A scream ripped from my throat and I shot upright. There was a thump outside my bedroom. I clawed at the covers, pulling them up around my chin. The door burst opened and Laeddin appeared. "What's going on?" His eyes frantically searched the room for danger. "I - " The worry on his face was replaced by irritation. "Sorry. I had a bad dream."Laeddin looked like he wanted to say something. He opened his mouth, but instead of words, he snorted and left. "Man, graze a genie with fangs one time and the world ends." I lay back down and stared at the ceiling. Shadows slithered and danced. I thought about the demura and the way it left the body of that man like a shadow. Had it come into my room and given me the dream? I jumped out of bed, closed the window and pulled the curtains shut. My stomach twisted itself in knots. Strange sounds seemed to be coming from everywhere and nowhere. I flipped on the light and glanced around the room. What had my mom done when she had a bad dream? Did
When lunch finally rolled around, I was beyond ready. I also had a better idea how to find my way to the cafeteria today. Zoe and Peter were kissing at the bottom of one set of stairs as I made my way down. They stopped when I passed. I waved, embarrassed. "Hey guys. Didn't mean to interrupt." They pulled apart, though they took the other's hand. "Jackie. It's nice to see you. How's your second day been treating you?""Uh." I pulled at the end of my braid, twisting it around a finger. "What's this?" Zoe asked, indicating the wilted leaf in my hair. "It's peppermint." I touched it lightly. Zoe and Peter gave each other a strange look. I had the feeling they were communicating. Peter patted my shoulder. "What a great idea." He leaned in to smell it. "Yes, it is," Zoe said. "I think I'll wear some in my hair tomorrow, if that's okay.""Sure." Maybe I would start a new trend.They each took one of my arms. We went down the remaining steps and into the cafeteria like that. As soon as
Abby was waiting by the front door, just as we discussed. "Jack, you ready to go?"I bounced up and down on the balls of my feet. "Yep." I pushed open the front doors and stepped out, holding it open for Abby. Drake rushed past, knocking Abby over. I caught her before she landed on the ground. "Rude." I smacked him in the chest, sending him flying back. He tumbled into a group of students, knocking them over as he went, like the human version of bowling."Freak?" He held the back of his head. "Why'd you do that?" Drake's face was a mixture of shock and anger. Blood leaked from his eyebrow and he touched it tenderly. The salty and coppery aroma snuck up on me. My fangs fought to break free, the sharp tips grazing my bottom lip. I wanted him, his blood. I dove onto Drake and licked the blood. "Dude?" Drake grabbed my arms and pushed me back. He looked scared and a little fascinated. "What kind of crazy are you?' He glanced around at the other students and replaced his abhorrence with
That night I dreamed of the man I couldn't see again. He spoke of what it would be like to marry. How many children he wished to have, and where we would live once we were together. He spoke of Sharra, the creatures there, and about how I drank Abby's blood. I'd been humiliated by his words, but he kept talking anyway, explaining that what I'd done had been a survival instinct. He continued that I should be grateful I possessed such a predisposition. Otherwise I would be dead. I didn't want to agree, but a tiny part of my brain appreciated the support. Most strangely, he spoke of my wings and how exquisite they were. I hated to admit that while he talked the same part of my brain that appreciated his words also cherished them. And just like last time, right before I woke, he took me in his arms and kissed me. When my alarm went off, I wasn't as afraid of the man in my dream as I was the first time. I quickly got ready for school and went down to breakfast. Even though I'd drunk
I grew up around unicorns, trolls, elves, and vampires. They all talked often, sometimes annoyingly so. But that was in Sharra. A talking cat in the human realm was completely different, probably because humans were normal here, as were the animals. They weren't supposed to talk. And a mist-creature wasn't supposed to invade human bodies either. Gatsby jumped on the couch. I sat beside him, working to get a handle on myself. "What is it?" Gatsby curled his tail around his paws. His yellow eyes studied me carefully. "I know what happened to Abby yesterday."I was stunned. "You do?" My hand found my way over my mouth. "It's okay, Jasmine. You didn't do anything wrong."My bottom lip quivered. "I drank her blood." My voice was barely above a whisper. Gatsby placed a paw on my knee. "If you hadn't, the demura would've killed you."Tears dripped from my eyes. I knew he was right."Don't cry. You're getting blood tears all over your shirt."Crying tears of blood happened with me once in
Cam and I hung out for several more hours. After he left, I went upstairs to change into my PJ's. Gatsby said we would talk later. He needed a way to get in, so I opened the window. Before I had a chance to open a book, he jumped into my room. "The boy seems to be doing better. You really are a good friend, Jasmine." He hopped on my bed and curled into a ball. "Um, thanks." I fluffed some pillows and stuffed them behind my back. Gatsby appeared to have fallen asleep. I cleared my throat. "Are you going to tell me about the demura?"His eyes blinked open. "I suppose I should."I crossed my legs and sat forward. "I'm actually surprised your genie friend didn't tell you about them.""Why is that?" I suddenly felt a little sick. Had Laeddin brought the demura to Salem?"Well, because a demura is the essence of an evil genie." He blinked several times, waiting for that bit of news to sink in. My heart pounded in my throat. "How can a genie be evil? Aren't they required to obey those wh
Laeddin still hadn't returned when I woke the next morning. His bedroom door was open, his bed still made. I dressed in jeans and a teal t-shirt, put my hair in twin tails, and put on a pair of teal Converse. They were my mom's favorite shoes. I'd seen her closet and the sixteen pairs she kept in there. She never wore them anymore, but she still loved them. I tried a pair on once and immediately understood why. They were super comfortable. When Laeddin took me shopping at Bloomingdales, I knew I had to have a pair. For some reason wearing them made me feel closer to my mom. I missed her. And my dad too.When I got down to the kitchen, I opened the fridge thinking there probably wouldn't be any blood, but it was there - a full glass of the red stuff. I drank it and then picked up my backpack. How was I going to get to school?Finally I decided there was no helping it. I needed him."Laeddin," I called. He appeared immediately. "Jasmine," he said. He sounded tired. He looked haggard.
Laeddin pulled me into a hug. "We need to talk."The scent of his blood lit my throat on fire. Not to mention the way his skin smelled and felt. And the way he looked in his jeans and button up shirt. He was beautiful in every way. I pushed him back. "I tried to talk to you several times this morning, but you wouldn't listen." I crossed my arms. "I know. But there is something about me, about my family you need to know." He sighed. "It has to do with the demura."I twisted some hair between my fingers. "Go on." I already knew thanks to Gatsby, but I'd give him a moment."You better sit down. It's kind of a long story." He led me over to the couch. When we were sitting, he began, "Many years ago - ""You mean two thousand years ago, don't you?" I crossed my arms and leaned back against the cushions. Laeddin's brows furrowed. "How do you know?""Well, old man, if you would've let me talk this morning, I would've told you that I know everything.""Everything?" He smirked. "Well, smar