Blood and Snow 9: Love Bleeds Read online

  At those thoughts my legs turned to jelly, and my fangs pressed inside my mouth. Dorian’s pupils dilated, his usually gray eyes almost transparent, they were so light. He knew what I was thinking. I heard his heart beat faster, keeping time with mine. My fists clenched at my sides. One of Dorian’s fingers brushed the skin beneath my stomach, and my breath hitched.

  I stepped back and around him. “Yeah, and you’d better watch yourself or I’ll do it again.”

  “Promises. Promises.” He went back to his chair, and picked up his book.

  Kenmei stood, giving a slight bow, to which I reciprocated. He and Professor Pops looked like twins… at least their wardrobe choices. Kenmei was Japanese, and shorter than Professor Pops. But they both wore chinos, loafers, a buttoned shirt, and a sweater with leather patches at the elbows. Professor Pops had his reading glasses in a pocket, and Kenmei had a white handkerchief in his.

  “Shiryo-san. It’s good to see you out of bed.”

  “Thank you, Kenmei-sensei.”

  “Have a seat,” Professor Pops said, indicating a chair.

  Bart stopped playing the piano and made his way over, sitting on a couch between Daniel and Salvatore.

  I felt odd, like a new animal on display in the zoo. I sat, trying to ignore the way they stared. I wondered if they thought I might do something strange, like change colors, or grow a tail. Sure, I was changed. The Seal of Gabriel saw to that. It became a part of me. Yet it was separate. I didn’t have a problem distinguishing between the power of the Seal and the rest of my body. The Seal’s power was like it was a new appendage.

  With its power came the knowledge I was no longer human or vampire. I was both, and more.

  My body, my soul contained elements of the seven magical properties.

  A piece of Abernathy’s soul.

  The eternal sight of the elves.

  The strength of the trolls.

  The healing power of the unicorn.

  The giving heart of the fairies.

  The essence of the vampire.

  And, the blood of Gabriel, the Hunter who betrayed Silindra and killed her.

  I didn’t understand what I was, or how the changes affected me, but I hoped Kenmei did.

  Heathcliff rushed me, carrying a mug. “Here, we made you some bloodlust tea.” He placed it on the wood end table next to my chair. It smelled the same, a cross between disgusting and herbs. “It might be cold.”

  “Thank you, it’s great,” I said, taking a sip.

  Cold and icky, I thought, but smiled at Heathcliff anyway.

  “We know it’s been a while since you’ve had blood,” he added, pushing his hands in his jeans pockets, heading to his chair. My eyes caught hold of Professor Pops’. He knew that wasn’t entirely true. Plus, I doubted the tea helped anymore, especially since I drank from humans.

  “Shiryo-san, tell us what happened. Leave nothing out.”

  Thankful I had something to do, I said, “Okay.”

  I spent the next several hours going over the last two years of my life. The only interruptions happened when we had dinner. Well, the guys, Kenmei, and Professor Pops ate dinner. I pushed the delicious smelling chicken, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables around on my plate.

  When I finished sharing the events of the last two years, Kenmei asked, “What do you think is your next step?”

  I blanched. While I told them my story, the events leading to Silindra’s death, a feeling, like a pull, made me believe I needed to start at the beginning. I wanted Kenmei to give me direction, tell me what to do.

  “Listen to your heart. What’s it saying?”

  A couple of the guys snorted.

  Chapter 8

  Professor Pops shot a scowl around the room.

  Speaking slowly, I said, “I feel like I need to find Abernathy. I think he has the answers I need to restore balance.”

  Kenmei nodded thoughtfully.

  Professor Pops shook his head. “I disagree. You need to finish high school first. That should be—”

  “No.” I interrupted. While I knew school was important, and college had always been a goal, I wanted to make sure Gabe, and the rest of them were safe. I was obligated to play my part for the good of all magical creatures, now that I knew I’d become the Seal. If I didn’t free them from the oppression of the Vampire Queen, no one could. And I needed to make sure Sharra didn’t take over my body. Because high school wouldn’t matter if I was no longer myself.

  Professor Pops pressed his thumb and first finger to the bridge of his nose. “I know you believe you have to protect us. The Vampire Queen is powerful, but I think her threat to destroy you, those you love, was just that—a threat. I don’t think she’ll follow through. She wanted you before, and now that the Seal is part of you…”

  Kenmei finished, “The Vampire Queen will give anything, do anything, to possess that power. I think instead of harming anyone, she’ll try to find a way to get you on her side.”

  Gabe spoke. “Or she’ll start killing until Snow gives her what she wants.”

  We all looked at him. Gatsby was still curled in Gabe’s lap, purring loudly.

  “What?” he shrugged. “It’s what I’d do.”

  Arguments broke out, but I said nothing. I studied Gabe. His dark hair was longer. His green eyes, greener. His face was more chiseled. Dark scruff covered the lower half. His nose was slightly crooked, like it’d been broken. A small, jagged scar cut through his right cheek.

  He’d been in a fight. When?

  It must’ve been while I was with Silindra.

  My breathing came faster. Two years. A lot can happen in two years. Gabe was older. Nineteen! A man. Was he going to college? Working? What about the others? Heathcliff turned twenty-one soon. He’d be old enough to drink—legally. The guys—my best friends—were no longer the boys I had sleepovers with as a child.

  “Snow, what’s wrong?” Dorian voice spoke in my ear, his body behind mine.

  I swallowed, trying to steady my breathing. The rest of the brothers and Professor Pops surrounded me, speaking, but I didn’t hear what they said.

  A vision, like the one I had right before this crazy nightmare-of-I-life I now led started, played like a movie in my mind.

  The brothers clamored down the steps, into my back yard. Gabe wasn’t with them. They made a circle, and started tossing something around.

  A heart. The heart of my true love, I thought, coming to stand behind Dorian. I noticed the full moon shone bright, allowing me to see the deadness of their eyes.

  As one the brothers started to chant: Lips red as rubies, hair dark as night. Drink your true love’s blood, become the Vampire, Snow White.

  I took the heart from Daniel’s hands, and sank my fangs into it. Pure bliss surged through my veins.

  And I heard her laugh—the Vampire Queen.

  “Snap out of it. Please.”

  Gabe snapped his fingers and I opened my eyes. I was on the ground.

  “She’s okay,” Gabe said, the rapt concern on his face quickly replaced by casual haughtiness.

  I was humiliated. Pops and Kenmei helped me over to the couch. Daniel handed me an ice pack, and I put the frozen blue liquid against my pounding forehead. “Sharra won’t kill those I’m closest to. Otherwise how will I find my true love?”

  “That doesn’t make any sense,” Gabe quipped, moving back to his chair.

  “It does too,” I snapped, desperate to believe I was right.

  “No, it doesn’t,” Gabe argued. Ignoring him, I focused on Professor Pops. “Can she take over my body without me drinking the blood of my true love?” And what about his heart? She said I needed to consume it.

  Gabe sighed. “I think it’s safe to say you haven’t met your true love yet.”

  I sensed his sadness. It matched my own, but I wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of seeing it. The truth was, I wasn’t in love with anyone. And really, when had I had the chance to fall in love? A relationship took effort, time t
o build and grow.

  “This is ridiculous,” I continued. “Besides, it doesn’t matter whether I meet my true love now or ten years from now. I’m going to destroy the Queen, restore balance to the Earth, and then I’m going to go to college like any eighteen-year-old.” I crossed my arms, and sat back, feeling pleased with myself.

  Once I did my part, freed the magical creatures, life would go back to normal. I would go back to normal. Watching scary movies with Cindy. Studying. Trying to figure out what to eat. And, my dad might come back.

  Even as I thought about it, I realized the normal I knew before my Hunter bit me was never mine to begin with.

  “You aren’t any eighteen-year-old. You never will be,” Professor Pops said quietly, confirming what I already knew.

  Kenmei patted my knee. “Shiryo-san. You must do what you believe is right.” He smiled, making his endless black eyes twinkle.

  With those eight words a burden lifted from my shoulders. The air in the room changed, lightened. Hope filled my heart. “Thank you, Kenmei-sensei.”

  “I’ve done nothing. Only listened. But I am glad to see you are safe, and on the right track. If you have any questions, call me. Adam has my number.”

  “I will,” I said, standing, giving him a polite bow.

  Kenmei returned my bow. “Excellent. Now I must take my leave. Hiro-san causes trouble. Makes his grandfather crazy.”

  “I’ll walk you out,” Professor Pops said.

  As I watched them go, the lightness in the room got brighter.

  I can do this. Everything will be okay, I thought.

  Chapter 9

  Dorian sat on the couch beside me. “You graduated from high school, right?” I asked, suddenly dying to know all that I’d missed.

  “Yes.” His brows scrunched together, like he was puzzling out what I was thinking.

  “Have you started college?” I tossed the icepack on the coffee table.

  Dorian grabbed my hand and began stroking my palm, near the wrist with his thumb. “Yes.”

  “What are you studying?”

  Gatsby jumped between us, and parked his body on my lap. Dorian laughed.

  Salvatore answered for him. “He’s studying women.”

  “Really?” I laughed as I stroked Gatsby’s soft ears. Touching his silky fur was therapeutic. “What kind of grades are you getting?”

  All the guys laughed, even Gabe.

  “He’s flunked every test,” Sebastian said.

  “Especially the last girl. A total mess,” Daniel added.

  I raised an eyebrow, questioning.

  “It’s because none of those girls were right for me.” He winked. “When I find the right one, it’ll be all A plus-pluses.”

  Professor Pops came back in the room before the guys said any more. “Talking about school? Excellent.” He made his way over to the chair Dorian had been sitting in and moved the book on the seat over to the end table.

  I took a deep breath. School came later. After all this fairytale-magical creatures-vampires business was over. Professor Pops had to understand that.

  “She’s right, Pops,” Heathcliff said.

  Pops held up a hand. “I’m not suggesting Snow goes back to high school.” He looked directly at me. “Get your GED. Take the test. Be an official graduate. We’ll have a party.”

  I smiled slightly. What was it about Professor Pops and his desire to throw me parties? “I just—the test… What if I have no idea what it’s asking? Plus, I don’t have the time.” I didn’t want to fail and have the guys, and Professor Pops, think I was an idiot.

  “Trust me, it’ll be easy. I’m sure you noticed a difference at school.” Professor Pops slid back in his seat, and crossed his legs.

  That was true. The classes were easier, which would make it worse if I failed the test. “I don’t know. What if I flunk?”

  Dorian said, “You won’t, Snow.” All of the guys voiced their agreement.

  I studied them, feeling warmth spread through my veins, my heart, my soul. “I’m so lucky to have you guys.” I’d meant to only think the words.

  Daniel said, “We’re lucky to have you, Snow. And you can do this.”

  I nodded. “Alright, I’ll give it a try.”

  “Good. We’ll get it taken care of right away. Then it’s party time,” Professor Pops said, shaking his jazz hands above his head.

  The guys and I burst out laughing. But his excitement did bring up a question.

  “What did you tell everyone was wrong with me?” I doubted too many people from school noticed I was gone. And now most of them were graduated and probably moved on with their lives.

  “We told them you had a severe case of mononucleosis,” Daniel said, trying really hard not to laugh.

  “You saw more lip action asleep then any of us,” Dorian added.

  I glared through my blush. That was highly unlikely. To Professor Pops, I said, “And they believed that?”

  “Of course. When the Professor of Religions from Harvard University says something, everyone listens,” Sebastian chimed in.

  Professor Pops cleared his throat, flicking a piece of lint on his pants. Had he used his powers of persuasion on the doctors, nurses, the people of Salem who may have noticed I’d gone missing? That would’ve been a lot of work.

  “Everything is taken care of,” Professor Pops said.

  I shrugged. “Okay.”

  “I have a meeting with the chayot council members. They’ll want to know what’s going on.” Gabe rose, and left the room without a glance, or a good-bye.

  Chapter 10

  After Gabe left, I looked at the clock. It was late, after midnight. I wondered if Christopher waited in the darkness. “I’m going to go to bed,” I said, glancing at Professor Pops. It’s been a long day.”

  “Agreed.”

  I stood. The brothers and Professor Pops followed.

  “Um, did you want me to go back to my place?” For some reason tears sprang into my eyes at the idea. I was comfortable here. Home. My house would be lonely.

  “Pish. Posh,” Salvatore said.

  “If you’d like, we’d love to have you stay. Your dad’s house has been empty for several months. I have a service keep it clean. Thankfully, your stepmother took all of her Disney stuff, so it’s quite empty.”

  “I’d love to stay. I hoped you’d ask,” I said, wishing my hair could cover my face, hide the tears.

  “You better. My room is all girly now. It even stinks like girl. I can’t go back. A man needs his man smells,” Dorian said, hugging me.

  I laughed. “But where are you sleeping?” I hadn’t considered where his stuff was moved.

  “In the upstairs library.” His eyes gleamed with mischief. I knew why. The inner library wall, which looked unassuming enough, hid a secret passageway. I’d forgotten all about it. Professor Pops had a large tube-slide installed. It took us into a hidden room in the basement. The brothers and I played in there for hours on cold, winter days.

  “Is the room big enough for you?” I asked.

  “Plenty big.”

  “You sure?”

  “It’s the perfect size.”

  “Okay. Well, goodnight.”

  Each brother (except Gabe, who’d left—again) hugged me. As they did, I focused on the words they spoke while my body lay motionless. I blushed at the memories of their kisses, their secret confessions.

  When it was Daniel’s turn, I whispered, “You’re in love? I want to hear all about her sometime.”

  He moved back, his complexion turned the color of red roses. “Sounds like a plan.”

  I gave Dorian one more look. “Positive?”

  “Yes. Now go. Get some rest.” He gave me a little shove toward the door.

  “Fine. I’m going.”

  I walked slowly, admiring the pictures hanging on the walls in the hall. Each boy had five framed pictures. I watched them grow, their faces aging with each new picture. I reached the stairs, and climbed. Gatsby’s
padded behind, rubbing his body against my calves.

  “Thanks, boy,” I said softly, happy he hadn’t forgotten me.

  When I reached the room that used to be Dorian’s, I went in, locking the door.

  The bathroom was perfectly cleaned, and my white nightgown was gone. I hadn’t seen a drawer with pajamas, but then I hadn’t looked in them all.

  On my way to the closet I noticed the dresser Dorian pulled my clothes from. After opening several drawers, it became apparent they were empty, except the outfit he’d so dramatically grabbed for me. In the closet, and after several tries, I found PJ’s.

  With all the red everywhere, I kind of missed purple. My mother’s favorite color. I put on silky purple bottoms, and a matching tank. In the bathroom I took out my braid, and brushed my teeth, rinsing my mouth with Scope.

  Gatsby was curled in a ball on the love seat, eyeing me curiously. The cake stain near my bed was completely gone. “Impressive,” I said, turning on the bedside lamp, and then shutting off the lights. I moved the pillows, and climbed under the covers.

  My fingers trembled, and I knew why. I hoped Christopher showed.

  Would he, I wondered.

  I didn’t have to wait long for my answer. He was at my window, and tapped once before pushing it opened.

  Gatsby arched his back, and hissed.

  “Hush,” I scolded him.

  In answer, he stuck his nose in the air, and moved to the other side of the loveseat.

  “Hey,” Christopher said.

  I pushed myself into a sitting position, tucking my hair behind my ears, and organizing the bedding. “Hi.”

  He wore the clothes I’d seen him in earlier, and I felt very underdressed. “I shouldn’t have changed,” I said, pulling the covers to my neck.

  He sat on the bed next to me, and gently pushed the covers away. “You look perfect,” he said, his eyes shining with appreciation.

  I forced myself not to blush. “Thank you.”

  He slid off his boots, and pulled his shirt from his jeans. “Better?” he asked.