We were all gathered around the dining room table. This included Rose, Mia, all the Ethereals and Rhys, who was finally awake and alert after many long shifts.

The poor guy got transferred into the regular force, there is no vampire unit at his new station. The government claimed it wasn't needed in this upscale part of the city. So he was working long shift hours. Sometimes he'd work two day shifts, two afternoon shifts and finish on two night shifts, all 12 hours each mind you. Poor guy was wrecked.

After everyone sat down comfortably with their coffees and teas in hand, it was time to hear about what Mia wanted to talk about.

"So nothing about the people living here is normal." Mia paused looking at us Ethereals. "I'd like to know what the rules are about parties and bringing people home. We're at university after all, I want to have some fun. Don't get me wrong, I love everyone here. I'm just asking from the perspective of keeping everyone safe."

"Yup, Mia has a one track mind." I thought to myself. The girl may be able to throw an average guy clean across the room thanks to her slightly vampire enhanced genetics and she may be an incredibly loyal friend, but once she starts thinking about guys, it's all that's on her mind.

"What did you have in mind?" Jamie asked. I didn't mind Jamie taking the lead on this one. He had far more experience with people due to his age.

"There's a small gathering Friday to celebrate the new year and new enrollees." Mia started to explain. "It'll be at a bowling alley and of course there will be alcohol. I just wanted to know if I can bring a boy back if I want."

"Hmmmm," Jamie started to think. I couldn't see how that would possibly be a good idea. Especially since the guy in question was most likely Dan.

"How about this?" Jamie said before launching into his compromise. "You can have people over but you must give everyone, especially Violet, Leah, Audrey and myself at least 24 hours notice. That way we can make sure to use the contacts that hide the glow in our eyes."

I looked around quickly at my Ethereal family, it was only dusk and already the green ring in everyone's eyes were standing out. I could only imagine how bad mine looked.

"That sounds fair." Mia agreed, happy to get her way. "Well be careful Friday night and Saturday morning." She said to us, almost purring with excitement at this point.

"Also, are you three coming?" Mia gestured to Leah, Audrey and myself.

"Huh?" Was my reply. "We've been invited somewhere?"

Both Leah and Audrey laughed. "Yes dingus." It was Leah that replied. "Do you seriously not concentrate at all when people are talking."

I felt an embarrassed blush rise as I'd been caught in lala land instead of concentrating on the people around me.

"Alexander invited us to his small get together at the bowling alley this Friday. Gabe, Dan, Vanessa and John will also be there."

Well, at least it's only a small get together. I didn't want a repeat of what happened last time I went to a large party. It still gave me nightmares.

"Ok, count me in." I told them. Apart from Alex the pain being there it sounded like it should be a good evening. And Gabe will be there, my brain interjected. Wait, why does that matter?

Now that Mia's issue had been settled, I got up and after asking Rose if I could borrow her husband, I almost dragged Rhys into the deserted kitchen.

"What's up?" He asked, it wasn't very often I sought a private conversation with Rhys. Normally we hung out with Rose present as well, we all quite enjoyed the family vibe it gave off.

"I need a favor." I asked, cutting to the core of the issue. "Someone I know at university has a very sick brother, I was wondering if you could help them by biting them, just like you did for Rose. She was very sick and now she's fine thanks to you, could you do it again?"

"Ok back up," Rhys replied. "First off, what is it that's wrong with them?"

I shrugged my reply, I honestly didn't know the details.

"I'm never going to say no to my little sister, but you need to make sure that this friend of yours knows that there are some illness vampire bites can't heal. Broken bones being a prime example." Rhys replied. "But of course I'm happy to attempt to help."

"Thank you, you're the best big brother I could ever have hoped for." I told Rhys as I launched into a massive hug.

Seriously, Rhys was too kind. He could be making a fortune with his vampiric healing abilities, but he still chooses to donate them and work for his money instead.

"I'll tell Gabe tomorrow." I thought to myself. Luckily tomorrow was Thursday. Only one more day and then a half day of university on Friday before we got to relax and have fun with our friends. I'm beyond excited now!

...

It's now Friday and Gabe hasn't come to school, she wasn't here yesterday either.

I asked her friends and no one seemed to know where she was or even where she lived when I expressed my interested in checking up on her. Only Alexander seemed to have some clue and his response went as follows, "Relax angel. She'll be at the party tonight."

A response that had infuriated me. If this guy doesn't change his attitude really soon I might get him drunk and tie him upside down at the top of a skyscraper. After all, Vampire strength has to be useful for something right? Also I swear I'm going to snap his arm off and beat him with it if he keeps on with this 'Angel' shit.

I exhaled in a huff. So I had no choice but to wait until that evening, however unhappily.

I decided to dress for the outing in denim mini shorts and a loose flowing top with flats. I left my fire red hair in it's natural wavy style and just brushed the knots out. We were only going to a bowling alley so I wanted to be comfortable. I also shoved a pair of socks into my back pocket. I'm not getting some fungal foot infection from shared 'Alley socks'. The thought alone made me panic.

I never bother to do my make up anymore. Apparently my awakening as a vampire perfected a lot of my physical attributes. Originally a vampires appearance had the function of helping us to luring prey, we are predators after all. Well the Royals are anyway.

Although I still had to put the contact lenses in and make sure that they were securely in place. This is the first time I'd be spending a decent amount of time around others who didn't know what I was since my eyes started glowing so fiercely in dim light.

I went downstairs to find Audrey and Leah dressed much the same for me except they were wearing jeans instead of shorts. "Comfort is so much better than style." I thought to myself.

Soon after Mia came down the stairs in a very short, low cut black dress. Sure she looked amazing, but if she bent over then everyone was going to see her underwear.

She'd done her make up to perfection and held onto a black clutch, which was perfectly offset by her small heels.

"Yup, she's on the prowl tonight." I thought to myself. A quick look at the other two confirming that they were thinking the same thing.

"Alright, be safe, don't drink too much, call me when you need to be picked up and one last thing, remember to use protection." Rose listed off as she entered the common area with us, the last item on her list directed solely at Mia.

Rose really had become our den mother. She seemed to love it too, it's like she'd found a purpose she didn't know she needed before.

Rose grabbed her keys and headed to the front door, ready to drive us to our party.

"I'm going to drive myself if that's ok?" I said to my sister. "I don't want to drink after what happened at the last party anyway and I want to be able to leave if I feel the need. It's also been a while since I've taken my baby out for a spin."

"Ok," she replied. "But if you have so much as one sip of alcohol, then your baby is sitting in that parking lot until morning."

"Deal." I chuckled, once again thankful that I had a family that loved me so much.

Upon realizing that I was taking my Audi sports car out of it's parking spot, Mia started to beg me to let her come with me.

"Pleeeeease." She whined. "Everyone else has been in it!"

"Well in Audrey's defense, she was a drone being rushed back to be confined when she got in it, she was also unconscious." I replied.

"No fair." She pouted.

I have to admit, Mia knew how to be cute when she wasn't getting her way. "Ok, ok. But, you'll have to find your own way home." I gave in.

Mia literally jumped in joy at being allowed inside my Audi.

"Please don't jump around anymore, you just flashed your black lacy undies to everyone in the room." I said to Mia.

She turned beet red, why wear a dress like that if you're going to forget to not jump or bend over? I'll never understand the reasoning behind why women do that to themselves.

We all piled into the cars and headed off. I had as much fun with the speed and acceleration of my car as I could in the populated suburban area. But Mia was a giggling, squealing mess by the end of the ride. Needless to say, she loved it.

The bowling alley in question, was beneath a casino and was right next to a massive arcade called Galactic Circus. I'd heard that it was all part of the casinos establishment, but I was still impressed at the quality of the bowling alley.

There was awesome lighting everywhere and loud music in the background, but not so loud that you couldn't hold a conversation.

Dan, Vanessa and John were already at two of the bowling lanes waiting, having already set up the first two games before anyone arrived.

Looking at the scoreboards I was happy to see that I was on the same team as Gabe, it would give me a chance to talk to her about her brother.

After greeting the three that were present, all we had to do was wait for everyone else to arrive.