As I studied the city coming into view, I thought about love as an emotion. How it was like a pyrotechnics display. The vibrancy and beauty were not truly appreciated until after the fireworks erupted, when the sparks burst in radiant color and seem to gloriously proclaim to the sky, "This is what you're missing. This is what you've lost."That was how it was with my mother. I had adored her, loved the way she sang while she cooked, how her eyebrows came together when she read something interesting, and the way she snuggled into my neck when she tucked me in at night.Those memories were priceless, and I wished I cherished her more while I had her in my life. I should've cuddled with her longer. Hugged her tighter. But then, I didn't know she was going to die.The knowledge that she was still alive after all this time but chose to stay away filled me with a pain I hadn't known before. I was devastated and angry, and if I was honest with myself, excited to see her."Promises are lies s

"Starved," Dorian answered.Gabe agreed."I could eat," Cindy said, her hands in her pockets as she studied the room.Blood sounded good, I thought but said nothing."Please, have a seat." She indicated a wooden table. The centerpiece was filled with radiant purple flowers I didn't recognize.When we were seated, plates were positioned in front of us. The food smelled divine. It looked like fish covered in a creamy yellow sauce, green beans, and freshly baked rolls. My friends looked at me before shoveling it in. Obviously, it tasted good, but I didn't even try to fake it. My stomach was already in knots. I wouldn't add human food to the mix.My mom ate a little too, but mostly she answered questions from random people who came in and sent wary glances at my friends and me. I stared at my plate, and I caught my mother watching at me.When they finished, my mother addressed us."Better?""Yes," Cindy said, giving me a sidelong look. She had that look on her face. The one that said

Burning ferocity coursed through my veins, and I felt the power of the Seal ignite. The palms of my hands radiated red. Was this truly what Devoran intended when he gave his eternal sight to Silindra? He said he thought everything through. Did he know I'd come for him one day? It seemed highly unlikely. Maybe he didn't realize the power would become part of me. Or perhaps it was because a few thousand years passed, and he forgot the details. Abernathy knew what I would become. Though the dragon had a lot of explaining to do, I felt confident he brought me here for a reason, and it was most likely because he knew what I was capable of. That knowledge and the fact that I still trusted him shocked me. Whether that was a good idea or not remained to be seen. If he brought me, surely, he could help me escape.I glared at my mother. "I don't think you understand, and neither does Devoran. Maybe he hasn't heard what happened to Oberon, the chayot leader when he tried to take the Seal fr

"That's the thing," she began, her voice soft against my ear. "With the power of the Seal, I don't think Sharra will be able to push you out. And when you destroy her, someone will need to rule in her place. You must be resolved to rule, Snow. It's your destiny.""Do you know this for a fact?" "No." I snorted, crossing my arms against my body. "I think destiny is just another word people use to force others to do what they want." I studied her, wondering if it was a good idea to trust her."You're wrong," she said, turning away. "Destiny happens despite your choices. One day you'll understand."There was no point arguing, but I was sick of the word - destiny - and the others that went with it.The elevator stopped. A bright rectangle of light pulsed on the other side of the opening. I remembered how Silindra journeyed by light to get to Crystal City, the elves' original home. Silindra hadn't liked it."Are we going somewhere by light?" I asked, pointing."Yes, it's how elves travel,

This is it, I thought. I'm going to die. A profound gloom curled its way around my heart. Never in a million years did I imagine my life would end this way. If I pictured anything, it was that I disappeared into nothingness as the vampire queen took over my body. Dying like this? No one would know. And I thought of Silindra on an altar, her blood drained from her body. Sacrificed for Sharra's whims. I never would've guessed my fate would be so entwined with hers. I didn't want to die. I didn't want those I loved to die. I wanted to live! The knife hovering above me abruptly descended and sank deep into my chest. If I could have, I would have cried out in pain. I felt every rip, every tear, every shredded vein, and vessel as the blade entered my body.But I was unable to move. The knife retreated as quickly as it dropped and once again hung above my chest. Blood slid from the blade and on to my shirt. The scent of copper stung my nose. I wanted to cry at the injustice of it a