Vampire Luna

Dancing with the Devil

Nova

He was falling for my trick. This stupid little dog was starting to be nice to me. All I had to do was bat my eyelashes, and he’s actually being nice. I could get him to help lead me to the pack. If I could hang around him enough, his scent could get on me, and I could sneak into the pack. I could kill the next Alpha, and prove to my father that I don’t need Xavier. I could rule just on my own. 

I smiled, and looked into his eyes, as charming as possible. “Thank you, really. I think I’ve just been so over my head. I’m Morgan by the way.” I stuck out my hand. I gave him Morgan as my name,it was the first name that I could think of. It was the name that I had given one of my stuffed animals as a kid. I was scared that if I told him my name was Nova, he would figure out I was the Vampire Princess.

I was afraid being too nice to wolf boy, would make him cautious, but he didn’t even seem to care he just smiled again and said, “Of course. I’m Connor.” 

Okay good, he seems to be as stupid as most dogs. Now I just had to seal it. I did my best fake girly laugh, which I must say is really good. After growing up as royalty, you get used to fake laughing at people. 

I gave my best and widest fake smile as I spoke as preppy as possible, “Connor. That’s a nice name. I can’t believe I’m even talking to you! I never thought I would meet a wolf. This is nice actually. I think I needed this. To be able to talk to someone that’s not a part of the coven, so they won’t judge. If you ever need to talk I would love to return the favor.”

I made direct eye contact, good he wasn’t dropping it. He really didn’t seem to have any sort of guard up. My jaw was starting to hurt with all this smiling. Connor returned the smile as he said, “Yeah that be nice actually. Do you think you can come back tomorrow. Around the same time. I know it’s weird. I mean you’re a vampire, and I’m a werewolf, but I don’t know. You’re just so nice. I feel like I can really get to talking with you.”

Hook, line, and sinker.

I let out another girly laugh, “Me too! And yeah I’ll be here tomorrow, same time. I should probably get back to the coven before someone starts looking for me. But I’ll see you later.”

I took a step back and waved, 

“Bye Morgan.” he said.

I let one final smile out, as I said, “Bye Connor. See you tomorrow.” Then I turned around and headed back to the coven. I was terrified to see my father or Xavier again. I couldn’t possibly tell them what happened, or what my plan was. I was going to have to muster as much strength as I could. I lifted my dress skirt and pulled out my cell phone that was strapped to my leg. 

I looked at my phone screen and saw that I had a bunch of texts and calls from my parents, and Gale. I sighed and called Gale back.

She picked up almost instantly. “Nova! Where are you? What happened!?”

“I’m sorry I just… Can you meet me in my room with a new gown, and also help me fix my makeup. Try not to let my parents know please.”

“Yeah of course, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

I walked the rest of the way to the castle as quickly as possible, using my vampire speed to get there in less than a minute. I climbed the castle gates again, and climbed up to the window of my bedroom. Usually there are guards out all around the castle that prevent anyone from sneaking in, but I knew their paths, and every area of the castle, to be able to do it swiftly without getting caught. 

As soon as I climbed through my window, Gale was there helping me get into the room safely. She had a new purple gown spread out on the bed, and the bag of makeup in her hands. She saw me and gasped, “Are you okay? What happened? Everybody is looking for you everywhere!”

I started to strip from my gown covered in dirt and soot, and slowly explained to Gale, “I know I’m sorry. Xavier is horrible, he hit me and...and I just had to run.”

“He hit you! We have to tell your father!”

I rolled my eyes and laughed, as I felt tears welling up in my eyes again. “Do you really think he’d care? You and I both know he wouldn’t. Especially since he already made up his mind about Xavier and I getting married. I just had to run. But it’s okay I got this. I can do it.” I didn’t want to tell Gale my plan. I did trust her, but if she ever got in trouble or any harm came to her because of me, I would never forgive myself. 

I sat on the bed, and used parts of the old gown that was clean to wipe my eyes. Gale came over to me and put her hands on my shoulders. “Oh Nova I’m so sorry. If there’s anything I can do.”

“Just fix my makeup quickly. I need to get down there and do damage control.”

She nodded and started to help fix me. We redid my makeup and hair, and got me into the new gown. Gale used her vampire speed to do everything in 5 minutes. I wasn’t sure how long I was in the woods, but I didn’t dare waste anymore time to figure that out. I bolted out the door and toward the ballroom. I opened the door that led to the top of the stairs where they announced the arrivals. My father, mother, Xavier, a few guards, and of course Xavier were all standing there, looking like they were panicking. 

Everybody’s eyes made their way to me. Xavier and my fathers eyes were specifically throwing daggers at me. 

My father was the first to walk up to me, slapping me across the face. “You have a lot of explaining to do!” he spat

I didn’t dare show any signs of pain, all I did was curtsey as I said, “I know father and I apologize.”

Another slap; I almost made a sound this time. “Apologize to your future King as well,” he demanded.

I forced myself to look up at Xavier. I knew all of our people had red eyes, but something about his seemed colder, and evil. He looked at me like he owned me, and that alone made me want to grab the dagger I kept under my skirt and stab him. But I had a plan now. A plan that would make sure I would no longer have him around me. So as I walked toward him and curtsied as well, I tried to be as nice as possible, as I lied through my fangs, “I’m so sorry Xavier, my love. It won’t happen again. I think I needed time to get used to the idea of us. But after thinking for a while, I promise I will be the perfect Vampire Queen.”

He let out a satisfied smile that made me want to throw up. He held out his hand for me to take. I took it and stood up straight. “Good, now let us make our entrance.” He said, turning toward the stairs.

The guard who announced arrivals nodded at us. Xavier put his hand behind my back, a little too low for my taste. I could see all the people of the coven at the bottom of the stairs starting to gather as they noticed us. I sighed, and held my head high, as the guard shouted out, “Now arriving at the royal ball, ladies and gentlemen, our future Vampire King, Xavier Laire, and his betrothed, our very own Vampire Princess, Nova Constantine.”

The entire ball was enraging having to be at Xavier’s side, smiling and greeting people, pretending like I was happy to be next to him. I hated dancing with him, and letting him hold me tight. I could feel my father’s eyes on me, making sure I was behaving. At the end of the night though things got worse. I walked up to the stairs we came from and Xavier followed me. 

When I reached the top I turned to Xavier and gave him the best fake smile I could. “Well this was fun. I think it’s time I head up to my bedroom though.”

He slid his hand around my waist pulling me disgustingly close. “Yeah I think it’s time we head up there.”

I shivered as he said ‘we.’ I should’ve seen this coming. “I’m sorry I just don’t feel too well tonight, I’m a little tired from the ball. All the dancing you know.”

His grip on me somehow tightened, and I began to feel trapped. “Oh come on. Didn’t you say you wanted to be the perfect Vampire Queen.”

I swallowed nervously, I knew I couldn’t act out, especially with all these people around. Instead I just said, “I know, and I will. Just give me some time.”

He took in a sharp breath and said, “You know I am now allowed to stay in the castle on the same floor as you. I’m also not a very patient man. So if I say I want something I will get it.”

In a quick motion he grabbed my chin in his hand and lifted it so our lips aligned, he started to dive forward when someone interrupted him.

“I’m sorry to intrude. The King wants to speak to you Xavier.”

He let me go and turned to see Gale standing there. Her eyes met mine with pity. “It’s Sir, or Mr. Laire to you.” he spat.

Gale nodded, and curtseys, “Of course Sir, I apologize.”

He turned back to me for a quick second, “We will finish this later Princess.”

Then he took off down the stairs in search of my father. Never in my life had I felt so repulsed at someone calling me Princess. 

“Thank you Gale, you’re a lifesaver.”

She ran up to me and threw her arms around me, “Oh Nova, I heard everything. I’m so sorry. There has to be something we can do.”

I didn’t want to tell her my plan. But I knew Gale. If she didn’t think I had a solid plan, she would start thinking of one, and if she did, she might end up ruining mine.

“There is something we can do.” I began. “Follow me to my room.”

Her eyes widened in curiosity, and she nodded. The two of us made our way to my bedroom.

I told Gale everything that had happened, with the dog, and my plan to use him.

“Wait, so he actually thinks you want to be friends with him?” She asked.

I shrugged, “Guess so. Dogs are as stupid as they get. Anyway I told him I’d meet him at the same place, same time tomorrow.”

“Do you want me to go with you?” Gale asked.

I shook my head, “No it’s okay. I think I can handle him.”

“What if he brings more wolves? Did you tell him your name? What if he finds out who you are!?” Panic was rising in her voice as the questions poured out of her.

I put my hand on her arm to calm her, “Don’t worry he won’t find out. I gave him a fake name, so I’ll be safe.

Gale smiled, “Thank you,” then she slumped down in the bed, “Look, just be careful. You know I’m here for you. I know he might seem dumb, but you never know. Just keep your guard up.”

“I always will.”

Gale left after we talked for a while. I made sure to go over in my head what to expect with wolf boy. And as the sun came out and I closed my curtain, I stayed in my room wondering if he would actually show up. What if he gets scared? Then what would I do? There were only so many wolves that would be willing to talk to a vampire.

I went out with my mother on our weekly walks around the castle, talking to people in the coven who wanted favors from the royal family. It was my mother and I’s duty to hear them out, and say we would do our best, but most of the time, the answer was no. Then as nightfall came, I started to head back to my room to get ready to meet the wolf. I hoped he’d show.