“You don’t have to stay here, you know,” she points out. “You could get a job in the human world if you wanted to.”

I’m planning on doing just that, actually. I’m getting a degree in Herbology and Botany, taking classes at night whenever I can. But I’ve still got a few years to go before I graduate so, in the meantime, the family shop is my best option. Besides, somebody has to run it and it would be a waste to have a real witch tending the shop when she could be out practicing the craft.

“I’ll be fine,” I say, wanting to change the subject. “Anyway, what are you wearing?”

“A sexy sheer little something I picked up at the last festival.” Lexy gives me a coquettish smile. “Guaranteed to get Alex’s attention and keep it.” Alex is the alpha wolf she’s been flirting with for the past few months. She’ll probably get him during the Sacrifice Ceremony but knowing Lexy, once she has what she wants, she’ll lose interest and move on to the next interesting male. “So what are you wearing?” Lexy demands, returning to her original question. “Something sexy, I hope.”

Actually, I plan on wearing a nice long black skirt and a long sleeved silk shirt to go with it. Not very sexy and not very cool, considering the Florida heat, but black is slenderizing and the long skirt and sleeves will cover a multitude of sins. I can’t tell Lexy that, of course—she’ll have a fit. So I just shrug vaguely. “I’ve got something picked out at home—it’s no big deal.”

“Of course it’s a big deal—it’s your twice eleven!”

“I don’t know why you’re so excited,” I grouse. “It’s bound to be the same as always. The Sovereign will chose one of the fairy girls because they’re the prettiest and sexiest and their blood is the most potent. Then everyone else will pair off and the whole thing will become one long orgy.”

“Will you listen to yourself?” Lexy shakes her head in exasperation. “I’m telling you, it’s going to be different this year. Don’t forget, there’s a new Sovereign ascending.”

“So?” I shrug. “He’s still going to be a vampire. What’s the difference?”

“The difference is that he’s younger—only a little over a hundred, and you know that’s not very old where vamps are concerned. Plus, everyone is saying he’s into some pretty kinky stuff.”

I raise my eyebrows. “Kinky how?”

“You know,” Lexy says mysteriously. “Whips and chains and bondage. Apparently he has unusual ways of taking blood and power. And he fucks like a bull.” She sighs. “I wouldn’t really want to be chosen but if I was…”