"Dad. Vivianne. You're home." I wanted to rush over and hug my dad, but my stepmother's scowl held me in place. Where was Christopher? Had he heard them come home and left? I hoped so."Hi, Snow-Angel," Dad said slowly, clearing his throat. He looked good, more in shape, though he still dressed like an undercover TV cop - Hawaiian shirt, cargo shorts, and socks with sandals. He was tan with natural blond streaks in his otherwise dark hair. His face crinkled near his eyes from smiling. He and my stepmother sat across the dining table from each other, dozens of bags piled between them. Apparently, there'd been shopping on their trip. Gatsby darted from under the table and wound around my legs, yowling for his dinner."Don't you feed him? He's too skinny," Vivianne said. She wore a pair of white shorts and a light blue tank. One tanned leg was crossed over the other, and her wedge-sandaled foot bounced rhythmically. She was a lot younger than my dad, closer to my age than his. Not
My dad grumbled, uncomfortable. He didn't like to talk about money. "You'll look lovely. The black beading will bring out your stunning blue eyes," Viv added, ignoring him. I reached out, drawn to the colorful beading. Viv slapped my hand away. "Wash your hands first." She took the dress from my dad. "I hope this fits you. It's hard to tell under all those baggy clothes.""What size is it?" I asked, drying my wet hands on a towel. "Tut-tut. Go try it on." I took the dress and went upstairs. There wasn't a tag or a size in the dress. Viv probably didn't know.When I entered my room, I casually peeked around before closing my door. "Christopher. Charming, are you here?" I checked my bathroom, the shower, my closet, even under my bed. He wasn't there. My stomach sank. He must've left. I hoped he'd come back later - after they went to bed."Snow! Hurry up," Viv shouted from below."Okay." I tore off my clothes and cautiously stepped into the dress, zipping up the side. I went to t
"I see Christopher has been enlightening you. Yes, this is Sharra, a realm of my creation," the vampire queen answered.A long, old-fashioned gown hugged her curvy body and spread out around her in tones of emerald and pine. Black ribbing crisscrossed the bodice. Her raven-black hair was done up in hundreds of curls, a diamond tiara peeking out in front. An emerald choker captured her neck. Thick black lashes framed iridescent blue eyes, and her lips shone red as blood, as did her long manicured nails. "Come closer so I can look at you."My body responded to her alluring voice, and I moved forward. Would she take me now? Had my time run out already? I wasn't prepared. At least, according to Professor Pops, I still needed to drink my true love's blood. As one of the marked, that was how I was to change. Gathering confidence, I lifted my chin. "What do you want?" My question infuriated the other vampires. They launched out of their chairs, hissing and revealing their fangs as
I was furious and ground my hands into fists, forcing back the words I wanted to say. "No, thanks. I've got to get to school." I grabbed my backpack from the dining table and ran out the back door. At the bottom of the stairs, I remembered I hadn't fed Gatsby. No way was I going back in there, though. He'd be okay. Maybe my dad was right. I'd be glad to see him go because it meant he'd take Viv with him. I crossed the yard, making my way to Professor Pops' house. I hoped he was home. I needed to explain the tea situation. Hopefully, he could get some more from Kenmei. Seconds after I knocked on the door, Bart answered. He wore dark jeans and a white button-down shirt. His blond hair was still a little damp, probably from a shower."Hey, Snow. Come on in.""Thanks." I stepped into the high-ceilinged foyer, admiring the enormous sparkling chandelier while he closed the door. "Is Professor Pops around? I need to talk to him.""Yep, in the kitchen. Don't freak out, but there's a m
"I've talked to her, Snow." Dorian's voice betrayed the sarcasm oozing over his words.His heart pounded - steady, but was it faster than usual? I wasn't sure. Taking a deep breath, I caught a whiff of his aftershave. He smelled good. Clean. Appealing.His blood sang me a sultry song. My mouth watered. I'll be fine, I told myself, covering my nose and mouth with my hand."You alright, Snow?" He glanced at me. His eyes full of concern."Sure. I rest my hand over my nose and mouth all the time," I mumbled, irritated.Illumination dilated his eyes. He knew what I needed, what I wanted. The way the muscles in his thighs and shoulders tensed told me as much.My face heated and I looked away, out the window at the houses and trees zipping by. "Snow, I told you if you ever needed blood, I'd gladly let you take from me." The car slowed, and he pulled over to the side of the road. He shut off the engine and scooted beside me. "Go ahead," he said, his voice soft. Shocked, I watched him,
Dorian had been right about Cindy. She was already in chemistry, sitting in her seat. She glanced up as I ambled past our table."Konnichiwa," she said.My eyebrows lifted in question, though for some reason I understood she'd said hello - good afternoon specifically - in Japanese. Ohayo gozaimasu meant good morning. My heart lurched with anxiety. Maybe the pendant?"That means hello in Japanese," she said, her face filled with pride. "I'm soooooo over French. The language is," she paused and shrugged before continuing, "boring."I hid a smile. Once the newness of a language wore off and started to get tricky, she moved on. "Hey, yourself," I responded. "What happened to you yesterday? I was worried." I sat on my stool. She looked irritated a moment but waved it off. "I had some stuff to do."I snorted, only slightly irritated. "Flirting with a boy kind of stuff?" I asked, pulling out my binder and book and flopping them on the table.She twirled some of her blond hair in her
After school, I went over to Dorian's locker to wait. Out of everyone, he was the one I felt most comfortable with, even with thoughts of sinking my teeth in his neck. He allowed me to be myself. He accepted me, liked me. And he wanted me to drink from him. My knees trembled."Snow. Can we talk?"My body tightened. The hall blurred. The angry craving for Cindy's blood once again boiled through my veins. I had to get out of there. "Go away, Cindy. I-I can't be around you right now." I took off down the hall, through the front commons area and out into the crisp fall air. I knew she followed. I'd zoned in on her heartbeat, the aroma of her blood. My canines pressed against my lips. I searched the parking lot for Dorian's car. The Mustang still sat in the same spot he'd parked in that morning. Relieved, I rushed over, hoping Dorian would come soon. When I arrived at the passenger door, I stopped. Trapped. Cindy stood a few feet away, her face screwed up with sadness. My hea
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
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