The guy whimpered as though he knew what I wanted. I allowed my fangs to grow. His eyes got wide with fear. I liked that - the horror in them. Bending down, I took in his scent before sinking my teeth into his tender flesh.His blood filled my mouth, and I swallowed the coppery warmth hungrily. Professor Pops' words strutted across my mind: "Promise me you won't drink from a human for more than ten seconds." Internally I counted to ten. But didn't stop. Eleven. Twelve. I finally released Kevin. He lay unconscious, his breathing weak but there. The bite marks would heal quickly. The venom I released with my bite was like a liquid cure. Only a bruise would remain. He tasted good, but I wanted more. Dissatisfaction sat on my tongue. Quickly I moved to Ashley. I lifted her into my arms, and she stirred."Kevin." Her eyes fluttered open and then widened momentarily."It's okay, Ashley." Her pupils dilated, and I knew she was mine to do with as I pleased. "Let me see your neck."
"When you've disposed of your filthy clothes, step into the shower, and I'll send Fina and Trina to assist you in scrubbing off all the debris." He sniffed again."No, thank you, Zenny." I untied my shoelaces. "I can take care of myself. I don't need Fina and what was her name? Treeny.""Trina, dear. And I think you should reconsider." He walked across my reflection to my left cheek, licked his thumb, and pretended to wipe off a dirt streak."Funny," I said, sarcastic.He wrinkled his nose. "I'm not trying to be funny. Really, you're a mess.""Fine, I get it. Now can you leave so I can shower in peace?""Humph," he snorted and walked to the edge of the mirror.Before he was gone, I remembered my manners. "Thank you, Zenny."He turned to me, his face ablaze with happiness. "Of course, Snow." Then he was gone.I quickly stripped and, doing as Zenny commanded, tossed my clothes into the fire. The shower was steaming as I stepped in, allowing the water to wash away layers of grime. There
The vampire queen appraised me with scheming eyes and nodded her approval before heading out of the room. "Excellent. Let's go."I followed, curious about her plans and not caring that she probably had ulterior motives. Also, I was glad for the distraction from my heavy guilt over Gabe. The sooner she showed me whatever she wanted to show me, the sooner I would have to face the consequences of my actions. Sure, I accepted that I should but that didn't mean I would revel in it. Though I longed to see Pops and the guys, even if they hated me. I just needed the pain and the guilt to stop. Sharra and I passed through a sunroom, down a steep set of stairs, and through a large sitting room filled with extravagant chandeliers, furniture, thick draperies, and a red grand piano. Seated in some of the chairs were supernatural creatures. Vampires, I guessed. All of them were female, dressed in clothing from every century. Some wore dresses with tight bodices and large skirts, others were
Shrugging, I followed her back to the thrones. When she sat, so did I. "This is the entrance to the orchards," she said, pointing. "Beyond the apple trees are peaches, plums, and pears. All of them are grown and cultivated to our specific tastes." She nodded, and I knew she referred to the blood. Somehow it was fused within the fruit. "Sometimes it's nice to eat solid food," she continued. "A liquid diet can get boring after a few hundred years." She snapped her fingers, and we were in a forest. Giant trees shaded the fern and mossy floor. A babbling brook rushed along next to us. Three deer drank from its edge, unaware of us. She put a finger to her lips. I bobbed my head, indicating I understood and watched her move without sound toward them.I fought down the knot forming in my stomach. What did she intend to do? When she snapped the neck of the largest deer, I shuddered. "Why?" I asked, stunned.The other two deer bolted.The queen pulled a knife from a sheath I hadn't n
"They told me you had her tortured and murdered," I said, equally angry, though I was sure there was no twinkling darkness coming off my hair. The vampire queen gasped and pressed a hand to her chest in mock sarcasm. "They what? I could never murder my sister." She was a big fat liar. I knew it. Sensed it. Pushing down my fears, I changed the subject. "Are you saying you were in the right? You deserve the power?" I didn't add that Kenmei and Professor Pops both told me they were her hunters at one time and that I knew they left her. Immediately a small flutter danced in my belly. Was that where Christopher went? Professor Pops and Kenmei never told me what they did to break free of her. Was it just a matter of walking away, or was more required? I thought about the bear Christopher carved and how excited he was when I gave it to him."Without a doubt, I deserve the power. I've ruled for thousands of years. That isn't going to change anytime soon." She walked back over to the th
The voice came from behind me. It was a voice I thought I'd never hear again. I didn't want to move, afraid if I turned around, I would realize I was hearing things or it'd been a figment of my overactive imagination. But I sensed movement. My body began to tremble. Could it be? Was it possible? I was too afraid to find out.His voice whispered in my ear. "Snowflake. You're back. I knew you'd come sooner or later. I've been waiting."I had to see him. Turning, my eyes caught hold of his face, and he was there, standing before me. His gorgeous green eyes watched me intently, and a smile sat on his beautiful face. But even that could be my imagination. My mind still wouldn't believe it. I placed my hands on his arms, feeling the warmth radiating off him. His breathing was rapid, a hint of mint coming off his breath, and he smelled good. Like my Gabe. Still, I struggled to accept the truth standing in front of me. "Are you real?"He pulled me into his arms. Gabe! He wasn't dead.
"He opposes the vampire queen." He shook his head. "He's the leader of those who want you and all of the marked dead." He blew out his breath. "More than that, though, he is my father.""Like, your real father?" I was confused. We'd all believed his father was dead - that he'd died in a fire more than a decade ago. He nodded. "Yes. When we spoke, he explained that he needed to fake his own death." Gabe's eyes filled with wonder. "Apparently, he's been alive a long time."The make-believe pixilettes in my tummy were having a field day. But I could only focus on one thing at a time. "Why didn't he want you?" I was confused. The man faked his own death and left Gabe to go through life alone. Thank goodness for Professor Pops. Gabe pulled away. "It isn't that he didn't want me. He's just busy, and those who are loyal to the queen killed my mom. He believed Professor Pops would be able to care for me until I was old enough to understand. And Professor Pops did. I couldn't have asked fo
My breathing came in ragged chunks. "Is it because we are no longer human?" I wanted out of my room. Out of this conversation with Gabe, and the whole thing. The desire to bolt took over. For the briefest of moments, I went to the window, desperate to be anywhere but here. "That's part of it. But there's more. See," he hesitated. I studied his reflection in the glass, but I didn't turn. "My father fell in love with a human, and with that love came many children. The vampire queen made an extra effort to capture and change their offspring into vampires. Sons and daughters with chayot blood make even more exceptional vampires than a regular human does. The vampire queen favored them over all others, and she nearly got them all."I thought about the vampires I'd seen in the castle. Were they Gabe's relatives? I didn't ask. Didn't move. I was a vampire - the enemy. I wouldn't give him any information. "The queen brought this war upon herself. It's my father's life work to finish
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