Keefe had removed Jace from me, as they were going off to plot some ridiculous evil scheme that would probably shut down Foxfire for a few weeks, and I sighed, turning and walking towards the corner of the room, where I knew a couple of velvet benches were. I just needed some space. 

Did every single one of these guys in this room like me? Did that mean I would have to literally reject every single one of them? I didn't think I could handle that. 

A few people tried to stop me on my way across the lengthy ballroom, including a ridiculously short boy with three nose piercings, a boy with a shaved head and sword-sharp cheekbones, and a boy with long flowing golden locks that went all the way down to his waist. Even after just brief conversations, I could safely say that they were extremely eliminated off my list of 'Potential Husbands'.  

Finally reaching the shadowy corner, I sat down on one of the benches, sighing in relief. From my viewpoint, I could see all fifty of my guests, and occasionally my friends around the room. 

At the food table, I could spot Sophie pigging down over a plate of mallowmelt, and Keefe sitting at a table across from her, smiling slightly. At the music section, I could see Marella pleading with Dex, probably to change the music "to some cool pop songs, so we can stop listening to this boring classical", in Marella's words. 

I could see my brother, who was supposed to be helping supervise the event, chatting to some other boys that looked his age, while holding a yellow bubbling drink in his hands. Funny, I thought he would have been hanging out with Linh from the way he obviously had a crush on her. 

Linh was chatting with Wylie, and they were laughing together. Linh was nervously brushing her hair behind her ear, and I cocked my head, a little confused. Wasn't she head over heels for my brother, or have I missed something? 

And where was Tam? I scanned the room again, searching for the familiar silver eyes, and the jagged bangs. I turned around, frustrated and then stared at the bench in the far corner carefully. I could have sworn that I saw some movement. 

I moved benches and sat on the one next to the one with the suspicious movement. My suspicions had been correct. There, sitting and staring at the legs of the velvet bench in the shadowy corner, was Tam Song. 

I should have known he would come here, and I fought the urge to laugh. I crept up and sat down next to him and tapped his shoulder quickly. 

"Boo." 

He jerked his head around, panicked, and I couldn't help but giggle a little at the sight of him. 

"Biana?" 

"Yes?" 

"Jeez Biana, you scared me so bad. Why are you here? Shouldn't you be out and about, talking and flirting with all the guys? I saw you having a good time with that pink-haired dude." His tone was blank and I could tell he was trying to keep the jealous tone out of his voice. 

I placed a hand on his. "The only guy I really want to talk and flirt with is you. I don't want to dance with any of these other guys I don't even know. I want to dance with you." 

Tam opened his mouth to protest, but I shushed him. "Don't give me the rubbish about how "you're a twin, and a Shade, and you wouldn't be good enough for me." Don't say that.  I chose you, and I don't care if you are a twin, or a Shade, or if you were Banished. So shut up and dance with me." 

I stood up, smoothed out the wrinkles in the tulle of my dress, and gave my hand to him. He rolled his eyes, but took it, a small smile on his face. He led me into the middle of the dance floor, and I could see some of the guys looking at us with jealousy.

Marella, who Dex had reluctantly gave the music handle to, started the classical music, and rushed onto the floor along with Sophie and Linh. The three of them would dance with a few others to keep them occupied before I would dance with them. 

I saw Keefe swoop in and take Sophie's hand, looking around at the other guys who had been walking up to her. I noticed Fitz bowing to Linh and extending his hand to hers, and although Linh took it, I could sense a little hesitation from both of them, especially when Linh glanced behind her again at somebody I couldn't see. 

I saw poor Dex walking towards Marella, but before he reached her, she had already accepted a dance from a tall dark haired boy with bright sky blue eyes. Dex then retreated back to the corner where a bunch of other guys were mingling, waiting for their turn. 

Tam spun me, and I laughed as we started to waltz around the ballroom. Tam was actually quite a good dancer when you thought about the fact he had only learned how to dance a few days earlier. 

He very nearly missed one of my toes once however, and I laughed as his face turned pink and he mumbled sorry. 

"It's fine. Don't worry, I don't care how well you dance seeing as I already dance well enough for both of us!" I said, in a joking manner. Tam rolled his eyes, but smiled faintly. 

Then before I knew it, it was time for the switch partners time. A bunch of guys surged forward toward us and Tam dropped his hold on me, and pushed me towards them. I started to protest, but he silenced me. 

"Have fun," he said. "Dancing isn't exactly my forte either. And I haven't had one of those yellow fizzy drinks yet, those are my favorites."

"Those are Keefe's favorites too," I said jokingly, watching Tam's face turn red. 

"Well, I obviously liked them first!" Tam replied, turning his heel and walking towards the table. I laughed. Tam and Keefe's rivalry was just pure comedy for me at this point. 

I turned towards the horde of boys. Yeah, I wasn't ready for this yet. 

As if he sensed my discomfort, (which he might actually have seeing as he was an Empath) Keefe walked through the pile of guys, and smoothed his hair back. "I'm sorry fellas, but this dance is mine." 

The other guys grumbled as they walked away and I caught a few whispering to each other, "When's it going to be my turn to dance with the Vacker girl?"

Another one with slicked back brown hair and navy blue eyes replied, "Exactly! My father is an important messenger and speaker for the council, I should be given her hand immediately! After all, I am the most notable one here anyways."

"Oh yes you are!" said another boy.  

"Exactly!" said another. 

"Hmmm, I wonder if I can get my father to persuade the council to make Alden Vacker force his daughter to take my hand. After all, the whole point of this system is too make sure that the Elvin society has the most powerful matches there are so they can have powerful offspring. I should be matched with the Vacker girl." 

Keefe's hand tightened on my waist as he pulled me away from the boys. "Those people are terrible," Keefe muttered. "I would have punched them, but then I wouldn't be able to stay at the Gala and help you." 

"Keefe."

"Yes?"

"Answer me honestly, do people really think of me that way? As just a pretty girl, with a good talent, that's-that's- perfect for breeding?" 

Keefe froze in place for a few seconds from the question before moving again, and then shook his head repeatedly. 

"Some people do," he answered carefully. "But the ones that really matter don't. I can tell you for sure that Bangs Boy doesn't think of you that way." 

He paused, and with some difficulty muttered, "He's a good guy." 

I raised my eyebrow. "You think Tam is... good?"

"Agh, don't tell him I said that," Keefe replied. "I still hate him, and he still sucks. Tell him I said that." 

"Nope!"

Keefe groaned and I laughed, and for a few moments while we were dancing, it seemed like nothing could go wrong in the world. 

Then of course, being me, something bad had to happen. 

I felt a hand on my shoulder that pulled me away from Keefe. I turned and saw the guy who had been saying he should be able make me "take his hand". 

He flashed a smile that might have seemed charming if I didn't know what a disgusting person he was underneath it. 

"My name's Julian Ramierz. And you must be Biana Ramierz."

"W-What?"

"Well, soon to be anyways. My father is talking to the council, who will soon talk to your father once the eventually agree to the match. Then, your father can hand you over." 

"I- No! Let go of me!" I pulled away from him, but he had a strong grip on my waist and wrist. 

He shrugged nonchalantly. "You might as well get used to it Ms. Ramierz. After all, it doesn't matter who you love, the council will chose matches that are good and proper. And you can't get more proper than us two together." 

His smile now seemed even more vicious and cruel. "Also," he whispered into my ear and I shivered. "I want kids." 

I turned my head around, and tried to find Keefe, or Fitz, or Dex or somebody to get me away from him, but his posse was in a circle around us. 

I turned my wrist harshly, and winced, but I managed to escape. I bolted towards the edge of the circle, but they formed tighter ranks. 

And the suddenly, I felt a strong hand push me away and out of the circle. 

"Get away from her." 

"Who's going to make me?" 

"Me." 

I glanced back behind me, and saw Julian clenching his fists. Facing him back, I saw Tam, his knuckles turning white. They stared each other down, navy eyes meeting silver.

"Don't!"  I cried out. I didn't want anybody to hurt themselves, but there was no stopping them. Julian walked towards them, and Tam walked forward too, his eyes shooting daggers. Julian was somehow unaffected. 

"Tam! Stop it!" I ran up to him, and grabbed his arm but it was too late. I watched, feeling helpless as Julian punched Tam in the face. 

Drops of blood trickled down his pale skin from his nose, and Tam clutched it, taking a step backwards. A bruise was swelling on his cheekbone. Julian grabbed my arm. 

"Come on, let's go," he said. 

"Let her go before I burn you alive!" 
"Let her go before I drown you alive!" 

Linh and Marella looked at each other confused. "Wait, but wouldn't that just make him fine again?" they asked each other. Marella shook her head. 

"Nevermind that pretty boy. What special powers do you got? Cause I GOT FLAMES!" Marella's hands caught on fire, and she let the flames travel down her entire body until she became an inferno. 

"Not needed," a dark voice came from the corner. I turned and I saw Tam, shadows swirling around him in a multitude of patterns. Julian let me go, and took a step back, suddenly looking very afraid. Even I felt afraid of Tam in that moment, his eyes looked dark and out of control, like they had been flooded with shadows. 

Even though I wanted Julian gone, I wouldn't wish death on him. I also didn't want to see Tam like this anymore, so I took matters into my own hands. I kicked Julian's ankles from behind him, and before he tripped and feel over, I grabbed his arm and judo-flipped him onto the ground, rendering him dizzy before shoving him out the first floor window and onto the lawn, before shutting the window behind me with a satisfying SLAM.  

Marella lost control of her flames in shock, causing a lot of screaming, but thankfully, nobody was injured seeing as Linh was there to prevent the flames from getting out of hand. 

Tam dropped the shadows, and the shadows flew back to their respective places in the room. 

"Biana, are you okay? I shouldn't have left you alone, and this is all my fault. Why did I ever force you to go talk to other guys, other guys are DANGEROUS and I almost got you hurt or injured, or even worse, whatever he was going to do to you and I-" 

"Tam, I'm fine."

"No but I-"

"Tam! I'm fine. You don't have to worry about me, I can handle myself." 

"But, I wasn't there!" he said, half shouting at this point. "I should have been there to stop him as soon as he touched you, no, before he even touched you and I wasn't. Do you know what I was doing?! I was GETTING A DRINK! AND EATING CUSTARD BURSTS! While you were being harrased by this creep, and I-"

He seemed like he was about to break down.    

"Tam. I'm fine. You did everything you could," I paused for a moment before saying, "And you shouldn't always blame yourself for everything that happens to the ones that you care about. It's not your fault. It's never you fault for things that happen that are out of your control. And you shouldn't think like that ever that any of this was your fault. Sometimes, you need to learn to not beat yourself down over every little thing." 

Then, I reached over and hugged him. After a few seconds, I felt his arms come around me. 

"Thanks Biana," he murmured. "I needed to hear that."  

The doors on the balcony that overlooked the entire ballroom suddenly opened, and I saw  Keefe, Jace and my brother, all three holding empty glasses of the yellow liquid. They were all behaving very strangely, and I saw Sophie behind them grabbing Keefe and Fitz by the arm so the wouldn't tip over the railing. 

"I BeLiEvE i CaN fLy!" Keefe chortled and tried to jump over the railing. Luckily, Sophie was grabbing him by his jacket and pulled him back. 

"I bElIeVe I cAn ToUcH tHe SkY!" Fitz hollered back, and also attempted to skydive of the railing. 

"tHinK aBoUt It DaY aNd NiGhT!" Jace hooted and tried to cannonball over the railing. I felt bad for poor Sophie, who was grabbing the three of them by their jackets and trying to herd them back down the stairs and onto the ground floor. 

"Oh wow they're drunk," Linh murmured, looking up at them with fascination. "I've never been drunk before. Wonder what it feels like." 

"You haven't gotten drunk before?!" Marella cried out in shock. "Tam! You're depriving her of freedom and free-will! Come on Linh, let's get you drunk!" 

"NO ABSOULTLEY NOT!" Tam yelled, storming after the two girls.

A/N Let's pretend that the Elvin drinking age is 15 (which is the age they are all at now, except for Fitz, Jace and Keefe, who are a year older).  

Dex sighed, and we stared up at the three boys, who were still singing songs and clinking their drinking glasses together. Keefe very nearly went over the edge, but Fitz accidently slapped him away from the rails by accident. Poor Sophie looked like she was going to faint from the struggle.

"Shouldn't we help them?" I asked, looking at Dex. 

Dex shrugged. "Nah." 

"Why not?"

"I mean, I've been waiting for this moment to capture Fitz and Keefe getting drunk since the beginning of time. My recording cameras are on around the room, and I want to just watch the show."

"You put- cameras in my ballroom?!" 

"Yes."

"Oh jeez." 

The three boys and Sophie neared the railing, getting closer and closer and closer, and-

"SPREAD MY WINGS AND FLYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!" 

The three boys and Sophie, came tumbling down towards the ground. 

Spoiler Alert: They did not fly.