Vampire Lies (Blood and Snow Season Book 1) (18 page)

“What if you convinced her to remove the curse?” I clasped my hands between my knees, trying to remember all Gatsby had said.

He seemed to consider my words. “So your suggestion is find her…”

“It’s been two thousand years. She’s probably forgotten about her reasons for cursing you in the first place. I bet if you asked her to remove it from you and your brothers, she’d do it.” I cleared my throat. “And if your brothers are no longer genies they can’t be demura either.”

Laeddin stood. “That’s not a bad idea, but I don’t know…”

There was
Gatsby’s other idea. “Can I wish your brothers’ lamps back? Undestroy them?”

Laeddin shook his head. “That sounds like a great idea, but it wouldn’t work.”

“Why not? All I’d have to do is say I wish—”

Laeddin placed a hand over my mouth. “Stop.”

I pulled his hand away.

“You have to be careful with your wishes. If you wished that, time could reverse, or volcanoes could erupt. The world could split. Everything could change.” His eyes were frightened. “Don’t ever make a wish unless you talk to me
about it first. Okay.”

I
sulked; irritated by the way he scolded me—like I was a silly child.

He huffed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to
be rude.”

“But why would all of those things happen? It’s just a simple wish.”

“No, actually. It isn’t. Destroying a genie’s lamp, it takes the greatest of power. I’m sure my brothers had to move Heaven and Earth to obey the command of that creature. And reversing it could kill more people than we would ever hope to save.”

“Okay. Okay. I get it. I’m sorry”

Laeddin came forward and took my hands. “I’m sorry. I appreciate the thought.” He shook them and then dropped them. His mind was obviously elsewhere, working on things he wasn’t sharing with me.

“So let’s go
talk to Maleficent. The sooner she removes your curse the better.”

Laeddin
began to pace. “Give me a second.” I tried to fathom what he was thinking, but I had no idea.

I
picked up my phone and texted Cam. We were supposed to meet for lunch, but since I was no longer in school I didn’t want him to worry.

Hi Cam.
I went home. Sorry. Didn’t mean to make you worry.

He texted back immediately:
Don’t ever do that to me again!

Sorry,
I texted back.

Will you be here tomorrow?

I thought about that. Who knew how long it would take us to find Maleficent and get her to remove the curse? And then once the curse was removed…

I slapped my forehead. If Laeddin were no longer a genie, how would I get home? And if he were no longer a genie, would I remain wingless and without the seven magics? When I first made my wish,
becoming wingless had been what I wanted, but not forever. Just for a little while. Or, if Laeddin were no longer a genie, would my wish stop existing? Would I automatically return to the way I was? That would mean never seeing Cam again, or Peter and Zoe. I supposed I could live with that last part as long as they were safe.

Jack??? Answer me.

I don’t know,
I quickly texted back.

Okay
.
Keep me posted.

Will do.
I felt bad, but I would feel much worse if the demura took him over. So I didn’t say anything more. Instead I went back into the living room. Laeddin was no longer pacing, but seated on the coach. He looked miserable.

“What’s wrong?” I wasn’t nearly as excited as I’d been a few minutes ago.

“I still think your idea is great. It’s just…”

I sat beside him on the coach. “If you’re no longer a genie, will I stay as I am now or will I go back to the way I was before?”

He became more miserable.

Had he not thought about that?

“The only way for you to return to the way you were is to wish it.” He turned to face me. “Have you already tired of normal?”

I snorted. “Not much has been normal since I arrived here.”

“That’s true.” Laeddin smiled. “Perhaps you’ve gathered that normal is a relative term.”

“Yes, I suppose I have.” I leaned nearer to Laeddin, drawn to his scent.

“Well the easiest way to handle this would be to have you wish to return to the way you were and then once you’ve returned home, I can go to Maleficent and ask her to remove the curse.” He began pacing again.

“Actually that won’t work at all.” I grabbed his hand, a strong need to comfort him overwhelming me.

“Why not?” he stopped and gave a wry smile.

“Well because.” I pulled him down on the couch. “What if she tells you no? Then what? The demura will still feed on humans and you’ll most likely become one too.”

“But it isn’t your place to worry about humans. There are the chayot, an angelic—I” He shrugged. “And if you only use two wishes, I’ll continue to be bound to you. The only way the creature can change me is if it becomes my master.”

“I
know what the chayot are. My uncle used to be the leader.” Of course I knew what the chayot were but I was surprised Laeddin knew of them. Did the chayot know about the demura? If not, it might be a good idea to tell them. “Should we tell them about the demura?”

“
I’m sure they already know.” He took a deep breath. “But it might not be a bad idea.” Laeddin patted my hand. “Any ideas how to get a hold of them?”

I jumped to my feet and ran to the door. For the first time in days I felt a little like myself again. It surprised me that I actually missed being myself. “Yep. Come on.”

Chapter
26

The night air was cold
, and the sky was so clear hundreds of thousands of stars were visible. “Isn’t it beautiful?” I asked, making conversation.

“Beyond comprehension.”

“Ri—” I glanced at him and realized he wasn’t looking at the stars but at me. “Oh.” My face burned with embarrassment. I was grateful for the darkness.

His hands were clasped behind his back. He nudged my shoulder.

I nudged him back.

“So where are we going?” Laeddin asked.

He was the most relaxed I’d seen him.

“If anyone knows how to find the chayot leader, it’s Professor Pops.” I pointed at the large house coming into view.

“Are you going to tell him who you really are? I thought you wanted to keep it a secret. Besides, are you sure he still lives here?” He pointed at the fancy sports cars and trucks with lift kits parked in the driveway.

“Positive.” We were
halfway up the drive when I stopped. I hadn’t thought about the consequences of talking to Professor Pops about what was going on. Did I want him to know? Would he even believe me? “I don’t think I have a choice.”

“I guess not,” Laeddin said. I could swear I saw him smile.

I climbed the steps and knocked on the large door. The thump of music could be heard from inside. I was about to knock again when the door burst open.

“Oh, hey. You’re Jack, right?”

“Yep.” The guy at the door was Troy.

“How’s your head?” He leaned closer.

“It’s fine. Doesn’t hurt anymore.” I laughed nervously.

“Good.” He leaned against the doorframe. “Did you need something?”

“Um, yes. Can we speak to Mr. Henry?”

Troy gave first Laeddin and then me a once over. “
If it’s about school, you really should wait until tomorrow. He’s kind of busy.”

“I know,” I said, pushing some of my stray hairs behind my ear, but this isn’t about school, it’s about… something else.”
I glanced at my Converse nervously.

“Wait here. I’ll go ask him.”

“Thanks. It’s kind of urgent.”

“Troy, who’s at the door?”
Professor Pops came into view.

“Hi Mr. Henry.” I gave a nervous wave. “This is Laeddin. We were wondering if we could speak with you privately
for a moment.”

He
glanced at Laeddin and then smiled at us both. “Of course. Follow me.” He moved out of the way.

Laeddin and I entered the house.

“Troy, go finish your homework,” Professor Pops barked.

“Yes, sir.” He
pushed past us and started up the stairs. “See ya, Jack.” He winked.

“Bye.”

Laeddin and I followed Mr. Henry down a hall and into his office. Once we were inside he closed the door. “Have a seat.” He indicated two leather chairs. I took the one closest to the window.

Professor Pops went around his desk, sat, and then steepled his fingers. “Now, how can I help you?”

I swallowed, suddenly nervous. Laeddin patted my hand, his way of encouraging me.

“Uh, where to begin…” I crossed my arms and my legs, feeling suddenly self-conscious.

“The beginning is always best.” He smiled, causing the wrinkles near his eyes to crinkle. It was strange, knowing Professor Pops was a vampire and seeing him in the human world, looking very old and very human. I wondered how he made himself look that way. Was it magic? I couldn’t ask him that though. Besides he didn’t know who I was, at least not yet, so that would be rude.

But
I wasn’t sure how to start. Did I mention my mother? Tell him who I really was. Should I tell him about the genie? That seemed like the most logical beginning.

Professor Pops gave a grandfatherly smile. “Let’s see if I can help you out.” He scooted forward. “Your name is actually Jasmine and Snow White is your mother.”

It felt like my mouth dropped onto the shiny black desk. “Yes.”

He nodded. “Excellent.
”

“How did you—? Does my mom—? Are you—?” I was astounded.
I glanced at Laeddin who looked as surprised as I was.

Professor Pops patted my hand.
“You know what I am. Your mother told you that I used to be a Hunter? I still have those tendencies and I can sense other vampires. And since you’re an Original Vampire, it’s easier still.”

“Ohhhh.” That made complete sense. I hadn’t even thought of that. “Sometimes I forget what you really are.” I shrunk down in my seat.

Laeddin seemed to feel me relax and he sat back in his chair.

Professor Pops
chuckled. “What, you mean the wrinkles and gray hair don’t give you a sense of my immortality?”

I laughed to
o. It’d been a while since we’d spent time together. I missed him. “Well, right. You scream humanity. Is it a spell that makes you look old?”

His eyes twinkled with amusement.
“It is. You see, I want to continue to live in the human world. I prefer it to life in Sharra.”

I could understand that. I’d made a wish to live in the human world as a human.

Professor Pops continued, “I want to live among them since I was born one, but if I were never to age, people would start to get suspicious. As it is, every fifty years or so I have to move just so people don’t begin to wonder how old I really am. If I didn’t, they would become afraid without realizing why, and I don’t want that.”

“
That makes sense.”

“Good.” He shuffled some papers around on his desk and then gave me a serious look. “Now why don’t you tell me why you’re here in the human world?”

I crossed my legs under me, glanced at Laeddin, and told him. All of it. About the cave in Sharra. Meeting Laeddin. Wishing to live like a human and go to high school. I even showed him my wing tattoo. Laeddin interjected some, giving parts of his story.

I thought about mentioning Gatsby, but changed my mind at the last second. It didn’t seem like
Professor Pops or Laeddin needed to know that my mom’s cat could talk if he wanted to.

Professor Pops listened intently, nodding at times, seemingly absorbed in my story. His kindness encouraged me to keep going.
I rested my hands on his desk, leaning closer and told him about the demura, explaining what they were and what they wanted. I added that Laeddin and I thought it might be a good idea to tell the chayot.

I finished with, “I told Laeddin if anyone knew how to reach them it was you.”

“Well thank you, Jasmine. That’s very kind. They do need to know.” Professor Pops leaned back in his chair.

“You’ll tell them
, then?” I moved to the edge of my chair.

“
Of course, my dear.” Professor Pops swiveled in his seat and pulled a book from one of the shelves lining the bookcase behind him, setting it on the desk between us. Nodding toward the book he said, “Is this what you encountered?”

I pulled the book closer.
When Laeddin leaned in to see as well I held my breath, fighting to ignore his beckoning blood.

The book had
pictures of skulls with smoke coming off them, their eyes glowed red. Human bodies bent at strange angles. The pictures definitely resembled what I’d seen happen with the man in the forest and with Abby. Several different kinds of names were given, but demura wasn’t one of them. There also wasn’t any information on how they could be killed. “I think so.”