“That’s right. And just as the Queen is the leader of the vampires, there is a leader over those who stand against her.” He started to fidget, playing with a tassel on one of my pillows.
“Makes sense,” I said quietly.
“When I was little Professor Pops adopted me. You know that.” He chuckled nervously. “From a young age I knew I was different, that Professor Pops was different, and that the world wasn’t as simple as it seemed. Then when I turned twelve Pops showed me the Museum of the Supernatural. Something clicked inside. I felt drawn to them and inclined to hunt those who served the Vampire Queen.” He brushed some hair out of his eyes, and cleared his throat. “Of course Pops wouldn’t let me. He continued to train me, but that was all. But I knew there was more. That a big piece of the puzzle was missing. I didn’t know why until a few days after I turned sixteen. A visitor came to see me.” He stopped and searched my eyes.
“What? Who was he,” I asked, taking his hand.
“The man was the leader of those who oppose the Vampire Queen. He told me he was my father.”
I gasped, interrupting him. “Your father is alive.”
He nodded. “Yes. He’s been alive a long time.”
Not really understanding, I asked, “Why didn’t he want you?”
He pulled away. “It isn’t that he didn’t want me. He’s just busy, and those who are loyal to the Queen killed my mom. He believed Professor Pops would be able to care for me until I was old enough to understand. And Professor Pops did. I couldn’t have asked for a better father.”
Comprehension washed over me. “Okay, so you’re the son of the man who wants me dead. But how does that explain why you’re still alive?” I knew there were many other questions I needed to ask him as well.
“There must be balance in all things. For every sunset there is a sunrise. For each sadness, there is happiness. And for every evil there must be good.” He paused to let the words sink in. They sunk in all right. And I started to get mad. Was he saying I was evil? Had he come to kill me?
“Okay.” I leaned away from him.
My movements didn’t go unnoticed. He frowned, but didn’t try to pull me closer.
Sighing, he went on, “When vampires were created so was another species. Equally as powerful, but keen on living in seclusion.”
“Please don’t tell me they were werewolves,” I said, mocking.
“No, not werewolves, but chayot.
“Chayot? Did you just make that up?”
“No, Snow. This is serious. If you don’t believe me, look up the word on the Internet. It’s there, though a lot of the information about them is incorrect.”
“I see.” I sat cross-legged, and settled my hands in my lap. “Why aren’t these chayot in Professor Pops’ books? Or on display in the Museum of the Supernatural?”
He scooted nearer. “Any written mention of the chayot is considered blasphemy. The chayot are sacred, and to be revered.” While he spoke, his voice softened. But that just infuriated me more.
“Let me get this straight. You’re telling me you chayot are the good guys and we vampires are the bad guys? Is that what you’re saying?”
He let out another weighty breath. “Yes, basically.”
Chapter 8
I jumped off the bed. “What about Kenmei and Professor Pops?” I didn’t add Christopher, but his body in the glass coffin crossed my mind.
“They were human before they became vampires.” He gingerly moved toward me. “Though they did much evil in their time, they’ve atoned, and dedicated their lives to destroying the Vampire Queen.”
I backed up, somehow feeling like a caged animal. “What about me?” I asked between rapid breaths.
He shrugged. “I’m supposed to—” He stopped, walked over to my dresser and began fiddling with the bottles. He took off each lid and brought the bottle to his nose. Then crinkled his face like the bottles contained skunk spray. If the situation hadn’t been so serious I would’ve laughed. Instead I waited. Filled with apprehension at what he would say next.
He sighed, turned back to me, and said, “That’s why I’ve come. My father is the first chayot. When the war broke out between the vampires and the other creatures, he stayed out of it. He and the other chayot didn’t get involved. Until later. When vampires started using humans.”
Frustrated tears filled my eyes, but I forcefully wiped them away. “You aren’t making sense. Why did humans matter to them?”
“The reason is simple. My father fell in love with a human girl. They had many children together. The Vampire Queen made an extra effort to capture and change his offspring into vampires. Sons and daughters with chayot blood are more exceptional than a regular human. The Vampire Queen favored them over all others.”
I thought about the vampires I’d seen in the castle. Were they descendants of the chayot?
Gabe continued, “The Queen started the war. It’s my father’s life’s work to finish it. Kill them all. Destroy her. End the suffering.” A regal arrogance shifted his features.
My breathing was ragged. How dare he? I hadn’t asked for this. Yet somehow I was evil. A thing to be destroyed. “Well then, what are you waiting for? If that’s why you’ve come. Do it. Kill the evil vampire you just made out with.” My words came out harsh, laced with spite. I closed my eyes and lifted my chest. If he wanted me dead, so be it. I wasn’t sure how one would kill a newly created vampire. Was I considered a drone, or something else because I was Marked and Chosen? I didn’t know. And it didn’t matter.
Several minutes passed and nothing happened. I blinked open my lids. Tears crowded Gabe’s lashes and streaked his cheeks. The haughtiness was gone, replaced by a desolate sadness.
I lowered my chest. He was so annoyingly complicated. “What? Am I making it too easy? Do you want me to run?” I asked, turning the palms of my hands toward him in supplication.
He shook his head, a strangled moan leaving his throat. Sinking to his knees, he bowed his head. “Why did you have to turn?”
Lowering myself to my knees in front of him, I said, “You offered yourself to me. I was there, I remember.” My cheeks flushed at the memory of our kissing. “You wanted me to bite you.”
“No,” he growled. “I didn’t. But…” His voice trailed off. “You-you tricked me. I wasn’t strong enough to resist you, and you used your—” He paused.
“I used my what? Womanly wiles?” I snorted in disgust. “I wasn’t a vampire until after you let me drink from you. I didn’t use any kind of spell, or magic, or whatever you want to call it.” I got off my knees and walked over to the window. The slivered moon glowed through wispy clouds. Frogs croaked, and the wind whistled lightly through the trees. “If you’d like I can show you the difference. I have the power to persuade you to do anything now.” I didn’t look at him, but heard his slight intake of breath. “Is that what you want?”
“Snowflake,” he whispered.
I turned to face him. “Is that why you didn’t die? Because you’re a chayot? If your father has been alive as long as the Vampire Queen, it must be the reason,” I stated, wrapping my arms around myself. “Is that why you act like you like me one minute and hate me the next? Because we are meant to be enemies.”
He nodded.
My anger returned. I walked over and slapped his face. “This is all your fault. You know that, right?”
He flinched, surprised.
“If you had just told me what you were, instead of acting weird. I wouldn’t have bitten you. I would’ve resisted,” I said, fighting the trembling of my lower lip. Thinking back I wondered if I could have, but I had to believe it was true.
“You’re right. But I was afraid,” he said quietly.
“Afraid of what? That I’d bite you.” I exhaled, and turned away. “Guess you had that right.”
He swallowed, and turned me to him, taking my hands in his. “No. I was afraid you wouldn’t talk to me anymore. That you would hate me.” He hesitated, and closed his eye
s. “I hate myself.”
I yanked my hands from his, frustrated. He was still doing it. Acting all kind and sweet one second, and like a total jerk-face vampire killer the next. “Why? Why even care?” I went to my bedroom door, and pushed it wide open. “Let me make it easy on you. Either kill me or leave. This doesn’t have to be difficult. Now that I understand what you are, just get it over with!” Fury made my canines grow, but I didn’t care. I let him see the monster in me.
Tears filled his eyes. “I can’t,” he seethed. “Don’t you get that?” His body teemed with desperation, shook with emotion.
“No. I don’t,” I said, my body moving toward him on its own. When I was inches from him, I continued, “Why can’t you kill me, Gabe?” I asked, my voice low, my breathing erratic.
He grabbed my arms, and pulled me so that our chests touched. I had to look up to see his face. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt his pounded with mine. Beat for beat. I was furious, scared, and angry. Worst of all, I wanted him. To kiss me. And keep his promise to never leave me.
His mouth covered mine suddenly, his lips warm. Without hesitation I responded. Filling my kiss with all of the rage, confusion, and hunger pent up inside.
He seemed to be doing the same, and before I knew it we were back on my bed, his hands roaming under my shirt. I did the same, exploring the muscles on his back, his shoulders, and his chest. Our lips parted momentarily when I lifted his shirt over his head. Our eyes met. His were clouded with confusion, and something else. I guessed they were similar to mine. I wasn’t sure what we were doing or how we would solve our problems, but in that moment I didn’t care.
I grabbed his shoulders and whispered, “Why? It’s who you are, so why?”
He groaned in response, pressing kisses into my neck, along my jaw. “I love you, Snow White. I’ve loved you since the day Professor Pops brought me home, and I saw your inquisitive, beautiful face in my driveway.”
Chapter 9
I searched his eyes for any hint of a lie. My heart beat faster. “You love me?” I asked, hesitant.
He wrapped his arms around me, his elbows on either side, holding me a willing captive. “So much it hurts,” he said softly, a smirk splaying across his lips.
I realized he was thinking about our first kiss, down in the training room, when I drank from him, and thought I killed him. “Won’t your dad be mad? He knows what I did, right?”
He nodded, the smirk turning into a smile. “I’ve decided I don’t care. The past several months I’ve tried to be the obedient son. Do what my father expects. Take on the family business. But where you’re concerned, I can’t.” His face grew dark, full of determination. “I won’t.”
At his words, my heart melted. But I wanted to be sure, to be clear. “Is that really feasible though? Isn’t it your sacred duty or something to destroy me and my kind?”
He pulled his arms from beneath me and brushed his fingers through my hair. We were so close our noses almost touched. The smell of toothpaste tinged his breath, and manly body wash surrounded his body. The muscles on his arms rippled and he flexed. I took in his dark lashes, thick like a girl’s, but on him, they only increased the perfectness of his face. There was a slight arch in his brows. His dark hair swirled in disarray, and his bottom lip…
“Together, we’ll figure it out.” He kissed me tenderly. “I won’t lose you. I made a promise didn’t I? That is my sacred duty now. To make sure you’re kept safe.”
I smiled. My cheeks grew hot. “What if I want to…” My eyes found the pulsing vein in his neck.
He inhaled. Worried I scared him; I caught hold of his gaze. They were dark and filled with need.
See, he did want you to drink from him, my inner voice cheered.
“Well, the damage is done. You’ve already discovered you can’t kill me, and,” Gabe’s eyes went to my mouth.
“You liked it,” I said hoarsely, finishing his sentence. The idea of drinking from him again pushed against my canines.
“Yes,” he whispered. “I liked it.” He cleared his throat. “Well, up until you broke my neck. That really did hurt. At least for a few minutes.”
Our eyes met, and we both laughed. “I’m really sorry about that.” I touched his neck with my fingers. “It’s gorgeous,” I added, my fingers finding his pulse. “And I’ve had some practice since the first time.”
His eyes widened. “But you haven’t killed anyone.”
“No. I’ve been careful.” My fingers trailed down his back, making goose bumps rise on his skin.
“That feels good,” he said, kissing my nose. “I know what would feel better.” He rolled us so that I was on top and lifted his chin, his pulsing vein in full view.
It was my turn to be surprised. “Are you sure,” I asked, checking his face.
His eyes were closed and he nodded.
I moved so that I could have better access. My canines grew, and I lowered my head. I took it slow, allowing each canine to prick his neck gradually, knowing that with the pain came pleasure. His breath hitched as I steadily sank them into his vein. When they were fully inside, I begun sucking. Pulling his blood from his body. He groaned, and I sucked harder. This time though I counted. When I reached eight, I stopped.
He flipped us, placing me under him again, my canines still embedded in his neck. Pressing his body into mine he said, “Don’t stop, Snow.”
I sucked again, counting to fifteen this time. Way past my limit, but I was almost too far-gone to stop. Surely if I drained him dry he would die. Wouldn’t he? I had to stop. I pulled out, my canines retracting. His eyes were hooded, heavy with lust.
Gabe’s lips found mine, and I froze, worried he would be disgusted by the blood on my mouth. But he didn’t seem to mind. His tongue dove into my mouth and circled mine. My hands roamed along his back, down to the waist of his jeans, and along his butt. He groaned, his breathing coming faster.
Our lips parted and we looked at each other. I wanted more and I could tell he did too. Without a word he lifted my shirt over my head and tossed it onto the floor. One hand hovered above one of my breasts and he gave me a questioning gaze. I nodded; surprised I wasn’t embarrassed about him seeing me without a shirt. He touched me tenderly over my red bra. I pressed upward, my back arching.
“Snow,” he whispered, his voice gruff, kissing my neck, along my collarbones, and my shoulders. “You’re so beautiful.” In response I wrapped my legs around his hips.
Did I really want what was about to happen? It seemed too fast. My body sure did, but not too many minutes ago I believed he planned to kill me.
It’s how life works. You fight, you make up. Go with it, my inner voice cooed.
“What the hell is going on?” The lights flicked on, and Professor Pops stood in the doorway, his hands on his hips.
Gabe blocked me with his body. “Give us a minute, Pops,” Gabe said quietly.
“I’ll give you five. Get dressed,” he said sternly, giving Gabe a look that said, ‘you know better.’
The door closed.
“I’m sorry,” Gabe whispered.
I swallowed, my emotions to full to speak. Was I glad or disappointed that we were interrupted?
Definitely disappointed, my inner voice sulked.
My body was frustrated as well. The rest of me was kind of relieved. I definitely wasn’t ready for sex. It was only a few months ago that I had my first kiss.
In the hall I could hear the brothers snickering.
“I guess they made up.”
“I told you he wouldn’t kill her.”
“You owe me twenty bucks.”
Chapter 10
I finally found my voice, and said, “Wow, dinner and a show.”
He looked confused a second, and then started to laugh. “I’m a full service boyfriend.”
Boyfriend? I snickered, feeling the blissful after effects of drinking Gabe’s blood. Our relationship felt like more than that. A picture of Christopher in the glass case danc
ed across my mind, reminding me that any happiness I experienced was at a detriment to him. I needed to find the necklace, or all vampires would be destroyed, including my Hunter. But who would’ve taken it? My stepmother? Cindy?
What about Gabe’s father? Or someone in his group? Wouldn’t they want it if it could destroy vampires? I gasped at the questions. My mind moving in one direction. Toward Gabe. Did he have it?
Kenmei and Professor Pops said it wouldn’t work for anyone but me. So if he or his father did have it, would they know what to do with it? I didn’t even know what to do with it.
“Snow, what’s wrong? You look like you’re in pain. Did I hurt you?”
I shook my head. “I’m fine. Just a lot going on in here.” I tapped my head with a finger. Gabe stood, and pulled me up with him. He handed me my shirt.
Changing the subject, I said, “Do the guys know what you are?”
He chuckled. “Yes. After my brush with a broken neck, and my quick recovery, Professor Pops and I told them. Dorian, Heathcliff, and Salvatore wouldn’t speak to me for a week. They were so mad at me for not telling you, and not telling them.” He huffed. “I should’ve told you all a lot sooner. So much heartache could’ve been avoided if I had.” With a sigh, he sidled over, grabbing my shirt in his hands. “Can you forgive me? Can you love me?”
Love?
If I truly loved Gabe, then either the chant—lips red as rubies, hair dark as night, drink your true love’s blood, become the Vampire, Snow White—was just a lot of mumbo jumbo, or I didn’t really love, love Gabe.
There is also the true love’s kiss thing, I thought. And I remembered Professor Pops told me that a kiss from my true love would return me to human. That hadn’t worked either, if Gabe was my true love. I thought about the Vampire Queen, and what she’d told me. That Professor Pops and Kenmei were lying. I have a lot to learn, I thought, sighing internally. To Gabe, I said, “Yes, of course I forgive you. I’m sorry for running. I was such a coward. Had I stayed, a lot of heartache could have been avoided as well.”
Blood and Snow 5: Prey and Magic Page 3