The Amulet of Tenebrae

Kendra looked over herself once more in the mirror to make sure everything was in order. It was almost time for her to make her entrance. She went to her door and opened it to go out in the hallway. She could hear the crowd from upstairs and was anxious to go down and see everyone. She wondered if Rassler was already down there and what he was wearing. She had only ever seen him in his usual casual clothes and never really dressed up.

Just as she was walking down the hall, appearing out of the hall all dressed, Rass was in his whole attire and his black leather mask with tall thin horns on it since he had to be in human form.

He paused, "Whoa.....look a you." he smirked.

Kendra spotted Rass coming around the corner and she was taken aback by just how good he looked all dressed up. Her heart started to race and she could feel her cheeks turning a bit red.

"Whoa indeed..." She said looking at him. She couldn't see his face behind the mask, but he still looked so handsome. "You look...amazing." She said a bit awkwardly.

He smirked, "Not used to the mask eh?" he got her hand and kissed it, "Don't worry you'll get used to it through the night. Come on let's go see your guests." he said.

"More like I am not use to seeing you with such long horns." She smiled when he kissed her hand. "Oh? Are you my escort for the evening?" She chuckled and held onto his hand.

"This is how long they SHOULD be...but they just haven't." he sighed sighed a little, "And yes I am." he lead her to the top of the stairs, Where the guests looked up and were in awe of the couple at the top of the stairs, "Awwwww she looks so pretty!!" said Lana, "SOOO pretty!" Samari agreed in equal excitedness.

Rassler lead her all the way down the flight of stairs, then looked to the crowd, "Ladies and Gentlmen thank you for coming along to this great event, we now shall head on to the ballroom." he announced to them and they all got walking along.

"Oh...I see." She squeezed his hand a bit and went with him to the top of the stairs. She saw the sea of guests and their smiles. She couldn't help but smile too. She saw Lana, Phoebe, and Samari in a huddle toward the front of the stairs. Rassler led her down with such grace and ease. She felt almost intimidated standing beside him.

He announced that the festivities would take place in the ballroom and everyone started to head that way. Once inside, Kendra was amazed at how it was decorated. Ruth and Carter really outdid themselves. It was like the ballroom had come alive again. The guests seemed just as amazed as she was.

He let her hand g when her friends approached, "You look like a princess!" said Samari with a giggling tone. "This is such SWEET idea too!" said Lana. "So cool." chuckled Phoebe. They all went on towards to the ballroom with Rassler leading the crowd. He smirked seeing the ballroom, "Just like all that time ago....well done." he said to himself. There was a HUGE spread of food for everyone to graze and check on and punch fountain as well, no booze of course to keep it clean for the students.

Kendra wasn't quite ready to leave Rass's side, but she had no choice when her friends suddenly ran up to her and crowded around her. She felt his hand release hers and he went on ahead. "Thanks you guys...I'm glad you could make it. It wouldn't be much of a birthday without my best friends here." She smiled and they all chuckled together.

Most of the girls from Kendra's class were here and also some of her friends from the boys school were there as well. The schools were right next to each other so they all got to mingle after school. Kendra looked around and barely recognized everyone with their masks on. A lot of people were coming up to her and wishing her a happy birthday. Being the center of attention was so foreign to her that it was almost exhausting. Soon it would be time for her to have her first dance. It was an age old tradition among her family for the first born lady to choose an eligible man to share her first dance as a woman with since she was now eighteen. It was a big deal since the last first born lady in the family was Emily.

They giggled as they went on together, "This was well set up Kendra, you're so lucky!" said Lana, "Its like we went back in time. Then the living music began as the guests entered the ballroom and everyone was free to look to the entertainment that Carter got arranged, which some circus folk he had connections with, so jugglers, fire breathers and jesters playing around with the guests.

Ruth was keeping the serving staff in clean order and making sure everyone was being served drinks; lovely fruit punch and sparkling apple juice and sparking grape juice in replacement of champagne and wine.

Rassler was then surrounded by many of the young ladies who were drawn to his height, and the mystery of this costume. he sighed, "Ladies ladies, I'll dance you later, but I need to wait for the birthday girl to make a choice for her first dance." he said to them.

The music began to slow down and the center of the dance floor opened in a large circle with Kendra at the center all alone. It was time for the grande event. It was time for the birthday girl to choose her dance partner. Kendra stood under the light of the huge chandelier that cast down on her like a make shift spot light. The music started slowly. It was a soft and slow paced waltz. It was similar to the music Rass used with her when they were practicing.

She looked around into the sea of people. Her eyes were looking for one person. He was not hard to spot over the heads of the many people looking at her. She walked forward and the patrons parted like the Red Sea as she made her way towards a tall man surrounded by women. They too moved aside as she came up to him. "Rassler, will you dance with me?" She said with a smile and a fresh blush.

Rassler watched as the crowd made a circle Around Kendra. And he grinned as she approached him and the girls pouted and she asked him for the dance, "Pardon me ladies." he said to the group around him as he moved by and took Her hand, leading her to the centre of the floor.

The music started up and he took her to the starting position in the waltz and then got leading her into the dance, The girls pouted as he danced with her, while her friends were trying to hold their giddy reactions watching her dancing with Rass.

In the crowd, a guest dressed in white and gold with a gold dragon carved mask was watching with a beverage in hand. Then Ruth came up to him, "So you've come after all?"

"Of course, i plan to watch over things." it was was Zadicus Grim and he was in some way crashing the party to spy on things.

Kendra took his hand and walked with him to the dance floor. "It seems you have some fans." She chuckled. They got to the middle of the dance floor and got them into the starting position. He took the lead and they began to dance. It came more natural with Rass teaching her and his magnificent ability to lead. "Are you surprised I chose you...?" She asked him.

"I can't stand my aura sometimes." he sighed as they danced, "It was worse at your school though." he did say. He smirked at her, "No, you would be too shy to ask anyone else." he teased, 'Plus i would would be death glaring them all night.' he said in his mind.

He spun her around and dipped her to the music. He then spotted the golden masked man and frowned, 'that asshole of a night is here....i'll deal with him later.' he was not going to ruin this night for Kendra, it was HER night.

"Yes, I remember. Even though you were a girl, they still couldn't help themselves." She snickered. Kendra moved with the flow of the music and stayed close to Rass as they danced. "That's not why I chose you..." She admitted before he spun her and dipped her.

He sighed, "Ugh those girls were like ravinous animals....staring at a piece of meat." he said as he spun her around and held her close, "Oh? What was the reason?" he asked, intrigued.

Kendra looked right into the dark pits where his eyes were hidden behind his mask, "Well...according to my family tradition, the lady is suppose to choose someone who is special to her. The only person here that really fit that description...was you." She said honestly. "I knew from the moment I was told about this tradition it was going to be you..."

He smirked, "Well, I am honoured." he kissed her hand then spun her around keeping up with the music. A lot of the girls cooed at the sight, while some of the guys felt a little bit jealous. But the dragon mask guest smirked, 'well well, what are you up there Rassler...' he took a sip of his punch.

Kendra smiled and felt her cheeks get hot from his kiss. She happily spun out and came back into his arms as the music sped up one final time as they approached the end. Kendra seemed to forget about everyone else in the room. Her eyes only saw Rassler for the moment.

Continuing on with their waltzes until the end, they bowed to each other once the music was done and the guests applauded the little show. Then music began playing again as Rass escorted her back off the floor, "You did well, the lessons helped." he smirked.

"You took lessons?" the Dragon mask man interrupted them, drink in hand. Rassler glared, "What the hell are you doing here?" he was needing to keep temper with the guests about.

"You look lovely this evening, Miss Kendra." he said with a bow.

At the end of their waltz, Kendra curtsied to Rassler before he led her off the dance floor. "Yes, they did. Thank you for agreeing to dance with me and teach me, Rassler. I couldn't have done it without you." She suddenly heard a familiar voice come up behind them. Even behind that dragon mask, she recognized immediately who it was in white and gold.

"Thank you, Zadicus. What brings you here this evening?" She asked.

He nodded to her again, "Just coming about to keep watch over things. Since this is a large gathering and what not." he said, sipping his beverage. "YOU are apart crasher." glared Rassler.

"Maybe so, but I have not caused any scenes or issues, I'm here to keep my watch as a Knight." he smirked

"Things have been rather peaceful around here lately actually. It's as if he has given up." She said referring to Vor. "It's fine Rass. He isn't causing any trouble. So it is fine with me that he is here. It is probably in our best interest to have him here in case something were to happen." She said.

"He could be just biding his time.....he's not one to give up a grudge or what he desires." reminded Zadicus. "But i digress, he seems to be not attempting anything so far." he said, then a waitress came over with more punch, "Beverages miss?" she smiled.

It was all made from pure fruit juice so Rass could enjoy it as well. Which he happily took one. Rass glared at Zadicus, "Just stay away from me and you'll live and SEE longer." he said, mocking for his lack of sight in one eye.

Zadicus wanted to knock him out but kept his cool, "As you wish."

Kendra shook her head with a sigh. Granted she was not too fond of Zadicus, but he did help save her mother from that sleeping curse so she was grateful. She was thankful when a waitress came up and offered them drinks to break the rising tension. "Yes, thank you." She took a goblet with red punch in it and took a drink.

She felt the tension building again with Rassler's low blow comment. "Ooookay that's enough you two." She said stepping between them. "Please don't cause a scene in front of everyone. Especially on my birthday." She warned the two of them.