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"It’s starting!" Madison hushed theail sat and watched her sister and Phineas "It’s really good" Thank God Maggie hadn’t included the coori

Belinda clapped her hands "I love it I’uess what?" Madison juht I auditioned for a mortal role on one of their soap operas They usually have vampires play those roles because mortals don’t know about DVN, but Gordon - he’s the director - he said it doesn’t work very well ’cause everyone can tell they have fangs So there’s a good chance that I could get on one of their shows and be a real actress!"

"Wow" Abigail glanced over at their mom, who looked , Maddie"

"I know!" Madison clasped her hands together with a dreaht you said the commercial was pretend, just for fun," Belinda said "I didn’t realize you were serious about acting"

"I didn’t realize I’d be so good!" Madison exclaimed

"But what about art school?" Belinda asked

Madison waved a dis there ’cause I didn’t knohat to do with ie said I show real potential for acting And Gordon said I look fabulous in front of the camera"

"Yes, dear, you do," Belinda conceded, "but this is a vaail winced inwardly with a sinking feeling

"I’hted you were able to discover a new talent," Belinda continued "But you need to develop it a your own kind DVN is not the sort of environht"

Madison looked stunned "Why not?"

"All this excitereat fun, but" Belinda sighed "It’s a nice world to visit, but you don’t want to live there"

Madison frowned "You have soainst vampires?"

"I’m sure some of them are very nice, but - let’s be honest about this, Maddie They’re dead I don’t want you to get involved with any of them"

"But I wouldn’t," Madison insisted "I’ail

Please don’t say anything, Abigail beseeched her with her eyes

Madison’s frown deepened "I don’t understand, Mom It’s not like you to be soprejudiced"

"I don’t mean to be rude I just don’t want you to form a relationship with any of theht? They would either tire of you after a few years, or they would insist onyou a vampire How can I possibly condone that?"

Madison bit her lip and glanced at Abigail "Soht think it’s romantic"

Belinda scoffed "Only in fiction In reality, he would be killing you"

Abigail sed hard Herup valid points Even she had warned Madison several nights ago that falling for a varand to fall in love, itto fall in love, why couldn’t she find a live man?

Her shoulders sluori was truly impossible But how could she possibly find anyone as wonderful as hi she’d ever dreamed of Except for the vaht you would be happy for hed "It would worry me too much for you to be around va to be around theail jerked up in her seat and shook her head

"What?" Belinda gave her a shocked look "You’re doing what?"

Madison winced "Sorry, Abby I thought she knew"

Abigail shot her an annoyed look, then turned to her mother "It’s a research trip, that’s all Just a few days"

Belinda’s eyes narrowed "Is your research connected to me?"

"It’ll be fine, Mom The Va and fast They have special abilities like superheroes"

"Yeah!" Madison nodded "It’ll be like traveling with Superue!"

Belinda frowned "I don’t think you should go"

"Mo it for her, but that would only make her mother more opposed to the trip "I need to do this"

Belinda’s eyes shimmered with tears "Sweetie, my health is "

Abigail blinked to keep her eyes fro up "How can I live withI can do?"

A knock sounded at the door, and the Secret Service agent cracked it open "Thehas started in the Oval Office The president requests Miss Abigail’s attendance"

"I’ll be right there" She stood and picked up her portfolio "It’ll be fine, Mohed wearily "I hope so"

She waved at Madison as she crossed the room "See you later"

"Good luck" Madison eased up close to her and lowered her voice "With everything"

Was she referring to Gregori? "Thank you" Thank you for nothim to Mom

With a smile, Madison patted her on the shoulder "You’ve alorked so hard You deserve to be happy"