The sound of heavy rain hitting my window woke me up. It was Saturday, and I was glad to have no plans with anyone. I wasn't sure how it happened, but everyone seemed to have left me alone for the day. I needed a day to take everything in that had happened over the last week.

It had been the single craziest week of my life by a long shot. Just a week ago, I was just a teenager concerned with my parents favoring my sister and plotting my escape from this place. Suddenly, getting into an Ivy League school was very far from my mind.

I stretched and sat up, listening to the rain. I wondered what my birth parents were doing. I had been so concerned with everything happening to me that I had barely had the time to think about them. I had desperately wanted to know about my real family. I was glad that I would at least have a long time to make up for the time lost.

I went to my mirror and saw the face of an almost stranger. My hair was fuller and darker, and my skin was so clear that it looked airbrushed. It was also less tan than it had been. I knew that wasn't from the autumn weather. My features seemed to be changing as well, nothing so drastic that I didn't look like myself. I just looked like a much-improved version of myself.

My eyes had a red tint, and I had no doubt that I would be calling Tanner soon. My eyes changed color a lot depending on how I much I needed blood or not. They had turned a light brown color when I was satisfied with blood, and started turning dark brown and then red when blood was needed.

I had actually told people that I've been using colored contacts, because people were taking notice of the drastic color changes. Colored contacts seemed to fit well with my new image, because nobody questioned it.

I looked at my figure and wasn't surprised to see that had improved over the last week as well. I wasn't going to tell anyone that I had any type of surgery, but I suddenly had curves in all of the right spots, and had thinned out at the same time. I would have to have Brooke take my new measurements once we were speaking again.

I couldn't help but smile at all of these changes. I hated the burning desire for blood that made my body and head hurt so much that I'd blacked out that first day. But at least there were some fun perks that came with this transition period. I was beginning to enjoy the attention at school (and everywhere else I went) even though it had completely overwhelmed me at first.

I decided to take a shower so that I would be ready for whatever I decided to do for the day. As I got ready, I thought about how the past Saturday, I could barely put on mascara, but now I was able to make myself runway ready. I shook my head at how unbelievable my life had become in such a short period of time.

When I went downstairs for breakfast, I was surprised to see my dad in the kitchen. He always worked on Saturday mornings.

"Good morning, sunshine. What are you doing up so early?"

"I always get up earlier than Mom and Natalie on Saturdays," I told him. "What are you doing home?"

"Can't a dad stay home and enjoy his family on a Saturday?"

"Sure. But what are you doing home this morning?" I asked.

He laughed. "I know I never take a Saturday off, but I thought today would be a nice day to spend with my family. You don't have any plans do you?"

"No, but I was thinking of going for a run by the lake or maybe at the school. I need to stretch my legs."

"I would love to have lunch with all of my girls. Can you be back and ready to go to a restaurant before noon?" he asked.

"Yeah, I have plenty of time for that," I said, grabbing some cereal.

"You don't have to work at all today?" he asked.

"No, I quit because I have so much going on right now. Jennifer said that I can come back anytime, so if I need money for something it's not a big deal."

"I'm glad to hear that honey," he said, giving me a hug. "You've always worked so hard. You deserve a break."

I rolled my eyes, because he never did anything to stop me from spending all of my free time at work.

He gave me a look that only dads can give. "Honey, I've also always been extremely proud of your work ethic. You always do the right thing no matter what, and you work hard to earn what you have. That's why I've never tried to get in your way."

"I'm the son you never had."

He laughed so loud that I jumped. "That's one way to put it, Alexis. I don't think that those are male traits though. They are traits that make me proud of you."

I decided to go to the field to do my running because it was a secluded location, and I didn't want to worry about people watching me run so fast that they could barely see me. I also thought that if the running made my need for blood stronger, I would already be in a good location to call Tanner.

When I got there, I decided to practice going up and down the tree. I wasn't sure why but I felt like it was something that was important and would be needed some day. I wanted to be ready for whatever was coming my way, whether it was a battle against the Morettis or something else.

I practiced for about a half an hour and was very impressed with myself. I became quicker and more able to avoid the branches. I had gotten a few nicks and scratches the first several times, but by the end of my session, I was avoiding all of them completely.

I looked at one of the worst scratches that had bled pretty strongly and saw that it had disappeared! There was no sign that I had ever had any cut.

I could feel the beginning of my body burning. I knew exactly what that meant and wanted to see if I would be able to control it, even just a little. I would see how long I could go before calling Tanner. I began running around the field.

The running felt great, and I hoped that it would help lessen my need for blood. I ran and ran while enjoying the rush. There was no way that I would join the track team when I could run like this.

It was freedom.

Back at home, I thought about taking another shower but then realized that I hadn't even broken a sweat. I just needed to change my clothes and fix my hair. There were definite advantages to this new life.

"So where are we going?" I asked when I got downstairs. Everyone was waiting for me.

"I thought we'd try that restaurant that you guys went to for the dance," Dad said. "Does that sound good to you?"

"That's fine, if everyone wants to go there."

"Did you like it?" Mom asked.

"Yes, it was one of the best meals I've ever had." Even though the company might have had a lot to do with that.

When we got there, I noticed that the parking lot was full. "This must be a very popular restaurant. I wonder why we've never been here before as a family."

"It's pretty new," my mom replied.

When we walked, in my dad said, "Ferguson party."

We were lead to a different part of the restaurant and appeared to be going into a private room. When I went through the door, I was shocked to see so many people. Brooke, Steve, their parents Rachel and Charles, Amanda, several people that we had gone to homecoming with, some members of my CSI club, and even Cliff.

I looked at everyone in the room and back at my family, waiting for an explanation.

"Happy Birthday!" everyone shouted.

"What…?" I asked. I quickly thought about what date it was and couldn't believe it. It was my birthday, and I had completely forgotten. "I can't believe I forgot my birthday."

Everyone started laughing.

"That makes for the best surprise birthday party ever," my dad said proudly.

Once the shock wore off, I started talking with everyone and enjoying myself. I was proud of my being able to talk to everyone with such ease and not feeling uncomfortable with all of the attention.

I was glad to see that, at least for the duration of this party, Brooke was not mad at me. I wanted to be able to go back to the way it had been before. Assuming, of course, that they never again treated me like a criminal.

If I needed to, I would remind Brooke that her future queen would not take kindly to that again. I certainly didn't want to be a cruel leader, but I did want to know who was truly on my side and how people treated me during my transition period seemed like a very good indicator.

It seemed that everyone had a great time at the party, and I really enjoyed myself. It was nice to be able to celebrate my birthday with so many people who cared about me. It was also nice to see that my parents had put some effort into making me feel special for a change.

"Did you like your party?" my dad asked as we were driving home.

"Definitely. Thank you so much. I couldn't have asked for a better present."

"Even though you forgot about your birthday?" Natalie giggled.

I laughed. "That's true. Hey, where are we going? This isn't the way home."

"We have another surprise for you," my mom said.

"Another surprise? Honestly guys, the party was a good enough surprise. I don't need anything else."

"You'll really like this," my dad said.

I started looking through the gifts that I had been given at my party. Brooke had given me a full set of makeup. Cliff had given me some gorgeous earrings that were the same color as the sapphires in my necklace. Steve and his parents had given me a book that looked like a novel, but I was sure probably wasn't. Amanda had gotten me some perfume that I had told her I loved months ago. Most of the rest of the gifts were other accessories that I could wear or use.

"We're here," my dad said, interrupting my thoughts.

I looked out the window. "What are we doing at a car dealership?"

"We want you to pick out a car," he said.

"You want me to pick out a car, a new car?"

"We would have surprised you like we did with Natalie, but your mom and I couldn't agree so we thought we'd let you choose between the two," he told me.

"She gets to pick hers out? No fair," Natalie exclaimed, but she was smiling.

We got out of the car, and my parents talked with a guy in a fancy suit, and then we walked around the building and he showed me two cars. They were both a brand new Lexus. One was a blue convertible and the other was a red sports car.

"I can't believe that I get to choose one of these," I squealed.

"Whichever one you want is yours," the suited man said.

I thought about it and decided on the convertible because I thought that would be fun. Somehow, it seemed to be the right choice.

"Let's go in and fill out the paperwork and get you your keys." We followed him inside, and while my parents filled out the paperwork, Natalie and I walked around the showroom looking at all of the cars.

They came back out, and the salesman handed me a pair of keys. "In about two weeks your personalized plate will arrive."

Personalized plate? I looked at my parents.

"Your Lexus is going to have the license plate 'Alexis.' A Lexus." Dad grinned. "How do you like that?"

I laughed. "That's awesome."

"We'll see you at home," Mom said. "Natalie, are you going to ride with Alexis?"

"Of course!"

Once we were out of the sight of my parents, I floored it and asked Natalie if she wanted to take a scenic route.

She stuck her arms way up, as I'd removed the top, and said, "Woo-hoo! Let's go."

I smiled, heading for the freeway heading opposite of our home.

"I love the new Alexis," Natalie exclaimed.

"I guess I am more fun than before," I admitted.

"How do you do that?" Natalie demanded.

"What are you talking about?"

"You hear my thoughts as if I'd spoken them," she complained. "I know that sisters can have a tight connection, but this is crazy."

I sighed. What kind of an explanation was I going to give her that she would buy?

"Maybe we just have a special connection." I didn't sound very sure of myself.

"Yeah, but if you're adopted it makes even less sense," she said. "I'm really curious about the adoption and why it's such a secret."

Guilt stabbed me in the heart and stomach. I wanted to tell her, but I knew I shouldn't and that it was probably in her best interest that I didn't. I didn't want the Morettis to go after her.

I hoped that someday I would be able to tell her. Instead, I asked if she wanted to go to a super greasy fast food place our parents always said would kill anyone who ate there.

"Oh…that sounds so good," she exclaimed. "We could also go to that bargain mall that's near there. They always have fun stuff that we can't get closer to home."

"That's a great idea. I got a gift card that I can use there today."

I was in my room putting all of my new stuff away when I suddenly got the feeling that I was not alone. I could feel the hairs on my neck standing up, and all of my senses were on alert.

I whipped around to see who was there and saw Brooke sitting on my bed.

"Did you have a fun birthday?" she asked with a kind smile.

I let out a breath that I wasn't even aware I had been holding in. "It was incredible. I can't believe that I had forgotten about my birthday. Well, actually, I can. This has been the craziest week of my life, and I doubt that many others have had a week even close to mine."

"I'm glad that you enjoyed your special day," she said. "But we need to talk about our disagreement. I don't like feeling like we're on the outs."

"I don't like it either," I admitted. "But I also don't appreciate being locked up like an animal or a criminal."

She sighed. "Why don't you understand that we were trying to protect you?"

"I guess when you wake up in locked in a strange room all by yourself, you will figure it out."

"You don't have any idea what it's like to be a vampire or what's involved with the transformation process. We couldn't risk you running off and escaping when you woke up."

"But that is exactly what happened. If I had woken up on the couch or in your room, I probably would have stayed in the house. Instead, I was so desperate to get out of that prison of a room, I figured out a new skill."

"Look, Alexis. You're our princess and the Sonnast. It's our job to keep you safe at all costs."

"I may have 'no idea' about being a vampire, but I am still your future queen. You might want to keep that in mind. I can't imagine any queen taking imprisonment by her own people lightly."

She glared at me. "Are you really going there? You're not even a vampire yet, and you're definitely not the queen yet."

"What's going on with you?" I asked. "You were so bubbly and excited about us being friends again and now you're acting all high and mighty."

"High and mighty?" she exclaimed. "I'm irritated that you don't trust us. It's our job to keep you safe, and your parents expect it fully. Believe me; I am much more fearful of what your parents can do to us than I am of you."

"I hadn't thought of that," I admitted. "What will happen if you don't keep me safe?"

"We could end up imprisoned or banished…or worse."

"Worse?" I asked. "You mean…?"

"Exactly."

"Oh," I whispered. "I didn't want to put any of you in danger. I really appreciate everything that you've all done for me."

"I know that the transformation process is crazy and that it's even worse for you, but you need to know that whatever we do is for your own good. If you have any questions, just ask. There is so much that we haven't even had time to tell you yet. Most of us grow up and learn everything over the span of our entire childhood. You've only known about this for a week."

"Are my parents really scary?"

She smiled and said, "Not unless you get on their bad side. They are the oldest and most powerful vampires in the world, after all."

"The oldest?" I asked. "I thought that they were descents of the Fyrsturae, not one of them."

"Right, your parents are descendants. That's what makes them the so powerful."

"What I mean is that I don't understand how they can be the oldest vampires if vampires don't die. Where are the Fyrsturae now?"

"Vampires die if they are killed," she said. "Remember wooden stakes and werewolves. There are some other ways to kill a vampire as well."

"So no other vampires are older than them? How old are they?"

"Your parents are about eight hundred years old," she said, as if that was the most normal thing to say. "They were both born in the 1200's."

"That's insane. Why did they wait so long to have a child?"

"That's something that you're going to have to ask them yourself," she said. "Not all vampires choose to procreate and it's not an easy process to accomplish. From what I hear, anyway."

"What about…?"

"Let's take a break from all this vampire talk and let me measure you," she interrupted. "It looks like your figure is impro…changing. I'm going to need to make sure that your clothes fit just perfectly."

"Sure," I said. "Honestly, it's not like I need a new outfit every day."

"Okay then. I'll let you repeat an outfit on Sundays."

I laughed but then stopped when I saw that she was serious. "I seriously don't need a new outfit every day, do I?"

"Of course you do. You're royalty."

"Why is it that I had a favorite dress as a child?" I asked.

"It was a play outfit for one thing," she said. "Also your seamstress used that pattern a lot since you loved it so much. I'm told that you didn't often notice you were wearing a different dress if it had that pattern in it."

She pulled out her measuring tape and started measuring. "Your skin is really starting to look good. Just wait until you complete the transformation. It will be soft and perfect like a child's skin, and it will heal almost immediately."

"Every teenager's dream."

Amanda was over to spend the night, and we were in my room talking about everything under the sun. Of course, I couldn't talk about anything vampire related. Luckily, there was enough on her mind that we were able to discuss while eating a full pint of ice cream, a bag of chips, a liter of root beer, and some candy, too.

"I still can't believe Emma," she said. "She is so focused on becoming popular, and she thinks that Hailey is her golden ticket. She tried to get me to ditch you and join them. I told her that she made her choice, and I'm done with her."

"I don't know why she would choose Hailey over us, but it's her loss," I said.

"We've got Brooke now, and she's so nice," Amanda said. "She didn't really know me before, but because I'm your friend, she's been a friend to me since the other night at the game."

"See? We don't need Emma."

We decided to watch a movie, and shortly after starting it I heard a strange noise. I paused and closed my eyes trying to focus on it. It was a kind of thumping noise that I couldn't place.

I pretended to adjust my position but was really trying to figure out what the barely audible noise was. I couldn't tell, and it wouldn't let up. It was beginning to drive me crazy.

Thump, thump. Thump, thump.

It seemed to be coming from the direction of Amanda, and I leaned in closer to her. Apparently, the movie was at a scary part, and she thought I was leaning close because of that. She wrapped her arms around me.

Then suddenly I heard the noise very loudly. I instantly knew what I was hearing, but didn't know how it was possible that I hadn't heard it before. It was the sound of her beating heart.

As I sat there in her arms, the rhythm began to sound like a song. It reminded me of one of those romantic songs that causes your own heart to long for romance.

Only it wasn't romance that I desired.

An aroma entered my nose that smelled so heavenly that I thought it was the most delicious dessert ever created. I breathed in deeply, taking in the smell and the sounds.

It was as if she was romancing me into giving her blood a taste.

A tight, burning sensation developed in the pit of my stomach and radiated up to my chest and throat and finally to my mouth. My mouth began to water, and I could feel my teeth growing bigger in my mouth.

I jumped up and declared, "I need to go to the bathroom." I ran to the bathroom at normal, human running speed and locked myself in there and sat on the toilet breathing heavily.

I forced myself to think about anything except blood. I pictured dog feces, dead bugs, and any other gross thing that I could come up with to kill my hunger.

Eventually, I felt my teeth return to normal, and the burning sensation dissipate. I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and texted Tanner to be ready later. He returned the text saying that would be no problem.

Once I felt that I was under control again, I went to watch the rest of the movie with Amanda. It was very difficult to not think about how succulent her blood smelled. It seemed to be calling out to me.

I will not eat my friend. I will not eat my friend. I repeated to myself in my mind.

As soon as the movie was over, I pretended to be exhausted, so we went to bed pretty quickly after. I listened intently to her breathing until I was convinced that she had fallen asleep. It was pretty easy, as it seemed that my hearing was able to pick up on the even the quietest noises of the human body.

I texted Tanner to meet me at the field went through my wall and ran as fast as I could to the field. I was getting even faster, and bolder too. I ran near people that I saw along the way, and they didn't even see me.

Once I was there, I climbed up the tree and waited impatiently for him to arrive. I needed to find out where he lived and just meet him there next time. It would mean a lot less waiting for me.

When he finally showed up, I moved right in front of him in the blink of an eye.

He jumped a mile and grumbled, "You vampires really get a kick out of that, don't you?"

"I don't care about scaring you," I told him. "I need some blood before my best friend becomes my next meal."

"Let's go sit by that tree," he said. "I would rather sit down than stand."

"Fine by me," I said, and was next to the tree before he could say anything else.

He shook his head and took his sweet time walking to the tree before finally sitting down.

"Are you comfortable?" I asked, trying to keep the sarcasm out of my tone.

I didn't wait for a response. I just sat down and instead of going in for the bite I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply. I listened for his heartbeat and allowed the burning sensation to build to the point that I didn't think that I could take it much longer. I could feel my teeth growing again.

"What are you waiting for? You were so impatient a minute ago."

I ignored him, found the spot and bit down. The warm, delicious blood flowed into my mouth, and I couldn't get enough. I was feeling very greedy.

"Stop. You promised you'd stop when it—"

"Quiet," I whispered and took in a little more before stopping. I licked the wound, and it healed completely.

Desire continued to flow through me.

"Why didn't you stop?" he asked, rubbing the place the wound should have been.

"Shut up," I said and grabbed his face. I looked into his eyes and forced my lips on his.

He tried speaking and even pushing me away, but I was too strong for him.

I shoved him against the tree and said, "I told you to shut up." I began kissing him again. He quit fighting and we continued to kiss until my feelings of desire went down to a manageable level. I pulled away and fixed my hair.

"What was that all about?" he asked, breathlessly. Then quickly added, "Not that I'm complaining."

I sighed. "It must have something to do with the blood. It seems to create an intense desire in me."

"Maybe you should start taking some of your boyfriend's blood too, if mine isn't enough."

Suddenly my heart sank to my stomach.

Cliff.

What had I just done?