I've never considered myself pretty. Most girls say that, I know. I have always been a bit of a plain Jane. Luckily, I was blessed with a ballet body. I'm told that women would kill for that kind of physique.

Me? I'd kill for a nice rack. Ballet dancers—most of them anyway—don't have big chests. So naturally, I've always wanted one.

It's silly how we want what we can't have, like going outside. After arriving at Anghor Manor, I constantly dreamt about going outside. I couldn't help but gaze longingly through the windows. Sometimes I'd drag a chair to one simply to watch nothing in particular—the birds, the trees, anything really.

You're probably thinking, what's so bad about living in a high-class manor? It's got the latest and greatest technology. It's got stunning fifteenth century charm. Why leave? Well, like I've said, knowing I couldn't leave made me want it more. Why did Eve try the forbidden fruit when she was already living in paradise?

Escaping Anghor Manor was never going to happen. I knew that. It was a fortress. Still, I had hope. There was the possibility that Fluxx was less guarded—the possibility that I might sneak away through the crowd. To find out, I needed to get to Fluxx, and for that, I needed permission to accompany the other girls. The only person to grant it was Caius.

It took me days to find Caius's study. I knew it lived behind one of the many locked doors, so you can imagine my surprise when I stumbled across it unlocked. I half expected to find Caius at his desk. Pleasantly enough, I found myself alone. So, I began to explore.

The ceilings were vaulted; I couldn't keep myself from gazing up into the rafters with wonder. There were alcoves and smaller nooks, loaded with shelves of books. Elegant, fine looking books they were—the kind you'd see in the house of a collector.

The central study was filled with Caius's grand desk. To the side sat an impressive couch arrangement with rich, coffee colored leather sofas and ottomans. The arrangement faced a massive fireplace. I gazed at it, awed by the handsomely carved marble.

The back wall impressed me the most. It hosted a vast display of books three stories high. Two narrow walkways spanned the length of it, one on the second level, and one on the third. Two wrought iron spiral staircases with gold railings led up to these.

Eagerly, I went from one alcove to another, thumbing through books, delicately sliding my fingers across their bindings. I was too nervous to pull them out at random, so I contented myself with gentle caresses. Most of them were not in English. Quite a few were in Latin, and many more were in languages I didn't recognize.

I squealed gleefully when I discovered a section of titles that I could read. Then I found the holy grail of all books: a section containing English literature. My heart skipped a beat, and I eagerly swept through them. I was looking for several books in particular—books that I'd read a hundred times over.

I sighed when I found them. My hand settled on Jane Eyre first. I pulled it out. Immediately thereafter I saw more of my favorites. I removed another, and another. When I had a nice stack, I retreated to the nearest plush couch and took a seat, setting my spoils upon the end table.

Pride and Prejudice was on the top, so I took it up. It was a first edition—no surprise there. Still, I was amazed to be holding it. Eagerly but delicately, I began flipping through the pages to my favorite part, the part when Mr. Darcy proposes and Elizabeth cuttingly turns him down. I'd read the story so many times, but that didn't matter. It was the most familiar thing I experienced since arriving at the manor.

I cannot say how much time passed like this, going through my favorite parts from each book. I lost myself, and for the first time, I felt comfortable.

"How did you get in here?" Caius's voice startled me. I gave a little yelp. Northanger Abbey tumbled out of my hands onto the floor. I quickly picked it up and turned to see Caius standing with his arms crossed. His eyes were stormy.

"How do you think I got in here, Caius? Through the door of course." If I was going to be stuck here, I needed to stand up to him.

His jaw flexed. I could tell he was clenching his teeth, hopefully infuriated by my smart-aleck response. What was the big deal? It's not like I hadn't seen the place before.

"This is my private study. I do not appreciate asking twice. How did you get in?"

His anger cut through my courage. "I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"Didn't know?"

"The door was unlocked. I was looking for you. I thought..." What did it matter? He didn't deserve my explanation. "It won't happen again." I set the book on the table with a thump and stormed away to make a quick exit.

I was steps from the door when I felt a whoosh of air. Caius stood before me, blocking my exit. The anger was gone from his face, replaced by impassivity. Taken aback, I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Do I scare you that easily?" he asked. My blank look forced him to elaborate. "You flee before finishing your errand."

I fidgeted. My growing dislike for him left me befuddled. I struggled to remember my errand.

"Well? I doubt you came here simply for the sake of seeing me."

He was right by that account. Seeing him was the last thing I wanted. "I wanted to ask you a question."

"Obviously." He arched a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

"I wanted to ask..." I faltered. My lack of courage was embarrassing. "I want to work at Fluxx with the other girls. I want to dance."

"You're joking, right?"

"I'm not," I said, immediately defending my wounded pride. His surprise left me miffed.

"I don't want you at the club."

"Why can't I go?"

"Because you are a liability."

I frowned. Moreover, I was offended. "Why?"

"Don't you know the meaning of liability?"

"I know what it means." I did not appreciate his condescension. "Why am I a liability?"

"Because your blood isn't like theirs." He was referring to the other women. "Why do you think Thrax attacked you?"

On cue, my heart began to pound as memories of Thrax resurfaced. Caius noticed. A hungry look lurked in his sliver eyes. Why was my blood different?

"Try not to look so confused, Cece. It happens. It's rare, but it happens."

"I—I don't understand."

"Then let me make something clear." Caius moved so fast he knocked the air from my lungs. I found myself pinned against the wall, his exposed fangs inches from my skin. I was too terrified to make a sound.

"When we vampires smell blood, something inside our brain takes over. Instinct kicks in. Unlike our filthy cousins, we can control ourselves, most of the time."

I gazed at him in horror. Was he going to bite me? My heart was racing so fast I could hear the blood pounding in my ears.

"Some blood, Cece, like your blood, is different." He moved his mouth close to my ear and lowered his voice to a whisper. "Some blood smells better, tastes better."

His breath tickled my skin. I wanted to fight him, but I was too terrified.

"When we smell blood like yours, our self-control begins to falter." He slowly moved his head so that the points of his teeth were resting on my neck. I didn't dare move. "It is safest for everyone if we steer clear of the temptation." He pulled away to look at me. "One little taste, Cece, that is all it takes."

In that moment, I finally saw him for what he was. "All it takes for what?"

"For a vampire to lose complete control." His teeth shrank back to normal. "Oh stop it, Cece. Not all of us are monsters."

I continued to look at him like he was one.

"You should know that strong bloods make the best vampires, and we haven't changed a strong blood in a long time. That is why I gave you the option. The other girls won't survive the change."

I was stunned. I could only gaze at him dumbfounded. At last, many of my questions were answered, creating more.

"Never mind that now. You don't appear inclined to become one of us."

If I was a liability, how could he be so sure his vampires wouldn't bite me? No wonder they all looked at me hungrily. I was the most expensive bottle of wine in the house, and they were dying for a taste.

Caius seemed to read my mind. "Never fear, my dear Cece. You are off limits to all vampires. Those of my coven have exquisite self-control. The young ones, not so much, which is why they do not live in Anghor Manor. I cannot risk the girls' lives. But those of us living here in the manor are seasoned."

"Is that another word for old?"

I wasn't expecting it, but he threw his head back and let out a booming laugh. It was different from his usual, menacing laugh.

"Yes, old, if you must put it so bluntly. You see"—suddenly his fangs returned—"if I so desired, I could break into your vein this very moment." His mouth went back to my neck. His lips brushed my skin. I expected prickles of fear like before. Instead, my abdomen clenched with desire.

"What's the matter, Cece?"

Afraid of the way I felt, I tried to get free of him.

He chuckled, tightening his grip. "Don't you want to be like the other girls? That is why you came into my study with your request." His breath moved across my neck, taunting me. My body begged me to relax, so I ceased my struggle, going limp as a rag doll.

"I could do it, you know." His whispers were gentle caresses. "I could have a taste. My control is absolute. I would never drain you. But you would like it—yes. You might not think so now, but you would enjoy it."

Yes, I would enjoy it. I wanted him to. I would beg him if that's what it took to feel his teeth on my neck.

"Do you still hate me Cece? Tell me you don't."

"I don't hate you," I mumbled. How could I hate him? He was so...

Something in my mind snapped like shattering glass. I did hate him! Fury erupted in my brain. "I do hate you!" I hissed. I pushed with all my might against his chest. He let me free. Scrambling away, I distanced myself from him. "I do hate you, Caius. And don't do that to me again!"

He eyed me warily. It was an improvement over his usual looks of hunger.

"What was that you just did? Were you—were you bewitching me?" I was appalled.

An amused smile spread across his features. "I was bewitching you—yes. Trying to anyway. Your mind is terribly strong. Did you like it?" He cocked his head to the side like I was some interesting creature placed in the world to stimulate his curiosities.

"I most certainly didn't like it!"

"Oh, very well then." His face returned to its emotionless facade. "You're no fun, Cece. None at all."

My jaw dropped in disgust. Before I had the chance to say something insulting he said, "So, you really want to work at Fluxx?"

I shut my mouth and nodded.

He was silent a moment as he regarded me. "Very well. Have Adel help you get something to wear. You start Friday. Now go." He side-stepped, clearing the way to the door. I marched out without bothering to thank him. It was the least he could do after that kind of behavior.

I didn't go back to my room immediately. Instead, I found Adel and told her. She and Felix helped me order some ridiculous outfits online. Felix wouldn't let us see the computer password when I tried to spy it.

"Nice try, Cece," he said over his shoulder, perceiving my intentions immediately.

"Do I really have to wear that?" I asked when Adel helped me pick out my things.

"It not so bad, Cece. We all wear this—less than what you have chose anyway." I made sure to select the least revealing lingerie outfits from the sites we surfed.

Felix stood by, amused by our arguing. We bickered over colors, styles, and everything else girls nitpick when deciding on clothes. A sudden thought struck me, "Felix, what about normal clothes? I need normal clothes too. If I'm going to be here forever"—I paled at the thought—"then I can't borrow Adel's stuff all the time."

"Girls," he muttered, before reaching into his pocket for his wallet. An Amex black card clanked down onto the keyboard in front of me, like it was no big deal.

"Well, aren't you hot stuff," I muttered. Adel laughed.

When I finally returned to my master suite, the first thing I wanted was a shower. I needed to wash off Caius's fang cooties from my neck. I also made sure to check in the mirror, thankful that there wasn't so much as a red mark. A hot shower heals many woes, and it certainly helped me with mine.

I didn't notice them at first, but before I crawled into bed that night, I discovered a neat little stack of books on my bedside table. They came from Caius's private collection. He had included all the ones I picked out, and a few extras. Turns out, he had a heart after all.

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