Laeddin waited for me exactly where he dropped me off several hours before. If I hadn't watched him drive away, I would've wondered if he ever left. As I started down the stairs Sydney fell into step beside me. "Hey, Jack. Sorry about Drake. He's such a jerk.""It's okay. Thanks again for all your help. I couldn't have made it through today without you."She waved a hand in front of her face. "Sure. Sure. So listen. A bunch of us are getting together tonight. Just a little party to start the week off right. Want to come?" She was bouncing on the tips of her toes.I glanced at Laeddin who was watching me."I'd love to. Thanks for the invite." I bounced on my toes. My first party. "Great. Here's the directions. Wear something warm." She went down the rest of the stairs. "And Jack?""Yeah?" I clutched the paper she gave me. "Is that your dad in the car over there?" She pointed at Laeddin. "Gah, no. He isn't my dad. He-he works for my mom and dad. He's staying with me until they can joi
I'd been walking for ten minutes. I wasn't winded and I could see fine in the dark, but I was tired of getting around on two legs. I wanted to fly. The thought shocked me. I always believed I'd be perfectly happy without my wings. Happier even. I shrugged the thought away. I needed to give myself more time to get used to life without them. I could do that. At the end of the road was the forest, the one I promised Laeddin and Pops I would stay out of. A quick glance at the map verified I was to go in though. I shouldn't be surprised. Sometimes Abrea and I did things the grown-ups told us not to do. Nothing too serious. It was the way of children, I guess, to rebel against the wisdom of time. But I got the feeling the directions weren't telling me to go in for some harmless, rebellious fun. Instead, Sydney and Drake were planning something. A jolt of anticipation shot through me. Bring it on, I thought. Stepping inside, I went stealthily forward knowing if there were really a part
I retracted my fangs and closed my mouth, holding my breath. Then sat. He rubbed his jaw and I heard the scratchiness from his unshaven beard. "Jasmine?" Laeddin really looked at me. "What is it?" He scooted closer. Even with me holding my breath, his scent still had me drooling. I covered my nose and my mouth, but that didn't help either. Standing, I ran to my room, and slammed the door. It was like I was five again and couldn't control myself. I knew I couldn't have his blood, but the fire burning in my throat didn't care. "Jasmine?" There was a knock on the door. "It's nothing. I'm fine." I could smell his blood through the door. "Can I come in?" His voice took on a softer tone."Nooooo." I ran to my bed and flung myself on it before grabbing a pillow and jamming it over my face. There was a lingering scent of my mother. Or maybe I only imagined that.Laeddin sighed but didn't walk away. "I'm opening the door," he said gently. He poked his head in. "Hey, tell me what's wron
I rolled over and opened my eyes. It was still dark outside. Wind blew the curtains like teal butterflies in the breeze. My vision became blurry and the bedroom disappeared. "What's happening?" I was spinning and falling through different colored rings of light. Down. Down. Down. My body hit bottom with a thud. A moan escaped my lips as I rolled onto my knees and then stood. "Hello?" I turned slowly trying to let my eyes adjust to the utter darkness. As a vampire my vision was exceptional, but wherever I was, it was of no use. "Hello?" I shouted again. From a distance I could hear something beating against the air. It seemed to be getting closer. Fear turned my stomach and made my throat dry. "Where am I?" The beating stopped. "Hello, Jasmine." "Who's there?" I squinted, hoping that would help me to see better. "The one who will steal your heart and make you mine." His voice sounded close. I reached out to touch him, but only air passed through my fingers. "No you aren't. I
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