"Sorry?" I said. "But she was trying to kill me…" Vlad's face got a little more serious as he ceased to laugh. He rested a stern hand on my shoulder.

"I really sorry. I knew it was a bad idea to invite vampires and breathers to a party. This wasn't even my idea- my dad seems to think that I need relationship help." We both started to laugh.

"Well, I best be off, I need to meet up with my friend before my Mum realises where I've been."

"Wait- You weren't on the list were you?" He added, seemingly adding insult to injury.

"No." I said, trying to hide the bitterness of my tone. "I'm sorry for killing you're future soul-mate."

"That list which I read out was fixed. My Dad and Bertrand had drawn up the names of vampires who had paid the most to be in with the chance of marrying me." He scoffed.

"Why was Bertrand on the list then?" I chuckled.

"I don't know.. I'm slightly worried about that." There was a pause when we had stopped laughing and stared into each other's eyes.

"Your eyes are so bea-" I had spoken as if I were in a trance. "Blue.. Your eyes are so blue."

GABYWITHONEB

"Why thank you. It's a Dracula feature, we all have dark black hair and light blue eyes. Your eyes are beautiful... the colour of warm teak and verdant young leaves rimmed with dark hazel. They're entrancingly unique. Like you- you're not one of the normal breathers who's terrified of vampires, and you don't try to slay them either."

"How do you know I'm not a slayer?" I asked, jokingly.

"You would have pulled out a stake from your purse or something. No slayer would come to a vampire party this unprepared."

"Oh." I smiled, embarrassed.

"No, that wasn't meant to be an insult- I'm glad you're not a slayer. I'm not going to make that mistake again." He looked beyond me, glumly into the distance.

"So, about your girlfriend choosing?"

"Yeah"

"Well, who did YOU find remotely interesting?"

"Well there was this girl. But I think she wanted to leave soon, so I'm going to drive her home."

"Oh." Surely if he was talking about me then he wouldn't talk about me in the third person?

"But I don't know what she's called-" He said, lifting my chin so that I had to look at his face.

"VLADIMIR! YOU HAVE SOME GIRLS OUT HERE TO ENTERTAIN!" The Count shouted from the main hall of the castle.

GABYWITHONEB

Vlad heaved a sigh. "Why does he think he can control me like that? He already tried to force me into marrying Ad- some vampires who wanted to kill my family and take our power."

"Well I'm no vampire family counsellor, but surely you can talk to him about it? Say no?" I said, turning around to pick up my purse, shoes and phone. I tried to reposition the soap dispenser.

"I wish it was that easy."

"It's alright, you don't have to wait for me, go to your father." I said, bluntly. When I turned around, his coal eyes were smouldering. I had to look away to be able to pass him and walk through the door. I tried to
pull it towards me, but due to the broken hinges it was rather stiff. Vlad put his cool hand over mine and twisted the door handle. I looked up over my shoulder at him, muttered 'thank you' and proceeded to the exit. If I thought I heard correctly, I thought I could hear a deep exhalation behind me as I walked out of the castle.