Blood and Snow 7: Seal of Gabriel

by Workman, RaShelle

  “Lips red as rubies, hair dark as night. Drink your true love’s blood, become the Vampire, Snow White.”

  Praise for the Blood and Snow series:

  “The modern twist on the Snow White fairy tale was interesting and original, which isn't easy to find these days. Highly recommended.” Sarra Cannon, bestselling author of the Peachville High Demons series

  “This book will definitely suck you in (no pun intended) instantly.” Anthony

  "BLOOD AND SNOW draws you in from the very beginning and never let's you go, only to leave you anticipating more! Loved it. Can't wait for volume 2." Debbie Davis from Debbie's Inkspectations

  "This is a fun, smart, and sexy read!" Elizabeth Mueller, award winning YA author of Darkspell

  “I definitely look forward to more, and recommend this to anyone who likes a fairy tale with a twist.” Kay Glass

  “If you enjoy vampires and fractured fairy tales you'll enjoy these quick reads!” Laura Pauling, author of the Circle of Spies series

  “Best books that I have read!” Mercedez

  Main Menu

  Start Reading

  Afterword

  Additional Works by RaShelle Workman

  Indelible Authors

  About the Author

  Contact Information

  Copyright Information

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  …”What did you tell the doctors and her dad happened at her birthday party?”

  “I told them she fell.”

  “Did they buy it? I mean, look at her. It’s like she’s sleeping, except for the red, glittery aura on her skin. That’s not something you see every day.”

  “No, Gabe, it isn’t. I think the red aura, as you put it, has something to do with the Seal of Gabriel. It’s changing her somehow. Kenmei has gone in search of answers.”

  “Her dad’s freaking out. I’ve never seen the dude so distraught.”

  “It serves him right. He’s been an absentee parent for far too long… and Snow is fine.”

  “She is not fine. She’s red, and glowy. If she were fine, she’d be awake, coherent, and tripping up the stairs. She’d still be the girl I fell in love with.”

  “Oh, son, I’m sorry. I know this has been hard on you. But, you must know she’ll never be the same. Neither will you, now that Oberon is dead.”

  “Nothing’s changed, except my desire to find the Hunter. He never should’ve bitten her. If he hadn’t, none of this would’ve happened.”

  “Snow’s been different since long before the night Christopher bit her.”

  I, Silindra, Queen of the vampires, do solemnly swear to do whatever it takes to win. That was my personal mantra. Of course, no one knew it but me.

  I’d been ruler of the vampires for over a thousand years. The position hadn’t remained in my power because of luck, or a convoluted idea.

  My sister Sharra, or Sabina, whichever name she went by now (she would always be Sharra to me), disagreed. She was wrong though. I still ruled because of systematic planning, a shrewd knowledge of the citizens I governed, and the cunning to deal with other magical creatures in the world.

  Like dragons.

  Dragons and vampires meshed well together, for the most part. Although some of the human vampires craved dragon blood, the Originals, like myself, had no stomach for the foul-smelling creatures. The oldest, and most impressively magical dragon of them all was called Abernathy.

  I needed to speak to him.

  He was kind of a prickly old character, but once you got around his rough edges, he had the heart of a gentleman.

  His cave permeated mortality, a mixture of decaying flesh, bat guano, and seawater. Despite the thick darkness, I could make out the bones of the damned scattered on the dusty earth. Carefully I stepped over, and around as many as possible. But they were everywhere, and occasionally my bare feet crushed one to powder.

  Noises bounced off the walls adding to the bizarrely solemn rooms. Rats scurried, squeaking angrily. There was a repetitive drip dripping of water falling from stalactites clinging to the ceiling. And a gentle, continuous rumbling reverberated from the sleeping dragon.

  I bent to enter a low-hanging cavern, making sure to tuck my wings more closely to my back. A startled bat caught its feet in my sapphire blue hair before flying away. Though I knew I had nothing to fear, I jumped.

  Taking a deep breath, I crouched and continued.

  The closer I got, the warmer the air became. Perspiration trickled along my hairline, and lower back, making my fur stick together. I wiped my forehead with the back of my hand.

  Along the fringes of my mind bubbled strange memories. Of another time, filled with humans and places I somehow knew, but couldn’t place. The memories begged to be set free, but I didn’t have time to entertain them. I needed to find a way to stop my twin sister, Sharra, before she destroyed everything I held dear.

  The rumbling, which sounded a lot like the purring of a giant cat, grew louder and louder. When I stepped into the dragon’s chamber I stood up, straightening my spine.

  The stunning, golden dragon’s snoring stopped. His languid saffron eyes blinked open and he studied me, the way a bird of prey would examine its meal. I cleared my throat, waiting for him to acknowledge me with a salutation, as was the custom. Though the height of his head was more than double my size, I didn’t fear being eaten. Dragons didn’t like the taste of vampires, especially one’s that hadn’t been humanized, like me. On the other hand, Abernathy might enjoy Sharra’s fleshy, humanized hide. Snorting in disgust, I rolled my shoulders back, allowing my wings to beat and expand.

  Abernathy was a remarkable looking creature. Our wings were similar, though his were a beautiful metallic shade of gold, while mine were black. His reminded me of a glorious cape, the way he held them draped over his back. On either side of his face and under his chin was a mane of wavy hair. The top layers of his scales shone golden metallic. The scales underneath glistened in ambers and bright gold.

  He yawned, exposing his razor sharp teeth, as he shook his head. “Hello, Silindra,” he said, his voice booming against my bones. “Nice to see you.”

  I bowed slightly. “Greetings, Abernathy.”

  The dragon rose, his scales clicking against each other as he moved. With him on his feet I felt like an ant—small, insignificant, and easily crushed.

  He returned my bow. “It’s an honor. To what, or whom do I owe for this… pleasant interruption from my slumber?” He smacked his lips, as though he considered making me a meal. I stepped back.

  “I need your help,” I said, tentative, raising my chin. I refused to let the overgrown flying lion intimidate me.

  “Of course you do,” he responded. He sat on his haunches, and the earth beneath him shook in discomfort. “Tell me?” Abernathy blinked.

  I focused on his long, black lashes. “My sister, Sharra, is ambitious for power. I fear if she succeeds in her plans, the world, as we know it, will be lost. Then only those she deems worthy will retain magic.” And I knew that meant her, and no one else, at least not to the extent that she did. I paused, unable to meet his gaze, and took a secret breath.

  A big part of me hadn’t wanted to come. Doing so meant I was betraying Sharra. That wasn’t my intention. I loved my sister. Sharra and I had been the best of friends for more than a thousand years, until she discovered humans, and their uses. Until she realized she could change them into a new variety of vampire, and use them to do her bidding.

  Until she decided she should rule instead of me, I thought remorsefully, and shoved those feelings away.

  To Abernathy, I continued, “We may drive her back for a time, but she’l
l return. She’s strong willed, and so determined.” I swallowed. “I-We need a way to protect a portion of Earth’s magic, so it can’t be muddled to suit her lust for power.”

  “I see.” Abernathy’s tail whipped and curled around his feet. I got the feeling he really didn’t see, but wanted to mollify me. “You realize, dear vampire, life is evolution, whether you want to believe it or not.” He drummed his clawed paws on the ground, sending wisps of dirt into the air. “Had a tadpole not longed to roam on land, it never would have become a frog.”

  I nodded. It was the same argument Sharra used. But that didn’t make it right.

  “Why do you want to stop what so naturally is,” Abernathy continued. “Unless you’re worried creatures of magic will agree with her instead of you.” He gave me a knowing glance, and I cringed.

  Clearing my throat, I steeled myself, and tried to glare. The idea of losing one’s magic made no sense. Why would someone willingly give up such a gift? Choose to mate with lesser creatures? Weakening their power. There was no rhyme or rationale behind the logic. Flapping my wings in frustration, I said, “The unicorns believed as Sharra does, and they are all but extinct. Each generation diluted until the youngest no longer grow a horn, and can’t communicate with other creatures of magic. It’s a disgrace! They are called horses, and they do the humans dirty work.” My words came out ragged, but that was the truth. It was despicable what happened in the name of evolution.

  “Perhaps,” Abernathy said thoughtfully.

  I fisted my hands, the muscles under my brown fur straining from the pressure. Would he refuse me?

  “What’s the matter with her? It looks like she has a disease—that odd shade of her skin. And she hasn’t moved in weeks.”

  “I wish I knew. Snow Angel, come back, honey. Daddy’s here.”

  “Let’s fly to Italy for Christmas, it’ll do you some good to relax.”

  “You can do what you want, but I’m her father. I’m not going anywhere, in case she wakes up.”

  “You heard the doctors, there’s nothing wrong with her.”

  “Then get the hell out, Viv. Go! Do what you want. I won’t leave my daughter alone again.”

  “How dare you talk to me like that!”

  “No, how dare you! For the past ten years I’ve chosen you over her. Never again.” …

  Chapter 2

  Abernathy exhaled, sending smoke through his nostrils, and I took another step back. “If you wish to save Earth’s magic, there is much you must do. While I do not agree that the horse is less of a creature than the unicorn, I do think there is merit to what you request. Saving magic will benefit all creatures.”

  I felt my shoulders relax. My wings vibrated in response. It didn’t matter if he agreed with my beliefs or not, only that he told me what I needed to do to protect the world’s magic from dying out completely. “You’ll help, then?”

  “Yes, Silindra, Queen of the Vampires. I’ll give you what you desire, but remember all choices come with a price.”

  “Thank you,” I breathed, feeling a little giggly, and wondering where the emotion came from. Usually I was exceptional under pressure.

  Abernathy tossed his head back. “Hhhmmmmm. Aaarrgggghhhh. Hhhmmmmm. Aaarrgggghhhh.” The noise trembled deep within the dragon’s body. He pranced from one foot to the other, as though dancing. Then he rose up on his hind legs, and let out a roar, breathing fire. Flames licked the high ceiling of the cavern. Bats died instantly, falling like black rain all around us. I fell backward, pinching my wings against the floor and the rocky wall. And waited.

  After several minutes he stopped, turning his ferocious face my direction. An angry pain burned in his eyes. He opened his mouth, and I had a momentary flash of fear that he would send his fiery breath my way.

  Instead, something small rolled off his tongue, landing in the dusty floor beneath him. “Take that,” he said, returning to his sitting position, looking as though he’d done nothing bizarre.

  I hesitated. “What is it?” A hairball, I thought. Nasty.

  “Go on, it won’t bite.”

  Yeah, but it might be oozing saliva, and other disgusting dragon… stuff, I thought, standing above it.

  Abernathy chuckled, his eyes twinkling merriment. “Go on,” he prodded.

  Cautious, I picked it up. It was warm, and thankfully slobber free. It looked like a topaz gem, shaped like a teardrop. A grey-black substance swirled within. Holding it between my thumb and first finger I peered at it more closely.

  “What is it?” I asked, hearing the wonderment in my voice.

  “That, dear Silindra, is a piece of my soul.”

  I gasped, and almost dropped it. “Why?” To give away a piece of one’s soul was a travesty.

  “In order to save magic you must combine my soul with six other magical elements,” Abernathy answered.

  A vibration began within my body, and I knew he spoke the truth. “And they are?” I asked, pressing the gem into the palm of one hand.

  “The horn of a unicorn, the strength of a troll, the heart of a fairy, the essence of a vampire, and the blood of a Hunter, but not any Hunter. When the time comes, you’ll understand what I mean.”

  I nodded.

  A shriek came from the nethermost part of my mind. I sucked in a breath, surprised. I hadn’t made the noise. But who had? Shaking my head, I tried to rid myself of the clutter. After a thousand years of living I thought I’d experienced everything, but there was something new happening inside.

  Abernathy spoke, “Do not fight what is meant to be. You have a young vampire within. She will be the one to restore the magical balance to the Earth when the time comes.” Without waiting for my response, he lay down, curling his back toward me. Within seconds he was snoring again.

  With the gem firmly in my grasp, I retreated from the cave. A part of me worried about keeping the dragon’s soul safe. In the wrong hands, it would destroy lives. With the elements combined, whoever wore the gem would possess more power than all others combined, including the dragons.

  Excitement shot through my heart.

  I would be the most powerful creature in the world.

  … “Pops, I noticed Kenmei is back. What did he find out? Does he know why the Seal of Gabriel disappeared? Why she’s red?”

  “He discovered little more than we already knew. Abernathy believes the magic within the gem is binding with Snow. The dragon said if that’s the case, she’ll be unstoppable, a force more powerful than any of us has ever seen.”

  “Including the Vampire Queen?”

  “Yes.”

  “Holy crap. Let’s wake her up then.”

  “Try a kiss, numnuts. It works in fairy tales.”

  “Back off, Salvatore. I’ll do it.”

  “Dorian, I swear to St. Valentine, if your lips go anywhere near hers, I’ll kick your ass.”

  “You’re such a baby, Gabe.” …

  Chapter 3

  I exited the dragon’s cave, and was met by Ryden, my most trusted friend. The pixilette had transparent wings, and hair the color of daisies. Gabriel, one of Sharra’s Hunters, and my secret lover, was also there.

  I sucked in my breath at the sight of him. “Gabriel,” my insides sang. It still shocked me that I had any kind of physical reaction to him. He wore his long, black hair in a braid. Several strands had fallen out and framed his chiseled face. His eyes were emerald green, and seemed to overflow with serenity and goodness. He wasn’t tall, about my height, and muscled. He wore black pants, fur-covered boots, and a matching black shirt without sleeves. On his back two swords crisscrossed. His sensuous lips were puckered with worry.

  Gabriel was a vampire, but didn’t look anything like me. No wings and no fur—only our faces were similar in shape, and color. Gabriel had been a human first, before my sister turned him. She used her magic, and her blood to make it happen. Although I was more than offended with what she’d done to him, I couldn’t help the strong feelings—the desire—I felt for this Hun
ter. My feelings went against everything I stood for, but I couldn’t deny them.

  Flying off Gabriel’s shoulder, Ryden asked, “Did you find Abernathy? What did he say?” She spoke in a high, barely audible voice as she flitted around my head.

  I held out my hand, exposing the amber stone.

  “Oh,” she gasped, clutching her hands to her chest. Her wings beat rapidly as she landed on my palm, timidly touching the stone. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed.

  “It’s our future,” I said.

  “What did he say? What do we do with it?” She placed her hands on her hips.

  Forcing down a smile, I said, “First, we need to find the elf known as Devoran.”

  Gabriel placed a hand on my shoulder, his eyes questioning.

  I covered his hand with mine, and pulled it to my chest. “The dragon is sending us on a quest.” The word, us, filled me with contentment. We were a team, Gabriel, Ryden, and I.

  “A quest? What are we searching for, my love?” Gabriel brushed his hands through my wild, unkempt hair. I caught hold of his waist, pulling him close, ignoring the frustrated breathing coming from Ryden. Gabriel and I embraced, and he kissed me, his warm lips caressing mine. At his touch my body snapped to attention, every part of me quivering like putty in his hands.

  Ryden and I had talked on more than one occasion about my passions for the human-looking vampire. I knew it was wrong, that I shouldn’t be seen cavorting with a watered down vampire, especially one that served Sharra. But whenever he was near, my body would melt.

  Every strict word I told myself, each promise I made to Ryden was forgotten, flitting from my head like a petulant bird. I craved his nearness. Even now, knowing we needed to complete the most important task of my long life, I couldn’t stop myself from kissing him, touching him, wanting him.

  “Gabriel,” I whispered.

  He responded by deepening his kiss, and I felt it in my knees, down to the tips of my toes.