Dani stood in Cassie’s doorway, a bowl of popcorn in her arms as she leaned against the door frame. Cassie managed a wan smile for her. She wasn’t feeling beautiful, and although she should have been excited for the dance. She was not.

“Thank you.”

Dani smiled at her as she came into the room, dropping the bowl onto Cassie’s bureau. She had been a little unsettled when she had first moved into the house, but over the past couple of weeks she had relaxed, and was far more at home. Cassie had started to look at her like a little sister, grateful for her company during those few hours when Devon was away hunting, and Chris returned home to watch over his mother.

She was also glad for Dani’s unwavering friendship, a friendship that had been given easily, and with no conditions. “Just giving you a warning, Lily already has the camera set up and ready to go.”

Cassie laughed softly as she smoothed the front of her deep violet dress. It was strapless, clinging to her upper body before flowing out gently to her knees. When she’d seen it, she had known instantly that she had to have it. And she did not regret it for a moment, even if it was a little more daring than she would normally like.

She didn’t know how Devon was going to react to the dress. She hoped that he liked it, but she didn’t wish to test the boundaries of his control. She simply wanted to feel normal again tonight, to be a normal teenage girl for once, even if she didn’t think it was possible.

“You don’t think it’s a little too much, or actually less?” she asked worriedly.

Dani chuckled softly. “I think it’s perfect, and you’re wearing waaaaay more clothing then most of the other girls will be. Don’t worry about it.”

Cassie nodded, but she still couldn’t shake the uncomfortable feeling that had settled over her. “Yeah, but they’re not dating vampire’s,” she muttered.

Dani laughed as she shook back her dark hair. The blood red tips had been replaced with white blond ones. “Nope, they all just wish they were dating him,” Dani told her. Cassie snorted softly, twisting her hair up into a loose knot that rested against the nape of her neck. “It will be fine; the dress really isn’t that revealing Cass.”

She nodded, not feeling as reassured as Dani wanted, but deciding not to stress about it anymore. It was too late; she had already wearing the dress and Devon would be here any minute. The second the thought crossed her mind, the doorbell rang. Cassie’s hand fluttered nervously up to the pearls at her neck. They were her grandmother’s, her mother had worn them on her wedding day and they would one day be Cassie’s. A wave of sadness washed over her, for a brief moment she wished that her parents were here. She loved her grandmother dearly, and would never trade a moment of her life with her, but every once in awhile she wished that her parents had also been around to watch her grow up, to also be a part of her life.

With a soft sigh, she pushed the melancholy thoughts aside; there was no place for them tonight. Tonight was about her friends, Devon, and this dance. Tonight was for fun, and she was going to have it for a change. Taking strength from the pearls, Cassie grabbed her pea coat from her bed and draped it over her arm. She listened as her grandmother let Devon, Melissa, and Chris in. “I wish you could come,” she said as she turned back to Dani.

The younger girl studied her carefully for a moment. “I don’t, I’m glad I’m too young. It’s not exactly my thing.”

“Mine either,” Cassie admitted softly. “Not anymore anyway.”

“Are you ok?”

Forcing a smile, Cassie nodded. “I’m fine.”

“Well come on then, you don’t want to keep them waiting.”

Dani grabbed her bowl of popcorn, fairly bouncing as she led the way down the hall. Cassie realized that the popcorn had not been made for a movie, but this was Dani’s show. Shaking her head, she fought back a chuckle as Dani darted down the stairs. Cassie made her way slowly down, turning the corner into the living room.

Her breath froze in her lungs as she caught sight of Devon standing by the mantle. His hair had been brushed back from the hard plains of his face. The finely tailored sports coat he wore clung to his hard, broad shoulders. He looked magnificent, strong, powerful, and oh so handsome that he made her heart ache. Need tore through her, along with the overwhelming urge to touch him, to feel him, to never part from him again.

He stiffened when he saw her, his eyes flashed fiercely in the light; hunger blossomed in their brilliant emerald depths. His mouth parted slightly as his gaze raked slowly over her, causing heat to burn through her. An inner quaking took root in her, shaking through muscle and bone. Her mouth went dry, her heart hammered with its fierce desire for him.

His gaze slowly returned to hers, burning with a fire the likes of which she had never seen before. Cassie’s tremors intensified, leaving her weak kneed. No, the dress had not been a good idea at all. But then, she felt she could be wearing a sack and he would still look at her like she was a treat that he wanted to devour.

He moved slowly toward her, his movements reminding her of an animal stalking its prey. She didn’t know if she was more frightened to be his prey, or excited to be it. Stopping before her, his gaze slowly perused her once more. Cassie shivered, her breath exploded from her as he took hold of her hand, his touch seared into her skin, burned its way into every molecule of her body as she was branded by him for the rest of her life.

She would always remember the way that he felt against her, the delicious way that he made her feel. She would never forget how perfect his skin was, how right and true it was. Even if she couldn’t have him forever, she would have the memories, and the feeling, for she could recall it all in an instant.

He bent low over her hand, his eyes never leaving hers as he placed a gentle kiss upon her. Cassie’s mouth parted, her pulse pounded rapidly in her temples as liquid lava pooled through her. His head bent over her hand, his lips pressed so gently against her skin was the most debonair, sweetest thing she had ever seen.

He kept hold of her hand as he stood slowly. “You look exquisite,” he whispered.

Heat flooded Cassie’s face; she looked away from him, unable to take the overwhelming sensations beating against her. Her body was a tumult of emotions and feelings that were crashing wildly against each other. His hand tightened upon hers, the gentle stroking of his thumb did nothing to ease the chaos clamoring through her.

“Let me get a picture of everyone,” her grandmother said, her voice slightly strained.

Cassie met her grandmother’s slightly amused, slightly dazed gaze. Devon moved to her side, his arm encircling her waist. The feel of him caused her skin to hum with electricity. “Everyone smile!”

Dani leaned happily against the wall, munching on popcorn, smiling in amusement as everyone was moved around and ordered to smile repeatedly. Cassie’s face hurt by the time her grandmother was done snapping pictures, but it was worth it to see the bright smile on her pretty face, and the happy gleam in her eyes.

“Ok, you guys can go now!” her grandmother announced happily, letting the camera drop back around her neck.

Cassie sighed in relief, her feet were beginning to ache and she was ready to get this night over with. Devon approached with her coat in hand; a small smile curved his full mouth as his eyes twinkled at her. “Will you even come out in those pictures?” she inquired softly.

A small chuckle escaped him as he slipped the coat around her shoulders. “Not all the myths are true, love,” he whispered in her ear, his lips brushing lightly against her skin sent a shiver throughout her.

She needed to get control of herself around him, or this was going to be a very long, very tortuous night. Slipping his hand into hers, he led her toward the door. “Cassie wait!”

She turned as her grandmother hurried over, a small box in hand. Cassie frowned as her grandmother handed her the box, a small smile on her face, but a wealth of sadness in her sky blue eyes. “I think it’s time you had this.”

Cassie took the box from her, opening it slowly. A small gasp escaped as she caught sight of the delicate emerald ring. The stone was small, but it shimmered in the light of the room. Surrounding the emerald were four petite, perfect diamonds. Cassie’s hand shook as she pulled the ring free, carefully handling the small gold band.

“It was my mother’s wedding ring and was meant for your mother.”

Cassie glanced up at her, tears welling in her eyes. “Grandma, I don’t think I should take this.”

Her grandmother’s hands enfolded hers, her sky colored eyes were intense. “Of course you should. Your mother would want you to have it. She would be so proud of you dear, just as I am.”

A single tear slipped down Cassie’s cheek, but her grandma quickly wiped it away. “I’m not giving it to you to make you cry,” she said happily, although a strange sadness still clung to her. “You are a woman now; you should have the things that mark you as such.”

Cassie could only nod as her grandmother took the ring from her and slipped it onto her right hand. “Perfect fit!”

Cassie stared silently down at the beautiful, delicate ring. Rapidly blinking back tears, she threw her arms around her grandmother, hugging her tight. Her grandmother’s slight frame shook slightly as she patted Cassie’s back gently. “I’ll always be proud of you, always love you dear.”

Cassie pulled slightly away, staring questioningly into her grandmother’s sky colored eyes. It seemed like such an odd thing to say, but then again it was a big night, for most people at least. “I’ll always love you,” she whispered, dropping a kiss on her grandmother’s soft cheek.

Her eyes were sad as Cassie pulled away, but she was smiling brightly. “Go on now; I’ve held you up long enough.”

She patted Cassie’s shoulder as she all but shoved them out the door. Cassie flashed a bright grin over her shoulder as they made their way to Devon’s sleek Challenger. He held the door open for them, Chris and Melissa piled into the back. Taking hold of her hand he helped her slide into the passenger seat, his hand lingered on hers before he shut the door and hurried to the driver’s side.

Arriving at the school, they piled out into the crush of students making their way through the doors. Cassie handed her coat over to the parent running the coat check. Without the material, she felt more exposed and vulnerable. Sensing her distress, Devon slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her tight against his side.

“It will be ok,” he said gently.

Swallowing heavily, she nodded. She kept her shoulders straight as she allowed him to lead her into the heavily decorated gym. Marcy and company had decided to make the theme of the party Cape Cod in the fall. Though it was neither creative nor original (as it had been done three years ago) it was pretty.

The walls were decorated with a vast array of leaves in every color of the rainbow. Play box sand was spread across the dance floor, there were already groups dancing without their shoes on. Scattered amongst the sand were leaves that had been sorted through and brought in from outside. Hurricane lanterns, with long white candles, had been set out on the tables. Sand, seashells, starfish, and sand dollars were spread out around them. Banners hung from the ceiling in the school colors of blue and gold, and the annoying disco ball was in place, bright lights already bounced blindingly off of it.

Cassie winced as she shaded her eyes, trying to block out the sparkling light. At the back of the large gymnasium the band was playing. She recognized John Parks and Lyle White playing bass and drums. They had graduated last year, and their band was one of the few in town that was actually decent. The slow song they were playing switched, and one of their own, heavier songs blasted from the large speakers set up beside the stage.

Cassie winced again as the noise pounded into her ears. She had forgotten how uncomfortable dances could be for her. Forgotten about the noise and the lights, or at least she had wanted to forget anyway. Digging into the black clutch purse she had brought, she pulled out her sunglasses. Slipping them on, she was able to ease at least one of the annoyances, grateful for the dark glasses that placed the room into mellower shades and hues.

Devon was studying her with concern, but she shook her head as she smiled reassuringly at him. With the pain in her eyes eased, she was able to take in more of the students milling around, greeting their friends as they talked eagerly. Dresses sparkled in an array of colors in the light of the ball. Everyone looked beautiful, happy, and bright.

Cassie couldn’t help but smile. These people may not like her anymore, but she had grown up with them, had once been a big part of their worlds, and she was happy that they had been given this night. Happy that she had helped to give them this night, even if it hadn’t been all that much help. Devon’s hand on her elbow was gentle as he led her over to one of the tables tucked against the back wall. Relief filled her; it was one of the tables farthest from the disco ball, and speakers.