"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
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