Devour (4 page)

Because I’
m royalty, I have a more important duty to my fellow vampires. They turn to us for leadership. We set the example for our whole community, as well as the cities outside our walls. All those vampires see me as a role model. Since I’m female, that makes me even more coveted and will help ensure our race continues.

I know it seems like a lot of pressure, b
ut I’ve grown up in this environment. Politics are a dinner conversation, with no breaks in duties. Mom makes me hold many seats in charities and various functions. It is all part of being royalty. I could, someday, rule this race, even though I’m like third in line for the throne.

After feeling thoroughly stretched
, I slip downstairs for another blood infusion. Even though Chase just fed me and it recharges me for the week, I still need our special mixture to maintain my strength. My eyes glow purple as I’m indulging in the blood. It may not be enjoyable, but the vampire in me still needs the blood like humans need water. It’s 80 percent of our makeup and we would go into stasis without it.

Our race is immortal
but our hearts still beat. We have to pump all that blood through somehow. It also keeps us from looking like zombies and having our flesh rot. We’re still paler than humans due to the volume of blood in our system.

Just because we are immortal
doesn’t mean we can’t be killed. We could be put in stasis and staked or beheaded, just like anyone else. Being captured is always a fear in our community so that’s why it’s so important for us to remain a secret. The humans must remain ignorant of our existence.

Wit
h that final thought, I finish my infusion and turn my thoughts to the blood ball. My internal thoughts don’t have long to muse over things, though, because my Mom rushes in, looking excited. Uh oh, that’s never a good sign.

“There you are Callie.
I just went up to your room to look for you.”

“I’m right here
Mom. What’s up?”

“The
Gregorias have invited us to their bar for cocktails tomorrow before the blood ball. I told them that we would love to attend. I think the Lucias are going to be there, too.”

I
groan a little too loudly. “Do we have to? I’ll see Cody and Thayer at the blood ball as eligible bachelors. I don’t need to see them before, too,” I whine.

Cody
is very attractive with ear length, blonde hair and stunning, hazel eyes. Any girl would be lucky to catch his attention. Too bad I’m not just any girl. I just don’t have interest in dating any of them. It’s nothing personal. Cody is a great catch, but more suited for someone like Jane. She is actually buying into this whole coming out thing.

Thayer
, on the other hand, is just obnoxious. He always has been. He spent his younger years razzing all the girls until many of us threatened him within an inch of his life. That subdued him, but didn’t stop him altogether. He’s handsome enough with green eyes and shaggy, brown hair, but he’s still stuck with boyish looks instead of those of a mature, male vamp.

“Come on
, Callie. It won’t hurt you to be polite for an hour before the ball. Cody and Thayer can’t be that bad. I know Thayer was a little wild in your earlier years, but I’ve heard he’s really grown up. This is a coming out party; you need to see the males. They also need to see you. Don’t hide like you usually do. I expect you to participate in this event. “

“But
, Mom,” I start.

“No buts this time.
This is the rest of your life we’re talking about. If you don’t take control of it, then I will. You may be eighteen, but until you’re mated, you live by our rules. I don’t like blackmail, so don’t make me resort to that. This ball is about dancing and mingling. You are going to participate and have fun doing it. Am I making myself clear enough, young lady?” Mom asks sternly.

Defeated, I look
down at the tiles on the floor. “Yes, ma’am, I will be on my best behavior. I’ll participate and act appropriately so I don’t embarrass you.”

“That’s better.
Jane will be there with you for the ball, at least. I bet she’s taking this whole thing seriously,” she quips.

“I just want to go
to college and see. Maybe I’ll find the vampire of my dreams there. I would hate to settle.”

“You could just as easily find 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 about her breaking the council rules. I was actually scared for her last night when she confessed her interactions with the human.”

Betrayal str
ikes at her last statement. She’s broken our code. It’s hard to believe she told Dad. Our trust is shattered now and I don’t know if I want to pick the pieces back up.

“We can only hope that it doesn’t happen again.
If you’re that worried about it, I can put a low profile security detail on them when they go out. You’re right, she is a royal and she needs to represent our family in this community.”

I can’t believe my ears.
Now they are going to have a babysitter follow me around? How had things gotten so out of hand in just a day? This is all because I told Mom about that stupid human. Damn her and her mouth. I’m on overload and can’t take any more of this conversation.

Quietly, I’m already backing up
until my feet hit the stairs. My legs carry me up the stairs as silently as possible. As soon as I safely reach my room, my only desire is to flop onto my bed and let the tears finally fall.

I’
m happy my state of mind caused me to lock the door when I returned to my room. Shortly after my escape, Mom knocks on my door and I mentally prepare myself. I’ll be the perfect daughter today and at the blood ball. I may not be ready to mate, but it’s clear my family’s reputation is at stake. I’ll at least try.

“Yeah
, Mom, what’s up?”

“Are you up and ready to go yet?”

“I’m almost ready.” I lie. “I’ll meet you downstairs in five.”

“Alright, just hurry up.
We have appointments set up and a full schedule this evening.”

As soon as
my ears hear her retreat down the stairs, I bolt up and rush to the bathroom. Splashing water on my face makes the crying less apparent.

Tossing
my now rumpled clothes in the hamper, I pull out a fresh pair of jeans and a lavender V-neck tee that brings out the violet in my eyes.

Satisfied, I rush downstairs and nearly smack into my mother as I
’m rounding the corner to the kitchen. Momentarily stunned, we just stand there like idiots. Finally, after a few beats, I snap out of it.

“I’m so sorry
, Mom. Are you okay?” I ask.

“Boy, you are a woman on a mission.
You didn’t even slow down around that corner. I’m fine, even though you mowed me down,” she teases.

“Yeah
, sorry. I’m just excited to spend some time with you. Let’s get out of here.”

“I’
ve ordered a car today. With the blood ball tonight, I won’t take any chances of you not coming out. You are royal and therefore, at risk. The extra security should be sufficient for our trip to town.”

Following
her out the front door, I stop beside Mom in front of a sleek, black sedan with tinted windows. Yes, vampires love tinted windows. It gives us a sense of privacy and we are very private people.

Scooting in,
I make room for Mom to sit in the seat next to me. She gives the driver directions and we are off.

We are silent as the road winds and we make it to the gate.
Mom hands over her pass and Nathan, the guard, nods before returning it to her. The gates swing open and we are free. Well, as free as we can be with a chauffeur.

“So
, honey, are you looking forward to the ball? You get to wear a gorgeous dress and be the center of attention for a whole night. I loved my coming out. The blood ball was so gorgeous. I remember it like it was yesterday.”

Mom
gets that far off look in her eyes and I know there are memories streaming through her head. I finally speak up, breaking her train of thought.

“I’m getting more excited as the ball inches closer.
I can’t believe it is already time. I want to look like a princess tonight.”