‘What?’ A wrinkle appears on my mother’s smooth brow, like a fold in silk.
I raise my eyebrows. ‘The only human? You know, that isn’t, um, food? Like, have any of the other families?—’
My mother doesn’t look at me. ‘There might be.’
‘Theremightbe?’
When I was small I used to ask about it a lot, until I got old enough to realise it upset my mother. This is the first time I’ve mentioned it in a while.
Mother reaches to smooth my hair. Her perfect face is like a cameo, creamy white and sharp-edged in the soft light. ‘I don’t know for sure,’ she says, ‘but I did hear there might be one other.’ I frown, my head down. ‘Emelia, I swear, if there was another like you that I knew of, I would bring them here for you. But you are Raven,’ her hand cups my face, ‘and that brings you privilege beyond the norm. Don’t be so quick to assume other vampires wouldn’t want to befriend you.’
‘We tried that before. Remember? It didn’t go well.’
My mother’s hand clenches. Yeah. She remembers. There’s a reason I’m not supposed to go anywhere, not even to the kitchen, without an escort. Not that it stops me. The vampires on the estate are trained to resist my human scent, but it doesn’t always work. I try not to think of the snap of bone in my old tutor’s arm as she was dragged away by the guards after attacking me. She was sent to the pits, my mother taking over my lessons, my world shrinking further.
‘But you’re Raven,’ she says again. Like it makes a difference. Like I haven’t spent almost my entire life aware of how different I am, how I shouldn’t even be alive. Like I’ve ever had a choice, in anything I’ve done.
‘Oh, that’s great.’ I twist away from her touch. ‘So I can expect people to befriend me because of my family name. It’s going to be really fun when they want to eat me, but realise they can’t!’
‘Not every vampire is bloodthirsty.’ My mother sounds disapproving. ‘Once you go out more, you’ll see.’ Her tone turns pleading. ‘Emelia, just try. For me.’
I sigh. I can’t say no to her. Despite the fact I see absolutely no point to doing this, and don’t want to shame my family any more than I already do.
‘Fine,’ I say, through gritted teeth. ‘But not the green dress. The blue one, instead.’
Her face lights up. I’ll miss her, so much. She jumps up from the bed, pulling me to my feet and dancing, like we used to when I was small. I play along for a few moments, my chest aching, then dance her towards the door. ‘Let me get changed.’
She laughs, and I think I hear relief in it. She opens the door. ‘I’ll see you soon.’ Then it closes, and she’s gone.
I resist the urge to scream.
* * *
A short while later there’s a knock at my door. I stand, smoothing my hands down my skirt. My anger is mostly gone, but I wish it wasn’t – I can hide behind rage. Fear is a more difficult thing altogether.
Because I am scared, no matter how I try to deny it. This is the third reason I think tonight will be a disaster. The knock comes again, sharper this time. Wonderful. Maybe it won’t be that hard to find my anger again.
I open the door. Kyle is standing there, dressed in black – jeans, T-shirt and leather jacket. I try not to roll my eyes. He’s also wearing a small silver badge. Our house insignia, a silver raven with wings spread inside a silver circle, against a black background.
‘You ready?’
Charmed, I’m sure. ‘Don’t I look ready?’ I don’t mind the dress I’m wearing, I suppose. It’s short, and deep blue like my eyes, with a low V-neck and flared skirt. I add an extra spritz of anti-feed, the violet scent masking my natural perfume so I smell like a vampire, of velvet purple petals. Kyle wrinkles his nose. I hide a smile, tucking the small vial of spray in the pocket of my leather jacket.
‘I suppose.’ Kyle bows and holds out his arm, the elbow bent.
Whatever, pretty boy.I ignore his arm, starting along the hallway. After a moment, he falls into step beside me. When we reach the stairs to the main foyer my parents are waiting, their expectant faces turned up to us. ‘Seriously?’ I mutter. This evening is just getting better and better. Kyle glances at me. Annoyance digs its claws into the fear roiling in my gut. It helps with the nerves, but not much.
My mother comes over in a flurry of silk and kisses. ‘You look lovely. Call me if you need me.’
‘We are trusting you with our daughter tonight. Stella Ravenna is hosting, but you will have been briefed already.’ This is my father, talking to Kyle. God.He sounds every one of his 547 years. I’m surprised he hasn’t got his sword out.
‘Of course, sir. I’m honoured.’ Kyle bows. ‘I promise to take good care of her.’ My father smiles, his handsome face lighting up.
Ohgod. I stare straight ahead, my arms folded, wishing once again that I could call the whole thing off. My fear and the fact that this is completely pointless aside, I feel stupid, think this idea is stupid, know that I’m going to look stupid compared to all the vampires, Raven or not.
The guard standing by the front door opens it.
‘Your car is here.’
