Even as we moved toward the tree house, or penthouse as Vivienne called it, I couldn't help but stare at the windows in wonder. If what I knew about vampires was correct, wouldn't all the sunlight be streaming right through? I gave the vampires surrounding me wary glances; that I would stand amidst them like it was the most normal thing jolted me to attention. No matter how awed I was by the Blood Shade's beauty, I had to remember that I was there against my will. I couldn't trust any of them – not Lucas, not Vivienne, especially not Derek. Where there's a way in, there simply must be a way out.

I paid close attention to what the home looked like from the inside. Indoors, the penthouse looked even more massive than it looked outside. We were ushered into what I assumed was the living room based on the furniture it sported – a large flat screen TV, a fireplace, abstract art on the cream walls, plush black leather couches. It wasn't at all how I pictured the home of a vampire would be. My eyes circled the room and noticed that there were three entry-ways surrounding it – aside from the one we entered from. At each entry way were glass doors that led to more glass-covered walkways leading to other rooms of the penthouse.

"And the Elite live where?" Derek asked, seemingly satisfied by what he saw.

I wondered who he meant by the Elite, and realized that even the vampires were classified into some sort of caste system. I made a mental note to find out more about this, although I wasn't sure why. After all, I had every intention of escaping the first chance I got.

"The other Elites live at the Penthouses – basically tree houses similar to the ones we have, but ours, of course," Lucas smirked, "are far more luxurious, because let's face it. A Novak deserves only the best."

When he said the best, he eyed me pointedly and I found myself backing up a step, but Derek's firm grip on my hand kept me from going too far. It was almost as if he wanted me anchored to him – and I couldn't understand why.

I looked at him, wondering what he intended to do to me that night. The thoughts roaming around my head made me to shudder with dread.

"The Pavilion's penthouses have more rooms than I could keep track of," Vivienne announced.

"There's this one, the living room, the dining room, the kitchen, a library, several baths, an indoor pool, an entertainment room, a theater, a master bedroom, several guestrooms and your harem's quarters. There are several rooms that we left untouched, just in case you think of something you wish to do with them."

"A music room," Derek immediately said without even batting an eyelash.

My brows rose at this new piece of information. I never would have expected that he was musically inclined.

Vivienne smiled. "Of course. I'll see to it that the scouts get everything you need. Do you need me to show you to your bedroom?"

Derek shook his head. "I'll manage."

My heart sank. The thought of me being alone with him in that place was unnerving. I tried to pull my hand away from his grasp, but he held tight.

Vivienne seemed to take notice of this, but paid it no heed. Instead, she walked toward her brother and gave him a hug. This time, he let go of my hand in order to reciprocate her gesture.

I stepped backward. That's when I noticed Lucas staring at the hand Derek just let go of. He looked like he wanted to crush it. I balled my fists and hid them behind the silky fabric of the exquisite dress they'd made me wear. I felt Lucas' eyes on me, traveling along every curve of my body. I wanted to bolt away.

"It's only a few hours until morning. We'd best get going," Vivienne said. "I'll instruct the guards to have the girls brought to their quarters… unless you have other plans."

Derek shook his head. "Take them there. Except for Sofia. She stays in the bedroom nearest mine."

Vivienne gave me a pointed look from head to toe, as if she were wondering what was so special about me. That made two of us.

She nodded. "Very well. See you tomorrow, Derek."

I wasn't sure whether to be relieved by her goodbye. It meant that I would no longer be in the same room with Lucas, but it also meant that I would be completely under the mercy of Derek. Still, the inevitable happened. They left.

The moment they closed the door behind them, I found myself wanting to back away from Derek, but found myself rooted to my spot. He turned around, studying his surroundings until his gaze fell on me.

"You're just standing there," he retorted.

I shrugged. "I have nowhere to go, do I?"

"Why are you not afraid of me?" He began to draw closer.

I wanted to run – the same way I should have when Lucas first approached me at the beach.

"What on earth makes you think I'm not afraid of you?"

"I thought maybe you're one of those girls."

"What girls?"

"Girls who are fascinated by our kind," he stopped a few steps away from me, almost as if he were afraid to draw closer. "Girls who want to be like us."

"I can describe your kind in many words," I practically spat out. "Fascinating isn't one of them. Is that really what you think you are? Fascinating?"

He took a step back. I could swear that he actually looked hurt. He shook his head, a bitter smile forming on his lips. "No. Far from it."

"Why am I here? What are you going to do with me?" The questions came out of my lips before I could stop them. The tone of desperation was evident in how the words were said.

He stared as if he were battling with himself whether to answer my questions or not.

"Go to sleep, Sofia. You need the rest."

My heart sank. "You're never going to let me go, are you?"

He shook his head. "No. I can't let you go. You've seen too much."

I gritted my teeth. No way am I going to stay here forever. I had every intention of escaping and I figured the morning would be the best time to do it. As we both found our way to the other rooms and discovered where our bedrooms were, I had one thought circling my mind: I had to escape by daybreak.

I guess I underestimated the Blood Shade when it came to its penchant for surprises. I drifted off to sleep in a round comfortable bed covered with furs, expecting to see sunlight breaking through the bedroom windows the next morning. To my horror, I woke up to a deep, dark night.