Cindy laughed. “Probably. The book is known as the Eye of Abernathy, the first and most powerful dragon ever to have lived on Earth.”
“A dragon?” I rubbed my thumbs over the edges of the cover, staying clear of the eye. Soft, sleek, and smooth like a lizard’s skin. “What’s inside?”
Cindy gave me one of her famous looks: No duh, this one said. Out loud she added, “Abernathy’s spells. This is the oldest, most powerful book on the planet.”
I snorted. “Really? Why do you have it?” Immediately after the words left my mouth I regretted them.
Hurt, she said, “Harsh.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it came out.” I scooted closer and hit her knee with mine. I didn’t know how to ask her where the book came from or when she got it. Something told me the book was related to the pendant. I was still ignoring that part of my new life and didn’t want to tell Cindy any of it, so I waited.
Cindy took the book from me and slowly started turning pages. A sweet stench rose from the pages, like dried flowers. “Remember the other day, when I left school?” Her voice was soft, filled with wonder.
“Yes. You scared me.”
“Sorry.” She looked at me, sorrow on her face. I smacked her knee with mine again. It was no big deal now that I knew she was safe. “Anyway, my mother’s aunt showed up at school, and said she needed to talk.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, it was weird. She said…” her voice trailed off. “Don’t freak out, okay? Promise?”
“How can I freak out if I don’t even know what you’re going to tell me?”
Cindy laughed nervously and brushed her hair off her neck. “It’s just…” She drew in a deep breath. “You know how I’m a descendent of the Towne sisters?”
“Yeah,” I said slowly.
“Well apparently they really were witches, and powerful.” She crossed her legs.
“I thought we decided if the sisters were real witches they would’ve kicked some serious townspeople butt and escaped, or at least turned the accusers into frogs.” That was the story Cindy and I told each other since second grade when we first found out she was a descendant. Our teacher, Miss Field, taught us about the Salem Witch Trials and the Salem Hysteria in social studies. We knew most of the craziness happened in the town now known as Danvers, not in Salem.
Cindy cleared her throat. “It turns out when the town accused them, the sisters made a pact to fake their own deaths, if necessary, and allow the townspeople to think they died so they could move on and live their lives elsewhere. My aunt says she believes they may still be alive.”
“Wait, so did they hurt those people? Make them crazy?”
Cindy huffed. “Of course not. They were too important, their magic too special for such trivialities.” The words sounded rehearsed. “The sisters used their magic more subtly, for a greater cause.”
“Oh, okay.” My mind went back to Kenmei’s words. He’d said the pendant never worked for anyone the way it worked for me.
Cindy continued, “The book is passed down to the next closest female descendant in their sixteenth year. So she gave it to me.” Her hand stopped flipping pages and I read the words across the top.
“Locator spell,” I said aloud.
“Yes, it’s so cool. If you lose anything, even a person, you can use this spell to find it or them.”
For some reason the fact she chose that particular spell made the little hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. What did she hope to find?
The Seal of Gabriel, my inner voice whispered.
“R-Really?” I closed my eyes and quickly opened them. I certainly didn’t want the responsibility of the necklace, but every bone in my body told me it would be bad, very bad, if Cindy got her hands on it. Tomorrow I’d give it to Professor Pops. Surely there was another Marked who could restore balance and destroy the Vampire Queen.
“Want to help me give the spell a shot?” Cindy pulled a candle from her backpack.
“Um, yes, okay,” I said, trying to think of a way to postpone what was about to happen. No part of me doubted her words. I sensed the book’s power. If she said she could do a spell, I believed her. I wondered briefly if that was what Dorian meant at school earlier. Did the guys know something about the sisters? About Cindy’s family? About the Eye of Abernathy?
“What should we try to locate?” Cindy asked.
Before I answered, Viv poked her head in. Her eyes zeroed in on the candle and the spell book simultaneously. “We’re leaving, Snow. You should come down and say good-bye to your father.”
Anger—at her, at my dad, at Professor Pops and the brothers, at Kenmei, and even at Cindy—overwhelmed my body. I felt my canines grow and, without thought, I ripped open the door and grabbed Viv, her neck and shoulder exposed.
Viv gasped.
That’s right, I thought. I’m not some little kid you can push around anymore. As suddenly as I thought the words, darkness began to creep through my mind.
Someone chanted sounds in a strange language. Peace enveloped me and I closed my eyes.
“Sleep, young one. You’re almost ready.”
Chapter 10
The next morning, when I woke, I felt different. Stronger. More relaxed with what I was—a revenant and nothing more.
Sure, my dad left. I’d pushed away the people most important to me, namely my seven best friends and their adoptive father, Professor Pops, but I could handle the situation. I just wanted to feel like myself again: a normal, if klutzy, teenager.
Certainly not some Deliverer for the supernatural.
The necklace wasn’t created for me. It was made more than seven thousand years ago.
Kenmei’s been alive that long, my inner voice whispered.
No. I refused to believe that, in a sea of billions, the gem was meant for me.
After my shower I put on the usual: jeans and a white tee shirt, along with my Converse and a black belt.
And even though I refused to wear the Seal of Gabriel, after last night I knew the necklace needed to be kept safe. Reaching behind my lavender dresser I felt for it, but couldn’t reach. So I pulled the dresser away from the wall. I found a few dust bunnies and a pencil, but the necklace wasn’t there.
I went over in my mind exactly how I’d thrown it. For sure the chain hit a perfume bottle. I shifted all five of the pretty bottles, their scents permeating the air as I moved them. Then, thinking maybe I was mistaken, I rummaged around in my closet, checked under my bed, in my covers, and behind my window curtains. By the time I finished I was sweaty and still empty handed.
“Ugh! Where could it be?” Had Cindy taken the pendant? I remembered her telling me about the Locator spell and Viv coming in. I was angry, about to bite. Had Viv or Cindy seen my canines? Probably not, or I would’ve been in an asylum right now instead of my room. There was chanting, and I… what? Fell asleep? Passed out? How had I found my way back to my bed? I hadn’t said good-bye to my dad. The night before swam in hazy recollection.
Cindy must have taken the necklace. I dragged my phone from my back pocket and texted her.
Did u use the Locator spell? Hit send. It was an easy enough question without sounding accusatory. Moments later I heard a bell sound, which meant I received a text.
Didn’t get a chance. Viv sent me home. Why?
Sheesh! Where could it be?
I texted back, No reason. C U in a few.
Had Vivianne taken it? Hurriedly I ran downstairs, fed Gatsby, and got on my bike. It was getting easier to pedal. Easier to move, period.
With each turn of the wheels, as I moved closer to the school, my worry for the necklace dissipated. If the necklace was gone, that meant I wasn’t accountable for ending the Vampire Queen and restoring balance. Right?
See, everything leaves you, my inner voice chided.
I shrugged.
“Good.”
Chapter 11
One morning, several days after bolting
from Professor Pops’ house, I came downstairs and noticed a package sitting on the counter. Under it was a note that said: Remember, twice a day. By the smell I knew it contained my bloodlust tea. Without opening it I placed the tea in the Sugar canister and did my best to forget.
I was strong, the tea unnecessary. Whether because of drinking Christopher’s blood or some other reason, I didn’t know. I didn’t want to think about the questions or the consequences. Plus, the tea was another reminder of the guys.
September disappeared and October was more than half over before I acquired the courage to talk to the guys, Professor Pops, or Kenmei again.
It wasn’t that I held a grudge against them anymore. I’d stopped being angry a week after my outburst. The problem was I didn’t know how to approach them, and they seemed to be doing fine without me. Sure, I caught them staring once in a while, but they’d turn away as soon as our eyes met.
In a way being apart was good. Their absence from my life helped me to realize how much I loved them, appreciated them, and needed them. They were my family, and life without them wasn’t the same, even if my life with them meant crazy supernatural drama and training. Try as I might, though, I couldn’t bring myself to break the silence.
At least I had Cindy. We hung out every second she wasn’t working. She would practice her magic with me, sometimes on me. We had fun. One day I went to school with a red streak in my hair, the next a yellow one. She became a pro at changing her nail polish and even “painted” mine red once during lunch.
Cindy was the one who gave me the push I needed to make up with the guys. She drove past my house and pulled into Professor Pops’ driveway.
After putting the car in park, she shushed all of my lame excuses and said, “Look, it’s like a Band-Aid. Just rip the sucker off.”
I wanted to be upset, but all seven of the guys and Professor Pops immediately came outside and were waving and smiling like goofballs. I couldn’t leave them hanging any longer. I didn’t want to.
“You’re right,” I agreed, and got out of her car.
Chapter 12
Our reunion went better than expected. Hanging out with them again felt like putting on my favorite shoes. They were comfortable. Even Gabe seemed less tense then before my meltdown.
After several hours of chatting, dinner, and a movie screening of The Avengers in their amazing theater room, Gabe suggested some training.
“You want to take a revenant on at midnight? You’re brave.” I playfully punched him in the arm and rose from the supple leather couch. He’d sat next to me when the movie started. At first it was awkward but, as the movie progressed and we laughed at our favorite parts together, I relaxed and so did he.
“Training is an excellent idea, Snow. Not for too long, though. After an hour you should head home and get some rest. We’ll be here in the morning for some breakfast, if you’d like.” Professor Pops’ eyes twinkled with happiness and I was sure my expression matched his.
I’d been away from my favorite people on the planet for far too long. “I’d like that.”
Gabe stood and I followed him down the stairs. When we entered the Museum of the Supernatural, it was like coming home. I’d missed the place more than I realized. After Gabe unlocked the door to the training room I followed him in.
He grabbed the longer sword, the katana, and the shorter one—I couldn’t remember what it was called—and handed them to me. “Ready?” he asked as he crouched and started to circle.
“Bring it, Gabriel.” I’d started to laugh, but it caught in my throat. For weeks Professor Pops tried to tell me about Gabe. My talk with Kenmei, his story about Silindra and the vampire who’d killed her. His name had been Gabriel too. It couldn’t mean anything, right? I shook my head. That they shared the same name was a complete coincidence.
Gabe smacked me on the arm with the flat side of the blade. “Concentrate, Snowflake. These weapons aren’t pretend. They’re real.”
I jumped. “Right.” I copied his stance, feeling my body find its position as I moved with a grace I hadn’t realized I possessed.
Even Gabe was impressed. He raised an eyebrow. “Have you been practicing?”
I shook my head. “Maybe,” I said, just to throw him off. We circled a few more times and then he lunged. I blocked the blow and spun around.
“Aren’t you Little Miss Kickass!” He smirked.
“You know it,” I responded, smirking back.
After that we were a blur of blades, an orchestra of clanging metal, breathing, and synchronized heartbeats. We moved in time to music of our own creation. Sweat mingled with the warmth of his skin, the delicious bouquet of his blood.
He tripped me and I fell, landing on my butt. He took my swords and put them away. When he finished he came over and stuck out a hand. I grabbed hold. He yanked, but I had a better idea. I yanked back, hard. Surprised, he fell toward me but caught himself.
“Nice move,” he said with a smile, trapping me under him, his arms on either side of my shoulders.
I was mesmerized by his bright green eyes. They danced with a happiness I hadn’t seen in weeks, not since that night in my bedroom. Our faces were close and I kept checking out his lips, soft and full. What’s changed? Why is he being friendly again? I didn’t have time for an internal debate because his lips were suddenly on mine.
I gasped in surprise and gladly reciprocated, twining my fingers in his hair.
Gabe groaned, grabbing my hips and rolling so I was on top.
He pulled back, releasing my lips. I let out a sound like a pouting kitten, upset he wasn’t kissing me. He smirked and brushed some hair out of my face.
“I’m sorry I’ve been a jerk. I promised I wouldn’t leave and that’s exactly what happened. Can you forgive me?” His voice was hoarse, full of emotion, full of sincerity.
I responded by claiming his lips with mine, hungry for more. I needed this Gabe: sweet, kind Gabe. His tongue flicked inside my mouth and I felt it low in my belly, a fiery desire.
Sensual Gabe, my inner voice cheered.
My heart beat faster, keeping time with his.
“Snow,” he murmured, foraging a trail of hot kisses along my jaw, down my neck, and to my collarbone. My lips found his neck and I kissed him there, once, twice. He smelled like sweat, soap, and more. The scent of his blood sang to me. I kissed him again, directly on the quick beating pulse. An unquenchable ache slammed into me.
“Yes,” his voice pleaded. Urgent. Needy.
He wanted me to bite him. I sensed it. He wasn’t being subtle either as he pressed his neck into my lips.
It seemed fitting that Gabe should be my first.
My canines grew and I sank them into his flesh. He shuddered.
The first taste of his blood was something I’ll never forget, like lust and love combined, a heady combination.
All my life I had struggled with food and settled on being strictly vegetarian, but in that moment—the instant I tasted Gabe’s blood—I knew I’d never crave anything else ever again. It was exactness, precision, completeness. And I couldn’t get enough.
I sucked harder, yanking his neck closer. The more I drank the more I needed…
“Snow! Stop!” Professor Pops’ voice sounded far away. He tried to force me off Gabe, but I was stronger. Faster. I withdrew my fangs momentarily and sat up, sending the palm of my hand smashing into Professor Pops’ sternum. He let out a grunt as he smacked against the wall with a crack.
There were others in the room. From the edges of my blood-filled vision I heard their cries of concern.
“I told you something like this would happen.”
“We shouldn’t have left her alone.”
I closed my eyes to clear my head. Who were they talking about? It couldn’t be me.
Someone gently pulled me off Gabe. I opened my eyes and saw Dorian’s concerned face.
“Snow. Can you hear me?” he asked.
“What happened? Gabe and I were training and…” I
followed Dorian’s gaze. On the floor lay Gabe, his body twisted at an unusual angle; part of his neck gaped open. He was covered in blood. So were my hands.
My body began to shake. Not Gabe. No! “Is he—?” I couldn’t finish. Please, no. “Tell me,” I shouted.
No one moved.
An unbearable agony crawled up my stomach and into my chest and settled in my throat. I screamed, the sound unearthly. Most of the brothers and Professor Pops covered their ears. But I couldn’t stop.
“Snow.” Dorian sounded more pained than he looked, and he looked completely broken. I pulled out of his grasp.
Gabe is dead. Gabe is dead. I… killed Gabe.
You’re one of them now, my inner voice spat.
The brothers and Professor Pops regarded me like I was an untamed animal—a monster.
The scream in my throat grew louder, and I bolted. As I went through the Museum of the Supernatural, the glass cases shattered. I stumbled up the stairs, through the front door.
Windows broke.
Glass fell like rain.
Still I couldn’t stop. I ran.
Continue reading Snow White’s story by turning the page. The first FIVE chapters of Blood and Snow, book 2 are FREE.
Blood and Snow 2.1: Prey and Magic
Chapter 1
When you lose everything, there’s only one option. Jump. Go all in. With both fangs. Which is what I did. I embraced my vampire… ism?... ness?... tendencies? Whatever. I accepted it and, the truth was, I liked it.
At least while I partook of human blood. After, when the drunken haze faded, guilt would edge its way in. I hadn’t killed another human, not since Gabe, but killing him was horror enough. It ate at my heart. I remembered the grotesque way Gabe’s body lay on the floor. The way Professor Pops and the guys looked at me with loathing, disgust, and fear. But I deserved it. I’d become a monster and killed a brother. A son. A boy I thought I might love. He’d kissed me and I repaid him in blood. Lots of it. Maybe even all of it. My carnal need overtook all other emotions and I let myself give in, even relished the sensation.
At those thoughts my mind grew darker and I sank further away from everything that had to do with my former life.
I kept running. Where I went didn’t matter as long as I was further from where I’d been, the kind of life I lived before. I blocked away my father, my wicked stepmother, the amazing boys who were my neighbors, and the man who loved them. I buried thoughts of Cindy, my cat, Gatsby, and Christopher aka Chace aka my Hunter. None of them mattered anymore. Not to the new me. Even the name of my city was forgotten.