The students of the Imperial Academy were all busy primping themselves for tonight's ball. Lira and Yumi were in Mari's room trying on the gowns and fixing each other's hair. Lira decided to wear an oblique-shoulder strap, sleeveless white chiffon flowing gown with empire cut and gold thread embroidered over the bust of the gown. Mari dressed her hair in ringlet curls spilling on her back with small curled tendrils falling on the sides of her face. "I must say, this Goddess-slash-Bride look suits you well," Mari complimented.

Yumi chose an emerald green sleeveless gown with a slight sweetheart neckline and a fitted waist. The bodice was decorated with crystal beads and flowed into a long chiffon skirt. Her hair, which became slightly longer than before, was the same golden reddish brown that she wore during her birthday. "Lavinia will be sooooo envy green," she chuckled.

Mari decided to wear a sweetheart neckline, sleeveless fuchsia pink taffeta gown, with beaded-crystal belt over the waist that fell to an A-line skirt. Her 'do was soft curls swept to the side over one shoulder. "Matt is so going to fall for you this time," Lira affirmed.

A dashing debonair in the form of Ian waited for them outside their dorm building, wearing a tux. For the occasion, he finally (finally!) removed his beanie, though his glasses retained. "Hey, Ian where did your pointy ears go?" Lira whispered.

"I used some extra glamour. It's using most of my energy now. Watch out for me if I suddenly went all clumsy and tripping and all."

The great hall was transformed into a magnificent place. The majestic crystal chandelier gave off soft light, giving the hall a warm soothing atmosphere. A band of musicians was atop a dais, providing music that resonated around the hall. The hall was already swarming with sea of people dancing in the middle of the floor. Some guests were along the long banquet table, helping themselves with some hors d'oeuvres. It was an amazing site, Lira mused. Their upperclassmen as well as the academy's former students were engaged in conversations with their vampire counterparts, as if they didn't belong in different set of gene pools.

Lira spied the Imperials surrounded by other senior vampires from different noble houses. The brothers were sporting their royal court uniform or dress or whatever they call them—frankly Lira didn't know. They wore a black suit with gold trimmings and too many golden buttons to count. They held their stance so regally no one would ever mistake them for someone other than being a prince. The only girl with them was Elisabeth wearing a simple wine red sleeveless gown that put emphasis to her classic beauty.

A senior male classmate asked Mari for a dance. Yumi looked around her and was fascinated. She admitted that she sometimes spied from the third floor landing of Lavinia's house, hidden behind railings to see Lavinia's parents hosting grand balls and parties, but nothing could compare to the grandiosity of the Imperial Academy Ball.

"Dance with me Ian!" Yumi said, dragging a poor and helpless Ian to the dance floor.

"A lady shouldn't ask the gentleman to dance, Yumi. It's the other way around," Ian explained.

Yumi shrugged her shoulders and said, "Well, I'm no lady so I'm an exemption."

Lira chuckled as the pair went to the middle of the hall. Lira was left musing to herself, admiring the transformation of the Great Hall, when she heard someone whispered, "You're looking fine tonight."

She whirled around to find Matt almost hidden in the shadows behind her with a toothy grin. He was wearing his customary Elite Guard uniform: Black shirt and army pants with a sheathed dagger strapped around his forearm. He might be hiding some other weapons, of that Lira wasn't sure.

"Hey. How are you? Are you sure you're up for slayer duty?" Lira asked, sounding concerned.

"Wouldn't miss this Ball for the world," he said sarcastically. "I take my job seriously, you know. This Ball is highly infested with vamps. We need to make sure their lot stick to the treaty."

Lira only then noticed the Elite Guards standing guard over the entire Great Hall, hidden behind the shadows and massive pillars. She even noticed the vampire's Royal Enforcers were scattered around, secretly observing the grand ball.

"So why aren't you dancing? No contenders vying for your hand?" Matt asked.

"Nah. I can't even dance to save my life. I broke two of Ian's toes when Mari and Ian were teaching us waltz."

Matt rubbed his hand at the back of his neck, looking uncertain and apologetic at the same time. "I would have asked you to dance, but I'm on guard duty..."

"Hey it's okay. Like I said, I'm not a great dancer." Lira noticed a still healing scar visible at the side of his temple running down to his cheeks. "That's weird; your scar should have healed by now." She absentmindedly ran a finger over his scar. "You look like a cute Frankenstein's monster," she said with a giggle.

Matt caught her wrist with his hand and smiled smugly. "So you think I'm cute."

"Nooooo," Lira denied. "Really Matt, if you're going to be like this all night, I'd rather stand in one corner and be a wallflower for the rest of this evening."

Matt did not suppress his chortle. Then he suddenly became tensed. He craned his neck as if he spotted an illicit activity that needed to be addressed. "I need to check on something. I'll be back," he said and disappeared behind the shadows.

Lira was left alone again standing on one corner. She noticed she was the only girl standing on the side. So this was what it felt like to be a wallflower. Not that she was giving a big deal about it, but why was nobody asking her for a dance? Earlier she saw Mari dancing with a male vampire. She even spotted a fuming Yumi waltzing with Stephan. Ian was nowhere in sight and she had an idea where he might be. Really, she didn't mind—not at all. But somehow she felt self-conscious that nobody even bothered to ask her for a dance. She whirled around and saw her reflection on the glass window. She looked okay. In fact, no bragging intended, she looked pretty. So why was no one asking her for a dance? She let out a sigh. So much for dressing up.

She looked around, scanning for familiar faces. But her classmates were all at the dance floor. The ones on the sides were all her seniors. She sighed and decided to wait for Matt. He said he'd be back.

Lira spied Sevastian across the hall going out of the French doors that led to the side of the garden. Maybe he found the room stuffy and needed some air. So she strode towards the exit to join Sevastian for some fresh air.

She was outside of the hall when she lost sight of Sevastian. She scanned around, looking for him. Lanterns were hoisted on several posts for the ball's benefit, making the place well lit. She finally saw Sevastian standing in the gazebo not far from where she stood. She clutched her skirt and descended the steps. When she was almost near him, she only then noticed another figure with Sevastian. It was a girl in a blue gown, her face unfamiliar to her. The girl leaned back on the pillar and seductively crooked a finger, inviting Sevastian to come closer to her. Sevastian closed the gap between them. Under the meager moonlight, she witnessed Sevastian baring his fangs while the girl revealed her slender neck for him. Lira covered her mouth with her hands, concealing the gasp she made when she saw Sevastian sinking his fangs onto the girl's neck. She expected the girl to whimper in pain, but she didn't seem to be in pain. What the girl did astounded Lira. The girl leaned her head back on the pillar, her eyes closed and mouth slightly opened, as she encircled her arms around Sevastian's neck, pulling him closer. A moan escaped her lips as if having a vampire drawing her blood out of her body was the most pleasurable feeling ever.

It was the first time she witnessed a vampire feeding on to someone. It frightened her and yet she couldn't keep her eyes away from them. Not Sevastian, no. He could not do that. He knew it was a violation against the treaty. But then, Nicholas told her no matter how gentle Sevastian might seem he was still a vampire. She wanted to run and get away from them, but her feet were firmly planted to the ground. With great force and determination, she took a step backwards and felt her back collided on to something hard. She felt something heavy was atop her shoulders only to realize they were actually hands steadying her from colliding further.

"Have you seen enough, my sweet?" It was Nicholas whispering in her ear. "Did it frighten you? Were you dismayed to find out that your knight in shining armor is just like the rest of us—a vampire?" He circled his arms around Lira's waist. "You foolish, foolish girl. What was it you intended to do with him when you followed him outside?"

Lira remained silent. Her hands fell to the sides and clenched to a fist.

"It is time, Lira. Give me what is due," he demanded, gripping his arms tighter around Lira.

Lira bowed her head and closed her eyes in resignation.

#

When Lira opened her eyes, she found herself inside a very large room. Nicholas set her on her feet. He must've carried her and brought her towards this chamber. She let her eyes scanned the room. The wall was painted red; the ceiling and doors were white There were three set of doors: one a wide double door in front of her, another double door was on the far side of the room, and another door on her left. Cream colored carpet covered the floor. There was a large wooden dresser on one side. A fireplace was ablaze nearby; the fire on the hearth was their only source of light. A large bed with black coverlet was in the middle of the massive room.

She spun around and demanded, "Where are we?"

Nicholas sat at the edge of the bed and gave her a sinister look. "In my room."

"Why did you bring me here?"

"It's the safest place; far from prying eyes and pesky little slayers."

"Why are you doing this, Nicholas?"

He eyed her viciously, his jaw clenching. "Because I can," he said under gritted teeth. "Give me what is mine!"

Lira flung her arms to her side. "Then by all means take it!"

In a blur, Nicholas was already in front of Lira, towering over her angrily. "What is it you're trying to do? Do you enjoy spinning all the males around you with your finger? Do you like to be constantly surrounded by those puny boys?"

"What are you talking about?"

"First, it was my brother Sevastian whom you've been trailing every night. Then that wimpy boy you drag around with you so constantly. You even managed to snare my brother Philip, making him looked at you as if you were his world. Let's not forget that slayer who you traded your blood for, who you have been flirting with all evening!"

"What? Where is all of these coming from? Why are you insinuating that I'm having some... some affair with all of them?"

"Because that is exactly what you're doing!" he spat. "You see, my sweet, I'm a jealous vampire!"

"Jealous!" Lira gave a hollow laugh. "You have it all wrong! I'm way past over Sevastian. Ian is my friend. Your bother was my mother's ex-boyfriend. And Matt! Matt is off limits. I can't steal my best friend's crush. That's like against the rules of friendship!"

Nicholas spun around and strode towards the fireplace.

Lira let out an exasperated sigh. "I don't even know why I bother explaining this to you. I don't even know why you're acting all jealous! You're not even my boyfriend."

"Come here, Lira," he said barely a whisper. Lira didn't move. "I said come here," he repeated between gritted teeth. Lira sighed and walked towards him. The minute she was near him, Nicholas grabbed her arm and spun her around. He held her left arm on a tight grip behind her back while his other hand held Lira's head, tilting it to the right. "I told you before, Lira, you are mine!" Then he furiously sank his fangs on Lira's neck.

Lira cried out in pain. She winced and struggled against his vice-like grip. There was a stabbing pain the moment his fangs plunged into her neck, her skin tearing. She remembered the girl with Sevastian earlier moaning with pleasure. How could the girl feel pleasure? All Lira felt was intense pain as she felt her blood being drained out of her veins. Warm blood trickled down her neck, dripping on her bodice.

Nicholas continued on his assault, and Lira's knees started to weaken, her visions blurring. Somehow, with sheer determination and strength, she managed to squeak her plea. "Nick, please let me go. It... it hurts." With her free hand, she sought for Nicholas' cheek.

As if a bucket of cold water was spilled over his head, Nicholas immediately pulled his face away from Lira's neck and unintentional shoved her away from him. Lira sprawled down on the floor. She looked up and saw Nicholas' face—his fangs still elongated, crimson blood dripping from his lips. His eyes that were shining black a moment ago turned to gray as he stared back at her and realized what he had done. Anger registered on his face, then confusion until guilt took over. He suddenly stormed out of the room, leaving Lira to pick up the broken pieces of her heart.

#

He was monster! Just like how Lira saw him. He could never forgive himself. It was not bloodlust that drove him to demand Lira's end of the bargain. It was his damned unwarranted jealousy over the people in Lira's life! He knew of Lira's feelings towards Sevastian. He thought he had sorted that out already. And that... that poor excuse of a boy who thought he could protect Lira. The slayer was the one who he despised the most among the lot. Nicholas saw how aggrieved Lira was over the slayer, how she willingly gave her blood for that bastard to live.

What he did to Lira was beyond repair. He wouldn't be surprised if she started hating him all over again. When did he even come closer to her good side? After all, she manipulated her to do his bidding. He had maneuvered her to be on the spot where he wanted her to be. He had planned everything to lure her to give what he had wanted.

He didn't want it anymore. He just wanted Lira.

He was a hundred and eighteen-year-old vampire; he should know better. He descended the stairs and noticed Elisabeth on the sitting room. He strode towards her and said, "Lisa I need your help. Please."