I found Laeddin on the upper deck, staring out at the churning water. "Sorry about that," I said, coming to stand beside him. It wasn't that I was sorry about kissing Troy. Only sorry Laeddin had to see it. He shrugged, running a hand through his thick hair. "It isn't your fault. I didn't think; I just came." He shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans. Laeddin was wearing the same clothes he left in more than a week ago. He looked haggard, his face scruffy, and his dark hair mussed.I touched his arm. "What's going on?"Urgency returned to his face. "I found something. An artifact. A crown actually. Made of elven magic and the branches of their sacred komoni tree.""Ko-mon-e?""Right. It's a tree that can only be found in their realm and there is only one." He didn't look at me but continued to watch the ocean. "What's so special about this tree?" As the yacht tilted and swayed, I watched him, wondering what it would've been like if we just met without the whole genie and master
I was flying again, and I carefully settled into the dream. Vision. Whatever it was. This time I knew I was inside Sharra's mind so I kept quiet, hoping she wouldn't notice I was there. "It's easy to tell when you're with me, vampire." She clucked her tongue. "Now I just need to get a hold of your body." She laughed into the cool night air. "The dragon you were with was a surprise. I wasn't prepared for him. But no matter."I didn't respond, hoping to get a glimpse of where she was and scanned our surroundings. The terrain was familiar. Not Sharra but Salem. She circled Professor Pops' yacht. Troy leaned against the railing, staring out at the agitated water. Sadness caused me to wonder what he was thinking. I wanted it to be me, but there wasn't a point. How could I be with someone who didn't believe I should exist? Sure, I was stretching. Troy seemed to sense Sharra even if he couldn't see her. "Get out of here." His features were confident as though he believed he could physica
Laeddin went out to speak with the uniformed men sitting in the green truck. They didn't say much except there was some "suspicious activity" in the area and advising us to "stay inside unless leaving was absolutely necessary". That was all the information they gave us. I told Laeddin the truth about seeing the kids in the Harmony Grove Cemetery and I explained about Sharra. "What are we going to do?" I asked when he didn't say anything. "You said she spoke and sprinkled red powder over the spots where they'd been?" Laeddin finally asked. "Yes." I thought about what I'd seen and remembered another bit of information. "Also, before they disappeared, she blew yellow smoke in their faces.""That sounds like something Sharra would do. She's always had a thing for the dramatic." He pulled a water bottle from the refrigerator and drank. Laeddin walked up the stairs. I didn't know where he was going but I followed. When we reached his bedroom Laeddin opened the door and went inside. "When
I woke to the sounds of hooting and hollering and stomping feet and whistling. It was like a stadium full of spectators at a football game. I kept my eyes closed, trying to figure out what was happening without giving away the fact that I was aware. "Laeddin, so nice of you to come." My heart raced and my mouth went dry. Laeddin was here. Sharra said he would come, and he did."Release Jasmine now, Sharra," Laeddin said. "Of course, genie. I will. Just as soon as you give me what I want." "And what is that?" "Your power, of course," Sharra said matter-of-factly. The room went wild again."Why would you want it? You have great power already. I can feel it." Laeddin whispered. "Awwww, did you hear that?" Sharra glanced around at the Akuma who laughed and jeered. She went on, "While that may be true, I don't have enough. With your powers I'll be unstoppable." Laeddin had incredible power. I knew that. And so much more. As quickly as it came, the fuzziness in my brain cleared up. A
Five days ago I made my second wish. It was that Sharra would use her magical dagger on herself instead of Laeddin. She had to obey and Laeddin and I escaped her lair. That's the thing about the genie's magic, it's more powerful than the most powerful vampire ever and that's why Sharra wanted it. We returned to my home in the human realm and hoped she was dead. It didn't take long to know that hope was in vain. My wish didn't even destroy the Akuma. The days continued getting darker. Akuma kept coming. On top of that was something else. A pestilence had fallen over all realms. To most creatures, they appeared to be nothing more than large grasshoppers, but with my eyes - original vampire eyes - I saw the truth.Not only were the bugs eating their way through all the world's crops, they were eating their way through all creatures as well. When bitten, regardless of gender or species, they became Akuma. Sharra's lackeys. The chayot got involved and tried to smite the pestil
The creature stood so the top of his head nearly reached the ceiling. He opened his eyes. They were the same color as the flower petals. "Who dares awaken me from my slumber?"Strapped to his back were two swords. He was covered from head to toe in a uniform that reminded me of a ninja. The only part of him showing was his eyes. Even his head was covered in a thick black hood. Remembering my upbringing, I cleared my throat. "Good sir, my name is Jasmine." I gave him a small curtsey. If my mom could see me now, I thought. "I've come to claim the piece of crown you guard," I went on.His eyes started to glow. "That is not possible, Jasmine. If you try to take it, I'll be forced to destroy you." Crap! I glanced back at Laeddin. He shook his head, took hold of my hand, and we were suddenly back at my house. "Why?" I pulled out of his grasp. "What if he moves it? Or worse, actually destroys it?""He won't. He can't," Laeddin said, shaking his head. "Are you sure?" I was so angry I wa
"You didn't let me kill the genie and now you're going to suffer more than you believed possible. Even at this very moment Ariel is dying or dead. See?" Pictures of dozens of Akuma attacking Ariel in a strange city appeared and I watched while they ripped her apart."Noooooo!" I screamed and sat up, opening my eyes. I was in my room. Sweat dampened the sheets. I climbed out of bed and went to the window. How could I find out if what Sharra had shown me was the truth? Without my wings and my magic I couldn't just return to my land. A shadow crawled across the yard and I jumped back, frightened. "Laeddin," I whispered and waited, my mind unable to let go of what I'd seen happening to Ariel. It wasn't Laeddin, but Gatsby. The cat suddenly appeared outside my window. His yellow eyes stared through the glass. "Let me in, vampire," he said, lifting his paw and patting at the window. It was odd the cat could talk, even weirder that he seemed to know so much, but beyond that, he was adorab
So high up, the stars were bright and beautiful, and amazing. A coil of sadness snuck its way around my heart. Even though I tried to push it away, the truth was I missed my wings, missed them more than I ever believed possible. Like my pinky fingers, they seemed like nothing more than a small addition, one I could live without, maybe even do better without, but that wasn't the case. My wings weren't just a small addition. They were a part of me. Without them I didn't feel whole. "How long will it take us to get there?" I shouted against the wind, knowing he was flying us to Mizu.A deep rumble filled his throat. "No need to yell, vampire." "Sorry," I hollered again.Without warning, Abernathy dove. We were over an ocean and I realized we travelled a great distance in a very short amount of time. The dragon picked up speed and we went faster and faster. "What are you doing?" I asked, suddenly terrified, bracing myself against the impending collision with the water."Hold on tigh
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