The Vampire Hunter's Daughter

“Aria! Where the hell are you?” My bedroom door slammed open. My father stormed inside, his expression already twisted with irritation. Shit. “I gave you ten minutes to get downstairs.” His eyes swept over me. “And you're still sitting in your room?” “I didn't realize ten minutes was a life-or-death emergency.” I folded my arms across my chest and forced my anger down. His jaw clenched. “Don't test me tonight.” I rolled my eyes. “Then stop giving me reasons to.” He took a step toward me. “Get downstairs. Now.” “That so-called party is for you. I don't understand why I need to be there.” His expression hardened. “Because you're my daughter.” “And?” “And you're the heir to everything I've built.” His voice sharpened. “Tonight marks another year since the Vampire Hunters was founded. I am the Lord Commander of the Hunters. Do you have any idea how many influential people are downstairs asking to meet you?” “Then they can keep asking.” “Do you enjoy embarrassing me?” “I didn't realize your reputation depended on whether your twenty-three-year-old daughter smiles at strangers.” His eyes narrowed. “You're not twenty-three in my house. You're my daughter, and you'll do as you're told.” A bitter laugh escaped me. “Right. I forgot. Apparently being your daughter means I don't get to have a life.” “It means you don't get to behave like a spoiled little brat who thinks the world owes her freedom.” My smile disappeared. “Careful, Dad.” “Or what?” He stepped closer, his voice dropping. “You've spent your entire life training to become a hunter. You don't get to throw a tantrum because I expect you to act like one.” “I kill vampires for you. I train for you. I live by your rules every damn day. And somehow, you still think you own me. That I'm incapable of making decisions concerning my own life.” His face darkened. “Enough.” “No. I'm tired of—” “Get downstairs.” “I said no.” Silence. His stare turned cold. “Do not make me send my men to get you out of here.” My stomach tightened. He'd done it before. He knew exactly where to hurt me. I shoved past him, anger burning through every step. “Fine.” I stormed out of the room. But tonight, for once, I wasn't going to let my father decide how my night ended. On getting downstairs to the massive hall where the party was being hosted, my father grabbed my hand. He always did that whenever we went to events together. People adored our so called ‘father and daughter relationship’. I forced myself not to snatch my palm away from his grip. “Smile. Now” his sapphire blue eyes blazed at me. I scoffed instead. People began approaching us as soon as we stepped in. Probably because my father's royal blue sequin tuxedo caught the light and cast tiny reflections all around us. It was like I was walking with a disco ball. An hour later and I was already feeling exhausted to the bones. My father on the other hand was jolly as can be. He loved events like this– where everyone hovered around him and he was the spotlight. Unfortunately for me, I was his stunning princess and I had to sit pretty by his side almost the entire night. I knew if I stayed beside him I would spend the rest of the evening greeting a thousand strangers and my cheeks would burn from faking a smile till whenever this Godforsaken party ended. “I'll be right back dad. Let me just grab a drink” I patted his arm to drag his attention away from the rich men he was laughing with. “Sure thing princess. Get me one too” I hurried away from him, my silver heels clicking against the polished floor. I deliberately ignored the few people who tried to greet and strike a conversation with me as I fled. Slipping out of the hall, I stopped in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror to check myself. Dressed in a black satin dress that hugged my curves before falling into a daring slit along one thigh, I looked exactly like the kind of trouble my father spent his life trying to keep me away from. The satin gleamed against my skin with every movement, while delicate gold jewelry caught the light at my throat, wrists, and ears. My ebony-black hair fell straight to my waist, sleek and glossy enough to make even me pause. And then there were my eyes. Sapphire blue, bright against the darkness of my hair and dress, they were probably the most innocent thing about me. I tilted my head, admiring the reflection. Damn. I looked good. The moment I got outside our massive building, I pulled out my phone. “Cee, please tell me you're still alive” “Barely. I'm guessing your father's party is trying to kill you too” My life long best friend’s voice floated in through my phone. I snorted. “I'm escaping” “I knew you would” “You sound disappointingly unsurprised Celeste” “Aria, I've known you since you were stealing cookies from my mother's kitchen and blaming the dog” I laughed. “The dog looked guilty” “The dog wasn't even in the house” I shook my head, smiling despite myself. “Where are you?” “I've already sent you the location. I'm at the club.” “Of course you are.” “Someone has to have fun tonight.” “Give me ten minutes.” “Take fifteen. You're going to drive like a maniac anyway.” “I make no promises.” Her warm laughter filled my ear before the call ended. I slipped my phone into my purse and got into my car. The sleek black Mercedes roared to life as I strapped in my seat belt. There was a new club I'd been dying to check out with my best friend, Celeste. And after surviving one of my father's painfully boring parties? Tonight, I was determined to have some fun.