“I just thought you were having your period,” Cate exclaimed, her jaw dropping. “You were so moody.”
“Yep, comes with the territory.” She grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. “Moodiness, big appetite, and a nose like a bloodhound. I’m surprised you got past them all. Usually, vampires and werewolves can smell a human from a mile away.”
Cate shook her head, dazed by the sudden turn of events. “I’m not sure what happened. One minute, I was looking for you, the next they’d shuttled me off into this dating competition with the prince. It’s been absolute chaos. I couldn’t get out of it.”
Miranda gazed down at her hands, her eyes narrowing. Cate followed her eyes and saw that her friend was staring at her ring.
“Pretty, isn’t it?” She slipped it off her finger and held it up. “Some woman gave it to me in the airport for helping with a personal crisis. I thought it was just a Monstrana custom, or something. I didn’t want to appear rude and refuse to take it.”
“Put that thing back on,” Miranda hissed, smashing the ring back on her finger. She held her hand tight. “This is why they let you in. It’s a vamp’s ring. A magical piece of jewelry that protects the host. It allows vampires to walk in sunlight without getting scorched and hides the cold chill of their undead bodies.” She shook her head and pressed her tongue to her front teeth. “I don’t think anyone ever imagined it would work on a human.”
Suddenly, things were starting to make sense. All her troubles had started when she first put on this ring. It was like a curse. And although Cate was starting to believe her friend’s story, this still felt like it was the beginning of a one-way trip to the insane asylum.
“I don’t want it anymore,” she protested, trying to pull it off.
“Leave it on.” Miranda held her hands in a crushing grip, panic in her eyes. “It hides your human traits. You walk out there without it, and it won’t take long for them to find out you’re human. If they discover you, they’ll have to put you through the change. It’s an ancient law for our protection. You’ll have no choice.”
Cate gulped. Things were spiraling out of control so fast. The last thing she wanted at that moment was to become one with the undead. Or the cursed. All she wanted was a one-way ticket home and to crawl into bed with her favorite flannel jammies.
“What do I do?”
Miranda let go of her hands and paced across the bathroom floor. “You can’t just disappear. They’ll suspect something’s off. And you can’t go out there without your ring.”
“I’ll keep it on,” Cate promised, holding up her finger.
“And then there’s the reality show.” She paused her pacing and frowned. “Obviously, you’ll have to go through with it. Once you’re done, you can get on a plane and leave. No one will ever be the wiser.”
“You’re kidding me,” Cate yelled at her friend, her head spinning. “I can’t date that guy. He’s a vampire. He’ll probably rip my throat out.”
“Don’t be dramatic.” Miranda rolled her eyes. “Prince Viktor isn’t known for being an uncivilized man. He won’t hurt you.”
“And what if he chooses me?” She threw her hands in the air. “What if I end up as Dracula’s bride?”
“All you have to do is get him to hate you. According to the news last night, the first elimination of the competition is tomorrow. One of you girls will be booted out. Go on the next date and make him send you home. Easy as that.”
Her lips pursed together, dissatisfaction clear in her eyes. “Easy for you to say. Date a vampire. Don’t get killed.”
If she had it her way, she and Miranda would be on a plane home tonight. Not sitting around, hoping she wouldn’t get caught. There were too many risks in that plan. Too many variables.
“You have to.” Miranda stepped closer, pleading with her hands smashed together. “I don’t know what will happen if they discover I knew about you. I could lose my job, my home. This is the only place I’ve ever felt like I belong. Please don’t take that away from me.”
The fear drained from Cate’s face. She would’ve done anything to make her best friend happy. No questions asked. Standing there, watching her plead, was too much. She couldn’t take this away from her. Not when so much hung on the line.
“Fine.” Cate wrapped her arms around her friend, finally pulling her into a much-needed embrace. “But don’t expect me to like it. And I’m not making out with any vamp dudes.”
Miranda grinned, happy tears shining in her eyes. “Deal.”
Chapter Nine
VIKTOR ABSOLUTELY DID not want to go on another date. He could barely concentrate on the trade agreement sitting in front of him. His eyes were blurry and his head felt it’d been replaced with stuffing. He blamed last night’s clubbing. By the time they got back to the castle, it’d been nearly morning. The sun was just coming up over the horizon during their helicopter ride back.
He’d sat in a corner, looking out the window, scowling and altogether in a bad mood. Stasia seemed to think it had something to do with their missing lady, the illustrious Cate. She’d hitched a ride home with her friend. He didn’t deny it. Doing so would’ve cemented the idea in his friend’s head. Better to let the notion fade.
It hadn’t taken his assistant long to track down Miranda Nelssen last night. She was one of the managers in hospitality at the castle. A werewolf, recently new to the pack. He was glad that she’d found Cate at the club.
She’d been acting a little funny in the vamp room. Nervous and flighty. Like she was about to crack into a million pieces. Maybe the competition was getting to her. His father had always maintained that men showed their true character under pressure. This cool and confident shell of hers might be just a front. Inside, she could be as silly as a school girl.
Viktor rubbed the tense muscles on his forehead and sighed. Who was he kidding with this circus? Did anyone truly believe he would find true love on a reality show? No, but they sure got a good laugh at him, sitting at home with their TVs broadcasting his embarrassment. He’d never recover from this, that was for sure. So much for the stately and regal Crown Prince of Monstrana. He’d been painted a fool.