My mom's stern expression softened as I watched her reflection. "Most importantly, I'm your mother." She leaned down, our heads side by side and she squeezed my shoulders. Her eyes sparkled with love. I studied the two of us together, once again astonished by our similarities. We both had black hair, though mine had a streak of teal in itThe shape of our faces were the same as well as our high cheekbones. Our lips had the same sort of thickness and we were the same height. There were differences too. Her eyes were an unusual color, reflecting the various hues within the spectrum of the seven magics while mine were always violet. My skin was naturally tanner than hers. And then, of course, there was the huge difference between us. I had wings, obnoxiously large wings that protruded from my back like those of a giant black bird. The worst part was they never went away. Like fairies' wings did. I had them on my back at all times - no matter what. Sometimes I longed to sleep on my
As I watched them, I thought about how things changed since my mom became the vampire queen. Originally, male vampires were all hunters or drones who travelled into the human realm to mark possible future bodies for the vampire queen. Sharra gave them a portion of her magic so they could walk in the sunlight. They could only be killed by removing the heart. With female vampires or workers, they could be killed more easily by either the sun or a stake through the heart. But since my mom came into power, she gave every vampire some of her blood. Now a portion of her magic flowed through each of them. Male and female. There were no more hunters, except Christopher. There haven't been for a long while. With that magic came some additional changes. Like the fact that killing a vampire now required their heart be ripped from their chest. It was gruesome, but fact. As an original, no one knows how to kill me or even if I can be killed. Like the old originals, I came right from the seven mag
"Breakfast. Five minutes," my dad said as he knocked on my door."Huh?" I forgot to set my alarm, but usually didn't need it. Pushing myself out of bed, I stumbled over to the window. I was late. Abrea probably wondered what happened to me. "Jasmine?" My dad knocked again. "I'm up. Thanks!" I needed to hurry but pushed open the window instead. As I stared aimlessly out at the landscape, I thought of the dream. Two entities had been speaking and their words filled my mind like they were within. Or, maybe I'd somehow traveled into their minds.*** "The vampire child is not performing as expected. She doesn't care about her destiny or the fate of her kind. She's a total disappointment." He slithered his body around the vast darkness that was everywhere and nowhere. The inkiness seemed to expand and contract, like breathing, around them. "There is always our first inclination." She glided beside him, producing an orb of light, just big enough so they could see each other. Not that it
School was more of the same. Except Jon seemed to have grown an overabundance of nose hair during the night. I secretly high-fived my best friend. "Good one," I said, remembering Abrea promised to do something to him. After classes were done, I went to my rooms and changed into a teal gown with Zenny's help. Rushing as quickly as a princess was allowed, I made it to the meeting just in time, sliding into the seat next to my mom. She looked over disapprovingly since I was supposed to be early, but whatever. At the moment, I was doing my best not to fall asleep. The troll leader, Geth had a rather monotone voice. "We will continue to supply blood for the princess as you ordered, but we want more land," Geth growled.We were all seated around a large round table in the Great Hall. A glittering chandelier hung above giving off an ambient glow. The room was lined in gilded wood and pictures of previous royalty from the seven magics hung precisely along the walls. I admired the newes
As fast as possible, I ran out of the castle. Immediately, I took off my shoes, making my way into the woods. The wind against my toes tickled, but I didn't mind. Relaxing, I opened my mind, allowing my senses to feel, sense, touch, and hear the surrounding countryside. There was a family of deer at the stream to my left. On my right was a group of pixilettes collecting seeds from orange peonia plants. I listened extra carefully for a moment to see if Abrea happened to be with them, but she wasn't. The pixilettes were talking about creating a new flower color by mixing two seedlings together. It would be called tealender, which was teal and lavender together. They wanted to create it in my honor since I had a streak of teal along the front of my hair and my eyes were lavender. I beamed at their thoughtfulness and the intensity of their conversation. They continued their light discussion. Some believed my eyes were more violet than lavender and therefore the name should be teal
I stepped away, crossing my arms. "I've been coming here for years. Why didn't you reveal yourself before?"He looked away. "I enjoyed listening to you and the pixilette, Abrea, talk. Sometimes I get a little lonely."The idea that Laeddin, a strong and handsome man, felt the way I did immediately softened my heart. "Don't you have any friends?"He looked at me, his eyes sad. "I'm not allowed to leave until such time as my master requests it.""Oh, and who's your master?" My heart began to beat rapidly. "You are, Jasmine." He came over and took both of my hands in his. "I am yours to command.""You are?" For some reason that made my heart speed up and my face get hot. I tried to pull away, but he held me fast. "Yes. And I can grant you three wishes." His eyes flickered to my lips. "Nearly anything you want." "Really?" My mind whirled out of control at the possibilities. Most of my wishes were selfish. "I can ask for anything?""Well, sure. Anything within reason."I wanted to snort.
"Where are we?" I asked when the mist cleared. The room was dark, but I was able to make out empty shelves and pictures hanging on creamy walls. Lamps and furniture were covered in white sheets. Several inches of dust coated the room. "This is the house your mom grew up in." He pulled the sheet off the couch and rolled it into a dusty ball. Thick dust puffed in the air. Laeddin coughed and tossed the sheet on the floor. "Really?" I sneezed as I studied the room. I always wanted to see my mom's house, but she never let me. "And my dad grew up in the next house over, right?" My uncles teased that their house was a sprawling mansion while my mom had lived in a shack. She laughed but it was obvious there were some painful memories. For that reason I hadn't pushed her to come. Occasionally she would share a good memory, but it wasn't often. The room Laeddin and I stood in was definitely small though. Smaller even than my bedroom in the castle. "That's right." His words brought me out of
I gave an exasperated sigh. "I like you too. But if you knew anything about genies, you'd know we can't consider ourselves equal when one does the wishing." He pointed at me. "And the other," he smacked a hand against his chest, "must grant it."I went to the bar stool and slumped over, resting my head in my hands. "Why should you be my servant - " I shrugged. "Or whatever, if I didn't call upon you - or something." It was confusing. "Wasn't I supposed to rub a lamp? Where is your lamp?"Laeddin sat beside me. "The cave you and Abrea often visited. That was the inside of my lamp. Basically from the moment you found it, I've been your servant. I was just worried about showing myself to you too soon. "Why me and not Abrea?""Simple. You brought Abrea into the cave. You found the cave. It's been you for a long time.""Oh," I said, lifting my head and looking at him. "And I shouldn't wish to no longer be a vampire?"He shook his head, a strange emotion flitting across his face. "No, plea
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