Fate and Magic
Seven Magics Academy Book Two
RaShelle Workman
Polished Pen Press, llc
Copyright @ 2019 Fate and Magic: Seven Magics Academy Book Two 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
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
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Also by RaShelle Workman
About the Author
Chapter 1
After losing everything, there was only one option. Jump. Go all in. With both fangs. It was the punishment I deserved after what I’d done. Before a few months ago, I didn’t eat meat. Now I craved blood. As a full-fledged vampire, I couldn’t get enough, and I’d decided to embrace it. Accept my new lot in life as a wicked supernatural creature. I’d become something I hadn’t believed possible, but now that I’d changed, the truth was, I liked it.
At least while I partook. Afterward, when the blood haze faded, guilt would edge its way in. I hadn’t killed another human, not since Gabe, but killing him was horror enough. It ate at my heart. I remembered the grotesque way his body lay on the floor. The way Professor Pops and the guys looked at me with loathing, disgust, and fear. But I deserved it.
I’d become a monster and killed a boy I thought I might love. A brother. A son. He’d kissed me and I’d repaid him in blood. Lots of it. Maybe even all of it. My vampire need enveloped me and I let myself give in, even relished the sensation.
At those thoughts my mind grew darker and I shrank further away from everything that had to do with my former life. I kept running. Where didn’t matter as long as I was farther from where I’d been, the kind of life I lived before—my normal life.
I blocked away memories of my father, my wicked stepmother, the amazing boys who were my neighbors, and the man who loved them. I buried thoughts of Cindy, my cat Gatsby, and Christopher. None of them mattered anymore. Not to the new me. Even the name of my home town was forgotten.
All I cared about was blood. How I could get it and how much I wanted it. No longer an in between—part human and part revenant. I was a bloodthirsty fiend with an unquenchable thirst. I had become a vampire.
Chapter 2
I fixed my gaze on the night sky. Inhaling deeply, I smelled the air, tasted it, searching for the coppery fragrance I wanted. It was there. Past the rushing wind, through the woodland filled with fir and eucalyptus trees, and down on the sandy shore. The distinct smell of the ocean. And blood.
Pulsing.
Pounding strong in the veins of two humans. Fast. Tantalizing.
I let out an unearthly scream and sprinted forward. Toward my fix. My drug of choice.
When I was only few feet away I slowed down, each silent stride closing the gap between me and my prey. The humans were in the throes of passion. They were on a blanket, kissing and losing themselves in each other. The sight burned my eyes and my heart as unbidden memories of Gabe cut through me. I needed to forget. Drinking the humans’ blood would help, would fill me up in ways nothing else ever could.
I stepped closer, the edges of my dirty black Converse touching their blanket, while my heels sank into the soft sand.
The girl opened her eyes and stopped kissing the boy. “Some skanky girl is watching us. What a perv.” She glared before rolling her eyes.
The boy swiveled his head. “Get out of here,” he hollered. “She smells,” he said to the girl under him.
She giggled again, probably grateful the guy on top of her didn’t find me attractive. Since my change, I discovered it didn’t matter what I looked like. With ease, I could change a human’s feelings, compel them to come to me, desire me, and even lust after me up to the moment I drained them into unconsciousness.
I knelt beside them. “Look at me,” I demanded, my voice silky smooth.
The boy whipped his head around, a sliver of fear shading his brown eyes. He was handsome, lean. His blood smelled slightly like Gabe’s. I swallowed.
“Get the hell away from us!” He tried to shove me, but I didn’t budge. The angry fear in his eyes grew.
“Look into my eyes,” I ordered, enjoying the rush, the adrenaline. Knowing I possessed all the power.
He did as I said.
“You smell delicious,” I said. Fear left his eyes as they dilated. The change in his demeanor was swift. He got off the girl, who let out an annoyed huff, and came to kneel beside me. While he sat there staring at me like a good puppy dog, I took the girl’s chin in my hand. “Do you like the color of my eyes?” I’d discovered with girls, despite whether they sensed danger or not, they couldn’t resist such a simple question. I think it stemmed from the innate need to compare one’s self to another. “Such a pretty thing.” In the moonlight I watched her blush, the crimson of her blood rushing into her plump cheeks.
“Th-thank you,” she stammered. Her dilated cinnamon eyes were no longer interested in the boy next to her, but totally focused on me.
“What are your names?”
As one they spoke.
“Ashley.”
“Kevin.”
Hunger pulsed in my veins. My fangs fought for release and my mouth watered. “You won’t remember meeting me. Understand?”
They nodded.
“Good. Now, Ashley, lie down and go to sleep.”
Immediately she obeyed. She closed her eyes and I watched her breathing deepen.
Kevin still kneeled, his large eyes desperate to please. He had a baby face. Sweet. Probably seduced a lot of girls with that face. He wasn’t wearing a shirt and I absently noticed his chiseled abs, the way his faded jeans rested low on his hips, and his finely manicured hands.
I swallowed again. The monster in me wanted to pounce, wanted to make him scream. But I resisted. “Kiss me, Kevin.”
He licked his lips before pressing them against mine. At his touch, I closed my eyes and pretended I was in Professor Pops’ basement, kissing Gabe. He dee
pened the kiss, grabbing my shoulders, pulling me on top of him, just like Gabe. My pulse pounded rapidly; my need was strong. I wanted to take this boy’s blood. All of it.
I straddled Kevin, tilting his chin up with one hand. He whimpered as though he knew what I wanted. I allowed my fangs to grow. His eyes got wide with fear. I liked that—the fear. Bending down, I took in his scent before sinking my teeth into his tender flesh.
His blood filled my mouth and I swallowed the coppery warmth hungrily. Professor Pops’ words strutted across my mind. “Promise me you won’t drink from a human for more than ten seconds.” Internally I counted to ten. But didn’t stop. Eleven. Twelve. I finally released Kevin. He lay unconscious, his breathing weak but there. The bite marks would heal quickly. The venom I released with my bite was like a liquid cure. Only a bruise would remain. He tasted good, but I wanted more. Dissatisfaction sat on my tongue. Quickly I moved to Ashley. I lifted her into my arms, and she stirred.
“Kevin.” Her eyes fluttered open and then widened momentarily.
“It’s okay, Ashley.” Her pupils dilated, and I knew she was mine to do with as I pleased. “Let me see your neck.”
She lifted her head, exposing her milky skin. When my fangs sank into her, she gasped and grabbed my head, pulling me closer. I drank greedily until her arms went lax.
Eleven.
Twelve.
I had to push the ten-count limit. It was hard enough to stop at twelve. Releasing Ashley, I laid her on the blanket next to Kevin. They seemed so peaceful. Ashley and Kevin wouldn’t remember me, but I would remember them.
“You’re very good,” a woman’s voice purred. “Most of the marked don’t have the strength to pull back before the human dies.”
Chapter 3
I backed up at the sound of her voice; all of the newfound power and grace I recently obtained vanished. Did she know what I was? What I’d done? She must. She said I was marked. That meant she had to know something. Her face was hidden in the shadow of a large hood. Gingerly standing, I wiped sand off my pants and moved in front of the unconscious bodies.
“Wh-what?” That was all I could eke out. It felt like some of the sand from the beach had been poured down my throat.
“Don’t be demure, Snow White.” She took a step forward. The moonlight caught her blood red lips. They were curled into a smile. Before me stood the vampire queen.
“I’m not. I wasn’t. I mean, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Her laugh was low and creepy. Flicking the hood off her head and exposing her jet-black hair, she sighed. “Yes, you do.”
For some reason, knowing who she was—the vampire queen—made me relax, made me feel more human and less of a monster. It was as though a heavy burden lifted from my soul. She wouldn’t judge me. With her I had nothing to fear, at least not right now. I was drawn to her. If anyone understood what I’d done to Gabe and what I’d just done to the humans, it was her. “You’re right. I do.”
At my words she glided to me, quicker than a blink, placing an icy cold hand around my wrist. “Come, I have much to show you.”
“Okay,” I responded, though I didn’t need to. We were already in her realm. Sharra. The realm she’d named after herself. Not only were we in her realm, but inside the castle. Specifically, in the room where Christopher and I spent the night together. My hand went to my throat, searching aimlessly for the necklace he’d left me. The one I’d tossed away like garbage. The one I was told was meant to destroy the vampire queen and restore balance. I shivered, afraid. The room looked exactly the same. The lush, golden bedding, even the magical mirror. Fragrant air filled my lungs.
This was where I belonged.
The vampire queen released me. “Why don’t you freshen up?” She indicated a bathroom I hadn’t noticed before.
“Are you leaving?” I’d been alone for days, maybe even weeks. I wasn’t sure, but it felt like an eternity. Her presence seemed to chase away the memories, the guilt.
“As soon as you’ve cleaned up, I’ll be back. I promise.” She walked out the door and was gone.
I went into the bathroom, which was as big as my house, and sat on a golden chair in front of a gilded mirror. The reflection staring back was scary, and I flinched. My short, black hair was longer, tangled and matted. Dirt streaked my face. My clothes were dingy and caked with blood and other things I didn’t want to think about. “How long have I been gone?”
“In Sharra, the Winter Solstice has begun. In the world of humans, it is the fifth day of November.” The voice was deep and resonated within my chest. It seemed to come from the proximity of the mirror. I was too tired to freak out. Leaning forward, I searched for a body to go with the voice. “My name is Zenny. I reside in all of the mirrors within the castle.” As he spoke, a funny looking man with lemon yellow hair and skin the color of a copper pot strolled across the middle of the mirror. He wore forest green and navy-blue checkered pants, a red shirt, a white vest, and white shoes. I would’ve thought he was a clown, except for the seriousness of his features. Deep grooves etched creases between his eyebrows. His honey eyes held mine with a stern demeanor.
“Oh. That means it’s been more than two weeks since I left.” I bit back a sob as memories of all of my loved ones broke through the wall I’d built up against my pain, shame, and sorrow. Swallowing, I forced the wall back together with my anger and lust for blood.
Zenny sniffed, bringing me out of my reverie. “I would guess at least that long by the smell of you. Peel off those clothes and throw them into the fire.” The hearth on my right suddenly roared to life. “When you’ve disposed of them, step into the shower and I’ll send Fina and Trina to assist you in scrubbing off all the debris.” He sniffed again.
“No thank you, Zenny.” I untied my shoelaces. “I can take care of myself. I don’t need Fina and… Treeny.”
“Trina, dear. And I think you should reconsider.” He walked across my reflection to my left cheek, licked his thumb, and pretended to wipe off a dirt streak.
“Funny,” I said, sarcastic.
He wrinkled his nose. “I’m not trying to be funny. Really, you’re a mess.”
“Fine, I get it. Now can you leave so I can shower in peace?”
“Humph,” he snorted and walked to the edge of the mirror.
Before he was gone, I remembered my manners. “Thank you, Zenny.”
He turned to me, his face ablaze with happiness. “Of course, Snow.” Then he was gone.
Chapter 4
I quickly stripped and, doing as Zenny commanded, tossed my clothes into the fire. The shower was steaming as I stepped in, allowing the water to wash away layers of grime. There was some lemon-scented soap and I lathered it up before scrubbing my skin. My mental wall melted and thoughts of Gabe, Professor Pops, the brothers, Cindy, my dad, stepmother, and Gatsby—hopefully someone fed my poor cat—filled my mind and stung my heart. Had Professor Pops held a funeral for Gabe? Images of Professor Pops and the brothers all dressed in dark suits, white shirts, and ties mocked me. The brothers walked somberly, three on each side of Gabe’s cherry wood casket, toward Professor Pops and the gravesite where they would lower Gabe’s cold, dead body into the ground.
Tears, hot with hurt and devastation, trickled down my cheeks. “What have I done?” Unable to keep myself standing, I curled into a ball on the shower floor and that’s where I stayed as I wondered if my dad looked for me, if he knew what I’d done. Probably not. Did anyone even care? They shouldn’t. I’d committed the ultimate sin. I had killed. Murdered an amazing person. I didn’t deserve anyone’s love or support. I deserved to die. That’s what it said in the Bible: an eye for an eye. If anyone was searching for me, it was probably to find me and punish me. I shouldn’t have run. I should’ve stayed and suffered the consequences of my actions.
A part of me still struggled to believe what I’d done. It was easier to pretend he lived—that somehow, he’d survived my vicious attack and was only wounded. Was it possible
? How could I find out without returning? Should I go back? A wave of determination washed over me. I would go home and face the consequences. If that meant death, then so be it. Standing, I quickly washed my hair before getting out of the shower and drying off. Now that I’d decided, I was in a hurry.
Though, I had no way of getting back. I was in Sharra, not the human realm. I wrapped myself in a large red bath towel and sat in a golden chair. A pearlized brush with soft white bristles appeared near my right hand. Absently I picked it up and began the arduous process of removing the tangles from my hair.
How would I get back? In the past when I’d come to Sharra, I went back without trying. Someone or something always pulled me between the two realms.
“Zenny,” I said quietly and waited.
He shuffled to the side of the mirror. “How may I be of service?”
I tightened the towel closer around my body. “How do I get back to the human realm?”
He became agitated at my question and started walking in circles. “You can’t leave. The queen won’t allow it. She brought you here for a reason. You have to stay.”
I nodded, showing him I understood. Of course, he was loyal to her. “That’s fine, I won’t go anywhere until she allows it. But, if the time comes, how do I leave?” I asked, gulping down a slice of fear.
Fate and Magic: Snow White Reimagined with Vampires and Werewolves (Seven Magics Academy Book 2) Page 1
