Monster's Ball :Shadow In Time (6 page)

Not knowing what to say, Gavin was silent again.

“If you open your heart to love just one more time, I can use the resurrection spell. It's the only way to release you from this place, my friend. But you MUST open yourself, I cannot do it for you. Think of it, you too would be physically immortal, and so would your mate. You could be away from here, free to love, and have a family.”

Shaking his head sadly, Gavin didn't think he had the ability to love again, and doubted any woman could reawaken his soul. “No, I couldn't do that to Knorr. She gave her soul for me. How could I love another when she gave her very soul for me? To save ME!” he nearly wailed.

Frustrated, Thoth wanted more than ever for all the cursed and the damned (of a benign spirit) to have a mate. He himself knew how lonely it could be on this realm, but immortality without love could drive even an immortal insane. “Look, just... mingle at the Ball, enjoy the pleasures of the flesh. I know a succubus or two who can please you in ways you never dreamed were possible. They can be a bit clingy, but I can and will protect you. Or how about a trio of wood nymphs, they're always up for anything.”

“Enjoy your Ball, my friend.” Gavin sighed, then slowly disappeared. Although he possessed a physical body, at least until the clock struck twelve on All Hallows Eve, he could choose his form at will in the meantime.

                                                           
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Chapter 6

                                                                      Halloween Evening

“Now, this is a special mixture that was passed down to me from my mother, it's a special rose water, with Cardamom, patchouli, and sandalwood. Women in my family have been using this for generations, and it's guaranteed to get any man’s attention. It's very subtle, not like those skunky perfumes they sell these days. One day I'll pass the means of making it down to you.” Ms. Skeet told Rena as she held out a tiny, but exquisite bottle with a round base and a stunning gilt porcelain stopper. Embossed here and there on the bottle itself were tiny yellow peach roses.

“It's beautiful. It looks so old.” Rena said, running one finger carefully over the porcelain container, fearing she would accidentally break the keepsake.

Pulling the stopper off, the older woman closed her eyes she and inhaled deeply, then released a pleasurable sigh. “The bottle itself here is a gift from an old admirer. He said the peach roses painted on the bottle reminded him of me. He told me they symbolize modesty. That it was a bashful modestly that needs to be expressed, the delicate feeling of constraint..my traits those many years ago.” she smiled, finally handing the bottle to Rena. “Yes, it seems like a lifetime ago.

“That's beautiful, sounds like he was a romantic man.” Rena replied in a soft voice. Taking a sniff of the subtle perfume herself, she smiled. The old woman was right, it smelled almost intoxicating.

“Now that you've taken that milk bath, your skin will be soft as a baby's behind. Just pour the rose water in your hands, then rub it all over your body.” Waving for her younger charge to get busy, Ms. Skeet said, “We still have to curl your hair and get you dressed, the Limo your Mr. Thoth is sending will be here in about an hour and a half.”

With a vigorous nod, Rena set about preparing for what she sensed would be an unforgettable evening.

                                           
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Later, at The Whitman Plantation

As the convoy of limousines (hers being the seventh of twelve) arrived at their destination, Rena's mouth fell open as she took in the sight of the beautiful mansion. On the large front lawn were dozens of brightly lit jack-o’-lanterns of various sizes, some of them sporting humorous faces, others frightening.

As the rear door of the limo opened, Rena stepped out and was greeted by a heavily muscled black male, wearing what appeared to be a black cape made of feathers, which fit around his broad shoulders like a second skin.

“Welcome, Madam. I'm Dalek, the head of security. May I have your invitation?” the man greeted her, speaking with what sounded like a British accent. He then extended one hand.

Glancing at the man's hand, Rena couldn't help but notice the razor sharp talons, which looked real, at least to her. Smiling, she handed the man the invitation, and waited patiently as he checked her name off from a list on his clipboard.

“Very well, please follow me, Ms. Rena.” his deep voice rumbled. Turning his back to her, his back muscles flexed for a moment, and the 'cape' suddenly parted in the middle, then spread to each side, forming a perfect set of wings.

Impressed, Rena studied his back, trying to figure out how the elaborate contraption worked. But, much like the talons, the wings looked real, as if they actually were a part of his body. “Cool trick Mister Dalek.” she giggled, wrapping one arm around his thick bicep and letting him lead the way.

As they slowly climbed the steps that led to the front door, a petite woman darted out of the mansion, yelping and squealing as a man dressed like Clark Kent gave chase. The woman was dressed in a sinfully sheer green mini-dress, and her beautiful auburn hair was adorned with colorful fall flowers. Her pale skin shimmered with golden highlights, and on her back she had wings fashioned from leaves in the color green, gold, and orange. Several seconds later, both the man and woman disappeared into a maze of bushes that stood at least eight feet tall.

“Silly wood nymph, she'll run that foolish male to death.” Dalek chuckled, then opened the door and led Rena inside the mansion.

Taking in the sight of the mammoth foyer, which had been converted into a ballroom, Rena looked around and was stunned at the sight of the guests, of which at least half were wearing costumes just as elaborate as her escort's.

“Quite a sight, is it not?” Dalek's deep voice rumbled.

Nodding absentmindedly, Rena studied two heavily muscled men who looked to be at least seven feet tall. Both were dressed in leather loin cloths with gold buckles on the sides, and ancient looking leather combat boots that went up to their knees. But the most amazing thing about both men was their headdress, which looked amazing like real-life minotaurs. “Wow! They must have shelled out big bucks to pay for a makeup artist that good.” she mumbled. “Too bad cameras aren't allowed, I would love to take pictures of them.”

“Well, Rena, you look scrumptious!” a vaguely familiar voice called.

Turning, she saw Thoth making his way towards them. Dressed in a flowing white robe, his long white hair was unbound, spread around his shoulders and down his back, making his handsome face appear much younger.

“You'll make Aphrodite green with envy.” he smiled as he stopped and stood in front of her. Taking both her hands in his, he brought them up to his lips, brushing the back of her knuckles lightly. “Welcome to Whitman Plantation, may your evening be an exciting one. But I must insist you save at least one slow dance for me. I suspect every fellow here will be vying for your attention, and a chance to hold your luscious body close to them.”

Giggling and giving him a smile that (unbeknownst to her) made her look more radiant than ever, she replied, “You, Mr. Thoth, are a hopeless romantic as well as a flirt.”

Smiling back at her, Thoth couldn't shake the feeling that somehow he knew her, or, at the very least, she reminded him of someone else, someone he couldn't quite put his finger on. Catching a whiff of a vaguely familiar scent, a strange look suddenly came over his face. Studying her thoughtfully for a moment, he spoke in a voice that sounded distant. “My dear, what's that enchanting scent?”

“A concoction my neighbor whipped up, said it's a lotion her mother and her mother's mother taught her how to make. She promised to teach me how to make it, so it can be passed down.”

Thoth's eyes widened, and for a brief moment it seemed as if he would ask another question. Instead, he seemed to pull himself together, then offered his arm and said, “Please allow me to introduce you to some of the guests.”

As Thoth introduced Rena to a beautiful African woman (who he said was an enchantress) named Ajuogo, the woman's husband, an Asian man who was named Yoichi (and who was supposed to be a sorcerer) smiled and bowed politely. They were dressed in identical white robes, with golden rune symbols adorning the sleeves. Finishing the introduction, Thoth explained that both had helped with the planning of the Ball.

Bowing politely herself, Rena thought the couple looked perfect together. Ajuogo's ebony skin seemed to glow with a life of its own, and her oval features were delicately sculpted. Her black hair was twisted in locks that fell down her back, and her husband's blue-black hair fell all the way to his waist. It was evident from the looks the couple exchanged, and the subtle manner in which they touched one another, that they were very much in love. As they made small talk, a sudden voice rang out, “You freak, YOU BIT ME! What the HELL is wrong with you?”

Turning as one, all four focused immediately on a short, but voluptuous black woman nearby, who was glaring up at a handsome, auburn haired man. To Rena, it seemed the man was looking at her as if she was his next meal. Seeming to not care that the man literally towered over her, the woman held her neck with one hand, and pointed an accusing finger with the other. “Stay back! If you've given me some disease, I'll hunt you down and go straight-up ghetto on your ass WHITE BOY!” she barked indignantly. “Talking all that smack about women wanting your fucking mark. I don't know what the hell kind of ridge running freaks you're used to messing with, but I don't play that shit. Don't make me go out to my car and get my glock! I'm licensed in this state to shoot to damn kill. You want to be the first?”

“Human, you will stop this foolishness RIGHT NOW, and come with me!” the 'vampire' shot back in a condescending voice. Reaching out to grab the young woman by the arms, he looked both angry and hurt when she wrenched herself from his grasp and leaped back.

“Don't you lay another slimy hand on me, I'm a brown belt!” she said, assuming a fighting stance that was more comical than intimidating.

“I should take care of this.” Thoth sighed wearily. “He's always our biggest trouble maker, every year. Always promising to clean up his act, but, well...you know.” Placing one hand on Rena's shoulder, he nudged her behind him protectively. Glancing around briefly, his gaze settled on a tall black woman several feet away. “Medusa! Would you come here for a moment, please?” he called, waving the woman over.

Surprised that she could even be surprised anymore, Rena's eyes widened in near disbelief as the woman approached. The woman's headpiece was adorned with snakes that moved amazingly life-like, just as realistic looking as the minotaurs she had spotted earlier.
DAMN, these folks are going all out!
She thought.

“Medusa, would you be a dear and keep Rena company while I deal with the situation over there?” Thoth asked.

“Certainly, you hunka-hunka burnin' hair.” the woman laughed.

Nodding to both of them, Thoth turned and gestured to three members of his security team (who were dressed as bird men), and the four of them hurried off to confront the 'vampire', who hissed at them ominously as they approached.

Taking her hand as if they were the best of friends, Medusa steered Rena away from the confrontation and tugged her in the direction of the large buffet table. “Come, Rena, let's see what they've cooked up for us.” she purred, her smooth voice having an immediate calming effect on her new acquaintance. “We should find a good table now, because later a siren will be singing for us, and she makes Whitney Houston sound like an amateur.”

“Ok.” Rena muttered, her senses beginning to reel in the surreal atmosphere. Turning her head to look for Thoth, she spotted him, apparently trying to calm down the near hysterical woman who had been bitten earlier. The 'vampire', still outraged, struggled mightily as the three security 'bird men' dragged him away towards the main entrance, which Rena knew was now an exit, at least for him.

“Don't worry, they can handle him. They have to, every year.” Medusa laughed. “Anyway, if you're wondering, the fine gentleman being escorted off the premises there is none other than Prince Karayan, the grandson of Count Vlad. He's an alpha vampire, next in line to take over the American covens, and as you can see, he's used to having his way. To him, having a human female reject him and tell him off is the ultimate insult, and a sledgehammer blow to his massive ego. It never ceases to amaze me how such powerful beings can be so childish and wear their hearts on their sleeves. Those vampires are a queer bunch, and have been known to sulk for centuries if they're rebuffed. ” she finished in an amused voice.

“Vampire, huh?” Rena giggled, deciding to play along with the charade. Glancing at the table, she was impressed by the enormous and diverse spread that had been prepared. Most were Greek dishes, but there was also Italian, French, and even some southern delicacies. Deciding she would sample some of the dishes she had never tasted before, she loaded up a plate and followed Medusa out of the ballroom and onto a large outdoor patio that was lit by hundreds of tea lights. Several couples had withdrawn from the main crowd and had secluded themselves in dark corners, and, glancing out over the railing, she spotted several couples taking a stroll through the beautiful gardens.