Ascension Day was nearing and the villagers were becoming restless and anxious. Freya was having nightmares almost every night. It was almost impossible for my parents to put her to sleep. Even warmed milk couldn't settle her down. She was convinced this year was her year.

After several days of keeping my parents up, Freya crawled into my bed in the middle of the night. Her red curls soft and cradled her face. The night before Ascension Day. I woke up to her crawling beneath my sheets.

"Freya?" I asked drowsily.

"I'm scared, Fei." She curled up to my side. I wrapped my arms around and patted her back and ran my fingers through her hair.

Freya was six years old. At school, they would teach her all about Ascension Day. No wonder she was frightened. I was six years older than Freya, but I've gone through six years of not being picked. I had another four more years and I would be free from selection.

"You won't get picked Freya. Look at me. I didn't get picked and it's been six years already."

"But what if I get picked?"

"You won't."

"But what if I do?"

"Then I will take your place. So, you have nothing to worry about. You can stay with mama and papa."

"I can't have you do that."

"I can and I will."

"But Fei-"

I shushed her. "Everything will be okay, Freya. Go to bed. Tomorrow is a big day."

I apparated in Atla's bedroom again. Turning to the red crystal, it glowed brightly and then dimmed. That was abnormal, but I knew immediately what it was. I could feel it in my body. I'm losing myself to the red crystal. It was draining my life force.

From the corner of my eyes, Atlas was still sleeping on the bed. A wave of exhaustion hit me and my vision shrouded in a black fog.

My mind wandered back to my dream. It has been a long time since I dreamed about my family. It almost felt like humanity was seeping back into my bones. There was a sharp pain in my chest. It ached to the point where it was hard to breathe. Vomit and nausea were like a ball in my stomach.

"Freya McQuoid!" The head witch announced.

And then there was weeping and cries of protest. My father struggled to keep them from taking my sister. My mother held onto my sister like it was her lifeline. I stood just out of reach.

At that moment, everything around me seemed to slow down. It drowned noises out and I could only look beyond the chaos at the head witch. Her eyes met mine, and I knew it-I knew this was my fate.

"What are you doing?" Atlas's questioning voice jerked me out of my thoughts.

I turned my head in his direction and plastered a smile on my face.

"Good morning to you too."

His crimson eyes narrowed suspiciously. I skipped my way over to the side of his bed and jumped on. Laying on my stomach, I propped my chin on my hands. His bedsheet covers fell down to his waist, giving me a beautiful view of his muscular upper body.

"So, what's the plan today, Dracula?"

Atlas's beautiful face slipped into a scowl.

"My name is Atlas." He needed to remind me.

"Oh, are we introducing ourselves again?" I played dumb.

His features darkened even more. Next thing I knew, he flipped me off the bed. I went tumbling down onto the cold, hard floor. Shooting up, I glared at him.

"That was not nice."

"Address me properly and I might not kill you," Atlas snarled before getting up from the bed.

I tapped my chin and walked back to his side. Taking my time to walk around him, I tapped my chin and pondered.

"Hm...Dracula?"

He pinned me to a look that could split me open. I chuckled and crossed my arms to stand in front of him. Tilting my head, I regarded him. Taking my time, I looked him over. Damn, he was good looking for a vampire. His skin glistened under the sun like he had a million rhinestones and diamonds on his body.

"Atlas." His jaw ticked with annoyance.

I took a step closer and heard him sharply inhale. Tilting my head up, I eyed his lips.

"Alright, Atlas..." I whispered sensually.

We were so close. If I breathed, my body would rub against his. On the other hand, Atlas has extreme control. His hands remained balled at his side. I traced a finger from his pectoral down his eight pack abs and hooked it into his sleeping pants.

Before I could do anything else, he grabbed my wrist and turned me around. His arms encased me to his body, but at the same time stopped me from touching him. My entire backside touched his front and although he could verbally deny it, I could feel his hard erection pressed against my bottom.

He bared his long fangs at my neck. His eyes glowing red like blood. My heart rate picked up.

"Don't test me, witch. I could suck you dry," he whispered huskily.

I bit my lower lip. "Mm, I wouldn't mind being sucked."

He growled and pushed me away from him. Chuckling, I turned back to look at him mischievously.

"I have meetings today. I have no time to entertain you. You would remain in my bedroom close to the crystal. If I see you anywhere else besides my bedroom, I swear, I won't hesitate-"

"To kill me." I rolled my eyes.

How am I going to get away from him? If only I could grab the crystal and run. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. The crystal doesn't listen to me. It could only be picked up by anybody but me.

"Staying in the bedroom is boring. I've been living inside a red crystal for 50 years. Please take pity on me and take me with you. I promise I will listen to everything you say to me." Only if it is reasonable...

Again, those crimson eyes narrowed on me like crosshairs. I put my hands up in surrender.

"A witchy promise! If you don't believe me I could chant a spell-" Like hell I will say the real thing. I'll just chant a bunch of nonsense-

Atlas scrubbed his face and sighed heavily.

"It's too early for this," he groaned.

When he looked at me again, I could see that he was giving in.

"You won't step a foot away from me. Wherever I go, you go."

"Got it. Be your shadow," I chirped and winked at him.

"I don't need you to be my shadow."

Atlas sighed one more time. It looked like he was already regretting the decision. Quickly, I moved to put my hands on his back. I ushered him into the bathroom.

"Go freshen up. I'll wait out here."

"Don't make me regret my decision, Ophelia."

"Of course not. What kind of relationship would we have if there aren't any grounds for trust?" I responded in my sweetest tone and shut the door behind him.

Once he was gone, the smile on my face dropped. I felt physical exhaustion seep into my muscles. I walked over to his armoire and looked through his clothes. He had little to choose from. Just a bunch of dress shirts, suit jackets, and pants. I took one of his white dress shirts and put it on.

The dress shirt reached my mid-thigh. I rolled up the sleeves of his shirt to my elbow and then used one of his belt for my waist. It wasn't flattering, but it would do for now. I combed my messy red hair to get rid of the knots. Looking at his wall-length mirror that was next to the fireplace, my hair was flying all over the place still but at least it didn't look like I just woke up out of bed.

The bathroom door opened, and Atlas walked out with a white towel around his waist. His gaze found me first. He looked me over.

"I hope you don't mind. I took one of your shirts."

"I'll have someone buy you some clothes," he muttered before walking to his armoire.

The man was beautifully sculpted. His body shape was a broad tapered look-slender but muscular. The water droplets that clung onto his muscular backside. It took its time dripping down his back.

Once he selected what he needed to wear, Atlas turned to me.

"Close your eyes, Ophelia," he ordered with a serious face, but I could tell he didn't mind at all that I was staring.

In fact, I think he knows he was one handsome devil and probably gets eyed a lot by other women. Rolling my eyes, I walked away from the mirror and collapsed on his bed. Grabbing to his pillow, I placed it over my face.

There was a faint rustling, and I knew he was putting on clothes.

"I thought vampires can't stand sunlight," I said through the pillow.

"We can withstand a little sunlight for a time. It burns, but isn't too painful." He sounded closer. "You haven't met vampires in your 400 years?"

"I met a few, but most of them probably are gone by now. Is that why you guys live in castles? It's dark and cold." I touched his skin. It was cold to the touch.

He chuckled. "Part of it."

"Do you like to live by stereotypes?" I flipped the pillow off my face and sat up, just in time to see him buttoning up his dress shirt. He turned to look at me. His damp hair falling impishly over his forehead.

"This castle has been with the family for centuries, Ophelia. It's home, and yes, it's cold and dark."

I like the way he says my name. It sends a shiver down my spine and does weird things to my heart. Once Atlas finished buttoning up his shirt, he walked over to me and removed the pillow from my lap. He pulled up the hem of the dress shirt I was wearing.

"No underwear?"

My insides clenched at the way his fingers touched my thighs.

"No, if you need to ask, I do not have underwear on."

"You can't walk out like that."

"Why not?" I glared at him.

"You are practically naked."

"And?"

"You aren't going out like that."

Before I could argue, he threw a pair of boxers at me.

"Put them on."

"No."

"Do it."

"Make me."

"Ophelia."

"Atlas."

We were practically glaring at each other now.

"Fine. You could stay in the bedroom."

I growled this time and shot out of bed. Grabbing the damn boxer, I put it on. When I looked at him, he smirked at my annoyance.

"There. Are you happy now?"

"I like it when you are mad." He just had to poke the sleeping bear, didn't he?

"I think I might like it when I turn you into a toad?"

"I'm thinking you won't ever turn me into a toad."

I was about to open my mouth to retort when there was a knock at the door. Atlas ordered them to come in. Silas appeared from behind the door. Immediately, I forgot about being mad at Atlas. I walked over to Silas's side.

"We meet again, Silas. I hope you don't mind but you are exactly my blood type." I propped my hands on one of his shoulders and put my chin on my hands. I winked at him. He really has a sharp jaw like Atlas. Are all vampires like this?

Atlas pulled me away from Silas's side.

"How did she escape?"

"She comes with the crystal."

Silas blinked several times before understanding replaced his puzzled expression. I nodded my head, smiling at him.

"Yep. Crystal and I are connected." I pointed to the crystal and then back at me.

"What are you?" Silas asked.

I moved closer to him. "I am-"

Atlas yanked me back again. "A witch."

"Witch? But we haven't seen one for almost three hundred years now." Silas's eyes were wide with surprise.

"I know. I'm amazing. I don't think I introduced myself. My name is-"

"Ophelia McQuoid," Atlas interjected.

I turned to him, annoyed. "Don't you have to get ready?"

Atlas glared at me before walking to grab his suit jacket. I turned to look at Silas and smiled.

"Did anyone tell you how devilishly handsome you look? Do you have a wife? A mate? Possibly a lover?" I questioned.

"None."

I moved closer to Silas.

"Have you ever slept with a-"

Atlas yanked me back again to his side. I sighed and pouted at Silas. Silas's face broke into a grin that lit up his face so sexily that I might just faint.

"What are you doing here, Silas?"

"The coven leaders are already on the meeting call. They are waiting for your arrival."

Atlas nodded before walking out the door. Of course, I followed him. Silas looked behind him and our eyes connected. He smiled once again, and I couldn't help but smile back.

Maybe I might have a chance after all before it was too late.