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that special someone at the blood ball if you just put yourself out there.”
    “I said I would try. Anything else you want to discuss before I go back upstairs?”
    “Now that you mention it, there is. I promised that I wouldn’t say anything about the human situation. However, I expect you to tone it down when you and Jane hunt from now on. You are obviously impressionable and I need you to avoid any situation that could bring shame to this family. It’s not just you that would be ostracized. You should heed my warning and remember that.”
    “I understand , Mom. It won’t happen again. Now can I go upstairs?” I ask impatiently.
    “Fine, go. I expect you down here at sunset though. We need to get a jump on the evening now that we are leaving earlier. Good night, dear. I might turn in early as well and read a book.”
    “I’ll see you later,” I sa y as I’m already bounding up the stairs.
    I shut the door and slid e down the back side of it. This is a total disaster. I can’t believe my Mom. She’s playing dirty and that’s something I’ve never seen her do before. She must really be worried I’ll embarrass her.
    It should be easy to blend in at the blood ball. There are six of us coming out. My idea is to do the minimum expected and still look like I’m participating. It’s just more stressful to think about cocktails beforehand. I’ll be under the scrutiny of not just Cody and Thayer, but their parents as well. I hate being sized up and looked at like some piece of property. I prefer to make decisions on my own terms.
    Putting my head in my hands, my mind runs through all the possible outcomes of the ball. No way am I coming home with a future mating ritual planned. If I’m lucky, no one will even pay attention to me and they’ll be all over Jane. She is, after all, the one who’s looking forward to this.
    I know that isn’t a likely outcome. It’s no secret that a few of them fancy me. They are either interested in me or what being with me gets them. Being third in line for the throne’s a pretty big deal. If the first two in line remain unmated and produce no heirs, then the crown falls to me. That’s a lot of motivation for some vamp to court me.
    How could anyone want a mate like that? It would be better to find someone that is there for me and not my royalty. How can I tell the difference? Some guys can be very convincing. Taking a deep breath, my arms push me up from the floor.
    Not bothering to turn my iPod back on, I crawl up in bed. The paint on my clothes has already dried so I don’t particularly care about getting it on the bed. Everything that has happened tonight has worn me out. I’m exhausted.
    Trying to calm my whirling mind, I practice some meditation techniques. It works better than expected. I’m out like a light in no time flat.

Later that evening I groggily make my way down the stairs and towards the kitchen. My entire body comes to a complete halt, however, as I hear the hushed voices of Mom and Dad. I hang back, trying to decipher their conversation.
    “I wish she would take her royal duties seriously. She holds the future of this race in her hands and she doesn’t even care,” Mom says.
    The words sting a fter processing them. Did she really think of me that way? It’s disheartening to believe they are even having this conversation. I know this blood ball is important, but seriously? Mom is completely exaggerating the situation.
    “ Callie’s still very immature. I’m sure she will come around after she sees how important this blood ball is. She’s never attended one before and I just know she will pull through this phase,” Dad replies.
    Immature? A phase? What the hell? This conversation is growing increasingly uncomfortable as I continue to listen. I’m fighting back the sting of tears at their harsh words.
    “You didn’t talk to her last night. She is veering down the wrong path, Milo. Now, every time she goes hunting with Jane I’m going to worry