Zenny always wore crazy outfits that somehow totally worked on him. Today he had on navy blue and orange plaid pants. They were tight and stopped just above his ankles. His shoes were orange as was his button down shirt, which was covered in small navy polka dots. The collar was up and he wore a white t-shirt underneath. His hair was cropped short and just as bright orange as his shoes.

"Zenny, we don't need your assistance today. I've already picked out her dress and her makeup-"

I glared, unhappy my mom thought it was okay to choose what I wore. "I want him here. Why don't you go? I'll meet you in the dining hall in a few minutes."

Her face fell. "Of course."

Guilt tore through my insides. I knew my mom meant well. And while it wasn't her intention to be annoying and bossy, she kind of was. All the time.

She walked to the bathroom doorway and paused. "Please wear the dress I've chosen. I've pulled it out and it's waiting for you in your closet."

I bit back a retort. "I guess," I said.

My mom looked at me, her eyes sad and filled with frustration. My heart lurched. I knew I was letting her down somehow. She came back and gently touched my wings. "Why don't you have Zenny help you fluff and clean these?" She ran her fingers through the dark feathers, her touch soothing.

"Okay," I said, catching her gaze in the mirror. For the past few months we'd been at such odds. It seemed no matter how I tried we didn't click like we used to. Lately she focused more on what I was required to do as the princess of Sharra and less on what I needed as a teenage girl.

If it weren't for my uncles bringing me the latest news in the form of entertainment magazines from the human world, I'd be miserable. It just felt like my mom didn't understand. I had needs, desires, goals... I wanted a life outside the castle. Outside of Sharra. And my damn wings? Ugh. Why did I have to be the only vampire in the entire world to have them? My life was difficult and my mom just didn't get it.

Meetings were boring. Listening to the magical creatures of Sharra complain about how so-and-so stole a piece of fruit off their land and asking my mom what she was going to do about it was beyond tedious. I wanted to see a movie. I wanted to go to high school. I wanted to go on dates, attend football games, and maybe kiss a boy or two. I wanted the wings on my back to disappear. I wanted normal.

That didn't seem like too much to ask. But I was almost sixteen and my life was passing me by.

It wasn't fair.

Both my parents had attended regular high school. They lived an ordinary life for years before coming to Sharra. Why couldn't I be given the same consideration?

My dad walked in. "Dad," I hollered, crossing my arms over my chest, even though I was still fully dressed.

"Hey, sweetie. How's my girl?" He came over and kissed me on the cheek.

I forced myself not to blush. "I'm too old for that," I said with pretend haughtiness.

He tapped the end of my nose with his finger. "Never." Then he turned to my mom and things got really awkward. He pulled her to him and kissed her lightly on the mouth. She gave him a secret smile.

"Gross," I shouted. "Get out! Both of you."

Thank you so much for reading the first chapter of Vampire Lies. Finish the story by clicking on Vampire Lies. Vampire Secrets, book #2 is also available.

And stay tuned, Vampire Nights, the third book in the Blood and Snow series will be out in 2015.

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