Sometimes the biggest villains we fight are the ones we create within ourselves. Not saying that was always true. Sharra was the big bad for sure but I was suffering from a serious lack of confidence. Maybe it was because of all I'd done. Making a wish to take away my wings as well as other things. There were consequences for my choices. Big ones. Including the darkness swallowing realms and the akuma. Could I defeat Sharra and save everyone? The question was on a continuous loop in my mind. It had been weeks since I met Laeddin and made my first wish. Days since Laeddin left and I fell in love with a half dragon. Troy. It seemed like a lifetime ago since he proposed and I accepted. Part of me didn't believe that moment was real, but a figment of my imagination. Only a few hours ago, I left Pops and Joanna in the fifteenth century. There I got to know Joanna and my grandfather a little more. There I also drained the vampire Arthur before Christopher took him and imprisoned him in
The door clicked shut behind me and I sighed. Hot air filtered along my skin and brought with it the stench of decay. The gems on my forehead burned hotter, giving the room an eerie glow. All around me were thousands of honeycomb shaped coffins, home to supernatural prisoners required to serve out their eternal existence within. I walked across the room, my boots striking the dirt floor with a rhythmic dull thud. Once I reached the other side, I noticed my head hurt less. For the next several minutes, I played a not very fun game of Hot and Cold, except my version was more like Pain and Less Pain. If the final piece of the crown was buried with one of the undead, it could take me months or years to find it. An overwhelming sense of foreboding filled my chest as I thought about Sharra and Arthur and -"Arthur." I searched the cavern for his crypt. "Is it possible?" My voice echoed around the room, but I didn't pay it any attention. Was that another reason Abernathy sent me back in ti
"Leave her alone!" Laeddin's voice pierced through my soul. My heart pricked with pain. My genie was the Unknowns' prisoner. I almost spoke his name, but I covered my mouth - or tried to. The Unknowns didn't know I could hear them. I was at an advantage because I knew their plan. They wanted me dead so they could start over. I wouldn't let that happen. Somehow I would get back to my body. I would save Laeddin and everyone else. As Joanna said, it was my destiny and had been since the day I was created. "The genie wants to fight back," the male said, interrupting my thoughts. "How amusing." "I know what to do about him - about all of them," the female said. Laeddin, I cried out in my mind, desperate. "Can the girl hear us?" the male asked, surprise in his voice. "That isn't possible," the female responded. But it was. I wanted to rub that in their faces. But all at once, there was a whoosh and I was immediately back in my body. Hands rested on my shoulders and my head lay on some
As a vampire, I didn't need to breathe, but the pressure caused my ears to pop. It was uncomfortable. The red pendant I used to travel from place to place was still around my neck. It bobbed up and tapped me on the mouth. I tucked it into my shirt collar where it stayed for a moment before smacking me in the mouth again. Some of my hair came loose from my braid and swirled around my head like black tentacles. I tried to push them away but to no avail. Using my feet, I kicked forward, heading inside the mouth of the cave. A school of fish, their skeletons and sharp teeth glowing beneath their iridescent skin, zoomed toward at me so quickly, I thought they would smack into my face. Before the inevitable happened, they darted around and disappeared into the eerie water. Usually when a group of fish swam away, it was because something bigger was after them. With that thought in mind, I peered carefully around. Blue light gave the inside of the cave a peculiar glow. The ground was covere
I closed my eyes, trying to sense the bond, but detecting nothing. "No," I admitted. Christopher had believed we were meant to be together. Now Laeddin might be tied to me forever. Where did that leave Troy and me? Suddenly, being free of Laeddin was the only thing that mattered and I blurted out the words, "I wish you free. You are no longer required to serve me, genie of the lamp." I was proud of the way I worded my wish. But as soon as the words left my mouth, I realized my selfishness. I didn't want him to be my servant, but I needed him to help me defeat Sharra.His eyes grew big. He knew my mistake too. "Why?" he asked. Nothing could be done as the black tribal tattoos around his wrists shimmered a moment before returning to normal. Laeddin's shoulders slouched and he stared at his wrists. "Your wish didn't work." He was astonished but also relieved. "Strange. I don't know what happened. Maybe I'm out of practice. Try another wish, but this time wish for something of value."I
One of the guards snapped to attention when Christopher passed. The guard glanced at me, his hands hefting a machine gun as it rested slightly against his chest. I waved at him and then felt like an idiot. The uniformed guy didn't return the gesture but moved away to the other side of the tank. Once both he and Chris were out of sight, I closed my door and faced Laeddin. His features were twisted in grim worry. "What would you have me do? Since my abilities aren't working properly, I can't be much help."I tucked my hands in my front pockets. "I don't need to wish if you meant what you said about helping me as a friend. That still stands, right? Your magic is powerful, more so even than mine. Together we can take Sharra and save my family." As I spoke, a wave of hunger washed through me and I felt dizzy. How long had it been since I last consumed blood? I didn't know. "Of course I will," he said and paused, glancing at my lips. "You need blood, don't you?" I worked to force down my
As soon as I was back inside the cave, I sensed something was wrong. Sounds of fighting echoed beyond the exit. Panicked, I yanked open the door just as an elf with long silver hair and empty eyes fell into me, knocking me back so my butt hit the ground. I didn't want to kill anyone else. That was the last thing I wanted to do, but as though on autopilot, my newfound crown powers took over and as I pushed the elf off me, white lightning danced across my fingertips and into her body. She disintegrated instantly. What. The. Hell!But I didn't have time to contemplate what happened as another elf came at me. I rushed to my feet and put out my hands, revealing my fangs as he came for me. Again, white lightning lit my hands and the elf disintegrated. Was it because they were elves coming after me, or was it because I was in danger? I glanced around, preparing for more. The remaining akuma were occupied with Joanna and her League of Huntsmen. The battle was intense. A troll fough
Inside the castle, I walked the huntsmen, including Joanna, down to the Academy's locker rooms. They were empty, as I suspected. "Towels are in here," I said, opening a cabinet. "Clean clothes here," I went on, opening a closet. "Showers are back there." "Thank you," the first huntsman said. "I'm Gris," he added. Then he turned to the rest of the group and introduced them. I forgot the names as soon as they were mentioned but appreciated Gris's efforts. "Good to meet you all. I'm going to get changed too," I said, though that wasn't strictly true. Joanna was suffering and I needed to be there for her. "If you need us, Joanna and I will be in the dining hall in an hour." "You are most kind." Gris saluted as we walked out. The castle was like a ghost town. A servant or two would scuttle along, keeping their eyes down, focused on putting one foot in front of the other. I hurried up to my rooms where I sent Joanna in to shower, hoping the warm water would get her out of her funk. Insi
That night, after all of the festivities were over and we said our goodbyes, Troy and I went back to the small house that used to be my mother's. Now that Sharra was no longer a threat, the chayot set up a meeting between several of the heads of different countries in the human realm and me. There, with the help of the chayot, we discussed relaxing the laws for supernaturals. Together we came to an agreement and I created a magical system with the help of Heathcliff and several other human scientists. After much discussion, I became aware of the KPID, a supernatural government agency known as the King's Paranormal Inquiries Division. The organization had been tracking supernaturals for hundreds of years, at first in the United Kingdom, but in the mid seventeen hundreds, they'd moved over to America as well. Given access to the KPID's super top secret information, I was able to update and strengthen the magic already in place as well as add some newer, more technical attributes with He
"Are you ready?" I asked. We were standing outside on my balcony. I took Troy's hand as my wings fluttered behind me. My engagement ring sparkled in the midday light and I couldn't help but admire it. Troy had asked Jesse and the gargoyles to create the ring for me. A thick platinum band with vines filigreed on either side leading to the center where sat a delicate jasmine flower made of diamonds and blue topaz."Are you sure you can do this?" Troy was teasing me, pretending to be nervous about me flying him around Sharra. "There's only one way to find out," I said, and leaped into the air. Troy whooped out a holler as he clung to my hands, his body dangling below."Don't drop him, Jasmine. It isn't every day you find someone crazy enough to fall for you," Abrea said beside me, her pixilette wings fluttering gracefully. "True." I laughed and the action felt really good."Jasmine? We need to leave for the wedding," my mom called from back in my room. I rolled my eyes and glanced at
Before I knew it, I was laughing as tears of joy leaked onto my cheeks. He set me on the ground and pushed my hair out of my face, then cupped it in his hands. "I love you vampire girl." "You do?" I believed him, but needed reassurance as my hands curled around his wrists. "More than I believed it was possible to love." He bent his head and gently touched his lips to mine, his eyes still open and on me. I kissed him back, as a gurgle of happiness shot through me. The sweet kiss turned hot and needy. I loved him and wanted him and didn't care who knew it. He pressed my mouth open, deepening our kiss as his arms went around my waist and he lifted me off the ground. "Hey you two?" It was my Mom. I froze and opened my eyes. Troy was watching me again. "Should we tell them?" he asked. I knew he was talking about our engagement. "Now's as good a time as any," I said as he set me on my feet. Troy took my hand and I turned to face the group. "We have an announcement," he said. The
"Do not do this," Christopher said, a look of complete disbelief on his injured face. "You have the power within you to destroy her. You know you do. So why?" I couldn't explain. But I hoped one day he and the rest would understand. If I failed, Laeddin could tell them the truth about the Unknowns, what they had planned. In the end my family would see I made the best choice. The only choice."Silence, Hunter. I'll deal with your insubordination later," Sharra said, sending a bolt of magic at Christopher. He was thrown back, landing against the other side of the cell before falling to the ground with a groan. Chris bared his fangs in anger and jumped to his feet, though slower than expected. "Hurt them and the deal is off," I seethed, facing her, my hands in fists at my sides. She gave me an innocent look. "I didn't do any permanent damage." She crossed her arms, sauntering toward me. "Now then, let's do this."I swallowed, forcing myself to remain calm. My plan would work. It had t
Determination weighed my shoulders down as I traversed the inkiness. As I went, I called out in my mind, using the magic within me to speak with Silindra and Laeddin. At once, my mind was there, in Laeddin's realm, in his library full of books. He and Silindra were there, standing close, reading something aloud. "Laeddin," I said. Laeddin glanced at me, or rather, my mental presence. Silindra looked up as well. "Is it just me or am I seeing Jasmine?" Surprise flickered across her too lovely face. "I see her too - somehow." Laeddin reached out, but his fingers couldn't touch me. I was there, but not really there. "I'm going to Sharra," I said, and looked from Laeddin to Silindra. "The darkness will swallow the earth soon. There is no more time. I need your help now. Please find me." "We're coming, Jasmine," Laeddin said, and took Silindra's hand. Were they a couple now? There was no time to figure it out. Silindra said, "Watch out for my sister. She's tricky.""I will," I said, a
Now that we had nothing to fear, Lirle and I moved quickly and undeterred toward the stronghold. As we went, Lirle talked more about the dragon she liked as well as growing up in the dragon realm. Hearing her talk, I couldn't help but admire the Hollow. It was stark and vast and though it wasn't blooming with all manner of flowers like Sharra, it still held beauty. That night as we rested and ate under a canopy of trees, I was able to witness one of the wonders of her realm. Here, the forest stirred to life at night. Everything seemed to possess a bioluminescence. Trees whose leaves were pink during the day glowed a soft white, like millions of fireflies covered them. Animals I hadn't known were there, insects and little creatures that reminded me of spider monkeys, lit up as well. It was beautiful and a little terrifying. "Why does it do this?" I asked, mesmerized. Lirle took another bite of whatever she was eating. Her lips were luminescent blue like the spider monkeys and I force
He looked up and for the briefest moment, I thought he was staring right at me. No longer angry, but still unsure. Troy spoke: I love you, too, Jazz. He stopped speaking and adjusted his weight, sitting up straighter. They added: Someone is coming. He closed his eyes and pretended to be sleeping. His cell door cranked open and a female voice spoke. "I brought you a friend. Try not to kill each other." Christopher stumbled into the room before turning and flashing his fangs. "You touch me like that again and you won't live to tell anyone about it." His hands were behind his back and black magic held his wrists together. The person he spoke to laughed. It was Sharra.I focused on Troy. His eyes burned into Chris like he would kill him. To Troy, I begged: Please remember, Chris is on our side. He believes in our love too. When Sharra forced me to kiss him, Chris stopped me and freed me from her magic. He's changed and he can help.I hoped that was true. As much as I trusted Chris
"How nice to see you, Lirle." The voice came from a gray dragon with blood red eyes. His sharp and pointy teeth glistened like they held their own light. Huge talons clamped around Lirle from behind, holding her like a sharpened straight jacket. She gasped and struggled but couldn't move. Her captor's clutches were bigger than Lirle's body. The first dragon looked at me. "And you are Jasmine, heir to Sharra and an original vampire. But where are your wings?" He opened his mouth and I thought he intended to burn me to a crisp. Instead his tongue came out and he licked me. Tasting. "Strange," he said. "Gross." I wiped my cheek with the sleeve of my shirt. It occurred to me he was speaking like Abernathy did, with his mouth and not in my mind like Lirle. Perhaps speaking aloud was a skill that came with age. The first dragon pushed through the trees, causing them to snap and break. Then he pounded his tail on the ground several times in a rhythmic fashion while lifting his head. He ro
Lirle took to the air, her attention on the direction where the sound came from. Her whole body trembled. "You're frightened. What is it?" I asked, fighting my own nerves. Lirle's eyes bore into mine and her terror shone brightly as she said: We're too late. The Ondror's magic is upon us. Listen carefully. A dragon's magic comes from the soul. Our greatest weapon is using the weaknesses of our enemy against them by showing them what they fear most. She flew over to the stream before coming back to me and pointing with one claw. Lirle asked: Do you see the soul magic coming?I followed her gaze and squinted until I saw the blackness, traveling like a deadly mist through the trees, and heading right for us. "Can we outrun it?" She shook her head and said: No. It's everywhere. She spun in a circle and I followed her. Lirle was right. It was coming from every direction, like we had a homing beacon on us. She met my gaze and said: You see? Whatever happens, whatever you experience o