"Young love. The two of you are sweet." Her voice was sarcastic and instantly recognizable. Sharra. My body vibrated with anger, outrage, and fear. How dare she come into my room at my happiest moment? "Get out!" I climbed off Troy. "Unless you've come to return my mom and dad, leave." I lunged forward and got in her face, completely out of control in my fury. "Jasmine." She wore a long black dress and carried her staff with the orb on the end. Her face was calm, but her eyes sparked with interest when they fell on the gems in my forehead. "You've collected three already. Good. That's very good." Her wicked chuckle chilled me to the bone. My anger died, replaced by a growing sense of dread. "The world will be completely encompassed in darkness soon and I want that elven crown. With it, no one will ever be able to stop me." I sucked in a large gulp of air. She obviously didn't think I was any sort of threat. That hurt, but it was also understandable. I hadn't been a formidable opp
I don't know how long I lay on the floor. At some point, I must've passed out. While unconscious, I dreamed of flying on Abernathy's back. More than once he peered back at me with his gigantic golden head. He seemed disappointed. But I didn't care. I didn't blame him either. I was disappointed in myself too. I allowed Troy to be taken. It was my fault. Again. What would Pops say? And Jesse? He was Troy's brother and his best friend. He would be devastated. Occasionally, I heard Abernathy speaking. Though none of his words made any sense. The dragon said into my mind: She's afraid of you. And she should be. You don't need to destroy her to get back your wings, vampire. All you need is to believe you deserve them more than she does. Because you do, Jasmine. They're yours - a part of you. His words reminded me of something from a fairy tale or a nursery rhyme. But they also made no sense. Believing is something wasn't going to give me back my wings. The dragon went on: You possess t
The next morning I found some clothes. A long muslin dress in burgundy with embroidered trim around the collar and along the edge of the hem. It had a gold belt, and white sleeves. It was a little itchy, but the underdress helped. The shoes were plain and brown. I left my hair down, but braided a piece from each side and pinned it back. I thought I looked very fifteen-century France. "You look lovely," Christopher said, when I came out of my room. "It's a little chilly outside though. I recommend this be added to your outfit." He held out a dark wool cape with a hood attached. "Let me help you put this on." "Thanks." I turned and he slipped it over my shoulders. When I faced him I noticed his clothing. He wore a cream shirt with rough material. A chocolate brown vest buttoned up tight over the top. Dark pants and brown boots on the bottom half. His belt matched his boots. He also had on a cape. His clothes brought back a memory from when I was younger. I'd seen him looking almost
When we'd passed the blacksmith's earlier, no one had been visible. Now, an elderly man with white hair and leathery skin pounded on a blade. He glanced up when he heard us."Good day," Christopher said. "We are looking for Adam Henry.""Why?" The smith's voice was garbled and full of growl. "We have a proposition for him."That stopped him. He looked up and focused on Christopher and I intently. "Did you need a sword? If that's the case, Adam is still in training. I am his father and the master blacksmith.""We may have need of a sword or two, yes, and I will remember that you're the man for the job when the time comes. But right now, we seek Adam's assistance on another matter." As Christopher spoke, he stepped further into the shop with me in tow. "Fine. Adam is in the back." He pointed in the direction we should go. Glared and returned to his work."Thank you." Christopher flicked a coin at him. Even though he wasn't looking, Mr. Henry paused his hammering long enough to reach ou
Christopher and I spent the next several hours obtaining horses, gear, and food to keep up appearances. I asked him more than once why we didn't just have someone draw us a map and use our vampire abilities to run to the chateau. We'd be there in hardly any time and we needed to hurry. He just smiled and said Abernathy felt I needed to spend some time with Adam Henry, which was why the dragon had dropped us in his town. We couldn't do that if we just ran. "I guess," I said. "But he must realize how dire the world's circumstances." I still felt the urgency to get the remaining two pieces so I could save the world, rescue my mom and dad, and Troy. A lot had to happen in a short amount of time. "It's important," he added. "Something to do with helping you grow." "Fine." I gritted my teeth. What was it about adults always thinking they knew better than me. I let out a breath. That kind of thinking is what got me in this mess in the first place. If Abernathy said it was important,
We rode more than half the morning. Our band included Joanna, Adam, and two other men whose names were Lance and Arthur. It didn't escape my notice that his name was the same as that of the vampire Sharra woke, but upon closer inspection, I didn't think he looked the type. Besides Arthur didn't smell like a vampire. He and Lance followed behind Christopher and me. Joanna and Adam rode in the lead. They spoke quietly to each other. Had I been a mere mortal I wouldn't have been able to hear them, but I eavesdropped, using my vampire hearing. "I had another vision," Joanna said. Adam gave her a quick glance. "What was it about this time?""I was commanded to lead the French army against the English and those of our country who side with them." Adam's back stiffened, but nearly as quickly he relaxed. "Anything else." She playfully punched him in the arm. "I need you to continue to train me. I have no military training. I cannot read or write, but I have faith. And I believe it is my
The next morning we woke, ate, and started out. Nobody said much. Arthur and Lance kept mostly to themselves. But the rest of us weren't talkative either. Each lost in our own thoughts. The day shone bright and beautiful. Clear skies, not a cloud in the wide, blue sky. Birds dipped and dove through the tops of the trees. Small animals skittered along the branches and in and out from under bushes. Our group still rode parallel with the stream. It rushed on; it's gentle music filled the air. I felt more at peace than I had in a long time. That peace left by mid-morning when I sensed something hunted us. I used all of my vampire abilities to find out what it was, but the predators were cunning. The only thing I could tell for certain was that they were big. "Something is stalking us," I said to Christopher, keeping my voice low enough so only he could hear. "I hear them too. It's going to be hard to keep our secret about what we are if we have to fight for real with our bare hand
"You should go," I whispered to the wolf closest to me, hoping Joanna, Adam and the others wouldn't hear me. Christopher heard me though. I saw the look on his face. "I would hate to hurt you or your companions." I bowed slightly, as a sign of respect. The wolf eyed me as though considering my words. Then, he spoke. "You're surrounded. I think we'll be fine." Behind me, I heard Adam saying something to Joanna, but didn't pick up what he said. I had to keep my focus on the wolves. "Perhaps you underestimate us." "You don't seem surprised that I understand your language and can speak it," the wolf said. It looked like he was smiling."That should tell you that I'm not like the others in this group and neither is my blond companion. We cannot die." He shook his head and barked a signal, causing the other wolves to stop their advancement, including those fighting Arthur and Lance. "What are you then?" His voice was guttural, a cross between a growl and a howl. Oddly beautiful, I though