Chapter 3 Behind The Mask part 2

"That's bullshit and you know it!" she says, as she grabs herself a glass of champagne. I roll my eyes because there's no use arguing with her when she gets like this. I grabbed a glass of red wine and took a sip. "Oh, this wine is to die for!"

She took my glass from my hand, "If it is so good you'd die for it, then let me have a sip."

I giggled, "I would not die or kill for it, but it's very good. It's beautifully balanced with flavors of peach and mirabelle plum, with soft oak notes, and a long finish. Quite good and very smooth, too. I'd say it's European, maybe from Austria or Hungary."

"Eva, you know that I don't like red wines, but this one, I do like," she said, as she took another sip before handing me back my glass. I clink my glass with hers as I smile.

A smooth, deep voice spoke from just behind me, "You're quite right, Miss. You could be a sommelier." I instinctively turn to the voice. My eyes lock with his. Wow! The man before me, dressed in a fine black suit, has a head full of silky hair that's blacker than a starless night. His dark tendrils frame his pale, chiseled face, with plump pink lips, to boot. His eyes are bluer than any ocean that I have seen. I wish I could see him without the mask. He's a God among men, and way out of my league. Hell, he's not even in the same sport! He says, "Pardon my manners. I am Vincent Black."

Katie and I introduced ourselves to Vincent. She asked if he was the host. He said that he was not, but he was acquainted with him. I can't help but think that Vincent knows more than he's saying, so I decide to ask what's on my mind, "Do you know who invited me here? Some of the people I've seen around the city, but I wouldn't consider them and myself in the same social circles, much less worthy of sharing the same room."

He seems perplexed by my statement, "You seem very much at home here, though. Perhaps, you sell yourself short."

Katie laughs before she glares at me, "I tell her that daily." There's something different about this guy. Yes, he's handsome beyond measure, but his eyes... They are deeper than the sea, and they hold a secret within their depths. This man has walls up, much like I do. I wonder why? His voice is smooth as silk and velvety soft. Katie seems mesmerized, as if she's in a trance.

"Hey, Katie!" I snap my fingers until she looks at me. "I think the champagne is going to your head." Vincent looks into my eyes like he's trying to tell me something. I return the look with one of my "What the fuck do you think you're doing" looks, causing him to take a step back. Based on my weird feeling and what I write about, this guy can't be human, can he?

He raises his eyebrow at me, "Interesting, very interesting."

Nevertheless, I lean over and whisper, "I don't appreciate what you tried on my friend or me. I suggest you not try again and explain yourself." Because I'm just guessing that he tried to read our minds.

He whispers into my ear and it causes goosebumps to appear, "Eva, I'm afraid you wouldn't believe me if I tried."

I want to know. I'm not afraid, but maybe I should be, "Then show me. After all, seeing is believing."

Vincent

Originally, I dreaded coming to this event. It is usually the same people droning on and on about power, status, money, and another trivial things, which bore me. However, tonight I saw two women who had never attended one of these events before. I engaged in a discussion with them and was impressed by Eva. I am also intrigued by her boldness. I couldn't compel her, and she even caught me trying. I also felt a bond to her. I must explore that later, because I can't very well fly off with her.

End Vincent's POV

His lips graze the shell of my ear. "Not here." Just then, the hosts come in. A man and a woman wearing black masks with red jewels, dressed all in black, commanded the attention of all in attendance. Shivers go down my spine. There is something powerful about them, but something dark, too. Maybe the darkness is only attached to one of them, but I hope I don't have to find out which one. I have always been a good judge of people; well, mostly. I did misjudge a guy once...fucking Victor! But it seems like my senses have peaked since I turned twenty-five, and I have acquired a few other talents too.

I jumped back. Vincent seems worried, "Do you know them?"

I say, "No, and I'm not sure that I want to. They feel strange. Do you know them?"

Vincent answers, "Yes. Why did you withdraw and change your tone?"

"Just a feeling, it could be nothing," I say, dismissively. I don't know Vincent so I'm not sure how much I can or should say.

Katie chimes in, "Eva, you know to always trust your gut. So what's it saying?"

I just blurted out, "Well, it's saying to stay clear of one or both of them."

Vincent touches my arm, "We must talk in private later."

I turned to him, "I just met you and you think I'd go somewhere alone with you?"

He gives me a playful smirk, "Judge for yourself, Miss Sims. I mean you do not harm, and I'm pretty sure you can realize that, too." We are to be seated, and there's an attractive gentleman at our table. He's in a dark blue suit and has long, light brown hair that's pulled back into a ponytail. A tight, well-groomed beard frames his ruggedly handsome face. His eyes are a steely blue-green, which pulls me in.

He stands and introduces himself, "I'm Sam Fall." We all introduce ourselves.

Then Vincent says something that takes me by surprise, "No pack with you? It's rare to see you

attending without the others." Pack? What pack? Is Sam not human either? I sense a tension between the m, t, and I don't like it.

I have to ask, "Do you two know each other?"

Vincent says, "Somewhat, but not closely."

Sam adds, "I know more about him than I know him. We only briefly encounter each other at

mixed functions like this one." Mixed functions, just what does he mean by that? Just what have I gotten myself and Ka into?

I feel myself losing my filter and with it my decorum, "Well, let's keep the testosterone levels down, shall we? And be civil as well, please."

"Eva!" Katie smacks my hand. We all share a laugh at my expense, but I don't care. I feel oddly at home right now.