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going to kill you.”
    She felt on the verge of telling him everything—about the curse, about finding true love—everything. He was hiding his feelings, denying them, and if only he knew the truth . . .
    â€œWill you take me to the dance or not?” she blurted.
    â€œLucy, you’re just a kid.” He shook his head, clearly trying not to laugh.
    Her chest caved, and she fought to draw air. “I am not a kid! I’m almost fifteen! I’ve been going on dates since I was thirteen. I am not a kid!” Her words came out in short, loud bursts and she fought tears. She would not cry.
    He reached forward as if he was going to touch her, but he didn’t. “Lucy, I only wanted to help you train, because I knew how frustrated you were and could see you had talent and potential. I didn’t mean—” He shook his head and backed away. “I’m really sorry.” His cheeks grew red, and he turned and walked away.
    As soon as Tristan left the gymnasium, Lucette ran into the far corner and curled up into a tight ball, trying to crush the pain inside her. Even being left alone in the darkness to fight vampires would be easier than this.

    The next year, three days before her sixteenth birthday, Lucette tied her hair back, wrapping it in a tight bun. She might not have earned a place among the boys who were graduating today to become real slayers, but she’d accomplished what she came to the academy to do. With Tristan’s help, she’d learned to fight and to defend herself.
    And now she felt somewhat prepared, should the worst happen. After Tristan left, it had been difficult to convince any of the other boys to challenge her—especially after her body developed—but following Tristan’s example, a few had trained with her after classes. She’d continued to improve and now was as good and strong as at least half of the boys graduating today. But most didn’t know it.
    She looked into the mirror at her body, dressed in the clingy black uniform worn by the female students at the academy. Her breasts had taken their time getting here, but now that they had arrived, they filled out the low-cut uniform well. She still felt embarrassed, but at least this would be the last time she had to wear the hideous outfit. She had no intention of actually serving as part of the slayer army, and had stayed in school only for the easy access to the weapons and gymnasium. It had been nearly three years, and her father hadn’t found out. At least after today, she and her mother could stop lying to him about “charm school.”
    Twisting to the side, she studied herself. Her body was still long and lean, and she was still taller and broader in the shoulders than any of the other girls. Now that she’d developed breasts and a waist, however, she kind of wanted her old body back. What was the point of looking like a girl, if Tristan—the only boy she had ever liked—was so far away in Judra?
    Setting her graduation cap on her head, Lucette moved from the
mirror to join the rest of the girls in her class, all of whom seemed very proud of their uniforms and wore enough makeup to put Miss Eleanor to shame.
    As if on cue, Miss Eleanor chose that moment to breeze into the room, dressed in black herself—in fact, in the same dress worn by the girls. On their teacher, however, the neckline was cut even lower.
    â€œYou look lovely, girls. Just lovely. I’m so proud.” She walked down the line.“ Even you, Lucy. Just look at you in your uniform.” She grabbed the sides of Lucette’s dress and tugged the neckline down lower. As soon as her teacher turned away, Lucette tugged it back up. Really, there was no need to show that much cleavage.
    â€œI have very exciting news, girls,” Miss Eleanor said.
    Lucette realized she’d wrinkled her nose, so she tried to relax it.
    â€œA very special guest will be presenting you with your