Chapter 1

The blade easily cuts through the soft tender skin of Colton's left thumb, as he guides the sharp knife from his thumb to his hand. The cold metal sends shivers down his back as he forces the blade up his arm. Bright red liquid starts to ooze out of the wound as he pulls the knife away from his flesh. I watch him in horror as he brings his left arm up to his face and begins to lick the blood away.

"Why are you doing that?" I ask in almost a complete whisper. His icy blue eyes quickly meet mine. He pulls his arm away and flashes me a bloody smile. He slides his tongue over his teeth and swallows the lingering blood.

"Because I know it bothers you," he replies. He wipes dribbles of blood off of his lips with the back of his right hand. He then walks up to me and combs a strand of hair out of my eyes with the fingers of his left hand. The wound he had just carved into his skin had already vanished.

He caresses my right cheek with the same fingers. I would have smacked his cold, pale hand away, if he didn't tie the both of my hands to the chair I am stuck in, just minutes ago.

"Don't worry Magick, you too will soon find the taste of life thrilling," Colton says. Each word leaves his mouth with a playful tone and a smile is still painted on his lips.

"Why are you such a freak?” I yell through clenched teeth. "I hate you!" Colton's smile grows, as he lowers his head toward mine. I can feel his hot breath in my ear.

"The reason why I am such a freak is because people like you won't leave me the hell alone," he replies in another whisper. I then feel his lips stroke the delicate flesh of my neck. He stops at one particular spot before I feel a quick sharp pain.

The worst part about being bitten by a vampire like Colton is that I can feel him sucking the blood away from my body and he doesn't care if it hurts me. My eyes start to water from the stinging pain of the blood leaving me.

My eyes close in unwilling enjoyment. Then my heart starts to beat faster and faster, gaining adrenaline with each quickening beat. The pain suddenly fades, as I grow weaker.

"Stop!" I plead. I try to kick my legs, but the ropes around them are too strong and hold me in place. My hands clench the chair as I try to some how find strength within me to break free from the monster known as Colton Goodcourage.

"Just give up witch," Colton's voice echoes in my head. His lips are still attached to my neck, so he must be speaking to me in my mind.

"I would rather you kill me right here than to ever give up to a vampire!" I exclaim.

"That can be arranged," he says. His right hand grabs the opposite side of my neck, bringing it closer to his mouth.

He finally pulls away from me. I hear something fall to the floor, so I quickly open my eyes. Colton is sitting on the floor, breathing as though he had just finished running a marathon. His eyes are now very pale silver instead of an icy blue and the lust they hold in them is almost frightening.

"I thought you were going to kill me," I say. Colton just flashes me another sly smile. He lies down on his back, completely ignoring my question. "I thought you were going to kill me," I repeat.

"Why waste you," he replies. He stands back up and unties the ropes around my hands and legs.

"Why would you untie me, when you know that I just want to kill you?" I ask. I try to stand, but I lose balance and fall to the floor.

"You are too weak to even stand, what makes you think you can kill me?" Colton asks. I try to stand again, but I do not succeed and fall to the floor again. I realize he is right. Chills run through my body. I am suddenly really cold. I try to look at my hands, but instead I see the room starting to spin around me.

"What's happening to me?" I shout using what little strength I have left. I lie down and close my eyes, as nausea starts to set in. I lay my head on the cool wooden floor.

"Shh, relax," Colton, says. His voice is soft and comforting. I then feel his hands underneath me. I now feel as though I am light and floating. My eyes slowly open. Colton's left arm is under my legs and his right arm is supporting my back, and my head is lying against his chest.

"What are you doing?" I question, my voice so soft that even I can hardly hear it. "Put me down." My eyes close again as I am set down on something soft. I can tell that I am no longer in Colton's arms. I open my eyes one last time to see that I am now comfortably placed in a bed.

"Don't talk, it is just making you weaker," Colton says.

"Can you please take me home?" I ask, feeling dizzy again.

"Not right now, you are too weak to be moving around," he replies. He places one of his cold hands on my forehead. It feels so good, so I do not complain and close my eyes again. He gently smoothes my hair back. I don't want to give in to him, but I am too weak to fight back.

"I'm sorry," I hear Colton say right before every noise disappears and I drift into a deep sleep.

I awaken to movement next to me on the bed. My eyes softly open to the darkness of the room. I quickly sit up, as I realize that I am still in Colton's house. I turn my head to see Colton; his silver eyes stare back at me from underneath his shaggy onyx hair. He gives me a small, warming smile.

"Good morning," he says, as if he was forgetting the real reason why I was here. "How's your neck?"

"It's sore," I reply. "What's with the change of attitude toward me?"

"I no longer have a desire to hate you," he replies. "I am a part of you, and you are a part of me."