I hadn't even realized I'd fallen asleep until my eyes slowly forced themselves open. I was still laying on the couch but a cozy, black quilt had been draped over my frame. I smiled and glanced to the other side or the room to see Jagger's coffin open. Discarding the blanket, I walked over and peaked inside. It was empty, as I expected.

As I stared into the red cushioned corpse box, I imagined what I looked like laying inside with Jagger underneath, cradling my small body to his own. The thought brought a bright smile to my lips.

I could hear the music pulsing from the club and decided to head that way. My movements were sluggish and halfhearted. I also felt slightly dizzy.

Once I reached the club, clusters of teenagers had already crowded together. I scanned the forms for a particular face, but found nothing that I wished to see. I didn't feel like dancing tonight. Instead, I headed for the exit but as I did so, some guy flying past knocked my shoulder roughly and swept my feet out from underneath me. I tensed up and braced myself for the fall. However, instead of the ground, I landed safely in two arms. Opening my eyes, I saw it was Sebastian who had caught me. I hadn't talked to him personally but Raven introduced us when I first moved here.

He lifted me back to my feet and I turned to thank him. "Cassandra?" He asked, looking me over. I suddenly felt very small under his gaze.

I nodded. "Yes. You're Sebastian right?" He nodded. "Thanks. Sorry, I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going." I frowned. "I don't feel very well tonight."

He smiled widely. "Well then, I am obliged to escort you home," he grabbed my hand and pulled me forward. "I am a gentleman of course."

A silly grin tugged at my lips and I followed him. His grip was strong and comforting so I couldn't help but be led by him.

Once we were outside of the Crypt, he turned to me. "Now, where is it that my maiden lives?" I giggled and pointed north. I didn't want to head home but I found I couldn't say no to Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome. As we walked down the street, he engaged in conversation.

"So what's your story for being here?" I looked up at him in confusion. "You've got a bit of a northern accent. So why did you move all the way out here?"

"Oh..." I mumbled and tightened my hold on his hand. "My mom. She wanted to live somewhere...quiet."

He nodded, listening intently to me. "I guess this is the best place for that huh?"

I chuckled and nodded. A sudden question struck me and before I could hold it back, it spewed from my lips. "Can vampires smell the blood of other people?"

He almost tripped out of complete shock, but quickly steadied himself. "Um..."

"I know you're one. Luna told me."

He rolled his eyes then looked at me oddly. "Why do you ask?" He eventually relaxed.

"Just curious." I mumbled, looking away.

"Uh, yeah we can. It's like when a human smells a steaming dish fresh from the kitchen." I busted out laughing. He smiled slightly in confusion as he looked at me. "What's so funny?"

"You make us sound like some first class dinner." Sebastian chuckled as well. we soon lapsed into silence. The night was extremely beautiful. There were no cars storming by so we could hear the soothing twilight sounds of crickets chirping and the breeze rustling the tree leaves. I looked down and saw we were still holding hands but I didn't take mine away. Maybe it was his vampiric charm that made me feel so attracted to him.

We turned left onto my neighborhood. "So where is it that you live?" I asked Sebastian, looking up at him.

"By the high school. Some purple apartments, number ninety-six." He flashed a bright smile down at me. "Stop by any time you want. Even for simple questions about vampires." He winked.

I squeezed his hand and grinned happily. "Totally."

When we arrived at my house, he lifted my hand and gave it a gentle kiss on the knuckles. I giggled lightly. "Is that a Romanian custom?" He grinned widely. His fangs poked out.

"No, but it should be." He gave a silent goodbye with the wave of his hand, then rounded the corner and was gone.


That night as I lay in bed my thoughts were occupied by vampires. I knew what I read from books: drink blood, sleep during the daylight, turn into bats, and can't see their reflection. Obviously the one about the garlic was true when Jagger told me he was allergic to it.

I planned on skipping school tomorrow because things around Raven and me would be awkward, but I wanted to sleep all day so I could be up all night with Jagger- like a real vampire. The sudden thought struck a cord.

Me, a vampire?

I'd never contemplated the idea. It wasn't one of the choices at career day. Raven? Oh yes. Me? I didn't know.

I sighed and rolled over in my bed to stare at the wall. If Jagger, or some other vampire offered to turn me, would I do it? I pondered the idea but before I had a chance so answer, I drifted off to into slumber.

Sleeping the day away wasn't a hard task to accomplish. It seemed that whenever I was tired, sleep wasn't far away.

Mother didn't once come and try to force me to go to school. Honestly, I thought it was quite odd, but I didn't question it. When I wasn't sleeping I watched The Nightmare Before Christmas on DVD. Halfway through the part where Jack was distributing presents to children, the sun had fully set. Pulling on some combat boots, I headed off to the club.

When I arrived I went straight up to the balcony where Jagger was usually seated. My heart dropped when I found his couch empty. Maybe I should check his room. I thought. I turned and walked back down to the dancefloor.

"Cassandra!" I heard someone call. I whirled around to be faced with Sebastian.

"Oh hey!" I waved at him. He smiled. "Have you seen Jagger anywhere?" I asked, looking up at him.

He thought for a minute. "I think I saw him with Onyx."

I felt my heart slow and I frowned. "Who is that?"

He shrugged his shoulders and ran a free hand through his hair looking out on the crowd of teens dancing. "Haven't talked to her much. She's smoking hot though." My scowl deepened. I turned away to go find him.

Sebastian stopped me by grabbing my arm. "Why? What's wrong?"

I shook my head. "I don't want you to think I'm a jealous witch."

He let go of my arm. "You like Jagger?"

I shook my head. "We're dating."

He paused and looked down at me. "Well, if Jagger was a normal guy, I'd say everything is cool but..."

I nodded agreeing. "I'm going to go check his room."

"Okay," Sebastian agreed. "I'll keep an eye out up here."

"Thanks," and I turned to head down the stairs. The room to his light was on, so I quickly entered. I didn't see him, nor did I see a woman. Sighing, I looked over at his open coffin, wishing he was inside. Then a thought popped into my head of him, lying inside with another girl.

Angry, I stepped inside, laying down, and pulled the lid closed. I was proving this to myself. Here I was in his coffin and she wasn't. Though I couldn't help but wish that he was here as well.

The plush cushions were cradling my body. Sighing, I turned onto my side and felt myself drifting off to sleep once again.


"Good morning, sleeping beauty." I heard a voice say softly.

Rolling over, I slowly opened my eyes to see Jagger staring down at me, smirking. "Good morning~" I said lazily, still half asleep.

"Did you miss me that much?" He reached in and brushed my hair away from my face.

I grabbed my hand and nuzzled it. "Yep~" He seemed slightly shocked and amused by my bluntness. Then his smirk returned. He reached in the coffin and lifted me, carrying me over to the couch. He set me down gently, then sat next to my head.

I lifted myself up and leaned over, planting a soft kiss to his lips. It was amazing to kiss him. It felt like we had been away for years when it was only a day. This is the affect he had on me:

I couldn't stay away.

When I pulled back, a grin broke out onto his face. "You like doing that huh?"

"Oh yes," I replied and smiled. Looking around I asked, "So why are you cooped up in here?"

He stretched his arms across the back of the couch. "I was doing some reading."

My curiosity poked out. "Of what?"

He smirked and shook his head. "Nothing a mere mortal should concern herself with."

My bottom lip poked out. With a huff, I crossed my arms against my chest and turned away. "Sorry I'm not a member of the Vampire Club. Some of us were born human."

He chuckled and I couldn't understand why. I felt him pull my shoulders towards him so I was looking at him upside down. Smirking again, he kissed me deeply. I sighed and returned the kiss while trying not to lose my balance. He moved down from my lips to my chin, nibbling gently. Then he reach my pale neck and I felt my heart race. It tickled and exhilarated me. Thoughts of becoming a vampire flashed though my mind. I could easily feel his razor sharp teeth scraping against my delicate skin yet I had this strange urge. I didn't stop him.

He pulled away and smiled mischievously. "Shall we go?"

I nodded and looked up into his multi-colored eyes. "To be continued."

A wicked grin formed on his lips.