Dorian dropped me off at my front door. I figured I should probably let my dad know I'd be at Professor Pops', so he didn't worry. It seemed like the responsible thing to do. Tossing my backpack on the table, I went to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottled water."I'm home," I called out after taking a sip. The cool liquid soothed my parched throat. No one answered, so I went into the living room, then upstairs, where I knocked on their bedroom door. They weren't home. I made my way back downstairs. On the kitchen counter leaned a folded piece of paper. It just said they'd gone out and would be back later."Fine. Two can play this game."If I had a phone, they could've left me a message or texted me. I'd at least know when they were coming home. Grabbing a pen, I flipped the paper over. Next door at Mr. Henry's. I'll be back around nine, I wrote. Up in my bedroom, I changed into a pair of black sweats, brushed through my hair, and walked over to Professor Pops' house. Salva
When Kenmei arrived, he took one look at me and directed me into Professor Pops' office. "You've changed, Shiryo-san," he said as soon as the door closed behind him.I gulped down my fear. "Have I?""No sense playing coy, revenant." His voice sounded harsh, his eyes hard with anger. "If you intend to survive another month, you've got to trust Adam Henry, the brothers, and me. We are on your side." He sat in the chair next to mine and took my trembling hands. His eyes softened. "I can help, Shiryo-san. Talk to me."I nodded, pushing back tears as heat spread from his hands into my skin. With my new abilities, I listened for his heartbeat. He didn't have one, though I sensed his innate goodness."Start at the beginning," he ordered quietly. I did. I told him everything. The more I talked, the more relieved I became. I hadn't realized how much of a burden I carried, keeping all that happened - and there was a lot - a secret. As I spoke, Kenmei nodded occasionally but kept quiet. He d
When my alarm went off the next morning, I noticed my mother's blanket covered me. I knew I hadn't set the alarm, which meant either Dad or Vivianne had. They'd come back at least. After dressing, I went downstairs and noticed two significant items sitting on the counter. One was a cell phone. The other was a laptop. On top sat a note. Freaking notes! It was from my dad and said the phone was already programmed, and they'd downloaded some necessary programs to the laptop. Then he said they'd gone out to breakfast and he hoped to see me after school.I snorted before grabbing Gatsby's food and water. I hadn't seen him yet this morning and wondered if he was still mad. A pang of loneliness washed through me. The brothers wouldn't be coming over today. I knew they'd abide by my wishes. Christopher was gone. My dad had Viv, and I had - Cindy! If she would forgive me. Time to patch things up. Unlocking my new phone, I dialed her number."Who the hell is this?" she answered.I l
Cindy closed the door as Gatsby jumped up on my bed. "Man, your stepmother can be kind of a bitch.""I know, right?" I sat on my bed and pulled my pillow into my arms. A part of me always believed Viv liked Cindy more than me, and I thought Cindy liked Viv. Her relationship with her mom and dad was good, but they were older, and Cindy was their youngest, so her parents didn't do much by way of relating.A naughty gleam lit Cindy's face. "I could cast a spell, cover her face in boils. What do you think?" She sat down next to me, pushing a strand of hair away from my wet cheek.I laughed. "Might be fun," I said noncommittally, not really feeling it.She picked up her backpack before sitting beside me, crossing her legs. Unzipping the front pocket, she removed a book. As soon as I saw it, the air in the room changed. It hummed as though alive. The book possessed some serious energy. "I'm not kidding. I totally will." My attention remained on the book. Bound by a leather cord, most
When I came to, I felt different. Stronger. More relaxed with what I was - a revenant and nothing more. Sure, my dad left as had Cindy, and I'd pushed away from the people most important to me, namely my seven best friends and their adoptive father, Professor Pops. But whatever. I could handle the situation. I just wanted to feel like myself again. A normal teenager.Certainly not some deliverer for the supernatural.The gem wasn't created for me by one of the original vampires because she knew she would be killed. That was impossible. I refused to believe that in a sea of billions, the gem was meant for me. "No way!"It was morning, and I was determined to go about my life as though I were just another teenager. I got ready and studied myself in my mirror. "Normal." The only thing left to do was return the Seal of Gabriel to Professor Pops. He could deal with it. Reaching behind my lavender dresser, I searched for it but couldn't find it. So, I pulled the furniture away from
The next few days were pretty routine. I went to the school, did my homework, fed my cat, watched reality TV, and pretended I wasn't craving blood so severely my stomach always hurt. I also did a pretty good job ignoring the brothers and Cindy's phone calls and texts. But on Monday morning of the following week, I woke thinking I was going to die. Blood! Blood! Blood! The word pounded through my body over and over like a frenzied crowd at a fight club. I went downstairs, desperate for food, and saw a package sitting on the counter with a damn note. Remember, twice a day. That was all it said.By the smell, I knew it contained my bloodlust tea. Peeling back the wrapping, I quickly made myself a double dose and drank it with relief. The hunger was still there, but now it was bearable. I knew it'd come from Professor Pops. I thought about thanking him but couldn't bring myself to dial his number. Just speaking with him would pull me back into that life, and I didn't want it anymo
Our reunion went better than expected. Hanging out with them again felt like putting on my favorite shoes. They were comfortable. Even Gabe seemed less tense than before my meltdown. After several hours of chatting, dinner, and a movie screening of the latest Marvel movie in their oversized theater room, Gabe suggested some training."You want to take a revenant on at midnight? You're brave." I playfully punched him in the arm and rose from the supple leather couch. He'd sat next to me when the movie started. At first, it was uncomfortable but, as the film progressed and we laughed at our favorite parts together, I relaxed, and so did he."Training is an excellent idea, Snow. Not for too long, though. After an hour, you should head home and get some rest. We'll be here in the morning for some breakfast if you'd like." Professor Pops' eyes twinkled with happiness, and I was sure my expression matched his.I'd been away from eight of my most favorite people on the planet for far to
After losing everything, there was only one option. Jump. Go all in. With both fangs. It was the punishment I deserved after what I'd done. Before a few months ago, I didn't eat meat. Now I craved blood. As a full-fledged vampire, I couldn't get enough, and I'd decided to embrace it. Accept my new lot in life as a wicked supernatural creature. I'd become something I hadn't believed possible, but now that I'd changed, the truth was, I liked it. At least while I partook. Afterward, when the blood haze faded, guilt would edge its way in. I hadn't killed another human, not since Gabe, but killing him was horror enough. It ate at my heart. I remembered the grotesque way his body lay on the floor. The way Professor Pops and the guys looked at me with loathing, disgust, and fear. But I deserved it. I'd become a monster and killed a boy I thought I might love. A brother. A son. He'd kissed me, and I'd repaid him in blood. Lots of it. Maybe even all of it. My vampire need
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