Desmond stands in front of Helen's door and knocks nervously. He was rather shocked when she told him that she would go with him to the dinner tonight. He holds tight to the gift in his hands.

The door opens and Sasha lets him into the room.

"Desmond? Isn't the dinner later?" Helen says confused as to why he would be there just as Sasha is starting to help her get ready.

"I would like you to wear these tonight. They are yours to do with after tonight, keep them, sell them throw them away, but for tonight I ask that you wear them."

Desmond hands her the rather heavy wooden case.

Helen opens it and gasps. "Desmond, you shouldn't have bought this set for me." Inside the case was a delicate tiara, a rather elegant  diamond and emerald encrusted necklace, earrings, ring and bracelet set.

"I realize the ring might not fit, but please wear the rest.

"One of my vampires made that set for my mate. He made it some time ago and it's been sitting and waiting for you for some time. He would be very hurt if you wouldn't wear it at least once. If you decide to keep the set then we can get the ring properly sized for you.

"Should you choose to sell the set tomorrow," Desmond takes out a card, "take it to this location. He will be instructed to give you the proper amount."

Helen tears her eyes away for the brilliant flashes of the diamonds and other jewels before her.

"How can you be sure, Desmond?"

Desmond gives her a sad smile, "The proprietor is my child that created the jewelry. I will make sure that he knows." With that Desmond leaves the room. He doesn't allow his shoulders to slump but he just can't help feeling that tomorrow she'll be leaving him. Perhaps it is for the best. She deserves to be happy after all and that has been little and far between for her.

Helen continues to look blankly at the door Desmond had left through. "I don't understand, his child?"

"All the vampires he has turned are his children. My vampire brother is very talented and has made that set some time ago for Desmond's mate. I had forgotten about it. I have the perfect hairdo for the tiara, if you are okay with it?"

"He made this for me without even knowing about me?" Helen asks more than a little lost. She really isn't used to getting gifts from people, other than the obligatory ones from her "parents". Even then they haven't been any thing like this.

"My brother is a near genius when it comes to making jewelry and is in high demand. He loves Desmond and would honor his mate. His own mate rejected him and then was killed a couple of centuries ago. So now he puts everything into creating masterpieces of jewelry."

"How sad. Sasha, have you found your mate?"

Sasha hesitates and looks at Helen. "No, most of us don't. Desmond had just about given up on finding his after all these centuries. I've about given up as well and then Desmond found you. I started dating a human that interested me, but then he became ill."

"Oh, I'm sorry I didn't mean to bring up bad memories." Helen says horrified at the sad look in Sasha's face.

Sasha gives her a quick sad smile and returns to preparing the bath. Coming back into the room she tells Helen, "You misunderstand me. Phillipe isn't dead, or at least not like you are thinking. I liked him enough to tell him the truth about me. He was entranced with the idea of becoming a vampire. I would have turned him, but didn't trust myself so I asked Desmond to do it. After assuring himself that Phillipe did indeed wish to become a vampire and warning us both that he might not make it due to his being ill Desmond turned him. That was ten years ago. Phillipe is still what we call a fledgling." Sasha smiles and makes sure that Helen has all she needs before leaving her to her bath.

"You say that like there are stages for vampires." Helen says more than a little curious about vampire life.

"Hmm, yeah there are." Helen replies absently checking out the dress they bought yesterday and making sure that there are no wrinkles or tears. "There are the newborns, that stage lasts about ten years or so, depending on how quickly they get their hunger under control. The vampires that Desmond makes are far stronger than other vampire get unless you count the ones the originals make, but even then Desmond's are still somewhat stronger."

Sasha sits down and asks, "He's told you about himself hasn't he?"

Helen frowns at her, "Yes, he's half demon and half vampire." She is still finding it hard to believe that vampires and demons are real. She had been very shocked when Desmond had told her that she was correct in calling him a demon.

"Well, those he changes can get some of his demon strengths and abilities. Phillipe is just a fledgling, but still stronger and faster than a full vampire that is two centuries older. The problem with that is, we take longer to learn to control ourselves. We have the desire for chaos and destruction that we have to control and control is very foreign to demons. It's hard enough learning to control the blood lust.

"Desmond has incredibly strong self control. He's had to rigidly enforce it or he wouldn't be able to remain on Earth and would have to return to the underworld. He makes sure that all his children learn that kind of control before he allows them out to hunt.

"Perhaps to you this house is a prison, but to us the extra precautions are to ensure not just our safety, the safety of all vampires but also the safety of humans. Should any of the young ones lose control then chaos would ensue and cause far too much human attention. As it is, it is harder and harder to hide deaths caused by us.

"We are taught to eat small amounts from many rather than take too much from one, but sometimes while feeding we lose control. Sadly the human usually doesn't survive the encounter and depending on the vampire, we might not either. Desmond punishes and does so severely those that lose control. The older the vampire the more painful the punishment. 

"Should a fledgling lose control he would be punished with a whipping or something similar, but should a vampire my age lose control then I would likely lose my life."

Helen is absolutely fascinated by her words. "Are there many vampires then?"

Sasha shrugs her shoulders, "Yes, I guess. In comparison to humans not so many. Part of the reason Desmond has so many enemies is because he defends his territory and he's not nice about it. Should a vampire come here Desmond will hunt it down and if it doesn't bond to him then he'll either punish it lightly and send it on its way or if they belong to his enemy he'll, well, you don't really want to know and Desmond would be unhappy for me telling you anything that will make you dislike him even more."

Sasha helps Helen get dressed and then has her sit down as she starts on her hair and makeup. She doesn't allow Helen to look in the mirror until she puts on the last piece of jewelry. Helen tries the ring just to see if it's too big or too small and is shocked to find that it fits rather well, although a bit loose since she's lost weight. She figures if she starts eating that the ring would fit her better. "I don't think it will need to be resized, I just need to regain my weight."

"I think you are right, Helen. Now, take a look in the mirror." Sasha tells her and moves out of the way so Helen can see herself.

"I, I have no words, Sasha. I don't think I've ever looked this good before."

Sasha smirks, "I can't allow the society bitches to find any fault in you. You are my creators mate and are every bit his equal. Hold your head up high and be the queen you are, Helen. Don't allow any of them to make you feel less than you are. That tiara represents your royalty. Don't let anyone, not even your parents make you feel less."

Helen goes to Sasha and hugs her. "Thank you."

"You are most welcome, Helen. Now, Desmond awaits you in the foyer. I and several other vampires will be there should you need any help and for some reason Desmond is unable to do so just signal us. You likely won't even notice us unless we are needed."

"But how will you get in? Isn't it by invitation only?" Helen asks in concern.

Sasha sniffs indelicately, "There isn't any event that a vampire can't get into if they want to. We'll be there. I know it will be difficult, but trust Desmond, he'll keep you safe."

Helen nods before making her way to the door.

She makes her way slowly down the stairs and only looks up when she hears someone draw in a large breath. "Desmond?"

Desmond shakes his head, "You are stunningly beautiful, Helen. Never have I seen anyone so beautiful as you." He takes her hand and brings her to him. He reaches up to touch her face but drops his hand before doing so. "I know you don't like my touch, but for tonight, I need you to either hold my hand or place your hand on my arm. I'll either  have you do that or place my arm around your waist, would that be alright?"

"Yes, of course. If my parents are there they won't be very nice. It's also very likely those men will be there as well." Just the thought of either of them but especially the one her parents sold her to makes her shake.

"Helen, I won't let them hurt you. If you would like to dance, I'll make sure that they don't cut in and won't allow them to take you from my side. If at any time you can't handle it any longer we will leave."

"But what about your business-" Helen is cut off by Desmond.

"It doesn't matter. You are more important than my businesses. I would like to stay for at least an hour to get that all out of the way, but if we need to leave before that just let me know and we're gone. Sasha will make sure you are safe in the ladies room should you need to go. If you want something to drink I'll be escorting you to get it. I won't leave your side even if people wish to talk business with me. I'm afraid you'll be rather bored."

Helen gives his a small smile. "That's alright, I knew that chances would be high that I would be." 

With that Desmond escorts her out to the waiting limo and waits for her to enter before closing the door after entering as well.