I came to and heard Sharra talking."I know you believe in your visions, but where is your God now, when you need him most. Don't you think if you were meant to lead your country to victory, he would rescue you?""You speak blasphemy against my Lord. It may not be today, but you will suffer for your irreverence." Joanna spoke with quiet certainty, without a shred of horror in her voice.Sharra grabbed Joanna's face. "Highly unlikely, little one."I opened my eyes and saw Joanna was chained to a wall. It appeared we were in a dungeon of some sort. It stank of rotting flesh and wet dirt."Release her. You can contend with me but leave Joanna alone," I tried to shout, my voice groggy and my throat parched.Sharra sauntered over. The material of her dress rustled against her legs. "I wondered when you'd wake. You've been asleep a long time. Days in fact. I didn't take that much blood. Perhaps you're weaker than I first believed."I ground my teeth together, but didn't respond. "My love,"
But Kenmei did not kill us. I would later learn the Hunter didn't support Sharra the way some of the other vampires did.Once the vampire queen was gone, he went to Joanna. "Let me get you out of these." With very little effort he yanked the chains from the wall. Joanna fell to her knees. "There. There, little bird." He lifted her and placed her on a throne made of rock. Then he bit into his wrist. Blood immediately came to the surface. "I know you don't want to drink from Adam, but you're a revenant now, not quite human and not quite vampire. Blood is all that will keep you alive." He put his wrist to her mouth.She resisted, but only for a moment."That's it."I worried she would spit it out again, but she didn't. She drank. Slowly at first, but then her hands came up and she took hold of his wrist. "Good girl, little bird. Take your fill."Joanna's mother began to wail. In between cries she shouted, "Demon.""Be still woman!" I fought against the chains wishing I could be free.Fi
I, Jasmine was suddenly aware I was no longer inside Joanna's head, but back at my home. Without opening my eyes, I knew I was in my room in Salem, laying on the bed and covered in blankets. Laeddin was in his room, sleeping. I heard his even breathing and the rise and fall of his chest. The trip back in time was enlightening. I now understood more about Pops and my heart broke for his loss even though it was hundreds of years ago. How that must've hurt. I also understood Laeddin's love for me a little better. It didn't matter whether I loved him back or not. His love was strong and real and the driving force behind all he'd done and did for me. My heart softened toward him and I wished I could love him back the way he loved me. It would be so easy. But I wasn't sure whether it was because he was a genie and treated me like I was his master or what, but there was something keeping me from letting myself fall for him. With Christopher, it was purely physical. He believed we belonged
"I have an idea where it is." Laeddin hiked a short distance to the edge of the ridge. "Where's that?" I hiked over to him. We stood on the top of a vast mountain. The crisp air whipped thin around us, nearly empty of oxygen. Had I still been human I would've had difficulty breathing at such a high altitude. "Down there, probably within or below the palace," he said, pointing. I followed his finger as I stroked the bear bracelet encircling my wrist. Christopher had given it to me. The little bear charm brought me comfort. My eyes drifted down into an expansive city surrounded on three sides by mountains while the fourth opened to the sea. Homes made of rock and sand lined the streets, standing in rows like soldiers waiting for battle. Two thirds of the way toward the castle was a large wall with a gate. Two gargoyle sentries with matching brown wings stood guard on either side of it. The second rung of houses was similar to the first, though they were much bigger, and many had co
"It has to be to keep up with you, Rave," the largest gargoyle, the one I guessed was the leader, said. Rave grunted and walked over to Laeddin, sniffing him. I couldn't help but wonder if his blood smelled as good to her as it did to me. "It stinks, Edge. I think we should kill them." Guess that answered my question."Or eat it," the male with sunset orange wings added.The one the female called Edge shook his head. "We won't kill them or eat them. We will take them to the emperor and let him decide their fate." He made a point of looking at each of them, starting with the orange-winged male. "Scotch?""Yes, Liege.""Skye?" Hers were the wings that reminded me of a cotton ball. They were brilliant white. "Of course." She bowed, keeping her eyes on the ground. "Rave?" She shook her wings, seemingly irritated. "Whatever you say, boss." She spoke like she had a bad taste in her mouth. As though to prove my point, she spat. I watched it land on the ground and disappear into the gravel
He's obviously a man of many words, I thought sarcastically. We passed another room filled with dozens of carved statutes. All were of gargoyles in various shapes and sizes - except one. She was female and appeared to be human, aside from the large black wings on her back. They were different than gargoyles' wings, more bird-like. That surprised me because the statue was placed high above the others and in a prominent location. I wanted to ask who she was, but knew the gargoyles couldn't understand me, and so held my tongue.We'd moved on anyway, into another stairwell, which led us down further into the depths of the castle. It became obvious very quickly that those with certain colored wings held different positions. If a gargoyle had bright wings in colors like those on the castle spires, they were the aristocrats while those with duller-colored wings were the servants. Further down and I noticed the servants were no longer carrying linens, but some held weapons while others c
Instead of answering, Rayne turned away, her back against Jesse's arm. That wasn't peculiar at all."She wouldn't tell me either," Jesse said, giving me a sorrowful look. "Are you from this realm?" I tried again, leaning over and trying to get a glimpse of her face. "I am," she whispered. "But you don't look like the others.""That's because I'm a mutt - only half gargoyle, like Jesse." She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her head on them. "Is that why you're down here then? Because you're a mutt?" I guessed there was more to the story than that, but thought it was a good jumping off point."Don't talk to me." She turned again so that her back faced me. Jesse shrugged apologetically. "Can you give her some space?" "Sure." I went over to the door, frustrated, and shook it. "Let's us out! Right now.""Hey, it's okay," I heard Jesse whisper to Rayne in between my wasted shouts. "You don't have to talk. Not yet. It's okay.""Maybe we should get some rest." Laeddin came ov
Before the door slammed shut, Pops hugged me. "Are you okay?" "I'm fine. Go see your son." Troy smiled at me quickly before he and Pops were hugging Jesse, clapping him on the back, and talking to each other all at once. I watched them with tears in my eyes, grateful the three of them had been reunited, even if it was in jail. Rayne seemed unsure about what to do. I went and stood beside her and Laeddin, occasionally wiping my eyes with the back of my hand. Seeing men cry with joy was a sight I would never forget. The sheer happiness in that cell seemed to increase the light in the room. Once the initial hugging and expressions of delight were over, they lowered their voices and talked, their words rushed as they tried to catch each other up on all that had happened. I didn't interrupt. Nor did I use my abilities to listen in. They deserved some private time together.After a while, I sat down, pulling Laeddin with me. Rayne had already returned to her corner and appeared to be sle
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