My Dad slams his fist down on the table, making the tea set shake. “That’s enough. I’ve heard more than enough of this debacle. Chase, you are going to be our guest indefinitely until we figure out how to handle this. I’m sorry, but you won’t be able to leave until we have sorted things out. “
My heart sinks. I’m so screwed. My night went from bad to worse in a matter of minutes. He remembers. How can that be possible? I sure hope my parents believe my innocence.
“No offense, but I have a life to get back to and staying in a house full of vampires sounds like a sketchy plan.”
“Your life will be just fine on hold. You should be more concerned as to why you’re here. We’re not the danger, you are.”
It only takes a few minutes for me to realize what is going on. They drugged his tea. He could care less about much of anything at this point. All I can do is turn away in dismay.
Dad presses on the intercom and calls for the maid, dismissing the argument with Chase. She scurries through the door and bows in front of my Dad. “Yes, sir?” she asks politely.
“Please see our guest to the east wing, red room please. He will be staying with us for a while.”
The maid looks at Chase skeptically. She knows he’s human and isn’t sure why he is here. She’s smart enough to nod and lead him away.
Just before Chase leaves the room, he turns and looks at me. “It was great to see you again Callie. I hope I will be seeing you around,” he says with a goofy look on his face.
Then, just like that, he’s gone and I’m left with the mess. I have to face Mom and Dad alone. Why is this happening to me?
As soon as the door shuts, silence descends. I’ve never seen my parents this quiet before. It terrifies me. I’m not sure what to expect now. Finally, I can’t take it anymore and break the blanket of silence.
“I swear I took his memories like I always do. I’d never, ever jeopardize this family and what we have here.”
“Young lady, this is serious. Your Mom told me what happened last night. Do you expect me to believe you took his memories when he clearly remembers EVERYTHING, Callie?”
Tears form at his admonishment. “I’m telling you the truth. Even though I have some strange connection to this human, I did take his memories. He was in a total daze when I left.”
Knowing my eyes are glowing from the emotion flowing through me, I don’t care that it’s impolite to flash them in public. I just care about how to get out of this mess.
“Listen, if it looks this way to us and we trust you, then how do you think it will look to the council? They will not show you mercy just because you are a royal. You’re subject to the same rules we all are in this community.”
“But, Dad, I didn’t do it. There’s no way to explain how he remembers and why he’s so taken with me. I wiped him. He has to be some strange anomaly. I don’t know what else to say!”
Mom is noticeably silent throughout this exchange. I want to scream at her for her betrayal of my trust, but just can’t muster up the extra energy for that. Instead, I continue this conversation with my Dad.
“Fine, let’s just say he is some strange anomaly and you are innocent. How do we convince the council? Further, what do we do with him? He can’t live as a human anymore. He either dies or is turned. We haven’t turned a human in almost a decade. You have doomed the poor man.”
“You’re lucky he’s so enamored with you honey. He may be willing stay here temporarily, but I’m afraid for the time when Chase realizes he can’t leave and you have sent him to his death. We can’t keep him drugged forever,” Mom interjects.
“I think we have heard enough on this subject tonight. The blood ball is very important and I expect you to participate now more than ever. Maybe if a mating ritual is in the works, your sentence will be more lenient,” Dad states.
“Yes sir. I’ll do everything in my power to represent this family tonight. I’m sorry to have brought shame upon us. Can I please be excused to get ready for the ball?”
“You’re dismissed, but Callie? Don’t breathe a word of this to anyone. Tonight is not the night to deal with this situation. Your mother and I will be waiting for you down here in two hours. Don’t be late.”
I nod and excuse myself. I’m careful to make slow movements until I clear the room and reach the stairs. Then I tear up the stairs and fling the bedroom door shut with a thwack before planting myself face down on my bed.
I feel like the villain in a horror story. Everyone is looking at me as the bad guy. I’m so not the one at fault here. I can’t help that this incredibly strange yet intriguing human remembered me. I wiped his mind and did everything right.
Tears are leaking now and the confusion of the situation settles over me. The vampire council would kill me, or better yet, kill Chase. There has to be some way around this situation. I just haven’t thought of it yet.
A gentle knock sounded from outside my door. It’s probably Mom checking to see if I’m getting ready. “Come in.”
I don’t bother to turn towards the door as she enters. I’m still crying and I don’t care if she sees. Then, she sits down next to me and I stiffen. It isn’t my Mom. It’s human blood wafting towards me. Chase.
I bolt up and find myself face to face with intense, blue eyes.
“Are you alright, Callie?” he asks in a gentle tone.
“I’m fine, just practicing my acting skills,” I say lamely.
Chase brushes his fingers across my cheeks to dry my tears. I shiver at his touch. I can’t look away.
Sensing my reaction to him, he leans forward and brushes his lips across mine and I let him. My body soaks up the feel of him and my lips tingle from the touch of his. He parts my lips softly and I feel his tongue invade my mouth. Abruptly, I pull away. I can’t do this. It just feels wrong in light of a new evening.
My eyes are down cast, afraid to meet his after my rejection of him. Chase is having none of that though. He places a gentle hand under my chin and tilts my face to meet his.
Instead of the horror I expected, there’s awe, need even. I feel as if I could devour him right here and now if I go unchecked. I want to taste him so badly. I feel his blood singing to me. It feels so strangely intimate.
“I’m sorry to have caused you so much trouble, Callie. However, I’m not sorry to be here, with you. You are fascinating and I can’t get enough of you. Yes, I know you’re a vampire and I should be afraid, but the truth is that I find it sexy as hell. You’re truly unique and I can’t wait to get to know you more.”
“That’s just it, Chase. I can’t get to know you. This is a serious situation. You are human and you can’t know about us. No human does. That doesn’t help your odds. I promise that I will try to find a way out of this for you. Unfortunately, there is no room for an us in this equation.”
“I refuse to believe that. There’s something here and you have to feel it, too. I’m not walking away from you. I’ve just found you. We will find a way. It looks like I have time on my hands and I intend to use it to find a solution.”
“I can’t be with a human. I can only be with another vampire. It’s how our society works. There is no room for mortality in our world. We live for a long time and you are merely a blip on our radar. I have to choose a mate that can give me pure bred children. We mate for life, Chase.”
“We’ll see, but if you aren’t mated yet, there is hope. I promise you that. Don’t write me off just yet.”
A knock on the door startles me and I jump. “Callie, are you doing okay? We need to go in a little less than an hour and a half.”
It’s Mom. Crap. I grasp Chase’s arm and tug him toward the balcony. Then I shove him out onto it. “Sshh, hide out here, I’ll be back for you in a few minutes.”
He nods and I quietly shut the balcony door just in time for Mom to open my bedroom door a crack and stick her head in.
“What’s wrong, Callie? Why aren’t you getting ready? I don’t need to remind you how important this is, s
weetie.”
“No, Mom. I’m going to get ready now. I just needed time to process things. I promise I’ll be ready in time. In fact, come back in an hour and I’ll have you help me with my dress. I can’t get all those buttons on my own.”
Sorrow crosses her expression and she nods. “Very well, I’ll be back. Please hurry though. We can’t be late for tea. What kind of example would that set? We need to play our cards right if you want to survive this mess of yours.”
“Okay Mom, see you soon,” I reply before turning from the door and pulling out a towel from the closet.
As soon as the door shuts and I hear her footsteps retreat, I rush to the balcony. Chase steps inside and meets my worried gaze. He pulls me to him and kisses me with a desperate need I haven’t felt from anyone before. I feel the force and can’t tear away.
He winks at me and then strolls across the room and slips out the door, leaving me standing there, stunned. What just happened? Did I imagine all of this? Things are getting messy and fast. He’s a human for heaven’s sake!
I have ruined this poor human’s life. Things are spinning out of control. He likes me! I need a real mate, not a human. Besides, it just isn’t like that. Yes, he’s attractive and dangerous. I know he’s not my mate. It’s just my intuition speaking.
That reasoning doesn’t help. I shower and try to put my focus into the coming events. I close my eyes and let the water cascade over me. The water is hot and turns my porcelain skin a brilliant pink.
As I step out of the shower and the steam engulfs me, I wrap myself in a soft towel and pad into my room. I still have to put up my hair and do my makeup.
After dressing in a button up, white shirt and a pair of cotton shorts, I’m ready to dry my hair and fix it. I’ve practiced this up do every day for a week. I could do this in my sleep. With the haze over my thoughts, it’s a good thing.
I’m just putting the finishing touches on my makeup when Mom knocks. I add shimmery sparkles to my lavender eye shadow and brush a frosty pink lipstick across my lips. “Come in, Mom.”
The door opens and my mother steps in. My jaw drops when I see her. She looks like an angel in a cream dress. It’s hard to believe that my Mom is so old when she looks so young. To most, she could pass as my sister if they didn’t know better.
“You look amazing! I think this is the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen you in, Mom,” I gush.
“Why thank you, dear. Let’s get you ready now. We have to hurry. Your Dad is already downstairs in his study waiting. Let’s not keep him.”
I begin to strip as my Mom pulls out my dress. It is a royal purple in clingy silk. The strapless dress shows off my porcelain skin and the back is done with a whole row of tiny, silk buttons. It’s elegant and I will look stunning in it.
After slipping on my matching purple strappy heels, I take a deep breath. This is it. I’m finally ready for my coming out. It’s surreal. I can’t believe I’m actually nervous.
There are tears forming in the corners of my mother’s eyes as I turn and she sees me. The silk settles on my curves and I look like a beauty with exotic purple eyes. I pull her into a quick hug. “Thanks Mom.”
“I can’t believe my baby is growing up. You look like a goddess, Callie. The boys are going to be all over you tonight.”
I grin at her. “Let’s go find me a mate.”
I still feel guilty about the situation that shall not be named, but I have managed to push Chase from my mind long enough to get through the night. I made a promise to my parents and I intend to keep it. It’s funny how everything can change in the blink of an eye.
The only one I have to worry about is Jane. She knows I don’t want a mate. I’m sure she is going to be really suspicious. I’ll have to tell her my parents convinced me to have a change of heart. It’s the only way she’ll even semi believe me.
Grasping her hand lightly, I follow Mom down the stairs and into the foyer. Finn, the butler, leaves to retrieve my father. We’re finally ready. I only hope I can pull this off. My life and my family’s reputation depend on it.
My Dad finally enters the room, looking large and imposing, as usual. He intimidates most people, but I know the real Milo and he’s a great father.
“Well, aren’t you ladies a sight for sore eyes.”
“Why thank you, Daddy. We’re ready when you are.” I grin.
It feels like a weight has lifted and I’m lighter than earlier. The tension is still there, but has lessened significantly. There is hope that I’ll find my mate tonight.
It’s impossible not to fidget during the entire car ride. I’m nervous about tonight. I have to push thoughts of Chase from my mind and focus on finding a mate. If I can salvage this situation without my death, I’ll do it by any means necessary. Mom notices my nervousness and rests a hand on my leg.
“Don’t be so anxious, honey. You’ll do great tonight. I have every bit of faith in you.”
“There’s just a lot at stake. I’m well aware of that and I want to make this family proud.”
My Dad turns from the window and meets my eyes. “You’ll do fine. Just take this seriously and things will fall into place. We’ll find a way to take care of this situation.”
Situation sounds like such a dirty word the way he says it. A day ago, all I wanted to do was ignore the vampire guys and focus on my future at college. It’s funny how just one mistake can change everything in the blink of an eye. Now, I’m desperately seeking a mate in hopes of saving my life.
Maybe it could be Cody. He has so much to offer and any girl would be lucky to have him. He’s already a royal, so I wouldn’t have to worry about his intentions. Maybe. We’ll see what happens, but it’s good to know a girl has options.
Still anxious, I catch Mom’s attention. “Do I look alright? How is my makeup? How does my hair look? Is this dress sexy enough to catch attention?”
Suddenly things that didn’t matter before become imperative.
“Oh, sweetie, you look gorgeous. Purple looks so good on you and brings out the color of your violet eyes. The dress is a little too sexy, if you ask me,” she replies with a wink and a grin.
I feel more at ease now. Maybe I’ll draw some male attention. No doubt Jane will be anxiously waiting for me when we get to the ball. I love her and I’ll need her strength to get through this. I’m not shy around guys. Hell, we hunt them every week. This is different though. These are vampire guys. We mate for life and our courtships are very serious.
I’m saved from my thoughts as we pull up to Havershams, the Gregorias’ upscale bar on the east side of town. We’re meeting them and the Lucia’s here. A tickle of excitement bubbles through me at the prospect of seeing Cody. The opposite thought crosses my mind at the mere idea of seeing Thayer. Ugh.
We step out of the limo and I straighten my dress. I take a deep breath and lock up the last of my fleeting thoughts of Chase. I will not let him taint what is supposed to be one of the best nights of my life.
My heels click on the cobblestone in front of the bar as we make our way inside. Dad holds the door open for Mom and me. As soon as we step in, I see they’re all already waiting for us. Suddenly, I’m feeling very vulnerable in this dress.
It’s clear that my dress is the right choice though. The minute Cody and Thayer turn towards me, the conversation ceases and their mouths drop open. I can feel them soaking up every detail of my dress. They can see the way the silk settles on my curves and how it caresses my ample cleavage. The silk clings to me in a way that leaves little to the imagination.
My cheeks grow pink under the scrutiny and I force a smile. The spell is finally broken. Cody comes up to me first.
“God Callie, you look gorgeous tonight. That dress is… well there aren’t words for how that dress looks on you.” He lifts my hand and places a gentle kiss on it. I feel like a princess.
Then Thayer steps up. Instead of a polite hello, he pulls me into a warm hug. Okay, this is beyond strange for him. When he finally breaks a
way, he holds my arms and his green eyes search my violet ones.
I’m not sure what he’s searching for, but it makes me a little uneasy. I know that I’ll be looked at like a specimen tonight so I brush off his obvious staring. This is Thayer. He’s obnoxious, not warm and caring. He’s definitely throwing me off.
Thayer finally steps back and I greet the rest of their families. Thayer’s parents look pleased at the interaction between us and are grinning ear to ear. It feels like I’ve entered The Twilight Zone.
Cody’s sister is noticeably absent, but she still has a year before her coming out. Next year she’ll be here in my shoes. I like Lana; she’s always been such a sweetheart. Cody’s parents wave and grin much in the way the Lucias did.
We all have a seat at a table set just for the lot of us. Dad signals the waiter and orders for us. We all have to drink regular human blood tonight. We can’t risk the secret cocktail recipe getting out. I’m not all that particular except human blood from a donor and stored isn’t nearly as good as blood from the tap.
“So, Callie, I hear that you plan to go to U of V. Cody here is going to be a sophomore in the fall. We’re very proud of him. He’s excelling in vampire politics and will follow in his father’s footsteps,” Mrs. Gregoria says, trying to break the ice.
I’m about to speak up when Mom interjects. “Our Callie is going to be studying art as a major and vampire politics as a minor. We are requiring the minor due to her standing in the community, but her art is absolutely amazing.”
Cody looks up and smiles. “I would love to see some of your work sometime.”
“Sure,” I reply lamely.
“Thayer will be going in as a freshman, too. He’s going to major in economics and vampire politics as well. It sounds like you kids will have some classes together,” Mr. Lucia says.
I look up at Thayer and see some unreadable expression on his face. He looks like he wants to devour me and it sends chills through me. I’m not used to being looked at this way.
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