Blood and Snow 6: Masquerade's Moon Read online

  “I’m not sure.” And that was the truth. Maybe it was because I was one of the Chosen. Maybe the Vampire Queen’s magic did something to me, the way it did for Christopher.

  Maybe it has to do with you, my inner voice chided. Kenmei said the magic within the Seal of Gabriel was created for me.

  I shook those thoughts from my mind. I didn’t fully believe the magic in the necklace would work for me alone. If any of the Chosen possessed the necklace, surely it would work for them as well. But I did need to find the pendant. Christopher’s life depended on it.

  “You haven’t seen a necklace, have you? The chain is silver and a red gem in the shape of a teardrop is attached?” I blurted the question before my mind had a chance to filter.

  She shook her head. “Not in person, but I saw something about a necklace, it was called the Seal of Gabriel, in my spell book. Is that the one you’re talking about?” As she spoke her voice raised an octave. She obviously knew that it contained magical properties. Her people—witches or whatever—probably wanted the necklace as much as everyone else did.

  “Yes, that’s the one.” I nodded, a combined feeling of hope and dread throbbed against my temple.

  She went over to the door, grabbed the bag she’d chucked next to it, and pulled out her spell book. The eye on the cover blinked, watching. I held back a shudder.

  Scooting closer I waited while she flipped through the pages until she arrived at a picture of the necklace.

  “It says—”

  A horn blared from the driveway.

  “Are you expecting someone?” Cindy asked.

  I shook my head, but remembered Professor Pops mentioned someone would bring over my mask when it was ready. “It could be my mask.”

  She closed her book, and I opened the front door.

  In a whisper she asked, “Do you want some of my blood?”

  I laughed. “Are you offering?”

  “Nooooooo,” she said, but laughed as well. “So you aren’t some bloodthirsty fiend?”

  Dorian stood near the passenger door of a large, black limousine. He bounced up and down.

  I quickly regarded Cindy, checking to see if she was all right. No point telling her I was a bloodthirsty fiend. That was beside the point. My thirst remained under control. “I’m just me. Snow White, the girl you’ve known since kindergarten.”

  She blinked. “Yes, you are,” she gently responded, and I knew our friendship was good.

  “Hurry up, you two, I’m freezing my butt off out here,” Dorian shouted.

  “Keep your teeth in,” I uttered.

  Cindy used magic to retrieve her mask. It sailed down the staircase and landed gently in her outstretched hand.

  How does she do that, I wondered.

  To her, I said, “You’re awesome.”

  “Duh.”

  I lifted my dress, as I took the two steps off my porch, and carefully walked toward the limo. The November night was chilly. I breathed in, enjoying the crisp scent of the pine needles, and the way the frozen air clung to everything in the shape of tiny snowflakes. It dawned on me I felt happy, momentarily satisfied. The feeling radiated with a glow I could almost taste. In that instant everything hung right with the world. Gabe loved me. Cindy knew what I was and hadn’t run away. The brothers and Professor Pops cared for me without judgment.

  What about your dad and your stepmother? What about Christopher, my inner voice sneered. I deflated. My dad and stepmother I couldn’t do anything about. They chose, with great effort, to stay away. Christopher was different. At least I hoped so. I needed to find the Seal of Gabriel.

  Dorian opened the door, and waved us inside.

  Cindy moved at a slower rate. The walkway was in serious need of repair, and Cindy in her six-inch heels nearly toppled over a few times before Dorian jogged over, and came to her rescue.

  “What the hell are you wearing? Stilts?” he asked in mock distain.

  “Very funny,” she replied, but clung to his arm.

  Dorian’s close proximity caused my heart to lurch. He looked handsome in his black tuxedo with a burgundy and black striped tie, a white shirt, and burgundy vest, but his blood smelled even better. My canines pricked against the inside of my mouth. I swallowed, and held my breath, forcing myself to calm down.

  Cindy and I climbed in, and Dorian closed the door for us. A man sat in the driver’s seat. Dorian climbed in next to him. “To the ball, Georgio,” Dorian said, pointing toward the mansion.

  Georgio said, “You got it.” He checked the rearview mirror and held my gaze. Something about his eyes seemed familiar. I couldn’t think why though. In the next second he looked away, shifting the limousine into drive.

  Cindy leaned close and whispered in my ear, “Tomorrow, you and I are going to have a big, long chat, and you’re going to tell me everything. Deal?”

  “Deal,” I agreed.

  Dorian turned to face us. “What are we agreeing to?”

  Cindy and I glanced at each other and laughed.

  Cindy raised her chin as she slid back in the lush, leather seat. “None of your business, Dorian.”

  Chapter 9

  On the seat next to Cindy rested a rectangle box.

  “What’s this?” Cindy asked, poking at it.

  I shrugged.

  Dorian, who’d been watching, said, “That’s your mask, Snow. Check it out.”

  “It seems small,” Cindy remarked.

  I picked up the box and placed it in my lap. It did seem minute compared to Cindy’s mask, which had three large feather plumes in baby blue and gray protruding from the right side of her mask. Her mask was baby blue, except around the eyes, which had small sequins the same color as the sequins on her dress, lining the openings.

  Timidly I removed the lid on the box, and shifted the white paper inside. The mask nestled within the tissue was simple. Red satin, the exact color of my dress, covered in black lace. I immediately loved it.

  “That’s it?” Cindy started.

  I’d told her Professor Pops was having the mask made specifically for the Ball. She obviously thought it lacked any flare. It wasn’t pretentious or over the top. It was perfect.

  “I like it. The mask won’t take away from Snow’s beauty,” Dorian said.

  I blushed. “Thanks, Dorian. Where’s your mask?”

  Cindy sniffed.

  He rolled his eyes. “It’s at the house. We all decided on the same style, and color. Black. Except Bart’s. His is gray.”

  We pulled into the circular driveway, and Georgio put the limousine in park. Dorian jumped out, ran around to our door, and held it open. His eyes were sparkling with anticipation.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  “You’ll see.” He leaned in so that I got a good whiff of his neck. I had the feeling he did it on purpose. “Love your shoes,” he said, and I shivered. Like Eve with the apple, I was tempted.

  Just a taste, my mind cooed. But I resisted. Now wasn’t the time.

  After Dorian helped Cindy out, we turned toward the house. It was lit up with thousands of white, shimmering lights.

  “It’s beautiful,” I breathed, feeling like I’d stepped into a fairytale land.

  “You ain’t seen nothing yet,” Dorian said. “C’mon.” He stood between Cindy and I and held out his elbows. I took his arm in one hand and my dress in the other. We climbed the steps. The front door opened, and the three of us stepped inside. The brothers and Professor Pops were off to one side, several fidgeting with their tuxes. They all wore their masks. And one of the brother’s, Sebastian, handed Dorian his. He slid it on, moving next to Heathcliff.

  They all looked… dashing. Cindy thought so too. I could tell by the tittering noises coming from her throat.

  The tuxes were black, except Bart’s. His tux was a dark gray, the same as his mask. There were other, subtler, differences in the cut and shape of their tuxes, but the big variance was the colors of their ties, and vests. Bart’s vest and bow tie was golden brown.
Salvatore wore black with black, his sleek black hair in a low ponytail. Sebastian’s vest and tie was navy blue. Daniel’s satin vest and tie was white with white. Heathcliff’s were gray. Professor Pops didn’t have on a vest, but a black cummerbund with a black bow tie. Gabe wasn’t among them.

  At the top of the grand staircase, suspended in shiny silver rope, was a gigantic banner that read: Happy Sweet 16, Snow!!!

  “Happy birthday,” all the guys shouted.

  I beamed. I couldn’t help it.

  Cindy gave me one of her looks. It said, “Holy flippin’ hell.” I laughed.

  The brothers gushed at how pretty we looked. I nodded, said “thank you,” and hugged everyone, but I worried about Gabe.

  “Where’s Gabe,” I asked Salvatore as we embraced.

  He stepped back, eyeing Professor Pops.

  Professor Pops cleared his throat and said, “He’s with his father.”

  The remaining brothers issued comments about the lack of truth to the statement, but I just nodded.

  “Is he coming?”

  “Yes, he’ll be here,” Professor Pops responded, patting my back. “You look so incredibly beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” I said, trying to ignore the shadow that crossed Pops’ features. What wasn’t he telling me?

  “You’ve got to see the ballroom,” Heathcliff said.

  “You’re gonna love it,” Daniel added.

  I let them lead the way, hoping Gabe would come soon.

  Cindy moved so that we were next to each other. She said, “Merde, you’re lucky.”

  I grinned. She was right. These amazing men really did care about me, and I appreciated it so much.

  Chapter 10

  From the front door we went left instead of right to the kitchen where delicious smells emanated. Cindy’s heels clacked against the floor as we passed the library, and the entrance to the indoor pool. The guys pushed, joked, and shoved in front of us. But something definitely weighed on Pops’ mind.

  When we arrived at the twelve-foot tall double doors, the guys paused, and turned, facing Cindy and I. Her heart beat fast, like a hummingbird, and I knew she was excited.

  “Put your mask on, Snow,” Sebastian said, coming over to help.

  I placed it over my eyes.

  Cindy slapped Sebastian’s hands away. “I’ll do it. I don’t want you ruining her hair.” She carefully slid the stretchy silk-wrapped band over my hair and placed in against the back of my head. Moving to look at me, she sighed and clapped her hands. “Love it!”

  I grinned, the edges of the mask touching my cheeks. “Good.”

  “You ready, birthday girl?” Heathcliff asked.

  “Most definitely.” My heart beat in time with Cindy’s.

  I’d been in the ballroom several times over the years. Mostly when I was younger. I knew the outer and side walls were made entirely of windows. Above, in the center of the ceiling dangled an enormous chandelier. In large, checkered squares, blocks of the ceiling were carved out, and inside hung fans. The wall toward the front of the house held mirrors, making the space look twice as large. As kids, the boys and I would sneak into the enormous room to roller-skate, ride our scooters, or skateboard. Professor Pops would inevitably find us, give us a stern talking to, and then send us on our way.

  Daniel pushed open the double doors. He was so theatrical and I covered a smile with my hand. The guys parted, allowing Cindy and I access to the entrance.

  When I stepped through, I felt transported to another time. I noticed the lighting first, and looked up. The chandelier emitted a soft red glow. Dozens of thick white panels of cloth extended from the top of the chandelier and draped outward to the point where the ceiling met the walls, giving the appearance of an enormous tent.

  Square tables, each seating eight, were set with a large centerpiece filled with a spray of red flowers in different varieties and shades. Along the back wall stood probably thirty waiters, all dressed the same, in white old-fashioned tux tails with bright red cummerbunds and bow ties. Their hands were clasped behind their backs and they were lined up with the tallest on the outside and the shortest in the middle.

  “Wow,” I breathed, taking it all in.

  Current Top-40 music played softly from speakers discreetly attached to the walls. A DJ set up his equipment next to a decorated table with a sign above it that said: Presents HERE.

  Scented vanilla candles emitted a pleasant fragrance.

  “It’s beyond beautiful,” I said, turning to Professor Pops. “Thank you!”

  “You’re more than welcome, Snow.” Professor Pops gave me a gentle squeeze.

  The doorbell rang.

  Salvatore said, “I’ll get it.”

  He and Sebastian casually ran to the front door.

  Moments later excited chatting could be heard coming down the hall.

  “This is gonna be fun,” Cindy said.

  I swallowed, for some reason nervous about the party. I wasn’t sure if it was panic that no one would show, horror that everyone would come, anxiety over Pops’ weirdness, the fact that Gabe was with his dad, or the odd gleam in Cindy’s eyes.

  Chapter 11

  Dinner looked delicious. Everyone commented on how amazing it tasted. The waiters served chicken cordon bleu with steamed baby potatoes, and asparagus spears topped with a creamy hollandaise sauce. Several times, as I popped a tiny bite of potato or asparagus (yeah, I still couldn’t eat meat) into my mouth and forced it down, I longed for the food in Sharra—the food made specifically for vampires—the food that tasted like blood.

  Dessert would be my cake, later tonight. It’d been wheeled out on a serving tray, and placed next to a table that held a plethora of presents.

  The cake stood tall, five layers of red velvet covered in red fondant. Black frosting was piped over the top in intricate swirling designs. White flowers, which looked a lot like snowflakes, were placed methodically in groups of three and five. On the top layer of the cake stood a girl in a red dress holding a cake with sixteen “lit” candles. She looked a lot like me. Even her fondant-ruffled dress looked the same as mine. Around the edge, standing like guards protecting the girl, was sixteen real candles.

  When dinner ended, the tables and chairs were cleared and disassembled in record time. Some were pushed to the side so people could sit and visit. The music was turned up, and people danced. Everyone looked amazing, and seemed to be having a good time.

  I hadn’t danced, and I really didn’t want to. I probably still had two left dancing feet. Plus, Gabe still hadn’t arrived.

  What was he doing? I wondered. Searching for Pops, I found him talking with Kenmei, and a man I didn’t know, in a corner.

  Heathcliff came over, and asked, “How’s your bloodlust? Feeling in control?”

  I smiled. “Yes, I’m fine.” The pulsing blood in the room was mesmerizing. Each scent unique to the other. All of them combined to form a decadent bouquet. More than once already I’d held my breath, forcing my sharp canines back into place.

  Cindy danced closely with one of the senior football players from school. A guy named Chad. Before tonight we hadn’t said two words to each other. That was the case with most of the people here tonight. Sure, I’d seen their faces many times over the years, but I didn’t really know any of them. I was surprised so many bothered to come.

  No one would miss this, my inner voice huffed.

  Daniel, Sebastian, Dorian, Salvatore, and Bart danced near each other, each with a beautiful girl in his arms. A pang of sadness split my heart.

  Gabe, where are you, I thought.

  Thousands of pinpricks trickled up my spine, like an electric current. My gaze shifted from the dance floor to where Kenmei and Professor Pops talked to the unfamiliar man. As one they turned toward the door. Pops and Kenmei appeared angry, the other man sneered arrogantly.

  Heathcliff stiffened. “This is not good.”

  “What? What’s wrong?” I asked, facing the door. Gabe walked in, looki
ng incredibly handsome in a black tux, bowtie, and cummerbund. The buttons on his white shirt were black as well. Gabe’s jaw clenched as he searched the room.

  Was he looking for me? I hoped, but a part of me was afraid. He didn’t look pleased, at all.

  “Snow, I need you to come with me.” Heathcliff grabbed my hand and pulled me behind a group of people toward the other side of the door.

  “Why?” I asked. I wanted to find out what was wrong with Gabe. The energy in the room crackled, and I sensed the tension Gabe brought with him. It was then I noticed the men and women filtering in behind Gabe. They all wore black, but weren’t dressed for the party. They were dressed to hunt.

  They’ve come for you, my inner voice retorted nervously.

  Heathcliff didn’t respond. I yanked my hand from his. He glanced at me surprised.

  “I need to find out what’s going on.”

  Heathcliff grabbed my shoulder and said, “Listen to me. Those are the chayot. They are here to do what Gabe couldn’t. They intend to kill you. We’ve got to get you out of here.” I heard the undercurrent of fear in Heathcliff’s voice. It meant a lot to me that he was worried. But just as he’d forgotten I was stronger than him a moment ago, he also didn’t realize that I wouldn’t be running from these… creatures.

  “What are you waiting for?” Dorian hissed, coming up behind Heathcliff.

  “She won’t go, and she’s stronger than I am,” Heathcliff pouted.

  “If you don’t—” Dorian began.

  “Snow White, show your face. Accept your fate and come with us.” A tall, very stunning man stepped in front of Gabe as he spoke. The music stopped, scratched into silence. Those who were still dancing paused to see what was going on. Whispering and pointing. The chayot fanned out, systematically searching. I guessed for me.

  “Understand now,” Dorian said, crouching. He pulled me down with him.

  “Is this part of the party,” I heard someone ask.

  “Probably,” someone else answered.

  “Cool.”