( The Next Ellwood Manor Third person POV)
The manor was busy as usual, but today was more important. The Ellwood would be hosting a ball celebrating Alex's engagement to Aana. Their mother invited all vampire royalty and their daughters. (He hoped Logan would find a mate this way.) Servants were everywhere cleaning, making food, and putting up decorations. Logan, on the other hand, was trying to leave. He had no interest in being in a room full of whiny, clingy, over-obsessive vampire girls. He would rather have a ramen eating contest with Jay than attend an annoying party. It wasn’t that he didn’t have a choice, it’s just that Alex was his brother, and well, it would feel wrong if he didn’t go. Plus, he would never hear the end of it from his mother.
He sighed as he left his room. He decided to go to his library for some quiet time.
“TEME!”
He gave another sigh. “So much for the quiet time.” The door to his room burst open to a very excited, loud mouth Jay.
“How many times have I told you not to barge in like that dobe, it is annoying.”
“You’re such a jerk, here I am about to tell you great news and u act like an ice cube.”
Logan gave another sigh. Jay has been his best friend ever since he could remember. He was the exact opposite of him, yet they were like brothers. He knew Jay meant well and all, he was just so childish.
“Let me guess it's on the girl who is destined to be your mate right?”
“How did u know, can u read my mind or something?”
“You’re just so predictable Jay. All you ever talk about is your mate. I bet you have no clue what she looks like.”
“Well, that’s what I wanted to tell you! Last night my parents made me go see this creepy witch lady, and she Backyard the girl has long raven hair and lavender eyes.” He sighed as his mind wandered off.
“I want to see her,” he complained.
“Honestly Jay I don’t see why you waste your time tracking down this female. She’s probably not even in this life yet.”
“Well excuse me for not wanting to be alone, icy, and act like I have a stick up my ass like you Logan.”
“Shut up dobe.” Logan sighed and walked his way past Jay who followed behind.
(Ellwood Manor Third person POV)
“All right hurry up u filthy things, in the cleaning stations now,” yelled Ami. The girls were in a huge room that had five different stations to get clean. The first was a huge bath with steaming water and flower petals.
“The masters have asked us to clean u of your grime and filth for tonight’s ball. You all are to serve the guests with anything they need,” Said Ami. “Oh, and one more thing, some of you are to be auctioned off to some of the guests. The masters think there are too many of you in this house; they want to get rid of the nuisance. You are to be cleaned and well dressed. As I call your name, come and make a line in front of me.”
Erika and Synthai held their breaths as the first name was called.
“Keiko Ayuzawa!”
A tall slave went to the front. She quickly stripped off her clothes and dumped in the bath.
“Chizuru Mozuke!”
As each name was called, the line got more names were called, and then...
“Synthia Hyuga!“The backyard girl jumped and gave Erika a worried look. Erika could only hold back her emotions as her friend was dumped in the water like the others.
“And finally, Erika Mcknight!”
Erika walked to Ami who only smirked and glared at her. Erika has pulled off her dressings and shoved them in warm water. A servant scrubbed her skin until it turned pink. She was hurried off to another servant who washed her hair with scented oils and fragrances. When she was done being washed, she walked over to the next station where a white kimono with a pink cherry blossom design was laid out for her.
“Is this for me?”
“It’s a cheap imitation that Lady Ellwood chose out for the slaves that were to be auctioned. You should be flattered, it’s not every day someone like you gets to wear anything near as good as this, even if it's a knockoff,” Said Ami.
Erika didn’t was beautiful, way too beautiful for her to wear. With the help of a young servant, she put it on. She was sent off to get her hair done, where she was given long soft curls and side-swept bangs. Make-up was put on, but just a light red tint on her lips and mascara to bring out her eyes. With that done, perfume was sprayed on her neck, and she was done.
Erika was put in line with the other few servants who were to be sold. Synthia followed and gaped at her friend’s transformation. Erika, on the other hand, was at a loss for words. Synthia wore purple kimono with a silver design. Her hair was down and had a silver star clip. Her make-up was light with the blush and soft pink lip color.
“Synthia you look so beautiful! I can’t believe it’s you,” said Erika. Synthia only blushed and smiled.
“Keep in mind you’re only dressed to attract a bidder, you’ll go back to looking horrid in no time,” said Ami with a hint of disgust.
“Now that everyone is done, move out to the ballroom, everyone is waiting.”
Erika and Synthai felt soft veils fall over their heads to cover their faces. This was done with the others as well. Erika couldn’t help but think back to her spot near the cherry tree. She’d been going there ever since she found it. It grew on her and made her happy.
(Flash Back)
Erika went back the following day to the tree, noticing the other half of the flowers.
“Hey, the other half bloomed! It’s so pretty. Wait...what’s this?” Erika traced the letters carved in the bark of the tree. “This is my name...why is my name here? It wasn’t there before, was it?” She saw the name above hers. The name was still scratched out. “I wonder who this was. I mean I’m not the only Erika out there.” Just then, a breeze blew in her direction, knocking her over the chest that was locked at the far end of the tree. “Oh right, there’s this thing. But, it’s locked.” She traced the lock of the chest, only there was no place to put a key. It seemed as if some sort of liquid was needed to open the box.
“What a weird lock...oh well, it’s not mine to open anyway..” With that, Erika left the hollowed-out trunk. “If I don’t hurry, Ami will catch me. She’ll be furious if she thinks I’m slacking.”
(End of FlashBack)
“I guess I’ll never see the tree again...” Erika’s eyes laid on the huge double doors in front of her and the slaves...
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