A Dark Temptation (8)

Cassandra went to Tanya’s home after school today.

"What’s that?" Tanya asked. Gesturing to the package she held. It was the one with Sinclair’s gift in it.

"Oh, it’s a present. I’m going somewhere tonight. Friends of my family. So I probably won’t be back until late. Is that alright?" Cassandra said.

"Sure," Tanya replied. She was probably hoping to have a slumber party or something…

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At 6:30 Cassandra got dressed. She opened the package and gasped. She took out the dress that was a dark forestry green. The dress went down to her knees. It had a dark faded pattern of leaves on the front and it was beautiful. The dress was sleeveless and it brought out her eyes.

She put it on. It clung to her figure, making her look very posh and sophisticated. She took out her knee high black leather boots and put them on.

"Good enough," she said.

She brushed her hair and tied it into a bun, allowing some of her curls to brush down to her neck.

A thin layer of black eyeliner was put on and so was some red lipstick. It was a contrast to her white skin. She grabbed her coat and headed off.

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She arrived at Sinclair’s house at about 7:05 just a few minutes late. The front lawn was decorated with lights and so were the trees. The mansion looked majestic and beautiful.

She walked inside. When she knocked on the front door, Charles opened it.

"Welcome, welcome Cassandra! I’m so glad you could come." He looked shockingly handsome for a dad. He wore a tuxedo, the black stood out against his white skin.

All Cassandra could do was smile. He gestured toward the main ball room. "Through there," he said.

"Thanks"

She walked toward the ball room. A couple, wandering the hallway stopped and starred at her. She smiled back.

When the main doors were opened, she gasped. The room was decorated with lights and the ceiling was so high up. It would probably take a 100 meter ladder to touch the top.

"A drink miss?" the waiter asked.

"Yes please,"

She went up to the library. She knocked on the door.

"Come in,"

She opened it. There was Eric, leaning against the wall. He was absurdly handsome. The tuxedo was probably tailor made as it looked like it fitted him just right. It emphasized his big broad chest and his well muscled arms. His hair was swept one way, neater than it usually was, but it still suited him.

"Cassandra…" he said. His eyes raked up and down her, his hazel eyes appraising.

"I was almost afraid you weren’t going to show up. I see that I made the right choice. You look very…… beautiful tonight."

She blushed, "Thanks,"

"Come, go down stairs and enjoy yourself first. Since my family is holding the meeting, we have to prepare for a grand entrance," he smirked.

Cassandra nodded.

She went down stairs and took another drink. She turned and went outside to the balcony. It was so beautiful and peaceful. She couldn’t believe that the Sinclairs had a lake in their back yard. She sighed.

"Beautiful isn’t it?" said a voice from behind her.
She whirled in shock, to see a young man, a bit taller than Eric looking at her.

"Y…Yes." She didn’t know what else to say because wasn’t he one of ‘them’?

"I used to come out here, it reminded me of when I was little, my mother would always sing me to sleep, while I was watching the swans gliding along the surface of the lake." He said.

"Yes, it is very beautiful, isn’t it?"

"Might I have your cell number? I would like to keep in touch with the pretty lady,"

"Um… sure." She pulled out her cell phone and gave it to him, while he gave his to her.

"Come inside now, it is very cold, you might get sick," he said. He put an arm around her.

Cassandra suddenly felt shy but was grateful for the warmth.

As he led her inside, she said, "What’s your name?"

He grinned, "Mark Sullivan, I already know who you are Cassandra,"

Cassandra gasped, he said her name just like Eric. She smiled back at him. Just then the big doors opened and the Sinclair family walked in. They were grand and stood out from the crowed. She saw Eric and smiled. Mark tensed.

Eric looked this way and smiled at her but for some reason his eyes narrowed. He looked away from Cassandra and stared straight ahead. His eyes changed, now they seemed like stone and cold……

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Eric Sinclair’s muscles all locked as he saw the arm of another guy around Cassandra. He continued to look straight ahead. If he looked at her again, he might be compelled to do something that was irrational.

The feast had begun and all of the guests walked towards the big rectangle table. He grabbed her arm.

"Hey!" the guy with his arm around Cassandra protested.

"She isn’t yours," Eric hissed, he whisked Cassandra away before, Mark could say anything else.

Eric gave Cassandra a seat next to his, and sat uncomfortably close to her, so that their elbows were touching. She shifted. Charles stood up and said,

"I thank you all for coming, as you all know, we have a problem, the well-known shape shifter and soul eater, Mark Sullivan is in town,"

Cassandra froze her face was drained of all of her blood, she looked where Mark sat. He smiled secretively back and put one finger to his lips as if to say, ‘let’s keep this a secret," Her phone vibrated in her pocket. She pulled it out. A text from Mark.

"I have your mother, tell them about me, and you’ll see her head on your doorstep." It said.

"We ask you to take precautions and if any peculiar happenings happen close by, we ask you to inform us immediately. Thank you. Now with out further ado… Let the feast begin!"

Murmurs were heard, but Cassandra hardly touched her food she was scared. Eric bent towards her, "Not hungry tonight?"

He looked at where Cassandra was looking and gritted his teeth. She was looking at that guy again. ‘Stop looking at him! You’re mine!’ he wanted to yell.

"Don’t worry, I know something that would snap you out of this motionless state." Eric said. He grinned and got up from the table.

He went over and whispered something to Charles, Charles smiled and nodded and whispered something back. Eric came back grinning from ear to ear.

He stood up from his seat, "Attention everyone, at this time when everyone is here, I would like to introduce the newest member of the family, this person is my wife, so I would like you to congratulate, no one other than Cassandra Simmons, who will now be known as Cassandra Sinclair!"

Murmurs and applause rose around. Mark seethed at Eric and Eric gave him a wistful smile back.

Cassandra looked at Eric in an outrage. He sat back down. ‘Alright, I’ll play for now, but wait till I get you alone… I’m gonna wring your brains out,’ Cassandra thought. Eric seemed to know this too. So he played the loving husband for a few minutes.

Cassandra leaned over and said to Eric, "Eric, darling, I need to know where the bathroom is, I need to get this stain out of this lovely dress you bought for me," she batted her eye lashes.

Eric looked uncertain, "Of course," after that shocking revelation, she forgot all about Mark Sullivan.

When they reached the bathroom, Eric closed the door. She fired at him.

"YOU! How dare you say that I am your wife! How many times do I have to say it until you get it into that thick brain of yours? Hm? I WILL NOT MARRY YOU NIMROD! Now that we are all alone, I can do this," she took the glass she was holding and poured the red wine down the front of his tuxedo, where it was white.

Eric stumbled back, "What the hell?"

"Serves you right, now I’m going back out there and telling them that I am not your damn wife!"
"No you aren’t!" he grabbed her arm and his voice dropped to a whisper as he said, "Do you love me Cassandra?"

She was about to tell him to jerk off, when he put a finger to her lips, "Please Cassandra…… for me…."

She wrung out his grasp and said, "I don’t owe you anything."

They walked back to the main room, only to find it half filled with dead corpses.