Authors: RaShelle Workman
“You’re right, of course. The task seems bleak, but we believe we’ve figured out a way.”
“How do you plan to stop her?” Gabe asked, moving further from me. I guessed he was rethinking his crush on me. The whole “consume his heart” line in the note was pretty disturbing, and then there was my dream. Gabe hadn’t been with his brothers. Was he my true love? At the thought, my heart beat faster. The blood had tasted better than anything I could imagine. My knees quaked, weak.
“Yes, how do you plan to stop her,” I repeated, forcing back the thoughts I’d been entertaining of tasting Gabe’s blood.
Professor Pops regarded me. “You must receive true love’s first kiss.”
Gabe perked up. And I blushed.
“So his heart will turn me into a vampire, and his kiss will what?” I cleared my throat.
Professor Pops said, “His kiss will free you, and you will once again become completely human.”
“Awesome,” Daniel shouted. He was usually so quiet, we were all stunned, and turned to gawk at him. “Well it is.”
“Why don’t you eat something, Snow? The waffles are vegan.” He seemed distracted, plucking his reading glasses from his pocket, and reread the letter.
I went over, grabbed a waffle, and took a bite. It tasted like paper. I knew what I wanted—blood. But that was out of the question. Angry, I shoved the rest of the waffle in my mouth, and chewed.
The brothers watched me. I was too upset to be embarrassed. After swallowing I said, “What, we’ve got to get to school.”
“Should she be going to school?” Heathcliff asked, his words hesitant.
“Yes, yes. Go to school. Keep an eye on her.” Professor Pops waved in my direction. “After school, go to Track practice, and then come here. I need to get your input on some birthday plans.” He glanced at me over his glasses, an incomprehensible look in them. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to make a few calls.” He walked out of the kitchen without a backward glance.
“Birthday plans?” Dorian asked.
I shrugged. “Professor Pops wants to throw me a birthday party here.” How could he still be considering my silly birthday? Did he expect me to go on with my life like nothing happened?
“Whoa, your letter has Pops worked into quite a tizzy,” Salvatore said, sliding up to me. He grinned, and I guessed he wasn’t afraid. In fact, he wanted to kiss me. It was weird I could tell. It was pretty obvious though. His focus rested on my lips. He licked his, moistening them. “In fact,” he continued, “I think this will be fun.” He placed his hands on my arms, a little awkwardly.
“What are you doing, Salvatore?” I asked, snickering. This close, it was like I could taste his aftershave, the sweet syrup on his breath, and the fabric softener on his clothes. I didn’t want a kiss, but to sample him… I shuddered at where my mind headed. Ugh.
He answered, “Well, if true love’s kiss will turn you back into a human, I say it’s our duty, our responsibility, as your friends, to kiss you.”
Gabe shoved Salvatore. “Get away from her!” He breathed heavily.
Salvatore waved. “I’ll catch you later, Snow.”
I laughed. At least he joked with me.
Gabe headed toward the garage. “I’ll drive Snow.”
I regarded the guys. “Guess I’m getting a ride with Gabe.”
They chuckled, and each patted, slugged, or ruffled my hair. Absently, I noticed each of them had a distinguishing scent, and it wasn’t their cologne.
“See you at school,” Dorian said.
“Right, see
ya
.” I hurried after Gabe doubting whether school was a good idea.
Chapter 4
O
n
the way to my locker, Gabe stopped, and said, “I’ve got to get to class. See you at lunch.” He squeezed my hand, and I squeezed back. A gnawing nervousness swelled as I watched him walk away.
My first class was Chemistry, and I was totally unprepared for the quiz on Matter. I also had an assignment due in Algebra II, and verbs that needed conjugating for Spanish. While I emptied my backpack into my locker, I made a mental promise to talk to my teachers about extra credit, or a way to make up the work.
“Bonjour, Snow. Where have you been?” Cindy asked using the French word for ‘hello,’ despite the ring of agitated irritation I detected in her words.
“Hey,
Cin
. Your French is coming along nicely,” I returned, wondering if she’d discern anything different about me. Closing my locker, I turned to face her annoyance, which I knew I deserved.
She’d said she’d call me on Sunday, when she got back from the Cape, but I hadn’t been home. When I’d picked up my backpack from home this morning, I noticed several messages flashing on our dinosaur of an answering machine. I gathered they were from her.
“Sorry. I—” I paused. Did I tell her? Professor Pops hadn’t said I should keep what happened to me a secret. But, seriously, if I did, she’d probably think I’d gone batty. “I spent the weekend over at Professor Pops, with the guys.” I finished, and started walking toward class.
“Lucky,” she pouted. “I went to a party with my parents. Totally lame.” I watched her roll her eyes.
She looked gorgeous as ever. Dark jeans.
A sky blue, cashmere sweater.
Strappy black wedge heels made her almost as tall as me, and showed off her perfectly French pedicured toenails. Her hair had been pulled into a high ponytail and bobbed when she walked.
I smelled our classroom way before we reached it, a combination of vinegar, sulfur, sugar, and sweat. The odor was strong, and stung my nose. That, along with the hundreds of thunderous heartbeats, and the scent of so much blood, it might be the spark that caused me to sink my revenant teeth into someone. I just knew it. I ground my teeth, only half listening to
Cin
talk about the drama from the party over the weekend.
When we entered class, Cindy took a seat. We shared a table second row from the front, and next to the wall full of windows. After dropping my backpack on the floor near my seat, I propped a window opened, and dragged in a long, cleansing breath.
“Snow, what are you doing?”
“Needed some fresh air is all,” I said, sitting on the stool next to her.
Unzipping my bag, I pulled out my notes, hoping I could do a quick review before Mr. Wallace passed out the quiz.
“It’s cold. You should—” Cindy stopped, and her knee pressed into my thigh. “New guy,” she hissed.
“Really? He wasn’t here on Fri—” I lifted my eyes just as he stopped in front of me.
“Hey, Snow. Is this seat taken?” He pointed to the chair in front of us, which was empty, and had remained empty since Bobby Melville got sent to the principle’s office for burning his partner, Sammy
Snells
with acid, and ended up expelled.
I shook my head. “Hey, Charming. No. Go ahead.”
“Cool.” He sat, and inclined his chin toward Cindy. “Hi, Cindy. Did you have fun at the Cape?”
I heard her swallow before answering, and was surprised. It shocked me to think of Cindy as nervous. I thought she said she wasn’t interested.
“Oh, yeah. It was a blast,” she answered, twisting her ponytail around her hand.
A light breeze blew in from the window. Thankful, I pulled in another large breath of air, and froze. My teeth, the ones Kenmei and Professor Pops said I wouldn’t need to worry about for a couple of weeks, extended into fangs, and pricked the inside of my mouth. Electric butterflies danced in my stomach, and my body yearned for blood—Chace’s blood. I felt my eyes grow wide in terror.
“Snow?” Chace rolled his seat over, touching my arm. “Is everything alright?” He appeared concerned, as did Cindy.
“What’s the matter?” she asked, eyeing me with a look that said, ‘please don’t embarrass me.’
I rose, and muttered under my hand. “I’ve got to go.” I grabbed my backpack, and dashed from the room, knocking into Mr. Wallace. Mumbling a quick, “Sorry,” I ran.
The hallway was mostly empty. Only a few stray students rushed the same as me. I dashed into the nearest girl’s bathroom, locked myself in a stall, and dropped my bag. With a ragged sigh, I leaned my forehead against the door. Tears leaked onto my cheeks. I closed my eyes, letting them fall.
Chapter 5
“Snow.” My name seemed to be threaded within the wind.
Upon opening my eyes, I witnessed what my body had already confirmed. I was no longer in the girl’s bathroom, but in a lush forest. The sun shone bright. This time I knew I’d entered another realm, and that I’d been brought because of the Vampire Queen’s magic.
Would I meet her this time? There was so much I didn’t comprehend. I slowly turned in a circle, taking in my surroundings, and noticed I wasn’t wearing my jeans and t-shirt any longer, but a deep red cotton dress. The sleeves were short, and lined in black ribbing, as was the round, scooped collar, and the dresses’ hem went to my knees. My feet were bare.
It surprised me I wasn’t afraid. I was bitten in this realm. The Hunter took my blood, turned me into a revenant, so fear should’ve been what I felt.
“Hello,” I murmured, carefully stepping over a boulder, moving in the direction of a babbling brook. As I walked, I sensed a presence.
The Hunter’s.
That knowledge didn’t frighten me either. Instead, an excited anticipation filled my stomach with butterflies. I bit my lip.
“Where are you?”
The scenery seemed to shimmer in the early morning light. Dew drops glistened on bright green leaves, and spongy moss. The air flourished fragrant with flowers in lavender, rose, butter, and blue. They bloomed in abundance. Chipmunks, rabbits, and deer examined me. Their ears perked, and their noses wiggled, sniffing for danger.
“It’s been too long since I’ve savored you.” Each of his words came out laced with longing, and sent jolts through my veins.
“Let me see you.” I remembered the way I’d felt when he drank from me, and I trembled.
He stepped from behind a large tree. A thick, brown hood shaded his face, so all I saw were his glowing red eyes. He wore a brown leather vest that enhanced his broad shoulders, rippling biceps, and trim waist. His pants were made of cloth, and hung low on his hips, a leather belt keeping them secured. A large knife sat in a sheath, and was attached to his belt. Dark brown boots covered his feet.
At the sight of him, my body tensed, not in fear, but desire. I wanted his arms around me. I wanted his lips on my neck, his mouth drinking… “What is your name, Hunter?” I asked, my voice shaking with need.
“Here I am called Christopher,” he replied gruffly. He stepped away from the tree, and into the sunlight. I still couldn’t see his face.
“If you’re a vampire, why doesn’t the sun burn you?” I asked, curious. My hunger for his blood seared so strong, it took every ounce of effort I possessed not to attack him.
“The Queen’s magic is very powerful. I have no fear of the sun.” Another step.
I took another. Our steps like a dance.
A deadly dance.
One I didn’t want to win. If I reached out my hands I would’ve touched him, but I didn’t. He smelled earthy, like clover, and honey.
“Are you going to bite me again?” The words left my mouth, and I instantly knew I wanted him to.
“I will if that is what you desire.” He sounded so calm, but his heart raced. Another step. Our bodies practically touched, but we kept our hands to our sides.
“If you’re a vampire, why does your heart beat?” I asked, startled.
“More of the Queen’s magic,” he replied, his words like a soft gust against my face.
“Can I bite you?” I’d blurted the question before my brain had time to filter it. That was my deepest desire.
At my request, he raised his head. I squinted, trying to see his face. Still, all I saw were his eyes, and they appeared shocked.
“Yes,” he said, in a voice that quivered.
I slipped my hands into his hood, and touched his neck, felt his quickening pulse. He lifted me, so my fangs dangled parallel to his neck. I wrapped my legs around his hips, surprised at my forwardness.