Asheron sought in his office, his elbows propped up on his desk and his entwined fingers covering his mouth as he stared resentfully at the cream colored envelope in front of him.

He thought if he stared at it hard enough, maybe it would burn and he could pretend he never got it.

"It's from Lord Elmeese." Damian said his hands folded behind his back.

Asheron slide his eyes from the envelope to Damian. He blinked and leaned back in his leather chair.

"I know." Asheron said slowly as he tapped his finger nail on the desk.

Damian pursed his lips and shifted the weight of his foot. It was obvious he wanted to know what the envelope was.

Asheron stopped tapping his finger.

"Open it."

Before the words had completely left his mouth, Damian had snatched up the envelope and sliced it open with the the letter opener. He pulled out a thin silver card. After looking over it for a second he looked Asheron with a grin.

"There will be ball."

A groan escaped from Asheron's lips as he closed his eyes.

"A masquerade ball." Damian continue. "It will be in two days."

Hearing the hint of excitement in Damian's voice, Asheron opened his eyes.

Damian's grin widened.

"Should I go order the masks now? What kind of mask do you want?"

"You pick.... wait, 'masks'?"

Damian was already headed to the door.

"Of course. I'm going too." Without waiting for a response he closed the door.

Asheron stared at the closed door for a moment before shaking his head slightly. Damian had always been more of an outgoing type person. The complete opposite of Asheron.

Because of this, Asheron didn't go to parties or travel...or interaction with people. So he could understand his sons excitement for some entertainment. He must be bored, Asheron thought with tinge of guilt.

Asheron sighed and began tapped his finger again as he thought about the ball.

He didn't like parties. He never had, even when he was younger and went with his father and mother. They made him uncomfortable especially since he didn't really know anyone.

He thought that the people's smiling faces always looked fake and insincere. It was terrifying.

Now that he was older he wasn't scared but he still felt uncomfortable around so many unfamiliar people. Especially since he knew none of them really cared much for him.

Pushing the thoughts away Asheron got up, deciding to visit Vlad.

He hadn't been to his side of the house in a few days. None the less, he still kept up with his activities to make sure the incident with that maid wouldn't happen again.

Asheron found Vlad once again on the brown sofa, except this time he was lying down. His long legs were crossed and stretched out and his hand rested on his stomach. He seemed rather relaxed

Asheron peered down at him. Vlads eyes brows were drawn together and his eyes moved rapidly under his pale eyelids.

Asheron frowned and, thinking Vlad was having a bad dream, reached out to wake him.

As soon as he touched him, Vlad's eyes snapped open and he grabbed Asheron's wrist. His pupils shrank to the size of pin points as his eyes locked onto Asheron's face.

Vampires we're strong but Asheron was a noble just like Vlad so their strength should at least be the same. But Vlads grip was abnormally strong.

Asheron gritted his teeth at the pain and grabbed Vlads arm with his other hand resisting the urge to dig his nails in.

"Let. Go."

Vlad stared blankly for a second and loosened his grip. He then blinked and let go.

Asheron stepped back and rubbed his wrist. Black hand shaped bruises were left on his skin.

"What do you want?" Vlad said not bothering to sit up on the sofa. Instead he stared at the ceiling.

Asheron frowned, regaining his composure.

"Did you receive your invitation?"

Vlad flicked his hand and a small red card appeared between his fingers. He grinned, seeming to be back to his usual self, finally looking at Asheron.

"You mean this?" Vlad flicked his hand again and the card disappeared. "Yes I got it."

With that Vlad closed his eyes, dismissing Asheron.

Asheron wanted to ask if that was all he had to say. After all, the ball was for him, and it was the type of ball he especially enjoyed. Instead of saying that he asked him something else.

"Why don't you sleep in the room?"

Vlad cracked open an eye and peered at him through thick black lashes.

"It's not comfortable."

Asheron assumed Vlad meant that his rooms weren't as nice as what he was used to.

"Well sorry it's not to your liking."

Asheron said in a mocking tone before turning, leaving Vlad alone on the lounging room.