Chapter Two:

Cadence was hounding me the second I walked through the front doors. She was waiting for me at the entrance, tapping her heeled feet obnoxiously and smiling as parents brought in their kids for dance lessons. I wanted to slide back out the doors the second she opened her mouth.

"I've been texting you for the past hour!" She exclaims loudly, causing a couple of moms to look in our direction. Cadence shoots them a half-assed smile, then faces me again. "If you're not going to take this seriously, I'll have Kaytlin take your place. I mean, come on," She sighs, running a hand over her face. "You don't even have a bag with you. How are you going to stay hydrated? What happens if you get too sore in those shoes and want to change them?" I bite the inside of my cheek, looking at the tiled wall a couple of inches away from her head.

You're the one that insisted I wear these dreadful shoes... The clothes weren't too bad, but I still thought it was a bit excessive for teaching a bunch of ten-year-olds simple choreography. The tight forest green cami tank top squeezed my chest uncomfortably and the camo pants were itchy on my calves. Let's not forget the god-awful three-inch black heeled boots. I wasn't worried about falling over since my mother has been training me to perfect my walk in any kind of shoe since I was eleven, but they made my toes numb and my feet sore.

"What are these lovely parents going to think? You're barely here on time!" She yells again, causing me to flinch slightly. I look over at her, then at the few moms that are waiting in the room to our left. They don't seem like they care. And besides, half the students aren't even here yet...

She blabbed on about how I should take my responsibilities more seriously, but she was soon cut off by the mob of students making their way into the building. I greeted them with smiles and small talk and they bounced excitedly, asking what we'd be doing today. Cadence finally left me alone after that. Thank fucking God.

I haven't taught many classes. In fact, this will be my third time. Normally, Cadence had me teach 15-18-year-olds, but Natalia was on vacation with her boyfriend somewhere on the West Coast and someone had to take over her lessons. And since Cadence despises children like the plague, the responsibility fell into my hands. Yay.

I didn't mind the idea of teaching these kids for the next hour or so, but I was nervous, to say the least. Kids are sweethearts, but they just don't have the patience sometimes. With a quiet sigh, I tie my hair up in a ponytail and make my way to the front of the room. The kids are spread out amongst themselves, stretching and talking to one another like I instructed them to do.

"Alright, guys, who's ready to do this?"

When the hour is up, I find that I really enjoy teaching younger kids. They may seem like they wouldn't have any interest in taking this seriously, but the ambition I saw in those twelve kids made my stomach flip. It was incredible watching their small frames repeating everything I was doing and concentrating to the best of their abilities.

"You guys did really good today," I say, watching them gather their things and rush towards the parents slowly flitting into the room. "You should be proud." The parents smile at me while the kids wave me bye as they leave. I sigh as the room empties, sliding against the mirrored wall behind me. I take my hair down, grabbing my phone so I could text Jaydn to come pick me up.

"Excuse me," I startle, almost dropping my phone to the ground. A small girl, about eight or so, scuttles up towards me. I blink at her, giving her a small smile. "I'm sorry, my uncle is going to be a bit. Can I stay with you?" Her voice trembled slightly and I stand up, nodding my head.

"Of course, sweetheart. I was just.. um," I look at my phone and quickly delete the message I was typing out to Jaydn. "I was just going to practice for a bit. Would you like to join me?" Her eyes widen and she nods frantically. I smile, placing my phone down on the benches to the left side of the room. I quickly connect my phone to the speaker and head towards where the girl waited.

"I'm Serenity, by the way." She chirps excitedly, looking over at me as I quickly tie my hair back up. I give her a sheepish smile, feeling slightly embarrassed that I forgot to ask.

"Beautiful name, Serenity. I'm Mai."

When I was younger, I always wanted to take dance classes. I would hide in my bedroom and search YouTube for choreography I could learn. I remember my parents would sneak into my bedroom and watch as I watched the same video over and over, making sure I had the moves down perfectly. They used to talk about signing me up for lessons, but that was before everything happened. This was when I thought I'd live a normal life, take dance classes like all the other little girls in my neighborhood, learn how to play an instrument, maybe even sign up for the math leagues when I was old enough.

Now, I have to sneak out of the house, change my identity completely, thanks to Jaydn's magic, just to do something as simple as dance. I've been doing this for two years now. In the beginning, I was terrified. I hated the idea of sneaking out and getting caught. I tried it before a few times, but with Jaydn guiding me, I was never even suspected of leaving my room. Not only did he help me with disguising myself, but he also taught me the art of stealth.

He and I would spend hours in the woods outside the estate, walking without making any noise. All that could be heard was the rustle of leaves from the wind, the croaking of nearby birds, and the few cars that drove by on the main road. He taught me exactly how much weight to put down on my feet as I moved swiftly, and how shallowly I could breathe without anyone (vampires) being able to hear it.

At first, the work was tedious. I never thought I'd use the abilities Jaydn taught me. The only time I ever used what I learned was when I was sneaking out for these stupid sessions. It was months of the same thing; sneaking out to the woods on the days he signaled for me, walking around without making a noise, breathing exercises, then without saying much to one another, I'd head back.

But then one day it wasn't the never-ending cycle I thought it would always be. One day, we started our usual walk in the woods, but we weren't heading towards the path that twisted through trees for a couple of miles until you reached a small creek filled with little crayfish. This time, we were heading towards the main road. This time, we got inside his car and we started practicing something new; the change.

The change was something not all warlocks or witches were able to do. No one could do it, but Jaydn. He came from magic stronger than most. While most warlocks only have seven abilities, conjuration, mediumship, necromancy, elemental control, spell-casting, voodoo, and telekinesis, Jaydn's family has eight abilities. Each one has a different ability. Jaydn's was the ability to change his or anyone else's appearance by touch. His older sister, Prim, can read anyone's emotion by the color of their aura.

When Jaydn told me about his special ability, I immediately thought about the night I met him at the ball. The way he altered his appearance just slightly so everyone thought he was a vampire. He looked familiar because he stole Lance Wesley's appearance. Well, for the most part. Jaydn explained that everyone around us saw him as Lance Wesley, but he dropped the facade for me and kept the blood-red eyes so I didn't give him away. Ever since then, he's only shown me his true self.

I wanted to refuse when Jaydn said he'd have to change me any time we left the premises. I hated the idea of not being myself. How was this normal? All my life, I've just wanted to be normal. I've frowned upon this lifestyle. I swore to myself when we moved to the estate and my parents took the position as leader of the East Coast clan that I would never become anything like them. I'd banish any suggestions of becoming one of them and I wouldn't allow any magic to be used on me. But there I was, sitting in an old, weed-scented, Toyota Corolla with a warlock, offering to change my appearance just so I could get out of the house for a couple of hours and pretend to be normal.

I did the obvious thing and allowed him to change me.

I convinced myself that it wasn't going against anything I had sworn off years ago. It was the only way I could get out and do normal people things. So what if it involved a bit of magic? I wasn't becoming anything supernatural. I didn't have a single malicious intention. I just wanted to go to the store, get fast food, and maybe even take a few dance classes without the whole vampire population knowing that I was out of the estate, unguarded, and up for grabs.

And that's how I got to where I am today. Well, kind of. I never had any plans of joining a dance studio. It was a complete coincidence, really. Jaydn and I had been driving around, looking for a place to get some food for the afternoon, when we saw the studio. I just stared at the building, dumbfoundedly. I wanted more than anything to jump out of the car and rush in, but I couldn't get my mind to focus. So many thoughts were flooding my mind, so many emotions coursing through my veins.

Jaydn saw what I was staring at and immediately pulled over, seeming giddier than I was. He practically dragged me through the front doors, bouncing on the heels of his feet as he coaxed me into signing up for a few classes. I told him repeatedly that it was a bad idea, but he wouldn't listen. He just stood beside me, shaking my shoulder like an excited kid convincing their mom to buy them ice cream.

When we got back to the car, he explained to me why he was so excited. "Every time we go out on these adventures, you look happy, but not excited. That was the first time I've ever seen you light up before."

I was a bit disappointed when I first started my classes. I really did enjoy the little adventures Jaydn and I had gone on, but now most of our adventures just consisted of him picking me up and dropping me off here. I missed driving an hour away just to try a new fast food restaurant with him, but any time I tried to tell him that, he insisted that I stop thinking like that so I could enjoy the thing I was passionate about. To this day, I still feel a bit guilty about it, but I don't let myself overthink it. I really, really, do love these classes.

These dance classes were my new solace. I would count the hours until my next lesson where I could forget about Maisie Phoenix and her vampire parents and I could be Mai Cole, the average teenage girl taking dance classes in her free time. It was the only place I'd fully let myself go. I didn't worry about the inevitable bloodshed that would happen later in the evening because a servant missed a speck of dust while cleaning or the smell that lurked around the corridors of the estate because my parents killed the only people that actually cleaned the place up. I just disappeared into the music. My mind fuddled together and all I could think of was the beat and when I needed to move with it.

I loved my classes, but when Cadence approached me with the offer of teaching a few classes, I felt my peaceful bliss slowly dissipate. It wasn't that I hated the idea of teaching others choreography that I created, but the fact that I'd have to cut my lessons down to focus on teaching others made me upset. I know that it's selfish, to want more time to dance rather than teach others, but this was the only time I was allowed to do what I wanted without worrying. I was thinking about turning down the offer, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

I would still be able to dance just as much, if not more. I would have to dedicate more time to come up with choreography at home, which would be a bit difficult considering that if my parents found out, they'd become suspicious as to why I had suddenly taken up dance again, but it would give me more time to dance, and who the hell am I to complain about that?

Serenity was by far the most precious eight-year-old I have ever had the pleasure to meet. She watched as I tried to piece together moves for my newest choreography and giggled when I almost stumbled over. I was almost done with the choreography, actually. I just needed to add the final touches and I didn't have much time to do so. I had to teach this piece next week to my regular class.

The song was one of my favorites, but I probably should've thought about how difficult it would be to come up with a teachable dance. It wasn't as upbeat as most of the songs that are taught at the studio, but it wasn't slow enough to be considered lyrical. It was right in the middle. Meaning, that it's been much harder to make this dance easy, teachable, and fun. But I've managed. Well, that's what Serenity told me when she asked what this dance was for.

"It looks really easy!" She exclaims after I've finished the last section. Now, all I needed was to put it all together and stay on beat. I smiled over at her, pausing the music. "You should teach me a little bit and you'll know if you've done it." She suggests, sidling up next to me.

I made this dance for teenagers, not an eight-year-old. It's not that I don't believe she wasn't capable of doing my choreography, but I would feel a little wrong if I allowed her to do some of the more.. naughtier bits of the dance. I guess I can just change the naughtier bits for her.

"Okay," I sigh playfully, causing her to squeal, jumping up and down. I grab my phone, getting the song ready. "I'll teach you the bit I just did. Does that sound good?" She nods her head and I walk towards the front of the room, facing her. "Just follow my lead, okay? If you wanna take it slower, just let me know and I'll help you."

I slowly go through the movements, watching her as she tries to follow along. She stumbles and misses a lot of the beats, but she's smiling and trying to follow me to the best of her ability. I expect her to start throwing a fit when she can't keep up, but she just smiles and tells me that she's done. I pause the music and watch as she takes a couple of steps back, waving her hand dramatically to where she had previously been standing.

"You should perform the whole dance so I can see!" She exclaims, a small smirk splayed on her lips. I feel my cheeks start to heat up as I start to shake my head.

"No, no-no-no. I'm okay." I dismiss, hoping she won't push me any further. The idea of performing the whole dance for someone, even if said someone is an eight-year-old, makes me a bit flustered and embarrassed. But as I should've guessed, she's extremely stubborn and persistent.

"Please! please please please! Pretty please?" She whimpers the last part, giving me those adorable puppy dog eyes and I feel myself slowly lose my resolve. With a groan, I nod my head.

"Fine! You better not tell anyone about this, Missy. They'll think you're getting special treatment, which you are." She just laughs softly, agreeing quietly.

With a huff, I restart the song for what feels like the hundredth time today, and I get into place, shaking my legs and hands dramatically. I don't know why I do it. Maybe I hope that the small motion will somehow rid the anxiety thrumming in my chest rapidly, but it doesn't. It still beats like a bass drum. Why am I so nervous?

The song starts and my body reacts immediately. I start moving, keeping track of the beats inside my head. One... two... three... four...five... six... seven... eight... one... two...

She's high My hips roll, hair getting in my face with the quick movements

She lives in the sky My heart is pounding harder than normal

Tonight she's satisfied Is it getting warmer in here?

Rolling back her eyes Why can't I breathe?

But then she starts to cry My whole body feels as if it were just lit on fire

Everything is turning to black Is this normal?

All in one night No, this isn't normal

She just went to heaven and back.

The song ends and I'm gasping for breath, reaching for my phone to turn the speakers off. Everything is spinning. I hear Serenity applauding in the corner and I smile, turning towards her.

"Did you see that, Uncle Kai? She's amazing!" I freeze as my eyes meet with green ones. Shit. The man, Kai, is standing on the threshold of the door, leaning on the frame as if he owned the place. His left-hand covers his mouth and I feel my whole body start to tremble. He's staring at me. Those unrelenting eyes are suffocating me as Serenity rambles on about how I taught her a part of the dance, but I can tell he's not listening.

"Kai!" Serenity yells softly, finally causing those green eyes to leave mine. My breath hitches, desperately trying to breathe properly.

"Sorry, pumpkin." He mumbles sheepishly. I take a step toward them, feeling my heart rate spike as I do so. My skin feels like it's on fire. Maybe it's from the exertion from dancing, but something inside me is saying it's not just that.

"Kai, this is Mai." Serenity introduces me and I feel my cheeks burn bright pink as I take another step forward, extending my hand for the man to take. He stares at it as if I've grown three extra fingers, shakes his head, then grabs my hand. I try to awkwardly shake our coupled hands, but he squeezes them together and I can't even begin to think how to properly do a handshake now.

"Nice to meet you, Mai." His voice is hoarse but firm and I find myself unable to breathe, yet again.

"Nice to meet you too, Kai." I breathe out. He tenses, staring at me intently.

I hear a bang from out front and Kai drops my hand, turning around immediately. A low growl rumbles through the room and I stare at the threshold of the room as a figure quickly makes its way toward us.

"MAISIE!" I freeze, seeing Jaydn coming towards me. Fuck. I push past Kai, meeting him halfway. "I have been texting you for the past hour! We are so so so late. So very late. Do you have a death wish? And what is that terrible smell?" I press my hands on his shoulders, eyes wide.

"How late is late?" I whisper softly, making sure that the two others don't hear. He looks at the two behind me, squinting his eyes.

"We have twenty minutes..." I sigh in relief. Okay, twenty minutes until I'm normally supposed to be back. That's not bad-

"Twenty minutes until the party starts."