“Even if I had the funds for a more extravagant selection, I wouldn’t waste the money. Not everyone can be as fashionable as your sexy self.” I smile to let him know I mean nothing bad by my comment, I’m just more practical than fashionable. I can’t help admiring his physique though, he’s slim but even through his clothes I can see the indents of what looks like a six pack. Not only that but he reminds me of those sexy anime characters that girls fawn all over.
He perches himself on the edge of my bed before throwing his hands up in the air dramatically, “How are you going to land yourself the prince of vamps if you don’t dress for the occasion?”
“What are you talking about?” I ask as I sit down beside him. He turns to face me, a serious expression on his cherubic face, “The ball, tomorrow night at the main hall. Midnight party with midnight margaritas and the sexiest royalty in attendance.”
“I don’t need a prince. I’m already the Queen of my own fate.” We stare at each other for several seconds before Princess begins to laugh this tinker-bell sounding laugh, “Preach!” He shouts. We both fall back laughing as a new voice shouts from downstairs. “Where the fuck is that vixen?”
“I don’t think he’s talking about me honey.” Princess states wiggling his perfectly arched brows lewdly. “I’m not Kal’s type.”
I groan and heave myself up off the bed, dread filling my limbs. I knew he’d be pissed that I snuck into the race, but to come here to try to intimidate me is next level bullshit. Two deep breaths later and I’m ready to face the pain in the ass temptation that is Kal.
“Come to invite me to another race?” I call out as I make my way down the stairs. It’s only when his eyes roam over me from top to bottom that I begin to feel the same nerves I felt the other night.
“Here.” He snaps, tossing something at my chest. My hands move fast, catching the object. As I glance down at it, my mouth drops open. “What is this?” I ask, holding the huge brick of cash up. There’s got to be at least a hundred grand here.
“Your share of the winnings from the race.” His nose wrinkles as though admitting that is a great hardship.
“I don’t understand, you already gave me my winnings.”
“No, I settled the bet you made. That is the winnings from the race itself.”
My eyes go wide at his words, I knew the buy in was big, but I thought it was shared out between the event co-ordinators and the prize was bragging rights at the end of it all. “This is my winnings from coming in first place?” I question like an idiot.
“Nah its bribe money to make you shut the fuck up!” The sarcasm in his voice is on point.
I roll my eyes and then smirk at him. “Guess next race will be an even bigger payout then.”
Kal growls low in his throat before more words burst out of his mouth in an angry tone, “You’re not racing ever again. Be happy with what you got this time. It’ll never happen again.” I still can’t believe this is the same guy I was crushing on. You’d think he was two different people with the way he’s acting over a fucking race of all things.
“You let her race?” Brax cuts in from behind me, making me jump a good foot in the air. He puts his hand on my shoulder to steady me before brushing past, practically knocking me over a second time.
“I didn’t let her do anything. She pulled a fast one on me and got into the race before I could stop her.” The tone in Kal’s voice is enough to send shivers down my spine. I’ve never heard anyone so angry over a race before. I mean, I get it, the male vampires are all “protect the women” and all that but this is rather excessive.
“Was she good at least?” Princess asks as he comes barrelling down the stairs like a herd of elephants.
“Best I’ve ever seen, but you know the rules, no female racers allowed.” Kal ducks his head and rubs the back of his neck as though admitting that was far too embarrassing.
“That’s such bullshit. Women are just as good as men at any sort of racing.” My voice comes out clipped and harsh, emphasising just how archaic their way of thinking is.
“When there are more than a handful of female vampires, we’ll discuss changing the rules, but right now we, men, outnumber the females almost a hundred to one, so deal with the fact that your lives are far too precious to risk on a stupid race.” Kal practically shouts before storming off back out the door he came in through.
“Does he really think that’s going to stop me?” I ask the suddenly silent room.
“He’s the boss, if he says no, then no one else will go against him.” Princess hisses near my ear as Brax gives me a death glare. He storms away up the stairs and disappears into the first room on the landing.
“What do you mean he’s the boss?” I’m genuinely curious.
“He organises all of the races and both Kal and his brother are in charge of most of the extracurricular events for the local vampires.” He pauses before asking, “You do know who they are right?”
“I don’t know much about vampire politics, so I tried to stay out of it most of my life.” Mostly to keep my own origins a secret. But I don’t say that out loud.
“Kalvan and Wesley are third in line for the throne, Princes in their own right. There’s only one other person on Catalina Island who is above them, the very prince I was telling you about, Prince Samuel, Heir Apparent.” He uses finger quotes as he says the name and title which makes me laugh. I can just imagine this simpering prince telling everyone he meets that he’s the big honcho in town.
“Ok, so he’s a big deal and both Kal and Wesley are as well, got it.” I pause before winking, “But I’m still going to race.” I throw the words over my shoulder as I return to my room. I don’t care what anyone says, I’m going to be me, not some simpering fool of a woman who bows down to the patriarchy.
“You’re still coming to the ball tomorrow night, you’re all cashed up now, no more excuses.” Princess yells just as I’m closing my door. I’m tempted to go, just to see what all the fuss is about but balls just aren’t my thing. I’d rather get down and dirty than dance the night away.
My father, the king, storms into my dorm as though he owns the place. He’s brought the entire fan fair, guards, maids, a fucking chef and his harem of four mistresses. I can just imagine my mother rolling over in her grave at the sight. Father’s always been a right asshole, has to have everything his way, including me.