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"That was very fast." He laughs.

"Because it's true."

"People who aren't looking for someone usually don't inspect the entire ballroom."

"I was observing."

"Ah." He nods solemnly. "Very different.'

I narrow my eyes. "You've known me for four minutes."

"And already understand you completely."

"Impressive." I smile.

"I have gifts."

"Delusion?" I ask.

"Among others."

I laugh. Someone crashes into my shoulder. A glass tips. Red wine spills across the marble. "Oh gods." The girl beside me goes completely pale.

She's tiny. Maybe seventeen. First year, obviously. Her eyes flick between me and the wine staining the floor as though she's deciding whether jumping from the balcony would be less painful than whatever she thinks I'm about to do.

"I'm so sorry."

"It's fine." I reassure her.

"I wasn't looking and—"

"Really." I touch her arm lightly. "It's fine."

Her gaze drops toward my dress. Fortunately, the fabric is black. One advantage of being a vampire.

"Did I get you?"

I inspect the skirt. "Even if you did, no one will know."

She still looks horrified. I lean closer. "Between us, I think the dress could use some personality."

A tiny smile appears. There. Better. A server approaches immediately with a cloth. The girl apologizes again. This time to her. The server smiles. No tragedy. No political incident. The world continues spinning.

When I look back at Soren, he's watching me strangely.

"What?" I ask.

"Nothing."

"That's obviously something."

"I expected you to be terrifying." He admits.

"I can be."

"I'll remain cautiously optimistic." He smiles.

"Eirea."