"Cat!" My dance coach, Tina yelled. We were practicing in the gym. Only a thin curtain separated us between the basketball team and the cheerleaders. The gym was huge, but cut into thirds it was not very good for noise. The cheerleaders voices yelling was enough to drive anyone insane. Balls bounced hard and slammed against the walls of the gym. Shoes squeaked on the freshly waxed floor. Our own music was blaring at an excruciatingly painful level.

"Go get the boxes of uniforms! They're in my office!" With that she threw me the keys, and I ran to her office outside the gymnasium.

My Jazz shoes almost broke my neck, sliding on the tile floor of her 10ft by 10ft room. I found the boxes—three of them—piled on top of one another on her desk. They weren't big, and thank god I could still see over them.

I had to jump and dodge my way around office supplies and piles of papers. Her room was so cluttered I could barely get to where the boxes were.

Lucian sat in the bleachers, way up at the top, in Green Barrow High's gymnasium. He didn't see Cat over with the rest of the dance team. He could easily tell them apart from the cheerleaders, who were eyeing him and winking. The cheerleaders were skinny little things, but had no curves. And oh how he loved curves in a girl. But the dance team had those curves from not only doing extreme cardio workouts, but doing muscle-building exercises.

Still, he took no interest in them, only Catalina.

The dance team all matched, in various dark colored sports bras and shorts. Most were black and they all had on jazz shoes. None of them were as attractive as his fiancé though.

"Ah, Lucian. I didn't expect to see you here." A too familiar voice came from beside him. And sure enough, beside him is where Leo sat. King Leo. At first they stared at each other, giving the evil eye until Lucian spoke up.

"What are you doing here?" Lucian growled, his temper flaring.

Leo smiled, calmly. "Just came to see what everyone in our kingdoms are talking about… our long lost princess. I heard she's quite a catch."

Just as he said that Lucian's eyes snapped to the entrance to the gym near the girl's locker room. Catalina came strutting out, carrying three small boxes. She was wearing the same at the other girls: a black sports bra top, black short shorts, and jazz shoes.

Leo's eyes traced where his were headed. He knew immediately that was the princess, just by her ebony curls, bouncing in a high ponytail and her light skin. That was a true Romanian girl.

"Ah, she is a beauty." He chuckled, relishing in Lucian's anger. He knew he wouldn't fight him in here, for fear of causing a scene. That was why he sat so close to him. Anywhere else and he would have been dinner for the angry vampire.

They were both entranced by the way her hips sashayed as she strode towards the woman directing the team. Their music was playing, she walked to the beat. It was expected of a dancer to do just that.

Her abs were flat, but she managed to still look curvy, not anorexic—like some of the cheerleaders Lucian had been observing.

She handed the boxes to the woman coaching.

"Alright! Jump back in there and direct! We're handing these out at the end of practice!" Tina ordered me.

I gladly jumped in the front line, counting off numbers and sets. But something felt strange.

I looked up into the bleachers, to see the normal moms and dads on the basket ball side, and the guys on the cheer side. But then… Lucian. Oh god. He was here? Watching me in nothing but a sports bra and short shorts? And who was that guy next to him? Maybe he made a new friend? But wait, I know that's not possible… he probably hasn't even gone out of the house…

It seemed a little creepy, how he came to see me. He probably would have had to ask my brothers or parents were dance practice was and where the school was… unless he knew my scent that well already and smelt me from a mile away.

"So how did she react to your little appearance at her home?" Leo tried to get on Lucian's nerves. Their eyes were still glued on Cat and the way her hips were moving. She came into the middle to do a duet with two other girls, a blonde and a brunette. She spun on one foot, whipping herself around and around at least ten times. All three of them were perfectly synchronized. They were hypnotized as she slid into a split to end it and the rest of the girls came up behind them to end the song.

"Green Barrow!" They shouted at the end. "Go Giants!"

"She was shocked, like anyone else would be. But she got used to it after about a day." Lucian said with gritted teeth.

"Oh, I am surprised. What? No tears?" Leo was a mind reader. There was no way that girl had not cried at the realization that she would be forced to marry a vampire.

But, she wouldn't have to change for him, which is why he planned on stealing her away to 'discuss matters'. He had a feeling she wouldn't be coming crying back to Lucian after meeting him.

"Only because she wanted to finish her senior year," Lucian admitted.

Leo laughed, "I can hardly believe that was the only reason she cried."

The dance team was getting ready for another run through. The coach yelled out commands, say 'count it out' and 'look at each other for timing'. She was like a drill sergeant.

Lucian rolled his eyes, not answering that comment.

"Fine, don't spill all the details out to me now. I'll simply find out when she happens to appear in my palace. Then she can tell me, while I comfort her."

With one more laugh he left, not wanting Lucian to lash out at him in public. Lucian didn't say anything. He simply stared at Leo with such an intensity it was enough to make any other man run away crying.

But Leo walked away unscathed, grinning from ear to ear. He had successfully managed to piss Lucian off and got a glimpse of the long forgotten princess. He went out of his way to walk by them, catching the princess's eye and getting locked in a stare. He winked and she looked away, blushing. Soon he'd have her in the palm of his hand.

Lucian saw that and his temper sky-rocketed. His hand clutched the bench so hard it started to crack.

He started to think of all the ways he would kill Leo once he and Catalina were ready to rule…

"Cat!" I heard one of the freshmen call out for me. It was Emma Sanders.

"Yea?" I hurried over before the music started again.

"What foot do we land on before the kick out?" She asked quickly.

"Left." I said simply. "Like this." And I showed her. She got it.

I hurried back into my space in the formation, not even daring to glance up at the bleachers. The music started, unleashing a fire within me. When that music was playing nothing could bring me down. It didn't matter if Lucian or that other guy was watching me. They weren't intimidating any more. It didn't matter anymore. I was unstoppable.

I silently wished I could have this feeling when it came to ruling over a kingdom, or getting bitten. That kind of courage dancing gave me would help.

It was just natural for me to perform in front of crowds. To dance in front of pep rally crowds and at dance recitals, at dance competitions and festivals. I sang in front of thousands for the National Festival of Music and Arts competition at the Ford Theatre.

My mind erased everything else.

All that suddenly mattered was how well I could dance. And I could dance like hell.

Near the end of the practice—after I had handed out their uniforms to wear tomorrow for the pep rally—I heard the same thing that came around every so often. The girls wanted me to do my toe routine. Since none of them did toe they loved to watch me. But I wasn't so sure that was the best thing for my nerves, especially since Lucian was here.

"Please, please, please, please, please, please!" They begged me. Even Tiff and Iz got in on it. It was getting on my nerves.

"Alright, alright fine!"

Even my coach clapped. She loved watching me.

I walked over to my bag, which was sitting on the first row of bleachers. My toe shoes were in there, safe and sound, along with my CD. I handed the CD to Tina who put it in the CD player. It was a solo that won me the world silver medal last year: Swan Lake. I knew Lucian would have a heart attack once he saw I was dancing to an Eastern European Classic.

And I swear he almost did. As the music was starting and I started to dance I looked up to see his mouth ajar, eyes set in a trance as I gracefully flowed over the smooth gym floor. He was totally awestruck.

When I ended there was a standing ovation, like I got at nationals. I felt a smile creeping upon my face. I was beaming with joy. Dancing and singing were the two things that actually brought me joy.

After the applause died down Izzy came up to me as I was leaving the gym.

"Hey Cat! Wait a sec!" She yelled, catching up to me. "I was wondering, uhm the drama club is sponsoring a talent show. Would you want to sing in it? We need some more people."

I hesitated. "Uhm when is it?"

"Early November-ish." She said bubbly.

"Uh…" I couldn't say no to that face. "Alright, okay I'll do it."

"Great!" She started to walk with me out to my car. "So what song are you gonna do?"

"Uhm, I really don't know yet… maybe something original…"

"Sounds cool! Alright I'll see ya later!" She yelled, running off to carpool with Tiffany.

I walked swiftly to my car. It was a Friday night with nothing to do. I could start working on that song right now if I wanted…

And that's just what I did, when I got home. I threw my bag and keys on my bed and went towards the piano room. I could hear Lucian talking with my brothers in the kitchen. I wasn't sure if it was a good thing.

"Hello boys," I said, walking right through the kitchen. They were seated at the island, doing what else but eating. Lucian simply looked on at them engulfing their sandwiches.

They mumbled a, "Hey." With their mouths full of bread and other ingredients.

Lucian simply smiled.

I rushed into the piano room, flicking on the dull lights. I had recently been working on a song I wrote myself. But maybe I should do something more recognizable?

You Raised Me Up was sitting on top of all the musical pieces. Hmm, maybe…

I decided to try it out. I sat down, fixing my sweatshirt and shorts before starting to play. I felt better than the night Lucian interrupted me. I could actually sing now. I had the urge to sing. Before just now I didn't have it in me. But I felt like there was new hope. Maybe I could get out of this whole thing. I just had to think. But not right now. Now is me time.

I started to sing the beginning and went all the way through.

When I am down, and oh my soul so weary.

When troubles come

And my heart burdened be

Then I am still and wait here

In the silence

Until you come

And sit awhile with me

You raise me up

So I can stand on mountains

You raised me up

To walk on stormy seas

I am strong

When I am on your shoulders

Your raised me up to more than I can be…

And so on. It was my favorite song. It was actually one I had won The Danbury Music Festival with.

And at the very end I ended with my sweet note, something between a high alto and a low soprano. I released the keys, satisfied.

Then I heard something… clapping. My face turned to horror as I realized there was only one person who liked to barge in on me.

I turned around to see Lucian. "Do you like barging in on me?" I asked getting angrier by the minute. I wouldn't have my alone time anymore in this house.

He laughed his deep low laugh. "Yes, it is quite satisfying…" he started to saunter over to me… "You are my fiancée though… you should get used to it… We should spend some time together."

I sighed as he sat down beside me. "We've already spent most of our time together."

"I meant getting to know each other." My eyes flicked up to his. He stared into mine without intensity. It was just a lover's gaze… which scared me.

I went silent for a moment.

"That was beautiful… what you just sang… your voice… it's… amazing… and your toe performance… it was… unbelievable."

I felt myself blushing so I looked back down at the keys and whispered a, "Thanks."

Then there was another moment of silence.

"That blonde that walked by you, while you were dancing…"

My eyes flicked back up to his. Had he seen that? "Yea…?"

He kept trying to blurt something out.

"That…. That was King Leo." He blurted out.

My mouth dropped open. My eyes set wide. He was the one who I'd locked eyes with. He was the one that winked at me.

"Wha—What?"

"That was King Leo." He said shortly. "Don't feel bad. I know you had no clue it was him."

But my shock wasn't from that. The shocking part was that I had locked eyes with someone who wanted to kill me… and possibly rape me.

"How—how did he find me?" I asked, my voice quivering.

"Someone in my family failed to keep the secret."

"I just can't believe he's actually here in America."

"Well let's just hope he goes home soon."

There was another awkward moment of silence.

"Catalina… you are beautiful, amazing and greatly gifted… and I don't want to lose you."

My eyes met his again. He didn't want to lose me? Did he love me? I know I don't love him, but why was he so attached to me already?

He sighed. "I will leave you to your alone time."

And he left, just like any husband that respected his wife's personal space. My parents did that a lot.

It was so nice to be alone in my house for once. I took that time to think about everything… my life… my future. Would it really be that bad to leave everything I had here? Yes.

Was I starting to feel something towards him?

Maybe…

I stared at the engagement ring sparkling obnoxiously on my left ring finger.

Maybe…