I entered the room. People I didn't know stared; as always the stared at my neck. Go figure. They stared there because I was untouched by any vampire. I was what they like to call a 'blood-virgin'.

No matter what you think, I do not belong to Drake. He thinks he owns me, but he doesn't. I just let him think he does. Ha ha. Yeah, I'm cruel. Once I reached the bottom of the stairs I was automatically taken by the hand to a table, his table. I'd rather be in my room reading a book than sitting here pretending to be interested in what these old bags are saying.

"Excuse me, Miss." A hand extended before my face. I tilted my head to see the face. It was, no shit, covered by a mask. He was tall with dark brown hair and sharp purple, yes purple, eyes. My mouth so wanted to gape open but I forced myself not to drool. "May I have this dance?"

I stuttered, "S-sure."

He smiled. I slid my hand into his and he glided my to the dance floor. I couldn't see any visible vampire mark of who his owner was. He appeared human. But I knew I was the only human here without a mark. The other humans belonged to vampires like Asher and Danica. This man was untouched, just like me. No, I didn't let Drake put a symbol thing on me. I wouldn't even let him suck my blood. The bastard doesn't get anything from me.

I smirked. "What is your name?"

"Phillip." He answered rather hesitantly, like he had to think about his name.

"You forgot your own name?" I chuckled.

He laughed softly. "No, milady. I was simply wondering if I should tell you or not.

"Why so secretive?"

"It is a masquerade after all."

We glided like we were one on the dance floor. We waltz until the music stopped and it was time to eat. In other words, drink.

Everyone sat down at their assigned seats around the long table. I sat on the left hand side of Drake at the head of the table. Danica on the right and Asher next to her. I sit next to an old count named Will. Well, he's not old. Just old. As in five hundred years old. Even though he looks around thirty. Nice guy, really nice.

I sat down and, as usual, waited until Drake sat down to eat. I looked around the room. Phillip was nowhere in sight. Then again, the pets don't eat with the Council. Me? I'm an exception. Because, well I am Drake's pet. Put it together, people.

Danica sneered at me as she sat down. She was wearing a dark jade color with hints of black and blue (dark blue, of course). It was a pretty dress if only there weren't so many ruffles in it. Ha! I laugh at whatever she wears. She tries so hard to win Drake's affection. I would gladly let her have it, if only he would stop paying attention to me and look at her more often. But, sadly, that would never happen.

A door swung open. Drake flew into the room. He was wearing his usual attire; a leather jacket and no undershirt with tight black jeans and a pair of black doc martins. The man had taste, I'll tell you that. As always his porcelain skin shimmered in the light.

I looked away. He sat down and waved at the waiters to begin. They set down the food in front of us. Well, only me. Everyone else got goblets of blood. I got bloody steak with a baked potato and green beans. My favorite meal. Except for the greens of course.

Everyone drank in low murmurs. Drake, what a creep, watched me eat. I knew he was watching, he was always watching. Danica called his attention. He barely winced.

After she was done trying (and failing) to flirt with him, Drake turned his attention back on me. I looked up. His eyes were more alive tonight than any other night I have seen them. They pierced into my heart.

"Do you have a staring problem or what?" I said and turned to my food.

"Just taking note." He says it like it's nothing.

"On what, exactly?" I slice my steak into smaller pieces and take a bite.

"There!" He says in sharp whisper. "How your throat pulses with every chew. It makes my heart shiver."

"If only you had a heart." I mumbled, but he still hears me.

"That hurts my feelings."

"Then you have feelings like a hormonal pregnant woman."

He grunts and I laugh silently.

I stand. No one notices me exit the room. No one, except Drake.

Once I am out of the doors, I sprint to my room. I don't stop until I am safely behind the locked doors. I hurriedly rip off my jewels and dress. I stand with only my lace strapless bra and my lacey panties. A gift from Drake, no duh.

I walk to the mirror to truly look at myself. I see nothing that is worth anything. I see myself. I see a girl who used to be. Used to be loved. Loved. Used to be cared. Cared. Used to have a mother. Somerfield. Used to have the best of friends who could kick ass and taught her how. Abbey, Blake, King.

King! The only friend who hasn't abandoned me…yet. I wish I knew where he was. He left with some other vamps to a blood-lab. And that's all I was allowed to know. I don't know where the lab is. It is one of the things Drake keeps from me. Along with other things I am not to know about.

I blinked. What the fuck!

"What are you doing here?" I thought aloud, with an angry voice.

Drake was behind me. Like, as in his bare chest tickling mine. My eyes glanced around desperately looking for a towel or blanket. Anything. Nothing.

"I came up here to check on you. You seemed upset at dinner." He bared his teeth in a wicked smile. "But I see you are, waiting for me."

He snaked his hands over my shoulders and they slid down my arms to wrap around my waist.

"Get a life." I muttered and tried to move away. His hands held firm. He leaned close to my ear and pulled me back toward him.

"I never had one." His soft breath tickled my ear. I hate people being that close to me.

"Let. Me. Go." I grunted.

"Never." He started to trail kisses down the left side of my face. Going towards my lips. He was tall enough to lean my head back and try to kiss me sort of upside down. I pulled away in time for him to kiss my cheek like a shy first date kiss.

"Don't even try to make me weak in my mind. It won't work and you know it." I growled.

Slowly his arms loosened around my waist. I watched him in the mirror as his face showed a glint of hurt. I shimmied out of his hold.

I tried to cover myself with the dress I threw to the ground.

"Why try? I've already seen you."

I glared at him. He walked to the door and blew me a kiss before he left.

I dropped the dress and pulled on my nightgown. As I sat still on the bed, I looked at my hands.

They were shaking.