Change is the spice of life.

Amelia Keeler's days are numbered. Literally, she counts every step, every breath, just trying to survive each day. But her tragic life's looking up. In two months, she turns twenty-one. None of her remaining loved ones have died. She's attracted to her long-term boyfriend again. And, one night, when her best friend cuts her finger, she nearly drains her like a juice box. That's... spicy.

Talon Cantemir is duty-bound to protect the Vampire Royals' mortal heir. Against his will. But if traveling from Italy to America saves supernatural from extinction and keeps his disgraced family safe from the tyrannous Courtiers, he'll try anything. Awakening the true ruler will end their millennia-long assumed reign. One stone. Two birds... Simple. At least it should be, but Amelia's not what he expected. She's oblivious to her lineage, willful, alluring, and not alone. The White-witch prophecy announcing her birth was confidential. Yet, a hybrid is in Arizona. Hybrids are rare. Wholly evil. Incapable of living inconspicuously among humans. It shouldn't be there.

Calin Luca's above indulging the cocky Royal Guardsman's curiosity. Usurping his deposed grandfather requires the Awakening, an active seal, add one part unwitting, beguiling Amelia. And finesse with intention. Those who underestimate his breed will bow down. A new age is upon the ignorant supernatural. But for Calin's plan to succeed, he needs to convince Amelia that life could be a dream... if she'd just allow him to kill her.

Amelia doesn't want to die. Everyone she loves dies. She's just begun to live! But if her duplicitous lovers are right, she has only two options: Allow one of them to bury her alive by midnight on her 21st birthday. Or die anyway, sentencing those she loves, and supernatural, to extinction. Such appealing choices, what's a girl to do?

**Be warned these are vampires in the traditional sense of the word. Adult content, explicit language, and adult situations follow.** Second Edition.