I bit my lip, at the sight of the mysterious letter.

I looked at Fidget. "Um, Fidge, could you..."

He closed his eyes then covered them with his ears. He hopped off the sink, accidentally bonked to the wall then slowly left the bathroom. I got out the tub and quickly dressed to a simple tee and shorts. I went to my living room and sat on the couch, staring at the envelope. What secrets does it posses? Is my identity and life in danger?

"What do you think it is, Fidge?"

Fidget jumped on the table and put his paw on the envelope.

"Yeah, you're right. I have to read it to find out."

I grabbed the golden envelope, a simple square envelope. I turned it to see a wax seal on it's flap. I brushed my finger over it to see there were letters on it.

"M. A. G?" I looked at Fidge. "Mag? What the hell is mag?"

But all Fidget did was twitch his nose then put his paw over his eyes. What does he mean by that? Then it dawned on me.

"M. A. G. The Medieval American Government!" I exclaimed, now I'm really scared.

Oh this is bad, really bad. The Medieval American Government (MAG), is a bit of a combination of the government back then and the system with the king. What do they want from me? I haven't done anything bad... for the last couple of weeks.

I slowly opened the envelope, hesitating like there's a bomb in the letter. But the envelope only possessed a letter.

"Oh no Fidge, do you know what this means?" I asked him. "It's the worse of all letters! The written ones! It probably says that my bounty hunter skills are revoked, or my bounty has been lowered. Oh anything but that!"

Fidget growled at me.

"Yeah sorry, sorry. Back to the letter."

I opened the paper and read it's fancy cursive handwriting,

Dear Masked Musician,

Do not worry for your identity and safety because this letter has found you. How we have found you will only remain to us, but your identity itself is not known to even to the MAG. We the MAG, had acknowledge your power, skills and reputation as a bounty hunter representing the state of California. 

That is why you have the honor to be invited to the once a year, Annual Bounty Ball. As you may know, it will be held like always in Washington, D.C on the 28th of December starting from 9 p.m to midnight. It will be a black tie event, we require your outfit to match both your title and ability. You will be in the presence of the royal family, and we suggest that you don't harm the royal family. You may carry your weapons, if you have a legal permit, and bring your animal partners, as long as they house broken. You may bring a plus one, as long as he/she is a fellow bounty hunter or assassin.

We hope you enjoy this memorable even. And please, to the minimum, not make arguments to fights, we do not want what happened last year.

Now please remove any traces of this letter. Thank you

Sincerely, 

The MAG

I leaned back on the couch, looking at the ceiling. The Annual Bounty Ball, I've finally been invited to it. The Annual Bounty Ball is a yearly tradition in which famous bounty hunters and assassins gather in the presence of the king himself. It's bit like a ball and a feast, and a bit similar to the Red Carpet back then. Every bounty hunter or assassin knows that they're almost at the top when they are invited to it. Many of my bounty hunter and assassin friends offer me to be their plus one, but I all decline them. I want my first time, to be when I'm invited.

I twirled around the room. "Oh, Fidge, I've been waiting for this moment to come. The dances, the food, a way to meet new friends and make enemies!"

Fidge yipped and wagged his tail.

"It will be this Saturday, so soon. I'll have to call my friend to make our outfits for the ball." I smiled. "This will be one adventure we'll never forget."

"Do you think this dress makes me look fat?" I asked Fdge as we sat in the limousine.

Fidge growled at the question.

I chuckled nervously, "Sorry."

My tailor friend made a custom suit for Fidget. It was a black suit with sleeves for his front legs and a suit tail at the back. He wore a red tie and a black mask. I scratched him behind the ears. 

I'm a bit nervous on what I'm wearing. My friend introduced it to me, saying it was custom made just for me. It was a sequined, strapless black dress, with a black bow above my waist made of a fabric called taffeta that's ruffled. It was short at the front by my thighs, and long at the back, a court train she told me. She also made me wear ankle strapped, lace black high heels that were 4 inches. I wore a beautiful black lace mask, with laces that go to the right, I still want to hide my identity. But just in case, a dagger is strapped around my thigh and behind Fidgets back.

The limo halted to a stop. 

"You're ready, Fidget?" He yipped in reply.

The door opened and I stepped out. I was mobbed by bright flashes, knowing it were only cameras. This is the red carpet part, I saw many reporters introducing each one of us, one by one.

"And finally, the beautiful Masked Musician. Though only a rookie starting 3 years ago, she is popular bounty hunter, from none other than Los Angeles, California. Known for her beautiful music making and her adorable, but deadly partner marten. This is her first time here in the Annual Bounty Ball, tell us, what is your opinion?"

Many microphones came to me.

"I see this as a great opportunity for my reputation as a bounty hunter. And to make new friends and enemies alike." I said, not choking up in stage fright.

"And tell us, why do you still where a mask? Is it that you don't think you're ready enough to face challenges as a normal human being? Or is your beauty only just a rumor?"

"It's for my identity." I replied.

They all nodded, and I quickly left to attend where I came here for. The ball is held in a grand mansion, with a huge ball room. As I came in, I had to climb a flight of stairs. I saw the ball room only a grand case of stairs away from me. I was about to climb down them when someone went in front of me to make me stop.

"You must wait for you turn," he looked at the clipboard. "Masked Musician."

Ah right, I forgot. They will call for your turn, introducing you to the ball. Your entrance itself will win you some popularity points. One time, a  bounty hunter controlling forest creatures came riding on a horse, with many animals right behind. The rest of the ball became part of the nature channel, not many points there. I've been rehearsing this ever since I got the letter.

"You are late." He told me. "You are the last one to arrive." Then he tsked me. "Please go down the flight of stairs once you are introduced."

He stepped out of my way. I saw the whole ball room crowded with people. At the far end of the room sat King Samuel, Queen Harper, and Prince Austin.

"And now introducing the Masked Musician, representing the state of California."

Many people looked up to the stair case. Then a huge crowd started to part, like the Red Sea. Showing a huge walkway from the stair case to the royal family.

I began to walk down the stairs, then skipping the stair 2 by 2. Then people gasped as I made look as if I have slipped and was going to fall head first. But then in the last minute I twirled and turn into my sound form. I flew down the stairs, making dressed fly up and hair fly. Then I twirled once again and went back to my human form with a slight step in front of the king.

I curtsied, bowing my head very low. "Your majesty."

King Samuel clapped then said, "Rise."

I rose and stood straighter, Fidget came to my side after running from that flight of stairs. The king was a middle-aged man with blond graying hair and a scruffy beard. His gray eyes twinkled, I imagined.

"You must be the famous Masked Musician, I have heard many stories of you. You've heard of  your famous Musical Massacre, am I correct?"

"Yes your majesty."

"It is quite the conversation started. Now tell me, is what they say is true? You are beautiful beyond compare?"

I did my best to not blush in front of the royal family. "I can't say such rumors are true... sir."

"Then what of your musical ability? Is it true that you can bring, even the strongest of opponents with great willpower, to their knees?"

"My ability, has brought many uses to make as such, your highness."

He sat back in his chair. "Then show me."

"Wait Father."

I glanced that it was Prince Austin who spoke. He was a tall, fit guy, and quite handsome. He had tousled golden brown hair and bright blue eyes. But rumors are that he's a playboy, just another snobby rich kid.

"Yes Austin?" The king said.

"How can a musical ability, no offense, can be any fighting use?"

I gritted by teeth, but said nothing. All I could do was give a sly smile. "Then may I show you yourself, Prince Austin?"

"Okay then, impress me."

The king waved his hand, and one of the violinist from the orchestra ran to me. He handed me his violin, but I shook my head, refusing the offer.

"I have my own violin, thank you."

Prince Austin gave me a look. "What? Did you hid a violin in your dress."

"No." I said. "I can do something better."

I held out my arm, channeling sound waves to it. A black, glowing aura began to form. It separated from my arm and it started to mold itself looking like a violin. I grabbed it from the air, a black violin and bow. I held it into position and began to play.

It was my best piece I made, I've been saving it for this event. A captivating song, starting out slow and peaceful. But the more I played, the faster and louder it became. People around me began to grab partners and danced with each other. The music reaching their ears, making them waltz with one another. But I didn't make the music strong to make many people with strong willpower to dance, I don't want to make enemies that away.

"Okay, so she's just making people dance." Prince Austin pointed out. "It's just another simple hypnotic trick."

I looked at the king for permission, and he nodded with a smile. I grin wickedly and pointed the violin to Prince Austin. He slowly began to stand up, oh the look in his face in confusion. If only I had a camera to capture this moment.

"W-what's happening?" He demanded.

I closed my eyes to shut his voice out. I shut of everyone voices, from whispers to conversations. It's just me and my music, each note leading to the next. I slightly opened my eyes to see Prince Austin twirling around, making his father burst out laughing and Queen Harper having a small smile. Soon the song ended, many sighed with relief to stop dancing, Prince Austin staggered back to his throne, dizzy.  He finally refocused after a few moments and glared at me as if saying, I'll deal with you later. I couldn't help but smirk, he earned it.

"That was beautiful, I would love it if you would play for any future events." The king smiled. "I hope you would enjoy the rest of the night."

I curtsied and left the royal family's presence. I walked over to the punch table, feeling a bit parched. I felt glances and stares from many others around me, but after a childhood of that I was used to hit. I just sucked it up, held my head high and continued to walk. I grabbed a cup of punch and took a swig, Fidget hopped on the table and drank himself a cup. He glanced at me, asking for my permission and I nodded to him.

"Go ahead, I'll be fine without you. Just don't freak people out and try not to get stepped on."

He nodded and scurried away. I really do hope he won't be stepped on. I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder, I jerked away to see no one there.

"What the-"

I heard someone chuckle nervously. "Sorry, it's a a force of habit."

Then with a slight ripple in the air, someone came to view in front of me. She was a small, skinny girl with a bit of an innocent look on her face. She was wearing a long, gray strapless dress with a beautiful  floral pattern. Her long black hair was tied in an elegant way, her chocolate hair looking at me.

I grinned. "Invisible Ink, I should have known."

She's one of my best, bounty friends. Time to time we would partner up in jobs and split the bounty. Other times we would bump into each other after finishing jobs and we would hang out in a club. She's started as a bounty hunter 2 years ago, so it must be her first time too. It's actually a funny story on how she got her powers.

She's not one of the Branded. Her dad was some kind of mad scientist she said, and she was used as a lab rat. One time she got thirsty from testing and she drank some juice, turns out to be radioactive invisible ink. Her dad also gave her other test to make force fields and other things invisible, not just herself. 

She rubbed her neck. "Sometimes I just do it without noticing, it becomes automatic. You know?"

"You sure, Inky? Or is it because of a certain... assassin?"

Invisible Ink looked behind her to see who I was talking about. Wood Carver, a well known assassin who can control wood. You think the power would be pretty weak, but I've sparred with him before, and he's pretty tough. Invisible Ink has been crushing on him for sometime now, they always argue like cat and dog. But even though he teases her, he leaves wooden gifts for her. Actually he told me that he kind of likes her too and he wants to ask her out, but he can never find the chance to do it. Get it, find, because- oh never mind.

"Shut up Mask, or else he'll see me!" She squealed.

I couldn't help but roll my eyes. "He'll never see you unless you want him to. And he couldn't hear you unless I enhance his hearing..."

"I will make your dress invisible, you know I will."

I eyed her. "You wouldn't dare."

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah." 

"Guys, guys, don't fight. Why do I have to be the peace maker?"

"As if Paint," Invisible Ink muttered.

Paint, also known as the bounty hunter, The Paintress. She's a few months more experience than me. As her title goes, she can draw things really well and bring them to life. And you know about color psychology and on how colors show a different mood? If she splashes even one drop of her paint, you can't change you emotion until you rub it off of your clothing or yourself. Her hair is very beautiful, her natural hair color is white, but it actually changes with her mood. Right now her hair is a pale blue meaning peace. And her eyes are the colors of the rainbow. She's wearing a long, white dress strapped with a pink belt. The dress had been splattered with many colors,  and if you look at it long enough you can see the colors swirl around and ever change colors. 

The guy next to her coughed.

"Oh sorry, you guy this is my boyfriend, Bulls-Eye. Bulls-Eye, this is Invisible Ink and The Masked Musician." Her hair suddenly turned pink, meaning love.

He gave a slight nod. He's a tall, pretty muscular guy, an year or two older than us. He wore a tux like all of the other guys, his tie is red and white like a target. He had a bow and quiver strapped behind his back. Bulls-eye doesn't talk that much, does he?

"So are you guys dating in the outside life, too?"

Paintress nodded. "We ran into each other on the job, and well... here we are."

Bulls-Eye bowed to Paintress, making her beam. She took him by the arm and led him to the dance floor. 

Invisible Ink and I sighed in envy.

"How can that not happen to you, Inky? You do more than run into Wood Carver." I said, referring to the times they literally ran into each other when Invisible Ink was running invisible.

"Mask!" She squealed once more, then turned invisible.

I couldn't help but laugh. "I'm kidding, Inky. Now where are you?"

"You'll never find me." She said. 

I listened to where her voice came from. I walked over to a couple talking and reached for Invisible Ink's hand between the two of them. They both jumped back in alarms as she became visible again, realizing they were talking to her.

She groaned.

"Echolocation. Never leave home without it."

We noticed that Wood Carver was watching us the whole time. I nudged her, and she gave me a look.

"I listened in to his conversation with the other assassin White Smoke." I whispered to her. "He was telling him that he wants to ask you to dance, but you'll probably turn invisible in disgust of him. And look, he's coming here right now."

"What!" She quickly turned invisible but I grabbed her wrist just before she got away.

"Hey, Masked Musician. Have you seen Invisible Ink anywhere? I just saw her beside you a second ago." He said, scratching his short curly hair, and fixing his brown, bark pattern tie.

"Actually," I tugged Invisible Ink hand. "She's right beside me."

He opened his mouth to say something but I cut him off.

"And she would love to."

I threw hew into his arms. Since she's invisible and he's in full contact with her, he also turned invisible. Invisible Ink once told me that it's kind of like being in an invisible world, you can see invisible things if you're invisible too. So the only thing these to invisible love birds see is each other. I turned away, mission accomplished.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, but this time I didn't jerk away.

I groaned. "Inky, I have no idea how you got away from Woody. But if the king so help's me, I will make you march right back to him if it's the last thing I-"

I turned, squeaking, "-do."

He looked at me. "I'm going to take it that wasn't for me."

I stepped back and straightened myself. "I'm, uh, I'm sorry, I thought you were a friend of mine, Invisible Ink."

"I see."

Seeing that must be all he wanted to say, I was about to walk away when he stopped me.

"Wait. I just," he coughed. "I just was to apologize for what I had said about your abilities, and I want to say... I'm sorry."

I looked at him to see that he was actually being sincere. "Well then apology accepted. Now may I ask a question?"

Prince Austin nodded. "Sure."

"Was it the king or the queen who made you apology to me?"

He blushed and looked away. "My mom, " He confessed.

I nodded knowingly. "I thought so."

"But I really am sorry."

"Uh huh." I walked away and poured myself another cup of punch.

He followed right behind me, grabbing himself one. "Really I am."

"Yeah sure."

"I'm truly am."

"I know, I believe you." I assured him.

"No you don't."

"Yes I do."

"No you-" he stopped, and close his eyes to compose himself.

Prince Austin then bowed down, extending his hand. "Would you care for a dance?"

I don't know what game he's playing at, but I'm willing to play along. I took it and he grabbed my waist as I place my hand on his shoulder, out other hands held onto the other. We danced in a slow dance, barely moving a few feet from our original place. 

"I would like to know something." Prince Austin said.

"And what would that be?"

"How could a charming young lady like you, would go off as a bounty hunter than spend your weekends as a regular person?"

"It's quite a long story, actually. One with death, revenge, honor and promises. And secrets, lots and lots of secrets."

"That is quite a life story," he said, twirling me. "Have you thought of writing an autobiography?"

"Honestly, yes. But then my identity would come out so... no."

"Ah yes, the mask thing."

"What you call the "mask thing", is what is protecting my identity."

He let go of my hand and touched my cheek. He traced my mask, making my breathing quicken. "I bet you are really beautiful under that mask. I do anything to see what lies under it."

I narrowed my eyes at Prince Austin, so this is how he seduces women. But lucky for me, I'm not the typed to "be seduced" but to "seduce." 

"Anything you say?" I challenged him, as my hand tugged on his gray tie, making him slightly look down to me so that his grayish-green eyes would meet mine. "All for just a little peek under my mask?"

He narrowed his eyes, accepting my challenge. "Anything."

I bet much to his disappointment I let go of his tie. "Only 3 people know my real identity." Then I whispered into his ear, adding, "One of them is dead."

He grinned then whispered into my ear, in his accent. "I think I'll be able to handle the truth."

But you can't handle the truth.

_____________________________________

This chapter is actually suppose to me much longer. But sadly I'm closing it to a stop. Chapter 10 will be the second part of The Annual Bounty Ball. And the chapter will be called, The Endless Night of Dining. Does that excite you a bit? I hope it does.

The two bounty hunters are actually real friends of mine, Invisible Ink is shawimi0808 and The Paintress is Lovette. Both of their love interests are in the book too. Hee he he. Anyway I will be writing the next chapter right now. And it's probably 1 in the morning and my mother will kill me. See ya!

Oh and to the right is Prince Austin. Right? I know, right? RIGHT?

RubixCube89201