recognized Lillian and John, and caught sight of Dalton with his date, and Calista, who was alone. Everyone kept complimenting my dress and my hair. Will, seemed to be parading me around, as if he were trying to prove something.

"Can we dance?" I asked as he pulled me from person to person.

"Not yet, I want you to meet..."

"No, I came to have fun, not be your arm candy!" I said semi-calmly, but it did catch a few glances. He smiled pleasantly at everyone but yanked me to the dance floor more or less. Before we got too far, someone ran into us.

"I'm sure that's not how you treat a lady!" I heard Chris tell Will and pulled his hand away from my arm. They just glared at each other for a while, before Will let go and walked away.

"You didn't have to do that." I said. Chris turned to me. And offered his arm, like a real gentleman. I took it and he led me to the dance floor, a new song came on and it was a waltz. I started to panic. Chris pulled me close to him and effortlessly led me onto the dance floor.

"Did you get my flowers this morning?" He whispered in my ear.

"I'm not sure what more there is to say, I've been perfectly clear." my reply made him chuckle, but he didn't miss a beat.

"I'm afraid there has been a misunderstanding, and I wish to clarify."

"Oh, really, a misunderstanding like what, how you're two timing Amanda."

He glared at me, but then it softened.

"That's a mistake easily fixed."

"If it is, then do it before you start making promises to other women."

I felt his hold on me tighten a bit.

"Are you saying..."

"I'm not talking about you and me, Chris, that's not possible."

He stopped again, as he looked at me. He looked scared.

"What does that mean?"

I looked away. As much as I wanted Chris, I couldn't be. My mate was still out there and I couldn't get attached to someone when there was still a chance.

"Like I said, it's not possible now if you'll excuse me."

I pulled away from him and headed out in the direction Will had gone. He was looking out at a pond, the air was finally getting a small chill, but not bad enough for a coat. The night sky filled with stars.

"Done with your dance?" he asked sarcastically.

"I'm not sure what you want from me, Will, I came here with you and you're treating me like some kind of show dog. From the moment you saw me, you've been off. What's going on?"

He took a deep breath, and turned to look at me.

"I..wanted tonight to be perfect for both of us but I guess what they say about signs.."

"Signs...for what?"

He suddenly pulled out a small box. My stomach plummeted. Was that what I thought it was?

"Alex, I know we've known each other for only a month, but it's true what people say, you just know when someone is right, it's right. I feel that with you, and really..."

"No, Will. No I can't."

He went pale, and his eyes filled with anger.

"I don't get what YOU want from me!?" he flipped at me.

"Will, I can't because..."

"You're with Christopher!"

"No, not with him."

"Then why...I can give you everything you've ever wanted and needed!"

"Will, I have a mate!" I yelled out loud, he sneered.

"You can't be serious."

"He's out there and I'm willing to wait."

"Alex, then you will die waiting, because that whole soulmate, BS, is nothing more than giving hopeless people hope!"

I glared at him, as he grinned bitterly.

"That's your opinion, Will, but also...I don't...I don't like you like that."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"I don't have feelings for you, Will, I care for you, but I don't love you, and I'm not going to pretend that I do."

"Is that right, you pretended to like me!"

"No, I like you, but not in the way you want me to."

"So you were using me?"

"What? Using you for what?"

"To make Christopher jealous, or for my money!"

"Wow, now you're just insulting me!" I turned to leave but...

"I really couldn't expect more from a slayer!" I stopped in my tracks. Slowly, I turned back around.

"What?" I asked, trying not to panic. He just grinned.

"So it's true? You're a slayer? Now everything makes sense, you seduce me get some information about my family, and then twist it into a nice pretzel of lies and such. Placing the blame on my father for those witches' deaths was a little over the top, don't you think?"

"You seriously have no idea what you're talking about."

"Don't I? How much do I have to give you for you to drop the charges on my father?"

"I don't want your money! I've never asked you for anything!"

"No, you've just received it gladly, right?"

"You're so blind, even when the facts are so clear!"

He just shook his head, and walked toward me.

"So you say." he whispered in my ear, then walked away. Back into the ball. I sat there just angry, I knew that had been a bad idea and I still did it.

I'm not sure how long I sat there, but after a while I heard footsteps coming, when I looked up I wished I hadn't.

"Just leave me alone, I'm done with all of you."

"Doubt that, but I'll just make a small mental note."

"Chris, just leave me alone!"

I turned my back on him, but that didn't do anything.

"We're still not done talking."

"Yes, we are!" I yelled, heading back inside. He suddenly grabbed my arm, making me stop.

"Like I said, we're not done talking."

He pulled me back toward him, and with a very serious look let go of my arm.

"What did you mean earlier?"

"As I told Will, just now. I'm waiting for my mate!"

"Your mate? You have a mate?" he asked, more curious then anything.

"Yes, Chris, I'm a witch after all, and witches have mates, don't they?"

He seemed to come to an understanding, because he nodded.

"What's his name?"