The guy whimpered as though he knew what I wanted. I allowed my fangs to grow. His eyes got wide with fear. I liked that - the horror in them. Bending down, I took in his scent before sinking my teeth into his tender flesh.His blood filled my mouth, and I swallowed the coppery warmth hungrily. Professor Pops' words strutted across my mind: "Promise me you won't drink from a human for more than ten seconds." Internally I counted to ten. But didn't stop. Eleven. Twelve. I finally released Kevin. He lay unconscious, his breathing weak but there. The bite marks would heal quickly. The venom I released with my bite was like a liquid cure. Only a bruise would remain. He tasted good, but I wanted more. Dissatisfaction sat on my tongue. Quickly I moved to Ashley. I lifted her into my arms, and she stirred."Kevin." Her eyes fluttered open and then widened momentarily."It's okay, Ashley." Her pupils dilated, and I knew she was mine to do with as I pleased. "Let me see your neck."
"When you've disposed of your filthy clothes, step into the shower, and I'll send Fina and Trina to assist you in scrubbing off all the debris." He sniffed again."No, thank you, Zenny." I untied my shoelaces. "I can take care of myself. I don't need Fina and what was her name? Treeny.""Trina, dear. And I think you should reconsider." He walked across my reflection to my left cheek, licked his thumb, and pretended to wipe off a dirt streak."Funny," I said, sarcastic.He wrinkled his nose. "I'm not trying to be funny. Really, you're a mess.""Fine, I get it. Now can you leave so I can shower in peace?""Humph," he snorted and walked to the edge of the mirror.Before he was gone, I remembered my manners. "Thank you, Zenny."He turned to me, his face ablaze with happiness. "Of course, Snow." Then he was gone.I quickly stripped and, doing as Zenny commanded, tossed my clothes into the fire. The shower was steaming as I stepped in, allowing the water to wash away layers of grime. There
The vampire queen appraised me with scheming eyes and nodded her approval before heading out of the room. "Excellent. Let's go."I followed, curious about her plans and not caring that she probably had ulterior motives. Also, I was glad for the distraction from my heavy guilt over Gabe. The sooner she showed me whatever she wanted to show me, the sooner I would have to face the consequences of my actions. Sure, I accepted that I should but that didn't mean I would revel in it. Though I longed to see Pops and the guys, even if they hated me. I just needed the pain and the guilt to stop. Sharra and I passed through a sunroom, down a steep set of stairs, and through a large sitting room filled with extravagant chandeliers, furniture, thick draperies, and a red grand piano. Seated in some of the chairs were supernatural creatures. Vampires, I guessed. All of them were female, dressed in clothing from every century. Some wore dresses with tight bodices and large skirts, others were
Shrugging, I followed her back to the thrones. When she sat, so did I. "This is the entrance to the orchards," she said, pointing. "Beyond the apple trees are peaches, plums, and pears. All of them are grown and cultivated to our specific tastes." She nodded, and I knew she referred to the blood. Somehow it was fused within the fruit. "Sometimes it's nice to eat solid food," she continued. "A liquid diet can get boring after a few hundred years." She snapped her fingers, and we were in a forest. Giant trees shaded the fern and mossy floor. A babbling brook rushed along next to us. Three deer drank from its edge, unaware of us. She put a finger to her lips. I bobbed my head, indicating I understood and watched her move without sound toward them.I fought down the knot forming in my stomach. What did she intend to do? When she snapped the neck of the largest deer, I shuddered. "Why?" I asked, stunned.The other two deer bolted.The queen pulled a knife from a sheath I hadn't n
"They told me you had her tortured and murdered," I said, equally angry, though I was sure there was no twinkling darkness coming off my hair. The vampire queen gasped and pressed a hand to her chest in mock sarcasm. "They what? I could never murder my sister." She was a big fat liar. I knew it. Sensed it. Pushing down my fears, I changed the subject. "Are you saying you were in the right? You deserve the power?" I didn't add that Kenmei and Professor Pops both told me they were her hunters at one time and that I knew they left her. Immediately a small flutter danced in my belly. Was that where Christopher went? Professor Pops and Kenmei never told me what they did to break free of her. Was it just a matter of walking away, or was more required? I thought about the bear Christopher carved and how excited he was when I gave it to him."Without a doubt, I deserve the power. I've ruled for thousands of years. That isn't going to change anytime soon." She walked back over to the th
The voice came from behind me. It was a voice I thought I'd never hear again. I didn't want to move, afraid if I turned around, I would realize I was hearing things or it'd been a figment of my overactive imagination. But I sensed movement. My body began to tremble. Could it be? Was it possible? I was too afraid to find out.His voice whispered in my ear. "Snowflake. You're back. I knew you'd come sooner or later. I've been waiting."I had to see him. Turning, my eyes caught hold of his face, and he was there, standing before me. His gorgeous green eyes watched me intently, and a smile sat on his beautiful face. But even that could be my imagination. My mind still wouldn't believe it. I placed my hands on his arms, feeling the warmth radiating off him. His breathing was rapid, a hint of mint coming off his breath, and he smelled good. Like my Gabe. Still, I struggled to accept the truth standing in front of me. "Are you real?"He pulled me into his arms. Gabe! He wasn't dead.
"He opposes the vampire queen." He shook his head. "He's the leader of those who want you and all of the marked dead." He blew out his breath. "More than that, though, he is my father.""Like, your real father?" I was confused. We'd all believed his father was dead - that he'd died in a fire more than a decade ago. He nodded. "Yes. When we spoke, he explained that he needed to fake his own death." Gabe's eyes filled with wonder. "Apparently, he's been alive a long time."The make-believe pixilettes in my tummy were having a field day. But I could only focus on one thing at a time. "Why didn't he want you?" I was confused. The man faked his own death and left Gabe to go through life alone. Thank goodness for Professor Pops. Gabe pulled away. "It isn't that he didn't want me. He's just busy, and those who are loyal to the queen killed my mom. He believed Professor Pops would be able to care for me until I was old enough to understand. And Professor Pops did. I couldn't have asked fo
My breathing came in ragged chunks. "Is it because we are no longer human?" I wanted out of my room. Out of this conversation with Gabe, and the whole thing. The desire to bolt took over. For the briefest of moments, I went to the window, desperate to be anywhere but here. "That's part of it. But there's more. See," he hesitated. I studied his reflection in the glass, but I didn't turn. "My father fell in love with a human, and with that love came many children. The vampire queen made an extra effort to capture and change their offspring into vampires. Sons and daughters with chayot blood make even more exceptional vampires than a regular human does. The vampire queen favored them over all others, and she nearly got them all."I thought about the vampires I'd seen in the castle. Were they Gabe's relatives? I didn't ask. Didn't move. I was a vampire - the enemy. I wouldn't give him any information. "The queen brought this war upon herself. It's my father's life work to finish