"Invitations?" Lucian asked the man who wore a well tailored uniform of black on black.

"Yes. To enter the KCC, you must have a valid invitation." The man replied, arms folded.

Lucian reached out and placed a hand on the man's exposed arm. A delicate, almost unnoticeable shift of energy trickled over the man causing him to blink rapidly.

"I belong at this...KCC...you will let me in." Lucian commanded in a deep voice that rumbled with several different pitches.

The man smiled and pulled the door open.

"Of course you belong here. Have yourselves a kinky time." He replied.

Marvin looked to Heather who looked just as stunned as he did. Neither of them noticed the smile on Lucian's face.

*****

Melanie looked around the room which had gone from a few clusters of people, to a room filled with a variety of people. Melanie was surprised and a little warmed seeing so many kinds of people mingling. Within the kink community, there was no separation of races, ages, beliefs or styles.

Whether they grew up in a different country or just down the street, everyone was greeted and welcomed equally. Melanie could not think of another place where equality truly meant something so deep. Reaching into her bra, she pulled out her phone and looked at the time. Five minutes until seven.

She was looking forward to another drink, especially since it was about to be half off. On the other hand, she had been sitting in the prime seat for over an hour and while she had gotten plenty of interested looks, no one actually walked up to her. Melanie was used to such things. During her time of high-school she had been ignored and forgotten about.

Something about her. Whether it was her presence or something that sent an 'off sort of vibe to others, she was usually the last to be noticed. She glanced down at her phone before sliding it back into her bra. One hour had come and gone without anyone coming up and talking with her.

Lifting the glass to her glossy pink lips, she drank the last of her drink and then...she stopped. The atmosphere of the room shifted as though the pressure had risen. Like the room had grown in elevation and was now sitting at the top of a mountain plateau. She looked around the room but it didn't appear as though anyone else had noticed the change.

Melanie watched as the curtain was parted and three people walked in. The first was a short stalky bald man in a black on white suit. His grey eyes were far too bright for someone with such dark skin. Like sparkling stars had been tempered into his irises. A woman with long red hair, pale tan skin and bright emerald colored eyes walked in after.

She too wore a suit of identical make, though she was tall for a female and muscular. As the curtain closed and reopened, her breath caught in her throat. A tall man, in all black walked in. He had short black hair, tan skin and he wore a sleek black robe that flowed behind him as he walked. He was taller than both the people that walked ahead of him and his presence was strong.

In one hand he held a large bag, and in the other, he held a staff. Melanie watched as his eyes scoured the room, dark garnet eyes that stopped as they met her gaze. Her body froze in place as he strode forward. The closer he got, the more she realized just how large he really was. Lucian stared into her soft blue eyes.

A blue that reminded him of the oceans back home. Her face was slender and feminine. Even sitting down he could see she was short and curved. However, her presence was what drew him in. Looking across the crowds of people that had gathered in their own groups, talking and obviously mingling in hopes of forming a connection; it was her that stood out.

Despite the several women who wore next to nothing at all, the young woman sitting alone was who caught his attention.

"Good evening Ms...?" He extended his hand out, palm out and fingers curled slightly. Her face took on a blushed and awe struck expression as she reached out placing her hand inside of his.

Immediately she noticed how small her hand was in comparison to his. If they would've laid their hands together, the tips of her fingers would've only reached his first knuckles. 'Chapter fifteen of book one; a dominant should be respectful and display gentleman-like behaviors toward a submissive at all times.'

Melanie blushed as he lowered himself to her hand and kissed it gently. Melanie felt herself melt in his palm slightly. Like a scoop of mint-chip icecream out in the sun on a summer day, she softened in his gentle grip. Lucian could smell the strawberry perfume she wore under her wrist. The vapors externalized with every pulse of her heart.

"R-Rivers. Me-Melanie Rivers." She replied.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance Ms. Rivers. Is the seat beside you taken?"

Melanie glanced at the chair to her left as though it were the first time noticing its existence. Then she looked back at him.

"Please. It's all yours." She blushed and looked around.

Immediately she noticed that eyes were upon her, or rather upon him. Lucian nodded to the pair in suits behind him who went in separate directions taking their places at opposite ends of the room. The man took the bag while the woman took the staff. Melanie had only seen such things in movies and in shows.

Where people of prestige and power had guard details who kept a tight watch over their client.

"Forgive me if I intrude upon your privacy, but I am vexed. Why is such a gorgeous woman like yourself sitting alone amongst so many people? Did you only just arrive to this Gala?"

Melanie looked up at the man, an expression of bewilderment and awe. She had never met a man who spoke with such diction and distinct professionalism. It reminded her of characters from the romance novels that she had piled up on her shelves.

"Ms. Rivers? Are you well?" He asked.

Melanie blinked away the astonishment and romantic euphoria from her mind as she tried to reorient her focus on what was happening right in front of her.

"I'm sorry. You just caught me off guard us all. No, I have been here for an hour."

Lucian furrowed his brows in confusion.

"For an hour? Surely there have been many others coming up to you."

"Honestly, you are the first person to talk with me all evening." She replied.

"Well then. Allow me to introduce myself formally. I am Lucian Drakkon."