This novelette is in so many 'best of the year collections', or vampire collections. And now that I've read it, I can see why. It was a great read that I will read again some day when it fades a bit.

We are kept in the dark as, what I thought was a witch, is preparing a young lady to go to a ball. She has been teaching her how to catch a prince. She has been teaching her over multiple visits and balls. Once we get to the ball we learn oh so much more about the "witch", the host of the ball and what is truly going on. Well done! ( )