Weary from battle and hungry, the group sat down to rest for a while before attempting to deduce how to cleanse the mansion. Zerek felt awkward as he sat naked around them all. He sat away from the others and curled his legs together and kept his arms down. He found Victoria eyeing him and blushed in embarrassment.

"I should have grabbed my rags before leaving," he said as she inched closer to him. "I do not like being so exposed."

Victoria glanced at his legs, hoping to catch a glimpse of something in particular, but he hid it too well. "You know, I wouldn't worry about it too much. We've all seen Karmen naked."

"Shut it, Victoria!" Karmen snapped at her, sitting nearby, her face red.

"She's not half bad actually," Victoria whispered to Zerek. "I mean, look at those curves."

"I can hear you!" Karmen shouted, her eyes wide.

"What? It's a compliment."

Karmen pursed her lips together and looked away, throwing her hair over her face when Aragol, who sat beside her, glanced in her direction. "Don't look at me..." she said to him.

Aragol shrugged and returned to the discussion he was having with Boog and Elmar.

"That's twice now," Boog was saying. "Twice that that kid with the fire showed up and that crazy chick with the sword was with him again too."

"And Durn," Aragol added.

"Who?" Elmar asked curiously.

Aragol remembered that they had been across the stream fighting their own battle and hadn't noticed Durn. "He calls himself King Durn of the Damned. He is very powerful and impossible to kill."

"No one is impossible to kill," Boog growled.

"Well, in any case, his wounds heal immediately and he can reattach severed limbs. He also doesn't appear to be alive.... I know how it sounds but I fought him and that's how it seems to me."

"There is no wari in him," Casandra said, overhearing the conversation. "I tried to sap it from him but he had none. I've never encountered anyone like him before. By all definition he is dead yet...clearly he is not."

"He hurt you really bad," Celestia said to Casandra, joining in. "I was worried he'd kill you."

Casandra offered her a small smile. "I am much better now, Celestia, but thank you for your concern. It was foolish of me to try to fight him in the first place. I am not much of a warrior."

"My silver axe did nothing to him," Ivory said, sitting beside Casandra. "I cleaved him in the heart but he didn't even flinch. I am in no hurry to meet him again."

"Neither am I," Aragol agreed. He glanced at the swamp that surrounded them. "It's a good thing he cannot fly."

"That girl can," Boog reminded grimly.

"She'd be foolish to attack us on her own. We outnumber her greatly."

"I'm transforming for that little bitch," Karmen said, revealing her face beneath her thick brown hair. "I didn't get a chance to last time but I will this time, if she ever shows up again. I am sorry for not being able to help but she gave me no chance and I didn't know if I should save it for once we arrived here..."

Aragol put a hand on her shoulder and smiled. "There is no need to apologize, Karmen. We did manage."

Karmen rolled her eyes. "Barely..."

Casandra looked up, staring at the mansion. "Someone is coming."

The group stood up, preparing for a battle. Zerek transformed into his wolf form and growled as the double doors of the mansion opened, creaking loudly as if they hadn't been opened in years. A man appeared in the doorway, dressed in a long, black, leather cloak and white doublet. His black hair was neatly brushed and draped over his back, nearly reaching his hips. His face was pale, almost white, and his expression was emotionless. He stood in the shadow of the doorway but his crimson eyes glowed with a light of their own. He eyed each person in turn before speaking. "Welcome, destined ones. I have been waiting a long time for you."

"Who are you?" Boog asked, fists clenched and muscles bulging.

The man, his eyes half-lidded, fixed on Boog. "I am the master of this mansion. You are my guests. I welcome you inside." With that he beckoned them inside and turned around, walking deeper into the mansion.

The team exchanged glances and hesitated.

"He means us no harm," Casandra said as she walked toward the mansion alone. "We have no other choice in the matter anyhow." Celestia followed her, flanked by Graham.

The rest of the group hurried to catch up as she walked through the doorway. They were all through but when Zerek tried he found himself unable to walk through the open doorway. It was as if an invisible wall blocked his path.

Victoria, who was last to walk in, turned around and eyed him curiously. "You coming or what?"

The wolf flattened its ears and growled, trying to push through the doorway. His growl deepened when the master of the mansion appeared. He gave Zerek a blank expression. "You must wait outside. You are not a destined one." He then shut the double doors in his face with a loud boom.

Zerek sat on his haunches and sighed. He would wait then.

Inside the mansion, the nine companions found themselves surrounded by lavish furniture. Silk drapes of crimson flanked each window and an ornate staircase spiraled upwards to their right, its balustrade glinting gold. A gigantic chandelier hung from the ceiling high above, hundreds of candles poking up from it and burning brightly. Two suits of brilliant armour stood beside the staircase, golden halberds in their hands, silent and immobile as guards. To their left the mansion opened up to a large nearly empty room with a marble floor painted over with figures of women, knights, dragons, bats, wolves, and various other creatures. It was immaculate, shiny and impressively smooth. A single large table sat in the middle of the room, twelve chairs situated around it, five on each side and two at the ends. It was made of thick, ornate dark wood as were the chairs, which were padded with red velvet. A mouth-watering feast sat atop the table, full of meats, fruits, vegetables, pastries and various beverages. Its scent teased the companions and made their stomachs growl like wild beasts.

The master of the mansion gestured to the table across the room. "Please, have a seat. I can sense you are all hungry."

Victoria, forgoing all pleasantries or acts of neatness raced across the large room, her shoes slapping loudly against the shiny surface. The others, though they were just as excited to eat, walked a little slower, not wanting to displease their generous host. Finding a seat, they set about preparing their plates. Victoria had hers heaped high by the time they had arrived and was already devouring it hungrily and loudly. The master of the mansion sat at one end of the table and said nothing as he watched them all eat.

Karmen looked down at her appetizing plate but poked a slice of ham with her fork cautiously. "How do we know this food is safe to eat?" she asked her host. "How can we trust you?"

Casandra eyed the host, wondering the same thing. She tried to peer into his mind but it was shrouded in shadow and impossible to read. She was terribly hungry but did not want to rush into anything she'd deeply regret.

"Come on guysh!" Victoria said through a mouthful of food. "If it wash poishun I'd be dead awready righ'?" She swallowed her food and took a drink from her golden chalice. "It's good food and I feel fine, really. Go ahead. Eat."

The master of the mansion raised a hand toward the food on the table. "As the young lady says, I am your host, not your murderer. I did not bring you here to kill you."

"What is in this mansion?" Aragol asked him as he cut a thick piece of steak. "Is this truly the second anchor?"

The man nodded slightly, his red eyes fixing on Aragol's copper ones. "It is. I know of your purpose here and I am here to see that it is fulfilled. I would dearly love for my home to be as beautiful as it once was."

"Dude," Victoria said, a buttered bun in her hand. "This place is pretty awesome as it is. I wouldn't worry too much about it not being beautiful because it seriously is."

The man might have smiled slightly. "I appreciate your honesty, Victoria White, but this is but a mere shadow of what it was once. The corruption that has befallen it has left me weak and weary. I can no longer step foot outside this place lest I succumb to death."

Victoria was about to ask how he knew her name but didn't bother. It was hardly the weirdest thing she had experienced thus far.

"Your fate is tied to this mansion?" Casandra asked the man.

"It is, Casandra Zoer. I am certain you have noticed the plague of werewolves running about in the forest beyond the swamp?"

"We have been well acquainted, yes..."

"They are little more than savage beasts. The werewolves I remembered were powerful, intelligent, and some were quite wise. They did not attack with reckless abandon and I even considered some of them friends of mine. The entire forest, as well as the swamp, has felt the effect of the corruption of this building. The fate of this world is tied to the anchor. If it is corrupted, so is everything else. I have tried all I can to undo what has been done to it but I am unable to even slow the spread. I am pleased that you have finally arrived. Being here tells me that the first anchor is secure and it fills me confidence that this one will be saved as well."

"There aren't any shadow beasts hiding here somewhere is there?" Boog asked, his huge shoulders hunched over as he bent down to have a sip of his soup.

"Not in the physical sense, no. I do not believe you will have to fight your way through this corruption."

"What do you mean?" Karmen asked, studying the man closely.

"It is a test of the mind. Your weapons will not serve you here. I tried to overcome the power of the corruption but every time I try it threatens to shatter my mind into shards of insanity. I am not strong enough. This is why you are here."

"What is your purpose here?" Casandra asked him. "Are you a guardian of the anchor?"

The man did smile this time and almost chuckled. "Hardly, young Casandra. My home just happens to be one of the anchors that keep the darkness tied to this world. I have lived here for millennia and it has always been so. I have served many groups of destined ones."

"Wait, what?" Victoria asked, her eyes wide with amazement. "Millennia?"

"And they all succeeded?" Casandra asked him, ignoring Victoria's question.

The man spread his arms. "I am still here, am I not?"

"How did they overcome the darkness?"

"By working together. The last time the destined ones were here they had to defeat a vile creature of blackness that had very nearly demolished my wonderful home. The challenges each group face is different every time because the source of darkness uses a different means of corruption."

"So you just live here and wait until it gets corrupted over and over?" Karmen asked with a raised eyebrow. "Why not move somewhere else?"

"There are many pleasant centuries between each corruption, Karmen Ramsey. I have lived my entire life here and I have no intention of living anywhere else, regardless of the present danger."

Boog slammed his fist on the table, causing the cutlery, bowls, and plates to rattle, startling everyone, save the master of the mansion. "Don't you worry about it, bud. To thank you for this delicious food and this amazing soup we're going to vanquish that darkness for good. It won't ever bother you again."

The man smiled once more. "I do appreciate that, Charles Bogart, and I wish you the best of luck in accomplishing that daring task."

"It'll get done, trust me. And when it's done, I'm coming back for more of this soup. Damn this is good." He slurped another spoonful of soup and exhaled in delight. "That hits the spot."

Victoria thought of something then, and eyed the master of the mansion curiously. "Who are you? Like, what's your name?"

He put a pale hand to his chest. "My name is of little importance but if you desire to know it, it is Valthumar Balmonti."

Victoria sniffed. "Sounds like a vampire name or something."

"That would be because I am a vampire."

A pin could be heard dropping in the ensuing silence. For several minutes everyone remained still, eyeing one another with a mix of fear and shock. Plans of attack and escape began forming in everyone's minds.

Valthumar eyed each of them in turn and laughed heartily. Unlike what they had expected, it wasn't a fearsome or terrifying laugh at all but one filled with glee and perhaps joy. "No matter how many groups of destined ones I receive the expression is always the same. Well, except that one time they had a vampire in their group, but nevertheless, after all these centuries it is like nothing has changed. Yes, I am a vampire, but you are my only hope for saving my mansion, my home, and in the end myself. Why would I ever pose you a threat? It takes many centuries before another destined group appears and my home does not have that long to last with this corruption gripping it."

There was hesitation and doubt but eventually, slowly, everyone began to realize how foolish they had been to act as they had. The food was genuine and nutritious and he had been nothing but kind and generous to them. How he knew of the past groups of destined ones and how he knew all their names made them all think that he must have ties with the man in black and if he could trust Valthumar then they could too.

They hoped they weren't wrong about him.

When the feast was finished, Valthumar led them out of the dining room and into another expansive room near the back of mansion. Comfortable and ornate chairs lined the walls as did couches and sofas. Against one wall was a large piano and the middle of the room was open and bare, showcasing a smooth hardwood floor. Valthumar gestured to one of two doors against the far wall. "Behind this door is an expansive wardrobe for those who wish to dress in something more comfortable. A door inside that room leads to a large bath which you can all use to cleanse your bodies." He gestured to the other door. "That door leads to the armoury and supply room where you may find armour, weapons, tools, and items you may wish to bring along for your journey to the other anchors once you are finished here."

"You have great faith in us, don't you?" Karmen asked dryly, her arms across her chest.

"I do," was what he said before he began walking to the piano.

Boog tapped his foot impatiently and looked at his companions. "This is fine and all but shouldn't we focus on the anchor? We have to cleanse it! We can take a bath later and Valdu...Valathu...Val said that we wouldn't need our weapons for this one anyway. Let's complete the mission first and then we can relax."

Aragol nodded. "Boog is right. We should secure this anchor now that we are fed and energized."

Valthumar sat on the bench before the piano and lifted the lid covering the ivory keys. "There is no need, Charles and Aragol. This task can only be completed once you are asleep."

"What?" Boog asked dubiously. "Asleep?"

"Yes. Your minds need to be at rest in order to challenge the corruption here and sleeping is the best way to accomplish that. I suggest you enjoy your stay until it is time to enter the realm of slumber. A few more hours will not harm my home too much. Please, be at ease. You have journeyed far and are in need of it."

"Can we, please?!" Celestia asked Boog expectantly, clutching her hands before her. "Maybe he has a pretty dress I can wear! This skirt is nice but it's already starting to get dirty. I wouldn't mind being dressed in something clean for once."

Valthumar began playing a slow and melodious tune on his piano, the keystrokes echoing through the building, warming everyone's souls and relaxing their energetic minds. Boog looked down at Celestia, her eyes bright with hope, and couldn't help but smile. "All right, Celestia. Go ahead. Tonight we relax."

"Thank you!" she cried out as she hurried into the room with the awaiting wardrobes. Graham made to follow but she closed the door behind her. "No peeking!" He blushed and sat on a nearby chair, waiting for her to come out again.

"This jersey of mine is pretty ripped up," Victoria said, stretching her shirt and eyeing the many tears and holes in it. "I wonder what he's got for us." She entered the same room Celestia had. Casandra glanced at Karmen, who shrugged, and the two followed. Before closing the door, Casandra eyed Ivory.

"I'm fine," the armoured blonde said from her seat across the room.

"Come on, Ivory. You owe me."

Ivory sighed deeply and groaned. "You have to bring that up now?"

Casandra closed her eyes and smiled widely. "I do!"

Ivory followed her inside and the doors closed.

"Well, what if we want some new clothes?" Boog asked with a wave at the door. "They'll take all night in there!"

Aragol walked to the other door. "I am indeed in need of new armour..."

Boog shrugged. "Yeah all right, maybe there are some cool weapons or something in there..."

Elmar gazed at Graham across the room and nodded to the other door. "Want to have a look?"

Graham smiled. "Sure."

The two entered into the room, which was huge, to find it full of weapon and armour racks, shelves of glass bottles, leather water pouches, bags, bowls, cups, and a myriad of other tools and items. Aragol was across the room, his eyes studying a silver breastplate. Boog was trying on various fist weapons, ranging from massive metal knuckles, huge claws, or long spikes that extended forward. Elmar had little need for anything but he did discover a wonderful leather bag that he could swing over one shoulder. It could store hundreds of buttons, whenever he came across some. Graham found himself staring at throwing weapons such as sharpened rings, stars, knives and small axes.

Many minutes passed before the men returned to the room where Valthumar continued to play his piano. He was fully absorbed in his music and paid them no heed. Aragol moved to a mirror on one wall and eyed himself in his new, shining, silver breastplate. He had acquired a new cape as well, one that was deep red, the colour of his nation's military troops. Boog had decided to stick with his trusty brass knuckles but he had grabbed a belt full of pouches so he could help carry supplies when they began journeying again. A bag was too uncomfortable for him even though it would have served better. Graham had taken a bag instead and filled it with tools he thought might come in handy, such as rope, bowls, utensils, and a few throwing weapons. He didn't know how to use them but he wanted to help his comrades more and decided that with his wind power he might be able to use them well enough. Elmar had his new bag slung over his shoulder and had equipped a dagger to a newly acquired belt.

"They're still in there?" Boog asked with a shake of his head when he noticed that not one of the women had emerged. "What are they doing, having a pillow fight?"

Aragol raised an eyebrow. "That would be interesting."

"Women, I tell ya," Boog said, shaking his head again. "There won't be any hot water left for us when we go for our baths."

"I assure you," Valthumar said, overhearing Boog, "that your baths will be just as comfortable as theirs."

"Yeah," Boog scoffed, "that's if we ever get a chance to take one..."

"There are baths upstairs," Valthumar said with a shrug. "If you wish not to wait you may use them. Simply climb the stairs and turn right. They are the first door down the hall and to your right. The next door down the hall has more clothes for you as well, though not as elegant as those down here."

Seeing that the women were in no rush to emerge, the men decided to go upstairs. They were only killing time until they slept anyway; there was no need for elegance. They found the room easily enough and took turns cleaning themselves, relishing the warm water and feeling of cleanliness. They removed their travelling clothes and dressed themselves in new and cleaner ones. Boog found himself a green shirt of cloth and brown pants. Aragol dressed himself in an elaborate blue tunic and dark brown leather leggings. Elmar found himself another mantle, this one a darker green and gilded in gold. He also found a drawer full of various types of buttons of all sizes and colours and was quick to gather them all, stuffing them in his new bag before anyone saw him. Graham found himself an impressive red and gold tailcoat over a black vest with gleaming silver buttons—which he hid from Elmar—and black trousers. He finished the look with black leather laced boots.

Boog took a step back and eyed the young man with a smile. "You look like you're ready to go out to a ball, Graham. Lookin' real gentlemanly and all."

Graham blushed and smiled. "Thank you...I...I like the look."

Aragol nodded. "It is a good look indeed. Wouldn't do well travelling but for now it will do wonderfully."

Elmar gasped, his eyes going wide. "Are those silver buttons?!"

Graham backed away from him, covering his chest with his hands, folding the coat over his vest in an attempt to hide the buttons. "They are not for you!"

"I must have them!"

"No!"

Aragol put a hand on Elmar and held him firm. "You can have the buttons when we are done here. Now control yourself, Elmar. I can hear voices downstairs. The girls are waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Elmar asked curiously.

Aragol shrugged. "I am not certain but they are there and they are our companions and friends and we shouldn't hide from them."

Elmar nodded and walked to the doorway. He stopped for a moment and pointed at Graham behind him. "I want those buttons! Remember!"

Graham nodded, his hands still over his chest. "Yeah, fine, whatever..."

They descended the stairs and returned to the room at the back of the mansion. Valthumar was playing a lighter and bouncier tune on his piano when they returned. The four men stepped through the door and froze at the sight before them, dropping the dirty travelling clothes they had brought with them on the ground.

"Who are you all?" Boog asked them, his hands clenching and unclenching. "Val! Are these more friends of yours?"

"They are absolutely beautiful," Aragol said with a smirk. "Valthumar, you did not tell us you were having more guests."

One of the women rolled her eyes. "You guys are retarded..."

The four men exchanged wide-eyed glances.

"Victoria?!" they exclaimed simultaneously.

"Duh!" she replied. "Who else would I be?"

Victoria's hair was tied up in an elaborate bun, her braids rising up behind her head as two strands of straight black hair bordered her face. A golden pin sat in her bun, shaped as a glittering butterfly. Golden earrings in the shape of stars hung from her lobes, sparkling in the light of the chandeliers above. She wore a strapless purple and silver gown that accentuated her curves and fit her tightly. It draped over her legs and flowed like water. Her skin was flawless and her lips shone a bright red. She held her hands behind her back and rocked from side to side. "I look stupid, right?"

The men couldn't find the words for the other women were just as stunning. Casandra wore a red dress bordered in white that hugged her upper body and flared over the ground, hiding her feet. Her auburn hair, shining with intensity, was worn straight, as she normally had it, but was exquisitely brushed and had flowers braided into it, adding colour and brightness. Her blue eyes glittered like diamonds and a golden, emerald necklace lay over her chest, sparkling brightly. Her earrings were an elaborate collection of various gems held together along what looked like an upside down tree.

Celestia wore a dress similar to the one she had worn before but its colours were much more vibrant. Rows of golden frills adorned her pale red, silk dress, beneath which a corset wrapped around her waist, accentuating her upper body. Her shoulders and arms were bare and her pearl and silver necklace remained but was paired with one of pure gold and diamond. Earrings of bright rubies hung beautifully from her small ears. Her blonde hair, as light as lace, draped over her shoulders and two diamond pins kept rogue strands out of her bright blue eyes.

She giggled when she saw Graham. "You look so handsome."

Graham remembered to close his mouth and cleared his throat. "You are as if from a dream."

Celestia blushed and extended a hand. "Care to dance?"

Before Graham could realize what he was doing he felt himself grabbing her hand and taking her up on her offer. Even when he was fully in control he dared not run off as this was too great to be true and he wanted to enjoy it while it lasted. The two began to move to the music, now slower than it was before, their eyes locked on one another and not straying.

"Where are Karmen and Ivory?" Elmar asked when his mouth got dry enough for him to close it.

Victoria glanced back at the door they had come from. "They're just being shy. They'll come. Hey, Karmen! Ivory! Get your pretty asses out here!"

"Charming as always, Victoria," Casandra said with a chuckle. She glanced to the side and saw Elmar approaching her. "Oh, what is it Elmar? Is there a problem?"

He had left his staff leaning against the wall behind him and he gave her a gracious, sweeping bow. "It would be my deepest honour to take your hand and have this dance with you."

Casandra smiled and couldn't stop a blush from appearing. "Well, if you insist."

Elmar smiled back at her, his brilliant purple eyes glittering, "I do, my lady."

She offered her hand and he took it gently, moving her with him as the piano kept playing.

"Ok, they're coming!" Victoria cried out. "Be nice!"

"Shut up, Victoria!" said a most wonderfully attired woman as she stepped through the doorway. She wore a bright yellow dress of smooth silk that swished as she walked. On her arms were armbands that connected to the dress, leaving her shoulders and collar bare. Her shining brown hair tumbled over her shoulders in rivulets and her mahogany eyes were shadowed in pale purple. Her earrings were dark blue gems in the shape of tear drops. Her lips were coloured a pale red and were pursed tightly. She did not appear happy. "I can't believe I let you all do this to me..." She saw the men looking at her and glared at them. "Fine! You saw me! I'm taking this off now..."

"No way, girl!" Victoria said, moving as quickly as she could in her dress. She blocked the doorway to the wardrobe room and prevented Karmen from stepping inside. Karmen waited for her to move, her arms over her chest and her foot tapping impatiently. Victoria looked behind her and smiled. "Looks like you've got a dance partner."

Karmen's eyes widened. "What? No..." She turned around to see Aragol standing there, his silver hair gleaming like metal and his copper eyes shining. He had one hand behind his back and one extended to her. She felt her throat tighten and her heart began to beat rapidly.

"I have thought long about that question you asked me last night," he said to her. "I wish to answer that tonight, if you will help me."

"What are you talking about?" She hugged herself, her mind racing.

"You asked if I had any skills besides killing. I would like to show you that I do." He moved his hand closer. "Please, take it."

Karmen shook her head. "No. I...I won't. Go dance with Victoria. I...I don't dance."

"He wants to dance with you, doofus," Victoria said from behind her. "It's just Aragol. Go ahead. No one is going to say anything."

She hated herself for it but she found her hand moving toward Aragol's. Halfway there it paused and she thought of charging through Victoria and hiding in the room. She could do it. She was strong enough. Before she could act Aragol reached and took her hand and gently pulled her toward him. She shook her head and resisted. "Don't. Please. Don't do it! Let me go!"

Aragol sighed and let her go. "Very well. I won't force you." He took a step back and looked over at Victoria. "Would you be willing?"

"Sure!" Victoria said happily, moving to him and taking his hand willingly. The two moved away to begin dancing and she looked back at Karmen. "See? It's not so bad, you big chicken."

Karmen frowned at her and backed away into a corner, sitting down on a sofa and looking down at the floor.

Ivory emerged from the room then and wore a frown very similar to Karmen's. She was dressed in a tight-fitting silver dress with frills along the shoulder straps that stood up alongside her face, framing it regally. Many layers of lace cascaded down her gown, flaring at the hem. She wore silk gloves that extended up to her elbow and diamond earrings in the shape of crossed swords hung from her ears. Her normally wild hair was tamed and brushed neatly, outlining her round face and making her dark eyes stand out. She stood awkwardly, constantly tugging and pulling at certain areas of her dress.

Boog glanced over at her. "You know, your dress kind of looks like a really fancy suit of armour. It suits you."

Ivory looked away, raising the low cut of her gown, hiding any sign of cleavage. "Thank you..."

"Boog!" Victoria called out from the middle of the floor, still dancing with Aragol. "You should dance with Ivory! You would look so cute!"

Boog looked down at Ivory and she looked up at him. There was a brief hesitation before the two crossed their arms and turned away.

"I ain't dancing like some pretty boy," Boog grumbled.

"The only dance I take part of is the dance of death during battle," Ivory said with a nod of agreement. "I only dressed this way to make the others happy and to see how it felt."

Boog, still looking away, asked, "And? How does it feel?"

Ivory paused for a moment before shrugging and replying. "I feel overexposed but...it does feel somewhat nice on my skin, I suppose...."

"Yeah, well, like I said...it looks really good."

Ivory glanced back at Boog briefly and smiled slightly, her cheeks reddening nearly imperceptibly.

Karmen watched the others and sighed. She had to keep pulling her gown up as it kept slipping lower and lower and she was growing frustrated. Like Ivory, she disliked it immensely to show too much of her body. She was not some object for the men to drool over. She had been told that she had an attractive body with wonderful curves but she didn't care. It was her body and not anyone else's. They could crave it all they wanted but she'd never surrender it to some slavering dog. When she had looked in the mirror before leaving the wardrobe room she had liked what she had seen but knowing that the men were thinking more of what was beneath angered her. She had worn this to be beautiful, though she'd never admit it to anyone, and not to tease and seduce. She was not some loose harlot that spread her legs at the sight of a handsome face.

She was too absorbed in her thoughts as she kept her eyes on her slipping gown, ensuring that her chest was never too exposed, that she did not see Aragol sit down beside her. When she did realize he was there she sat up straighter and hugged her chest tightly.

"I am not dancing with you, Aragol," she hissed. "You might as well give up before you start."

Aragol smiled and shook his head, his eyes on Victoria and Elmar dancing, Casandra off the side, smiling happily. "I did not come here to ask for a dance, Karmen. I simply came here to sit."

"There are like twenty other chairs to sit on. You didn't need to come to this one!"

"Yet I did."

"Why?"

"Why not?"

Karmen thought of leaving and finding somewhere else to sit. She didn't want him sneaking peeks at her and trying to see down her gown. She inched closer to the edge of the sofa.

"You look absolutely beautiful, Karmen," he said to her, a sincere smile on his face.

She narrowed her eyes and looked at his. The copper orbs stared right back, unblinking. She sniffed. "Whatever, you'd like this dress more if it was on the ground, right?"

Aragol furrowed his brow. "I didn't mean it as an insult, Karmen. I meant every word."

"Sure. All guys are the same. They say pretty words to make you feel happy and vulnerable and then you surrender yourself to them and they leave and you never see them again. They come in, sweep you off your feet, steal your heart, and when you think you've finally found someone you could live with forever they leave you to be broken and shattered. Not so much as a goodbye or a reason. They got what they wanted and that's all that ever mattered to them! No guy ever gave a rat's ass about what a woman felt." Her eyes were beginning to moisten and she wiped them before any tears could escape. She took a deep breath and continued. "So don't come here, Aragol, thinking you can sweet talk me into thinking you actually care about me. I am your companion for now because I am forced to be. Once this is all over, though, we'll go our separate ways and never see each other again so there is no point in starting anything more serious than a companionship. You'll go back to your war and I'll go back to Seattle where I'll live alone...like I want to..." This time a few tears did begin to roll down her cheeks.

"Karmen..."

"No!" She raised a finger at him, rigid and steady. "Don't! You are no different, Aragol! I can see right through you! Don't you think for a second that you can convince me otherwise! You like my chest and my ass and maybe my face and that is it! You want to grab and squeeze and kiss and do whatever else but once that's all done you'll be finished with me. You're just like all the others... And you wonder why I act cold..."

Aragol sighed deeply and said nothing. He looked ahead at the dancers and remained silent. To his surprise, Karmen did not leave. She sniffed back more tears and remained where she was. "All I said was that you were beautiful," he said after a few silent moments.

"Yeah, that's where it all begins," Karmen snarled. "I'm not falling for any of it ever again." She glanced at Aragol briefly before looking ahead again. "You might be from an entirely different world but all men are the same. It's kind of sad, really. I finally discover that there is life somewhere else than Earth and it's all full of the same liars and cheats. It's like some bad joke."

Aragol didn't say anything. He could argue the matter but it would get him nowhere. He saw Casandra beckoning him for a dance and he stood up. Before he left he glanced back at Karmen. "Not all men are the same, Karmen. You only need to open your eyes and see." He then walked off toward Casandra.

Karmen rolled her eyes. "I see perfectly fine..."