*P.O.V. of Cassie Barker*

I had a good life.

There was nothing I could really complain about. My life was going good. I felt as if nothing could ever really go wrong with Vlad by my side.

Vlad. That name always brought a smile to face.

I met him about year ago whenever I moved to the small town of Bathory. From the start, I always had a thing for him. Our relationship has had its ups and downs, just like any other. However, Vlad and I have a very special bond.

I know his deepest, darkest secret.

Vladimir Tod was a vampire.

Well, scratch that, Vlad was half vampire. Either way, he had fangs and a hunger for blood.

Sometimes I wondered if I should be afraid of him for this, but I never really was afraid of him. I think, because I truly loved him so much, I just could not be afraid of him. I've seen many of Vlad's personalities. I have seen him angry, scared, sad, and usually happy. There wasn't a reason for me to fear him. He never expressed his anger towards me.

I know him better than anyone else.

"Earth to Cassie," Vlad's voice cut into my thoughts. We were sitting at our usual lunch table. Our group of friends consisted of a boy named Henry, a girl named October, and a few other goth kids.

I took a sip of my water and looked at my boyfriend, "What?"

"You need to stop staring off into space when you have your little 'deep in thought' sessions," he said, swiping his black bangs from his eyes. "It gets a little creepy sometimes, babe."

I couldn't help but roll my eyes at him. Vlad was always sarcastic and trying to crack jokes. That's one trait of his that I absolutely adored.

"So," October, who was sitting to my left, nudged me, "what cha' thinkin' about?"

I decided to continue with her charade. "That's none of your business," I said, all the while nudging her arm every time I spoke a different syllable.

Vlad wrapped his arm around me. He chuckled before he kissed me on the cheek.

Hundred bucks says you were thinking about me.

Vlad has this ability where he can place thoughts in my head. We spent so much time together that this became a common form of communication. It worked sort of like telepathy. I would think of something, and Vlad would use his mind reading ability to hear it. Then, he would place a thought in my head.

It is quite useful whenever I am bored in class.

That is none of your business Mr. Tod. However, I will say that I was thinking about a certain guy that should really kiss me right now.

"As you wish," he whispered into my ear before placing his lips on mine.

I kissed him back, pulling him close to me. Someone cleared there throat from behind us.

"Having fun there, love birds," Prinicpal Snelgrove's voice was cold. Snelgrove had always hated Vlad. Ever since we started dating, he had taken a hatred for me, as well.

We pulled apart right away, not wanting to get yet another detention. My aunt and uncle were not happy with Vlad. They blamed him for me constantly getting in trouble at school. What they don't realize is this: Snelgrove will find every opportunity to make mine and Vlad's lives a living hell.

"No, sir," I tried avoiding his gaze. Vlad once told me that he thought our principal looked like a rat. Now, every time I looked at him, I wanted to laugh. I couldn't stop picturing him eating cheese in the corner of a basement.

I blame Vladimir for this.

That's not very nice, sweetheart. Vlad spoke in my head.

What did I say about reading my thoughts!?

Not my fault, he took a sip of his water, I thought we were still talking. Therefore, I was still in your head.

I rolled my eyes; he always had an excuse for invading my thoughts. It's not like I minded much, but I did enjoy the privacy my thoughts had. After all, it was my head.

"Rolling your eyes at an authority figure is disrespectful, Ms. Barker," Snelgrove spoke from behind me. "That'll be detention young lady."

Vlad was quick to defend me, "Oh come on! You don't even know if she was rolling her eyes at you. Cut her some slack."

"Well then," I already knew what Snelgrove was going to say, "detention for both of you. Library, after school until 3."

'Library, after school until 3', Vlad spoke in my head, does the guy even know how to form complete sentences?

I waited for Snelgrove to walk away before chuckling.

"Well, Uncle Francis will not be happy about that," I looked down at the table. My aunt and uncle had warned me about getting detention. It's only a matter of time before they do something drastic, like banning me from seeing Vlad!

"Yeah," Vlad was laughing, not really caring much about the detention, "so will Nelly."

I looked over at him and couldn't help but smile. He always knew how to stay happy and calm in stressful situations.

Vlad walked me home after detention. We spent an entire hour, in complete silence, stacking books on the shelves. I never really understood why kids in detention had to do that work. Didn't the school pay the library to do that?

We went our separate ways, and I began the walk up the pathway. I dreaded opening the door. Uncle Francis' screaming filled my head.

Walking inside, I noticed a large, empty box waiting in the hallway.

"Aunt Kelly? Uncle Francis?" I called out, now curious as to what exactly was going on.

Aunt Kelly came running down the stairs, "Come on, sweetheart!" I winced at the nickname. Only Vlad was allowed to refer to me as anything other than Cassie. "Something came in the mail for you today."

We made our way upstairs and into the bedroom. At the foot of my bed, a medium sized box was placed. I sat down in front of it and marveled at the intricate design of the wood. I went to lift the lid, only to be disappointed by a lock.

I raised an eyebrow towards my aunt, "Where's the key?"

My aunt plopped down next to me. She was always so energetic for her age.

"I don't know. I was hoping you'd know."

Odd.

Vlad's voice came into my head, What's odd, love?

Later Vladimir! I screamed in my head, making it known that I didn't approve of him snooping, once again, in my head.

"Who sent it?" I said, picking at the lock as if it would magically open.

Aunt Kelly stood up, brushing off her skirt. "I don't know. There was no return address. There was just some note saying 'For the lovely, Cassie.' It's a little suspicious now that I think about it." Aunt Kelly never was the brightest person.

"No worries," I said. My curiosity as to what was inside was driving me crazy.

My aunt made her way out the door, turning to me one more time.

"By the way," her voice was stern, "I won't tell your uncle about the detention. You're lucky I picked up the phone when the school called. Please try not to get in trouble again, or you will be grounded."

I nodded, tracing my fingers along the wood.

Somehow, someway, I would find out what was in this box.