It was October 2007, and Ariana was putting the final touches on her gown. She did not ordinarily spend this much time on herself. Louie, her editor, had given her a specific assignment, one she could not wait to attend. New York’s Hallows Eve Ball was perhaps one of the biggest of its kind in the United States, its only competition was New Orleans. It was also a fundraiser which Ariana was more than happy to attend. Louie was becoming very attached to Ariana’s carrier and he wanted to give her something extra special to write. Her articles had received many thank you notes from the business she wrote about along with phone calls to Louie complimenting the Daily News on Ariana’s excellent interviewing skills and wonderful personality. Louie could not help but be grateful to Ariana.

Since the ball was very elite and important, Louie had dress specially ordered for Ariana. She at first refused this token of gratitude from Louie but he assured her she deserved it. When Louie opened the dress in the bag, Ariana nearly fell over. The beautiful sea of blue was not enough to describe the stunning fairy like dress that was unveiled from the garment bag. The waves of blue would make Ariana’s eyes stand out amidst her masque that Louie had also purchased for her. “Louie, why must you spoil me so!” She exclaimed almost feeling like Cinderella. Thankfully Louie did not over do it with glass slippers she thought, instead the shoes also matched her beautiful gown with perfection. She was certain her Sire, Lord Bainsworth, would not permit such a display, but it was a masquerade ball; it would be hard to find her. She hoped.

Ariana was picked up the following evening by the newspaper’s car service. Her hair was in a neat bun as to disguise herself even further within her gown. He was gracious enough to help her into the car so the doors did not clip her wings. During the drive to the Grand Pavilion she thought back to what Lord Bainsworth had told her. “Ariana, I know you enjoy your job, and this time I cannot forbid you to go to the ball. You know the rules, you are not to associate with any Kindred.” She thought back on their conversation. “Lord Bainsworth, there will be Invictus members there that will hide their animal better than anyone, with all the masques how will I to know who is who?” She had replied. “Then perhaps you should not risk it and dance with no one, speak to no one and observe.” Ariana nodded in reply, there was not an inkling of the sadness that she felt inside that would betray her face. “I will remain away from everyone, perhaps I will keep watch in the mezzanine.” Her stoic composure seemed to frustrate Lord Bainsworth. “Ariana, I am attending this ball as well, you will be under close watch at all times, if not by me, by one of my ghouls.” Ariana nodded in understanding again, everything inside her had shattered.

When Ariana stepped out of the car at the Grand Pavilion she was relieved that there were people dressed more elaborately than herself. She would blend in nicely on the sidelines and amidst the mezzanine. There were some main formalities at the beginning; a reminder that unless it was an emergency of profound greatness no one was to remove their masques, announcements and points of interest. One announcement struck her to the core. It was the silent auction and donations for missing teens. Arielle’s laughter flashed into Ariana’s mind. How she missed her twin sister and never went a day without wondering where she was amidst the Gangrels. Ariana would make it a point to stop over and make a donation later in the evening.

Stunning and radiant, Ariana sat perched up in the mezzanine for a couple of hours. Everyone seemed to be having a beautiful time. She made mental notes of the gowns and items she could see on the silent auctions. She ached to dance, but somehow managed to be distracted. Several men in dapper attire and elaborate costumes had asked her to dance numerous times, but she had to turn them down gently each time. “Thank you for asking, but I am content for now,” or other phrases, “Sorry I do not know how to dance,” crept through the smile which was also another masque she wore that night. Ariana wished she knew what Lord Bainsworth was wearing. It would make things a lot easier as she maneuvered around the pavilion. She thought she had better meander to the charity tables and make her donation to the missing teens charity.

Ariana made a nice contribution to the charity. They asked if she wanted it dedicated, she said simply “For Arielle.” As she left the table she was stopped by a man in a dramatically breathtaking costume. “Permit me the honor of a dance, if you would please.” Said the man whose voice she somewhat recognized, but could not place. It seemed to be also disguised. Ariana bowed slightly, she could feel her beast retreat as she knew the man was Kindred. “I am sorry Sir, please forgive me but I cannot this evening.” Ariana’s voice was polite and hid all traces of the yes that she would have rather said. “My lady, I have never been turned down as long as I have lived. It would be a privilege and an honor to dance with you.” Ariana shook her head, her radiant blue eyes peered through the masque she wore hoping to see if she could make eye contact and remember who he was through his masque. He spoke again. “It would be in your best interest to dance with me this evening my lovely, as you are one of the most radiant women amidst the sea of costumed beauties.” He held out his arm. Reluctant for more than a moment, Ariana finally took his arm.

As they made their way to the main dance floor, a beautiful dark Romanian waltz began to play. The man took Ariana’s hand in his and his other arm was placed at a gentleman’s correct position upon her back. Ariana’s opposing hand came up to make the circle complete by placing it delicately on his shoulder. Time had seemed to stop. His steps were fierce and apt which Ariana kept pace with magnificently. Each time he turned her it seemed to release some sort of magic, which gained a small audience. For the moment, she was the real Ariana, elegant and happy. Nearing the end of the song, it was customary for several near intimate dips for this style of waltz. One of these was the one that sealed the moment. As she was bent back slightly the man leaned in and kissed her neck. She quickly moved out of the position certain that no one saw this. As if he forgot to disguise his voice for that moment he spoke. “Thank you my lady.” Also in that instant, she realized who she was dancing with; it was the Prince. Everything began crumbling inside of her. The song was over and he bowed to her as a gentleman would do. She curtsied with her head bowed and said delicately. “Thank you sir.”

As she walked off the dance floor trying not to panic, she walked to a side galleria. It was here that she was met by two men. “Ms. Donovan, please meet the car out front. Your presence is requested.” She knew even behind the simple masques that they were Lord Bainsworth’s men. Ariana left the pavilion, she may as well have been Ash, she thought. She did not know that it was the Prince until the end of the dance. While in the car, she slipped off her shoes. The men in the front seat were not paying attention. She was going to run, to where she did not know. As soon as they were at the stop light by Central Park she quickly flew from the car. The skirt of her dress caught the door and snagged the fabric. She kept running. She could hear them behind her. One of them finally grabbed her, as they were faster than she was. At least she had tried.

They arrived at Lord Bainsworth’s manor. She was escorted to the lower level by one of his men. She still had her masque on, which hopefully disguised some of her fear. Ariana was locked in one of the rooms that he used as a den or office. His collections were from around the world. Some of which she did not care for, the creepy statues and sinister masques were just some of the items she would not have kept. She had been in the room about 10 minutes before the door opened.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk Ariana.” Lord Bainsworth nearly hissed while he entered and locked the door. “Not only did you disobey me, but you danced with the most dangerous man in the Kindred. Do you realize what could have happened?” Ariana shook her head no. “Lord Bainsworth, I did not know it was the Prince himself. He was very persistent and would not let me say no.” She pleaded with him, it was not entirely her mistake. He continued, “Ariana, I do not know what I need to do to get through to you.” He had stepped close enough to her that she could feel his presence surrounding her being. He leaned in and hissed in her ear. “Tell me what I should do with you.”

Ariana nearly choked as she meekly said, “I will do whatever you wish, whatever assignments you need me to do.” Lord Bainsworth’s hand flew up and slapped Ariana’s mouth, knocking the masque she wore onto the floor and breaking it into pieces. “I did NOT tell you to speak. Now your pretty mouth had better detain itself.” Ariana was frozen. “Did I or did I not tell you, do not associate with anyone at the ball?” His voice sounded vicious. Ariana shook her head yes. “Did you deliberately disobey me tonight?” Ariana shook her head no. “Then why were you dancing with the Prince of all people to dance with?” Ariana whispered her reply. “Because he was persistent.” Lord Bainsworth hit her face again, this time knocking her into the wall that was behind her. It dazed her a bit. “Ariana, who cares! You knew better. I am trying to protect you from the dangers they have, the power trips, of what they would do to you behind closed doors.” Ariana’s face twisted a little as she thought, could it be worse than this? Lord Bainsworth grabbed Ariana’s arm and twisted it around her back breaking it as he did so, while flipping her to face the other direction. He shoved her into the wall, then slamming her face against the cold brick. She yelped faintly. “You are weak Ariana, so dreadfully weak. You do not have the will to obey me, and you would not be able to handle yourself around any of the Kindred men. Do you think there could be worse things done to you?” She did not speak, but nodded her head. He quickly leaned into her ear and yelled “Answer me you insufferable bitch!” Ariana’s voice so quietly said “Yes.”

Lord Bainsworth stepped back a little. Ariana could hear the sound of metal as it was unsheathing from something. “You will never wear that dress again.” As he slowly slid the tip of a sword into her back, slicing her dress and cutting a deep valley into her flesh he spoke. “As Kindred this will not leave a scar on your body, but it will always leave a scar in your mind. I hope you remember that the next time you decide to wander off with anyone again.” Ariana did not move, or make a sound as the sword slowly cut into her nearly reaching the bones of her spine. She feared if he knew the pain he was causing, he would only make it worse. “Now leave. Do not forget what you learned tonight.”

Ariana did not dare ask for a ride home. She made her way sneaking through alleys and off roads as much as she could. Strangely enough as she went to feed on one young poor man in the outskirts of Central Park, he said she looked like an angel. She wondered if he meant the Angel of Death.