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X4packchickX

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• Redder than Wine
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• Chapter one—
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• The year was 1706 in New Orleans and I was only 24 at the time when it happened. I remember it like it was yesterday. Back then I was such a troublesome young girl with adolescence barely surpassing me despite my age; so full of naïve ideas and beauty, yet suffering from empty promises. Tonight was no exception.
• A wealthy friend of mine was throwing a masquerade ball for his brother’s birthday, and I was invited. Being the self-conscious girl I was, I dressed in the most elegant—yet sensual—corset dress I had and arrived dateless as usual. I was greeted by no one except the stage coach and the door man, whom took my hand without a word and helped me to the door. The soft murmuring coming from the various groups seemed to resonate off the delicate despite the small violin quartet’s playing.
• Many times did a male approach me to dance, but it was only after an hour and a half did my eyes lie upon a being that aroused my desperate interest. Women of all ages, looks, and stature flocked to him, none of which he truly acknowledged. All I could think of him was he must’ve been rich, or it was his looks and looks alone that lured so many females. It seemed least likely at times like these, but not impossible. His skin was a pale white, flawless in every visible way. Behind his decorated mask lie two hazy brown pupils that glistened as they observed their anxious fan. Over his disguise tumbled nearly sun-bleached locks of blonde hair, which hung loosely around his neck instead of being tied in a neat ponytail like all the other males. I could not help but wonder: who was this guy? Maybe one of the men would know.
• “Excuse me.” I chirped to a circle of men. They paused from their reminiscing to hear what I had to say.
• “Who is that fellow over there?” I asked kindly, gesturing to the popular bachelor.
• One of the older guys sighed, “Are you interested in his, too?”
• “Oh no. I am merely curious.” I smiled innocently. They appeared to calm down knowing I wasn’t falling head over heels for the stranger.
• “Truth be told,” He said, “, no one knows who he is. He just showed up and took all of our women.”
• No one knew who he was? How could that be? Everybody here knew practically everyone else. Except him.
• “Well,” I droned, “Do you know his name?”
• Glances were exchanged before an answer was given. “Yea, I think his name was....Eli?”
• Thanking them, I returned to my people observing, doing all that I could to ignore Prince Charming and his squealing admirers. As I sat at the bar, indifferently gracing my fingertips on the rim of my wine glass, I felt a cold chill crawl up my spine. I gasped, and hurriedly faced my left, so where the stranger sat elegantly. He ordered wine while slipping his gloves off. His voice...
• “Hmm?” he blinked at me blankly as if I had said something. “I haven’t seen you around here. Did you just arrive?”
• My sanity yanked me back to reality and I faced forward to avoid any eye contact. “Sorry, I’m not one of your fans if that’s what you meant.” I said sarcastically.
• Just as his drink arrived, he chuckled, “I noticed. If you were, there would be no need to ask your name.”
• “You’ve memorized all their names?” I gawked. He nodded after taking a sip of wine.
• “Not just their names either.” He breathed, his eyes glued to something on the counter. “I’ve memorized their birthdates, addresses, their dates’ name, and their sign.”
• I was starting to receive that stalker vibe from him, so I kept quiet no matter what. Yet his fingers found their way to my neck where an escape curl of hair fell victim to his grasp and his lips drifted less than an inch from my ears as he whispered,
• “I could tell you what color lingerie they’re wearing.”
• My cheeks flushed fiercely and I snatched my hair from his reach in utter shock. I think my heart rocketed up my chest and was some were in my esophagus. This guy was insane! If he stayed here any longer, I’m sure that his jokes would only get worse. Sucking up my courage, I held my shoulders back and chest out and said,
• “Shouldn’t you be getting back to you’re posse?”
• A hand slammed down on the bar and immediately Eli’s eyes flickered to the person behind me. I didn’t dare turn around as he echoed my question, “Yes, shouldn’t you, Eli?”
• Right before a smirk crept onto his lips, the slightest trace of irritation shimmered across his face. He took the wine glass in his hand, raised it up for a drink, and arose from his seat.
• “I suppose you are right.” He mumbled. “We wouldn’t want them waiting too long. Or things might get hectic.”
• He turned his back to us and strode off, leaving a most tense atmosphere behind. A sigh of relief escaped me and I made the mistake of gazing upon my rescuer. As soon as I did, my breath got caught all over again.
• “Please forgive my brother, Eli.” He smiled gently, flashing his glossy white teeth. “He tends to get like that around older, beautiful, women.”
• I said nothing for I couldn’t get my lungs—or my central nerves in this case—to cooperate. This man who stood up to his brother...was gorgeous beyond imagination. He had his brother’s pale skin, the most riveting lavender eyes, and sleek black hair that was shoulder-length.
• “I’m Claude.” He introduced. He stuck his gloved hand out for me to take, yet I stared at it for what seemed like hours until I came to my senses.
• “Anna-bell.” I croaked. Claude repeated my name softly to himself; if he was anything like his brother, he would have no troubles remembering it. Now was one of those times I was thankful I was wearing a mask. I felt utterly pitiable knowing this guy was more attractive than I. I heard him inhale like he was about to say something when his eyes fastened onto something on the opposite site of the ballroom and quivered with angst. Instincts told me not to look at whatever had him frozen or I would somehow regret it. However, I made the slightest advance to glance when Claude’s hand gripped my arms and forced me to stare into his eyes.
• “Claude, what’re you—”
• “Run.” He demanded. Confused, I dared to object only to have him haul me out of my seat and jostle me in the direction of the door.
• “Wait, Claude!” I called. His desperate voice crying out for me to run lurched at my heart, and I had no other choice but to listen to him. Suddenly, everything went silent. Until...
• “VAMPIRE!!!!!”
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• (hehe. wellll, i hope this somehow appealed to yous guys. :] if u like, suscribe, vote, and comment, plz!! Arigato!~@pp!3)