"I am off!" I announced to the others. I know that they are all wondering what I do when I go off by myself like this, but none will dare to ask, except for one. Zane. So far, he has kept his curiosity in check, but it will soon boil over.

I quickly slip from the room as conversation and merriment take over. We, as a coven, have plenty to be thankful for. Money is not a problem for us, as always, but to add to that, the rise in the homeless population of the nearby city has been providing a steady stream of food. We no longer have to search the sparsely populated hillside for warm bodies. We can now just go into the city and drink to our satisfaction.

I exit the building, thinking that I have escaped the curious whispers and concealed glances.

"Artemis!"

I guess I am mistaken. "Yes, Zane," I call out, not breaking stride as I head towards the gates of our imposing compound.

Really, the compound is too large for us. We have not added to our ranks in nearly a century. We are set in the mountains, about two hours outside of the city. Our mountains are snowcapped the majority of the year, and lakes and ponds are frozen. Most of the time, motorized vehicles can not reach us. We typically walk, run, or fly as transportation. Those who do happen to stumble upon us become tasty morsels. I originally chose this site hundreds of years ago due to the practicality. For us it is very practical. As vampires, the cold does not affect us.

Recently, I have begun to appreciate the beauty of the place. The beauty of a certain someone and her skating.

"Is everything alright?" Zane asks, catching up to me.

"Of course. Why wouldn't it be?" I respond.

"You've been going off by yourself a lot. I'm beginning to worry. What is it that you do during these excursions?" he asked.

"I just get away to think. To clear my mind," I answered, "Nothing is wrong." In fact, everything feels right.

"Well, may I join you, then?" he asked.

"For a little while," I agree, slightly frustrated, "I do not know how much thinking I will do with you present."

"Okay," he smiled with his usual boyish charm.

The large gates slowly swing open with a thunderous groan. We exit, and I turn to watch them close. They are just as slow and loud as when they opened. They clang shut as metal scrapes against metal. I decided to walk the perimeter to look for other signs of weakness since Zane is accompanying me. I take note of a few potential weak areas, then head out into the woods away from her.

"Is this all that you do?" Zane asks, growing impatient. He knows very well that this is not what I do.

"Yes," I answer, "Sometimes I patrol the woods. Sometimes, I just sit and ponder. Sometimes i... "

"Watch a certain ice skater," he cut me off.

So they do know, or, at least, he does. "You have been following me?" I ask in a light accusatory tone.

"I just happened to see," he explains.

"What else did you see?" I ask.

"Just you watching her," he answers quickly. We walk in silence until I am sure that we are out of earshot of the compound, which is quite a distance.

Once I am sure that no one can hear us, I turn to him and ask, "What is it that you want to know?"

"How often do you go there?" he asks.

"As often as I wish," I answer.

"Have you spoken to her?" he asks.

I think for a moment, wondering where this is headed. "Yes," I answer truthfully. Mostly, I just watch her skate, but I want to speak to her more and more as the days pass. I have even considered getting myself some ice skates so that I can skate with her. I think that I will purchase some tonight when I go into the city.

"Okay," he says and turns to walk away. I just watch his back quietly. That was just too easy. I know that this is far from over. I turn as I hear the groan of the gates opening. I continue walking in the wrong direction until I am out of sight of the compound. I run in a large arc, staying out of sight, until I see her cabin. She is trudging through the snow in the direction of the frozen over pond. Her beast, Brutus, a large golden retriever, is following close behind.

I stay back and watch as she sits on an old log next to the pond and changes into her skates. Finished, she beautifully and gracefully skates out onto the ice. I could watch her for hours. I have watched her for hours. As long as she can take the cold anyway.

Her name is Anna. She was a figure skater until a knee injury recently forced her into retirement. She can no longer execute the moves that are important to compete. I am sad for her, but happy for me. Without that knee injury, she wouldn't be here. I never would have seen her skate.

I trudge down to the pond and sit on the log. She glides around the pond, stuck in her own little world. Lost in music that only she can hear. I so wish that I could hear that music, to have the full experience, but I am content with what I get. A fascinating display of artistry.

She executes a turn perfectly and comes to a stop in a graceful pose in the middle of the rink. I jump to my feet and clap with enthusiasm. She looks at me, noticing my presence for the first time, and smiles brightly. She skates over to me and sits next to me on the log. The ever faithful Brutus comes to meet her.

"How's my biggest fan today?" she asks, scratching Brutus' ear with a pink clad hand. Her fingers are just as elegant as the rest of her body. I imagine those fingers on me.

"I am well. How are you?" I return the greeting.

"I'm good. I was starting to wonder about you," she responds, and my heart soars. She thinks about me! Does she miss me like I her?

"I am sorry. I got held up," I explain.

"That's okay. Would you like to join me for some hot cocoa?" she offers.

"I apologize. I have to get back home," I truly am sorry. I do not like hot cocoa, but for her, I would drink Brutus' piss. At the look of disappointment on her face, I recover, "I promise tomorrow.

She instantly smiles, "I'll hold you to it."

I wait as she changes out of her skates, then follow her to her cabin. We climb the steps together, then it happens so fast that I wonder if my imagination is playing tricks on me. I feel her warm lips brush my cheek in a chaste kiss, then she turns quickly and rushes into her house without a word.

I am left stunned on her porch. I place my fingers on my cheek, then swiftly remove them, afraid that my cold fingers will seep the warmth of the memory away faster. I come to my senses and begin my short journey home, smiling.

I reach the compound, and the doors swing open. There is a flurry of activity. The others are preparing for our trip into the city. Everyone is hungry and ready to go. We will leave at nightfall.

"Your whistling," Zane seems to materialize from nowhere. I know that he really was lurking about, waiting for my return. He is not powerful enough to teleport. None of them are. That is a power reserved to myself only.

"Was I?" I respond. I continue walking, hoping that he will give up and leave me.

"How is our tiny dancer?" Zane inquires, following me.

I feel a stab of jealousy at his use of the word 'our,' but tamp the feeling down, "She is quite well."

"The others are noticing. Some are becoming worried that you are too preoccupied with her," Zane continues, "Do you plan to recruit her?"

"I am not sure yet," I answer. I would love nothing more than to have Anna at my side, in my bed. I am conflicted. I am not ready to take away her innocence yet. I dread the look on her face when she realizes what a monster I am.

"Is everyone ready for our journey tonight?" I change the subject.

"Yes," Zane answers, "We are ready when you are."

"I need to retire to my room for a little while, then I will be ready," I walk on. He doesn't follow.

In my room, I find Clara waiting, undressed, and lying provocatively on my bed. Clara has always been my favorite. We have had many good times together, but I have never made her my mate. I like having fun with Clara and enjoying her company, but I have never felt the pull of the mate bond with her. She has enjoyed a certain social standing because our relationship is no secret. She is well known for her fiery temper and seductive nature.

For the first time ever, I am not aroused. She will never be Anna. I walk past her and into the restroom. I take an extra long shower with hope that she will give up and leave. Conflict is something that I wish to avoid.

When I am done, I take my time drying off and enter the bedroom wearing only a towel. To my dismay, she is still waiting. I get my clothes out and quickly dress.

"Are you rejecting me?" she sneers. She had seen that I was not aroused.

I turn and look at her face, "I am just not interested."

I watch hurt register in her eyes, then anger, "It's because of her, isn't it?" My silence is an answer in itself. Clara gets up off of the bed. "She will never be me! She will never be what I am to you!" she accuses.

"You are right about that," I say calmly.

Shock registers in her eyes, then calm realization, "May the best woman win."

"Clara, you will stay away from her," I warn.

"Or what?" she asks hotly.

"Do you really want to know?" I warn further.

She huffed, retrieved her clothes, stomped out without getting dressed, and slammed the door behind her. I lean back against the wall, close my eyes, and take a deep breath. It is the right thing to do. I have to be true to Anna. I have to be true to myself.

I put my boots, long duster and backpack on, and meet the others at the gate. They are all poised and ready to go. I notice that Clara is absent. I am not worried. She will not be able to resist the hunger. I give a short speech reminding them to stick to the homeless and not to be seen. Then we push off from the ground and take flight.

It is an unusually dark night. The moon is covered by clouds. I can smell a storm brewing. I watch the snowy landscape below me. All of the cabins and wildlife flitting by barely more than dots as the wind whips through my hair. I see no people until we reach the suburbs. In the countryside they know better than to go outside at night.

We land at the edge of the city and go off on our own ways. I first have some shopping to do. I find my favorite toy store and enter. At the back of the store, I find exactly what I am looking for and peruse them carefully until I find the perfect one. Of course, if you shake it cautiously, there will be a snowstorm. The contents are what is really important. Inside, there is a small cabin with a frozen over pond off to the side. This one is perfect! She will love it! I carry the globe to the front of the store, pay for it, and gently stow it away in my backpack.

Next, I found a sports store and bought some skates. A pair for me and a pair for her. Something else that she will truly appreciate. Her old ones are worn, and the blades are dull. I can't wait to see the look on her face!

I pay then exit the store. Upon leaving, I head towards my usual hiding spot for my wares. As I walk past an alley not far away, I hear a whimper. Pride soars within me. One of mine is already at it. Some of them like to play with their prey first, but this one apparently gets down to business.

"Please, no. Please let me go," cries a familiar voice, then I hear a grunt and a cry. What is she doing here? I turn and rush into the dark alley, setting down my shopping bag by a large, foul-smelling dumpster. It is surprising that one of mine would choose to feed here with that stench.

It is dark, but with my keen eyesight, I see clearly. The fiery red hair is unmistakable. She has her back to me, blocking my view of her prey. I know who her prey is anyway. I can recognize that voice anywhere. I feel my anger boil inside of me, replacing foreboding and concern.

"Clara, you have been a very bad girl!" I shout. She releases Anna, who slowly collapses and falls to the ground of the dirty alley. Clara turns to face me, blood drizzling down the sides of her mouth, smiling. I approached Clara and slap her across the face. I want to do worse, but my concern for Anna stops me. I grab Clara's arm, and she disappears.

I drop down to my knees next to Anna. She is moaning and crying. A bite mark decorates the side of her neck, and small rivulets of crimson travel down to her shoulder. I place my hand over the bite and heal it. She will live, if that's what you call it. The process has begun. She is in for a long night.

She sits up, "What just happened?"

"Something splendid," I answer, "I need to take you home."

She puts her hand to her throat, "Did she just bite me? I don't understand."

"Time is short. We must hurry," I urge her to her feet. I pick up my shopping bag and hold on to her upper arm. "This may make you dizzy," I warn then teleport us to her cabin.

We land in her cozy living room, and I usher her to her plush, dark brown sofa. A confused Brutus comes out to greet us. He hesitates, knowing that something is different, but approaches Anna anyway. She scratches his ears as normal, and he cozies up to her.

"Anna, I need to bite you again, then you need to bite me," I tell her.

She chuckles, "Why would we do that?" I may have to force her. The window of opportunity will close. I can not let her be beholden to Clara. That would be disastrous.

"I don't want to, but I am going to have to force you," I say as seriously as I can.

"But I don't want you to," she becomes serious. Her bottom lip starts to tremble. She is so enticing even when she is not happy.

"If I don't, I will have to kill you," I whisper, "Clara's bite is poison. You will become something that you don't want to be. I can not let that happen." I watch as a tear travels down her cheek, then another.

"Are you ready?" I ask.

She springs up off of the couch. Her goal is to reach the door. I firmly grab hold of her arm and pull her back to me. She lands on my lap. I put my hand on her cheek and force her to look at me, "Look into my eyes. This will hurt at first, and then it will feel quite pleasurable." She hesitantly looks into my eyes, and I use my powers of persuasion and charm. I want this to be as pleasant as possible.

Once I know that I have charmed her, I take her mouth in a passionate kiss. She responds by parting her lips. Her breath is fresh, just like her. She moans as I lightly kiss down her cheek to that sweet spot on her neck. I suck on it lightly until she whispers, "Don't stop." Then I know that she wants it. I feel my fangs elongate, and I graze across her neck with them. She shivers in anticipation, and I know that she is mine.

I sink my fangs into her pleasure spot, and she cries out in pain. She struggles for a moment, trying to escape. Slowly, the fight drains out of her, and she begins to moan in ecstacy. She tastes sweet, like strawberries. The taste of good, clean, chaste blood. Once I have had my fill, I release her and lick the wound, cleaning the blood from her neck and to heal her.

She is weak, so I carry her to her bed. She moans sleepily.

I bite my wrist, opening it up so that she can drink and hold it over her mouth, "Drink." I watch as my life force drips onto her mouth. She licks her lips, getting a taste, then latches on to my wrist greedily. I groan as she pulls from me, then that feeling of euphoria seeps in slowly, and I smile at her. She is mine. She drinks her fill and then releases me. I watch as she drifts into a peaceful slumber.

I am tempted to join her, but I must deal with Clara first.

I teleport to Clara's bedroom. She is showered and waiting for me on her bed in a red nightgown with black lace trim.

"I knew you would come back to me," she whispers seductively. Sex is Clara's solution to every problem. It will not work this time.

"Clara, you disobeyed me," I say with clear disappointment.

She rises from the bed and approaches me demurly, "You got what you want, didn't you?"

"She is for me alone!" I shout forcefully.

She puts her hand on my cheek and searches my eyes in an attempt to calm me. "Artemis, I love you. There's no reason why you can't have us both," she says with an innocence that I know she does not possess.

I remove her hand from my face, "I do not want you both!" It is all I can do to restrain myself from throttling her. I watch hurt, then anger register in her eyes.

"You can't keep me in this glass prison forever!" she swings her hand at my face in an attempt to slap me. I catch her wrist and feel bones shift and fracture as I squeeze. She groans as I bring her to her knees.

"This is what you get for defying me, Clara," I growl, then release her arm. I charge through the house and out the front door into the waiting snowstorm. I trudge between the house and the frozen pond.

I feel a tug at the lower hem of my duster. "Artemis. Please don't go. Don't leave me here," Clara cries, anguish filling her voice. I turn to her. She is down on her knees behind me, snow collecting in her blazing red hair.

"You need some time to ponder on what you've done," I say sternly, anxious to get back to Anna.

"Noooo!" she screams angrily as I turn and walk away. I disappear a few feet away and land in my room at the compound.

I open my closet and look at the many snow globes on the shelves. I pull out Clara's and peer inside. I can see a tiny Clara down on her knees, screaming. I can not hear her, thankfully. She suddenly stands and runs to the glass enclosure and beats on it with "Enough of that," I say to myself and place the globe back on the shelf.

I decided to look in on Nadia. She was my favorite before Clara. She is skating around her pond in an attempt to pull me in. I would be tempted if I didn't have Anna to tend to.

I take off my backpack and reach inside. I take out the new snow globe and place it on the shelf between Nadia and Sara. It is best to keep Anna away from Clara for now since there is ill-will.

I smile to myself. I should not keep Anna waiting any longer. I teleport inside her globe and enter the cabin. Brutus comes to greet me like the good beast that he is. I scratch his ears and start a fire in the hearth.

Anna is still sleeping soundly as I enter her room. I crawl into her bed and enjoy her warmth while she still possesses it.

I have a feeling about Anna. She's going to be my good girl. My good little dancer.