I’d sleep in the extra bedroom tonight. To avoid thrashing about my room and howling, I’d need to go for a run later. I couldn’t stay long at Pierre’s if I wanted to run and settle into the new room before everyone came home. At least moving my belongings would give me something to do while everyone was out all evening.
Abandoning the front door, I flew up the stairs to Beatrice’s room. Winnie was holding a curling iron with her sister’s hair wrapped around it. She looked up from her task. “If you’re looking for Mom, she went to her room to get something.”
Nodding, I resumed my quest to find Aunt Mina. We needed to finish the dreaded conversation I’d been putting off. I prayed it would go better than the other night.
She always left her door open. One of my favorite things about Aunt Mina — she was always so accessible.
My eyes widened when I spotted her standing in front of her full-length mirror in a sleeveless black dress that molded to her body. “Aunt Mina, you’re hot.”
Her giggle turned into an awkward snort. “Oh, don’t be silly. I’m too old for that.”
“The men at the ball will disagree, I’m sure.” I whistled and watched her face flush.
“I thought you were going to Pierre’s.” She leaned toward the mirror and arranged a tendril of hair.
“That’s still the plan. But I won’t be gone that long after all. I’ll be back before you leave.” Maybe knowing that I’d see them before they left would soften her up. “But I wanted to go over the sleeping arrangements. You know… what we talked about the other night?”
Her pulse quickened and I cursed my werewolf ears for picking up on it.
“Tonight, I’m taking the lavender room,” I said softly, hoping not to scare her. “So be sure to lock your bedroom doors before you fall asleep.”
Aunt Mina nodded as she uncapped her lip gloss, her gaze fixed on the tiny applicator.
My bravery deserted me. I’d be back before they left for the ball. Maybe after a couple cups of coffee, I’d work up the nerve to say the rest of it.
“I’ll see you in a little while.” I rocketed down the steps and flew out the door as fast as my legs would go. The vampire may or may not have been there — I’d passed too quickly to tell. I wasn’t worried. He’d likely be gone by the time I got home anyway. Being the king’s right-hand man, he’d have better things to do than stick around to coerce girls like me to the ball. I hoped.
As I neared Pierre’s, I tugged on my hood until it left my face in shadows. Inside the coffee shop, I waited in line to order my drink.
Two people were ahead of me and they were both twisted toward the store’s glass window to the commotion on the curb. I didn’t care enough to look.
“Is that the king?” someone whispered.
I told myself I didn’t care and that I had no reason to look behind me.
But I did care. And something drew me to the murmurs outside. I sensed an energy. Definitely vampire. But not my recent visitor. I didn’t know any other vamps, so why did this one feel so familiar?
I gave the barista my order, then glanced over my shoulder.
Two men in suits stepped out of an enormous white Hummer limo. The men wore ear pieces like secret service men.
The person they were protecting had to be the king or prince — or someone mighty important. I tried to ignore the pull I felt from whoever was inside that limo. Had the vampire enlisted one of his vamp buddies to spy on me?
Spinning, I faced the counter again. I gave a five-dollar bill to the barista and picked up the brown mug. The suits approached the café door and I scurried to a table in the back of the room. Between the dim lighting and my hoodie, I was as anonymous as anyone could be. I relaxed and took a sip from my cup, letting the warm liquid soothe me.
After several minutes, the suits left with their drinks and the limo cruised away. Muscle by muscle, I relaxed again.
When I’d emptied the mug, it was time to head home if I wanted to see the girls all dressed up. I kept up a brisk jog and as I turned into our long driveway, I spotted a white limo. It was smaller than the one I’d seen in front of Pierre’s and the driver was human. Aunt Mina must have ordered it.
My muscles unbunched and I headed through the front door. Rustling satin and lace greeted me. I grinned at my cousins who looked more gorgeous than ever. Gavin was pretty cute too in his tuxedo and bowtie.
I grinned. “You guys clean up nicely.”
“You could too, you know.” Beatrice gave me a playful shove on my shoulder. “I’m sure we could find a dress for you.”
“Nah. When do you have to leave?” I asked.
“Not for another fifteen minutes. Beatrice doesn’t want to get there too early.” Aunt Mina frowned. “Something about a boy named Timmy and how looking too eager is the kiss of death, so we’re going to be fashionably late.”
Enough time to talk to Aunt Mina. I needed to reassure her that moving out of the basement was the best option for everyone. As long as they locked their doors, the only one who’d get hurt was an intruder. I couldn’t put the conversation off any longer. But the thought of upsetting my aunt or making her anymore uncomfortable filled me with dread.
I followed her into the sitting room where she plucked her small beaded purse from the settee.
My stomach churned as I opened my mouth to speak. “I’ll make sure I go out every night and work off my excess energy. When I have run of the house during the night, it’s less likely I’ll disturb everyone if I’ve been out.”
Aunt Mina stared at me, her eyes wide.
I’d barely started and already she looked freaked out. I took a deep breath and forged on. “I’m leaving in a couple minutes. I’ll morph and patrol the grounds, make sure nothing bigger than a raccoon is out there. When I come back, you’ll be gone.” I slowly lifted my gaze to hers, then verbalized my greatest fear. “When I try to get in, will I be locked out?”
She made a small whimper. “Oh, honey, of course not. Why would you ask such a thing?” She closed the distance and grasped my shoulders. “How could you even think I’d ever do that to you?”
I blinked away the tears that had pooled. “Because you act like you’re afraid of what I’ll do next. Like you think I’d bite Winnie or Beatrice.” My chest felt heavy.
“You left out Gavin. He’s mine now, too.” She rubbed a runaway tear from my cheek with her thumb. “And so are you.”
I’m hers, too? I choked back a sob. “But you’re scared of me.”
She exhaled softly and gently coaxed me to sit on the edge of the settee before lowering to the spot beside me. “Sometimes, yes. But I know you. And the Cydney I love would rather die than hurt anyone.” Her eyes glistened. “Oh, sweetheart. I believe, with every part of my being, that you won’t ever lose control again. But it’s easy to doubt my own instinct, doubt you, when you don’t even trust yourself.”
“I don’t know how to trust myself.” I couldn’t seem to stop my voice from shaking. “What if I try and fail? I couldn’t live with myself if...”
Aunt Mina brushed a tear-soaked lock of curly hair off my cheek. “Nothing’s going to happen. And if you never try, you’ll never know how much control you have. Can you live this way forever?”
I just shrugged, because I didn’t have an answer. “You don’t talk to me anymore. This is the first time in weeks you’ve said more than a few words to me.” My chin quivered and I lowered my head.
“You’re right.” She blew out a breath. “It’s been hard for me, too. Celeste was my sister. Every time I look at you, I see her and I’m reminded all over again that she’s gone.”
I swallowed and uttered the painful question hanging on my lips. “Do you want me to leave?”
Her mouth dropped open, then she pulled me against her, burying her face in my hair. “Oh, heavens no! I couldn’t bear to lose you, too.”
“Really?” I squeaked.
“Of course.” She gave a watery laugh. “I love you, Cydney, like you were
my own. Don’t ever forget that.”
I wrapped my arms around her. “I love you too.”
“I’m so sorry you thought, even for a moment, that you weren’t wanted.” She gave me another squeeze, then released me. “I’d really like you to go to the ball. You’ll have a nice time. I just know it.”
I shook my head and stood. “A part of me wouldn’t mind dressing up and getting out, even if I did have a gown to wear. But the scared part is still winning. I’ll be fine here.”
“Yes, you will.” She rose from the sofa to stroke my cheek. “But if you change your mind, let me know. I can always have the driver bring me back for you.”
“Definitely not. I won’t let you go out of your way like that when you could be showing off that hot bod.”
Aunt Mina gasped and a quick laugh escaped her lips.
“Ready, Mom?” Beatrice stood in the doorway to the sitting room, clinging to a tiny rhinestone purse.
Winnie appeared behind her. They looked like shimmering angels. Gavin emerged from behind them looking like a mini James Bond in his black tuxedo.
“Timmy’s going to just die when he sees you, Bea.” I switched to Winnie. “Get ready, because guys will be falling all over you.”
Gavin made a series of gagging noises.
“I think Gavin’s opinion is more accurate.” Winnie snorted. “Let’s go.”
I followed them outside and waved as gravel crunched under the rolling tires. The limo disappeared into the dark. I leaned against the front door and stared up at the stars. So many of them.
The ball would’ve been nice. Not that I wanted to mingle with royalty — especially since the prince was a vampire. But it would have been nice to dress up and forget all about my mental scars for a while.
The low hum of an engine reached my ears again. At the end of the driveway, a long white car passed through our gate. The limo had returned. I wondered if Beatrice or Winnie had forgotten something. I descended the steps for a better view of the driveway.
Wait. This limo was too long. And it was a Hummer.
Crap. It wasn’t my family returning. It was the vamp. Darting inside my house and locking the door behind me seemed like a great idea, but a door wouldn’t stop an ancient vampire. If he wanted to get to me, he would.
I took a deep breath as he exited the limo. He looked like a dashing Englishman in his black tux.
“Good evening.”
“It was until a moment ago,” I returned.
He scowled as he stopped in front of me, then widened his stance and folded his arms over his chest. “We had a deal.”
I folded my arms over my chest right back. “No, you made a demand and I said no.”
“Hm.” He studied me a moment, then signaled toward the limo. A tall slender blond woman climbed out of the car, dressed in a glittery gown. Human. She sidled up next to him.
“What do you think?” he asked her.
She inspected me, from my dirty sneakers and jeans to my unzipped forest-green hoodie. “Good bones. She’ll be stunning once I’m finished with her.”
“What?” I asked as another man, also human, emerged from the limo carrying a garment bag and a small black box.
“Unlock it.” The vamp nodded toward the door.
“It’s… it’s open,” I said. “What’s going on?”
“I’m Annalise.” The blond woman held out her hand for me to shake. “It’s my job to make you gorgeous for the ball.”
I backed up, as if I could seep into the grain of the wood door behind me and disappear. “But I’m not going.”
The vampire’s eyes narrowed. “Annalise, would you give us a moment?”
She retreated toward their limo and the vampire closed in, towering over me.
“You don’t have a choice, little girl. I’ve gone through considerable effort to get you a dress and you’re very lucky I was able to convince Annalise to help.” He lowered his voice to a hiss. “You will not defy me.”
He had to be kidding. “What’s the plan? Gonna drag me into the ballroom, kicking and screaming, so no one else can enjoy themselves? Or were you going to drug me into cooperation? My family will know there’s something wrong as soon as they see me.”
He laughed softly. “No, none of the above. You’re going to come with me of your own free will. You’ll behave like a nice young lady and stay until midnight.”
“Oh, yeah? And why am I going to do all that?” I fisted my hands on my hips.
“Because you have secrets and you want them to stay that way. Don’t you?”
“You’ve got nothin’ on me.” I scoffed. Or did he? I held my breath.
“Is that so?” He lifted one brow. “You might be surprised what I know. For instance, all those days in the woods spent with a boy you knew as Jack.”
My stomach pinched and I tried again to shrink back against the door, but I’d run out of room.
“I know what you did, why your mother took you away and never brought you back.” The vampire moved closer to tower over me. “But I’ll keep your secret. All you have to do is go to the ball.”
My eyes burned and I wiped a tear from my cheek with the back of my hand. How did this guy know about that? “Jack… did he live?”
I held my breath and met the vamp’s dark eyes.
Finally, he nodded. “Yes. But that doesn’t change the laws of our land.” His eyes narrowed and his voice lowered menacingly. “Assault and near-manslaughter are still illegal and punishable.”
Yes. That single word echoed in my ears. I hadn’t killed Jack. A sob escaped and I mashed my lips together, battling the relief that racked through me.
The vamp waited, motionless, as I fought to get a grip.
“No one will ever know what happened if I cooperate with you this one time?” I bit my bottom lip to keep it from trembling.
“I made a deal with your mother years ago. She was to keep our conversation quiet and never speak of Jack or what happened to him. Not even to you. And if she took you away, we wouldn’t press charges. You’re back now, which means our arrangement is null and void. There’s no statute of limitations for attempted murder.”
“How did you know it was me?” I asked. “Did Jack tell you?”
“He didn’t think I knew about his little excursions to see a girl he called Cinderella. But it’s my job to know everything that goes on in the castle and outside it. You don’t get this old without learning how to be unseen.”
“So you followed him that day. You were the one who took him away?”
“Yes.” He exhaled as his eyes narrowed. “And now I must insist you get dressed for the ball.”
I swallowed, forcing down the giant lump in my throat. I had no choice. It was either that or go to juvie jail. “Fine. I’ll go.”
The vampire smiled, raising one brow. “And you’ll behave like a lady?”
“Yes. I promise.” He could lead me to the party, but he couldn’t force me to socialize. If I got really lucky, I’d skip any contact with the royal family.
“My only condition is that you make yourself available to the prince for introductions and at least one dance, should he ask.”
I groaned.
“Being thrown in the dungeon is a better option for you then?” Somehow he managed to sound so British and proper while still scaring the hell out of me.
“Meet the prince. Dance — maybe. Stay until midnight. Got it.” Sounded like torture, but it was better than juvie. I nodded vigorously.
“Very well then. We must hurry.” He opened the door and swept me inside, calling out to Annalise on his way in.
An hour later, she’d finished my make-up and handed me a mirror. Any imperfections had vanished, but surprisingly, I didn’t look all plastered down and fake. Somehow, Annalise had magically secured most of my red curls at the top of my head. A few strands cascaded around my temples and a few more tickled down the nape of my neck. The rest looked ready to topple at any second, but she assured me it would stay.
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The way she’d transformed me so quickly made me wonder if she was a witch and had worked some spell to make me look that pretty. Forcing my unruly hair into an unnatural state definitely required magic or a miracle.
“And now for the dress.” Annalise snatched the mirror from my fingers. “Marco!”
He swooshed into the bathroom and began unzipping the garment bag he’d been carrying earlier. Silky green peeked through the opening. He hooked the bag on the back of the door and slipped out without a word.
“Oh, yes. Come here, my dearest,” Annalisa purred to the gown. She gently slid it out of the bag and tugged on the folds of fabric, then held it up so I could see.
My breath hitched and my eyes watered.
“Don’t you dare cry. If I have to redo your makeup, it’s going to set us back,” she said, placing a comforting hand on my arm.
I sniffed and shook my head. “It’s so beautiful.”
“Of course, it is. I outdid myself with this piece.”
“You designed it?”
“Yes.” She waved a hand. “Designer and Seamstress. Dunston provided me with your measurements and coloring and I took over from there.”
“Okay, wait up. That vampire right outside is Dunston, the king’s advisor?” I’d been so terrified of the vampire and doing my best to avoid him, I’d never thought to find out his name. Obviously, he worked for the royal family, since he’d been following their orders to get every girl on the island to the ball. But the king’s most trusted advisor? Wow.
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