“Devoran?” I said, but didn’t move. My eyes told me that was who walked toward me, but my mind struggled to believe.
“Welcome, Silindra. I’ve been expecting you.”
I remained immobile. Everything about the way Devoran acted went against all I’d known of him over the last millennium. That concerned me. Why was he different? Was this a trick? Had the phantoms caught hold of my mind, and this was all a hallucination?
It couldn’t be, I thought, discreetly pinching myself. The air smelled so intoxicating I almost decided I didn’t care. With a shrug, I plucked a fruit from the tree and sank my teeth into it before I changed my mind. The fleshy fruit tasted exactly like Gabriel’s blood.
“What is this?” I asked, too startled to follow decorum.
“Amonie fruit. Do you like it?”
“It tastes like blood,” I admitted in awe.
Devoran nodded. “That’s the beauty of the fruit.”
Two crystal chairs and a table appeared in front of the elven leader. He slipped into one of the chairs. A silver decanter materialized along with twin silver goblets, and a miniature. For Ryden, I guessed.
“Won’t you have a seat. Take some refreshment.” He indicated the pitcher with his pointy chin.
“I’m so thirsty. Do you think there’s watermelon juice in that container?” Ryden asked.
I wondered what was in there too. All I could smell was Gabriel’s delcious blood.
“Devoran, you know I only drink blood. Is that what you’re offering?”
His smile widened. “But, of course, dear Silindra. What kind of host would I be otherwise.”
Ryden sighed.
“Can we get some watermelon juice for the pixelette, Ryden?” I asked, sitting hesitantly in the chair opposite him.
“The decanter pours whatever it is you wish to drink, so if dear Ryden wants watermelon juice, that’s what she’ll receive.”
Ryden squealed with glee, and flew from her hiding place toward the tiny glass. Devoran picked up the decanter and poured her a drink. The pixilette took a small sip, and then several more. Clapping excitedly, she flew into the air, spinning like a magical top. When she stopped, she laughed. “It is watermelon juice.”
I stifled a smile.
“Would you like a drink, Silindra?”
Curious, I agreed, setting the piece of fruit on the table. It vanished immediately.
He poured, and I watched a thick, red liquid flow into my glass. When it was filled I picked it up, startled by the strong scent of blood. Pressing my lips to the glass, I tasted. It was blood. More specifically, Gabriel’s blood. I felt my eyes widen. “How is this possible?” I wanted to set the glass down, but I couldn’t. With only a little decorum I chugged down the remaining contents.
“It’s part of the magic of my home.” He gave a slight chuckle, and I nearly fell off my chair. Devoran never smiled, let alone lifted his lips out of a grim line.
“Who are you?” I finally said, standing.
“Silindra, it is me. I know I usually seem… melancholy. But you are in my home, in my garden, my most favorite place in all the world.” He smiled, and I noticed the tiny wrinkles feathering near his eyes. “Can I show you around?” he asked, rising.
I nodded, feeling out-of-sorts.
“Good.” He turned to Veb. “You are excused,” he barked.
Veb bowed, and left.
Once the water curtain resettled itself, Devoran said, “I know why you’ve come.”
… “Happy Halloween, Snow. I know you hate girlie stuff, so I only put a little bit of clear gloss on your lips, added just a few sparkles to your eyelids, and put a red stripe in your hair. The nurses are going to flip about that.
“I’m dressed up like a cheerleader. We had to wear a costume for work. I bought you one just like mine. We’ll save it for next year, even though you know I hate wearing the same thing twice. It’s okay though. I think, under the circumstances, the Vogue Gods will understand. Just please wake up. I’ve been lonely without you. Sure, I have other friends, but you’re the only one who knows what I am.
“And your dad, he’s taken to drinking. Your stepmother left him… Okay, that’s a big-time bonus, but not his drinking. Professor Pops isn’t sure what to do about him.
“Gatsby has been so desolate. I tried to sneak him into your hostipal room, but the nurses found out and made me take him away. He’s with Professor Pops because your dad kept forgetting to feed him.
“Don’t even get me started on the guys. Holy-Halloween-in-a-handbasket. They are miserable, except Gabe. He’s always out being Mr. Big-Shot leader. I think he forgot he’s only eighteen. Yeah, he had his birthday. None of us celebrated though.” …
Chapter 7
I wasn’t surprised Devoran had at least an idea what I wanted. He’d always been astute at Council meetings. But I doubted he understood the full reason. The elves had been around almost as long as the vampires and the secretive chayot, but we still had a few decades on them.
Getting right to the point, I said, “I’ve been to see Abernathy. If we are to save Earth’s magic, I must have a specific property from each of the great magical races.”
He nodded solemnly. “And what did Abernathy give you?”
I glanced at Devoran. It was a worthy question. “A piece of his soul.” I showed Devoran the amber teardrop.
His eyes widened. “Unbelieveable.”
We walked in silence for a time. I kept the gem in my palm, focusing on its warmth.
“Abernathy and I have never agreed on much. He is more whimsical with his decisions while I tend to think things through so I can plan for different variables.” He walked beside me, his long fingers clasped behind his back. It still surprsied me to see him so relaxed.
As with Abernathy I wondered if Devoran would help, or if I would need to find another way.
“My calculations have determined that you are here to ask for the eternal sight of an elf. Correct?” He raised one highly arched eyebrow in my direction.
“That’s right,” I answered, between clenched teeth.
“We can discuss it.” Pointing at a small black unicorn, he changed the subject. “I call the little unicorn, Envy. See the lusterous shine of her coat? The perfect length of her mane? Her violet eyes? Her brothers and sisters hate her for her beauty. More than that, they hate her for her magic. They were awful to her, refused to play or show her any kind of affection. Her mother and father possessed very little magic, and they despised her as well. She was considered the runt. One night her family gave her a sleeping potion. Then they proceeded to break her legs, and tear off her horn. They abandoned her at the edge of our forest. I believe they hoped the phantoms would destroy her. But her magic is very strong.”
I gasped. That was beyond awful.
“I sensed her, and brought her here. When she woke she healed herself and now she’s happy and healthy.” The unicorn, sensing Devoran spoke about her, shook her mane, and pranced over to him, pushing her nose against his hand. He smiled, petting her between the eyes, below the small nub where her horn was regrowing. “She is loyal to me to a fault.” Devoran playfully shoved Envy away. “That loyalty could be the death of her.”
I shivered at his words, though I understood what he meant. It didn’t matter if Devoran’s desires were good or evil, because she was loyal to him, she would do whatever he commanded. That’s how the vampires loyal to Sharra were.
Beyond Envy’s extrodinary beauty, she seemed kind. As I watched, the unicorn nudged a baby hedgehog over to a patch of clover and kept him company while he ate.
I realized suddenly that Devoran was stalling, pushing my mind in different directions. I recognized that was his way of deliberating what I wanted.
After a time, he said, “I will give you what you desire, but you must agree to something first.” He stopped. Several of the creatures raced over to him. He gave each of them some individual attention.
“What is it?” I asked, finally.
If this was the only way to get the eternal sight, I would do it.
“To give you the sight, I must give, give it to you. And in order to receive it, you must experience the pain and power that comes from such an incredible gift.”
“Of course,” I said, bracing myself. I had no idea what he meant, but I was surprised to realize I felt no tension. In fact I didn’t really feel much of anything, except tired.
“Come, let me direct you to your room. You need some rest.”
He picked up the pace, and I worked hard to follow. My legs felt like rubber.
“Excellent.”
… “Her birthday’s coming up. I can’t believe she’s been like this for almost a year. It’s a good thing her dad agreed to bring her home. I think the doctors wanted to run tests, treat her like a lab rat.”
“I believe they would’ve been shocked at what they discovered. They were already curious about why her body wasn’t breaking down.”
“She looks the same as she did a year ago. Only her hair is longer.”
“Vampires age at an abundantly slower rate than humans, son.”
“Right.”
“Gabe, come on. Don’t be like this. Talk to me. Tell how everything’s going. Did I hear the rumors right? You captured the Hunter, Christopher.”
“We had him, but he escaped. Next time we catch him, I’ll kill him.” …
Chapter 8
I didn’t sleep. The Originals, those like me, had no need. Sleeping was for lesser creatures. Humans. Okay, yes dragons slept, but that was because they were lazy, not because they needed to rejuvenate. And my sister Sharra, with her siphoned human body, had to sleep as well.
Not me though.
So when I opened my eyes it surprised me that I had, in fact, gone to sleep. My body hummed with invigoration. It also dazed me to realize I saw the world differently.
Was it the elves eternal sight, I wondered.
I threw off the cozy covers, and shook out my wings, allowing the circulation to reach every tendon and vein. They felt good. I felt good.
I didn’t remember entering this room, lying down, or closing my eyes. But there I was. The room consisted of four crystalized walls. Five small rectangle windows ran the lengh of the wall to the left of the large bed I’d slept in. Nothing covered the windows, and I saw the beautiful gardens outside. A large bumble bee flew in, lazily making its way across the room to the wall on the right of my bed. It bumped into the door several times.
“Oh, you poor thing.” I went over and cupped the bee between my hands, took it over to a window and released it. The garden’s aroma filled my nose. It still smelled like Gabriel’s blood, and my knees went weak.
Directly south of the bed was an opening. I peeked inside, happy to see it was the relieving room. I went in, and took care of my necessities. When I returned to the bedroom I noticed a mirror hanging on the wall next to the bed. It hadn’t been there a moment ago.
“Where did you come from?” It was large, and oval, framed in what looked like finely spun spider silk or icicles. Normally I wouldn’t have bothered with it. Mirrors were of no value to me. But for some reason I was drawn to this one.
As soon as I peered into the strange glass I understood. The reflection wasn’t of me, but of a girl. A human.
My mouth fell open. Tugging in a deep breath, I turned from side to side, watching the girl in the mirror imitate me. I closed my eyes, sure I must be seeing things. But when I opened them she was still there, staring back. Her eyes as wide as mine.
“Mirror. Mirror. Made for me. Whose reflection do I see?”
“Snow White,” the girl responded, her voice soft.
I stepped back, using my wings to move me more quickly. It bothered me I’d heard the reflection speak. Tentative, I went back. She was still there.
Slowly I moved my finger toward the glass, curious to see if it was solid. Her creamy, hairless finger moved in time with mine, as though she didn’t want to, but didn’t have a choice. When our fingers met, she gasped.
“Silindra,” she said.
“How do you know who I am?” I was shocked. I’d never seen this human before. In fact I refused to entertain humans. I had nothing against them. But their existance meant little to me. Except Gabriel, I thought. But I pushed that line of thinking away. Sharra altered him. His body looked human, but he was no more human than I was.
The girl called Snow White leaned toward me. “I’ve heard stories about you.” She leaned back. “Your sister, Sharra, had a Hunter change me. I’m a vampire now.” Her words sounded sad, and I felt momentarily bad for her. I knew Gabriel had similar feelings.
Was this reflection sent to me by Sharra? I knew her magic was strong. Had she created this mirror as a way of luring me? A pang shot through my chest. I didn’t have a heart. Nothing but a strong desire for blood beat in my chest. But if I had a human body, like Gabriel…
We could mate, I thought, and immediately rejected it.
I was a vampire. The vampire. I would not be swayed by a pretty girl, or the lust of a human vampire.
Bringing my fist to the mirror, I shattered it.
Snow squealed. Strange, I heard it in my head, not from the mirror.
Pieces of glass fell like sharp rain to the floor. A few shards hit my skin and bounced off, my body unharmed.
I turned away, heading toward the door. I needed to find Devoran. Perhaps he was responsible.
Tinkling glass sounded behind me. I watched the last pieces of the mirror stitch itselt back together. With a growl, I pulled open the door.
“Devoran,” I shouted, surprised that I stepped out into the garden. Grass, soft like feathers, brushed against my bare feet. The unicorn, Evny, flicked her ears, and looked at me. “Have you seen Devoran?” I asked.
She nickered, and came over, her head bent low, in the sign of subjection, and respect. When she stood in front of me, I touched her head, directly above the place where her horn grew.
“Rise, dear one.” I spoke softly, remembering the cruelty’s she endured.
“Devoran left Crystal City earlier today. I’m so sorry, apologetic, remorseful.” She bowed, putting one hoofed leg behind the other. I noticed the leg she stood on trembled.
A wave of smypathy for her filled my veins. “Please, Envy. You don’t need to bow to me. Rise. I insist.”
She did as I commanded.
“When will he be back?” I asked.
“I do not know. It seems there is trouble between the trolls and the elves near Ellavera Pass. He’s gone to make peace, return their harmony, rebuild an accord.”
I knew the trolls and the elves were always at odds over one petty issue or another. “Thank you.” I scanned the gardens. “Have you seen the pixilette I arrived with? Ryden.”
She shook her head making her long, beautiful mane flip back and forth.
“Where is she,” I wondered aloud.
“I could help you look, if you’d like. The pixilette drank a lot of watermelon juice. She’s probably sleeping it off, feeling whoozy, hungover,” Envy said.
I smiled. “You’re probably right. And I would greatly appreciate your assisatnce.” We moved toward the table where I’d last seen her. As I came closer, a silver decanter appeared along with a goblet.
“You must be thirsty,” Envy said.
“I am,” I said, pouring the liquid that looked like blood into the goblet and raising it to my lips. I drank until it was gone.
We moved over to the trees. A ruby red fruit grew in abundance on the trees in this section of the garden. Even though it was a different color than the green fruit I’d smelled yesterday, I relaized the aroma was the same.
Irritated, I asked, “Why does everything in the garden smell like blood?”
Envy gave me a questioning look and I realized maybe it only smelled that way to me.
“What does the garden smell like to you?”
She sniffed, her nose moving so that I wanted to reach out and touch its softness. R
esisting, I clutched my hands at my sides.
“It smells of fresh clover, alfalpha, and braeburn apples.” She flicked her tail, angling her head toward the red fruit on the tree.
“That’s what this is. An apple.” My sense of smell blinded me to what it truly was. I plucked one from the tree and placed it in the palm of my hand. And I remembered the gem—Abernathy’s soul.
I sucked in my breath, dropping the apple. Envy sniffed, and picked it up with her teeth. “Have you seen a gem? It’s amber in color and shaped like a teardrop.”
“Are you talking about the pretty, the lovely, the gorgeous, hanging from your neck?” Her head bobbed up and down.
I pressed a hand to my neck. It was there. “How?” I wondered aloud, but knew Envy wouldn’t know. Several huge breaths later, I unhooked the chain from my neck and looked at it. I needed to see it with my eyes. The dragon’s soul still swirled within. The outline of an elf eye was also within.
Sighing, I pressed my fist to my chest.
“As soon as I find Ryden, I need to be moving on. Can you let Devoran know I appreciate his help.” I spoke as I headed toward the room I’d stayed in. Before I left I needed to have one more look in that mirror. Something on the girl called Snow White had to be addressed.
The outside of the room I’d stayed in looked like a crystal cottage. It gleamed in the sunlight, shimmering with hundreds of rainbows.
I stepped inside and went over to the mirror. Snow White looked back at me. “Are you stuck in the mirror?” I asked getting to the point. I had a feeling I already knew the answer, but I asked anyway.
She shook her head.
“Did Sharra send you?”
“I don’t think so. I think this did.” She grasped the gem held by a chain that resembled the one around my neck. The difference was her gem was red, a deep crimson instead of yellow gold.
I glanced down at my necklace. “What is that?” I indicated her necklace.
Blood and Snow 7: Seal of Gabriel Page 3