Eternal Darkness

[Biondo Sorto]

So this is gonna be my first post of a non-fan fic story but yeah......it was sorta getting old so here's a story i've been working on for some time....if i get enough good reviews i'll post it!!!!

Eternal Darkness

The Beginning:
Part I:
He watched her in the shadows of the night. She was outside, on the veranda, her body slightly hidden by a silk gown. Her dark hair blew in the night and her face, looking up at the sky, was illuminated by the moonlight. He walked from his well hidden spot and walked toward her, wrapping her arm around her.
“Are you well love?”
She made no movement but instead leaned back in his arms.
“I worry for my father.”
“He is not well.”
“Nay, he is not.”
She turned toward him and touched his face.
“He’s cold….like you.”
He chuckled and kissed her palm.
“Do not worry love.”
“How can I not worry when my father may die?”
This came out as a whisper and a tear softly rolled down her cheek. He brushed it away and turned.
“Do not worry; it is all I can tell you. I must leave now.”
She nodded and turned, looking back up at the silver moon. He walked back to his place in the shadows, a smile on his face. He would be fine all right, burning in the depths of hell. Then he would have her all to himself.

Marie Pavlov was aware when he had left her. He came and went just like the summer breeze. She had hoped he would help her, but nothing in his actions told him he would. She turned from the moon and entered her house, went into her fathers room. He lay in his bed, sleep taking over him. She touched his forehead and noticed the same symptoms. Nothing in her father had changed. He was still cold, still lifeless. She covered him up and returned to her chambers, allowing sleep to take her.

When she awoke, nothing had changed. She fetched their mute housemaid, Loraine, and gave her simple instructions to look over her father. She decided she would go to the market and get food for their supper. When she did return, the sun was setting.
“Hello.”
She placed her basket down and walked upstairs towards her father’s room.
“Loraine?”
She paused at the door, and then slowly opened it. The room was lit by candles and her father lay amidst it all.
“Father.” She walked to him and gasped. Her father laid in a ghostly sleep to never awake again.
“Father!!” she touched his head, and then checked his pulse. She noticed that the slight heaves that usually overtook him were not there anymore. She covered her cry as she sank to the floor, allowing her sobs to take over her body. It wasn’t long until she heard,
“Marie.”
She didn’t have to look up to know who it was.
“You did this.”
He chuckled and walked to the old mans side. He nudged him and shrugged.
“Grief did this.”
“You lie!!”
She sprang up and pounded her arms to his chest.
“I told you not to worry.”
She looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears.
“I only wanted you to help.”
“And I did. I let your father’s soul free, too long it’s been trapped in that decaying body.”
He released her and walked to the fireplace, lighting it up.
“Now I have you. And you, my dear Marie, will have me.”
Marie narrowed her eyes.
“I will not be yours.”
He quickly turned to her.
“Did you not say you would the night we first made love? The many nights afterwards?”
Marie choked on her breathe and fell to the floor once more.
“I thought you had loved me.”
He threw his head back in laughter.
“Love? Someone like me? No, my dear, I do not love, I use.”
“I thought-“
He raised his hand and strolled to her.
“You will come with me. There is nothing left for you here. Besides your father’s corpse.”
“I will not come with me. Let me rot in this house with my father.”
His eyes burned with anger and he stalked toward her. His hand went up and smacked her in the face. Marie fell to the floor, overwhelmed with dizziness and then, darkness.

When she awoke she was welcomed to darkness. She tried to adjust to the darkness but her eyes would not allow it. She sighed and brought her knees to her chest. It was then she realized she was naked. It was then that a door opened in front of her, blinding her with its light. When she did adjust to it, she saw it to be Loraine holding tray of food.
“Loraine?”
The woman only looked at her, disgusted yet comp[arse]ionate, as she set down the tray of food. Marie grabbed her arm and said again,
“Loraine?”
They looked at each other, both their eyes piercing into one another. Loraine slowly released her arms, giving Marie a squeeze, before turning around and walking out the door. Marie looked after her, hoping that it was a sign, and got up to follow her. A voice cut her off.
“Leaving so soon?”
She looked up into his eyes, the same green eyes that had tricked her into loving him. She turned from him and muttered,
“No.”
“You are not hungry. You’ve been in here for days.”
“And eat poisoned food. I’d rather die of starvation.”
He chuckled, a trait she was beginning to find annoying, and walked over to the tray. Special delicacies were laid out, rack of lamb, grapes, cheese, bread, wine. He turned and picked up a grape and put one in his mouth.
“There would be no need in killing you.”
“Then let me go!!”
Her exasperated cries echoed through the tall dungeon. He ignored them and walked toward her.
“But there is use of you.”
“You do not need me. You’ve already taken enough.”
He picked a strand of her hair and circled it within his fingers.
“Not enough, my love.”
Her eyes flickered confusion as he grabbed her and brought his mouth down to hers. The kiss was violent and demanding, nothing like the way he had kissed her before. His hand moved down to her opening, teasing and tempting her.
“No.”
She pushed herself from him but he only brought her close.
“Yes, my love. It has to be done.”
He then pushed her to the ground, quickly discarding his clothes. There he took her, allowing his throbbing manhood to be used through her. Marie screamed and scratched until she couldn’t any more. She sat there lifeless as his thrust, each one getting violent, overcame her until she could do no more. When he was done, he brought his mouth down to her breast, suckling each one until they grew sore.
“I despise you.” She gritted, trying not to feel dirty. He laughed and stood, quickly putting his clothes on.
“You despise me yet you’ve acted like we’ve been lovers of long.”
“I do not know you. I don’t even know your name.”
He walked to the door, his hand on the handle,
“It is Yusef Ahmon.”
“The name I will despise to my death.”
He sighed and turned to her.
“You are my slave now Marie, me your master. This is your life now so you better get used to it.”
With that said he shut the door, leaving Marie to wallow in pain with the darkness.

[Forever_Lost]

It's really good so far. :)

[Biondo Sorto]

Part II:
Marie sat in the tub, watching her body move up and down in the hot water. It had been a week since she had woken up to Yuselfs life for her, a whole month. He had finally let her out of the dark chamber, yes, to let her bathe. And to let her get over the darkness. For that whole week she stayed in a corner, only moving to eat. Then she would go back and cry, cry for her father’s death, for her loving a man, for what she had brought upon herself. But her eyes were sore from crying. She was in grief, yes, but now she had no use of tears. Loraine came in, a hot tray of towels with her. Marie looked at her and hoped to get an answer. Of all the times she had talked to Loraine, she would never answer. She would just look with her with the same eyes, some of anger, some of sympathy, some blank. Now she looked to her with sympathy, her eyes never leaving hers.
“He is horrible is he not?”
Marie stared at her long and hard. When she had hired Loraine she was told she was a mute, never to talk again. But the woman had spoken to her in perfect Partisan French, not even stuttering.
“You can talk.”
Loraine shrugged and walked to the side of the tub.
“Aye. I can.”
“But when I hired you…”
“It was part of Yusef’s plan to capture you.”
Marie fell back into the tub.
“This whole time I had fallen for a trap.”
“Aye.”
She sighed and closed her eyes, falling to the bottom of the tub. Loraine pulled her back up, looking at her.
“You will drown yourself.”
“I’d hope to. Death may be more comforting than this.”
Loraine turned from her then and handed her a towel.
“You will dry. I must help you dress into your gown.”
“My gown?”
“Aye.” She walked toward the door.
“Yusef beckons you to dinner this night.”
Marie sighed and patted herself with the towel. Death indeed was much better than all she had put herself through.

Yusef was sipping a gl[arse] of wine when Marie entered the room. He turned and smiled at the sight. She was wearing a deep red gown, her gold eyes lifeless. The dress was wonderful for her complexion, but even more nice to her bosom.
“Do you like your gown? I got it from a man back east. I saw it and thought of you.”
“I thank you for it.”
She walked past him and sat down. He sighed.
“Would my lady not even grant me a kiss?”
“What would a kiss do for you when you can have so much more?”
She said this with a great amount of venom in her voice, her eyes piercing into his. He tried to not allow his eyes to betray his anger and said with amusement in his voice,
“You are right.”
His hands went from his sides to the inside of her dress.
“I will do with you what I will too.”
He brought her from her chair and into him, to feel the pulse between his legs.
“It’s been a week since I’ve been pleased. You will give me many reasons to do to you what I will on this table.”
He bent down to kiss her but she turned her cheek.
“If that is what you want, then it is done.”
He threw her against the fine China and opened her legs.
“You wish for me to use you here?”
He saw a tear roll down her cheek and smiled.
“I did not think you did.”
His hands slid down her thighs to her opening. She gasped, before closing her eyes.
“You are sweet. Sweet like honey.”
He took out his finger and put it in his mouth.
“You are sweet. Now come, I came here for you to dine.”
He helped her back in her seat and walked to his own. The rest of the night was spent with him talking the most. When he escorted her to her room, he crushed her with a kiss. When he was done he stroked her, hoping for her to subdue to him.
“I will not use you tonight if that’s what you wish.”
She relaxed a bit and he smiled.
“But if you don’t act right, I will find ways to make you.”
He turned then and walked away, leaving her alone in the hallway.

Marie stood there dazed before walking into the room. She had never been embarr[arse]ed for all her life. She had seen the looks on the servants face. She too could not believe what he did to her. She slowly walked into the m[arse]ive room, it was beautiful. There was a large mirror as well, and she walked toward it. She saw herself in the mirror. She had been beautiful before but what she saw was disgust. She then grabbed a brush and threw it at her reflection. Shards of gl[arse] fell and Marie stood there stunned. She started to clean the mess and stopped, looking at a sharp piece. It reflected beautifully of the light, almost like it was calling to her. She had told herself death was better than this life, and now was her chance. She grabbed the piece and cut her wrist, deep, then her other. She got up and started to walk toward the bed when Yusef ran in.
“Marie are you…?”
His worry turned to anger when he spotted her wavering, her arm a bloody mess. He stalked toward her and grabbed her, shaking her about hardly.
“What is it that you’ve done? Hoped to escape me, have you?”
“No, no the mirror…” she was dizzy and falling in his arms.
“The mirror broke and fell perfectly on your wrist. Is that it my love?”
“Yes it is…” she almost fell backwards but he caught her.
“It does not feel so good, does it?”
She could not answer him, she could barely hear him.
“I can not….I can not…” she kept saying this and he shook her harder.
“I can not…” she was whispering now and she finally heard his sigh. It was all she could before she closed her eyes and blacked out once more.

Part III:
When Marie awoke she was again captured by the darkness. She got up swiftly, knowing he had probably stripped her of her clothing. She was amazed to feel the soft fabric of her dress sticking to her skin. She sighed and leaned against what she felt to be the wall.
“Is this your way of punishing me?”
She yelled up at the dark ceiling, but got silence as her answer. She sighed and fell to the floor in defeat. It was only seconds after she fell to the ground that a sharp throbbing pain flashed through her skull. Then it p[arse]ed as quickly as it had come, like it never had happened in the first place.
“I do not see why you fear me.”
She heard Yusef’s voice in the darkness and sighed.
“Why should I not?”
She heard his chuckle, the same annoying chuckle that had haunted her for the past weeks. It was then she felt that same pain, it coming and going quickly.
“I only chuckle because I sense it annoys you.”
She gasped at the dark, falling back to the wall. She had thought that and he had answered it for her. He chuckled again and said,
“Do not fear what I’ve told it. There is only a simple answer to it, and that is you thought it and I simply answered it for you.”
“You can read minds? You know my thoughts. You knew of my thoughts.”
“Of course.”
She stood there dazed and asked,
“Are you a vampire?”
“No, my love. Vampires are vile creatures who depend on the night. I am something…. something far better than that of a vampire.”
“Then what are you?”
She heard his sigh, and then his footsteps walking toward her. Then, in an instant, the room lit with torches and he was in front of her.
“I am a Saracenian.”
“A what?”
“A Saracenian. You would not know of me or my kind. You are in my world, the Saracen world.”
“And is this Saracen in a different world. A new world.”
“It is in your world as well as a new one.”
Marie nodded at this and fell to the floor.
“Why did you bring me here?”
He kneeled beside her and grabbed her hands.
“You are vital to me, Marie. I do not have you just as my love slave. You are a vital add on to all those who are of Saracenian blood.”
“I will bear none of your children.”
He smiled and stood.
“We will see my love, we will see.”
He started to walk toward the door and stopped mid-stride.
“Will you not come to my bed this night? OR do you wish to stay in company of the rats.”
She turned and looked about her, discovering the large rat’s feasting on crumbs, running along the wall. She sighed and turned toward him, walking slowly toward the door.
“Do I have any choice?”
He smiled and took her hand, answering her only in thought.

Yusef watched her in her sleep, her naked body covered by the warmness of the fur bedding. He didn’t understand his fascination with her aside from the power she held within her. He sighed. She was a strong soul; he hadn’t planned for her to not submit to his ways. Marie Pavlov was not who she thought she was in her mortal world. Nay, if she only knew her power. If any Saracenian took her name and translated it to their alphabet it would spell Willow of Gaia, a goddess to the Saracen land and its people. She possessed more power than him, more power than many of his kind. It was the same power he was hoping to tame in her. If she knew of what she was, she could fulfill her destiny predicted by the priests and read in the books. He did not wish for this. He watched her stir in her sleep, before slowly blinking her eyes.
“Yusef.”
“My love.”
She turned to him and sighed.
“What are your plans for me?”
“You will see soon my love.”
He started to kiss her neck and she closed her eyes.
“You can not control all the people in the world. They will rebel and go against you. You must let them live life with their free thought.”
He stopped kissing her but for not a second, then asked,
“What do you speak of?”
“I saw it all in my dreams. So much suffering and pain. Then rejoice, and soon…death.”
He stood from her, naked and walked toward the mantel.
“I do not know what you speak of.”
He heard her sigh, before slowly stepping out of bed and walking toward him.
“I only wish to warn you.”
“Tis fine.”
He turned and smiled down at her.
“I want to take you out tomorrow night.”
“Out of these walls?”
“Aye. There is much of my world you need to see. After that you will train.”
“Train? For what?”
“Training is a vital tool in Saracen. I can not protect you all the time. My business has led me astray from the Saracen world, and there are many who will wish to take you from here.”
“I see.”
“Do not fear, my love. Tis only a party.”
She gave a small smile.
“It’s not the party that I fear.”
He watched her, the fire glowing off her skin, and asked,
“What have you seen?”
“Just a party. But I’ve felt fear. I do not understand these dreams. I do not understand why they have started.”
“It is in your fate.”
She turned and walked toward the bed.
“I do not like my fate. I wish I could rid of it.”
She looked down at her wrist and started to trace where her wounds had been. She had cured herself, he had naught but watch the wound slowly heal itself within the hour she had blacked out.
“I do not understand why death will not overtake me.”
He walked toward her, hugging her from the behind.
“Soon love, you will understand all. When you do, you will rid your thoughts of death and only seek glory.”
He turned her to him.
“You will see.”

[Kristen07]

You know I love this story! More soon :D

[Biondo Sorto]

Part IV:
“Are these balls exciting, Loraine?” Marie asked as Loraine helped her into a long dress of blue. Loraine half nodded and Marie looked at her.
“You’ve been to one?” she asked, and Loraine nodded, starting to tie the back of her bodice.
“What are they like?”
She heard Loraine’s sigh and regretted the question, but soon heard the woman’s words,
“There are held in the biggest of places. They serve food that alone could make your mouth water. After the dining there is a great dance, as they have always been at balls.”
“And do they spend the rest of the night dancing Loraine?”
“Oh, on occasion they do. Some of the men retire to a huge sitting area where they discuss the Saracen politics and such. The women stay in the ball room to watch each moment to unveil itself.”
“It sounds like heaven.”
“It is heaven.”
“Nothing is heaven.” Marie sighed, turning around, her dress now hanging from her small body. Loraine smiled, pushing a strand of her hair back behind her ear.
“You look like heaven, miss.”
Marie walked toward the mirror and looked at herself. She did look like an angel. The dress stuck to her body, bringing out every curve, not missing one. Loraine had spent most of the day doing her hair, which was now falling over her shoulders, the curls stopping a bit above her bottom. She had little make-up on, only a glint of shadow caste over her eyes and a dark red lipstick, making her lips seem fuller, luscious.
“Yusef will be pleased with you.”
“Isn’t Yusef always pleased with me?” Marie asked, walking away from the mirror and toward the door. She stopped and looked behind her shoulders.
“Do you come to the ball?”
“Now, I….I’ve many duties to attend here.”
“Oh.”
She walked downstairs to where Yusef always stood, patiently waiting for her.
“Your beauty once again blinds me.” he gave her a half smile, extending his hand out. She knew what that hand meant. ‘Come with me love, and tonight I will show you a ball like no other’ was what it called out to her. But Marie did not long to go out. She only wanted to be alone, to drown herself with what she had brought upon herself. Despite all this she took his hand and too gave him a half smile, almost as if was challenging him. Together they walked out to the carriage that was waiting to take them far into the night.

Ceran Xian watched as many of Saracens best sat at the long, laborious table, catching up on good times, laughing at small jokes. Unlike most of the men who were here, he did not wish to be at this ball. Nay he, Ceran Xian, the God of War, of Glory, did not wish to frolic with the high standing peoples of Saracen. He liked to keep to himself, in his chambers, contemplating war plans for new attacks, trying to figure out how to bring peace to his land. And when he was not doing that, or not at war, he enjoyed being out in the forest where he could train and hunt alone, only surrounded by the serene of nature. All of this, at this moment, stood most appealing to Ceran. He was not intimidated by the Saracen people he just felt…out of place with them. Sure they were gods and goddesses among him but neither could compare to him. While most gods were surrounding by the Lamatase, the light of power, he did not. Nor did he look spiritual. He was born into a human body, with human attributes. But he did not think like a human. Nor did he act like one. He had power only a god could posses and for that he was respected. And also admired. Either was because of his victories or his looks. Unlike most gods, whose hair was blond with blue eyes and pale skin, he possessed the look of the dark ones. He was of tan color, similar to that of bronze. His eyes were a featureless black that held gold irises within them. His hair was also black, and curly, stopping a bit above the shoulders. Aye, many women wished to share his bed but he was tired of them all. The next woman he would bed, he swore, would be the women that he loved. It was then that Yusef Ahmon walked into the room, and not alone. He had been known for having many a lover but this night he brought a woman of much grace. She was unlike the others; she seemed to have a power, a presence about her. The minute she walked in all attention was drawn from dinner to her. She looked a bit afraid, a bit annoyed, and a bit tired. She didn’t react to the silence but instead looked at Yusef, who only escorted her toward their chairs.
“She is new?”
“Yes?” Ceran said, never taking his eyes away from her. What was this mysterious aura that attracted him to her?
“Is she of Saracen blood?”
“Does she look of Saracen blood?”
“No but…?”
Ceran looked to his best friend, Pirus, who was looking toward the mysterious women in puzzlement.
“But?”
“She smells of Saracen blood. Rich Saracen blood.”
“Yusef always chooses well.”
“Ah.”
The room went back to its original clamor and Ceran stood, enraptured by the beauty in front of him.
“Where are you going?”
“To introduce myself. It’s the polite thing for a god to do.”
Pirus nodded and watched his friend go. He knew what Ceran craved, and hoped it would not startle the peace of Saracen. A war was not what Saracen needed, especially if it was started for a mere love slave.

Part V:
Yusef bathed in the attention he was getting, all because of Marie. Marie sat at his side, unnoticed and uncaring of the events, taking in the great m[arse] of the dining room and the grand dining table in which held many sorts of food. He looked toward her and whispered,
“Are you enjoying yourself, dear?”
She turned to him and gave a faint smile, and Yusef tried to keep his shudder. The smile had not been sad or lonely like the past ones, it had been somewhat happy and even more, deadly. He did not like that fact. He wanted Marie to feel in the place of a slave, not to feel any power that she did posses. He was about to say something but was stopped by one of the gods, a highly important god, Ceran. He saw Ceran feasting his eyes on Marie and, had he not been such a powerful god, would have read his mind and rid him of whatever thoughts he might have possessed in his mind. Sadly, he could not, so instead he turned to this man and smiled.
“Ceran, what brings you to this part of the table?”
“I think you may know.”
Ceran said, in what was a calm yet challenging tone. Yusef sighed.
“Aye.”
Ceran smiled and turned to Marie, who was poking at her food.
“My lady,”
He took her hand and kissed it Yusef contained his cringe.
“You are?”
Marie looked at him blankly, not taking anything in before responding,
“I am Marie. Marie Pavlov of the late Christian.”
Ceran squinted and shook his head.
“I am not aware of this Christian. Is he Saracen?”
“Nay,” she whispered softly.
“He was a nobleman of London.”
Ceran looked at her, his face full of confusion, before changing it into a smile.
“I am sure that he was a lovely man, for he must have been to conceive such a lovely daughter.”
He kissed her hand and she gave a faint blush, making Yusef give a low growl. He did not want anyone touching Marie, not even Ceran. He knew that many a woman ran to him and he did not want Marie to be one of them.
“Ceran, we were enjoying the feast.”
Ceran turned to him, his eyes showing a small glint of amusement, and then shrugged.
“Aye and I’m sorry that I have disrupted you and your lady.”
He turned to Marie and kissed her hand once more.
“I hope to speak to you again.”
“And you.” Yusef watched Marie give a short nod before he strode of. Marie’s eyes watched him for a moment, and then turned toward Yusef.
“Will there be dancing after this?”
“Aye.”
“Oh.” She turned to her plate.
“I would look forward to it.”
Yusef watched her eat and sighed. If Ceran was who she dreamed of, then he would need to place more attention to her than he thought.

After dinner, Marie and Yusef walked toward the great ball room. It was m[arse]ive, with floor of marble and pillars that looked to touch the sky. The ceiling looked to contain the sky. Marie wanted to ask but somehow she already knew that maybe the ceiling was the sky, or the sky the ceiling itself. Dancers had already begun to dance, the band playing great tunes, and Marie, turned to speak to Yusef.
“I would want to know of your people. The Saracen people.”
Yusef nodded, knowing that sometime this night he would have to explain it.
“There is the folklorique, those that cl[arse] is to dance. They are the ones who are the barbers, the farmers, the…you do understand. Next, after the folklorique is those of the fée.
They are the fliers, the healers, and the loved. They know the white magic. All come to them when there is need for peace, whether it be with themselves or others. Then there are the une sombre, or the dark ones. They are my kind, veiled in the black magic.”
“Bad magic? Evil magic?”
Yusef chuckled and shook his head.
“There is no such thing as ‘bad magic’. You can manipulate white or black to be evil magic.”
“Then why are the colors so…opposite?”
They had seated and Yusef looked toward her.
“White magic is used to heal, and to use to aid the earth, the people, and creatures. Surely you have heard of white mages?”
“Aye.”
“Black magic is a craft. It is born in your system. It is called black magic because you are born this way. Black. Whether your skin is dark or light you will have a blackness to you. Black magic is a manipulation of white, you can force it on others to create balls of heat, balls of ice, and if truly talented, you may posses with you the elements, though this power is smaller than knowing one. Useful, but smaller.”
“So black magic is a craft of the earth.”
Yusef raised a brow.
“You could call it this.”
Marie nodded and looked toward the head of the room. There stood all the gods and goddesses, Ceran among them.
“And they are?”
Yusef looked toward her direction and sighed.
“They are the greatest of us all. Our gods and goddesses.”
“Oh.”
“They hold both the black and white magic, or what is called Gristanga magic. They are the leaders of Saracen because of this. There are ten of them…would you want to know their names? And the power they posses?”
“Aye.”
“There is no head leader. Although they hold both magic’s, they specialize in one. The first is Maltoine; he is the healer of the earth. Then there is Garlarsa, she is the manipulator of all the elements. Damiana, he is the water god. Cornlasa, she is the fire god. Ardesa is the controller of light and Ganon is Ardesa’s mate, controller of darkness. Logath is the god for all animals. Ceran, whom you’ve met, is the God of War and balances the folklorique to those of power. Serenity is the bringer of calm; she is usually tied to Ceran because of this. Then there is Essence, who is a manipulator of all good. She is in fact, the one who must bring all good to those who seek evil. She is also a Maestro of the forbidden magic, Maledizione dotata…although there is one who’s yet to posses this strong power.”
‘Because they do not know of you.’ Yusef thought. Marie had looked to the entire god’s and goddesses with his knowledge and now looked to him.
“Your lands, your gods, are balancers.”
“Aye.”
They were silent then, watching the dancers on the floor. Yusef wanted to ask her to dance but the words stopped in his throat every time, and he disguised it as a cough. He did not know why looking at her, as she glowed in the light, that he felt like a little one, easily manipulative and maneuvered. He brushed it aside, it was only her magic and power that intimidated him, perhaps it grew stronger as she grew strong and accustomed to the land. Both their thoughts were interrupted when Ceran walked up to them and asked,
“May I ask for a dance?”
Marie looked at him blankly, and then nodded. Yusef wanted to get back and said no but all his instincts told him to sit down and calmly, and coolly, try to watch the two dance.