Chapter 1 The ball she was never invited to

Emily’s pov

Everyone at blackthorn university thinks I am a nobody.

They didn’t know I am Emily Vintage, the second and last child of the Vintage family. My family is one of the most prestigious vampire families in blackthorn, England. I’m only allowed to live a quiet and simple life unlike my sister, Evelyn, who is my parent’s precious daughter and their believed key to having a strong relationship with other elite families, politics and the king.

While me, the rebellious and stubborn daughter who apparently doesn’t have a future with the high class society. I can’t say I’m treated badly by my family, in fact I’m very happy because I don’t have to attend stupid and boring political gatherings or pretend like I’m perfect. At least I get to go to college, make mistakes, have normal friends and a very loving and kind boyfriend.

But the reason why my family believes that it’s better I am kept hidden and unknown is because five years ago when I was sixteen, I was kidnapped by a witch coven for a year. Then later on my family found me in a forest not too far from our house. My eye colors supposedly changed from light brown to deep blue, but the twist is that I can’t remember anything that happened that year while I was away.

My sister doesn’t know anything about this because she was at a finishing school to be a proper lady for a year.

So I guess it’s better that way.

The only disadvantage I have is that I mustn’t let anyone know whose family I belong to. So I get picked on sometimes and being called an orphan, a whore because I can afford a lot of things or made fun of by my bitch of a sister in school.

The only person who knows who I truly am except what happened when I was sixteen is my best friend, Penelope Ashford, but I call her penny. She’s more extroverted and crazier than I am.

Ring. Ring.

My phone rang, penny’s name flashing on the screen.

I quickly rolled over on my Queen sized bed and laid on my stomach. I smiled brightly, picked the call, and put my phone against my ear.

“Wassup bitch!!!!” Her loud voice boomed over the phone, making me move the phone far away from my ear and frowning my face in annoyance.

I brought the phone back to my ear. 

“What is your problem?” I scowled, feeling a slight headache building up.

“Wellll….. my problem is king Caesar Hamilton.” She squealed like a little girl.

King Caesar Hamilton, a supernatural ruler in Britain. The monstrous man that rules over the werewolves and the vampires. Caesars mother was a werewolf while his father was a vampire, so he was the only one out of his siblings that inherited both the werewolf and vampire genes, which made him the very first and last hybrid to ever exist. 

Well at least that’s what I heard.

He is a brutal monster that kills without care or mercy for anybody except his siblings since his parents died centuries ago while protecting the kingdom and their subjects from hunters and witches. I respect the former king and queen greatly but their evil son is just the opposite of them.

“What does that monster have to do with you acting like a maniac?” I rolled my eyes, feeling unimpressed by his name.

“Oh please, cut him some slack Emily.” She said, annoyance clear in her voice. “He has to perform his duties as the king or do you expect him to set those hunters free or starve himself?. We were never saints from the beginning em, we are vampires too and we must kill and feed to survive.”

It is understandable that he must feed on humans to survive but he’s just too brutal. A king should be a role model to his people but him…. he is a very bad influence to everyone.

I could never fall for that monster.

“Anyways, I’m not interested in talking about his monstrosity. I’m here to talk about nature’s most powerful and handsome man participating in tonight’s ball.” Her voices sounded dreamily as she spoke.

I did hear that he is the most finest piece of artwork to ever lay your eyes on. But that can never work on me since I already have the most amazing boyfriend.

“So what are you wearing?” She suddenly asked.

“Huh?” I stiffened, not expecting that question.

I heard her sign deeply over the phone. I’m very sure she is probably pinching the bridge of her nose.

“Don’t tell me you’re not going for the ball.” She mumbled, I could tell she was already getting pissed.

“Well…. My parents said—“ I started explaining but she immediately cut me off.

“Fuck whatever your parents say. You’re going to the ball and that is final.” She finally snapped.

Penny has never liked my parents and her temper doesn’t make it any better.

“But—“ 

she cut me off again. Can she just let me speak already.

“No buts! I’m coming to get you out of your house right now, and you better get yourself a nice ball gown to wear before I get there.” She said sternly then cut the call before I could have the chance to say anything.

Isn’t she just wonderful.

I grumbled as I l sat up from my bed involuntarily. I wasn’t annoyed because of her dragging me to the ball, I was annoyed because I had to find a gown to wear but I have absolutely no idea where to start from.

“Urghhh, she can be such a pain in the ass.” I whispered into the quiet space of my room.

I looked around my bedroom, a small smile creeping up on my face.

My bedroom was huge, with cream color walls and gold detailings that gave it an elegant look. My bed sat in the middle of the room and it had huge mirror stretched across the wall behind it. A beautiful fireplace stood between my bed and the balcony doors without feeling too cramped.

Beside the tall balcony glass doors was my mini couch. It was my favorite spot to read without being disturbed and behind it was a mini library filled with books I had collected over the years.

Despite how large my room was, the warm glow from the chandelier and the fire place made it feel surprisingly cozy. My room was my sanctuary, it gave me the feeling of home more than my actual family could ever make me feel.

I looked outside the door, the evening sky had already painted the estate in shades of gold and pink.

I came down from my bed, walked into my dressing room and smiled brightly.

Like I said, my parents doesn’t treat me badly but they just don’t acknowledge me.

My dressing room was probably one of the prettiest rooms in the house. It had the same  cream and gold theme, with a crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling and tall windows letting in soft light as a dressing table stood beside the window.

My clothes were separated into different sections, because having little clothes was a problem my family refused to let me have.

One side was filled with expensive dresses and ball gowns that were designed by famous French tailors, while the other side held my everyday clothes that I wore to college. There was also a separate section for my shoes and bags.

In the middle of the room was a large island filled with drawers that contains jewelry and other accessories.

I walked towards the window and looked outside.

Even after living here for years, I still couldn’t get used to how beautiful blackthorn looked from up here.

Buzz. Buzz.

I felt my phone vibrate from the back pocket of my pants.

I took it out and stared at the screen, my eyes widening in shock.

“Bitch come open your balcony door before I break it down.”

Shit.

I didn’t expect her to get here this fast, even though her house is forty minutes away from my family’s estate.

Did I forget to mention she was a vampire too? So that should explain why she’s here that fast.

Fuck, she’s going the burst my ear drums with her nagging voice.

I turned around and exited my dressing room, only for me to be met with her emerald green eyes staring back at me with disappointment.

She wore her signature black jeans, a tank top and leather jacket with black combat boots. She is very beautiful, her black wavy hair was pack in a ponytail and she had a very athletic figure. While I’m a girl who loves bright colors and has slim but curvy figure.

Compared to my 5’3 height, she was 5’8 which is quite understandable since she comes from a respected family of warriors. That is the main reason why my parents allowed me to be friends with her, since her family’s reputation benefits them though they do not like her nonchalant personality.

I walked towards the door and opened it for her to come in.

“Heyyy bestie.” I smiled awkwardly as she walked into my bedroom. “You’re early.”

She sat on my bed and faced me while I tried avoiding her gaze at all cost.

“Give me a good reason why I shouldn’t snap your neck.” She scowled and crossed her arms.

“It’s ridiculously painful and I wasn’t expecting you to be here so fast.” I reasoned with her.

She rolled her eyes at me and stood up.

“Well… I texted you twenty minutes ago. So it’s only normal for me to be here by now.” She eyed me as she pursed her lips.

Damn…. I never knew I always take that long whenever I admire my room.

“Hehe.” I scratched the back of my neck nervously.

“How many times do I have to tell you that you cannot miss this ball. It the annual supernatural ball for Christ sake.” She crossed her arms. 

“Now get your fine ass into your dressing room and pick something hot.” She ordered.

I walked back into my closet with penny right behind me.

“I have absolutely no idea what to wear, pen.” I signed in frustration. When I turned around to look at her, she was already staring at me like she wants me six feet underground.

“What did I do now?” I questioned.

She scoffed and pushed me aside. I swear this girl is a real pain in the ass.

She walked over to my gown section and picked out one of my ball gowns.

It was a beautiful white gown, covered in sparkles, with a fitted bodice and a full flowing skirt with multiple layers of net that glows under the light. The off shoulder neckline was designed with crystal like flowers that made the whole gown look magical.

“How the hell can you tell me that you have nothing to wear.” She glared at me.

“That’s why I have you bestie.” I wiggled my eyebrows at her.

She sneered. 

“You’re unbelievable.” She said with an eye roll. 

“Put this on.” She held out the gown and I collected it from her.

I pulled off my joggers and my top, leaving me in just my undergarments. I took out my hoop skirt and pulled it over my head and settled it on my waist then tied the rope tightly at my back. Penny helped me wear my gown and adjusted it properly before tying the ropes of the corset.

I feel like my lungs were being caged. Now I’m starting to regret going to the ball.

After she finished, it looked like my boobs were about pour out of my chest from how high it was.

“Aren’t you dressing up?” I asked as I looked at myself through the mirror.

“You know my family doesn’t like to do dress up, neither do I. Plus, I’m already dressed as your knight in shining armor.” She teased. But it’s true that she hates dressing up.

“Hahaha very funny.” I said sarcastically as I put on a few jewelry.

This might be my first and last ball I will be attending.

She handed me a transparent and sparkling fairy heels, designed with crystals. She quickly helped me with my hair and makeup before handing me a silver butterfly mask to put on.

I stood in-front of the mirror and gasped. I looked unrecognizable and very pretty. My deep blue eyes made my facial features stand out. My wavy blonde hair was let down, a small decorative pin holding my hair in place to keep it from my face.

“You’re a true beauty Emily.” Penny said, her voice sounded so genuine. “Your parents are too blind to realize the wonderful gift they could ever ask for is you.”

I turned around, smiled then held her hands. “Thanks penny. You’re more than enough family for me.”

“Well then, we should get going.” She glanced at her wristwatch. “The ball starts by 9pm and we’re already 26 minutes late.”

I wanted to be fashionably late to the ball even though my parents and Evelyn left for the ball an hour ago. I could hear their foot steps and the car drive off when they left.

Vampire hearing is just one of the most amazing advantages of being a vampire.

“The guards are sti—“ I started but she cut me off.

“Give me a minute.” Penny said before she went to the balcony and jumped down.

I swear she can’t just act like a normal person for once. I’m very sure she’s going to knock them out or snap their necks. But I am happy to have her as my best friend. She always goes all out for me. 

I really hope going to this ball was worth the effort.

Though there was a strange feeling deep in my chest that something about tonight was just…. different.