(Eleanor) Words were not fit to describe the grandeur and elegance that was the castle of the Nightshade Clan. As the superior species, it wasn’t uncommon for vampires to have mansions and large properties, but this was a whole other story.

The high arches that were supported by intricately designed columns and the shimmering lights that winked at visitors mysteriously did more to intimidate me than to draw any of the awed gasps that the other girls couldn’t seem to stop making. I saw this mansion for the ostentatious place that it was: a prison.

The fact that these people, these so called royals, had the nerve to make showing up at their stupid ball obligatory for every young woman who gets chosen was unbelievable. My brother Aaron had been furious when I received the summoning. It had taken the combined efforts of my mother, my father, and myself to keep him from doing something that would ultimately get him killed.

I stumbled on the last step as I went up the spiral staircase, but I was spared the humiliation of falling by a steadying hand on my arm.

“I’d watch my step if I were you. It’s a long way down.”

I looked towards the voice, hazel meeting frosty blue as I tried to stare this stranger down.

Everything from the loosely pulled tie around his neck to the Valentino suit that fit his body a little too well carried the stench of arrogance and wealth. He was the type of guy my mammina always warned me of.

“Thank you,” I said stiffly, already beginning to walk away.

The dark haired man reached out and grabbed me again. Wow. He is seriously pushing his luck.

“I don’t believe we’ve met before. I’m Jaxon,” he said smoothly.

“Eleanor,” I snapped, yanking my arm out of his most unwelcome grip.

God, why can’t these guys ever take a hint? They think that if they wear expensive suits and Rolex watches, then they immediately own any girl. Although judging by the little fan club of bumbling bimbos not too far from us, I’d say he’s not just any rich boy.

A smirk tugged at his lips and he took his time looking me up and down. He took a few steps towards me until he was standing so close that I could smell his cologne. I narrowed my eyes at him as I hurried to restore the distance between us.

“You have no idea who I am, do you?”

“Damn it, I must’ve missed the lesson at school about guys who can’t take a hint. I’m sure any one of those girls aced that class though,” I snarked with an obviously fake smile, nodding at the ever growing group of girls behind him.

“Now really, is that any way to be speaking to your prince?” He teased.

I took a huge step back. Prince Jaxon. It finally clicked. The adoring fangirls, the accent, the wealth, the exceptional good looks—it all made sense now. One of the most powerful vampires in the Nightshade Clan, not to mention the most infamous, was standing right in front of me. My stomach muscles contracted into a small, painful ball.

Jaxon’s amused gaze rested on me expectantly. Goddamn, those eyes though.

I cleared my throat and walked away from the notorious prince, my head buzzing. I felt heavy with the weight of hundreds of eyes upon me. Disappointment coursed through my veins almost painfully.

What has this world come to? People treating a murderer- a monster- like a god. They worship and admire him as though he’d ever done anything for them besides murder their loved ones and steal all the things that rightfully belonged to them.

Not me.