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I was right. I was being chosen simply as a pawn in a game of power, because my pure blood would prolong their reign over the other vampire families and this region.

“That is not entirely true.”

I jumped, realizing that he had just read my mind. “You can read my thoughts?” I blurted out, sounding more offended than I had intended.

“Not everything. I can catch bits and pieces, or quite simply, sense your feelings. You express them so openly. Please do not feel slighted. It is a natural ability for a vampire to sense the feelings of those around them. Perhaps one day you will experience it yourself.” The king walked toward me and took a seat in the arm chair opposite me.

“Claire, the reason we chose you is not only because you can continue the power of our rule. The queen and I could forever rule this region, if we so choose, but we do not. We have done many great things to improve this world, but now we feel we would like to see someone else take over our work. Do you understand?”

I felt relieved and a bit ashamed for being so eager to think that he had some sort of evil plan for me. “Why do you think I am the right one to assume your…” I tripped over my words trying to find something that fit, “legacy?” 

Nicolae smiled warmly at me. His dark eyes reflected the hot glow of the fire and his pristinely white fangs were visible under his thin lips. “You have not gone unnoticed young Claire. Your mother’s work is well known to us, along with her campaigning for good will, respect and loyalty. It is our belief that she has instilled these same values in you.”             

“You know my mom?”

He nodded. “We like to keep our eye on our most passionate supporters.”

“Don’t you think my mom would be upset about losing her only daughter?” The question may have sounded a bit rude, but I figured since I thought it, I might as well ask it. I was sure, he already sensed my irritation. I didn’t know vampires had special abilities, but I decided my best bet was to speak my mind from now on.

“Your mother was overjoyed to have her daughter join our family, she has faith that you will do wonderful things for this region and this world. Do not worry, Claire. She will be well cared for. Anything your mother shall ever need will be provided to her. You can be certain of that.”

It stung a little that my mom was not even the slightest bit upset at my sudden absence, but I knew the truth of it before the king had even voiced it.  A slow, solo tear rolled down my cheek. “Will I ever get to see her again, or my friends?”

I could see the expression on his face, revealing that the answer was no.  “Although we do not forbid it, seeing your friends and family would cause them harm, thereby inducing pain onto yourself that you will have to live with for an eternity.”

My spirits lifted at the thought I could see Liz and my mom again, but the king’s warning made me sink back into my seat.

“Through the years, you will watch them age while you remain the same. You will witness their deaths and suffer the loneliness of life without them. Do you really desire to bring this pain unto yourself?”

I thought about it for a moment, and was unable to give him an answer.  It seemed worth it to me, just to be able to see them. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to see Liz as an old lady and I wasn’t sure if I wanted to, but I had promised her we would see each other again and I didn’t want to break that promise.  I needed my friend. How could I live forever in this huge palace alone?

“Ah, Foxworth finally. Come in!”  The king announced Fox’s arrival into the room and I turned to see him enter with a young girl following close behind.  She looked to be around my age and as she neared the king and me, she gave a small bow.

“Claire, this is Robin. She is the daughter of the Willow family, here in the palace,” Nicolae said. He motioned toward Robin and she smiled politely at me. “Robin, please show Claire around, I would like for her to be as comfortable as possible during her time here. Could you do that for me?”

“Yes, Your Highness,” Robin answered with an excited tone as she looked toward me. I was hesitant at first because I wasn’t quite sure if I had ever given my consent as to whether or not I would be joining the vampire family, but Robin looked so friendly, I didn’t want to be rude.

The king smiled at me as I rose to leave the room. I stopped for a moment, intending to say something to the king and he placed my hand in his with the most gentle touch I have ever felt.  His hands were cold, but incredibly soft and it felt as if my hand was wrapped in cold silk. “Thank you, Claire.  I know this is a lot of information to absorb, but I truly believe you will love it here. Robin is one of our most friendly and knowledgeable young members and she will make you feel right at home.”

I looked at Robin, who was smiling proudly at the king.  She was obviously flattered as well as honored to have him speak so highly of her. I nodded my head and gave him a polite smile before exiting the room with Robin. She walked briskly and came to a stop in the main foyer under the large chandelier. Her curly, red hair seemed to shimmer in the golden light.

She smiled at me and ushered me toward the large staircase. The sound of our footsteps echoing was almost deafening and I wanted to say something, anything to break it. I was so relieved to see another person my age and I was eager to have at least someone to talk to. I wondered if she had been recruited, as I was, and if she had friends and family back home that she missed as much as I did.

“You’ll love it here. When I first arrived, I was scared too, but that didn’t last long.” Her voice was young and energetic and I couldn’t help but smile up at her as we continued ascending the staircase.

“Have you lived here long?”

“Nearly all my life. I came here when I was six years old.”

That shocked me. She had lived in this palace full of vampires as a child.  I wondered what it must have been like. I struggled to find something to say to her. Everything I could think of sounded too judgmental when I repeated it inside my head; why would the Vampire Royal Family take a child to live with them? Or, don’t you miss living a normal live with real friends and family?

“I am happy living here,” she said politely as we reached the top of the stairs and made our way down another artfully decorated hallway that was carpeted with an intricate Persian rug.

“You can read emotions too?” I asked, feeling a little frustrated. I didn’t like the invasion of my privacy and I mentally added one check mark in my list of things I didn’t like about this place.

“No.” She gave an embarrassed smile. “I could just read the expression on your face. When I was little, my human parents abandoned me at the gates of the palace. My father found me standing in the rain and brought me in. When my mother saw me, they decided they wanted to take me as their own and I have lived here ever since.”

I was shocked by her story and felt a little sorry for Robin. Her real parents discarded her, but the vampires displayed such compassion by taking her as their own. They adopted her. I immediately began to question if she were a vampire, but if she were, how could she be my age? “How did? Are you a…?”

As always, I stumbled with my words while I tried to comprehend what was going on. They obviously didn’t turn her as a child or she wouldn’t have grown up. Did they let her live among them as a human for all these years? I felt a glimmer of hope at that thought. Maybe I could do the same thing and I wouldn’t have to worry about never seeing Liz or my mom again.

Robin laughed at me a little before she answered. “You’re funny. I’ve forgotten what it is like to have someone new in the palace. I lived here as a human until I came of age and then I was given the chance to choose the life I wished to lead. Of course, I chose to be turned. This is my family, the only one I’ve ever known. I couldn’t imagine my life without them in it.”

“So… how long have you been a vampire?” I was curious. She looked to be my age, but the question was how long had she been my age.

“I was turned ten years ago.” She smiled at me and led me into a room.

The bedroom we entered made my jaw drop. “This is my room?”

“Yeah, and mine is three doors down.”

My new bedroom was something out of a fairy tale. The tiled floor was laid out in a patterned mosaic of creams and golds. A comfortable seating area at the front of the room featured a small antique sofa with two matching arm chairs, both framed in hand-carved wood and upholstered with a rich damask. I ran my fingers across them as I walked further into the room. I took in the aroma of freshly cut flowers that filled several blue and white vases. Heavy, thick curtains were draped over stained glass windows and I imagined how beautiful it would look with sunlight shining through them. Then I remembered that if I were turned, I would never get to see that again.

A familiar sound caught my attention and I turned toward a small archway.  Through the drapes, I saw Louie’s cat carrier sitting on a bed. His furry paws reaching through the bars brought a smile to my face and I ran for him. Robin followed casually behind me, giving me time to take everything in.

I jumped onto the huge bed and immediately flipped the latch to let Louie out. I scooped him into my arms and hugged him tighter than he liked. After a few moments of ignoring his protests, I released him. He quickly went to work on sniffing every object in sight, but didn’t stray far from me. Robin petted him gently when he sniffed her feet.

“His name is Louie,” I said as I watched her scratch under his fat little chin.

“He’s really cute.” She smiled and then took a seat at a small table.  “How do you like your room?”

“It’s amazing! They didn’t have to give me such a nice room, I mean I don’t even know if I am going to stay here yet.”

Robin frowned at this for a moment, but quickly hid her reaction. “Well, I would very much like it if you stayed. It would be nice to have another girl around.”             

“Is there no one else in the palace then?”

“Oh no, there are two other families and their children…” She left the sentence unfinished, but the expression on her face was familiar to me. She didn’t get along with the other children.

“So, tell me about your family,” I said without the trace of a stutter. I was finding it easier to talk with Robin. For a vampire, she was so much more human than the king or Fox were. Maybe I just related to her more easily because she was my age, or maybe it was because she had not been a vampire very long.

Robin’s face lit up and she joined me on the bed as she gushed about her family. Her parents were the Willow’s. Their role in the royal family was to maintain, protect and document historical events. Vampire or human, every important event was accounted for. She went on and on about how her training started and the events she was permitted to record. 

“My parents have allowed me to document your arrival into our family.” She beamed at me. I didn’t quite understand her love of history, but something about her endless chatter reminded me of Liz, so I returned the smile.

“I don’t think I am as interesting as anything in your history books, but if you want to record, then go ahead.”

“My parents will be so excited. I promise I will write the best account of the events of your arrival and coronation as there has ever been.”

I flipped my shoes off the side of the bed and looked down at the outfit I was wearing. I was still attired in the clothes my mom had picked out when I met Fox. I stood up and started to look around for my bags.

“What are you looking for?”             

“My bags. I want to change,” I said, tugging at the uncomfortable blue silk blouse.

“Oh! I can’t believe I forgot to show you the best part.” Robin jumped off the bed and rushed to a set of wide wooden double doors. Grabbing onto their gold knobs, she pulled them open in one smooth movement, revealing a huge walk-in closet that led into an even larger bathroom. The closet was lined with shelves and hanger rods, filled with clothes. Everything was meticulously organized and perfectly folded. A large chaise lounge chair sat in the center along with an ornate standing mirror trimmed with gold. I avoided looking at my reflection, knowing I must be looked a mess.

A large dresser was topped with dozens of sparkling jewels. Necklaces, earrings, and rings; all of them adorned with rubies of various shades. “These are all mine?” I whispered. I traced my fingers across the cool stones and couldn’t imagine ever having a reason to wear something so beautiful.

“Gorgeous, aren’t they? I love the earrings the best.” Robin pulled back her curly red hair to reveal ruby stud earrings encircled in small diamonds.

“They look good on you.”

“Thanks.”

I spotted my bags and quickly unzipped them to grab my favorite pair of jeans. When I couldn’t find anything but t-shirts, I turned to see Robin holding out a shirt she pulled off one of the many racks. It was definitely something Liz wouldn’t have chosen, which is probably why I snatched it greedily. Seeing that Robin had the same taste as I did, made me like her just a little bit more.

“Okay, let me show you the bathroom. Then you can get changed and I’ll introduce you to everyone and show you the rest of the palace.”

My bathroom was covered almost top to bottom in white marble. A roomy claw-foot tub stood as the main focal point of the room. Small ferns atop wooden pedestals surrounded it. A large window was open over the tub, letting in a cool night breeze. A standing shower encased in frosted glass occupied the left side. I saw bright, white towels monogramed with a large “N”. They were fancier than any towel I had ever seen and almost didn’t want to use them.