I felt a longing to trail my hands on her body. To explore and know the vampire that managed to steal my heart. I inched closer, every single cell of my body hyper aware of her nearness. The music picked up its rhythm, and we swayed with each other, a dance of seduction that slowly but surely consumed my mind. My eyes automatically went to her lips, frozen in a half-smile, tempting, coaxing me to kiss her. In this moment, my sickness, my parents and siblings, every thought seemed to vanish, except her and me. Sweat trickled down my back. I leaned nearer, nearer, feeling her breath on my face. I opened my mouth, ready to taste the forbidden fruit in front of me.

The Offering only happens once every hundred years, but when it does, two people are brought together for partnership, bound by a vow that is stronger than marriage, and forced to kill others for the pride of their country. Brielle couldn't get over the fact that she met Talin. In addition to being one of this year's defender for The Offering, Talin was cunning, strong, and beautiful. Talin, unfortunately, also wants her dead.