 
# Blood and Snow

## Seven Magics Academy Book One

## RaShelle Workman

Copyright @ 2019 Blood and Snow: Seven Magics Academy Book One by RaShelle Workman

All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the creation of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

Cover Design by: Luminescence Covers

Edited by: Jen Hendricks & Debbie Davis

Website: www.rashelleworkman.org

# Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

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Also by RaShelle Workman

About the Author

# Introduction

**A wicked queen with a blood-sucking request. A hot new guy at the Academy. Will Snow get her happily ever after, or will she wind up killing her crush?**

Vampires? Magic? I didn't believe in fairy tales. That was my first mistake. My name is Snow White. At the Academy, I'm the butt of jokes and the klutz no one wants to date until Chace Charming walks into my life and changes everything.

Now I'm different. Now I let a complete stranger drink my blood. Not only that, but the vampire queen wants to claim me as her next victim, and the only way to stop her is to become something not quite human.

With my life turned upside down, it's clear the supernatural is everywhere, and the pull to become a vampire is irresistible. I must decide whether to remain in the mundane realm of humans or change into the creature I was marked to be.

★★★ Blood and Snow is the first book in the #1 bestselling Seven Magics Academy series. If you like unputdownable storytelling, well-developed characters, and vampires with a great romance, then you'll love RaShelle Workman's fast-paced and fun reimagined fairy tale. ★★★

✓ #1 in Paranormal Fantasy

✓ #1 in Horror

✓ #1 in Teen Romance

✓ #1 in Science Fiction & Fantasy

✓ #1 in Fairy Tales & Folklore

# Chapter 1

"I've had several scorching hot daydreams about the new guy. Have you seen him?" Cindy fanned her face with her hand while she spoke.

"Cin, too much information. Seriously. I don't need to hear about your boy crazy fantasies." We forced our way down one of Salem Academy's busy hallways as we spoke. Directly in our line of sight appeared Jesse, a guy from the football team. He was handsome, except for the fact that I'd known him since elementary school and knew he was a walking turd. He winked, and I blanched, thinking for a split second that he'd winked at me.

"Cindy. Babe. Looking good." He made of point of checking her out.

"Don't you know it," Cindy said, giving him a coy smile.

He hadn't been winking at me but at Cindy. I wasn't wink worthy. Whatever. I was fine with that. I had plenty to deal with, and worrying about what guys thought of me wasn't one of them. Except that wasn't totally true.

We exited the throng of bodies to my locker. I turned my combination and lifted the latch, letting my backpack fall off my shoulder. Most of my books were online, saving me from shoulder and back pain, but occasionally some assignments required a good old-fashioned book. I unzipped my backpack, took my social studies book and my chemistry book, and jammed them into my bag before slamming the door.

"You can never get too much information about hot guys, and let me just say, wow!" Cindy rested her petite frame against the locker next to mine. Her bright baby blues twinkled in anticipation.

I hefted my backpack onto my shoulder. "Apparently, he's... cute?" I asked, closing my locker.

She snorted. "Cute? No! He isn't a kitten. He's dazzling. I'm talking completely gorgeous, and he has a voice that could melt chocolate."

"Sounds delicious," I said, laughing. We wound our way back into the throng of students, on our way toward the gym.

Cindy had a way with words. It'd been like that since the first time we met in kindergarten when she traded me her cream cake for my apple. "I don't think you should eat the apple, Snow White." We'd been friends for more than ten years.

She was different than me in every way, except for our eye color. She was the epitome of a waif, while I towered over her at five foot eight. She had blond hair that hung to her hips and was always perfectly styled. My hair was coffee brown and stopped just below my ears. Her clothes looked like they'd come straight out of her latest fashion magazines. It was the same with her nails, makeup, and jewelry, including the heart-shaped stud in her belly button. Me? Well, let's just say I didn't own any makeup, and my clothes consisted of baggy jeans and sizeable old tee shirts, thanks to my seven best friends and their hand-me-downs. My nails were stubby, and my ears weren't even pierced. Honestly, I wondered if Cin found me embarrassing sometimes.

It could've been because she felt sorry for me. The same year she and I met, I jumped out of a swing, cutting my arm on something on the ground. At the hospital, it was determined I had hemophilia, a rare blood disorder. Which basically means my blood doesn't clot like other people's. After that trauma, most school activities and recess became out of the question. Thankfully, my hemophilia was one of the milder cases.

A girl walking by bumped into my shoulder. I glanced at her, but she just kept walking. Rude! I shook my head, noticing that Cindy was looking at me. "What?" Then remembered the guy. "He sounds nice." I shrugged. What did she want from me?

"Snow!" Cindy stomped her foot. "Nice isn't even a proper word. It's in the same arena as fine, good, okay, and pure." She shuddered, clinging to her sparkly blue notebook with even more fervor.

"What's wrong with pure?" I asked, unable to help laughing at her indignation as we turned a corner before heading down a set of stairs.

She jogged down the steps to keep up. "Nothing if you're Snow White." A look of amused disgust sat on her face.

I pulled the locker room door open. An immediate whiff of steamed perfume smacked my nose. It was extra hot in there as well as muggy.

Cindy followed me in and sat on a bench while I changed into my workout clothes. I would've been self-conscious had it been anyone else since I tended to bruise easily, and there was always at least one or two on my body. They looked worse than they were.

I was thankful for my body because I knew I could do more than a lot of people. Growing up, my mom hadn't coddled me per se, but she had been extra cautious. Once my mom died, and my dad remarried my stepmother, all caution went out the window. She thought I needed to be whipped into shape, which was why I was currently dressing for track practice.

"I can't believe your dad and stepmother are still forcing you to participate in this nonsense. Haven't they seen you run? You're an accident waiting to happen, and you don't have to wait long." She tenderly touched a more recent bruise above my knee.

I huffed. "Rude!" But it was the truth. I ran like a herd of super klutzy elephants or a drunken rhino. Hence, the bruises. I wasn't graceful or fast. It was just sad. Still, my dad and stepmother had agreed to buy me a laptop if I participated. I think they hoped I'd get some rhythm or become less bumbling if the coach gave me some pointers.

Both Coach Sorensen and I knew there wasn't a snowball's chance I'd become more agile anytime soon, but he understood why I tried so hard. "For the sake of a laptop, I'll let you stay on the team," he'd said. "But I couldn't let you participate even if I wanted to. Not with your... issues."

That was fine with me. With our mutual understanding, I went to every practice and every meet, holding up my end of the stupid deal. I knew my dad thought the idea of me running track was crazy, but he kowtowed to my stepmother, and I didn't want to make waves.

Sadly, my disgraceful running behavior had made me the brunt of several jokes.

"Hide the dust bunnies, Snow's on the loose. We don't want her to fall." That one had been making its way around school lately. But others popped up every so often. "What's the difference between Snow and a tree?" they'd ask. Answer: "A tree sways, Snow falls." Another: "What do a leaf and Snow have in common?" Answer: "They both fall." And the lamest: "Why'd the chicken cross the road?" Answer: "Because he was afraid Snow would fall on him." The jokes weren't really funny or even that creative, but they were shared within my earshot on a regular basis.

"Want to hear the latest joke?" Cindy asked, as though reading my mind.

I gave her a look I hoped said, no freaking way!

"It's actually kind of fun-ny," she said in her sing-song voice.

I plopped down next to her and slid on my shoes. "Do I have a choice?"

"Snow? C'mon." She smacked me playfully on my super white knee. I couldn't help but notice how sun-kissed and perfectly shaved her legs were compared to mine. I'd missed a spot or two—or three—in the shower this morning.

Sighing, I nodded reluctantly and pulled up my tube socks.

"What's the only thing that runs slower than Snow White?"

I double-knotted my shoelaces, waiting.

"Come on, ask."

"Fine." I grimaced, leaning my elbows on my thighs. "What?"

A strangled snicker escaped her glossed lips. "A snowman," she said, laughing hysterically. "Get it? Snow man."

I forced a smile. "Yeah, that's funny." Standing, I slammed my locker with more oomph than intended. The noise reverberated through the locker room. I wasn't angry. No point. It was true. Running and me were like oil and water, or rocks and battery acid; we didn't mix. Still, I didn't enjoy hearing the jokes very much.

"I'll see you later." I stood, clutching my fists at my sides.

"Hey, we still watching a movie tonight?" She took hold of my wrist, her voice pouty, and I knew I'd hurt her feelings.

That wasn't my intention. She hadn't come up with the joke, after all. Without a doubt, I knew she wouldn't do that. "Of course. Want to meet at the regular spot around nine?"

A brilliant smile lit her up. "Yep, I'll see you after my shift at Bertilini's. Invite the guys if you want."

The guys she referred to were my next-door neighbors who also happened to be my best friends. Their names were Bart, Sebastian, Daniel, Dorian, Gabriel, Heathcliff, and Salvatore. They lived in a mansion with an old professor by the name of Adam Henry. I called him Professor Pops because that's what the guys called him. He wasn't their real father as far as genetics go, but I'd never seen a man love his sons more than Professor Pops loved his adopted boys. Sometimes I got a little jealous since my dad and stepmother were gone a lot—like right now. They were in St. Bart's doing what, I had no idea. Staying away from me, probably.

"Cool. See ya." I raised a hand in farewell and pushed open the door that led out onto the field behind the school.

" _Au revoir_ ," she returned, waving.

I smiled to myself as I went outside. It seemed French was the latest foreign language Cindy decided to study in her free time. She'd already tried to learn Italian, Chinese, and Spanish.

Chewing a nail, I headed down the stairs. One of my steps was too big, and I started to fall forward. Stretching out my arms, I braced for the inevitable, closing my eyes out of habit. Skinned hands and bruised knees, along with embedded pavement rock, would be a part of my very near future along with a possible trip to the ER.

The fall never came though. I realized someone held me. He or she smelled like sweat and spicy cologne: oranges and cinnamon, maybe. The chest felt taut, and the hands seemed large. I was betting a guy had caught me.

Slowly I peered through my lashes. Dazzling hazel eyes watched me. His lips turned up in a half-smirk.

"You should be more careful. That fall would've hurt."

"You're singing to the choir, buddy," I said, blushing as I flopped around like a dying fish. Then made matters worse by trying to stand and smacked him in the mouth with my forehead. A drop of rosy red blood immediately formed on his bottom lip.

He helped me onto my feet, amusement dancing in his eyes. I was shocked he didn't immediately run away. All guys did.

"Sorry about that," I said, studying his handsome features. His hair was a sandy blond, and he was tanned. I absently noticed that he was at least six inches taller than me, making my heart do an excited pitter, skippity-skip, pat since most guys were either shorter or as tall. I'd always had a thing for taller guys, not that it mattered. I'd never had a real boyfriend, and I was pushing sixteen.

"It's okay," he said, a strange look on his face. I couldn't figure it out but guessed it fell somewhere between abhorrence and shock.

I touched his lip with my thumb and wiped the blood on my shorts. Yeah, not the most enchanting of moves. "No, it isn't. Really, is there anything I can do? Help you find the nurse? Get you an ice pack?" I guessed that since I hadn't seen him around before, he must be the new guy all the girls had been gossiping about. Not that I could blame them. Salem, Massachusetts, wasn't very big, and most of the families had lived here for generations, so a new student propelled the school into a frenzy the way blood excited sharks.

"Nah, I'll be fine." I noticed his black shorts hung low on his hips, and, if it wasn't for the white tank, I might've seen more than I'd bargained for. As it was, I was able to see a lot. Muscles rippled down his arms. He had a trim waist and great-looking legs.

I blushed brighter, guessing both cheeks were now the color of radishes.

"Okay." I glanced at his running shoes. "Are you on the track team?"

"I hope so. Coach is having me try out."

Oh, no. If he didn't do well, it'd be my fault. "Good luck," I said, looking up.

"Thanks, but I don't need luck." He smiled, showing two straight rows of white teeth. Reminded me of a toothpaste commercial. "You wanna watch me?"

"Yes, sure." I smiled back. He didn't seem upset or hurt, and his lip wasn't even swollen.

"I'm Chace Charming," he said as we headed toward the field.

I snickered, and he gave me a sideways look. "It's nice to meet you, Charming. My name is Snow White."

One glance was all it took to know he understood what was so funny. "What were our parents thinking?" he asked. "I've considered having my last name changed. But if you can deal with yours, I guess I can deal with mine." He bumped into my side. I would've gone flying, except faster than I thought possible, he grabbed hold of my arm and held me vertical.

"I know, right?" I couldn't help the punch of excitement running through my veins. I was glad Chace and I walked together because I tripped two more times before he led me to a bench, where I gave the coach a thumbs-up and happily sat for the duration of practice.

# Chapter 2

I didn't have my driver's license yet. Two more months and then it was look out world, figuratively and literally. What I did have was an old purple Schwinn, which was what I rode to meet up with Cindy. The night air was clammy—the kind that made me wonder why I bothered to shower that day—and the sky sparkled with crisp stars and a full moon.

The perfect night for magic, I thought only half wistfully and snorted. But I did live in Salem, after all. If magic were going to happen anywhere, it'd be in our town.

Our regular spot was a movie rental place called Warehouse Video. Classic movie posters were plastered on the windows, and a neon sign hung along the top. It actually said AREHOUSE VID thanks to several missing light bulbs, but I liked it that way. It was "our house."

The place probably would've closed up a long time ago, but the owner's son got the brilliant idea to add a coffee shop. The inside reminded me of what I thought a seventies disco would look like, and it smelled like stale popcorn and frothy coffee.

It was fantastic. At least I thought so. The adults? Not so much, which is probably why I loved it. Cindy and I had been coming here since we were thirteen.

Carefully getting off my bike, I grabbed the bike chain, stuck it in between two spokes of my front tire, and locked the other end to a chipped green concrete post. The parking lot was full of cars and teens. I searched for Cindy or her blue Altima but couldn't see either.

Gabe, one of my seven besties, was there, though, leaning against his silver CRX. A flock of girls surrounded him. He must've said something funny because they all laughed. I smiled and shook my head. His eyes found mine, and I sucked in a breath, stumbling backward. My hands and butt hit the pavement at about the same time. Gabe pushed through the girls and rushed over.

"Jeez, Snowflake, if you wanted my attention, all you had to do was wave. This falling all over yourself, for me, is unnecessary." He stood there with his hands on his hips, smiling at me, looking stunning. He knew about my blood disorder, but he also knew not to fuss over me because I didn't like it. He leaned down. "I mean seriously." His gorgeous green eyes were filled with humor.

Gabe was good at teasing me—the best of all the brothers—but I'd recently developed a serious crush on him somehow, and I took everything he said way too personally. "Ha-ha. Could you help me up, please?"

He put a hand around my waist and his other out for me to grab. Heat spread over my face and down my neck at his touch. I couldn't look at him. If I did, I'd get a close-up view of his beautiful face and dark brown hair that curled slightly, perfectly, in a way that made me want to touch it and wrap my fingers in it. This whole crushing on my best friend really wasn't working for me. I pulled my hand from his once I was standing.

"Thanks, Gabe. But you better get back to your groupies, they're getting impatient." I moved away, trying to focus on the sting in my hands and not the strange tingle in my heart.

He pulled me back toward him by tugging on the waist of my baggy jeans before forcing me to face him. He was an inch taller than me, so we were practically eye-to-eye. His green eyes were serious, searching. I looked away toward the girls, still hanging out around his car. "I need to find Cindy."

"Snowflake, wait. Are you bleeding? Let me see your hands." He grabbed them, flipping them over. A couple of rocks were still embedded in the palms, and he tenderly brushed them away, but thankfully there wasn't any blood. Each place he touched caused a jittery flutter in my stomach like I'd had one too many espresso shots.

I tried to pull my hands away, but he held them firm. "I'm fine, Gabe," I said, flustered, and made the mistake of glancing up. My breath hitched.

"You're constantly falling because of these clothes. If you'd wear something that fits instead of," he paused and wrapped his fist in my blue American Eagle tee shirt, pulling me close, so close I could smell his cologne. It was my favorite, like clean sheets that'd been dried on a hot summer day. "This shirt used to be mine." A wondrous smile ignited his lips and spread all the way to his eyes. "Actually, that's kind of hot."

"Gabe quit it." I tried to pull away, knowing my face burned red hot.

He wrapped his hands around my waist, coming in close. His breath tickled my cheek, warm and delicious. It smelled like minty toothpaste. "You aren't always going to think of me as a brother. Someday, Snow. You'll see me the way I see you," he said in my ear, his lips brushing against my hairline before releasing me. He gave me a wave and started walking. "See ya, Snowflake."

Stunned, I watched him go. Did he have feelings for me? I really needed to talk to Cindy.

Right on cue, she tapped me on the shoulder and jumped in front of me. "So, are the guys coming over for the movie?"

Cindy overflowed with bubbly happiness. "I don't think so," I said, sneaking a peek at Gabe. He'd returned to his car and the flock of girls. They were giggling again. That was one of the reasons I was glad Cindy hadn't dumped me for cooler friends. Sometimes I needed girl time, and she was my only girlfriend.

Her face fell. "Did you invite them?"

I gripped her elbow, and we walked into the video store together. "I did invite them, told them to meet at my house at ten-thirty. They might show." I decided to change the subject. "Are you going to crash at my place tonight?"

"No, my parents are taking me to the Cape this weekend."

It was my turn to frown as we perused the old video cases. "How come you didn't tell me?" I really needed to talk to her.

"I just found out, silly." She smiled. "Besides, I'm sure the guys will keep you company."

I hid a sigh. There was no way I could talk to the guys about my feelings for their brother. That'd be... gross.

"Let's find us a scary movie, something that'll let me snuggle up with Gabe. I hope they show." She swiveled around, and I knew she was searching for Gabe because that was what I did. I paused mid-stride.

Abruptly my mind registered what she'd said. "Wait. What? Gabe, why Gabe?" There were six other brothers, all of them good looking. Besides, I thought she liked the new guy, Chace. "What about Chace?" Her glossed lips pouted, and her perfectly lined eyes got all dreamy. She looked like one of my stepmother's fairytale figurines.

"Nah, I'm over him." Cindy headed toward the horror section and started browsing. I followed, studying her too-perfect features as she picked up a movie. I plucked it from her hands and put it back on the shelf. After several movie denials, she crossed her arms. "All the girls like Chace. Besides, I talked to him and..." She shrugged. "He isn't for me."

I had a feeling Chace hadn't gushed over her, which was what most guys did, including my guys, my best friends.

"Besides, Gabe is gorgeous and so sweet."

She'd noticed he was sweet. When? How? Had he done something to impress her recently? This was just not good. I had a crush on him.

"How about S—" She held up the movie case.

I grabbed the movie from her well-manicured hand, cutting her off. "Please, no. Not that one again. That movie is terrifying." I shuddered. The first five minutes, with the girl hanging in the tree... ugh, it gave me the heebie-jeebies. "What about a love story, like _Titanic_ or _The Greatest Showman_? That one has Zac Efron, and I know you like Zac Efron."

She paused a moment, debating, then shook her head. "Not if the guys are coming. We need gory death and kissing, and jump scares."

I groaned inwardly. Should I tell her I had a crush on Gabe too? Even as I thought about telling her, I cringed. If Gabe knew Cindy was interested, there'd be no contest. I glanced sideways at her. She was wearing a baby blue mini skirt with a sleeveless white peasant shirt. On her feet were strappy silver sandals, which matched the thin silver bracelets dangling from each of her tiny wrists. Her hair was down and curled to perfection. Her honey skin had that just-lotioned look.

I glanced down at my black Converse and gripped my tee-shirt the way Gabe had. He'd said it was sexy that I wore his old shirt. I seriously doubted that. Maybe if I told her how I felt...

"Cin," I started.

"Aha, this is the one." She held up the case. It felt like something inside me deflated.

"Okay," I agreed without looking at it.

# Chapter 3

Gatsby, my gray rescue cat, snuggled next to me. He purred softly like he didn't have a single worry. I absently stroked his ears while I tried to block out the frightening images on the TV screen. Cindy hadn't chosen _Scream_ , but _Urban Legends_ , another horror movie from the nineties.

We weren't sitting next to each other. I was sprawled out on the leather couch, and Cin sat in the burgundy high back. She had a bowl of plain popcorn on her lap and a diet soda placed precariously on the brown-carpeted floor.

The family living room was medium-sized and outfitted with furniture that would be considered eclectic. Nothing matched, but it didn't matter. The couch, chairs, end tables, coffee table, TV, lamps, and curio cabinets seemed irrelevant compared to my stepmother's fairytale figurine collection. On every surface stood, or hung, a statuette or painting. I'd counted once. There'd been over six hundred figurines placed around the house, and the number kept increasing. I mean, talk about extreme.

Cindy thought it was funny. She especially loved the Cinderella figurines, probably because she looked identical to them. Young girls would stop her in the mall and ask if she was the real Cinderella. My stepmother agreed and even gave her a Cinderella figurine for a birthday.

What was weird, though? Out of all the figurines, paintings, pillows, dishtowels, and clocks, there wasn't a single Snow White. There were several castings of the Seven Dwarves, the Wicked Queen, Prince Charming, and even an apple, but no Snow White. I'd asked her about it once when I was eight and realized she was missing. "My darling," my stepmother said. "I don't need a Snow White figurine because I have you." At the time, I thought it was sweet and tried to hug her, but now... I don't know, it just seemed strange.

"For goodness' sake, Snow. Open your eyes. You're going to miss the best part," Cindy hollered, throwing a piece of popcorn at me.

It smacked me in the forehead. I tried to glare. She giggled, which sent me into a laughing fit.

"There isn't a best part in this movie. It's icky, and it makes me feel icky." That was the truth, the reason I hated horror movies. I didn't like how I felt while I watched them, and especially after. The film was almost over. Cindy would leave, and then I'd be alone in my old, creaky house with only my cat for company.

"Are you kidding? Watch this. It's classic." She pointed at the screen as she talked with popcorn in her mouth. "Here it comes."

I couldn't and scrunched my eyes closed, wishing I had earplugs to block out the screaming, the spine-chilling music, and the terrible acting.

As I lay there, working to think about anything but the death and mayhem going on the screen, something bizarre happened. An image popped into my head and began playing like a movie. I tried to shake it, but it was as though my brain had been hijacked.

A man stood in the trees behind my house. I got the feeling he waited for me to do something. Several of the guys—Sebastian, Bart, Salvatore, Heathcliff, and Daniel—plowed out of my back door and wrestled with each other as they trampled down the stairs. They laughed heartily. I followed along with Dorian, but Gabe wasn't there. They were tossing something back and forth, and I was trying to intercept it, desperate for whatever they were keeping away from me.

Suddenly they all stopped, and their faces turned grave. Sebastian had the thing I was trying to get in his hands. He and the others circled me. There was a coppery stench in the air, and it made my mouth water. Sebastian opened his hand. The thing, whatever it was, beat rapidly, and blood dripped from his fingers.

The guys began speaking together, their voices monotone: "Lips red as rubies, hair dark as night. Drink your true love's blood; become the Vampire, Snow White."

"I want it." Taking the bloody thing in Sebastian's hand, I brought it to my lips. It beat faster and faster. At that moment, I knew it was a heart, the heart of my true love, but that didn't matter. Sinking my teeth into it, I tasted the blood, felt it run down my throat, like liquid pleasure. I shuddered.

A cackle rang through the night, and profound darkness entered my body. "Now, you are mine."

I screamed, grabbing one of the decorative pillows from the couch, and covered my mouth.

Startled, Cindy threw the popcorn bowl in the air. Fluffy kernels scattered everywhere. Gatsby gave me an evil eye, rose, and casually jumped off the couch. He sniffed a popcorn kernel before darting from the room.

" _Merde_ ," Cindy swore in French. "It isn't that scary." She skulked off her chair and started picking up the mess.

I crossed my arms, embarrassed. "Sorry," I whispered, unable to stop the trembling in my limbs or the chattering of my teeth.

# Chapter 4

"Gatsby, c'mon kitty," I called quietly into the darkness that was my backyard. From my porch, I searched the night, waiting to hear the soft patter of his running feet. After five minutes, he still hadn't come. Obviously, he must still be upset with me over the screaming fiasco. I stepped back inside, shutting the screen door while keeping watch.

Cin had left already with a quick hug and a promise to call Sunday afternoon when she returned from the Cape. The guys hadn't ever shown, and Gatsby didn't seem to want my company either. Stifling a shiver, I wrapped my arms around myself. I wasn't cold so much as unsettled. The disturbing dream thing, along with that scary movie, had me all messed up.

Instinctively I searched the trees beyond my yard, studying between the low hanging branches that smelled of peppermint, their leaves soft as butterfly kisses. Would he be out there? The man who watched me in the dream.

A noise like crunching leaves pulled my head in its direction. My pulse picked up speed like a thumping rabbit. Something moved out there—something I couldn't see. Opening the screen door, I called for Gatsby again. "Here, kitty kitty." The sound of my own voice made me nervous.

The noise grew more intense. I'd let the screen door slam behind me and now reached back, grabbing the handle. Opening it, I put a hand to my throat. If it was the man, what should I do? I wouldn't be safe in the house. I so needed a cellphone. I was about to turn when two guys stumbled out of the trees and fell onto the grass, laughing uproariously. A scream escaped my lips before I could stop it. I clamped a hand over my mouth, realizing it was just Salvatore and Bart. That's what my eyes told me; the rest of me was frozen in fear. I wanted to laugh with them. They'd only been teasing; it's what they did. I'd done it to them on more than one occasion: snuck into their yard and scared them.

"You should see your face," Salvatore said, rising and coming toward me. "I should've taken a picture." Tears were streaming down his face from laughing so hard. Bart was in a similar state. I still couldn't move.

In the dream, Salvatore had been holding the bloody heart, the heart of my true love. The brothers had been tossing it around like they were playing catch before a game. I shook my head, remembering I'd tasted the heart. A rush of pleasure rushed through me, and I swallowed back the disgust and guilt. "How-how could you?" I stammered, tears filling my eyes. "You know I'm all alone. You could've been a psychotic murderer." I rushed into the house, letting the screen door slam behind me. I'd seen their stricken faces and knew they hadn't meant to do any harm, but I couldn't act rationally. Sobs wracked my body, and snot dripped from my nose. I was losing it, and I had no excuse.

I ran past my parents' unused bedroom and the bathroom in the main hall until I reached my bedroom. Flinging open the door, I launched myself onto the bed and buried my head in my purple pillows. My dad, being gone for so long, plus knowing Cindy liked Gabe and the weird daydream, was fuel. The guys scaring me ignited it, and now there would be no stopping the floodgates. All my sadness, my loneliness, my pent-up hurt, and fears seemed to crash into me. Wave after horrible wave... Why had my mother died? Why had my father remarried such a cold, uncaring woman, and why did they have to leave me alone all the time? Why did my dad choose her over me? Why was I such a dork? The questions went unanswered, probably always would. My life was what it was, and most of the time, I accepted it, even enjoyed it. Right now was not one of those times. I'd fallen into my enormous chasm of hurt and allowed myself to sink in.

"Hey, care for one more in your pity party?"

At the sound of his soft voice, I stiffened. There was a thud, and then I felt the bed give as four soft paws jumped up.

"Gatsby invited me. I hope you don't mind if I join you?"

Two feelings swirled through my heart at once: relief and embarrassment.

Relief, because I was happy to see him. I didn't want to be alone. Embarrassment because I was a blubbering mess, and he would see me, and I'd never be able to look him in the face again. "Gabe, what are you doing here?" I asked, casually wiping my eyes and nose on my pillowcase. Gross? Sure. But it was better than him seeing me covered in snot.

The bed dipped as he sat. His warm skin so close to mine sent tingles through my belly. "I told you Gatsby invited me, and I never miss a pity party, especially not one thrown by my beautiful best friend, Snowflake." There was amusement in his voice. He was trying to make me feel better, but that wasn't the point of a pity party. You weren't supposed to feel better. It was about misery, and that's what I wanted. Him saying I was beautiful just added to the many waves of hurt. It wasn't true, and having him rub that in didn't help.

"Go away," I said.

He answered by scooting closer, and I felt my body respond hungrily to his nearness. "I'll go away when I know you're feeling better. Professor Pops knows I'm here. He also has Salvatore and Bart on bathroom duty tomorrow. He wanted me to be sure to tell you that."

"Huh," was all I could utter, though I had to smile. "Serves them right." I sniffled.

He shifted his weight and pushed me over slightly, then I felt something fall over me. It was the quilt my mother made. Tears filled my eyes again, and I squeezed them shut. "Now, I'm just going to lie down next to you until you fall asleep. I've already locked up the house, but I'll lock the back door when I leave, okay?" I heard Gatsby growl, and the thud when Gabe dropped him to the floor. The bed shifted as he got comfortable.

Then there was only breathing.

He meant it. Gabe was just going to lie there with me. I took a deep breath and relaxed. It reminded me of our overnighters when we were younger, sleeping out on the trampoline in our sleeping bags. The seven of them and me all started out at typical distances from each other, but by morning we'd all slid into the middle—a pajama-clad mashup of arms and legs.

I'd always been the first to wake up, lie there, listen to them breathing, and wish that was how we could be every night—my brothers and me sleeping under the stars. Only now, I didn't see them that way anymore. They weren't brothers, but gorgeous men and the one next to me had my pulse pounding in my ears. I took a deep breath, thinking about our overnighters. They'd ended once my stepmother came into the picture. She'd pointed out that they weren't really my brothers. They were boys, and all boys only had one thing on the brain. As I listened to Gabe breathe, I wondered what was on his mind. After a while, I fell asleep.

In my dreams, there were arms wrapped protectively around me, my back tucked against his chest, legs intertwined. I heard a whisper. "Snow, my Snow. You aren't alone." My heart soared with happiness in the dream. "Gabe, don't leave me," I whispered back.

"Never, Snowflake."

# Chapter 5

The sun peeked through my sheer purple bedroom curtains, its brightness burning my eyes. I was on my side, facing my alarm clock, which said seven o'clock. Solid breathing came from behind, tickling my neck. A weight pressed against my hip—Gabe's arm. All that had happened last night came crashing back, and he was still there, in my bed with me. I held my breath and slowly rolled onto my back. Gabe shifted. A smile curled his lips.

"It's a bit early for a Saturday, Snowflake." His words were low, heavy with sleep.

Sensual, my mind uttered, and my heart responded by beating rapidly. Before I could give him a comeback, my nose registered the sultry smell of bacon. "Someone's cooking," I whispered.

"Do you think it's the psychotic murderer? He's going to feed us before he slays us?" he asked, mischievous.

I punched him in the arm. "You heard me last night?"

"Snowflake, I think the whole town heard you." He opened his eyes then. Two beautiful pools of green searched my face, lingering on my lips before focusing on my eyes. My skin warmed, and I looked away. "I love it when you blush."

"You do?" I couldn't believe he'd stayed, and we were lying next to each other. All night. Did he like me? What about Cindy? Should I tell him she had a thing for him? His hand rested on my stomach, and I wondered if he could feel the electricity buzzing beneath.

"Snowflake, I do." He rolled onto his side, and I did the same, his fingers creating goosebumps as they moved back to my hip. Our noses practically touched, and I suddenly worried about morning breath. I hadn't brushed my teeth and turned in my lips, pressing them together. He started laughing. "What are you doing?"

"I haven't brushed my teeth," I said, cupping a hand over my mouth.

He pulled my hand away. "Don't care."

"Yeah, but what about your morning breath? It might singe my eyelashes," I said, finally coming up with a snappy comeback.

He laughed and rolled off the bed. "You have a point. Let's go see what the psychotic murderer is cooking along with that bacon."

I grinned, thankful, and disappointed that the moment had ended. "I'll be down in a minute."

He raised his eyebrows in question, and I glanced in the direction of my bathroom. "Ah," was all he said as he went to the door.

A bolt of agony. I didn't want him to leave. I'd clung to him in my dreams last night. Awake, I realized I didn't want to stop. I needed him, with his incessant playfulness and thoughtfulness. On top of that, well, he was hot. "Gabe," I called, hearing the tremor in my voice.

He turned back, concerned. "Yeah, Snowflake?"

"Thank you." I looked down, unsure. My feelings for him were new, and a part of me wished I could go back to just being his best friend.

He walked around the bed to where I stood and gripped my tee-shirt, which used to be his in his hand, making a fist and pulling me to him. He lifted my chin with a finger, but I kept my eyes down, focusing on his masculine hands that were big, but not too big. "Are you going to be okay?"

I nodded, unable to understand why tears stung my eyes. He pulled me into his arms, and I reciprocated with a fervor I didn't know I possessed. Tucking my face in his neck, I held on as though my life depended on it.

We stayed that way a long time until I heard snickering from the doorway.

"Professor Pops wanted me to tell you both to come down for breakfast." It was Bart. He stood in the doorway, looking super uncomfortable.

I cleared my throat.

Gabe whispered, "Never, Snowflake." And he gave me a pointed look. My heart leaped into my throat. Maybe last night's words and the way he'd held me hadn't been dreams.

"Promise?" I examined his face, his eyes, to see if he was serious.

In answer, he kissed my cheek, and my whole body melted like butter. "Promise."

"Hurry up," Bart said and disappeared.

Gabe squeezed my hand before exiting my bedroom. And I sighed.

After handling the necessities—change of clothes, brushing my teeth and hair, and a bathroom break—I ran downstairs. All the guys were seated around the kitchen island and at the table. I couldn't help but smile. Having the kitchen bursting with delicious smells, and most of my favorite people filled me with total happiness. "Hi," I said, sitting on the oak dining chair next to Dorian. The guys were piling their plates with waffles, eggs, and more eggs, and cantaloupe, and strawberries. Taking a dish, I scooped some of the fruit onto it.

Professor Pops came over and plopped a waffle onto my plate. I looked up; grateful he'd done so much. "Thanks, Professor, but I'm a vegan. No eggs or milk for me." I grimaced, feeling bad, but I couldn't bring myself to eat anything meat or meat-related. I picked up the waffle, but Professor placed a hand over mine and patted.

"I know all about it. These waffles were made without eggs, and I used almond milk instead of regular." His gray eyes twinkled like he'd lived a thousand lives and knew everything about everything.

"Oh," I said, setting it back on my plate happily. Neither my dad nor my stepmother would've been so thoughtful. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," he said, the skin around his eyes crinkling as he smiled.

The notion that he'd come over and cooked for me was incredible and another testament to the reasons I adored him and his sons. They were incredibly good, decent men because that's the example Professor Pops set for them. I had to wonder how he and the guys had gotten in and where all the food came from. My refrigerator held yogurt, apples, raw almonds, and orange juice, and I had some vegan, whole-wheat pasta, and tomato sauce in the pantry, but that was about it. I wasn't going to ask him, though. That would've been rude. Besides, I was too busy stuffing my face with fruit covered waffles. Gabe sat at the island, his back to me, so I didn't get a chance to talk to him during breakfast.

There'd been a lot of grunting and chewing going on after Sebastian uttered a quick prayer, but not much else. The food was divine. Salvatore and Bart had apologized, clearing the air. Afterward, I helped Professor Pops clean up the kitchen. When it was just the two of us in the kitchen, Professor Pops filled the large sink with hot water and dish soap. A perfectly good stainless-steel dishwasher had been installed next to the sink, but he wanted to hand wash the dishes.

"You know, we could throw these in there." I pointed at the dishwasher.

"True, but where's the fun in that?" He wriggled his eyebrows, and I giggled. He handed me a plate. I dried it and placed it in the cupboard.

"Your sixteenth birthday is in two months," he said out of the blue.

"It is," I agreed.

"Have you made any plans yet?"

I stood beside him and took another plate he handed me. It was hot, and I hurriedly dried it. "Not yet. My parents won't be back from St. Bart's for a while, so I'm not sure."

He didn't say anything right away. I looked up. His jaw flexed, and his eyes were scrunched as though he had to concentrate on washing the plate.

Professor Pops had thick gray hair. He was tall and lean. I figured he'd probably been very handsome when he was younger. As it was, I'd say he was distinguished. He had on a pair of tan slacks, a red and white checkered button-up shirt, and a tan sweater with dark suede patches at the elbows. On his feet were loafers, and in his left breast pocket were silver wire-rimmed reading glasses. He was the epitome of what I believed a Professor of Religion should look like. Well, a professor of any kind, really.

After I put away the dried plate, I came back for the next one. "It isn't a big deal. Maybe I'll invite the guys and Cindy over to watch a movie. That'll be fun."

He blew out a breath, and I deliberated if I'd made him mad.

"Professor?" I asked tentatively.

He dropped the plate in the soapy sink, letting it splash and turned to me. Taking the towel from my hands, he dried off his and then placed it on the counter. "Snow, I know I'm not your father, but I've come to look at you as an adoptive daughter over the years. I'm very fond of you." His eyes glowed as he spoke.

"I know," I said, my insides tingling with the sweet warmth of love. I was curious as to what he was getting at. "And I really appreciate that. Thanks again for making me breakfast."

We waved a hand dismissively. "I'll call your father and stepmother," the word came out like it'd been laced with acid, "and ask their permission, of course, but if you let me, I'd like to throw you a birthday party at my place. Something big, grand, something that declares to the world what an amazing young woman you are." At the last part, he squeezed my shoulders affectionately.

Unbidden tears crept into my eyes, and I quickly blinked them away. What was up with me? "You don't have to," I said.

"I would be honored if you'd allow me to. This old man hasn't ever had the chance to throw an extravagant birthday party. All the boys ever want is pizza and some sort of activity."

"An activity sounds great," I inserted hurriedly. I didn't want him to have to go to all the trouble.

"No, please. Let me do this. May I?" He took one of my hands and held it between his. They were soft and warm.

"Okay," I said, a little shyly.

"Excellent." He patted my hand. "Now, about Gabe."

I swallowed a lump I hadn't known existed in my throat. "Gabe?" I squeaked out.

"Yes." He nudged me over to the table, and we both sat. "The boy—"

The whole group forced their way into the kitchen, and one of the guys cleared his throat, interrupting whatever Professor Pops had been about to say.

Dorian spoke. "We were wondering if we could take the train into Boston."

Professor Pops released my hand. "That sounds intriguing." He looked from Salvatore to Bart. "Bathrooms must be cleaned first. Then you may go. Just be home before midnight." He handed Dorian some money he'd pulled from the wallet in his back pocket. "You have your cells if there's an emergency?" They all nodded, and I hid a smile behind my hand. They were men; the two youngest were Gabe and Dorian, and they were both seventeen. Four would be graduating from the academy this year, but they knew Professor Pops cared for them a great deal and would never intentionally disrespect him. A twinge of longing surged through me.

"Want to come, Snowflake?" Gabe asked, eyeing me.

The guys all added their assent. I searched Gabe's face. Did he really want me to tag along? It seemed that he did.

"Sure. Sounds fun."

The brothers took off, leaving Professor Pops and me alone again. I wanted to bring up Gabe and ask him what he was going to say, but I couldn't figure out how.

# Chapter 6

After showering and blow-drying my short hair, I searched for an outfit that wouldn't embarrass the guys. It frustrated me to realize I cared, and it was all Gabe's fault. Before last night—before his words, and kindness, and his snuggling without trying anything, and kissing my cheek—before any of that, I hadn't given what I wore a second thought. I threw on any old pair of jeans and any old tee shirt. Not even the gorgeous Cindy Croswell and all of her helpful hints had done any good.

It. Was. Gabe.

He'd said I was sexy, and he'd made me feel sexy, so I wanted to be sexy. I growled in frustration.

"Ugh, what's happening to me," I hollered at myself, throwing on a pair of baggy faded jeans and a vintage Def Leppard shirt. At least the sleeves were a light blue that matched my eyes. That seemed girly. I didn't have makeup, but I did have cherry lip balm. I applied some after brushing my teeth again and fluffed my hair a little. "Cindy would be so proud," I mocked my reflection in the mirror. Adding a pair of black Converse and a black leather belt, I grabbed my wallet and headed next door to Adam Henry's house.

Calling Professor Pops' house a house—well, it was a downright lie. The thing was a sprawling mansion. An acre of land separated my house from his, but the mansion sat on ten acres. The amenities included a tennis court, a basketball court, a heated swimming pool that could be indoor or outdoor, a three-hole golf course, a putting green, and the house. My house looked like the servant's quarters. Maybe it had been a long time ago.

I dinged the bell and waited. You'd think a butler would answer the door, but no. It was Salvatore. His shiny black hair was wet and pulled into a tiny ponytail.

"Rockin' the pirate look, I see," I said as I stepped into the foyer.

Almond colored eyes registered shock, as did his gasp and the way he dramatically put his hand on his chest. I couldn't help the laugh that started in my belly and bubbled into my throat.

"Where's your poofy shirt and pantaloons?" I asked, following him into the kitchen. He had on a getup similar to mine, baggy jeans, and a vintage shirt. His tee-shirt was black and had AC-DC across the chest.

Pulling open a door on the large side-by-side stainless steel refrigerator, he grabbed a soda and popped the top. "You want one?"

"Um, duh," I responded, to which he grinned and tossed me one. I flung up my hands in an effort to at least block the can, but a hand reached in front of me and grabbed the can from the air.

"Dude," Dorian yelled. "Did you forget who this is?" he asked, pointing in my direction with a thumb.

I smacked him in the arm. "I totally had it."

"Uh-huh, sure you did." Dorian looked freshly showered too. His sandy hair was still wet and slicked back. He always dressed so nicely, and today was no exception: a light green polo with dark jeans and a brown belt that matched his shoes.

"You're so pretty, Dorian." I grabbed the can of soda from him and cracked it open.

He smirked. "Don't I know it."

One by one, the guys sauntered into the kitchen, each handsome in his own way, each dear to me. These guys were my family. I'd do anything for them, and I knew the feeling was mutual. After last night's freak-out, I figured the guys might act weird toward me, but it was the same ol' same ol,' and for that I was grateful.

Gabe walked in last. He looked just as he always did—gorgeous brown hair, mischievous green eyes, olive skin, and a body of lean muscle—but everything was different too. Those arms held me last night. He'd made me a promise, and as he walked toward me, I knew he meant it. The closer he got, the warmer my body became. Ignoring his brothers, his lips brushed against my face, as though resealing the promise he'd made earlier.

One of them—Sebastian, I think—did the whole fake cough thing. "Jerk."

"Yeah, you're just jealous. Get over it," Gabe responded.

Jealous, I thought. No way. But as I scanned the faces of the brothers, I realized something. Sure, they were family, but we weren't related, and they saw me as potential, not a sister. How long had this been going on? Had I really been so oblivious? I knew I was turning red, and I lowered my face, intently studying the soda can. But I'm not even pretty, I thought, mortified.

Heathcliff cleared his throat. "Let's go. The train leaves in twenty minutes. Hopefully, we'll make it." He grabbed a set of keys off the hook on the wall that said, coincidentally, KEYS.

Eight of us in one car; this ought to be interesting.

Turned out to be four of us in two cars. Heathcliff drove the red Audi, and Salvatore drove the black Mercedes SUV. Gabe sat in the back with me, and Dorian sat in the front next to Heathcliff.

Heathcliff had been right. We made it, but not by much. As soon as we were in, the train pulled away.

The ride into the city was fun but uneventful. There was one brief moment when I got the distinct impression someone was watching me. The little hairs on the back of my neck and on my arms stood up, and I got a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Trying to be nonchalant, I searched for the cause, but didn't notice anyone acting strange or, at least, not odd towards me. Shrugging it off, I listened to the guys and their interesting conversations about sports, cars, and women.

# Chapter 7

There was something magical about Boston. Puritans founded the city in 1630, so perhaps magic would be considered blasphemous, but that was the word that came to mind. After Salem, it was my favorite place. A hum, or a vibe, pulsed through the city, uniting its occupants.

We started at Boston Common. Salvatore brought a Frisbee, and we played on the grass for a while. The air was humid, hot. After an hour, we were all sticky and in need of liquid refreshments. The eight of us went to a local coffee shop for a cold drink.

After that, we split up. Sebastian, Salvatore, Bart, and Daniel decided to get out of the heat and see a movie. Heathcliff informed us Professor Pops had asked him to drop something off. It was all very secretive. Dorian, Gabe, and I said we'd keep him company.

We took Tremont Street to State and decided to stop at the Faneuil Hall Market Place. It was packed with people and all sorts of shops, from clothing to jewelry to food to purses. The guys each bought themselves a slice of pizza, which smelled so heavenly I almost rethought my food choices but settled on an almond fruit smoothie.

We purchased tickets to see a play contending for Broadway called _Chasing Disaster_ later that night. It was a musical about the life of Sylvester Stallone. Stallone and a musical didn't seem to mix, but we wanted to give it a shot.

The sun had begun to set, making the glass buildings glow as though they were on fire. Heathcliff led us into an alley that, at one time, hundreds of years ago, had been a cow path. Sunlight dappled the brick buildings high above, but down near us, darkness prevailed, as did the dank smell of rotting trash and fish.

I breathed through my mouth with little relief.

"Where are we going, Heath?" Dorian asked, a hand over his nose.

Gabe shoved him. "You're such a baby." He glanced at me, worry creasing his forehead. "How are you handling this?" he whispered.

I put a hand over my nose and mouth. "Gotta say Dorian has the right idea. The smell is awful."

Gabe nodded.

Heathcliff didn't seem to be bothered by it. He kept looking from a piece of paper in his hand and side to side at the old doors almost hidden in the walls. The alley seemed to go on forever, and I wondered how much longer we would be here.

Finally, Heath stopped and scratched his head. "I think this is it." He knocked, and we waited. After several seconds a young Asian boy in navy shorts and a white tee shirt answered the door. He appraised us before asking in perfect English, "What do you want?"

I felt the hesitation in the brothers. They all had their shoulders hunched except Heathcliff.

"Hello," Heathcliff said, giving the boy a smile. "Adam Henry asked me to bring something to Kenmei-sensei."

The boy stepped back as though Heath had cursed. "One minute." The door slammed, and there was high-pitched shouting in Japanese.

We looked at each other. I shrugged, tucking my hands into my front pockets. After several more minutes, an elderly Asian man opened the door. He wore clothes similar to Professor Pops.

"Adam Henry has something for me?" He bowed slightly.

Heath, Dorian, Gabe, and I returned the bow. Professor Pops had been teaching the boys about different cultures since they were little. Sometimes he'd teach me, too, and for that reason, I knew that it was a sign of respect to return the old man's bow.

Heath pulled a folded paper from his back pocket. "Are you Kenmei-sensei?"

A smile ignited the man's face. " _Hai_."

Heath handed him the paper. "This is for you, then."

With slightly shaking hands, Kenmei took the paper and unfolded it. He studied whatever was on it.

The four of us shuffled back and forth, waiting patiently, but I thought I'd gag if I had to stay in the alley much longer. The smell was more than atrocious.

Finally, Kenmei looked at Heath and then set his gaze on Dorian and Gabe before his eyes rested on me. A prickling fear surged along my spine. Looking into his dark eyes was like looking into the Universe. If anyone asked, I would swear I saw stars and planets rotating within.

"You are not one of Adam Henry's sons." It wasn't a question.

I shook my head, placing my hands behind my back in fists. "No, I'm just a friend of the family."

"A good friend," he added.

"Yes," I agreed, working to keep the overbearing fear crawling along with my appendages in check. His stare worried me, and I glanced down at my feet, realizing I stood in a puddle of murky yellow water. Shifting, I moved closer to Gabe. He placed a hand at the small of my back, and I relaxed.

"Come." Kenmei stood back, his hand gesturing that we enter. "Adam is expecting an answer. Won't the four of you come in? My grandson, Hiro-san, will make you some tea."

Heathcliff answered as though he'd been holding his breath. "We'd love to."

"Excellent." He moved inside.

After the four of us had stepped in, Hiro appeared seemingly out of nowhere and barked, "Take off your shoes," as he closed the door.

"I'll be right back," Kenmei said when he reached the end of the hall. "Show them into the dining room and get them some tea," he added, speaking to Hiro.

Hiro bowed. "Yes, Grandfather."

Kenmei disappeared.

I rolled up my pant legs because the ends were wet and removed my shoes as I waited for my eyes to adjust to the dimly lit room. It'd been dusk outside, but for some reason, it seemed darker in here. I could barely make out that Gabe and the others were removing their shoes as well. When I finished, I straightened.

"Follow me, please, and don't touch anything." Hiro shook his pointer finger at us slowly but seemed to be looking directly at me.

Did I have "klutzy" stamped across my forehead? Probably, I answered with a sigh.

I followed the boy. Gabe and the others followed me. We seemed to be taking the same route Kenmei had gone. It looked like the only way to get anywhere. The floor was covered in plush Oriental carpet, the design intricate. The walls were covered in cream paint. Lights ran along with the ceiling, but elaborately painted lamps covered them, which was why the room emitted only a slight reddish glow. Pictures of ancient-looking people, water dragons, and creatures that looked like they'd been pulled from nightmares hung randomly on the walls. The air smelled like incense, which was much nicer than the garbage stench outside.

As we padded along, I got the distinct impression I was being watched. Paranoid much? It was just that I was in a strange place. It was unnerving.

Abruptly the hallway ended, and we had to either turn to the left or the right. Hiro led us to the right. Not too far after that, he stopped in front of double paper-looking doors. Sliding one open, he ushered us inside the room.

A shiny onyx table that could seat at least twelve sat majestically in the center. Black leather chairs surrounded it. In the middle of the table sat a rock and bamboo water fountain, gurgling contentedly. Directly above, hung an enormous chandelier. I couldn't see the ceiling, though. It just seemed to go up and up and up without end. That had to be a trick of the light.

Hiro patted a chair at the head of the table. "You, girl. Sit here. The rest of you can find a spot. I'll be right back." Without another word, he left.

We looked at each other and laughed.

"That kid has more confidence in his little finger than most people have in their whole bodies," Dorian said.

We all agreed as we went to our seats.

"I wonder why he wanted me to sit here?" I asked, cautiously pulling out the chair and sitting.

"Probably because you're cute," Gabe said, and the others agreed. He winked at me. I blinked, unsure of what was happening. Gabe shook his head, a half-smile on his lips. "Snowflake," he muttered, grabbing my hand between his and massaging it.

Heathcliff looked from me to Gabe. "What's going on with you two? Are you a couple now?" He seemed irritated, and I flinched at the question, surprised. Gabe would have to answer this one because I didn't know either.

Gabe gave Heath a pointed stare. "You've known about my feelings for Snow for quite some time. It wasn't until last night I had a suspicion she might feel the same way about me."

His feelings? I was in shock but worked to keep my emotions hidden behind a blank face.

Gabe turned to Dorian. "You guys don't have a problem with me asking out Snow, do you?"

Hey, what about me? As much as I was sure my feelings for Gabe were obvious, shouldn't he have mentioned this to me first?

Dorian shook his head. "It's cool with me, man."

Heathcliff turned his attention to me. "How do you feel about all of this? About you and Gabe?"

I blew out a breath. "I'm not sure," I said, pulling my hand from Gabe's and biting a nail. Of course, I liked him, but this conversation didn't sit right. Gabe's green eyes penetrated mine. "I think we should talk alone, don't you?" I asked in a whisper, though it echoed around the room.

His eyes fell, and I wondered if I'd hurt his feelings. "You're right," he agreed.

Hiro walked in with a silver tray that was almost as big as him. On it sat a white teapot and several cylinder-shaped cups. He set it down to my right. I watched as he poured the tea in four cups and handed one to each of us. "Drink," he said. "Grandfather will be with you shortly." Then he was gone.

I picked up the cup, and the others followed. I sniffed it, letting the steam hit my face, and it was then that I realized it was quite chilly in here. The tea smelled good, like ginger and other spices. Carefully, I took a sip and swallowed. The heat hit the back of my throat, and I felt it go all the way down to my stomach. Contentment fanned through my insides like the sun on a hot day. I took another sip, then set down the cup.

"Is that sugar?" Heathcliff asked. I opened the container and looked.

"Sure is. You want some?" I picked up the white container and handed it to him.

My eyes suddenly seemed to have lead on them. I struggled to keep them open. I watched Heath put one, then two, then three scoops of sugar in his tea. Dorian did the same. By the time Gabe reached for the sugar, my eyes had shut.

# Chapter 8

When I opened my eyes, I knew I wasn't in the dining room anymore, but lying on a satin-covered bed. Thick white curtains sealed me in like leftover spicy tofu in a takeout box. Sitting up, the slick red sheets fell into my lap, revealing I wasn't wearing my clothes anymore. Instead, I had on a black silk nightgown with thin straps.

What in the world, I thought, too bewildered to be nervous. I'd been tired. Perhaps Kenmei had put me to bed. But where were the guys? I needed to get out of here. Hopefully, they were okay. We still had a musical to attend.

"Gabe," I called out, trying to find separation in the curtains.

"Hello, Snow White." It was a male voice, low and soft. It sounded familiar, but it wasn't Gabe's.

"Who's there?" A little more vigorously, I ran my hands over the velvety softness, searching for an opening.

I heard a click, and the room was blanketed in darkness.

"W-What's going on?" My voice didn't sound like my own but was raised an octave. This is what terror feels like, I told myself, standing up on the mattress, trying to pull the curtains from the frame. "Where's Gabe? Where's the old man?"

"Relax, beautiful. You've been marked by her highness, and the queen always gets her way."

Even freaked, I noticed a twinge of regret or remorse in his words. Focusing on that was pointless, though. Escaping. Leaving the room in one piece. That was priority number one. I'd moved from one side of the bed to the other, trying to get out. Without meaning to, I stepped off the edge and between the curtains and the mattress. When my foot hit the floor, a sharp pain zinged my knee, but I barely noticed. Swinging my other leg around, I placed it on the floor, scooted onto all fours, and climbed out of the curtains.

Free! I let out a sob of relief but quickly covered my mouth as I stood. If I couldn't see, then maybe he couldn't either. Wiping my eyes, I stuck my hands out in front of me, feeling for the wall, or a chair, or a door, and took a cautious step forward. My knee gave, and I whimpered. "This isn't funny," I said, my teeth chattering. A moment later, I bumped into something. It was pliable yet solid. Apprehensively I touched it, trying to figure out what it was. It wasn't a door or a chair.

But a person.

His jaw was square, his hair soft and thick, shoulders broad and muscled. His chest was taut. When my mind realized what my hands were doing, I screamed and took a step backward. Strong hands grabbed me by the waist.

"Snow," he whispered. His breath brushed against my cheek and smelled of ginger tea. A wave of relief washed over me. It had to be one of the brothers.

"Who is this?" He hadn't really sounded like Dorian, Heathcliff, or Gabe, but he'd kept his voice low, so the possibility of it being one of them still existed. I reached up and touched his face with my hands. It wasn't Gabe. Of that, I was confident. Heath was tall, like this guy, but he didn't have scruff on his face. Dorian was taller than them both and certainly as brawny.

"If you're trying to tease me, I'm not laughing. I hurt my knee, and I'm scared." Another sob grabbed my throat, but I clamped it down. I hoped my honesty would reprimand him, and he'd turn on the lights.

"I'm not teasing. This is deadly serious." His grasp on my waist shifted as he pulled me firmly against him with one arm. His other hand slid into my hair. With a firm yank, he pulled my head back, exposing my neck.

I sucked in my breath, preparing to scream. My eyes were adjusting to the darkness, and I could see the red tinge in his eyes. They glowed the way the old man's hallway had.

"What do you want?" Fear pulsed inside my ears.

"To taste you." He opened his mouth. I saw his canines grow. Without thinking, I sent my knee into his groin.

A look of humorous surprise sprang into his eyes before burning anger replaced it. His teeth sank into my neck, my skin parting like a boat gliding through water. When he started to suck, everything became hazy, like a dream. My body suddenly ached for his touch even as my mind revolted. I heard myself sigh and pushed my neck deeper into his mouth. He shuddered, and the pull of my blood from my body became more vigorous.

Then there was darkness.

# Chapter 9

I was being shaken.

"Snow. Snow. Wake up."

With a jolt, I shot up in my chair. My head had been resting on the table. My eyes were blurry. The light from the chandelier glared. All my thoughts were on the man with the glowing red eyes and the way he'd been drinking my blood. Yearning and loathing swirled through my organs. A scream gurgled out, and I grabbed at my throat.

"What's wrong?" Gabe asked, his face contorted with worry.

Wiping my eyes, I scanned the room. Kenmei, Hiro, Heathcliff, Dorian, and Gabe stared at me with a mixture of apprehension and worry. Standing, my chair shot out and knocked to the floor. "What's going on?" I don't know why, but I focused all of my anger on Kenmei. "Some psycho bit me," I screamed, slamming my hands on the table. It shattered right down the middle.

The guys stood as the table leaned toward them, and the white cups slid to the floor.

Kenmei bent and whispered something to Hiro. The boy nodded and ran off.

Gabe put his hands out. "Snow, it's okay." He studied the table, dragging a hand through his hair as though he were trying to come to grips with what had just transpired.

I'd broken a freaking table with my bare hands, and I should've been terrified, but I was unable to rein in the burning anger. Loud pounding noises, like a hundred drummers banging the bass, sounded inside my head. The rhythm made my blood boil. I touched my neck in the place where the man had bitten. I could feel the raised scar tissue. "Aha!" It had really happened... somehow. That knowledge thrilled me in a strange, crazy way. "Look," I said, grabbing Gabe's hand and pressing his fingers to my neck. So close, I smelled his shampoo and his deodorant. Ginger tea tinged his breath. I also smelled something else. It was fragrant, musky. Was it fear? Placing a hand on his chest, I realized the banging bass in my brain was Gabe's heart, and the other pounding was the beating of the others' hearts. "Can you feel the scars?" I asked Gabe, trying to contain my need to shout. "Or see a bruise? There must be a bruise, at least."

He leaned away slightly, his green eyes wide. "No." He tried to look at my neck, but I pushed him away, frustrated.

"No? How can you not feel it? Where's a mirror?" Bowing slightly, I stopped in front of Kenmei. Tilting my neck toward him, I swallowed my overwhelming panic, brushed away tears, and fought my ferocious anger. "Do you see anything?" I asked through clenched teeth.

He kept his face neutral. "There is something supernatural surrounding you."

That wasn't an answer, but I couldn't push my wayward tears back any longer and sank into the chair Hiro had occupied a moment ago. "What's happening to me?"

The little boy, Hiro, peeked around the corner. " _Shiryo! Shiryo! Shiryo!_ "

The word filled me with panic. "What's that? What's he saying?"

Heathcliff, Dorian, and Gabe had come to stand behind me. I knew it because the rapid pounding of their hearts grew closer.

" _Shiryo._ What does that mean?" Dorian asked, only slightly more calmly than me.

Kenmei gave Hiro a reproachful look. "Did you do as I asked?"

"Yes, Grandfather. Adam Henry is coming."

Heathcliff sprang into action. "I'd better leave a message with the others that we might be a while." He took his cell from his pocket and excused himself from the room.

Kenmei dragged in a deep breath. "Shiryo is Japanese for ghost, spirit, soul, or revenant."

As he spoke the last word, he looked directly at me. His explanation sank deep into my veins. _Revenant_. I rolled the word over in my mind.

"What exactly is a revenant?" Gabe asked. His voice shook with emotion, and I looked back. He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. Our short-lived romance was over before it'd begun. I could sense it. But he promised, I thought, agony crushing my heart.

"After I tell you, you boys should head home. This may take a while."

"We aren't leaving her," Dorian added.

"I understand." A sad smile lifted Kenmei's lips. "A revenant is a changeling. Not quite human and not quite a vampire."

At that word—vampire—all hell broke loose. The guys started shouting simultaneously about lies and fairytales. I pulled my knees to my chest and put my forehead on my kneecaps. Tears dripped from my eyes onto my jeans.

I'd let the brothers figure this one out.

# Chapter 10

I spent another hour in the chair, hiding my face, barely listening to the conversation between Kenmei, Dorian, Heathcliff, Gabe, and Hiro. Professor Pops finally arrived along with the other four brothers. With his assurance that he'd fill them in later, he sent them home. Then Kenmei led Professor Pops and me into another room. It was small, more like a closet, with just an organized brown desk and three straight back chairs.

Professor Pops patted my back kindly. "Tell us what happened, and don't leave anything out."

I relayed the events, including the embarrassing fact that I'd found pleasure in the guy biting me, sucking my blood. Professor Pops and Kenmei exchanged a knowing look.

"Do you understand what's happened?" I asked Professor Pops.

He cleared his throat and studied his hands. His nervousness scared me worse than anything. "Snow, I've known for some time that you'd been marked. I expected she would wait until after your sixteenth birthday to send him. That's normally when the first exchange happens." He glanced at Kenmei. "I'd hoped, between Kenmei and I, we could find a way to keep it from occurring." He blew out a breath. "We've failed."

"What does the bite mean? It did actually happen somehow, right? I didn't dream about it?" Part of me wanted them to say it was just make-believe while another part of me knew it was real and that everything was about to change.

"Yes, it happened. No, it wasn't a dream. The vampire queen has potent magic. While the boys believed you were asleep, you'd actually gone into another realm. The hunter, a drone vampire, bit you. He is special, also marked by her. He's been given the specific task of changing you into a vampire. Do you remember anything about what he looks like?"

I shook my head. "Only his red eyes." Answering my questions only filled me with more. Who was this queen? Why the hell had I been marked? And what did any of it mean?

Professor Pops gave me a meaningful look. "I can almost see the inquiries in your head. They will be answered. Of the utmost importance is for you to realize you're changing, and you'll be craving blood."

"I see," I said, not really seeing at all. I'd never liked meat. Never. At the thought of killing an innocent animal, I winced in disgust, so the idea of craving blood seemed unimaginable and completely far-fetched. Vampires weren't real. Was this some elaborate joke? I also felt a wiggle of wanting. The beating of Professor Pops' heart called to me like an indulgent song. Strange—I couldn't hear Kenmei's. Out of everything, that's what I blurted. "Why can't I hear his heart beating?" I pointed accusingly and immediately felt ashamed. Pointing was disrespectful. "Sorry, Kenmei-sensei." I bowed my head.

They both flinched in surprise. "You can already hear the beating of a heart?" Professor Pops asked.

"Yes, I hear yours, but I don't hear his." I bobbed my head in Kenmei's direction.

"Kenmei's heart no longer beats," Professor Pops said seriously.

"What? Why not?" I was stunned and discreetly pinched myself. My life had gone from average, boring even, to the supernatural, in a matter of seconds.

"Your world, as you've known it, is about to be altered most remarkably. Now that it has begun, there is no going back, I'm afraid." Professor Pops touched my cheek with his thumb, stroking it. "I'd hoped it would never come to this, but I've prepared nonetheless." He glanced at Kenmei.

"Are you ready to learn, Shiryo-san?" the old man asked softly.

"Okay." That was all I could utter. I didn't seem to have a choice.

# Chapter 11

"You are a revenant," I said to my reflection. Even she wasn't buying it. I didn't appear any different. I figured I'd have a bruise on my neck where he bit me, but I didn't. It'd been two hours, seventeen minutes, and—I checked my watch—eight seconds since the guy with glowing red eyes sank his extra-pointy canines into my throat. One hour, forty-five minutes, and twelve seconds since Professor Pops and Kenmei told me what being bitten meant. Was I worried I'd grow fangs and start shunning the light? You're damn right I was.

According to Kenmei, that wasn't going to happen—at least, not in this phase. Over the next several weeks, I'd gain strength, agility, and a penchant for blood. Yay, I thought sarcastically, gagging.

Professor Pops and I were still at Kenmei's. Little obnoxious Hiro had gone to bed. I didn't feel tired, not really. From my expression, clearly, I was in shock. No one could blame me. It wasn't every night one was bitten and changed into a make-believe being, only apparently, they—we—weren't make-believe. Evidently, revenants existed, as did vampires, fairies, unicorns, and... other creatures, I'd rather not think about.

I turned on the faucet in the bathroom, patted some water on my face. The cold temperature soothed.

"Snow, are you alright?" Professor Pops asked after lightly knocking on the bathroom door.

I jumped.

My first thought was, No! I'm freaked beyond my wildest imagination, and I want to go home and hide under the covers. "Sure. I'll be out in a minute," I said out loud.

"Just know I'm here," he said.

I washed my hands and turned out the light. He waited for me on the other side of the door. I knew because I heard the slightly accelerated beating of his heart. A twisting need rose in my throat, but I pushed the wanting down, the craving tolerable. Resting my hand on the knob, I turned it slowly.

The first thing Kenmei had given me after the revenant revelation was an herbal tea. It consisted of chaparral, red clover, bloodroot, mistletoe, the eye of newt, unicorn horn, and fairy dust. It didn't taste the best, but it was bearable.

Professor Pops had explained I needed to drink the tea twice a day: once in the morning and once in the evening to control my bloodlust. I still had a hundred questions.

"Why me?" I asked when I opened the door.

Pops stepped back, then cleared his throat. "Come and sit. Let's talk." A sea of guilt washed over his distinguished features but, before I said anything, he turned away.

I followed him into the tiny office. A bowl of steaming rice and vegetables sat in front of my chair on the edge of the desk. "Is this for me?" I hoped so. My stomach growled with hunger.

"Yes, Shiryo-san. I had these cooked up for you. I hope you're hungry." Kenmei's fathomless eyes shone brightly.

"Thank you." I scooped up the bowl and ate with the fork provided. The aroma had my mouth-watering, but the flavors fell flat. After I finished, I placed the empty dish on the table, satiated but not satisfied. I also realized I'd eaten in silence and that Professor Pops and Kenmei watched me expectantly. "Sorry, were the two of you going to eat?" They didn't have food in front of them.

"No. We are curious as to how you're feeling." Professor Pops asked.

My face grew hot. Did they want to know if I intended to jump them? Attack them for their blood? At the thought of blood, my mouth watered. I ignored it. "I'm fine," I said to Professor Pops, grinding my teeth. "The food tasted wonderful. Please tell your wife thank you," I added, studying Kenmei. It was a lie. The rice and vegetables had tasted like ash, but I had the distinct impression it wasn't because of his wife's cooking skills; more that my body had already begun its transformation.

He nodded. "I will."

"Now, let me answer your question," Professor Pops said, crossing one of his long legs over the other.

I peered at him, slightly confused.

"You asked why she chose you."

"Oh, right. Yes." I leaned back in the chair and clamped my twitchy hands in my lap.

"First, a little history." He crossed his legs, his reading glasses perched on the edge of his nose.

"Okay," I said, noting it'd become my word of the day.

"The vampire queen has been alive for thousands of years. By our best guess," he eyed Kenmei, "we'd say probably since the world began. Every hundred years, she must change bodies. Regardless of, or because of, her immortal properties, like a snake that sheds its skin, she too must escape the old body in favor of a new, healthier one."

I shuddered at the image of skin peeling away.

"When the queen is within twenty years or so of her need to shed, she sends out drone vampires."

I must have had a confused expression on my face.

"Think about bees in a hive. There is one queen who commands roughly fifty thousand bees, and ninety-nine out of every hundred are workers. They are also female. Then there are the drones, which are the males. Their job," he shifted uncomfortably. "They are required to do the queen's bidding—whatever that might be." He flinched as though he were in pain. My curiosity piqued. "Doing otherwise is nearly impossible and detrimental.

"Within the hierarchy of the vampire queen's hive, within her army, are many, many more females. The male drone vampire's job is..." he trailed off and cleared his throat before continuing, "slightly different."

"Correct," Kenmei said, taking over. "The drones are sent into the world, searching for the most exquisite female humans. Once they find one, they mark her." Professor Pops leaned close; his hands hovered near my right arm.

I knew what he hoped to find. I had a dark birthmark near my shoulder in the shape of a star. It'd appeared around my fifth birthday. I'd been getting dressed one morning and believed the mark to be a bug at first. Worried, I'd shown my mother. She'd said it was nothing to worry about. "A kiss from magical fairies," had been her answer. At the thought of my mother, tears gathered on my lashes.

"May I?" Pops asked.

I pulled up the sleeve. "So, a drone vampire marked me?" I heard the raw pain in my voice but pretended it didn't matter and moved my shoulder, so he and Kenmei saw the mark.

"Yes," Kenmei said, his face growing soft.

"Why don't I remember?" I let go of my sleeve and tucked my hands under my legs. Keeping my eyes down, I stared at my white tube socks—boy socks.

"You were young, and the mark was most likely placed on you in your sleep," Professor Pops said.

At his words, something clicked. "How do you know about all of this?" My stomach clenched. Was Professor Pops' friendship only pretend? Was he somehow involved?

Kenmei answered by moving his shirt. Where his shoulder met his arm, an evil-looking blade had been tattooed.

"What does that mean?" I asked after looking and sitting back. My heart raced rapidly, which made me happy. At least I still had one.

"When a drone vampire is marked to be a hunter by the queen, she marks him with one of these." He touched the blade hesitantly before covering it.

"D-did you mark me? Are you the one who bit me?" Fear flooded my veins. I stood, jumped over the desk, and pulled open the door before I grasped what I'd done.

"No, Shiryo-san."

Both Professor Pops and Kenmei rose in unison, as though their movements had been synchronized. Professor Pops had his arms out, a look of pleading on his face.

"We were a part of the queen's hive many, many years ago, but we left. For me, it's been more than five hundred years. For Kenmei—" He paused, glancing at the man.

"More than six thousand years," Kenmei said.

My hand dropped from the door handle. "Six thousand years? You're so old." I also remembered the man who'd bitten me was much taller than Kenmei, his body firmer, younger. The way he'd smelled—like Heaven, my mind whispered. I closed my eyes, trying to regain focus.

He bowed. "Yes, Shiryo-san. I was the first hunter. With my help, the queen transferred into a new body."

# Chapter 12

"You're saying that the Snow White from the movie was real?" I needed to sit before I fell. On rubbery legs, I walked back over to my chair.

"Yes, Shiryo-san. She was real and very beautiful, just as you are. Though the story was more of a Brothers Grimm tale, and even they were way off."

It seemed strange to have someone say I was beautiful. I didn't think I was ugly, just plain. I looked down, studying some nonexistent lint on my jeans. "Am I the only one the vampire queen is after?" I asked after a few long moments of silence.

Kenmei smiled. "You are one of many. Hundreds. Adam Henry and I have made it our life's mission to help the marked."

"I am your Protector," Professor Pops stated.

I caught what Pops said but couldn't fathom the meaning behind the words at the moment. Instead, I fixated on what Kenmei had said. "There are hundreds? She only needs one body. Why not just take mine or one of the others right away? What's she waiting for?"

The two men looked at each other and something I didn't understand passed between them. "A lot must happen for the body of a marked one to be ready. Many will die," Kenmei said. Well, that sounded ominous.

"For the vampire queen's magic to work, the revenant must drink the blood of her true love," Professor Pops said.

The memory of my dream where I'd tasted the heart, and its blood filled my mind. It'd been the heart of my true love. A warm hunger rushed through my body, and I shuddered. Professor Pops noticed.

"What is it, Snow?"

"I dreamt of a heart. Of tasting blood."

Both men started. I somehow perceived their panic.

"Tell us everything. Leave nothing out," Kenmei said.

I told them about the guys and that I'd known the heart had been that of my true love, but I hadn't cared. When I finished, they didn't speak for what seemed like forever.

"What did the boys chant?" Professor Pops asked.

I thought a moment. "'Lips red as rubies, hair dark as night. Drink your true love's blood, become the vampire, Snow White,'" I repeated. As I said the words, thick darkness packed the air. It was as though the queen entered me.

"This is worse than we believed," Professor Pops uttered.

"Yes," agreed Kenmei. "It seems the vampire queen may have a distinct interest in this one. Perhaps it's her name or her beauty. I must admit, Snow does have something extra special."

The tremor in my hands traveled into my arms and down my body. "Is there nothing we can do? I don't want... that. Her, to take over my body. No!"

Professor Pops patted my hand. "Yes, of course. But we've shared enough with you tonight. Let's get you home."

I wanted to yell and tell him I needed to know everything right then, but I didn't. He picked me up, tucking my head against his chest. Kenmei said something about the tea, and he set my shoes on my lap. I thanked him and closed my eyes.

When Professor Pops stepped into the alleyway, I recognized the odor.

"Were you one of her hunters too?" I whispered.

"Yes, Snow, I was."

Part of me wanted to be afraid, but I couldn't. He'd been nothing but good to me. "Why did you leave?"

"The same reason Kenmei did. I fell in love with one of the marked." His voice sounded sad.

"Does that happen a lot?" An idea or an impression wiggled its way into my mind. I tried to grab hold of it, understand it, but too much had happened. Too much information weighed on me.

"Yes, it does."

I got the feeling he wanted to say more. "What happened to the one you loved?" I asked, fearing the answer.

"She died."

"I'm so sorry, Professor Pops."

"As am I, Snow White. As am I."

I fell asleep, the pounding of his heart, the warmth of his arms, and the movement as he walked, making it too difficult to stay awake.

When we stepped off the train, my strength returned. Professor Pops led me to a waiting car. Though I didn't see his face, I heard Gabe. Had he been waiting by the car? "Will she be alright?"

"I hope so. That's what we're here for."

# Chapter 13

When I woke, my immediate reaction was anxiety. This isn't my room, I thought. The bed was king-sized and made out of brushed pewter. The sheets were white, as were the comforter and pillowcases. Everywhere else hung posters of the Patriots—Dorian's favorite football team. For the briefest moment, I wondered why Gabe hadn't let me sleep in his room. Then he walked in, a mug of something steaming in his hand, and all thought left me. I focused on the emerald green of his eyes and his smile.

"Hi," he said, sitting on the bed next to me.

Seeing his teeth made me think of morning breath and the fact that I hadn't brushed last night. Covering my mouth, I sat up. "Hi, back."

He laughed and moved my hand. "So, you're a revenant? How are you handling the news?" He held out the mug, its steaming contents were dark and uninviting.

Taking it, I pressed the cup to my lips and took a small sip. "Yep, that's me: Snow White, the revenant. And I'm handling the change," I paused, gauging my real feelings. "Fine." I shrugged. I wanted to tell him everything, including that I heard his heart thumping, the sound of it pumping blood through his veins, and that it smelled better than any chocolate, and how I longed to reach over and taste him. I didn't. Instead, I swallowed a large portion of bloodlust tea.

"Good." He studied me a moment before brushing a piece of hair from my face. "You up to going to school?" he asked, standing.

I searched for a clock, trying to hide the warmth caused by his touch. "Is it Monday already?" Where had Sunday gone? I must've slept through it. "Can I go to school? Isn't Professor Pops afraid I'll eat someone or something?"

Gabe laughed. "Drink your tea, and you should be fine. That's what Pops says." He walked to the door. "There are towels and girly... stuff in Dorian's bathroom, including some clean clothes." He inclined his chin toward the open bathroom door. "Don't freak out, but yes, the shirt I chose for you is pink, and it's in your size and not four sizes too big."

I pulled back the covers and got out of bed. My socks had been removed, but I'd slept in my other clothes. "Gee, thanks," I said, throwing a pillow at him. It landed straight in his face, and he fell, smacking his head against the wall with a thud.

I gasped and ran over to him. "Gabe. Gabe. Can you hear me?" I grabbed his arms and shook.

He moaned, and his eyes blinked open. "That was... intense." He sat up.

"I'm so sorry. Remind me never to throw a pillow again." I noticed a dent in the wall behind him where his head made contact and swallowed down the tea coming back up.

"You've got some arm." He massaged the tender area of his head. His amplified heartbeat pounded like a drum in my ears. A delicious scent saturated his pores, like honey. Without meaning to, I leaned into his neck and drew a deep breath. His hands pressed against my shoulders, determinedly pushing me away. His expression was guarded.

I shook my head. "You good?" I asked, working to cover up what I'd almost done.

"Yep, great." He jumped up as if to show how good he was. "You mostly caught me off guard. But you'd better finish your tea." He eyed the mug warily.

"Right."

"Hurry and get ready. Pops made breakfast."

I nodded and closed the door after he was gone.

In the bathroom, I searched my reflection for changes. Opened my mouth and checked my teeth for needle-sharp fangs. Flexed my muscles. They looked the same. "You're still you," I said, pulling off my shirt and turning on the hot water.

After my shower, I dressed rapidly. Gabe had picked out a pink shirt with GO GREEN across the chest. I liked it and the jeans. They were fitted and sat low on my hips. What I had issues with were the cotton hot pink bra and undies.

For one thing, they fit perfectly. Not that I had a lot going on up top. I was a good solid B cup. How would they know, though? Also, the undies were my style, except for the color. I usually wore white underneath everything. "Do I want to know?" I asked my reflection. No, I definitely did not want to know. Some things were better left unsaid.

After sliding on a pair of socks and a new pair of Converse, I brushed my hair and gathered my dirty clothes. From the back pocket of my jeans, a piece of paper sailed to the floor. I bent and picked it up. "What's this?" I unfolded the paper and read it.

_Dearest Snow,_

_You have been bitten by your hunter and are now a revenant._

_Congratulations!_

_The strong survive, and only one will have the pleasure of becoming my new host._

_Now is the time to play. Build up your strength. Enjoy all your new body has to offer. Find your true love. Get your fill of him physically, emotionally, spiritually, and then kill him. You must do so by your eighteenth birthday. I believe in you, Snow. You are passionate, and that is why I've marked you._

_The sooner, the better._

_Yours,_

_The vampire queen_

My hands shook. The letter had been written by her and in—I sniffed the red ink and instantly knew it was blood. Dread surged through me. She could be anywhere, yet I knew nothing about her, not even what she looked like.

Quickly I went downstairs, the letter still clutched in my hand. The aroma of toasted bread greeted me, and I hurried into the kitchen. The guys were in varying degrees of feeding their faces, but when I walked in, they all froze. I ran a hand through my still-wet hair.

"What's wrong?" Gabe came over immediately. I held out the note.

"Please say you guys played a trick on me." I tried to laugh, holding out the paper.

Gabe took it and read it. I watched the color drain from his face.

Professor Pops came over. From his shirt pocket, he pulled his wire-framed glasses. Gabe handed him the letter. After reading, he set it on the counter, replaced his glasses in his pocket, and wiped a hand over his face.

"Do all the marked receive a note from her after they've been bitten?"

His face looked bleak. "In past centuries, I've heard that more than one of the marked have received something similar. I must speak with Kenmei and the others."

The brothers circulated the paper. Had I not been panicked to the point of passing out, I might've laughed. "How many others are there? And are you all drone vampires who've left the queens... hive?" I asked, focusing on Professor Pops' navy button-up shirt.

"There are several, though none are as old as Kenmei and I. Not all of us are hunters. Some are workers. Some are supernatural creatures, born of the seven magics, and they know of the queen. All of us have pledged to destroy her."

I tucked my hands in my back pockets and started pacing. "Can you, though? She's been alive for thousands of years. You've been fighting against her for, like, forever. What hope is there that you can accomplish this? I mean, really?" I felt terrible for stating it so bluntly, but facts were facts. Might as well get them into the open.

"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 farther from me. I guessed he was rethinking his crush on me. The whole "kill him" 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 my face got hot.

"So my true love's heart will turn me into a vampire, and true love's kiss will what?" I cleared my throat.

"His kiss will free you, and you will once again become completely human," Professor Pops looked triumphant.

I wasn't convinced.

"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." Professor Pops seemed distracted, plucking his reading glasses from his pocket and rereading the letter.

I grabbed a waffle and took a bite, but 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, and if they had a problem with that, they could suck it. "What? We've got to get to school." I asked, after chewing and swallowing all of my food.

"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 his eyes, and I was shocked. It was like he wasn't even worried that I was changing—and craving blood.

"If you're sure." I rinsed my plate in the sink.

"I am. 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 again, beyond confused by the way Professor Pops was acting. "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 that I could tell., but it was pretty obvious since his focus rested on my lips. He licked his, moistening them. "In fact, I think this will be fun." He placed his hands on my arms a little uneasily.

"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 his blood... I shuddered at where my mind headed. Ugh.

"Well, if true love's kiss will turn you back into a human, I say it's our duty, no, our responsibility as your friends, to kiss you." Salvatore smiled, leaning in, so the scent of his blood overwhelmed me.

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 was just overprotective and growly.

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 or slugged my shoulders or ruffled my hair. Absently I noticed each of them had a distinctive scent, and it wasn't their cologne. It was their blood.

"See you at school," Dorian said.

"Right, see ya." I hurried after Gabe, doubting school was a good idea.

# Chapter 14

On the way to my locker, Gabe stopped and took hold of my arm. "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. I was nervous about being without him.

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 books 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, but I hadn't listened to them.

"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 closed my locker and moved toward my first class.

"Lucky," she pouted. "I went to a party with my parents. Totally lame." I watched her roll her eyes. "But one kind of weird thing happened. I'll have to tell you about it later."

"Can't wait."

She looked gorgeous as ever. Dark jeans, a sky blue cashmere sweater, strappy black wedge heels that 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 chemistry class way before reaching it, a combination of vinegar, sulfur, sugar, and sweat. The odor was strong and stung my nose, but it wasn't strong enough to block the scent of so much blood. Even with the bloodlust tea, I still might sink my revenant teeth into someone. I clenched my free hand into a fist, only half-listening to Cin talk about the drama from the party over the weekend and the random guy she'd hooked up with.

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, I propped a window open and dragged in a long, cleansing breath.

"Snow, what are you doing?" she asked.

"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 vacant since Bobby Melville got sent to the principal'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 fingers.

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've got to go." I grabbed my backpack and dashed from the room. Knocking into Mr. Wallace in the hall and mumbling a quick, "Sorry," I ran.

Thankfully, it was mostly empty. Only a few stray students rushed by, the same as me. I dashed into the nearest girls' 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 15

"Snow." My name seemed to be threaded on the air.

Opening my eyes, I witnessed what my body had already confirmed. I was no longer in the bathroom but in a lush forest. The sun shone bright, and I knew I'd entered another realm and that I'd been brought here 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 tee-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 dress's hem went to my knees. My feet were bare.

It surprised me that I wasn't afraid. I was bitten in this realm. The hunter took my blood and 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, excited anticipation filled my stomach with butterflies. I bit my lip. "Where are you?"

The scenery shimmered in the early morning light, and dewdrops glistened on bright green leaves and spongy moss. The air flourished, fragrant with flowers in lavender, rose, butter yellow, 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 of longing through my veins.

"Let me see you." I remembered how I'd felt when he drank from me, and I trembled at the possibility of another round.

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 with 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 out of 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 moved toward him, 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, though. The need pounded through my veins.

At my request, he raised his head, exposing the flesh at his neck. I licked my lips, squinting to see his face. Still, all I saw were his eyes, and they appeared surprised. "Yes," he said, in a voice that quivered.

I slipped my hands into his hood, caressing his neck. His pulse quickened. In one movement, he lifted me, and we were eye to eye. This whole business of biting and being bitten was new to me, but I was eager to learn and leaned in, desperate to taste him.

"Wait," he said huskily.

But I didn't want to. I opened my mouth, allowing my fangs to extend as he walked backward until his back pressed against a tree, then he slid down, so he rested at its base. I readjusted my body sideways as I sat in his lap. His red eyes glowed with desire, and he slanted his neck toward me. My hands were still on him, and he was so warm, his skin soft, like the supple leather vest he wore. "Christopher." I said his name so I wouldn't say what I was really thinking, which was that I wanted to be drinking from him now.

His hands made their way into my hair, his body asking, the way mine had the other night. But he paused. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

His question brought me up short. "Is that bad?" At that moment, I didn't care. If it was bad, then I wanted to be bad. His blood called to me like a siren's song.

"No." He sounded pained.

My fangs retracted some. "Why can't I see your face? Do I know you?" He sounded familiar.

"If you drink from me, I can show myself; otherwise, the queen's magic won't allow it." I caught the tone, the pleading. Physically he desired me, but there was a hesitation, almost an insistence that I resist.

I wavered, and my fangs retreated some more.

Instead of answering, he sucked in a breath before pulling me to him, his lips claiming mine with a hunger similar to what I was feeling. As one, our lips moved together. Like we were two halves of the same whole. It made sense. He was a vampire, and I was... changing. Never once did I consider him my true love. I didn't know him. What I craved was purely physical. But I had a moment's pause. Even if I didn't know it yet, could he be my true love? Could kissing him remove the curse or whatever that had settled on me when he marked me? Did I have a say, or was my true love already embedded in my DNA?

Christopher bit my bottom lip, bringing me out of my thoughts. Turning, I took his face in my hands and kissed him hungrily—even hopefully. If he was my true love, this would all be over. Even as I thought that I knew it wasn't so. Still, that didn't dampen my desire for him, and when he pressed open my mouth and dove in with his tongue, I shuddered at the new sensation, tugging him closer.

It was my first real kiss, and if I could've popped a foot, I would have. As it was, I sighed, running my hands along his shoulders and down to his chest.

He groaned softly, our lips separating as he trailed kisses along my jaw to my ear.

As our hands roamed each other's bodies, it occurred to me that I was making out with a guy I didn't even know. Oh my gosh, what was going on with me? What about Gabe? I pushed back, searching his face, and lifted a hand to slap him. But he didn't deserve my anger. I was mostly angry at myself. "How dare you?" I asked, not really meaning it, and I jumped up, walking away, my hands clutching at my shirt. What was I doing? I dragged in a quick breath, desperate to control my irregular breathing. "I need to get out of here."

He stood and came toward me, this time with confident determination. I saw the predator in him. Felt it too. A tangible force. "Not yet." Taking my face in his hands, he tilted my head, so he had access to my neck. Like before, I watched his fangs grow. My heart sprinted so fast I thought it'd come out of my chest.

When his teeth met my neck, I responded eagerly, unable to help myself. It shouldn't feel so good, but it did. My hands ran from his fingertips up his arms, past his shoulders, and into his hood. I wanted to see his face. I wanted to see him. With effort, I focused on tugging it off. A laugh rumbled deep in his chest, and then I heard his voice in my mind as he vanished from my view: _Seek out your true love. You, beautiful Snow, are the key to defeating the queen._

# Chapter 16

I knew I was back in the girls' bathroom even before I opened my eyes. Someone was in the bathroom with me. There was a knock on the stall door.

"Snow, are you alright?"

It was Dorian.

I picked up my backpack, thankful he'd found me. Opening the door, I considered him. He stood with his feet apart, his arms at his sides as though waiting for battle. Concern filled his features. "I'm fine," I answered, trying to reassure him. "What are you doing in here? You're so not a girl." That was true. Dorian had become quite good looking over the years. No longer a gangly teenager, but a tall man covered in lean muscle.

I pushed past him and walked to a sink, casually peering at my neck in the mirror. Newly healed scars glared back.

"I watched you come in here. After ten minutes, I thought I'd better make sure you weren't drinking the blood of some poor, unsuspecting female." His eyes gleamed with amusement.

"Do you see anything on my neck?" I asked, slanting my neck toward him.

He shook his head. "Did... something happen again?"

"Yes. I went into the other realm. He, the hunter, was there." I washed my hands and patted a wet paper towel over my face. "I don't know if it's a good idea for me to be here."

At my words, his eyes grew wide in mock terror, and he circled his neck with his hands. "Thirsty? Do you vant to suck my blood?" He spoke with the lively silliness of an old-fashioned vampire from a black and white movie, but the worry in his body was evident. Palpable.

I sighed, turning and leaning my butt against the sink. "I am worried I might bite someone. Your blood pulls at my bloodlust, but not too bad," I said so he wouldn't be afraid.

His face fell. Dorian actually seemed sad that I didn't want his blood. Which was a lie, anyway. Of course, I wanted his blood. It smelled intoxicating. "Oh," he stepped closer, his features changing from teasing to seriousness. "If you ever do need some—blood, I mean—you're welcome to mine."

I gasped. "Do you even know what you're offering?" Anger flashed. How dare he tempt me? His naiveté made me want to bite him, inflict a little pain, a little reality check. But then I wondered, would he enjoy it the way I had. There was one way to find out. Professor Pops hadn't told me not to bite humans, and Dorian offered. I decided to give my new fangs a whirl. "Come here, then," I said.

He gulped, and his pulse picked up speed.

"Nervous?" I asked, a smidge glad.

"A little," he admitted, but I saw he would hold true to his word. I placed my hands on his appealing neck and pulled him down, much the same way I'd handled Christopher not too many minutes ago. Tentative at first, I touched my lips to his neck. He let out a groan. Whether it was from fear or pleasure, I didn't know, and in the next moment, I didn't care. My fangs extended, pricking his neck. Before I could taste him, the door flung open. Dorian tucked me into his chest. "Just a minute," he said, his voice heavy.

I quivered in a fury at being interrupted, but I didn't want anyone to see my fangs, so I took a deep breath, inhaling the delicious guy smell that was the handsome Dorian. My fangs retracted. Peeking up, I searched Dorian's eyes. A tight smile sat on his lips. I smiled back before gazing around him at who'd so rudely interrupted.

"What the hell is going on, Snow?" Complete shock filled Cindy's face, and I laughed.

"Hey, Cin," I said with choked amusement. It wasn't that I found the situation funny so much as I had all of this anxiety stored up, and it was finally coming out, and I couldn't help myself.

Dorian recovered and swung around. "I was making sure she was okay. Our Snow needed a hug, that's all." He regarded me. "You're good, right?"

"Yes, thank you, Dorian." I closed my lips, trying to hold in the laughter, but that didn't help. My conscience gnawed with guilt. I'd kissed Christopher and nearly drank Dorian's blood. But I liked Gabe. I was changing in more ways than one, and it was happening so fast.

Dorian escaped the bathroom without a backward glance.

Cindy huffed and stomped her foot. "What's gotten into you?" She walked to the mirror and checked her reflection.

I faced her, my image taller. "Oh, Cin. It's a long, crazy story."

She gave me the eye, the one that questioned my motives, the one that got right to the center of me. "I want to hear all about it. First, Mr. Wallace wanted me to tell you you're supposed to go to the office for a tardy slip. He said you're not allowed in class without it. I've got to get back." She ran her hands through her ponytail. "Chace seemed concerned. He even took off after you did. For a minute there, I thought you were in his arms." She let out a sigh. "See you in a few. _Au revoir_ ," she added as the door closed behind her.

I straightened my shirt and picked up my backpack. Cindy's strong perfume lingered, and it dawned on me. Cindy's blood hadn't inspired even a little bit of hunger. "Huh."

In the office, I called Professor Pops and explained briefly what'd happened—the way my fangs grew and how I'd gone to the other realm where the hunter, Christopher, bit me again. I left out Dorian offering himself. The confession would be pointless, and I didn't want what he'd done getting back to Gabe or the other brothers.

Professor Pops spoke with the school's secretary, excusing me from the rest of my classes.

He picked me up in front of the school, his distinguished face lined with worry. In the cupholder between the seats sat a carafe.

"Bloodlust tea?" I guessed as I buckled my seatbelt.

"Drink up. I made a double dose in the hopes that will help." He eyed me warily.

I took a sip and grimaced. It was intense, but I finished it all. When I placed the empty container back in the holder, Professor Pops nodded his approval.

"I know all about your hunter, Christopher. He is very good at what he does. I'm sorry I must say this, but at this point, propriety be damned." He gave me a quick look, probably to determine my level of shame.

"What is it?"

"He's skilled in the art of seduction. I also know he has an unlimited lust for power. He wants to be the vampire queen's second."

Hearing his words, I became angry. Well, more like hurt. I guess I wanted to believe Christopher reacted to me the way he did not because it was his job, but because he felt something for me. I groaned. I would not be that girl!

We rode in silence all the way to his mansion. Professor Pops pulled into the driveway, parked, and we got out. After I followed him into the house and sat at a barstool in the kitchen, he gave me a sad smile. "Your revenant abilities are developing far faster than most, and I think I know why." As he spoke, he peeled a banana and tossed it into a blender. Then he pulled some almond milk from the refrigerator and some ice from the freezer, adding them to the blender as well. Finally, he added some sugar and a dash of vanilla. He turned it on, the noise drowning out everything running through my head. Several seconds later, he turned the blender off and poured the smoothie into a tall glass.

"Here you go," he said, handing it to me.

"Thank you." I sipped, wishing for something else. He handed me a napkin. After I wiped my mouth, I asked the most straightforward question. "Why?"

He took a deep breath. "First, answer this question. Did you crave Cindy's blood? Or another female's blood at any time this morning?"

I thought a moment. "No, I didn't."

Professor Pops blew out a breath. "Your best friends are seven boys, young men who are desirable and who find you desirable."

At those words, I blushed. "Nu-uh," I said.

He patted my hand. "You may try to hide it, Snow, but you are very, very beautiful. Truly one of the fairest in the land," he added, his features softening.

My face felt like it was on fire. "What does that, or the fact that my best friends are guys, have to do with anything?"

He waited until I got it. "Not every teenage girl is in a situation like yours—seven young men vying for her attention."

"We're just friends, though. And they're not 'vying.'" That was ridiculous. I took another drink, thankful I had something to do.

"You may not have noticed it yet, but I believe every one of them would gladly be your boyfriend if you allowed him. I've seen the way you and Gabe act around each other. Something is going on with you two."

I stared into the drink. "I wanted something between us but, ever since I was bitten, and with the note this morning, he's been different." I took another gulp, worried about whether I should mention what Christopher said, but I couldn't bring myself to blurt it out.

Professor Pops sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. It seemed he'd aged a hundred years in the past few days. "I think it's time I tell you about the Seven Magics Academy."

I fiddled with the glass, unable to meet his gaze. I'd never heard of such a place, and I didn't know whether I wanted to.

"I've been training the boys since I adopted them," he went on. "Gabe, though he's younger than most of them, was actually my first student."

I nodded, remembering the day I rode my new bike along Professor Pops' circular driveway and fell off. Before I could start to cry, Gabe ran out, all legs and arms and thick curly hair, and helped me up. "You'll be okay," he'd said, brushing off my knees. "Shake it off."

"The academy is a place for them to learn about the supernatural, train, and gain strength. They've been learning—though they didn't know it at first—how to help, hunt, and kill supernatural creatures of all kinds in case any of them came after my boys or, more specifically, you."

I lifted my glass to take a drink and stiffened. "Why would anything else be after me?"

Professor Pops came around and stuck out his hand. "Come with me. I need to show you something."

I set down the glass and rose, hesitantly placing my hand in his. "What?" I asked, my nervousness easy to hear.

"You'll see. Consider this your Seven Magics Academy induction ceremony."

I snorted. "Can't wait."

He led me down the stairs to another door, which he unlocked.

Apprehension fluttered along my belly. "So, I'm going to take classes on staking vampires?"

"Afraid not, Snow." As he tucked the key to the basement door back inside his shirt, I realized in all the years I'd known Professor Pops and the guys, I'd been over to their house a lot, but never once had I thought about going into the basement. Never once had I been below the main floor. Had that been because of a spell? Was it magic?

Once he had the door open, he glanced at me. "Come," he said, going in.

I hesitated. It was dark and smelled muggy, like dirt and wet cement.

"You'll be fine." He flipped on a light.

I went in cautiously and immediately wished I hadn't. My legs turned to jelly, and my first instinct was to bolt back up the stairs.

# Chapter 17

"Snow, it's okay. Think about the Harvard Museum of Natural History. They have skeletons and animals stuffed to make them look real and alive. The same applies here. Think of this as a museum for the supernatural." He'd rushed over and seized my arm, helping me stand. What I really wanted was to take a Brillo pad to my brain. As much as I wanted to run away, I wanted to move in for a closer look even more. Sort of like when you see a car accident on the road. You feel revolted and drawn to it at the same time.

The room reminded me of a gallery, with so much to see I wasn't sure where to begin. Scanning the room, I went from one fairytale beast to another. "Why? What? How did you get these down here?"

He chuckled. "It was easy. I'm a professor of religion at Harvard. I'm always studying strange phenomena. Or miracles, if you'd prefer. To the rest of the world, these creatures are miracles."

"Makes sense," I said, moving toward a creature that looked like a tiny angel, its feathery white wings pinned open to a corkboard. Its skin sparkled like glitter, and it wore a white tunic and white sandals that laced up its very human-looking legs. Its hair was long and blonde with streaks of red.

"A downy fairy," Professor Pops said, coming over and bending so that his face was even with mine. "She died more than five hundred years ago. I haven't seen another like her."

I searched his face, having noted the sadness in his voice. "If you haven't seen another like her, how do you know she's a downy fairy?"

"Very perceptive you are, young one."

I snickered at the Yoda impersonation.

"She died in the service of our cause. I was there when it happened."

"Oh, I'm sorry, Professor Pops." And I was. She was beautiful, and I felt her loss deep within though I didn't understand why.

"It's alright. I've had many years to mourn her loss. She was a good friend, a valiant warrior, and she died for what she believed in. It was honorable."

"How did she die?" I asked, intrigued.

"That is a story for another time," he said straightening. Underneath the platform where the corkboard rested was a drawer. Professor Pops touched a knob, and the latch released. Inside was a leather-bound book. He reached in and pulled it out. In the center of the room stood a thick, plastic-looking pedestal. Professor Pops walked over and set the book on it, then he waved me over. When I stood in front of the book, the first page turned on its own. "First lesson of the Seven Magics Academy. You must never touch any of the pages in the books in this room. Touching them will increase their speed of deterioration."

"Then, how?" I began, putting my hands at my sides.

"Chapter One," Professor Pops said. The book instantly flicked to the page that said Chapter One. "Page one hundred thirty-six," he said again. Immediately, the pages flipped until they reached the said page.

"Wow," I uttered.

"Exactly. Inside this book is everything you'll ever want to know about fairies, including the downy fairy." He motioned around the room. "Under or beside each creature is a book that will teach you what you need to know about them, including how to help them, hunt them, and kill them."

I couldn't help the shiver that ran down my body. I didn't want to kill anything. "But some creatures are good, right?" I asked, nervous.

"Every creature can be good or evil. Just like with humans, they have their freedom to choose."

"Got it." But it was creepy. At least a dozen make-believe creatures were enclosed in glass, on pedestals, or standing around the room. Something called a locanis looked like a werewolf, a little sprite, a massive troll, a black unicorn, and an enormous dragon. All of them were intriguing, and I wanted to study each one. Most compelling was a very human-looking guy with glowing red eyes. "A hunter," I said, enthralled.

"That's right," Professor Pops agreed, placing the leather book back in the drawer under the downy fairy. "Follow me," he said, moving to another door and unlocking it. He went inside. It was small compared to the room we'd come from and filled with weapons. Professor Pops walked over to a pointy wooden stake. "You mentioned staking a vampire." He picked the stick up and handed it to me. It was heavier than I imagined it should be.

"Yes. Just jab it in the heart, right?" I held it, so the pointy end faced him and raised it above my head.

Professor Pops chortled. "These work if you have the element of surprise, or if you're skilled at hand to hand combat. But, tell me, could you stake Christopher?" His face was serious.

The idea repulsed me. I'd sooner stake myself, and that shocked me. "No," I said, as comprehension filled my mind. "Are you saying he's got me under a spell or something?" Irritation started to build, but I pushed it down. Professor Pops had said Christopher was a master manipulator.

"It's called compulsion, and it's what I would have done in his place." Professor Pops took a long, thin sword from where it sat on the wall. He pulled off its sheath, revealing its glimmering metal. Even from a few feet away, it looked sharp.

I dropped the hand, holding the stake, and went over to him. "So, how do I kill vampires?" I honestly didn't think I'd be able to do it, but we were in the weapons room. It seemed he wanted to share.

"Hopefully, you won't ever have to, but a drone vampire must lose his head to be killed." He placed the knife at his neck. A sliver of blood trickled. When he moved it away, the slight cut healed instantaneously. Wow.

"And a worker?" I asked.

"They can be killed by either a stake to the heart or having their heart removed altogether."

"So the sun doesn't hurt vampires? That's just fiction?" That seemed odd since books and movies showed vampires could be killed by the sun.

"Vampires aren't make-believe, but real. And these vampires were created with magic. That magic protects and fortifies them." He swung the sword.

"Stake or rip their heart out. Got it. But what if I chop off a female's head?" I imagined a writhing body searching for its head.

"The body and the head will reattach unless they can't find each other." He shrugged. "It's rather disgusting to watch, but a fact nonetheless."

"Yeah, that's icky." I stepped away, heading over to the stake. "What about a hunter?"

He brought up his pointer finger and shook it. "Hunters are more difficult because they possess a more significant portion of the queen's magic, which gives them the added bonus of the power of persuasion. Most female vampires don't have that power. In females, that ability is unique to Sharra and possibly you, since you're marked.

"Great," I mumbled.

"Like the workers, the only way to kill a hunter is by removing his heart. It beats thanks to the queen's magic, so it must be cut from the body and separated from the other organs."

"That's gross," I muttered.

"It is, truly. With the queen's gifts, the hunter can change the color of his eyes and even shift his appearance slightly."

"Crazy. Can any of the vampires be destroyed by light?" I was still having a hard time believing sunlight had nothing to do with vampires in reality.

"No. Sunlight does nothing to vampires."

I took a deep breath. "How can she be killed, then?" He knew I meant the queen. Sharra.

"If you can get through her fifty thousand workers and drones..." He trailed off. "Honestly, we aren't sure, but we believe she can be killed during the moments she's shedding her old body and claiming the new one. We think that's when she's at her most vulnerable."

"You think? You believe? I gotta say, Professor, I'm not filled with confidence right now. I have one chance in fifty-five thousand. Those odds are seriously stacked and not in my favor." I walked over to a gun. It appeared to be made of solid silver. "For werewolves?" I asked, changing the subject as I wrapped my brain around what I was up against.

He shook his head, placing the sword back on the wall and picking up the gun. "This is for unicorns. A shot between the eyes will kill it."

"I didn't realize unicorns were hard to kill," I said, taking a step back.

"Unicorns are magical creatures, Snow. They don't die easily. There aren't many of them left, and most are in the service of the vampire queen."

My throat went dry. "But they don't want me dead, right? If they work for her, then they'll want to keep my body safe."

"That isn't necessarily true. We've heard rumors of dissensions within her realm. Some believe the queen is too old and should step down. Others have stolen magic from other creatures and are trying to usurp her. Many believe if all of the marked are killed off, she'll die." He set the gun down and crossed his arms.

"Is that true? Would she die?" I walked over to some miscellaneous weapons: a club, an ax, some smaller knives, and a spiky looking ball with a chain attached to the end.

"In theory, yes, she would die when her body gave out."

"Couldn't she take any body? Why does it have to be the fairest? If it came down to it, if she has the magic, couldn't she use a dog, or a bee, or any living thing as her host?"

I turned when he didn't respond right away.

He appeared thoughtful. "Technically, yes, she could, but she's grown accustomed to humans. And in choosing an animal or an insect, she would lose the power she so desperately desires. In the time I spent in her service, her hunger for power was quite apparent. I believe she'd rather die than be diminished to something other than what she is, what she's become."

"Okay, so say those who want her power do kill all of the marked; can't the hunters just mark more?"

"Of course, but they have marked the best of the best in this generation. If she has to choose a lesser human, her power will diminish. It isn't only about what's appealing on the outside. Just as important is what's on the inside. The purer the person's soul, the better."

It made some sense. I couldn't help but wonder if Cindy had been marked as well. Her beauty certainly far outweighed mine. "So, those who want the queen's power will come after me." My lesson with the professor was turning out to be more difficult than chemistry.

# Chapter 18

"It would seem logical now that you're marked, which is why you must train." He paused. "Though I do worry about your hemophilia."

"I don't think that'll be an issue anymore."

"Oh? How can you be sure?" He came toward me. "Have you noticed more changes?"

"Well, let's see. I threw a pillow at Gabe, sending him flying across the room. I broke a table for goodness' sake." I glanced down at my shoes. "Yeah, I'm changing, all right."

He nodded. "That is why you must become familiar with all of the creatures in that room," he pointed out the doorway. "There isn't an official Seven Magics Academy, except here in my basement, but you must learn more about the world you now belong to. And you must learn how to defend yourself. A war is coming, Snow. I know you didn't ask to be part of it, and it seems unfair, but you're involved. And from what I can tell, the queen has put special emphasis on you."

A devastating weight seemed to sit on my shoulders. The word war felt too big, too overwhelming. "Do you think the others know the vampire queen has singled me out?"

"I'm not sure. I would think not." He moved back over to the sword, took it from its horizontal storage clamps on the wall, grabbed another, and handed it to me. "These swords should become like second nature to you. Some background about them first."

"Sure." Professor Pops always had a history lesson about something.

My mind was elsewhere, and Professor Pops must have realized it.

"What are you thinking, Snow?"

"How do you kill a revenant?" I peered down at my pink shirt and tugged, questioning whether he thought about killing me. I didn't want to die, but what if I hurt people? It was there, within me. The hunger. The need.

His arms went around me, and I stepped into them. He pulled me against his chest in a fatherly hug. Swallowing the strangled cry in my throat, I returned his embrace. It'd been a long time since my dad had hugged me. I hadn't realized how much I missed him.

"You are or will be, a lot stronger than a regular human. Most marked who are bitten say they feel like they have superpowers."

"So, I'll be less klutzy?"

Professor Pops chuckled, and I couldn't help the smile that curled up on my lips. "Let's not count on it." He stroked my head with a hand, and I drew in a deep breath, enjoying the smell of old books, paper, and cigars.

After several minutes I pulled away and considered him. "I'll be stronger, which will make it more difficult for me to die, but I can be killed the same as any human." It was a statement. One that I knew, as I spoke, was correct.

"Exactly." He held the blade, still sheathed in a black cover, in both hands. "This is called a jokoto or katana, which is the now universal term." From the wall, he took a smaller sword that rested under the long one. "This is a wakizashi." He moved into a fighting stance, showing me how to hold them. "Samurai used these swords together during battle beginning in the seventh century." He indicated with his head that I should follow. Awkwardly I bent my knees and angled the swords. He nodded and started to move, crossing his right foot over his left. I mimicked as best I could.

"The long sword is for enemies at a distance. The shorter for when the enemy gets inside." He parried, maneuvering the blades as he battled an invisible foe. "Like this."

I tried to follow but ended up tangling my hands together.

"Very good."

I laughed. "Really?"

Professor Pops smiled and turned to replace his sword. "Samurai believed the katana held their soul and would only use them as a last resort. They would use the bow and arrow first, then a spear and, finally, if they had to, their swords." He moved behind me and began adjusting my stance. Several seconds later, he had me in the proper position. I felt like a rag doll.

"Every day, after finishing your regular schooling and after track practice, you will attend the Seven Magics Academy. Either myself or one of the boys will train you. Dorian is excellent with the swords. Gabe is the best bowman, and Salvatore is brilliant at all of them. Though, if one of those three isn't available, any of them is more than exceptional."

I sighed. "Okay."

"After a couple of hours of training, you will spend an hour or two learning about the different creatures in the other room until you're acquainted with each one."

I stood. "What about homework? I'm struggling with chemistry."

He waved his hands dismissively. "You'll find your human studies will come more easily, and you can breeze through it without much worry."

"I'll have to see it to believe." The prospect excited me. I struggled with several subjects, especially English, Science, and Phys-Ed.

"I think you'll find many regular human activities will come easier, and you'll want to spend more and more time in your new world." Professor Pops took the swords and placed them back on the wall next to the other set.

"Are you sure I'll be okay going to school?" I thought about chemistry and what'd almost happened.

"We'll give you a double dose of the tea twice a day, then send you to school with a dose for emergencies." He walked out of the room, and I followed. Then he locked it. I stared at the female vampire behind the glass case. Her eyes were red and still seemed to glow.

"What happens if I do drink a human's blood?" The words came out without thinking about them first.

Professor Pops stood next to me. "I understand your needs, perhaps better than anyone. Human blood will increase your powers, making you stronger in every way except one." He pointed at my heart. "The more blood you drink, the more like a vampire you'll become. It's like anything in life; if you work to keep yourself as human as possible, that part of you will remain, will be the strongest. If you consume human blood the way a vampire does, that part of you will become the strongest."

I nodded. "I understand." I wanted to tell him I craved blood and that I'd almost drunk from Dorian today. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Embarrassment over the almost erotic nature of my desires held me back. They seemed overwhelming, and I wasn't sure how to control them.

He patted my shoulder. "Don't misunderstand me. Craving blood is part of who you are now. The time will come when you will drink." He paused, and his eyes dilated, and I saw a flash of what he must've been like as a hunter. The image scared me, but the look left his face almost as quickly as it'd appeared. "There are two things you must promise me."

I swallowed and cleared my throat. "What?"

He held up a finger. "Promise me you won't drink from the same human twice." A second finger went up. "And two, promise me you won't drink for more than ten seconds. Any more and there is a possibility you'll kill the human from blood loss or your blood lust. Can you do that for me, please?"

I suddenly felt parched. The idea of consuming blood caused my muscles to tense with need.

"Snow?"

"I promise," I agreed, though, at that moment, I would've agreed to anything. He hadn't given me the green light to bite, but he said it was bound to happen. I wanted it to happen sooner rather than later.

"And Snow?" I focused and was met with his piercing eyes.

"Yes?"

"Gabe—"

"I'm what?" Gabe stood in the doorway, looking smug.

I ground my teeth. Why were the guys constantly interrupting Professor Pops when he mentioned Gabe? It was almost as though they had a sixth sense or something.

"Hi, Gabe," I said shyly. It was weird seeing him in this room full of supernatural creatures.

Professor Pops cleared his throat, and I turned. "Why don't you go home tonight, get caught up on your schoolwork, and rest? Come tomorrow, after I've talked to the boys. Your training will begin."

Gabe gave Professor Pops an unreadable look. "Will she be safe?" he asked, his face tight with unspoken worry.

"I'm fairly certain no one will come after her until she turns sixteen." He raised a hand and rubbed it over his face. "Which reminds me, what's your favorite cake flavor?"

I blanked. I hadn't had a cake since my mother died. They served cake at her funeral. Then and there, I decided I didn't like cake. Plus, as a vegan, that meant no eggs, and most cakes were made with eggs. "Um," I glanced at Gabe, though I had no idea why. "Can you make a cake without eggs?"

"Someone can. I intend to hire the best. What'll it be? Chocolate? Vanilla?"

A twisted smile spread over my face. "Red velvet."

Gabe and Professor Pops laughed.

"Perfect. I'll get on it. And your favored color?"

I didn't have a favorite color. I'd always liked purple because of my mom.

Gabe answered for me. "Her favorite color is purple."

I glanced away briefly and then at Professor Pops. "Purple is fine, but I've always really liked glittering red."

"Excellent. See you tomorrow, Snow." Professor Pops waved us away as he went back toward the downy fairy.

"I'll walk you home," Gabe said, his smile tight. I sensed his concern and something else. Probably fear. Gabe was afraid of me. That made me sad, but I didn't know how to change his mind and help him see that I was still me—still his Snowflake.

# Chapter 19

"Since when did you start liking red?" Gabe and I walked side by side at a slow pace toward my house.

I offered him a sideways smile. It gave me butterflies to know that Gabe paid attention. Glowy, tingly, happiness bloomed in my chest. "Since the first time I saw Dorothy's shoes on _The Wizard of Oz_. Probably at age three or four." I stuffed my hands into the front pockets of my jeans. "Then my mom died, and most of the stuff I kept of hers was purple, so I sort of adopted it as my favorite as well."

"Huh," Gabe grunted.

"I'd guess your favorite color is..." I considered. His car was silver. His room looked like a shrine to the Celtics, but he wore a lot of white and blue. "Either green or blue," I said.

He smirked. "You were thinking about my room, weren't you?"

I nodded.

"I guess it's green." He took my hand and stopped, so I faced him. His heartbeat pounded rapidly. With gentle fingers, he caressed my cheek, stroked my hair. "I've always loved the color of your hair."

I looked away, kicking at nothing on the ground in front of me. "You have?"

He played with the ends of my hair, twirling a strand in his finger. "It changes color in the light. Sometimes it's black, other times there seem to be blond highlights. It's magical." He released my hair and lifted my chin. "Like you, Snowflake."

"I'm not." My cheeks burned at the compliment. The bloodlust grew by a couple of degrees. Would Gabe offer his blood to me the way Dorian had? At the thought, my heart began to match Gabe's beat for beat.

"Snow..." he hesitated. Curious, I searched his face. "I've liked you for a long time," he said.

"I know. I like you, too." I returned eagerly. The sun gleamed through the thick trees, causing rays of sunlight to streak onto a portion of Gabe's face. Half of his face was shadowed, and the other half shone in the light.

"No, I mean, like-like you."

Comprehension dawned, and I nearly smacked myself in the forehead with the palm of my hand. "I didn't know. I thought you thought of me as just a sister." A mixture of gladness and nervousness swirled in my stomach. I'd only just discovered he liked me. Before we had a chance to find out what that meant, the hunter had bitten me. It didn't seem fair.

He took hold of my hands. "I think of you in ways much different than I would a sister." A mischievous gleam shone in his eyes.

I giggled nervously, glancing at my shoes.

He leaned in, and I realized he was about to kiss me—which reminded me I'd kissed Christopher today, which reminded me I almost drank from Dorian today, which made me feel gross. I was all for being a confident woman and taking what I wanted. But I still wanted Gabe... and more.

"I've got to go." I turned and ran. Fast. And I didn't trip once.

# Chapter 20

As soon as I unlocked the door, Gatsby was there, weaving between my feet and meowing like he was mortally wounded. "Hi, kitty. I know you're hungry. Sorry, boy." I scooped him up and scratched behind his ears the way he liked. Today he squirmed in my arms, unhappy. I put him down. "Okay. Okay."

Grabbing his bowl, I filled it with kitty kibble and set it on the floor. He rushed over and started eating. I poured him some water, washed my hands, and snatched some almonds from the refrigerator to snack on while I did my homework.

In quick succession, I got my math assignments done, conjugated my Spanish verbs, and studied for my chemistry and social studies quizzes. Then I made myself some whole-wheat pasta and watched the latest episode of _Survivor_. Gatsby jumped on the couch and into my lap. I was glad he'd forgiven me for ignoring him in the last few days.

Around ten o'clock, I went to my room, washed my face, and changed into my flowered flannel pajamas. Once I was in bed, and Gatsby had situated himself near my feet, I turned off the light and closed my eyes.

Immediately I was whisked away into the other realm. Her realm. I stood on a balcony in a large white castle. From my position, I could see the beautiful countryside. It was dusk. The descending sun bathed the landscape in twinkling light. I wore a long deep burgundy dress with dark grey ribbing, its skirts so abundant that they swished when I moved. The sleeves were short, and the bodice tight. The shoes I wore pinched as I made my way into the room.

Back inside, the first thing I noticed was a large headboard attached to an enormous bed. Lush gold bed coverings and pillows covered it. The windows on either side were stained glass. In one corner of the room was a large round mirror, and I gasped at its familiarity. This was the mirror, the one the Wicked Queen used in _Snow White_. I stepped in front of the glass, studying my reflection.

The person looking back was stunning, her black hair piled high, her lips blood red and skin luminescent as the moon. I turned, and she copied. I lifted my hand, and she did the same.

"It's me," I said, awed.

"My beautiful queen. You truly are the fairest in the land."

My hand froze in midair. The voice was Christopher's. I noticed him now, seated in a chair, dressed in lavish clothing: black pants, black boots that extended over his knees, and a burgundy jacket that matched my dress. As before, a dark cloud blurred out his face. No matter how many times I blinked or stared, the features of his face wouldn't become clear. And I remembered he'd said before that the queen's magic wouldn't allow me to know who he was until I drank his blood.

"What's going on?" I asked, watching him through the mirror's reflection. He rose, and my breath hitched. His blond hair had been combed off his forehead, making his hazel eyes vibrant against his tanned skin. Excitement fluttered along my skin. More than his incredible looks were the fireworks bombarding my heart. We belonged together, it whispered with each beat.

"Why can I see your face?" I asked as I turned away from the mirror. Immediately his features blurred behind thick darkness so I could only see his red eyes. I returned my gaze to the mirror, checking him out in the reflection.

He smiled. "The mirror reveals the truth, Snow." He came toward me, stalking me. I wondered if there'd ever been more willing prey.

I wanted to taste him, try his blood. Professor Pops' words came into my mind: "Never drink from the same human twice and never longer than ten seconds."

Christopher took my hands and led me to the bed. I didn't like that his face was hidden from me again, but my longing for him rocked strong enough in me that I dismissed it. He laid me down, and then he lay down next to me, so we were eye to eye. "You want me, don't you?" It was a question, but he knew the answer. I heard it in his voice.

"Yes."

He tilted his neck in my direction, and my fangs grew. Running my tongue over the sharp ends, I moved forward, grabbing hold of him and pressing my lips against his warm throat. I sank my fangs into his skin, enjoying the sensation of his skin parting. Tentative, I sucked. When the first drops touched my tongue, I panted, sucking harder. I had nothing to compare the pleasure I experienced as his blood filled my mouth, ran down my throat, and filled me in ways I never believed existed. To my mind, there wasn't anything better than that moment, which was saying something, since I was a fruit and veggie girl.

After a time, Christopher spoke my name. "Snow." I felt drunk with his bewitching blood as I lifted my lips from his neck. He smiled, his hazel eyes shimmering with hunger. They were no longer red. "Can you see my face now?"

I focused and immediately could. "Charming?" It'd been him all along?

He smirked and pulled me on top of him. "My turn," he said. I tilted my neck back, giving him full access, and let out a moan as his teeth parted my flesh, and he drank. Uneasiness formed in my belly, knowing the hunter was none other than Chace Charming, Salem Academy's newest hottie. Professor Pops had said Christopher was a master manipulator. Plus, he'd mentioned that a hunter's magic could alter parts of himself, including how he looked. Chace-slash-Christopher must've sensed my apprehension. He rolled us, placing me under him, his lips never leaving my neck. I sighed, giving in to the immeasurable pleasure of the moment.

I didn't care one way or the other. In his arms, drinking from him and him drinking from me was bliss, and I never wanted it to end. "Christopher," I whispered, running my fingers through his hair and pulling him ever closer.

# Chapter 21

After a long time, we lay beside each other, my head resting against his chest. He played with my hair. I tried to sleep, but I was too buzzed.

"Do good and evil exist?" Christopher asked.

That was out of the blue. I lifted myself up and searched his face for a hint of humor. He was serious. "I believe so," I answered, nodding.

He kissed my forehead and sat up, crossing his well-defined legs. I wasn't ready to be done, but I wanted to know where he was going with his question. Reluctantly I positioned myself so that I sat opposite him on the bed.

We were still in the castle in another realm. Lush throw pillows littered the floor and surrounded us like piranha swarming their food.

Until a few moments ago, I'd been too busy enjoying Chace, aka Christopher, aka my hunter, and hadn't cared about anything else. Now that he'd spoken, lots of unanswered questions surfaced, and guilt pounded within my breast. Like, what was the name of this realm? Why did he keep bringing me here, and where exactly was here?

Christopher seized my hand. "Sweet, beautiful Snow," he said, caressing my knuckles. "In my years serving the queen, I've learned one thing. Words like good and evil are relative terms."

"What do you mean? To kill someone is evil." I crossed my arms, waiting to hear how he'd BS his way out of that.

"What if that someone is the enemy in a war? It's kill or be killed. Would he be considered evil for protecting himself, his loved ones, his home, his country?" He grinned sweetly, running his fingers up my arm. It was distracting.

My mouth fell open at his question. I wanted to say yes, but Professor Pops had explained I would be learning how to kill supernatural creatures, that we were on the brink of war. If I killed to protect myself, would that make me evil?

"Ugh, okay. Where are you going with this?" I wasn't sure I wanted to know.

He chuckled and climbed off the bed, adjusting his clothes. When he finished, he lifted me onto my feet. "In Buddhism," he began, "good and evil don't exist, per se. Instead, there is kusala and akusala. Kusala is considered to be intelligence, contentment, beneficial, and a remover of affliction. Akusala is, quite simply, the opposite, or ignorance, causer of affliction, and so on. Which boils down to this: what is evil to one person may be good to another. Life and everything in it is about your perception."

Christopher's words echoed in my mind. I wanted him to explain further, but a sudden and infuriating beeping interrupted.

My alarm clock.

Upon opening my eyes, my hunter and the other realm vanished. With a sigh, I reached over, shut off the clock, and rolled onto my back. I hadn't slept. At least I didn't think so. The entire night was spent with Christopher; we hadn't done more than talk, kiss, and bite each other's necks, but the experience left me breathless.

I tried to imagine bringing Christopher into my silly little girl's room and snorted. Lavender walls held up posters of bunnies, kittens, and puppies. Across from me was my chest of drawers, also lavender, and atop it sat unused perfume bottles. Above them hung a corkboard filled with pictures of Cindy and me, as well as pictures of my best friends—the guys. To the left of my dresser was my bathroom and, next to that, lived my closet.

"Ugh, I'm so over purple," I muttered, climbing out of bed and heading into the bathroom where bright purple towels hung on a rack next to a bright purple shower curtain. I turned on the water and undressed while the water warmed. Stepping in, I let the spray soothe away my tension.

I couldn't help thinking about the past four days. At that time, I'd managed to become a revenant—not quite human, not quite a vampire. I'd slept in the same bed with Gabe, one of my best friends on whom I'd developed a crush. Nearly bitten Dorian. And kissed, drank from, and kissed some more my hunter, Christopher.

Sheesh!

I wasn't that kind of girl; well, I hadn't been for the past fifteen years. Sure, I'd had sleepovers with all seven brothers in the past, but still... I'd never felt such lustful cravings or been so wanton as I was with Chace, aka Christopher. He brought out feelings in me, needs I hadn't realized I'd been missing. At the thought of him touching me, kissing me, whispering tenderly to me, my belly fluttered.

"I don't have time for this," I grumbled, rinsing off and getting out of the shower.

I dressed in faded jeans, a red Ed Hardy tee shirt with a dragon slithering across the front, and my Converse. In the full-length mirror near my closet, I noticed several bruises on my neck and stepped closer for a better look. In the center of the bruises were twin marks closed over by scar tissue. It seemed I hadn't changed as much as I'd hoped.

No one had been able to see marks after Christopher bit me the first time, but I wasn't so sure about these bruises. Going to my dresser, I pulled open the top drawer and took out a silk and cashmere scarf in baby blue. My dad and stepmother had given it to me for Christmas last year because they said it matched my eyes. After pulling off the tag, I wrapped it around my neck several times, so the bruises were hidden.

"Today is going to be a regular day," I grunted, catching my reflection in the full-length mirror beside my dresser. It couldn't get any weirder. I'd become a blood-drinking supernatural creature, for crying out loud. "Ugh! Come on, kitty," I complained, opening my bedroom door. Gatsby stretched, jumped off my bed, and followed me downstairs.

As soon as I entered the kitchen, a brief knock sounded at the back door, followed by Heathcliff, Bart, Gabe, and Dorian. They were a breath of fresh air, full of exuberance, and raw energy.

"Hey, Snow," Dorian said, closing the door behind him.

Gabe carried a large book. He held it like its contents were leprous, and I had to grin. "Hi, guys."

Heathcliff and Bart returned my greeting as they made themselves at home, rummaging through my fridge and cupboards, grumbling about how I had nothing good to eat. Bart started a pot of coffee, and Heathcliff, ever the responsible one, put some water on for my tea.

I quickly got Gatsby his kibble and some water. When the cat was happily eating, I turned my attention to Gabe. "What ya got there?" I sat on a barstool and swiveled closer.

He glanced around sheepishly before heaving the book on the counter. Moments before I saw the cover up close, I'd imagined it to be a book from Professor Pops' Museum of the Supernatural, and worried Gabe stole it. No one was to touch those pages. Turned out to be nothing mystical, just a book of dresses by the designer Vera Wang.

I was most definitely not a fashionista. On the contrary, I didn't even really know what the word meant, only that Cindy used it a lot when showing me clothes from her magazines; but I had heard of Vera Wang and knew she was a big-time designer.

Whoa!

"Professor Pops asked me to bring this to you so you could go through it and pick out a dress."

I laughed uncomfortably. "I don't do dresses."

The guys paused what they were doing, as though they were shocked, I wouldn't want a dress by the incredibly talented Vera Wang.

I rolled my eyes. "Fine. A dress for what?"

Everyone resumed what they were doing. Goofballs!

"Your birthday party, silly," Bart said, pulling my hair.

"Dude," Gabe yelled.

"Boys, chill," I said, putting a hand on each of their chests. The individual beating of their hearts momentarily distracted me. It didn't make my mouth water, just caused me to pause. That was an interesting new twist. I focused my attention on Bart. "Why do I need a fancy dress for my party?"

He snickered as he pulled an envelope from his back pocket and handed it to me. "You've created a monster by allowing Pops to be in charge of your party, and there's no turning back. Salvatore is taking three hundred of these to the post office as we speak."

I took the envelope. Glancing at each of the boys, my emotions spiraled from curious to concerned to downright freaked. "What is it?" I asked though I figured it was an invitation to my birthday party. My hands shook as I turned the envelope over. Sealed with red wax with SW stamped in it. "Cool," I mumbled, breaking the seal and removing the thick white cardstock. Embossed in black and lined with silver were these words:

You are cordially invited to attend

A Masquerade Ball

Honoring the sixteenth birthday of

Snow White

November 17th, beginning at 7:30 pm.

There will be dinner and dancing.

Formal dress required.

# Chapter 22

My mind couldn't get over it. "A masquerade ball. Is he serious?"

See, I didn't dance. The last time I tried, I tripped over my partner's feet and broke his wrist. Needless to say, we still weren't speaking, and the not-so-graceful event happened in junior high.

At the idea of dancing in front of a bunch of people, terror caused my upper lip to tremble. "What is Professor Pops thinking?"

"We tried to talk him out of it," Bart said, and I could tell by the looks on their faces that he was serious.

The rest muttered incoherent words that I took to mean they weren't excited about the party concept either. With pouts and irritated glares, they shuffled around, getting mugs for the coffee along with creamer and sugar. The kitchen smelled divine—not that I was ever a big coffee drinker, more of a hot cocoa girl. But the aroma filled me with nostalgic memories of my mom, making me miss her all the more.

"Here you go," Heathcliff said, setting a mug of murky liquid in front of me.

I was about to decline but got a whiff of it. It wasn't coffee, but tea—my bloodlust tea.

"Thanks." I smiled. Their blood wasn't a distraction this morning. I wondered if that had something to do with me drinking Christopher's blood last night. Self-consciously I tugged the scarf farther up my neck and caught Dorian watching me, his eyes flickering to my neck, the scarf, and my mouth. His examination told me what he thought. A slow tendril of heat started in my belly and worked its way up. I silently prayed he wouldn't say anything, at least not in front of his brothers.

"No prob, Snow," Heathcliff said. He went over and poured himself a cup of coffee.

Gabe cleared his throat, and I turned my attention to him, taking a sip of tea.

"So you need to pick out a dress in the next couple of days and let Pops know," he said.

"If it's any consolation, we'll be wearing tuxes," Heathcliff said, irritated, reading the terrified look I was sure coated my face.

I giggled at his agitation, swallowed some tea. "You'll look amazing in a tuxedo." I rotated to include Bart, Dorian, and Gabe. "You all will." I pulled the book closer and flipped through the pages. All of the dresses were beautiful, airy, and light. I couldn't imagine trying to move around in something so elegant.

The guys crowded around, each commenting on which one they thought would suit me best. I cringed at wearing any of the dresses and considered speaking to Professor Pops. Gatsby jumped onto a chair and onto the counter, rubbing his body along one of my arms.

"Hey, boy. What do you think of all this?" I set him on the ground. The guys were still occupied with dresses—well, probably the models inside the dresses—and I smiled. "I love you guys," I blurted. They looked over; their expressions amused. I laughed, mortified by my sudden outburst.

"Love you too, Snow," Bart and Heathcliff returned.

Gabe gave me a curious look. Dorian came over, and stage whispered as he tugged on my scarf: "Love you, too." I shoved him away, trying to keep my heated cheeks from showing. I didn't want Gabe thinking it was Dorian's comment that made me redden, and I certainly didn't want to tell them it was because of what I'd hidden under my scarf. Casually I fixed it, so the soft blue scarf better covered my neck. I'd sooner die than explain the bruises they would think were hickeys. And technically they were.

"Love your shirt, too," Dorian added, poking his pointer finger into my chest. I looked down, and he flicked me in the nose.

"You're such a," I paused and watched his eyes dance, "total tease," I finished.

He grinned from ear to ear. "It's all part of my charm."

"We'd better get to school," Bart said, tugging my hair again.

"Right, you need another tardy like you need a punch in the face," Dorian said, slapping him upside the head.

Bart yelped, and they started play fighting, though after what Professor Pops had said about their training, I noticed it wasn't quite so much play as I first thought.

"Have you finished your tea?" Heathcliff asked.

I gulped down the last of it and nodded. "Yep," I answered. "Who's training me today?" I hoped Professor Pops had talked to them, and they knew what I meant.

"Me," Dorian said, rewarding me with a piercing stare.

My mouth went dry. "Good." I'd have to train with these hickeys on my neck. What would Dorian say? Why hadn't Gabe volunteered? Sneaking a glance at him, my heart sank. Something was bothering him. He wasn't teasing. Had he already grown tired of me? Not that I could blame him. Even though he didn't know it, I certainly hadn't acted like he and I might be a couple, especially last night, when I made out with Chace. "Great," I added, suppressing a sad sigh.

"We gotta go," Heathcliff said, grabbing Dorian by the arm. "See ya later, Snow." Bart followed them out.

I waved, giving Gabe a questioning look. "Did you get stuck taking me again?" I turned the pages of the book, but my eyes kept finding Gabe's.

"I volunteered," he answered, picking my hefty backpack off the table and lobbing it onto his shoulder. "Come on."

Following him out, I locked the door and shoved the house keys in my pocket.

"I think we should talk," Gabe said once we were buckled in his silver CRX.

"Sure," I said, eyeing him, comprehending the seriousness on his face. My stomach clenched. Did he somehow know about my escapade with Christopher? Or Dorian?

"You and I," he paused, turning on the car. "You know I like you, right, Snow?"

I gulped. He hadn't called me Snowflake. "I hope so, Gabe. We've been friends for a long time. If you're pretending, then you deserve an Oscar." I hoped my teasing would lighten his mood.

He smirked. "You know what I mean."

I forced back a sigh. "I do." This conversation wasn't going to end well. He pulled out of my driveway, heading toward school.

"Since your... bite, and what occurred in your dream, and the note... well, you have a lot going on." He glanced over.

I nodded, waiting for him to finish, my hands clenching into fists in my lap.

He let out a giant breath. "I think we should put whatever might be happening between us on hold." His hands gripped the steering wheel until they turned white.

Tears dampened my lashes. Casually, I tried to wipe them away. He was right. I needed to focus on training. Also, I had a... situation with Christopher. But wow, hearing Gabe say the words hurt.

I deliberated whether he somehow knew what I'd been doing last night, if he could tell a hunter vampire kissed me thoroughly, drank from me multiple times, and that I liked it. Actually, I more than liked it, I delighted in it. Ugh!

Pushing my back into the black leather seat, I cleared my throat. "I agree. We'll still be friends, right?" The words sounded strained, not like me.

Gabe didn't seem to notice. "Right."

We rode in silence until we got to school. As soon as he put the car in park, I bolted without saying good-bye. I needed some fresh air and some space.

# Chapter 23

My body teetered between conflicting emotions: excitement and sadness. Excitement because I'd see Christopher in a few minutes, though I had to call him Chace in school. And sadness because I still had feelings for Gabe. He'd promised he wouldn't leave. Memories of the night he'd stayed with me surfaced, weighing down my heart. I missed that Gabe. He hadn't exactly left, but he didn't want me anymore either.

Sighing, I pulled open the front door to Salem Academy, home to more than sixteen hundred students, and realized I held my breath so I wouldn't smell blood. Slowly I exhaled and snuck a timid breath. A delicious blood-tinged aroma swirled with sweat and perfume. A symphony of hearts beat all around me, but I didn't have the slightest twinge of a craving. Something had changed. Was it the double dose of bloodlust tea, or drinking Christopher's blood? I'd have to ask him when we had a moment alone. If I could look him in the eyes without turning red.

I made my way through the overflowing commons and to my burgundy locker. After dialing in the combination, I opened it and switched books from my backpack to my locker and ran to chemistry, barely acknowledging the posters announcing the football game coming up or the Halloween dance taking place soon.

Cindy and Chace were already in their seats, chatting like BFFs. Seeing Cindy being so flirty and Chace responding—well, it annoyed me. I dropped my backpack and my pencil on the table in a huff.

Cindy gave me the eye, one of her perfectly plucked eyebrows rising in irritation. "Hey, Snow. In a mood?" She smacked her bare knee against my thigh.

"No," I grumbled, stealing a look at Chace. He'd rolled his chair toward me.

"Hi." He had a tone that told me he was thinking about what we had done last night.

My cheeks burned hot.

"What's going on?" Cindy asked, tugging on my scarf.

That girl was way too intuitive. She could read people from a hundred feet away, through concrete and twenty feet of dirt.

Sheesh! "Nothing," I said from behind my hands, jerking my scarf. I realized we hadn't had a chance to really talk since she'd gone to the Cape. She said she needed to tell me something but still hadn't.

"Hmmm-mmmm," Cindy responded, and I knew we'd be having a prickly conversation later. I debated what I should tell her. It wasn't like I could say, "Yeah, so last night, Chace took me to another realm where we made out and drank each other's blood for a few hours. It was awesome and so sexy."

Chace made a noise that sounded a lot like a groan, which caused my cheeks to burn hotter than a firework on the Fourth of July.

Before Cindy or Chace said or did anything else, Mr. Wallace came in and saved the day. I'd never been happier to see a teacher.

That gladness was short-lived.

"During today's lab, we'll be determining the relative reactions of copper, magnesium, zinc, and hydrogen. You'll work with a partner, as usual." Mr. Wallace glanced in our direction. "Mr. Charming, since you are without a partner, and," he searched the room, let out a grunt, and continued, "since Sheila is absent today, why don't you work with Misssssss," he drew it out, like a snake debating which prey to devour. Cindy sat up, straighter in her seat, and I knew she wanted him to pick her. Finally, he continued, "White. Mr. Dooley, you and Miss Croswell will partner up. Everyone else, you have your partners, so get busy."

Cindy deflated and scowled. "I don't want to partner with Eddie. He smells like onion rings."

"Maybe that's because he works at Onion Ring Heaven," I whispered, stifling a nervous giggle. I stood as Eddie looked over, his braces-filled smile taking up most of his freckled face. "Be nice," I said in her ear.

Cindy harrumphed. " _Merde!_ This isn't fair. And you owe me an explanation about what's going on between you and Charming. Lunchtime!"

"For sure," I said, wiggling my eyebrows and moving over to Chace.

Cindy laughed, and I felt better about leaving her with Onion Ring Eddie.

I picked up my chair and placed it next to Chace. He already had the droppers and was in the process of organizing the test tubes. "You've done this before, haven't you?"

He grunted. "Once or twice. Lovely scarf, by the way."

I fiddled with it, making sure it still covered my neck, and sat on the stool, watching him. He looked seventeen or eighteen, but I was curious about his real age. I didn't know much about vampires, but I did know they weren't supposed to age. At least that was part of the myth. Would I age as a revenant? I wanted to ask Chace, but chemistry class wasn't the place. I supposed I could ask Professor Pops. "Well, you'd better let me do something."

"I can think of several somethings I'd like you to do." His voice had gone low and was filled with sensual implications.

I colored. "Knock it off. Cindy already smells a story. The girl is like a Bassett Hound on the trail of her favorite bone. She's probably already figured out we kissed and is planning our wedding, including the cake and my wedding dress." I moved one of the beakers, put a droplet of iodine in it, and scrawled the results in my notebook.

He sat on the stool next to me, fixing me with an amused gaze. "Wow, she's impressive."

I tried to scowl. He didn't know her the way I did. That was how her mind worked. "We haven't even been on a date," I whispered.

"I suppose we can't consider what we did last night a date?" He wore his signature smirk.

My insides quivered. "No!"

"Are you embarrassed by me, Snowflake?"

"Don't call me that," I growled, smacking him on the arm. Only Gabe was allowed to call me that. Besides, what did he think was going on? Were we an item?

"Whatever you command, my queen," he inclined his head slightly.

Self-conscious, I searched the room and caught hold of Cindy's perceptive glare. "What the hell?" she mouthed.

I shrugged and turned back to Chace. His words, "my queen," made me think of another question. I, technically, wouldn't be his queen; my body would, but it'd still be her... what? Spirit, inside my body. I filed the question in the thickening folder labeled Seriously Wacky Stuff. "You need to stop."

He laughed. "Fine. I will. For now." Then he winked. "Can I call you Frosty?"

I lifted my brow. "You can call me Frosty when Hell freezes over, m-kay?" I gave him a sinister look but laughed too. The whole conversation was silly.

"Snow," he spoke my name like we were lovers. "Want to hang out after school today? We can see what sort of skills you've developed." He gave me a conspiratorial look. "The way we've been trading blood, I've no doubt you'll be as strong as I am in no time."

"Will I?" I nudged his shoulder with mine.

"You'll be amazing."

I really did want to hang out with him, but I had track practice, revenant training, and then homework. "Hey, didn't you make the track team? I'll see you at practice."

"I'll come only if you promise to run. I want to see if you can manage once around the track without tripping." He laughed.

"Harsh," I murmured. But I wanted to see if it were possible, too. "I have..." I paused. Would he know what hemophilia was? Not that my blood issue would matter once I became a vampire.

"What?"

"Well, after track, I have to..." I couldn't say supernatural training. Professor Pops wanted me to go over to his house after practice. I'd be learning how to kill different supernatural creatures, including hunter vampires like him. Did I want to tell Christopher? Something told me I shouldn't, mainly since he worked for the vampire queen. And that's when the lightbulb went on. Holy apple butter on toast! Christopher worked for the vampire queen! Why hadn't that occurred to me before now? I hadn't asked Professor Pops what would happen if I drank the blood of a hunter.

Chace glanced over, his gaze unreadable. "You're training with Adam Henry after practice."

"Yes," I nodded, unable to say any more. How did he know? So many questions.

"Don't you want to see me again tonight?" His words sounded hollow, sad.

"Of course," I said, touching his arm and regretting the maneuver immediately. Professor Pops mentioned Christopher possessed the ability to put me under a spell. Did he have me under one? If he did, did I care? I really wanted to see him alone again—to kiss him and taste him.

Gabe was out of the romantic picture. He said we should just be friends. No reason to feel guilty.

"Lips red as rubies, hair dark as night. Drink your true love's blood; become the Vampire, Snow White." It was as though I'd spoken the words inside my own head. But I hadn't. I shuddered. My true love? It wasn't Christopher. At least I didn't think so. But lust? Yes. Yes. Yes. I cleared my throat. "Want to come over to my house after training, around nine-thirty?" My heart sped faster in anticipation. "In this realm," I added in a soft voice. We could talk. Watch a movie. Hang out. It'd be fun.

He smiled, and the movement reached his eyes, filling my stomach with giddy joy. "Great idea," he said.

"Charming is a name that suits you. Did the queen give you the name?"

He chuckled. "No, it's the one I was born with."

I searched his face, checking to see if he was joking. It didn't look like it.

"Hmmm," I said, dropping iodine in another beaker.

# Chapter 24

Lunchtime finally rolled around, and I briefly considered evasive maneuvers, like hiding in the girls' bathroom. I hadn't decided what to say to Cindy about Christopher—Chace—and me. Deny. Deny. Deny. I searched the Commons area for her, but she hadn't arrived. Shrugging, I grabbed a greyish lunch tray, placed a salad on it along with a juice, paid the cashier, and headed over to our usual table near the windows. The sun shone through them, bright and cheery, and I squinted, happy vampires and even revenants weren't affected by the sun.

"Hey, Frosty."

I jumped and spun around. My gorgeous blond-haired hunter towered over me, a playful grin lighting his features.

"Rude," I squealed very girlishly and much more loudly than I anticipated.

Several heads swung in our direction. They were probably stunned that klutzy, boyish Snow White could act girly, or that the handsome Chace Charming would choose to grace me with his presence. At those thoughts, my whole body heated. They had no idea what I'd done with the incredibly hot hunter.

Chace's eyes narrowed. "Let's sit," he said, walking over to my table.

I obeyed, letting my hair fall into my face. Once we were sitting, I scanned the room for Cindy. A part of me hoped she wouldn't show. Another part of me worried. If Cindy was one thing, she was a creature of habit. If she had a change of plans, she would've told me.

Salvatore and Sebastian walked in, both sporting sour expressions. I waved enthusiastically. They returned my welcome, but it wasn't with any excitement.

"They're upset that I'm sitting here," Christopher said, his voice filled with humor.

"Oh, well, they shouldn't care." I signaled them to come over, casually tightening my scarf. They nodded. A thought struck me, and I started to panic. "They don't know who you are, do they?" I hissed, keeping my eyes glued on the guys' movements.

"No. At least I don't think so." He shrugged. "But then they are Adam Henry's sons, so anything's possible." I heard what sounded like a note of awe in his words and wondered why.

The guys picked up their food and headed over. I searched their faces, trying to discern whether they knew. I didn't think so. If they had, they probably would've been a lot more hostile.

"Hi, guys," I said, feeling suddenly nervous.

"Hey, Snow," Salvatore said.

"Heyah," Sebastian added, taking a huge bite of pizza. "Aren't you going to eat?"

I glanced at the unappetizing salad sitting in front of me. "Not hungry," I responded, keeping my eyes fixed on a wilted carrot. I was, in fact, hungry, but it wasn't for the tasteless salad. I wanted Christopher's blood. I gave him a sideways glance, and he smiled meaningfully.

"You should eat. You need your strength for—" Salvatore paused and glanced over at Chace. "Later," he finished.

I opened the juice and took a drink to appease him.

"How do you two know each other?" Salvatore asked between bites of food, indicating Chace and me with a pointer finger.

"Oh," I said, unsure about how to respond.

Chace saved me. "We're in chemistry together. Plus, the track team."

Salvatore and Sebastian swapped comical looks.

"Have you seen Snow run?" Salvatore asked.

"Not yet. Maybe today." Chace grinned slightly; a secret smile I knew was meant for me.

The guys busted out laughing.

Dorian and Bart joined us at the table. "What's so funny?" Bart asked.

Dorian wore an angry frown. I watched his eyes linger on my lips, move to my neck, and glance at Christopher. Did he know? "Charming," he nodded. "What brings you to our table today? I believe there are ten or fifteen girls desperate for your attention. No sense hanging with us guys."

Christopher smiled. "There's one girl at this table. The only girl I'm interested in." He glanced at me, and I was sure my face turned the color of ripened cherries.

Salvatore sputtered out his milk.

"You're in dangerous territory here," Dorian growled.

I watched the way each guy tensed with animosity and decided an intervention was necessary. "Has anyone seen Cindy?"

"I haven't seen her since math class," Dorian said, shifting his gaze from Chace to me.

"Not since chemistry," Chace added.

The other brothers agreed they hadn't seen her since morning.

"Great. Why don't I have a cell phone?" I grumbled, picking up my juice and taking a sip.

Almost as one, all the guys whipped out their phones. "May I?" I took Dorian's as a way to appease him, giving him a look.

"Fine," he hissed in mock sarcasm, and I smiled.

Unlocking his phone, I dialed Cindy's number. It went straight to voice mail, and I left a message after the beep. "Hey, Cin. Just wondering if you're okay. Call me. Oh, I'm on Dorian's phone because, as you know, my dad and stepmother won't give me one. So call him, 'kay?" After I hung up, I texted a similar message to her number and handed Dorian back his phone.

"Thanks, Dorian."

"I'm sure she's fine. Probably just got hung up talking to some guy."

I nodded, trying to act convinced.

The guys finished their lunch and took off, leaving Christopher and me alone once again.

"You don't need to worry about your neck." He'd sounded nonchalant and a little smug.

"Really?" I touched my scarf.

He pulled on it, tugging it away. "Yep, the bruises are gone," he said, giving me a half-smile.

I yanked the scarf from his fingers. "Do I even want to know how you knew they'd be gone?"

"Doubtful." He tossed a couple of fries in his mouth.

I'd noticed he'd eaten several bites of cheeseburger along with more fries. "How can you stand to eat that?" I asked, scrunching my nose in disgust.

He laughed. "You get used to it. I need to pretend to be a normal human boy." He smirked and bit into another fry.

I looked around. "It's so gross. I think it tastes like ash. I haven't been able to enjoy food since right after you bit me." I tried to look frustrated and angry, but thoughts about how it'd felt the first time, his lips on my neck, and each time since, only filled me with longing.

His eyebrows pinched together but just as quickly relaxed. "You really are exquisite, Snow. I knew you were extraordinary from the moment I first saw you, but I never realized how much until these past few days."

"You could tell just from biting me the other day?" I was confused.

"No, I'm talking about the very first time. When you were young."

Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Had he been the one? "You're the hunter who marked me?" I didn't know how I felt about that. It was his fault I was on this path.

He dipped his head and took a large bite of burger. I watched him chew, biting the inside of my cheek, nervous. But there wasn't any reason to be. I knew the answer. It was him, which meant several things. He was older than seventeen or eighteen, and he'd been watching me for a long time. "Do you know how my mother died?" I blurted. If he'd been around that long, surely he must've seen her.

At that moment, the bell rang. He stood. "I'll see you at practice," he said, not answering my question. Before I could ask again, he took his tray, merging into the thick student traffic, and was gone.

# Chapter 25

The final three classes of the day were torture. Not because I wanted to drink the blood of my fellow classmates. No. I was agitated—about Cindy, about revenant training, and about Christopher coming over. Did I really want to get to know him?

I had a feeling if Professor Pops knew what I'd been doing, he'd be upset, or at least concerned. But he'd fallen in love with his marked. Now that I'd been spending time with Christopher, I wondered what that meant. Had Professor Pops bitten her, and she him? Had she died because of their love? I knew Professor Pops would tell me, but raising the subject would be difficult. I felt like I'd already failed him.

Christopher would have the answers, but would he be honest? I sighed. I had to at least try.

In the girls' locker room, I changed out of my jeans and tee-shirt and into black shorts and a burgundy shirt. After tying my shoes, I headed out to the field. So far, it'd been an unseasonably hot fall with little rain. It looked like that was about to change. Thick storm clouds filled the sky, and thunder rumbled in the distance. The rest of the team appeared oblivious and stretched on the field. They never waited for me, probably because I never participated.

Christopher sat in the front, a pretty girl on either side, his legs extended in front of him, his hands touching his toes as the team captain counted slowly.

I stopped, admiring him, trying to see any of the telltale signs proving he was a vampire. He had angular features, his body muscled, especially his arms. I suddenly remembered Kenmei showing me the blade tattooed on his arm—the mark of a hunter. Where was Christopher's? I stepped closer, trying to see it. Christopher wore a black tank, so it should be easily visible. He glanced up, giving me a smirk.

I smirked right back.

"Hey, Snow, move out of the way." It was Jackie, the team captain. Apparently, I was blocking her view of Salem Academy's newest hottie. Blerg.

I stepped to the side and around to his back. I couldn't see it on either arm near the shoulder.

"Looking for something?" Christopher asked, laughter in his voice.

"Where is it?" I crouched down and touched his arm in the vicinity of the place I'd seen the tattooed blade on Kenmei. At my touch, the blade appeared on his shoulder like magic. I jumped back, falling on my butt.

Everyone laughed.

"What a surprise. She just tripped over nothing and fell," someone said.

Jackie gave me a wicked smile. "Shocker."

Christopher leaped up and pulled me into his arms. I buried my face in his chest, ashamed of my less than graceful fall. "Knock it off," he shouted. Rage radiated from his body so that he was practically pulsating. So close to him, my heart started beating rapidly. He smelled divine, and I knew he tasted even better. "How dare you?" he roared at my teammates, his breathing heavy.

"Chill," one of the guys said.

"Yeah, Chace. She's used to it," Jackie added.

With a sigh, I looked up and placed my hands on either side of his face. "Christopher," I whispered. "It's okay. I'm fine." My voice trembled at the depth of his emotions.

After several seconds, his features softened, and he looked at me. "I'm sorry you were startled. I should've known something like that would happen."

"It's no problem. A brisk enough wind can trip me up." I smiled softly, hoping to ease his temper with a reminder of my klutziness.

It worked. He beamed a glorious, heavenly smile, causing my breath to hitch in my throat.

"Maybe you should wait a few more days to run; give your abilities more time to kick in." He sported an amused expression.

"Are you questioning your earlier assessment that I'm exceptional?"

He snorted, and I decided to show him, show them all.

"I'm going to run, and I'll be fantastic." I jogged backward a few steps, heading over to the coach.

He stood near his chair, looking antsy. Probably preparing to be a referee if Chace or one of the other guys tried to start a fight.

"Hi, coach," I said lightly.

"Ms. White. What's going on in that head of yours?" He crossed his arms, waiting.

"I'm running today. Just wanted to give you a heads up. Figured you might have a coronary otherwise."

He gasped in mock disdain. "I appreciate your concern, though I'm more worried about you."

"Eh, I'll be fine. You'll see. I might even surprise you." I wriggled my eyebrows, and he laughed, shaking his head.

"Guess it's a good thing I've got 911 on speed dial." He pulled his cell from the front of his burgundy polyester shorts and showed it to me to prove he was serious. "Be careful," he added.

"I will," I replied and headed back over to Christopher, jogging in place. Our eyes met, and he looked like he wanted to say something.

"All right, everyone, four times around the track. Go!" Coach's voice rang loud.

"Ready?" Christopher asked, his voice low, pleased.

"Oh yeah."

At that moment, the sky opened up and proceeded to soak me, Christopher, and the rest of the team.

I yelped. My shoulders rose to my ears, and water dripped from my bangs onto my nose and cheeks. The air smelled wet and of peppermint. An eerie gloom gathered around the field in the form of fog.

"Coach, are we going in?" someone asked.

"Yeah, coach, we can't run in this."

"Are you men and women, or mice?" Coach roared over the rain, tipping his burgundy cap lower on his head.

There was collective grumbling as we all made our way to the track.

Christopher touched my arm lightly. "Catch me if you can, Frosty." He grinned and took off.

I watched him, his fluid body moving in perfect strides. It looked like his feet barely skimmed the ground. Wiping the hair off my face, I started to run.

One foot in front of the other. I could do this. This time I knew it. I sensed the changes. When I'd run in the past, my body would tense, my knees would freeze, and, according to Cindy, it looked like I had a board shoved up my derriere. It felt wrong, and I had no doubt, it looked wrong.

But as I ran now, the crisp rain slapping against my skin, my body seemed to relax as though it were settling in for the first time—ever. It felt good! I felt good. Taking a deep breath, I picked up speed, trying to catch Christopher. Each person I ran past gasped or made a snide comment. I ignored them. I was on a mission. Catch Christopher. He was the prey, and I was the hunter now.

That was the refrain I chanted with each step. Catch Christopher. Catch Christopher. Catch Christopher. When I was within ten feet of him, a sharp prickling sensation struck me in the back of my left knee, and then the right. I ignored it, but seconds later, a prickling heat spread from my knees, up to my thighs and down my calves. Seconds after that, my legs stopped working altogether. My right cheek and forehead smacked the track. An explosion of stars writhed before my eyes, and there was a loud pop. Nothing from the waist down worked, but damn my face stung. "Ouch." I pushed up on my hands, lifting my upper body off the ground and shaking my head. Red liquid spilled into my right eye and splashed onto the asphalt before diluting with the rain.

For most of my life, I'd been trained to worry at the sight of my blood. Now wasn't any different.

"Snow! Snow!" Christopher came up to me and stopped, kneeling in front of me. Through the pouring rain, I heard his fear. "What happened? Can you stand?"

A sob escaped my throat. "I can't feel my legs." It didn't make sense. What had happened?

"I'm going to check your spine. Hold still." I tried to do as he said, but I started shaking uncontrollably. Whether from the chill of the rain or the fall, I didn't know.

I heard him curse. "Your spine is fine. I'm going to turn you over and lift you. Ready?" He ripped off his soaking tank. "Hold this against your forehead. You're bleeding."

"Duh," I said, but nodded, taking his drenched shirt and pressing it against my head.

With incredible gentleness, he turned me onto my back. "All good?" he asked.

"I think so."

He lifted me, and I wrapped one arm around his neck. "I've never been so grateful for rain in all my life, Frosty. Hang on. I'm going to get you someplace dry and safe."

I closed my eyes, tucking my head into his chest.

And he ran. Super-fast. And that's when I figured out what he meant about the rain. It distorted things, which meant he could play dumb when and if someone questioned how he could run so quickly.

The rain beat against my body like icy pebbles, and it hurt. I pressed my eyes shut tighter. I couldn't help but wonder where he would take me. Maybe to my house. He obviously knew where I lived. Or his. I had no idea where he lived. Did he go to the other realm every day after school? It was so weird to think about another dimension. I had so many questions.

After several seconds—or minutes—the rain stopped, and I felt the sun warming my skin. Birds sang, their song bouncing back and forth above us. I opened my eyes. Christopher's gaze bore into me, filled with concern.

"I'm going to lay you down."

"Okay," I answered, feeling unexpectedly shy.

He squatted, and I felt my back brush against something soft. Gently, he moved his damp shirt from my forehead. "Healed already." He grunted approvingly. "I'm going to roll you onto your stomach." One of his hands touched my shoulder. "Ready?"

"Yes," I whispered, trying to gauge from his expression how bad off I was.

Tenderly, he turned me. I moved my arms upward so that I could rest my chin on my hands. He'd laid me in some mossy grass. Running my fingers over it, I was amazed at how soft it felt. In front of me sat a small brown cottage built of wooden logs. The front door was closed. A medium-sized glass window sat on either side of it. The roof looked to be made of tree branches and steepled along the top, so it looked like an upside-down V. On either side of the cottage was a lush forest filled with trees, ferns, and colorful flowers. I could hear the rush of a stream nearby and guessed he must've brought me to the other realm.

"I'm going to check the backs of your thighs. You felt a sting behind your knees?"

"Yes, I did." Had I told him about the stinging sensation right before I fell? I didn't think so.

After several moments I heard him suck in a breath.

"What? What's wrong?" I asked, trying to turn my head so that I could see him.

One of his large tanned hands appeared. Something was pinched between his thumb and first finger. I squinted, and suddenly my eyes adjusted like the lens on a microscope. A tiny arrow, no bigger than a sliver. "What. Is. That?"

"It's a pixie's arrow. The tip has been dipped in a toxin. I need to make a poultice to draw out the poison. The ingredients are nearby, but I'll be out of sight."

"Don't go," I cried.

He ran his hands through my wet hair. "You'll be safe here. Only a creature whose heart is pure can pass through the enchantments I've put around this place." He came near so that I could see him. "You'll be fine," he added.

"Where are we?" I asked, changing the subject, trying to keep him with me a little longer.

Christopher's eyebrows furrowed in a way I was beginning to understand meant he was anxious.

"We are in Sharra, the realm of the vampire queen." He quickly kissed the tip of my nose and rushed away.

"Hurry," I called after him softly. I turned my head, resting my uninjured cheek on my hands. He'd answered one of my questions. The name of this place was Sharra. "Sharra," I mouthed. Then repeated it a little louder. "Sharra." I liked the sound of it.

One question down, one hundred twenty-three more to go, I thought with a sigh as I stared into the forest. A beautiful bush, filled with all different pastel-colored flowers, grew directly in my line of vision. The leaves seemed to be moving. I took a deep cleansing breath, knowing Christopher would do all in his power to fix me up. But how did I know that? I thought about it. He was my hunter, which meant he had to keep my body safe at all costs. It wouldn't do if I died. "He will come back," I whispered, focusing on the colorful bush.

Something strange happened.

The flowers separated and began to flutter upward, like butterflies taking flight. It was beautiful. Once all of the flowers left the bush, the branches looked stark, empty, like a barren tree in the deep of winter. Alarmed, I wondered why the flowers had abandoned it. The petals continued rising and headed toward me. Astonished, I tilted my head to keep watching. A bubble-gum pink flower fell onto my arm. I shook it, trying to get it to drop, but it wouldn't budge. Then a periwinkle blue flower landed farther down my arm, near my elbow, followed by a mint green one. I peered closer, and the flowers moved. Under the petals were little bodies attached to little heads.

Surprised, I gasped and shook my arm wildly. The creatures stayed in place, their little arms and legs tickling my skin. Finally, I gave up.

# Chapter 26

"What do you want?" I whispered, trying not to be afraid.

There was a slight tinkling sound, and I peered closer. There were two females and one male, their bodies the color of the petals or, I guessed, their wings, and they were dressed in matching clothes. Both girls wore shimmering dresses, and the guy wore pants and a shirt.

"You look like Peter Pan," I said. He placed his hands on his hips, also reminding me of Peter Pan, and I laughed. "What are you? Fairies?" I asked.

"We're pixilettes," she said in an elevated, barely audible voice and proceeded to shake her tiny finger at me.

"Pixil-ettes," I repeated, admiring how cute they were, but also slightly worried about why they were standing on my arm.

"That's right. We're in charge of the changing seasons in Sharra, as well as reseeding in the spring and the fall." She bowed, placing one hand over her chest and the other out behind her before flying and landing on my nose. "I'm Arianna." The periwinkle and mint colored pixilettes fluttered onto my nose next to her. My eyes started to cross, and the tinkling sounded again. The male slapped his knee.

"What? Are-are you laughing at me?" I asked, trying to be upset, but they were too cute.

The male bowed. "Apologies. My name is Eon."

"And I am Pava."

"Nice to meet you. My name is Snow." I stacked one hand on top of the other, and rested my chin on top of them both, working desperately not to shake my head and uncross my eyes.

Seemingly all at once, hundreds of pixilettes hovered behind the three I'd met.

Pava turned her toes in. "We'd like to help you. Would that be alright?" she asked timidly.

"You know what's wrong with me?" I asked, stunned.

"We do. And between us, we have enough to reverse the effects of the poison," Eon said.

"I'd be most grateful. Thank you!" The three pixilettes on my nose flew off and backward. With relief, I closed my eyes, giving them a chance to realign before opening them. "Christopher—the guy that was here with me—he left," I sucked in a sad breath and cleared my throat. "He went to get ingredients for a poultice. Should someone tell him?"

"We know Christopher," Eon said, turning and flicking his arm. The way he moved made me think that he might be someone of great importance.

Three pixilettes flew off in the direction Christopher had gone.

"Right," I agreed, feeling tears prick the backs of my eyes. I was so new to all of this. My life had shifted radically in the last few days, and I felt overwhelmed. Inches from my nose fluttered little creatures with bodies the size of moths. Until a few minutes ago, I hadn't known they existed.

Arianna's pointy features softened. She flew over and lifted a tear from my lashes, balancing it in her hand. She placed her other hand on my forehead and patted. "Hold very still, and keep your eyes closed until I tell you," she said kindly.

I bit my cheek. Christopher told me nothing could pass through the enchantments unless they had a pure heart. That meant these pixilettes wouldn't hurt me, didn't it?

I nodded at Arianna and closed my eyes.

For what seemed like hours, I couldn't feel anything, only heard the occasional tinkling, which I now knew was the pixilettes laughing. I also smelled oregano.

They are seasoning you and intend to eat you for dinner, I thought sourly. The sensation started to come back into my legs. It felt like pins and needles were doing a tap dance on my thighs. I wanted to rub them or shake them to get rid of the pain, but Arianna told me to hold still. Gritting my teeth, I stayed steady, and my mind drifted until I was someplace else...

"Christopher Charming, get in here!" The voice sounded muffled.

I looked down at myself and saw I was transparent, like mist. Reaching out to touch my arm, my fingers went right through me. Gasping, I swung in a circle, trying to figure out where I'd gone.

I stood in a garage, which I guessed meant I was no longer in Sharra.

The garage door looked rusty and unused. The room was cluttered with boxes stacked to the grungy ceiling, a couch covered in a dusty sheet, and other odds and ends. The walls were aluminum and rippled. On one wall hung a pegboard with tools, including hammers, a handsaw, drills, and more. Piles of different sized wood rested against the garage door and lay on the concrete floor next to strange-looking steel machines.

Sitting at one of the machines cutting a small piece of wood was Christopher, wearing a striped shirt with a wide collar and brown corduroy pants that belled out at the bottom.

"Charming," I called out, my voice hesitant.

He didn't acknowledge me, but then he hadn't acknowledged the woman who'd yelled at him a moment ago, either.

"I'm going to count to three, and then I'll add on to your chores," the muffled female voice hollered.

Christopher growled. "Coming." Tucking whatever he worked on in his pocket, he started to walk toward me.

"Christopher," I said again.

He didn't stop but went right through me. I didn't feel a thing. Freaky! I turned and watched him open a warped brown door and go through.

"What?" I heard him call before he slammed it.

"What am I doing here?" I slowly spun in a circle, searching for answers. Stepping up to the door, I tried to wrap a hand around the knob, but I couldn't grab it. "Argh." I put a flattened hand against the door. It disappeared. So, I stuck my arm, followed by my head, through the door. Yep, going through objects wasn't a problem for me.

On the other side, I looked around. The house was small, run-down. Empty of pictures or any sort of decoration. I headed into the kitchen. The decor was retro seventies at its most elegant—orange cupboards, a pea-green refrigerator and stove, and white linoleum flooring. There was a half-eaten sandwich on the counter next to an empty marbled green glass.

No one was in the kitchen, but I heard talking to my left, so I followed the sound through a wall and into the living room. I'd never seen so much plaid.

Christopher stood at the foot of a woman lounging on a faded orange recliner. She handed him some money, which he stuffed in his back pocket.

"Get me a pound of ground beef and a pack of cigarettes—whichever ones are on sale. Don't dawdle." The woman speaking had medium length blonde feathered hair, a heap of blue eye shadow on her lids, and wore a mustard yellow sundress. She must have been beautiful at one point. Now she seemed hardened and wrinkled. "Well, don't just stand there! Go!"

"Yes, ma'am." Christopher's shoulders slumped as he turned and walked past a large front window, plaid curtains pulled back to let in the dying daylight, and opened the front door.

Once it closed, I went through it and stopped at the top of a small concrete landing with three steps leading to a cracked pathway that turned into the sidewalk. The grass was yellowed, the color of dried hay. Random toys were scattered about making me wonder if Christopher had younger siblings. He'd picked up a bike and was pedaling so fast he was nearly at the end of the street before I realized he'd left.

"Christopher, wait!" I called. I didn't need to worry, though. My body floated after him as though I was a balloon tied to a string attached to his wrist.

As I glided along, I watched the cookie-cutter houses pass by. A group of kids played baseball in a park, their banter easy to hear. Then Christopher turned a corner and houses disappeared, making way for stores, including a 7-Eleven and a liquor store. He rode across a large parking lot toward what I guessed was a small grocery store called The Apple Store. Christopher jumped off his bike, letting it fall with a clang to the ground, and ran in. He went toward the back, past a group of guys in long black leather jackets.

For the first time, I was glad no one could see me. Christopher gave them a wide berth, but I was mesmerized and watched as they pointed at Christopher and began to laugh.

My heart skipped several beats, and warning bells went off in my head. "Be careful."

Christopher already had the meat and moved on. The guys sauntered along after him, pushing each other and scaring customers they walked past.

Christopher picked out a pack of cigarettes from a stocked shelf—not a shelf behind a counter or locked glass, the way cigarettes were stored now, but out in the open where anyone could grab them—then made his way down an aisle filled with magazines and books. I cringed slightly, thinking he'd head for the comics or worse, naked women. I so didn't want to see that.

Instead, he picked up a woodworking magazine and flipped through the pages. When he came to the page he wanted, he set the opened magazine on top of the meat and cigarettes and pulled out the piece of wood he'd been working on. I leaned over his shoulder and noticed it was a carving of a bear. The one in his hand looked almost exactly the same as the one on the page.

Wow, I was impressed. He had talent.

# Chapter 27

Suddenly the magazine flew out of his hand with a thwack, followed by the sounds of voracious laughter. Christopher's shoulders tensed, and he turned.

"What's the big idea?" he asked, and I perceived his barely contained rage.

The large guy in the middle stepped forward, the others flanking him. There were five. My heart started pounding in my throat, making it difficult to understand what was said, but I gathered they wanted a fight. That didn't seem fair, five against one. The leader shoved Christopher, causing his shoulder to smack against the magazine rack. He righted himself and adjusted his shirt. The muscles in his shoulders relaxed, and he smirked. I knew that smirk.

"You'll pay for that," Christopher said quietly.

The leader's mouth dropped. "I doubt it, dickhead."

"How about we step outside and find out." Christopher's tone was smooth, in control. Did he understand what was happening? Did he want to fight them?

The guys all started laughing, playfully shoving the leader. A look of surprise skimmed across the leader's face before he hardened his jaw. "Let's go."

"I've got to pay for these first. Meet you outside in five?" Christopher held up his hand, his fingers spread wide. Did Christopher want to die? He acted like they were meeting to hang out, not like they were about to fight.

"We'll be waiting," the leader said.

"Yeah, and don't try to run away. We'll find you," a guy with a missing front tooth said.

"Oh, I won't be running away, but you're going to wish you had." Christopher stepped past them and got in line to pay. The jerky guys loudly made their way outside and disappeared into the parking lot. I was terrified for Charming. What was his plan? Would he try to sneak out the back?

Once he'd paid and the meat and cigarettes were bagged, he walked out the front door. It was almost dark, and I didn't see the leather-clad guys immediately. For a split second, I thought they'd left. Not the case.

Christopher set the bag next to his bike and made his way over to them. The leader took off his jacket, removed the cigarette sitting behind his right ear, and handed it to one of the other guys, then put his arms up, his hands in fists. Christopher shook his head and chuckled but didn't move. He just stood there with his irritatingly handsome smirk.

"Move," I shouted, fear causing my voice to raise two octaves.

Large overhead lights flicked on.

The leader circled Christopher. "Come on, dweeb, you talked the talk inside. Let's see you walk the walk." As the leader spoke, he moved to punch Christopher in the kidneys. Quicker than lightning, Christopher spun around, grabbed the leader's hand, and flipped him over, so he landed on his back.

The move knocked the wind out of the guy, and he grabbed his chest, trying to suck in some air. His friends let out shouts of outrage and surprise, and then they all went after Christopher as one.

A barrage of punching and kicking, swearing and spinning, followed by the cracking of bones and howls of pain. Everything happened so fast I couldn't keep up, but it looked as though Christopher was winning. He obviously knew how to take care of himself.

Relief washed over me until I saw a flash of steel. One of them had a gun.

"You think you're a badass," the guy holding the gun said, his breath coming in ragged gasps, the arm not holding the firearm cradled against his stomach and blood streaming from his nose.

Everyone froze, including Christopher. Sickness wound through my belly.

"C'mon, don't," another guy said. "That's going too far, man. Put it away."

"Yeah, we can't kill the kid," another added.

"Don't hurt him," I shouted, my hands wringing against my sides. "Help!" I cried, even though it was useless. If anyone was in the parking lot, they already left or were hiding.

"Who says?" the guy holding the gun whispered, his voice filled with seething fury.

The gun went off with a loud pop like the cork of a champagne bottle, and Christopher dropped.

"You idiot!" the leader shouted.

"Let's get out of here," the guy with the gun said, kicking Christopher in the shins.

They took off running, and I floated, helpless, as a large pool of Christopher's blood emptied onto the asphalt. "No. No. No," I wailed, tears streaming down my cheeks. I'd never felt so useless in all my life. I closed my eyes, shaking my head. "If I'm dreaming, let me wake up," I choked out between sobs. When I opened my eyes, I hadn't moved. Sirens sounded in the distance. "Yes, hurry. Maybe he's still alive."

# Chapter 28

"There, there, young one," a soft, musical voice soothed. She seemed to appear out of thin air. She and two others wore black cloaks, large hoods covering their heads. As one, they glided over to Christopher and me. Frantic, I placed my body in front of him to block her, but she went right through me and knelt beside Christopher.

"Leave him alone!" I cried and was rewarded by a glare from the woman. She was breathtaking. Her lips were red as blood, her long hair black as a starless night sky, and her skin glowed the color of moonbeams.

"Come. We must turn him quickly," she ordered, and the other two figures knelt beside Christopher.

The first one gently gathered Christopher's head in her arms, tilted him so that his neck was exposed, and bit.

Vampires, I thought.

The other two sank their canines into each of his wrists.

A moan escaped Christopher, and he arched further toward the first vampire's mouth.

I understood. I'd done the same thing when Christopher first bit me. A vampire's bite was sensual regardless of whether or not the person was love-starved.

Seconds later, they withdrew, and the first spoke. "Rise!"

Christopher's eyes opened, and I inhaled. His irises glowed red.

"We must go," the first commanded, taking one of his hands. Right then, I knew who or what she was—the vampire queen.

A confused look clouded Christopher's features, but he nodded, and they all vanished into the night.

I expected to be pulled along after him, but that didn't happen. My ghostly body remained near the blood. The vampire queen, the other two women—probably worker vampires—left. And I remained. Alone.

For some reason, kusala and akusala, those strange words Christopher spoke to me last night, came to mind. Had those boys been evil, and the vampire queen good? Did she really save him? Sure, he still walked and talked and breathed. But at what cost? Had he become an empty shell? A plaything for the queen?

No! He was much more. He cared about me, didn't he? Frustrated, I crossed my arms, wondering why I was still there. I was about to take my misty carcass back to Christopher's house when I noticed something strange within Christopher's blood.

The wooden bear he'd carved.

Hovering so that my nose almost touched the statue, I peered at it carefully. It was stunning work, so precise, right down to its claws and the pupils in its eyes. Deep down, I knew that was the reason I witnessed what happened. Christopher needed the carving for some reason. I reached with one hand and grabbed for it. My fingers went right through. I tried again. Again. Again. And again. "Ugh, please. What do I need to do?" I pleaded. A tiny thought budded in my heart. Relax. I snorted and tried again, with both hands this time. My hands floated through. "Awwwww!" I'd never been so frustrated in all my life. Relax. "Fine." I breathed through my nose, held it a second, and let it out through my mouth. Relax. I breathed in, held, and blew out. The muscles in my shoulders loosened. The tension left my stomach. I reached for the carved bear, the buttery wood stained red with Christopher's blood, and... picked it up. "Yes!"

A light, irritating tapping repeated between my eyebrows near the bridge of my nose. "Snow. Snow White. You can move now. We have removed the toxins."

Arianna. I was back in Sharra.

"Christopher," I gasped, and stood, searching urgently for him. I needed to see him for myself. A flurry of pixilettes pulsated around me, my quick movements startling them. "Sorry," I said, breathing heavily. I stepped forward, and a wave of nausea rocked my body, making me dizzy.

"Easy, Frosty." Warm hands encircled my waist, and his soft chuckle tickled my ear. "I'm here."

I sank into him, pushing down a fearful cry. Christopher. My mind still clung to the awful experience I'd just witnessed. "I saw you," I said, my voice hushed.

"Saw me?" he repeated, touching his fingers to my forehead.

I turned in his arms and put a hand on his neck. The ache for his blood burned in my throat. "I watched you fight those awful men, and one shot you." His hands tightened, but I kept going. "I watched you become a vampire."

He winced and pushed my head against his chest. "Shush. You've had a traumatizing day."

I forced my head up. "No. Don't shush me. I'm telling you I saw... her. The vampire queen. She's the one who changed you." I wasn't sure how I knew, but there wasn't a doubt in my mind I'd seen the face of the vampire queen.

He dismissively shook his head, his gorgeous hazel eyes hooded, and his lips pursed in a smirk.

His attitude angered me and aroused my hunger. I wanted him, his blood, the way the queen took it. And before I could think further, I lunged at him, sinking my now extended, needle-sharp teeth into his warm, inviting throat. His arms circled me more tightly, holding me while I drank his blood.

# Chapter 29

When I'd had my fill, I pulled back. "Better?" he asked.

"Sorry," I said, knowing I'd taken without asking.

"Don't be. Feeling better?" He held me at arm's length, looking me over.

"Yes." I felt great. His blood did something to me. "But what I saw—"

He held up a hand, looking around. "We can discuss it later. Right now, you're supposed to be at Adam Henry's." My face was cupped between his hands. He kissed me gently. "I'll wait here until you get back, okay?"

"But how?" I paused, searching our surroundings, and realized we were standing in my kitchen. My head whirled, and I nodded. "You'd better be," I returned.

His eyes flicked to my throat. "It'll be my turn when you get back," he said, his voice low, husky, his thumbs stroking my skin, sending tingles all over my body. My stomach quivered in anticipation.

"I'd like that." I turned to leave but remembered the wooden bear. Opening my hand, I was slightly shocked to see I still had it. Most of it was covered in burgundy so dark it was almost black. His dried blood.

"What are you doing? Why aren't you—" He stopped, touching my hand. When he saw what I held, he sucked in a breath. "Where did you get that?"

"I told you I was there."

He crumbled, sagging to his knees. "How?"

I kneeled in front of him. "I don't know how or why, or even where I was, only that you were there, and, after she and the others left with you, I saw this lying in your blood and picked it up." I held my hand out. "For you."

He took it between his first finger and his thumb. "Thank you," he said, his eyes watery. Seconds later, he pulled me into an embrace, his arms crushing me to him. "You have no idea what this means," he whispered against my hair.

The force of his words, the ache, and urgency gave me some idea and caused me to tremble. "You're welcome, Christopher."

As quickly as he hugged me, he released me. "Go. We have a lot to talk about when you get back." He stood and pulled me with him.

"Okay, but... stay down here. No snooping." I didn't want him to see my childish room.

"What don't you want me to find?" he asked, planting a swift kiss on my mouth.

Gatsby made an appearance and started howling, winding between Christopher's legs and then mine.

"Make yourself useful and feed my cat," I said in mock irritation. He quirked a brow. "Just don't go in my room."

"Fine. No snooping." He swatted my butt. "Hurry. The sooner you get there, the sooner you'll be back."

I yelped my cheeks hot. "Dude." I left, running at lightning speed over to Professor Pops' house without tripping once.

When I knocked on the door to Professor Pops' house, Daniel answered immediately. "Bout time, Snow. Gabe's been chomping at the bit."

"Gabe?" I said. Fear raced through me. "I-I thought Dorian was training me today."

"Change of plans. You better get down there."

"Right, thanks, Daniel." I hurried, jogging down the stairs and past the Museum of the Supernatural, into the room filled with weapons. Gabe's angry gaze found mine and slammed my feet to a stop.

"Where were you?" he demanded.

"Hey, chill, bossy pants. I'm here now," I said, releasing some nervous energy.

His expression softened. "Sorry. I was worried." He held the longer sword—what had Professor Pops called it? A katana?—in one hand. Then came around and stood extra close so that his body hugged mine. "Let's begin." He took my right hand and placed the sword in it. I bit my cheek, suddenly nervous.

He doesn't want you. He doesn't want you. He doesn't want you. The words sounded over and over in my mind.

"Your heart is beating so fast. Are you... craving my blood?" His face was so close to mine; I could feel his five o'clock shadow, not to mention the pounding of his pulse. And I realized he was scared.

Of me.

That knowledge hurt.

"No, I'm nervous about being so close to the blade," I lied.

He swallowed, a loud gulping of his fear. Why choose to train me if he was afraid? Gabe might as well shove that pointy stake into my heart. Stepping away, I turned. "How about you demonstrate the correct way to hold it, and I'll copy you?"

I watched his jaws clench. He nodded. "Spread your feet shoulder's width apart."

I did as he said.

"Now, bend your knees."

As I bent them, he walked over, set the sword on the counter, and then came over to me.

Yeah, it's still just me. Your best friend. Sheesh! "Like this?" I asked scowling.

He pressed a hand against one of my butt cheeks. "Tuck that under and hold in your lower abdomen."

I tried to do as he said, but it felt weird. What was up with two guys touching my butt within a few minutes.

"Come on, Snow. It's not that difficult," he said, his voice harsh.

Anger snapped to attention and bloomed like a rose in my chest. Why was he acting so rude? "I've never done anything like this before, so forgive me if I'm not a pro in two point five seconds, Gabriel."

"Well, hello there, Snowflake." He smirked, and I realized he'd been goading me on purpose.

He picked up his sword and took another off the wall, handing it to me. I took it and glared.

"During battle, anger is good, necessary in fact, but it must be controlled." He'd started to circle me, and my senses heightened. I copied the way he held his blade and followed him. "If you can learn to control your anger, you'll be a force to reckon with."

I snorted. "What about tripping over my feet?"

He stopped. "C'mon, Snow. This is serious. You've got to be prepared. The hunter is working to make sure you become the next queen. And others," he waved his unarmed hand upward, "are planning your demise. Either way, your life could end soon—unless you fight for it."

The poisonous arrow Christopher pulled from my leg crossed my thoughts. Gabe was right. "Ugh. Fine," I snapped. "Stop chitchatting and show me what to do!"

# Chapter 30

After an hour and a half of training, I finally started to get the hang of how to stand with my butt and stomach tucked in. I figured out how to hold the blade correctly—not too tight, not too soft, and move with more agility. I didn't stumble or cut myself once. Even Gabe had been impressed.

By the time we finished, Gabe had lightened up, and though the training was intense, I felt like, on a personal level, he and I were better. Maybe back to being friends.

"Good job, Snowflake," he said, placing the blades on the wall. "You surprise me."

"Gee, thanks," I replied, my voice thick with sarcasm, but the compliment made me lightheaded.

He tossed a white hand towel at me. I caught it and patted my forehead. The front of Gabe's grey shirt clung to his flat stomach. His arms and neck glistened with sweat. I'd worked just as hard as he had, but I hardly perspired. You're a revenant now, that's why. For some reason, the thought made me smile. Yes. I. Am!

Gabe lifted a brow, questioning my sudden silly grin. He draped the towel around his neck and hung on. Even sweaty, he was handsome. "I've got to hit the books, so I'll see you tomorrow."

My smile deflated. "Oh, okay. Later."

As he walked by, he patted my arm.

Great, we're back to awkward. I followed him out, and Gabe locked the door. "I'll be by to take you to school in the morning," he said, sounding odd. I wanted to shake him, forcefully require him to get over his weirdness, and bring back my best friend. Instead, I waved to his retreating back.

After he left, I browsed around the Museum of the Supernatural, casually checking out each creature, but I'd already decided which one I wanted to research first.

The hunter.

I hadn't forgotten the look on Christopher's face when he saw the carved bear. It'd been a mixture of excitement, fear, and joy. That had to mean something, didn't it? I wanted to see if the answers to my questions, including why finding something belonging to Christopher before he'd turned, could be valuable.

I opened the drawer next to the statue of the hunter vampire, pulled out the book, and placed it on the strange podium in the center of the room. "Chapter one," I said, and the pages flipped until they reached the correct page. On the facing page was a full-color picture of a young man. He looked to be of Asian descent, with deep olive skin, black eyes, and long black hair. He posed regally in a navy-blue robe decorated with intricate designs. He seemed familiar. Something about the eyes. Under the picture was a caption: Kenmei Yamata.

"Kenmei," I murmured, and started to read.

_Before the time of man, vampires ruled the earth. They lived in harmony with all creatures, great and small: the trolls, and the goblins, the pixies, and the pixilettes. The dragons of the air and of the sea. The griffin and the mermaid. The elf and the dwarf. After a thousand years, one vampire rose up from the rest, her magic more potent than all others. She was beautiful, the most beautiful in the land. Creatures fell at her feet to worship her. She was also greedy, hungry for power, her heart filled with enmity for all. She subjected others to her authority and became the vampire queen._

_But some resisted, and war broke out. Both sides suffered abundant losses. In the end, the vampire queen and her followers were forced into hiding._

_Then came the time of man._

_Discovering their usefulness, the queen created the first hunter._

"Kenmei was the first hunter," I whispered, remembering the conversation between Professor Pops, Kenmei, and me.

"That's right," Professor Pops said, and I jumped. I hadn't heard him come in.

Recovering, I closed the book. "So, vampires lived before humans?" I asked swallowing. "They didn't start out human?"

"If by human, you mean like we are now, then no." He shook his head, moving closer to the book. "Appendix A," he said. The book quietly flipped toward the back, its pages stirring the air with the smell of old paper. When it stopped, I unconsciously recoiled from the pictures on the page, finding it difficult to grasp what I saw.

"What are those things?" I finally asked. The creatures had dark and hairy bodies. Their arms and legs were the same lengths, similar in proportion to an ape. Large pointy claws extended from their appendages, and spreading from their backs were sets of glittering web-like wings. That wasn't even the oddest part. Their heads were human, covered in smooth skin the color of a baby fawn.

Cherubic, I thought. The faces of angels. Each one seemed more attractive, more exquisite than the one before. The eye colors ranged from blue to violet, to yellow, to orange. The hair growing from their heads matched their eye color, as did their lips.

"Those, Snow, are what vampires looked like in the beginning."

"They're creepy, yet somehow... regal. It's weird." I crossed my arms, desperate to hold in my emotions.

Professor Pops chuckled, and the warmth of his laugh calmed me. "I understand." He placed a hand on my shoulder. "That's enough for today. Why don't you head on home? Gabe said you did well during training."

"He did?" Maybe he was more comfortable with me than I thought.

"Yes, he did. Now get some rest, and I'll see you after school tomorrow."

"Okay. Plus, I've got a lot of homework to do." Christopher flashed across my mind, and my legs turned to mush. Jogging toward the bottom of the stairs, I stopped before going up. "See ya, Professor Pops."

"Actually, one more thing."

"Yes," I said, turning. Maybe he decided to share more.

His countenance changed to sadness, or maybe concern. "As your protector, I'm here for you. No matter what. You understand that, right?"

Did he somehow know what I was doing with my hunter? I hoped not. How humiliating. I didn't want to discuss that—my feelings—with him or anyone else.

Thankful for the low lighting in the room, I gulped. "Yes, thank you. It's good to hear the words. I'll remember."

His tense face calmed. "Good." He rubbed his fingers against his jawline, making a scratching sound. "And..." he paused, and I stopped breathing. Did he expect us to talk now? I couldn't. No way.

But I didn't need to worry. His features softened, and whatever he'd been about to say died before he spoke. "Have you had a chance to look through the book of dresses I sent over with the boys? Did you notice the red one near the back? That's the one I'd pick for you."

Confused, I racked my brain a moment until I followed. He was talking about my birthday party. I hadn't spotted a red dress, but then I hadn't gone through the entire book yet. I wanted to tell him the red dress would be perfect just to get the whole ordeal over with. I did not understand fashion. But, if Cindy found out I had an exclusive book full of couture dresses and hadn't let her look through it? My life would be over.

"Near the back?" I repeated, placing a foot on the bottom step.

"That's right."

"I'll be sure to check it out and let you know in the next couple of days. Will that be okay?"

"Of course." Professor Pops waved me away, and I took the remaining stairs two at a time.

On my way out of the house, I said good-bye to five of the seven brothers. Dorian and Gabe weren't around, which reminded me that I hadn't heard from Cindy since chemistry. I really hoped she was okay.

I glanced at the stars in the brisk night air, each one so bright, like the moon. Inhaling, I tried to calm myself. The thought of being alone with Christopher did things to me—to my heart and low in my belly. I crossed through our yards, hurrying through the thick trees and brush. When I reached the stairs leading up to my back porch, I noticed several lights in the house turned on—upstairs, too. He'd snooped.

My heart skipped several beats as I flung the door open. "I'm back, Chri—" For a moment, I think my heart stopped. Sitting at the dining room table were my dad and stepmother.

"Hello, dear," my stepmother said, a cruel smile lifting her lips. "Surprise."

# Chapter 31

"Dad. Vivianne. You're home." I wanted to rush over and hug my dad, but my stepmother's scowl held me in place. Where was Christopher? Had he heard them come home and left? I hoped so.

"Hi, Snow-Angel," Dad said slowly, clearing his throat. He looked good, more in shape, though he still dressed like an undercover TV cop—Hawaiian shirt, cargo shorts, and socks with sandals. He was tan with natural blond streaks in his otherwise dark hair. His face crinkled near his eyes from smiling. He and my stepmother sat across the dining table from each other, dozens of bags piled between them. Apparently, there'd been shopping on their trip.

Gatsby darted from under the table and wound around my legs, yowling for his dinner.

"Don't you feed him? He's too skinny," Vivianne said. She wore a pair of white shorts and a light blue tank. One tanned leg was crossed over the other, and her wedge-sandaled foot bounced rhythmically. She was a lot younger than my dad, closer to my age than his. Not a single wrinkle marred her perfect complexion. Each platinum blond hair on her head rested in place.

"Of course I do. Twice a day, every day." I grabbed Gatsby's kibble from under the sink, poured some into his bowl, and then refilled his water. Finished, I went to my dad, who rose from the table and shuffled his feet awkwardly near the counter. "How was your trip?" I asked, hugging him and inhaling his sandalwood aftershave. The scent filled me with comfort and reminded me of a time before my stepmother entered the picture.

Vivianne placed a hand on my shoulder. "Good. We're only here a short time. Then it's back to work." She hooked a finger in my shirt. "Why do you insist on wearing boy clothes?" She'd said boy as though it tasted like acid on her tongue.

I pulled away. "They're comfortable."

She balked, walking over to the table. As she dug through the bags, I eyed my dad. "You have to leave again so soon?"

"Not for a few weeks. By the time we go, you'll be sick of us." He hugged me again, and I held him tightly.

Our house didn't show it, but my dad was sort of a business mogul. Cindy said our family had more money than God. I'd done an Internet search on my dad once and discovered he owned a private jet, kept a building in Boston, and owned more than a dozen vacation resorts all over the world. But I'd never seen his offices, been to his resorts, flown on one of his planes, or, well... felt rich. Dad didn't act like a wealthy man. Didn't dress like one either.

Even though our house was small and hidden by trees, it had been built in a pretentious neighborhood in the early eighteen hundreds. The smallest on the block, most people around us, like Professor Pops, had purchased the land, torn down what stood on it, and rebuilt, which meant that mansions surrounded our little house.

And then there was my stepmother's strange love of all things fairytale. The décor inside our house could be mistaken for a gift shop rather than a multimillionaire tycoon's residence.

Dad had been around more before my mom died. Now he rarely stayed home longer than a few weeks at a time.

"I could never get sick of you. I miss you when you're gone," I whispered. No doubt I'd be sick of Vivianne, but certainly not my dad. I loved him. When he was around, I felt content and happy. Hugging him tighter, I swallowed a sigh.

Vivianne cleared her throat. "How's Track going? Won any races yet?" Her expression was one of amusement, and I bit back a retort.

"Not yet, maybe soon." I shrugged. My dad and stepmother weren't around enough to know if I'd grown less klutzy, so I had no problem letting them believe that their insistence that I be on the track team was paying off.

"Really? You've figured out how to put one foot in front of the other without tripping?" she asked, giving my body a once over.

"I—" I didn't know how to respond. It wasn't like I could spill about becoming a revenant. Viv especially would freak and talk my dad into sending me to an asylum. Don't get me wrong. Dad had a backbone. For some reason, though, he always bent to her will.

"Leave her be," my dad growled, his eyes flashing with anger. I would've cheered except he immediately turned contrite. "I'm sure Snow is doing a fine job in Track. Aren't you, Snow-Angel?"

I brushed my bangs out of my eyes. "It's getting better," I replied, nodding to my dad.

"Happy birthday, Snow."

Her words surprised me. It wasn't my birthday for a while still. "Thanks," I said, glancing at my dad again. His smile was tight.

Viv held a formal lavender dress in her hands. I had no idea what the materials were called, but the spaghetti strapped bodice was shiny, and the bottom half reminded me of a fluffy lavender cloud. The dress sparkled as though diamonds frolicked within the layers. A broad grin spread over her face. "What do you think?"

Tentatively I stepped forward, touching the little lavender rose belt cinched around the waist. "It's beautiful." I didn't want to overly encourage Viv. "Where am I going to wear this?"

She huffed, exasperated. "Mr. Henry told us about the birthday party he's planned for you." She turned and walked back to the table. From a bag, she pulled out something wrapped in tissue paper. "Hold this," she said, handing my dad the dress. After he took it, Viv carefully removed the white paper, producing a stunning mask, decorated in glittering beads of lilac, teal, and fuchsia the same shades as several soft-looking feathers that protruded from one side. The beading around the eyes was black. "Mr. Henry said the party theme was a masked ball." She touched a delicate feather. "This mask is from Milan and cost more than most people make in a year."

My dad grumbled, uncomfortable. He didn't like to talk about money.

"You'll look lovely. The black beading will bring out your stunning blue eyes," Viv added, ignoring him.

I reached out, drawn to the colorful beading. Viv slapped my hand away. "Wash your hands first." She took the dress from my dad. "I hope this fits you. It's hard to tell under all those baggy clothes."

"What size is it?" I asked, drying my wet hands on a towel.

"Tut-tut. Go try it on." I took the dress and went upstairs. There wasn't a tag or a size in the dress. Viv probably didn't know.

When I entered my room, I casually peeked around before closing my door. "Christopher. Charming, are you here?" I checked my bathroom, the shower, my closet, even under my bed. He wasn't there. My stomach sank. He must've left. I hoped he'd come back later—after they went to bed.

"Snow! Hurry up," Viv shouted.

"Okay." I tore off my clothes and cautiously stepped into the dress, zipping up the side. I went to the full-length mirror and twirled side to side, watching the dress glimmer. It fit perfectly.

"Snow!" Viv hollered again.

"Keep your hair on," I muttered, opening the door. At the top of the stairs, I paused.

Viv noticed me first. "Snow, you look amazing." She clutched her hands together.

"Yes, you do. Like royalty," Dad chimed in.

Viv gave him a dark glance. Then she scowled in my direction. "Come down. Let me see you close up."

I walked down the stairs. Before I reached the bottom, her hands were on me, pulling and tugging. I hoped she didn't rip any of the material. "It isn't perfect, but you'll do," she said when she finished. "I wouldn't want anyone at the party thinking we're cheap."

I wiped the grin off my face and nodded. I didn't bother mentioning that Professor Pops had brought me a book filled with Vera Wang designs and that I would be wearing one of those dresses if any dress at all. "Well, I'm tired. I'm going to bed." I gave Viv an awkward hug. "Thank you for the dress. It's gorgeous. I love it." I wasn't completely lying. If it had been another color, it would've been perfect.

She patted my arm. "Of course." She moved back over to the bags, rifling through them again.

Dad pressed me to him.

"Thank you, Dad."

"You're welcome, Snow-Angel. Good night."

"Night." Before I started up, Viv brought over a hanger nestled in a garment bag along with the bag that held the mask. "Put the dress in here and make sure the mask is somewhere safe." She pressed them into my outstretched hands.

"I will."

# Chapter 32

Gatsby followed me upstairs and jumped on my bed. He curled himself into a ball, his blue-grey eyes watching me. "Do you think you're underfed?" He licked his mouth. "Definitely not. You're a perfect size. Quite handsome."

I hung up the garment bag and placed the sack holding the mask on the shelf above my clothes. Carefully I stepped out of the dress and hung it up inside the garment bag.

After pulling on a cherry tank and a black pair of PJ pants, I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and climbed into bed. I tucked my hands under my pillow. My fingers brushed against... something. Rolling to my stomach, I lifted the pillow. There was a red gem in the shape of a teardrop attached to a long silver chain. It was about the size of my thumb.

Under the necklace rested a piece of paper with a note scrawled on it. I flipped on the lamp next to my bed.

_Frosty, I'd intended to wait until your birthday party to give you the necklace, but I may not be able to make it. So, I'm giving it to you now. The gem is filled with magic, like you. Wear it always, please. It'll keep you safe. I'll see you soon._

_Your hunter,_

_Christopher._

I read the note several times. Each pass caused my heart to constrict in pain. He wouldn't be able to make it to my party? It was more than a month away. Would he be gone that long? I eased the delicate chain over my head, watching the gem glint against the filtered light.

"It's beautiful," I whispered.

Gatsby came over and rubbed his head against my hand, purring. I scratched him behind the ears. "I'll be fine, kitty." Folding the note, I tucked it under the lampstand and turned off the light. Gatsby nudged me, a not so subtle hint that he still wanted to be petted. With a sigh, I accommodated and thought about the last time I'd seen Christopher. We'd been in my kitchen. He was excited, stunned, and happy about the wooden bear. "What's going on?" Weary after a long day, I closed my eyes. My mind wandered back through all I'd done. School. Track. Going to Sharra. Meeting the pixilettes, weapons training, and then my dad and stepmother. It felt like I'd lived a week in one day. I hadn't done any homework, though. Not good. Hopefully, I'd be able to get it done tomorrow during classes.

"Snow White, come closer." Her voice seemed to whisper inside my mind.

The room was round with walls made of rectangular rocks. A darkened window prevented any light from entering. The vampire queen sat on a large throne decorated in jewels that twinkled in the light from the candelabras. All around the room sat others—all women. They seemed angry, their rage barely contained. Their eyes gleamed a golden yellow like the sun.

Had she brought me here? "Is this Sharra?" I asked, working to keep my focus on her and not the others. They frightened me, their gazes following my every move.

The queen smiled, flashing her sharpened canines. She was so beautiful it hurt. The images I saw in the book at the Museum of the Supernatural invaded my mind—ape bodies and bat-like wings with their faces human-looking. She'd looked like that at one point. I wondered if those kinds of vampires still existed or if they all died.

"I see Christopher has been enlightening you. Yes, this is Sharra, a realm of my creation." A long, old-fashioned gown hugged her curvy body and spread out around her in tones of emerald and pine. Black ribbing crisscrossed the bodice. Her thick raven-black hair was done up in hundreds of curls, a diamond tiara peeking out in front. An emerald choker captured her neck. Thick black lashes framed iridescent blue eyes, and her lips shone red as blood, as did her long manicured nails. "Come closer so I can look at you."

My body responded to her alluring voice, and I moved forward. Would she take me now? Had my time run out already? I wasn't prepared. At least, according to Professor Pops, I still needed to drink my true love's blood. As one of the marked, that was how I was to change.

Gathering confidence, I lifted my chin. "What do you want?" My question angered the other vampires. They launched out of their chairs, hissing and revealing their fangs as they stalked toward me. There was no escape. I was surrounded. A quick look at the queen revealed she was smiling. Did that mean she was through with me? She wanted her vampires to tear me to shreds? To drink me dry? But I wasn't ready to die. Not even close. "No. Stop," I shouted, glaring at her with determination. It dawned on me suddenly that I was still in my PJs, but I didn't have time to be self-conscious. The vampires closed in, circling me. They were so close I caught their cloying, too-sweet scent, but they didn't attack. It was like they were trying to scare me, not actually eat me. Their tactics were working. I was scared, and I crossed my arms over my face. In that same instant, a red light exploded from my palms into the vampire nearest me. She burst into flames.

"Whoa!"

Those closest to her screamed and ran when some of the flames touched them, their bodies blackening. The others froze, their beautifully fanged faces filled with apprehension.

"No, don't hurt them!" the vampire queen shrieked. I almost laughed though nothing about the situation was funny.

She had been bluffing.

I bolted upright, throwing off the covers and frightening Gatsby. "Sorry, boy," I whispered, trying to calm my racing heart. Heading into the bathroom, I filled a cup with water and chugged it down. A movement from behind startled me, and my heart pulsed. Something was in my room, near the window. And like an idiot, I moved closer. It was a squat creature, like a big blob of mud with yellow cat eyes. "Are you real?"

It opened its mouth. A bright pink tongue licked two slits that I figured could be its nose. "She sees me," it said in a raspy voice.

"Yes, I see you. Is there someone else here?" I quickly scanned the room. Gatsby stood on my bed, his back arched, and hissed.

"Magic, my queen. The girl possesses magic." Moving more rapidly than I believed possible, it opened my window and jumped.

"Wait!" I called going to the window. The creature bounded across my back lawn like a giant toad and disappeared into the thick brush that lined the property.

# Chapter 33

The next morning after getting ready, I went downstairs and was surprised to find Vivianne in the kitchen, cooking breakfast. She had on a pair of sweatpants with the word SEXY in bold letters across her butt and a matching hot pink hoodie. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail.

"Pancakes sound okay?" she asked, smiling. She seemed so young.

"Um, sure." I'd been vegan since Viv and my dad married. I wondered if she'd made the pancakes vegan friendly. Something told me she'd fixed them her way. And, really, did it matter anymore? All I wanted was blood. Christopher's blood. Regular food no longer appealed to me in any form.

At the thought of Christopher, I touched the gem teardrop under my shirt. A dark expression darted across Vivianne's features as she gave my clothes the once over. Faded jeans and a sky-blue tee shirt. The Pillsbury Dough Boy winked from my chest. It took an enormous effort not to ask her what her problem was. This was one of my favorite shirts.

"Have a seat." She indicated a stool under the counter with the spatula in her hand.

"Thanks, Viv. You didn't need to do this. I could've made myself something." Like my tea. I'd put the bloodlust mixture in a white stoneware canister with the words Brown Sugar across the front and left it on the counter. I moved a loaf of bread, and a mustard yellow bowl filled with red apples and sat. "Have you seen the brown sugar canister?" I asked, opening the cupboards.

She didn't answer, and I turned to catch her watching me, her face unreadable.

"Yes, dear. I threw the contents in the sink and tossed out the canister. It stank." Viv shrugged. "Whatever you had in there couldn't have been any good. I know you're a health nut, and I'm fine with that, but I won't have you doing drugs in this house."

How did she get to drugs? "They were herbs. For a tea I need." I ran over to the sink, but it was empty. Fear swallowed me. I didn't know if my lack of lust for blood was because I drank from Christopher or the tea, and I didn't want to find out. Come to think of it, I hadn't had any of his blood or the drink in over twenty-four hours. I breathed in and was relieved to realize that, though I could smell her blood, it didn't cause a craving.

"Sure, whatever you say. I know how the kids are now. They think because that stuff is legal, it's okay to do whatever you want. But not in this house. Not while I'm around." She gave me her signature, wicked smile. "Sorry, Snow." She indicated a plate where she'd just put a pancake. "Why don't you sit and eat?"

I was furious and ground my hands into fists, forcing back the words I wanted to say. "No, thanks. I've got to get to school." I grabbed my backpack from the dining table and ran out the back door. At the bottom of the stairs, I remembered I hadn't fed Gatsby. No way was I going back in there, though. He'd be okay. Maybe my dad was right: I'd be glad to see him go because it meant he'd take Viv with him.

I crossed the yard, making my way to Professor Pops' house. I hoped he was home. I needed to explain the tea situation. Hopefully, he could get some more from Kenmei. Seconds after I knocked on the door, Bart answered. He wore dark jeans and a white button-down shirt. His blond hair was still a little damp, probably from a shower.

"Hey, Snow. Come on in."

"Thanks." I stepped into the high-ceilinged foyer, admiring the enormous sparkling chandelier while he closed the door. "Is Professor Pops around? I need to talk to him."

"Yep, in the kitchen. Don't freak out, but there's a meat extravaganza in there. We didn't know you were coming." He looked guilty.

I laughed. My veganism was moot at this point anyway. "It's okay. I know you guys eat meat." Then I leaned away, trying to ignore his beating heart. "Besides, with me being a revenant and everything, I probably shouldn't worry about the whole vegan thing anymore, ya know?"

"True. I forgot." He sauntered into the kitchen, and I followed him.

The smell of cooking meat—bacon, sausage, and eggs—pummeled my senses, and I bit back nausea. Maybe I was still Vegan after all.

"Look who it is," Bart said, taking a seat at the sleek table filled with food.

Eight sets of eyes bored into me, each man in various stages of consuming their breakfast.

"Hi, guys." I raised my hand, giving them an embarrassed wave.

"Snow," Professor Pops rose, placing his napkin on the table. "Is everything okay?"

I shook my head. It wasn't, for several reasons, many of which had to do with my stepmother. "Can I talk to you privately a second?" I didn't want to worry the guys, have them think I'd become a blood-sucking crazy pants who would try to bite them, or worse.

"Sure," he said, glancing back at the boys. "There'd better be two slices of bacon left when I get back."

He was a vampire. How could he like the taste of food? Didn't he still need blood? Oh, the questions. My head hurt.

"Let's go into my study."

I followed him down the airy hall and into his office. "What's happened?" he asked, closing the door.

"Nothing. Yet." I absently stroked the old wooden desk next to my leg. "It's just my dad and stepmother came home last night." That wasn't how I meant to open. I'd planned on getting right to the point. I needed bloodlust tea.

Professor Pops let out a frustrated huff. "How is that going?"

"Viv threw away my bloodlust tea," I blurted, worried he was mad.

Warmth soothed his features though there was some irritation. Vivianne tended to cause that reaction in people. "That woman." He went around to the business side of his desk and sat in a sizeable camel-colored leather chair. "Have a seat," he said.

I obeyed and watched him dial a number on his cell phone.

"Kenmei-sensei. It's Adam." There was a pause, and a smile flitted across his lips. "I'm well, old friend." Another pause. "It seems we require some more of your special tea." Pause. His lips pressed together in a thin line. "Yes." Pause. "Great. I'll send one of the boys by to pick it up later today." A longer pause. "Are you sure?" Pause. "Great, I'll see you then." He hung up the phone, rested his hands on the large calendar on his desk, and gave me a wary look. "Kenmei-sensei will bring the tea by later today. He's also asked that he be the one to train you this afternoon."

Nervous flutters pirouetted across my tummy. The man was scary, but my fear came from more than knowing the oldest hunter would be training me. I was also worried about school. "Great," I said, knowing I should go, but I wasn't ready.

"Will you be alright at school?" His intense gaze bored into me.

"Yes. I think so. Thank you, Professor Pops." I forced myself not to fidget under his contemplation. For some reason, Christopher's face appeared in my mind. He wouldn't be in chemistry or at lunch or track practice. I swallowed sadly. In the past few days, he'd become my ally, my friend, the only person I wanted to be around.

"Excellent." He came around to the door. "Take care."

I readjusted my backpack. "I will." My voice belied the apprehension I harbored.

He smiled kindly. "Don't worry. You'll be fine. I'm sure of it."

We made our way back into the kitchen. The guys were mostly done eating and were packing up to leave. I searched for Gabe, but he'd gone.

"Dorian, will you give Snow a ride to school?" Professor Pops asked.

"I'd love to." Mischief twinkled in his eyes. That's how Gabe used to be. I thought of the night Gabe helped me up after I fell in the parking lot at Warehouse Video. That wasn't very many days ago—maybe five? It felt like a lifetime. As I followed Dorian to the garage and got in his beefy black Mustang, my thoughts turned to Cindy. "Did you ever hear back from Cindy?" I asked as he started the car, and it roared to life.

Distress or sorrow crossed his face but was gone immediately. "Yes. She's fine. I believe a dude was involved like everyone thought. No biggie."

Dorian was lying. Why? The teardrop gem warmed under my shirt, and I grabbed hold of it.

"Really?" I asked, not sure how to call him on the lie. "You heard from her, her actual voice?"

"I've talked to her, Snow." His voice betrayed the sarcasm oozing over his words.

His heart pounded—steady, but was it faster than usual? I wasn't sure. Taking a deep breath, I caught a whiff of his aftershave. He smelled good. Clean. Appealing.

His blood sang me a sultry song. My mouth watered. I'll be fine, I told myself, covering my nose and mouth with my hand.

"You alright, Snow?" He glanced at me, his eyes full of concern.

"Sure. I rest my hand over my nose and mouth all the time," I mumbled, irritated.

Illumination dilated his eyes. He knew what I needed, what I wanted. The way the muscles in his thighs and shoulders tensed told me as much.

My face heated and I looked away, out the window at the houses and trees zipping by.

"Snow, I told you if you ever needed blood, I'd gladly let you take from me." The car slowed, and he pulled over to the side of the road. He shut off the engine and scooted beside me. "Go ahead," he said, his voice soft.

Shocked, I watched him, studying his face, my eyes lingering on his lips. He swallowed, and my gaze shifted to his fully exposed neck. His pulse beat loudly, begging me to take what I wanted. Mesmerized, I took hold of his arms, and my canines grew. "Dorian." I heard the word leave my mouth but didn't recognize my voice.

In answer, he placed his hands on either side of my face. "Please. I want you to," he said, his words heavy with emotion.

I inhaled through my nose, enjoying the appealing scent of his skin. He smelled different than Christopher. Simple. Earthy. It was more than that, but I couldn't place the smell. I just knew it had my mouth watering. Before I realized what I was doing, I slowly licked his neck. Tasting his skin.

Dorian pressed his neck against my tongue, his pulse beating faster. His movements sent a lightning bolt of lust low in my belly. My teeth lightly grazed his neck, and Dorian's fingers moved to my hair, tangling in the strands. "Yes. Oh, please. Yes." He tugged me onto his lap, and my lust grew. His scent was heady, intoxicating. Professor Pops said I'd drink from a human, and Dorian was begging me to. How could I resist? Why?

At that moment, I made a decision. I would taste Dorian's blood. I ran my fangs along his neck, ready to sink them in—

A red light shot between us like a flash of lightning. We both jumped, and I screamed.

Dorian's eyes remained glazed a moment longer before he snapped out of it. He cleared his throat, shaking his head. "What was that?"

"I'm not sure," I responded, pressing my back into the seat, clutching my hands into fists. "We'd better get to school. We don't want to be late." I worked to calm my desires.

He glanced at the clock. "You're right, but remember, I'm here if you need me." He slid back over to his side of the car, turning on the engine before pulling back onto the road.

"Thank you, Dorian." I leaned my head against the window and caught sight of someone in the side view mirror. Dressed like a hunter in fairytales—brown trousers, brown leather boots, a forest green shirt opened at the collar. Around his hips was cinched a leather belt, another strapped over his shoulder. The face was hidden in the shadows, but the way he held himself seemed vaguely familiar. My first thought was of Christopher, but I brushed it aside. It couldn't be him. Had the man seen what I'd almost done? Would he have tried to stop me? Panic glided up my spine.

Dorian gave me a sidelong glance. "I'll be training you after school today."

"Cool," I said, forcing my lips into a smile. No sense telling him I'd actually be training with Kenmei. He'd find out soon enough.

# Chapter 34

Dorian had been right about Cindy. She was already in chemistry, sitting in her seat. She glanced up as I ambled past our table.

" _Konnichiwa_ ," she said.

My eyebrows lifted in question, though for some reason I understood she'd said hello—good afternoon specifically—in Japanese. _Ohayo gozaimasu_ meant good morning. My heart lurched with anxiety. Maybe the pendant?

"That means hello in Japanese," she said, her face filled with pride. "I'm soooooo over French. The language is," she paused and shrugged before continuing, "boring."

I hid a smile. Once the newness of a language wore off and started to get tricky, she moved on. "Hey, yourself," I responded. "What happened to you yesterday? I was worried." I sat on my stool.

She looked irritated a moment but waved it off. "I had some stuff to do."

I snorted, only slightly irritated. "Flirting with a boy kind of stuff?" I asked, pulling out my binder and book and flopping them on the table.

She twirled some of her blond hair in her fingers and winked. "So, what's going on with you and Charming?" She nodded toward his empty chair, and my heart dropped into my stomach. He'd left. I didn't know where, but he'd said he wasn't coming back for a while.

"Nothing." That was true enough now that he was gone.

Cindy let out an exasperated grunt and rolled her eyes. The girl was way too perceptive.

"Fine, I like him, but it's nothing big." I felt for the gem hanging under my shirt and wrapped my fingers over it. I crave his blood, but that's it. Really.

"Wait, I thought you liked Gabe." She was giving me whiplash worse than I was giving it to myself.

Irritation squished her features for the briefest moment. "I'm over him, too." She opened her notebook.

I laughed nervously. "Oh, well, have you seen Chri—Chace?" I might as well pretend I didn't know he'd left.

"No." She shook her head for emphasis. "Haven't seen him." Her voice caught as she spoke the words. She was lying. Before I could control my expression, my eyes scrunched together, accusing. "What?' she said. "I haven't seen him since yesterday." Cindy turned away, fiddling with the ragged edges of her notebook paper.

The bell rang, and Mr. Wallace, ever the timely teacher, walked in and started class. He passed out an assignment and began talking, but I wasn't listening. When the bell rang, Cindy was out of her seat and at the door before I'd picked up my backpack. Taking a deep breath, I walked out of class alone.

At lunch, I sat in my usual spot. The guys made their way over. Gabe and Cindy entered the cafeteria together and got in the lunch line. They were talking, their words and gestures animated. Cindy reddened. I gripped my plastic fork so tight it snapped in two. It sure as hell didn't look like she was over him. The guys, who'd been talking randomly, glanced at me.

Dorian eyed my broken fork. "What's up, Snow?" When I didn't answer, he turned to see what made me so upset. "Don't worry about them," he said, clearing his throat. "It's nothing."

I nodded and tried to focus on the mandarin orange cup I'd chosen for lunch. It wasn't right to be jealous. I knew that. Christopher—even thinking his name punched a hole in my gut—and I were secretly doing things that didn't make it right for me to be green-eyed, but I was.

Gabe brushed Cindy's hair from her face, and that was the last straw. My mind zeroed in on Gabe like a stalker with binoculars. Adjusting my senses, I listened to his rapidly beating heart. Smelled the scent of his body wash, the decadent aroma of his blood, his skin. I heard him talking.

"Want to come with me to Warehouse Video after school? We could grab a coffee and talk," he said to Cindy.

Cindy laughed. The one she used when she flirted. "Okay. My shift at Bertilini's ends at seven. Can we meet after that?"

He smiled. My heart broke.

"Sure. I'll pick you up."

Cindy nodded. "Great." She selected some food and scanned the room, her eyes finding mine. I heard the intake of her breath and could only imagine the emotion plastered on my face. Anger. Fury. Possibly avocado—the shade of sick jealousy.

Gabe must've heard her because he glanced up before following her gaze.

"Snow, chill. Really. You don't understand," Dorian said, squeezing my hand.

I yanked my hand away. "No. I understand completely. And it hurts." I picked up my tray. "See you later."

I heard Cindy call my name but couldn't answer. Fury like I'd never experienced boiled in my veins. The lunchroom turned hazy. Every heartbeat pounded through me, hundreds of harmonized drums. The intoxicating scent of every person's blood in that room packed my veins, but most especially Cindy's. I somehow knew which was hers, and I wanted to drain her—not in the way I'd thought about drinking from Dorian. Not even close. I wanted her blood to be mine. I wanted her dead. That knowledge rocked me with guilt, with fear, but mostly with exhilaration. Professor Pops' words entered my thoughts. "The more blood you drink, the more like a vampire you'll become. It's like anything in life; if you work to keep yourself as human as possible, that part of you will remain, will be the strongest. If you consume human blood, the way a vampire does, that part of you will become the strongest." I knew if I drank from Cindy, I'd kill her. The way I was fuming, I wouldn't stop until she was dead. It didn't matter that she was my best friend.

I had to get out of there. Someplace quiet.

The library.

I hurried inside, searching for a place to hide in the back. There was a lone free table, and I dropped my backpack on it before falling into the chair. The haze still blurred my vision. I took several deep breaths, filling my nose with the scent of dusty books. Another breath. I rested my arms on the table and dropped my forehead onto them as hot tears spilled from my eyes. I couldn't do this. I didn't want to. Maybe it would be better if the vampire queen took my body now. All I had to do was drink my true love's blood... And kill him.

"No!" I whispered fiercely. Taking a deep breath, I pushed away the desires for Cindy's blood, my desire to hurt her. She'd told me she liked Gabe. Plus, she'd been my best friend for a long time, and she was a good person. If my anger should be directed at anyone, it was Gabe. He'd caved, broken his promise because I'd been bitten. That wasn't my fault. How could he be so cruel? I needed him—at least his friendship. Not the cold shoulder he gave me. And Christopher. Seeing Cindy with Gabe would've been a lot easier if he'd been there. If he hadn't left.

Everyone leaves, my inner voice scolded, and I swallowed a sob. A high-pitched cough erupted nearby. Lifting my head, I saw Pava, the periwinkle blue pixilette I'd met in Sharra.

"Pava?" I whispered.

She fluttered to my arm and bowed. "Snow. You are in danger. Watch the shadows and tell no one you have the pendant Christopher gave you. Never take it off. Promise." She fell to her knees. She looked paler than usual. Actually, it looked like she was turning the color of dried cement.

"What's wrong?" I cried, concerned, but I didn't touch her. I didn't want to hurt her.

"Promise," she wheezed, falling forward.

"I promise." Carefully I lifted her into my hand. No longer blue, she'd become dingy grey, like a dirty wet sock. A wing fell off. Paper-thin, I watched the veins turn from blue to grey to white. She patted my hand. "Pava," I cried softly, desperation filling my voice. I didn't know what to do. "What can I do? How can I help?"

A smile touched her lips as she began to shimmer. A reddish glow emanated from her, and then she was gone.

"Pava?" I shouted, standing.

The librarian came around the corner. "Everything alright?"

I searched, frantic, a second longer, but she'd literally vanished. "Y-yes. Sorry." I swiped my backpack, brushed away a tear, then left the library. I needed to talk to someone, but who? Professor Pops? No, I couldn't speak to him. If I did, I'd have to tell him about Christopher and the pendant, and I wasn't ready to do that.

The Museum of the Supernatural. Since Pava mentioned it specifically, there might be something about the necklace in the book on pixilettes. I'd check it out tonight, right after school. Skip Track and head over to his house. I could do some reading before training. My insides froze at the thought of practicing with Kenmei, the wise old hunter.

# Chapter 35

After school, I went over to Dorian's locker to wait. Out of everyone, he was the one I felt most comfortable with, even with thoughts of sinking my teeth in his neck. He allowed me to be myself. He accepted me, liked me. And he wanted me to drink from him. My knees trembled.

"Snow. Can we talk?"

My body tightened. The hall blurred. The angry craving for Cindy's blood once again boiled through my veins. I had to get out of there. "Go away. I-I can't be around you right now." I took off down the hall, through the front commons area and out into the crisp fall air. I knew she followed. I'd zoned in on her heartbeat, the aroma of her blood. My canines pressed against my lips. I searched the parking lot for Dorian's car. The Mustang still sat in the same spot he'd parked in that morning. Relieved, I rushed over, hoping Dorian would come soon. When I arrived at the passenger door, I stopped. Trapped. Cindy stood a few feet away, her face screwed up with sadness. My heart sank. "What do you want?"

"I miss you," she whispered, her bottom lip trembling. "Ever since I went to the Cape, you've been weird. Different. Did I do something to make you mad?" She stepped closer.

The pounding of her heart, forcing blood through her body, made the back of my throat ache. "No. You didn't do anything. I—" This wasn't her fault. Gabe chose Cindy. Plus, I didn't deserve Gabe. I'd been making out with Christopher.

I breathed through my mouth, closing my eyes, thinking about anything but her blood. An image of the necklace came to mind, and I thought of Christopher, followed by the pixilette who died. Being jealous of Cindy was the least of my worries. Taking another breath, I opened my eyes. Her face was inches from mine, and I screamed. How had she done that? "Cindy?" I gulped, pressing my back against the doorframe.

"I've changed too, you know. We should talk." A glint of humorous annoyance flickered in her eyes.

"O-Okay," I sputtered. Now that she mentioned it, her face seemed slightly different, more angular. Her cheeks hollow, her eyes a more dazzling blue.

"Cindy," Dorian barked. "Get away from her."

Cindy seemed to move back faster than humanly possible. She turned on her heel and started to walk off. A moment later, she paused and looked back. "Tomorrow night? Let's get together, 'kay?"

"Sure," I agreed, swallowing the strange panic that'd crept in.

After she'd gone, Dorian pushed a button to unlock the door. I climbed in and waited for him.

"You okay?" he asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. What's up with her?" I indicated Cindy's retreating form.

He seemed about ready to tell me, but then he changed his mind. "I don't know."

"You're lying, Dorian." He was a terrible liar. "I can tell, and I don't like it. Tell me what the hell is going on."

He faced me, his eyes serious. "You're right. I am lying, but I can't tell you. Professor Pops asked me not to. Not yet." He turned over the engine.

My mouth hung open. "Why? Does he really think anything can shock me at this point?"

Dorian pulled out of the parking lot. When we were headed toward home, he rolled his shoulders. "There's still a lot that can surprise you. Trust me." He gave me a look that said he was serious. "And be careful."

# Chapter 36

Dorian dropped me off at my front door. I figured I should probably let my dad know I'd be at Professor Pops', so he didn't worry. It seemed like the responsible thing to do. Tossing my backpack on the table, I went to the refrigerator and grabbed a bottled water.

"I'm home," I called out after taking a sip. The cool liquid soothed my parched throat. No one answered, so I went into the living room, then upstairs, where I knocked on their bedroom door. They weren't home. I made my way back downstairs. On the kitchen counter leaned a folded piece of paper. It just said they'd gone out and would be back later.

"Fine. Two can play this game."

If I'd had a phone, they could've left me a message or texted me. I'd at least know when they were coming home. Grabbing a pen, I flipped the paper over. _Next door at Mr. Henry's. I'll be back around nine_ , I wrote. Again in my bedroom, I changed into a pair of black sweats, brushed through my hair, and walked over to Professor Pops' house. Salvatore answered the door.

"You're early." By the look on his face, he'd expected me. Dorian probably filled him in.

"Yep, I wanted to do some research first down in the Museum of the Supernatural. Okay?"

"Sure." He followed me through the house, down the stairs, and into the room, I still wasn't used to. "How are you doing with all this?" He motioned with his hands around the room.

"Fine. A lot to learn." I swallowed.

"I've had years to learn about all the creatures, and it still blows my mind." He eyed the dragon near the back.

I was stunned by what he'd said even though I shouldn't have been. Until that moment, I'd believed they learned about the Museum at the same time I did. But that wasn't right. Professor Pops said the guys had been trained. "How old were you when you found out about these creatures?" I walked over to a lemon yellow pixilette. This creature was in a case near the dragon. At the sight of her—dead—I thought about Pava. My eyes stung—poor thing.

Salvatore followed closely behind.

"I learned about the supernaturals, and trained with swords, arrows, and such from the time I was twelve."

"Really? Wow. What did you think?"

Salvatore laughed. "The truth is most of us came from..." he paused and ran a hand through his shiny black hair. "We came from less than perfect households. We lived in horrible foster homes or facilities that kept us like prisoners." He touched the werewolf, shifting his gaze from me to it. "Training with Pops, the things he taught us about life, about respect for others and ourselves, the world," he shrugged. "I don't know about the others, but I'd do just about anything for Pops. So when he brought me down here, it didn't bother me like it did some of the others. It's hard to explain, but it was like I already knew these creatures existed, and Pops just confirmed what I believed." He laughed. "Silly, right?" He looked embarrassed.

"Not at all." I could certainly understand why this room freaked some of the brothers out. If I hadn't been bitten, I probably would've been a basket case. As it was, I kept meeting new supernatural beings and dealt with them as it happened, which reminded me of the beast I'd seen in my room last night.

"Have you ever seen a creature about this tall?" I indicated my leg at the knee. "Its entire body is brown, like mud. It sort of looks like a frog, but the eyes are more like those of a cat. Plus, it can talk."

Salvatore's face paled. "You saw one?"

I nodded. "Last night. In my room."

"Did you tell Professor Pops?" He looked utterly freaked out.

"No. I forgot."

"How could you forget? Sheesh, Snow. He needs to know that stuff." He crossed his arms.

"A lot's happened lately." I had no excuse except I really had forgotten about it.

He exhaled. "They are despicable creatures called changelings." He clucked his tongue. "I've encountered one before. Evil and vile, but easy to kill." He walked past the pixies. "They can morph into anything, hence the name, or they can be invisible. All are loyal to the vampire queen, but only a select few can see the creatures when they are in their true form." He stopped in front of a small case. It was only about eight inches square. Inside was what looked like a moth, only it had two yellow eyes, like a cat. Salvatore pulled out the book and took it to the pedestal used for reading. "Appendix D."

The old pages flipped to the back of the book. When it stopped, I gazed at the pictures. On the left page sat the changeling in its true form, and on the facing page were pictures of a wasp, an elephant, a beautiful woman, and a small puppy. The one telltale feature was the eyes—in all its forms, it retained the cat's yellow eyes.

"What did it say to you?" Salvatore asked.

"Hmm." I paused, scared. "He seemed to be talking to someone else and stated that I had magic." I shrugged, peering into Salvatore's keen eyes. They were dark chocolate in color.

"We'd better tell Pops for sure. Come on." He put the book back in its drawer and grabbed my hand, pulling me up the stairs.

My stomach tightened in knots. Kenmei would be here soon if he wasn't already, and I had a feeling our conversation would be about more than my fighting stance. I touched the necklace beneath my shirt. Its warmth enfolded me. Where are you, Christopher? I thought, wishing he was here.

# Chapter 37

When Kenmei arrived, he took one look at me and directed me into Professor Pops' office. "You've changed, Shiryo-san," he said as soon as the door closed behind him.

I gulped down my fear. "Have I?"

"No sense playing coy, revenant." His voice sounded harsh, his eyes hard with anger. "If you intend to survive another month, you've got to trust Adam Henry, the brothers, and me. _We_ are on your side." He sat in the chair next to mine and took my trembling hands. His eyes softened. "I can help, Shiryo-san. Talk to me."

I nodded, pushing back tears as heat spread from his hands into my skin. With my new abilities, I listened for his heartbeat. He didn't have one, though I sensed his innate goodness.

"Start at the beginning," he ordered quietly.

I did. I told him everything. The more I talked, the more relieved I became. I hadn't realized how much of a burden I carried, keeping all that happened—and there was a lot—a secret. As I spoke, Kenmei nodded occasionally but kept quiet. He didn't ask questions—he didn't seem to need to—and he didn't interject. He listened.

When I finished, I pulled the pendant from beneath my shirt. "This is what Christopher left me," I said. "He told me not to take it off, as did Pava, the pixilette I saw in the library today before she died."

He released my hand and took the gem between his fingers. It flared red, the essence permeating his fingers, so they glowed. From the light of the pendant, I watched his eyes fill with admiration. So close, I could smell the spicy scent of my bloodlust tea on him and guessed he still carried it on his person, somewhere within his royal blue robe. After several moments, he released the jewel and sat back. "I'll bet you feel like you've lived a lifetime these past days," he said quietly.

I nodded, overcome with emotion. "I do."

"Let's see how you feel after you've lived a century or two." A sad smile, almost more of an echo of a smile, formed on his lips. "After seven thousand years, I'm tired, Shiryo-san." His voice was filled with melancholy, his eyes glassed over like he was far away in another time.

I swallowed, unsure of how to respond.

After a time, he cleared his throat. "Now then, thank you for your honesty."

"You're welcome." My fingers fidgeted in my lap.

"Christopher is right. No harm will come to you while you wear the pendant. It gives the possessor strong magic. Perhaps there is more to your hunter then I first believed. He seems to care for you; otherwise, he wouldn't have parted with such great magic."

"Oh?" I asked, sitting up. For some reason, his words made me feel better. I was glad Christopher cared for me.

"There is only one of these in all the world, Shiryo-san. May I tell you a story?"

"Of course," I replied, knowing he would even if I didn't want to hear it, but I totally did.

"When the world began, vampires ruled." I nodded. That piece of information I already knew. "Ah, so you've seen the pictures then, heard the story?"

His words hadn't sounded accusatory. "Yes. Professor Pops told me they lived before humans. I've seen the pictures. He told me how the vampire queen was the fairest, and about the war."

"Excellent. Did he mention who the first vampire was?"

I racked my brain. "No, I don't think so."

"The first vampire was a female by the name of Silindra. She and Sharra—the now vampire queen—were close friends, but they were also so much more. Sharra and Silindra were sisters. Twins."

I gasped, recognizing the name as that of the realm Christopher took me to.

Kenmei nodded. "Yes, that is why her realm is called Sharra. Now she is known only as the vampire queen, though she allows a select few to call her by her real name." He waved his hand, dismissing that fact. "Before Sharra's rise, Silindra ruled Earth. She did so with kindness and equality. Her nature was such that everyone loved her, revered her, and even worshipped her above all other creatures."

"Silindra." I'd said her name without meaning to. When I did, the gem began to glow.

"She was the most powerful being in the world, and that made Sharra jealous. In time, a male vampire named Gabriel, doing the bidding of Sharra, captured Silindra and took her deep within the earth where he tortured her for many days." Darkness crossed Kenmei's face, rippling with pain. "He was cruel beyond measure."

I almost reached out to comfort him but resisted, caressing the gem within my fingers instead.

"On the tenth day of her imprisonment—when Silindra hovered between life and death, Gabriel raised a dagger above his head, preparing to slay her. But before he could, Silindra raised her hand and said..." Kenmei's voice trailed off as though he'd been whisked away in the story and couldn't bear it any longer.

"What did she say?" I asked, my voice hoarse with emotion.

"She said one word," he finally continued.

"Which was?"

"Wait." His voice broke, and I leaned closer, thinking I'd misunderstood.

"Wait?" That word didn't need a dramatic pause.

His dark eyes captured mine and held me. "You see, Shiryo-san, even near death, the love she harbored for all other creatures was foremost on her mind."

At his words, my throat constricted with sadness. Such love, I couldn't understand it.

"Gabriel paused, asking what she wanted. Silindra begged Gabriel to place one of her tears in the golden gem around her neck, and then, after she was dead, requested he give the gem to a pixilette called Ryden.

"At her words, Gabriel's heart softened, and he agreed. He didn't realize that the gem around her neck already contained five magical properties—the courageous soul of a dragon, the eternal sight of an elf, the healing horn of a unicorn, the strength of a troll, and the giving heart of a fairy. Gabriel added her tear, stowed it in one of his pockets, and then killed Silindra immediately. He left Silindra's body in the earth, found the pixilette Ryden, and gave her the necklace, thus fulfilling his end of the bargain.

"Within moments of the gem being in Ryden's possession, she used its magic to take the final component needed to seal the magic within the gem—the blood of a hunter—Gabriel's blood. With all seven magical components contained within, the gem changed from golden to red."

I considered the pendant around my neck. Without a doubt, I knew it was the same one Silindra had worn.

"It's called the Seal of Gabriel because, without his blood, the magic would've been lost."

Kenmei's words brought home the weight of the power I carried. "Why would she create this?"

"Ah, Shiryo-san. An excellent question. She created that necklace for you."

I looked at him like he'd lost his mind. "Impossible."

"With everything that's happened to you over the last several days, how can you say that?" He took my hand and squeezed. "The magic contained within the pendant is powerful, and anyone who understands magic can use it, increasing their power at least ten-fold, but you... Shiryo-san, you can restore balance, bring peace back to Earth by destroying the vampire queen." He studied me with awe. I didn't like it.

I snorted. Very unladylike, I know. Super disrespectful too, but I wasn't buying it. "I bet you say that to all the girls." I rolled my eyes.

He jumped from his seat, fury flashing in his eyes. Like a cobra strike, he grabbed my collar and lifted me in the air so that my feet dangled. "No, Shiryo-san! Never in seven thousand years has the gem worked for others the way it works for you now." As if to prove his point, a red ball of light shot from the pendant and into Kenmei. He dropped me and went flying backward into the bookcase. Books tumbled onto his head, and he groaned. "Don't you see?"

Fear, hot and thick, filled my throat. "No, I don't." I ran to the door. "You're crazy. Leave me alone." I threw open the door, startling the seven brothers and Professor Pops who hovered in the hallway. Startled, I yelped before regaining my wrath. Methodically I found each set of eyes. "I don't want to see any of you ever again. Stay the hell away from me, all of you!" I stormed from the house, my body moving like the wind.

At home, I ran up to my room and threw myself on my bed. Gatsby appeared in the window and jumped up, nudging me with his furry forehead. Rolling over, I picked him up and hugged him. He hissed and let out a pained yowl. In the same instant, I smelled burning flesh. I released him and noticed the scorched fur surrounding a red welt on his side. "I'm so sorry." Furious tears poured from my eyes and leaked into my ears. "I don't want any of this. I didn't ask for any of this."

In the dark recesses of my mind, I knew I was freaking out. Honestly, it was about time. I'd been handling everything so well. But this was all too much. Sitting, I reached around and pulled the necklace off, then chucked it at my dresser. I'd been aiming for Gabe's picture—his stunning smile seemed to leer at me—but I missed, and it smacked against a perfume bottle before skidding off behind my dresser.

"Good riddance." I flipped onto my stomach and fell asleep, hoping when I woke, this last week would be a bad dream.

# Chapter 38

When my alarm went off the next morning, I noticed my mother's blanket covered me. I knew I hadn't set the alarm, which meant either Dad or Vivianne had. They'd come back at least. After dressing, I went downstairs and noticed two significant items sitting on the counter. One was a cell phone. The other was a laptop. On top sat a note. Freaking notes! It was from my dad and said the phone was already programmed, and they'd downloaded some necessary programs to the laptop. Then he said they'd gone out to breakfast and he hoped to see me after school.

I snorted before grabbing Gatsby's food and water. I hadn't seen him yet this morning and wondered if he was still mad. A pang of loneliness washed through me. The brothers wouldn't be coming over today. I knew they'd abide by my wishes. Christopher was gone. My dad had Viv, and I had... Cindy! If she would forgive me. Time to patch things up. Unlocking my new phone, I dialed her number.

"Who the hell is this?" she answered.

I laughed, enjoying the sound of her voice. "Guess who got a cell phone? Come on, guess."

"Snow? Is that you?" I could hear her happy relief.

I sighed happily. "Yes, it's me. Dad and Viv got me a laptop, too, so no more track practice. Woohoo!"

"They must feel really guilty about something. What'd they do?"

I grabbed a water from the fridge and opened it. As I drank, an overwhelming need for blood scorched my throat. No. No. No. I grabbed a soy yogurt, pulled off the top, and put a spoonful in my mouth. The yogurt tasted ashy, but I ignored it. Act human. That's what Pops said. Another pang of guilt hit me, and I ignored that too.

"Snow, you still there?"

"Yep. So you still want to get together after school?"

"Hells to the yeah. We can hang at my place if you want."

The note my dad and stepmother left said they wanted to see me tonight. "How about we hang out at my house?"

"Okay. Are you _genki_?"

I giggled. "What is gen-ki?"

She laughed. "Basically, the word means happy."

"Oh, well, sure. It's been a while since my dad's been home. I'm glad he's back." I didn't tell her that I'd seen him all of half an hour the night before. And I definitely wasn't happy, though I was happy to hear her voice. I just needed to roll with the punches of life, and that's what I was going to do.

"Cool. So I'll see you at school in a few."

"Yep."

After we hung up, she texted me. _U hav a cell. U so awesum! 😉_

I smiled at the winky face after the exclamation point. I had no idea how to text on my pretty new phone, but I figured it was probably easy. I'd go through it later. Plus, since I had to ride my bike, I needed to hurry. Carefully placing the laptop and phone between my math and chemistry books, I put my backpack on and rode to school on my purple Schwinn.

"Will you set the table, Snow?" Vivianne was at the sink, draining the spiral noodles. The chicken cacciatore already sat in a serving dish, as did a green salad and some dinner rolls.

"Sure." I took four plates from the cupboard and set them on the counter.

"I'll help, Viv," Cindy added, sneaking a caramelized onion drenched in red sauce. She pulled placemats from the drawer and set them on the table, and I followed her, setting the plates on top. "What's up with Viv and cooking? This is new," she whispered.

I shrugged. "Got me."

Cindy pulled two wine glasses and two regular glasses from the cupboard. "Viv, did you want me to open a bottle of wine?"

Vivianne put the noodles in a ceramic serving bowl and took it over to the table. "That's alright. I'll get the wine."

Cindy crinkled her nose. "Okay."

I grabbed the silverware. Cindy folded the napkins. Just as we finished setting the table, my dad walked in.

"Hello, beautiful ladies. Mind if I join you?" He wore crisp tan pants and a white linen shirt, his thick hair combed just so. I discreetly checked out Viv. She had on a red cashmere sweater and gray pants. Cindy looked good too, in a black mini with black leggings, black boots that came to her knees, and a fuchsia cable-knit sweater. I had on my standard—jeans and a tee shirt. Fashionista extraordinaire.

"Of course, dear." Viv gave him a sly smile, and I wondered what was going on with those two.

Cindy and I finished putting everything on the table. Once we were all seated, Viv uncorked a bottle of wine and poured a glass for her and dad.

While we ate, I couldn't stop thinking about school. The guys tried to talk to me at lunch and after school, but I wasn't giving them the opportunity. Cindy sat with me at lunch in a different section of the cafeteria. When she asked why we weren't sitting with the guys, I told her it was so I could concentrate on learning how to text. Another reason was I didn't want to see Cindy and Gabe together. At the moment, Cindy was my only friend, and I didn't want to be mad at her too. She'd obviously given the guys my cell number because I recognized their numbers when they called and texted throughout the day. I ignored them, deleting their messages and texts without reading or listening.

I was acting childish, but I needed time away from them, apart from the vampire drama. I couldn't be what they wanted. Me, klutzy Snow White. I wasn't super smart, nor was I incredibly pretty, like Cindy. I was average.

_You are so much more than that_ , a male voice whispered in my mind. It sounded like Christopher, but I shook the thought away. He'd left without giving me a reason, and that was fine. I wanted things to go back to the way they were. Sure, people laughed at my clumsiness and made up jokes about me, but in the scheme of things, I wanted to be okay with that because at least I knew where I fit in.

"Aren't you going to eat?" Viv asked, interrupting my thoughts. Her eyes appeared sad, as though I hurt her feelings by not eating.

I glanced at the salad on my plate. Picking up my fork, I stabbed a cucumber and shoved it in my mouth. "Thanks for dinner," I said once I swallowed.

"Yes, thanks," Cindy added. "The cacciatore is delicious."

My dad grabbed Viv's hand and squeezed. "You've outdone yourself, dear." He kissed her cheek, then cleared his throat. "Snow, we have some news."

I was in the process of putting another cucumber in my mouth and stopped. "You do?" Anxiety twisted in my stomach. Were they leaving again so soon? I thought I had a few weeks with him.

He cleared his throat again. "Your mother and I have to leave for Tahiti tonight, right after dinner. There's an emergency, and I've got to go help out."

I dropped my fork. "But you just got here. I-I haven't even had a chance to spend time with you." I glared at Viv. "And she is not my mother." Grabbing my plate, I pushed back my chair and placed the plate in the sink.

"Snow," my dad said, shocked.

Why didn't he ever ask me to go with him? I could homeschool, or he could get me a tutor. "Can I come with you?" I asked, working to control my trembling bottom lip.

Cindy gasped. "Don't leave me." Tears made her eyes shiny. I hadn't thought about how my going would affect her, but she had Gabe and the guys. She'd be fine.

"What about school?" Viv asked, her voice to syrupy.

My dad stood and came over. He placed a hand on each of my shoulders, and I dove into him, hugging him tightly. "Dad, I need you. Please take me with you." I knew I sounded like a child, but I couldn't help myself. He was my dad and all the family I had left. I didn't want him to leave me again. He returned my hug briefly before pushing me back.

I saw the worry in his eyes and the way his forehead scrunched together. "Snow, I can't. You have your school here, your life. I won't take you from the only place you've ever known." His words sounded sincere, but I felt him bristle. He didn't want me around. I listened to the rapid beating of his heart, smelled the fear overpowering his aftershave. Didn't he love me anymore? Part of me wanted to shout that my life could be wherever he was if he would just love me, treat me as his daughter—but I stepped back. My shoulders slumped, and I thought I might fall over. Small, warm hands wrapped around my shoulders.

"I'll take good care of her." Cindy's words were filled to the brim with protection and something else I was starting to recognize.

Magic, I thought but pushed that aside, working to stop the tears falling onto my cheeks. At this point, I had no shame.

I heard Vivianne heave an annoyed sigh. "I guess dinner is over."

Had I not been so heartbroken, I might've flashed my fangs and shown Viv that dinner had just begun at least for me. Instead, I pulled away from Cindy and ran upstairs. That was why they'd bought me the laptop and phone. They thought they could buy my happiness and my forgiveness. I hated them both!

# Chapter 39

Cindy closed the door as Gatsby jumped up on my bed. "Man, your stepmother can be kind of a bitch."

"I know, right?" I sat on my bed and pulled my pillow into my arms. A part of me always believed Viv liked Cindy more than me, and I thought Cindy liked Viv. Her relationship with her mom and dad was good, but they were older, and Cindy was their youngest, so her parents didn't do much by way of relating.

A naughty gleam lit Cindy's face. "I could cast a spell, cover her face in boils. What do you think?" She sat down next to me, pushing a strand of hair away from my wet cheek.

I laughed. "Might be fun," I said noncommittally, not really feeling it.

She picked up her backpack before sitting beside me, crossing her legs. Unzipping the front pocket, she removed a book. As soon as I saw it, the air in the room changed. It hummed as though alive. The book possessed some serious energy. "I'm not kidding. I totally will."

My attention remained on the book. Bound by a leather cord, most of the jacket was covered in a rusty red material. Cindy held it out and nodded for me to take it. "What is this?" I asked, feeling hesitant. Creepy or weird didn't adequately describe the tome. Bizarre was close. In the center of the cover was an eye. It looked real, like a lizard's. A scaly face in a combination of violets and reds surrounded the eye. It blinked then seemed to focus on me. "Can the eye... see me?"

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. This one saying, _Duh!_ "Abernathy's spells. This is the oldest, most powerful book on the planet, and it's mine now."

I snorted, though I could feel the book's power. "Really? Why do you have it?" Immediately after the words left my mouth, I regretted them.

"Harsh," she said, hurt.

"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 them, like dried flowers. "Remember the other day when I left school?" Her voice was soft, filled with wonder.

"Yes. You scared me. The guys said it was about a guy, but I didn't believe them." Dorian had also alluded to more. I hoped she'd tell me the truth.

"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 we needed to talk."

"Oh?" I didn't know much about Cindy's family.

"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?" My pulse quickened anyway.

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 ones too." 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 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, but the name stuck anyway.

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 inconsequential nonsense." 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, and now I was curious what the greater cause was.

"The book is passed down to the next closest female descendant in their sixteenth year. She doesn't have any daughters, so she gave it to me." Cindy's 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? Was it the Seal of Gabriel? I lost it while she was at my house, but I swallowed back that question. It couldn't be. "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, only slightly worried about what might 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, smiling.

Before I answered, Viv, poked her head in. Her eyes zeroed in on the candle and the spellbook simultaneously. "We're leaving, Snow. You should come down and say goodbye 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. "What evil is this? Put me down this instant!"

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. I shook it off, releasing her. "Fine," I said, pushing past her. I glanced back at Cindy. Her eyes were wide, and her mouth hung open.

I tried to smile, but nothing happened, and I went down to say goodbye. Once they were gone, I went back upstairs.

Cindy had returned the book to her bag and was waiting. "I should go," she said.

"Fine. Leave," I growled. She looked at me like she felt sorry for me but didn't say more. When I heard the door shut, I flung myself back on my bed, ramming the pillow over my head. I just wanted it all to go away.

A soft voice chanted sounds in a strange language, and peace enveloped me. I snuggled into my covers and closed my eyes.

"Sleep, young one," the voice said. "You're almost ready."

# Chapter 40

When I came to, I felt different. Stronger. More relaxed with what I was—a revenant and nothing more. Sure, my dad left as had Cindy, and I'd pushed away from the people most important to me, namely my seven best friends and their adoptive father, Professor Pops. But whatever. I could handle the situation. I just wanted to feel like myself again. A normal teenager.

Certainly not some deliverer for the supernatural.

The gem wasn't created for me by one of the original vampires because she knew she would be killed. That was impossible. I refused to believe that in a sea of billions, the gem was meant for me. "No way!"

It was morning, and I was determined to go about my life as though I were just another teenager. I got ready and studied myself in my mirror. "Normal." The only thing left to do was return the Seal of Gabriel to Professor Pops. He could deal with it. Reaching behind my lavender dresser, I searched for it but couldn't reach. So, I pulled the furniture away from the wall. I found a few dust bunnies and a pencil, but the necklace wasn't there.

"What the hell?" 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 mingling in 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 it? It seemed the most likely solution. She hadn't come over to be my friend again. She was a witch, and she knew about the necklace. Kenmei said it would bring power. That had been what she was after.

The realization hurt, and my anger grew by the second. I found my phone and texted her. _Did u take my necklace?_ I went to hit send but changed my mind. If she wanted it, she could have it. I would be normal. I wanted nothing more to do with vampires and the supernatural. I was out.

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 academy, my worry for the necklace dissipated. With the necklace was gone, and that meant I wasn't accountable for ending the vampire queen and restoring balance. Right?

See, everything leaves you, I thought, and shrugged. "Good."

# Chapter 41

The next few days were pretty ordinary. I went to the school, did my homework, fed my cat, watched reality TV, and pretended I wasn't craving blood so severely my stomach always hurt. I also did a pretty good job ignoring the brothers and Cindy's phone calls and texts. But on Monday morning of the following week, I woke thinking I was going to die.

Blood! Blood! Blood!

The word pounded through my body over and over like a frenzied crowd at a fight club. I went downstairs, desperate for food, and saw a package sitting on the counter with a damn note. _Remember, twice a day._ That was all it said.

By the smell, I knew it contained my bloodlust tea. Peeling back the wrapping, I quickly made myself a double dose and drank it with relief. The hunger was still there, but now it was bearable. I knew it'd come from Professor Pops. I thought about thanking him but couldn't bring myself to dial his number. Just speaking with him would pull me back into that life, and I didn't want it anymore.

At least I had Cindy. I texted her before school, and it was like there had never been an awkward moment between us. After school, we drove to Warehouse Video and got a coffee and talked.

"I'm sorry," I said first, staring into the steaming cup.

"I'm sorry too." She reached for my hand, and I squeezed.

"That's cool about you being a witch," I said quietly, lifting my eyes to watch her expression.

"Thanks." She took a sip of her drink. "Want to tell me about you?"

I swallowed back a desire to tell her about everything. I just couldn't. It was bad enough the guys knew. I didn't want her to know too. "It's a lot," I said.

"Worse than being a witch?" She lifted one perfectly formed brow.

"Maybe." I told her about liking Gabe and maybe Dorian and how my feelings were weird toward all of the brothers, which was why I needed some space. She listened and offered great advice. Chatting with her was wonderful. It was also fun to hang out while she performed her magic. Sometimes she would do it on me. 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 during lunch.

Finally, almost a month later, Cindy 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. "Look, it's like a bandage. Just rip the sucker off. It might hurt, but only for a few seconds."

I wanted to be upset, but all seven guys and Professor Pops immediately came outside and were waving and smiling like goofballs, like they'd been waiting for me. 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 42

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 than before my meltdown. After several hours of chatting, dinner, and a movie screening of the latest Marvel movie in their oversized 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 film 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 eight of my most 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 long 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 the noise caught in my throat as I said his full name, and I froze as thoughts and memories filled my mind. Before I shut him out, Professor Pops had 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. It had to be. Gabe definitely wasn't a hunter. I was sure of that.

Gabe smacked me on the arm with the flat of his 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 lied, 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 the 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. Before I could react, 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 jerked back, hard. Surprised, he fell down toward me but caught himself before our bodies touched.

"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, so soft and full. What had changed? Why was he 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 moaned, grabbing my hips and rolling us, 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 and kind Gabe. His tongue flicked inside my mouth, and I felt it low in my belly, a fiery desire. Sensual Gabe, I thought hungrily. My heart beat faster, keeping time with his.

"Snow," he murmured, foraging a trail of hot kisses along my jaw, down my neck, and 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 quickly beating vein on his neck. An unquenchable ache slammed into me so hard I was unprepared to fight it.

"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 to my lips.

It seemed fitting that Gabe should be the first human I tasted. 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 honey combined, a heady combination. All my life, I had struggled with food and settled on being strictly vegan, but at 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...

"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 saw them and heard their cries of concern.

"I told you something like this would happen." That was Heathcliff.

"We shouldn't have left her alone," Bart said.

I closed my eyes to clear my head. Who were they talking about? It couldn't be me. Someone gently pulled me off Gabe, and 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 much blood. And 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 was 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 utterly broken. I pulled out of his grasp.

Gabe is dead. Gabe is dead. I... killed Gabe. I wanted to die. "Kill me," I cried. "Do it."

The brothers and Professor Pops regarded me like I was an untamed animal—a monster, but they didn't move.

I couldn't stand to be in their presence another second, and I bolted. As I went through the Museum of the Supernatural, I screamed again, causing the glass cases to shatter, but I didn't stop. I went faster, floating like an apparition, up the stairs, and out the back door. My scream grew louder. I'd killed Gabe. Become a monster. The vampire queen could have me now. My life was over.

Windows broke.

The glass fell like rain.

Still, I couldn't stop screaming.

Death was too good for me. I deserved something far worse. I didn't know what, but I knew I wouldn't find my answers here. Without a backward glance, I ran. Away from all that I loved, all that I'd known. I didn't deserve them.

Read **Fate and Magic,** book two in the

Seven Magics Academy series.

# Leave a Review

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# Also by RaShelle Workman

**EERIE VALLEY SUPERNATURALS**

Undercover Reaper

* * *

**THE FAIRYTALE CHRONICLES**

Royal Selection

* * *

**PARANORMAL INVESTIGATIONS**

Ghoulish Whisper (12/2020)

* * *

**SEVEN MAGICS ACADEMY**

Blood and Snow

Fate and Magic

Queen of the Vampires

Deadly Witch

Royal Witch

Vampire Lies

Vampire Secrets

Vampires & Gargoyles

Vampires & Dragons

Vampire Magics

* * *

**FAIRY ACADEMY**

Hidden Princess

Broken Curse

Stolen Magic

**BOX SET**

The Complete Fairy Academy Series

* * *

**DEMONLAND SERIES**

Alice in Demonland

Alice Fights Demonland

Alice Takes Demonland

Alice Ignites Demonland

* * *

**BEASTLY SERIES**

A Beauty so Beastly

* * *

**IMMORTALS**

Venus Falling

* * *

**GODS AND PARANORMALS**

Goddess Curse

Mystical Gift

* * *

**FABLE TOWN MYSTERY SERIES**

Iced Raspberry Cookies and a Curse

* * *

**WOLF BLOOD ACADEMY**

Initiation

Induction

Inheritance

* * *

**MAGIC BLOOD ACADEMY (coming 2021)**

Elemental Outcast Games Book 1 ~ Fire

Elemental Outcast Games Book 2 ~ Water

Elemental Outcast Games Book 3 ~ Earth

Elemental Outcast Games Book 4 ~ Air

* * *

**DEAD ROSES SERIES:**

Sleeping Roses

Kissed by a Rose

# About the Author

RaShelle Workman is an international bestselling author of reimagined fairy tales, science fiction, time travel, and romantic suspense. All of her novels have been listed on multiple bestseller lists, including her Blood and Snow series (now Seven Magics Academy), which has sold more than a million copies worldwide.

When RaShelle isn't writing, she enjoys baking, and creating new taco recipes. She lives in Utah with her husband, three children, and their dogs. Find her online by visiting her website at: www.rashelleworkman.org.

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