"Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen," – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Music was softly playing when I entered the ballroom on Bert's arm. The crystal chandeliers hung high in the ceiling and glistened as they turned in an invisible breeze. The room, though grand in size, was already half full of people. Though I had done my best in getting to know the people who lived and worked in the Castle and Estate, I was startled by just how many faces I didn't recognise.

I was once again regretting my decision to attend the ball. I had never felt so out of place and everyone was looking at me as though I was someone they knew. I didn't understand it at all. To be so out of place and alone in a sea of people, was a feeling I hadn't suffered before. How easy it would have been if I'd been born to a different time or was accustomed to these events. Still, as my mind and consciousness argued endlessly, I realised the hopelessness of my situation. I was here now and if I fled, everyone would see. I supposed I'd just have to grin and bear things, put on a fake smile, get on with things and hope no one called me out for my behaviour.

I was keeping my eyes open for Raff, desperately seeking the comfort I knew he could give but I couldn't find him anywhere. I had bumped into the twins briefly who had squealed as they ran circles around me, exclaiming how happy they were to see me and how pretty they thought my dress to be. I'd also spotted Maggie making her way around the crowd and was surprised to discover that the blatant dismissal directed towards me hardly affected me at all.

I was struck mute when I saw the most graceful woman walk towards me. Once again, the cracks began to appear in my sanity. As the woman drew closer to my side, Ben who was still near, introduced us.

"Valera, may I introduce Miss Harriet Peters, Harriet, meet Miss Valera Dore."

I blinked, once, twice and resisted the urge to gaze at the woman with my mouth wide open. I was confused, anxious, and terrified and thus my hands started to sweat in the most impolite manner.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Valera," said Harriet coldly, displaying it was anything but a pleasure with her voice.

My brain had begun functioning again but all I wanted to ask was why the Harriet before me looked exactly like the Harriet I'd seen in one of my visions. Of course, I couldn't blurt that out, it would be rude and make me look like a bigger weirdo than the people around me already thought.

"It's nice to meet you also. Do you live in the village?"

Harriet glared at me, and I got the feeling that I would never be able to get on her good side.

"No, I live in the Estate across the way from here. The Marquis is the dearest friend to me."

I got the impression that Harriet didn't like me one bit. I didn't like this. I didn't like being judged at first glance and though it was easy to think that this was Maggie's doing, I was starting to believe the resentment came from the person I resembled from the past: Valarie. With my hackles raised, I fought back against the gossip being spread around me.

"I do not know why you have decided to hate me when you have only just met me. If you have been gossiping with Maggie, then I applaud you for being so blind sighted. The Marquis is my friend and I would do nothing to jeopardise that. I have not judged your character as you have judged mine and now, I shall walk away from your poisonous aura less I do something I regret."

I dragged Ben away with me. Harriet stood unmoving while I walked away with nerves shaking through my body. I couldn't stop the feeling that I'd been lied to. There were no large Estates close to Flyzroy Castle, perhaps there had been once...but they were long gone.

"I must say my dear, I have never seen anyone dress down Miss Harriet quite like that before."

"Oh, I'm sorry, was it too much?"

"You misunderstand me Valera. Harriet is the heiress to a large fortune and as lovely as she is, she is easily mislead and acts before she thinks. She often thinks she is superior to others and it was a delight to see you stand up to her."

"You don't think Raff would be upset that I shouted as his 'dearest friend'?"

"I doubt he would but if you are worried you could always ask him. He's heading this way now."

A meaningful glance in Ben's direction was all the chance I had to compose myself before Raff arrived before me.

"Valera you look splendid, simply radiant, like a polished diamond."

I blushed under Raff's intense gaze. Ben had wandered away, but I could still see him, though I doubted he'd be able to hear anything we said.

"Thank you. You clean up nicely as well," I paused to collect myself and gazed out towards the room, "the place is beautifully decorated though I admit, I didn't expect so many people."

"You still have much to learn about life here then...you should know that no one misses an opportunity to dance."

I smiled, though I felt a little miffed at his remark of my knowledge.

"I have missed our dinners these past few weeks."

"As have I," he said, pausing before continuing, "I wonder...would you do me the honour of dancing with me?"

This time when I blushed, I passed the usual shade of pink and went straight to tomato red.

"Oh no, I couldn't possibly."

Raff smirked, "you wouldn't be denying your host, now would you?"

"No, I..."

"Good, then we dance."

He took me in his arms before I could protest further and dragged me onto the dancefloor. I had no time to complain as I was led to the centre of the ballroom. The sea of people parted, and the music began a new dance as I felt myself get swept across the floor. I wasn't the best dances, but I wasn't the worst either. If I concentrated on my feet, then I wouldn't step on his. I could here the gossip of people around me and as much as I wanted this experience to end, I also wanted it to continue. I felt Raff's strong fingers curl under my chin and let him tilt my head up towards his.

"You're a beautiful dancer but you shouldn't let others intimidate you."

"I'm just not good with large crowds."

I looked around at the people watching us dance, there were other dancers on the floor now, but they were vastly outweighed by the amount of people watching. I saw Maggie glance my way in anger and then I caught eyes with Harriet. If looks could kill, I'd be dead.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just, feel a little dehydrated. I think I need a refreshment."

I wasn't sure what had prompted me to say that but suddenly it seemed imperative that I reach the refreshment table.

"Of course, we have been dancing for a while now. Allow me."

"No, it's ok, I can go by myself. I'm sure there are plenty of people you still need to socialise with tonight. I wouldn't want to be accused of monopolising your time.

Raff looked uncertain, concerned by my behaviour. I waved him off while assuring him that Ben was nearby if I needed help. I couldn't explain it but after I'd locked eyes with Harriet and seen the anger that lay there, I'd felt an unexplainable chill come over me. I composed myself as I walked towards the refreshments table. I didn't want to stumble and embarrass myself. I could still see Ben, so I was safe enough.

I sipped on a cool non-alcoholic drink at the table. I felt a little better as the cool liquid ran down my throat. I sighed, gripping the table in support as my vision blurred. This was unlike anything I'd ever felt before. It didn't feel like a blackout or a vision or a nightmare or even a bleeding effect moment. It was like someone had slipped something into my drink. I felt dizzy and disorientated. I heard someone approach, thinking it was Ben, I turned around to greet them.

"It seems I can't stand in the way of what's happening anymore," said Maggie distastefully. "You've been a thorn in my side since I discovered who you could be. I wish I could tell you to leave and that you'd got but it seems too late for that now. You'll kill us all...it's only a matter of time."

Maggie had mumbled the last sentence, but I had still heard it. I would have thought about it more, but I was having trouble seeing straight. Black spots clouded my vision and I struggled to call out for help.

"Are you alright? You're awfully pale, perhaps you should sit down."

"No, I'm fine," I said but I wasn't fine, not by a long shot.

I stumbled away from Maggie, desperate to find some help or solitude. I didn't understand what was happening. For the first time since I arrived at Castle, I felt terrified for my own life. What was happening to me?

I could make out faces around me but none that I could recognise. Someone was calling out to me, but I couldn't find where they were or who they were. The walls were closing in on me and the faces swarmed making me nauseous. Then like a breeze I felt myself falling.

I heard screams but knew they weren't my own. The ballroom got significantly cooler and I was lifted and cradled by someone strong. I couldn't open my eyes for if I did, I knew I'd fall further and though I could make little sense of my surroundings, I could hear what was happening around me.

I was laid upon something soft and the murmurs around me fizzled into nothing. Something was placed upon me and I felt snuggled like a babe in arms. I allowed the feeling to take me off and relished in the silence that fell.

"I told you this girl was different," said Cora.

"She will be just like all the others. There is no happy ending for us here, she'll doom us all and then we'll be back to square one. The Marquis will be broken again."

There was something on my nose, pulling me back from the beyond. I tried to bat it away with my hand, but I couldn't move my limbs. I lay distracted by the itch and aware of my surroundings once more. I kept my eyes closed, drifting in the in-between but I listened for the voices.

"What happened Maggie? The years seem to have turned on you and you have become twisted and bitter. Why can't you see that the light at the end of the tunnel is approaching?"

"There is no light! That girl should have stayed away like she was told."

"Oh, you are so full of fire and ice Maggie. One minute you're Valera's friend and the next you're avoiding her like the plague. Not to mention your involvement with the Madden family. No good ever comes from mixing with them."

"I don't know what you mean..."

"Of course, you don't, just like you don't know how my application to adopt Valera fell through."

"I have no idea what you're talking about. How dare you accuse me of these things."

"Look, Maggie, this girl, this Valera Dore is the real deal, I can feel it. I don't know who she was running from in the past, but you can bet your bottom dollar I'm going to do all I can to keep her safe now. If I find out you've done anything to harm her, you'll know the true meaning of 'living in hell.'"

"I may not like the little witch Cora, but I do not wish her dead. Besides, I believe it's not when she's awake that she needs your protection but when she's asleep or otherwise...that's when the demons come..."

"So, you do believe it's her then?"

"I believe that we've walked this circle for too long. Things have changed now. The course set before us isn't the same as its always been, but I know not whether that leads to absolution or a continuation of this hell we live in."

"Time will tell Maggie, but I sense our waiting is close to an end."

"He was never going to be yours you know."

"I'm well aware of that."

"I don't think you are. His Mother loved him you know and when she was gone, he had the Dowager and me. He has always been well cared for."

"He needed me! I was the one that was always there for him!"

"No Maggie, he didn't need you. You needed him and it is time to let go now."

The voices faded away and I frowned against what I had heard. It would have been easy to obsess over the conversation between Maggie and Cora, but my body wasn't up for playing fair and dragged me under once more.