Poor Gabe. I wanted to comfort him, but I couldn’t. I hadn’t accomplished whatever the Seal wanted from me.
“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. You know that. She’s been different almost as long as you have.”
My heart broke for Gabe. The Seal—I had killed his real father, Oberon. Searing agony coursed through me until I felt the power of the Seal pull me from the human realm and back, back to the beginning once again. At the knowledge that I’d killed Gabe’s father, I knew we could never be the same. He and I were over. There were some things that couldn’t be forgiven. That was one of them.
When I opened my eyes again, I determined I would stay here and be Silindra. They could bury my body for all I cared. I would never return. I was Silindra and I intended to stay that way.
I studied my surroundings through Silindra’s eyes and found myself on the path just outside the castle grounds and I knew I was in the realm of Sharra. Desperate to commit myself to my new home, I repeated the chant that was bouncing around in my mind. But it wasn’t me that spoke. It was the voice of Silindra. I was her and she was me. We were one. My soul rested inside of her, but I wasn’t alone in there. She was with me and she was in the driver’s seat. For the briefest moment, I wondered if this was what it would be like if the modern-day vampire queen—Sharra took over my body. Would I still be in there? If so, it wasn’t so bad.
Except that Sharra was wicked and evil and that wasn’t how I wanted to live my life. I’d tried it briefly and it didn’t take.
Chapter 26
“I, Silindra, Queen of the Vampires, do solemnly swear to do whatever it takes to win.” That was my new 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 disagreed. She was wrong, though. I still ruled because of systematic planning, a shrewd knowledge of the citizens I governed, and my ability to deal with other magical creatures in the world.
Like dragons.
Dragons and vampires meshed well together, for the most part, but while some of the human vampires craved dragon blood, the originals, like Sharra and me, 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 character but, once you got around his rough edges, he had the heart of a gentleman.
Moving with vampiric speed, I reached the entrance to his cave. He wasn’t the tidiest of creatures. The whole place reeked 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.
As I tucked my magnificent 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 held it a moment before blowing out, working to steady myself.
The deeper into the cave I went, the warmer the air became. Perspiration trickled along my hairline and lower back, making my fur stick together.
Memories danced along the fringes of my mind, beckoning me to remember another time, one that wasn’t my own. I shoved them more deeply into the recesses of my mind. I was Silindra, queen of the vampires, and I needed to find a way to stop my twin sister, Sharra, before she destroyed everything I held dear.
As I entered another chamber, there came the distinct sound of rumbling, which sounded a lot like purring from a giant cat. With each step, it became louder, until I was within the dragon’s chamber.
The room was enormous and without a roof. In the center of the chamber slept a stunning golden dragon. He seemed to sense my presence because his languid saffron eyes blinked open. “Hello,” he said, his deep voice shaking the room and my soul. He studied me the way a bird of prey would examine its meal.
I cleared my throat, swallowing. Though his head was more than double the size of my entire body, I didn’t fear being eaten. Dragons didn’t like the taste of vampires, especially the originals, like me. I rolled my shoulders back, allowing my wings to beat and expand before they settled at my back. “Abernathy,” I said, bowing at the waist.
Abernathy was a remarkable looking creature. Our wings were similar, though his were a beautiful metallic shade of gold while mine were black. The way he held them draped over his back reminded me of a glorious cape. On either side of his face and under his chin was a mane of wavy hair. The top layers of his scales shone like molten gold. The scales underneath glistened in ambers and bright yellow.
He yawned, exposing his razor-sharp teeth as he shook his head. “What brings you into my lair,” he said, his voice booming against my bones.
I tried to swallow again, hoping to rid my throat of the dehydration that took up residence. “I need your help,” I said, my voice sounding like I’d drunk a glass of sand.
“Is that so?” 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 smacked his lips as though considering my nutritional value. I stepped back.
“Yes, it’s my sister,” I said tentatively, raising my chin. I refused to let the overgrown flying lion intimidate me.
“Tell me,” he responded. He sat on his haunches and the earth beneath him shook. Abernathy blinked, waiting with interest. Or perhaps boredom.
I focused on his long black lashes. “Sharra is growing more and more ambitious for power. I fear if she succeeds in her plans, the world as we know it will be lost. Only those she deems worthy will retain magic and six of the seven magics will be destroyed.” 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. I loved my sister. She and I had been the best of friends for a thousand years, until she discovered humans and their uses. Until she realized she could change them into a new variety of vampire and force them to do her bidding. Until she decided she should rule instead of me.
“I may drive her back for a time, but she’ll return. She’s strong-willed and so determined.” I swallowed. “I… We need a way to protect a portion of the seven magics so it can’t be muddled to suit Sharra’s lust for power.”
“I see.” Abernathy’s tail whipped and curled around his feet. I got the feeling he really didn’t care but wanted to mollify me. “You realize, dear Silindra, life is evolution whether you want to believe it or not.” He drummed his clawed paws on the ground, sending wisps of dust 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 what she was doing right.
“Why do you want to stop what so naturally is?” Abernathy continued. “Unless you are worried the 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 forfeiting one’s magic made no sense to me. 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.
I flapped my wings in f
rustration. “The unicorns believed as Sharra does, and they are all but extinct, each generation’s magic 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 now, and Sharra has sent them all to the human realm where 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 Sharra’s “evolution”.
“Perhaps,” Abernathy said thoughtfully.
I fisted my hands, the muscles under my brown fur straining from the pressure. Would he refuse me?
A blip confuzzled my mind and I was no longer in Abernathy’s cave. My consciousness had returned to the human realm and a time I didn’t know. From deep within I felt the change.
… “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,” Sebastian said.
“I wish I knew. Snow Angel, come back, honey. Daddy’s here.” My dad. Silindra’s consciousness was drowned out and I returned. I tried to reach out—to pull away from Silindra, but she wouldn’t let me go.
“Let’s fly to Italy for Christmas, it’ll do you some good to see another part of the country.” That was Vivianne, my stepmother. At her voice, anger burned through me.
“You can do what you want, but I’m her father. I’m not going anywhere, in case she wakes up.” I wanted to high-five my dad and hug him, but I still couldn’t break free.
“You heard the doctors, there’s nothing wrong with her. She’s probably just pretending like always.”
“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!” Vivianne’s voice sounded as shocked as I felt. I hadn’t heard my dad talk like that ever. Not to anyone, and especially not to her.
“No, how dare you! For the past ten years I’ve chosen you over her. Never again.” His voice cracked and I knew my dad meant it.
Dad, I tried to shout, but Silindra pulled me back. Back to the time when original vampires ruled the world.
Chapter 27
Abernathy exhaled, sending smoke through his nostrils, and I took another step back. “If you wish to save magic, there is much you must do. While I do not agree the horse is less of a magnificent creature than the unicorn, I do believe there is merit to what you request. Saving magic will benefit all creatures.”
I felt my shoulders relax, and 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?” I wanted to make sure before I got too excited.
“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. I moved back until my wings touched the chamber’s wall.
He rose up on his hind legs and let out a roar, breathing a column of fire. Bats died instantly, falling like black rain all around us. I turned into the wall, shielding my face.
After several long moments, he stopped, and I faced him. 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 and landed on the dusty floor in front of him.
“Take that,” he said, returning to his seated position, looking as though he’d done nothing bizarre.
I hesitated. “What is it?” A hairball? Nasty.
“Go on, it won’t bite.”
Yeah, but it might be oozing saliva and other disgusting dragon… slime, I thought, standing over 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 again, 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 huge.
“In order to save magic, you must combine a piece of my soul with the six other magical elements,” Abernathy answered.
A vibration began within my body, and I knew he spoke the truth. “What exactly?” I asked, pressing the gem into the palm of one hand. I wanted to make sure I did exactly as he said.
“The horn of a unicorn, the strength of a troll, the heart of a fairy, the essence of an original vampire, and the blood of a hunter—but not just any hunter. When the time comes, you’ll understand what I mean.”
It sounded crazy but I decided to trust him. He’d given me a piece of his soul. There was nothing greater.
Abernathy spoke. “Do not fight what is meant to be. You have a young vampire within you. She will be the one to restore the magical balance when the time comes.” A gasp sounded from the nethermost part of my mind. I sucked in a breath, frustrated. 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 within my mind.
Without waiting for my response, the enormous golden dragon turned away from me and lay back down, curling himself into a ball. 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 Abernathy’s soul safe. In the wrong hands it would destroy lives. With the magics combined, whoever wore the gem would possess more power than all others, including the dragons. Excitement shot through my heart. I would be the most powerful creature in the world.
“No.” I heard the voice distinctly, like someone standing next to me had said it, but there was no one else around. My vision went dark.
… “Pops, I noticed Kenmei is back. What did he find out? Does he know why the Seal of Gabriel disappeared? Why she’s red?” Dorian asked.
“He discovered little more than we already knew. Abernathy said the magic within the gem is binding with Snow. 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.” Professor Pops took a deep breath. I mulled over what he said. I would be the most powerful creature? That was scary. I didn’t want that kind of power.
“Holy crap. Let’s wake her up then.” Bart’s voice.
“Try a kiss, numb nuts. It works in fairy tales,” Salvatore said.
“Back off, Salvatore. I’ll go first.”
“Dorian, I swear to St. Valentine, if your lips go anywhere near hers, I’ll kick your ass.”
“You’re such a baby, Gabe.”
I longed to wake and tell Gabe I was sorry. Obviously, despite the fact that I killed his father, he still cared. I wanted him and the others to know I was okay. That I knew they were watching out for me and that I missed them. Gritting my teeth, I tried to return home, but Silindra wouldn’t let me go.
“Not yet,” she said to me. “We’re not ready. We must see this through.”
Chapter 28
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 was surprised they found me.
At the sight of Gabriel, my breath hitched. It still shocked me that I had any kind of physical reaction to him, since he was a human vampire, but I craved him like a flower craved the light.
&nbs
p; He wore his black hair long and 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. Strapped to his back were crisscrossed swords. His sensuous lips were puckered with worry.
Sharra had used her magic and her blood to change him from human into a vampire. With no wings and no fur, he should’ve been ugly, but he wasn’t. Although I was more than offended by what she’d done to him, I couldn’t help the strong feelings—the desire—I felt for him. My feelings went against everything I stood for, but I couldn’t deny them.
Flying off Gabriel’s shoulder, Ryden came to me. “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 for them to see.
“Oh,” she gasped, clutching her hands to her chest. Her wings beat rapidly as she landed on my palm, reverently touching the stone. “It’s beautiful,” she breathed.
“It’s our future,” I said, placing it inside the satchel I wore across my chest.
“What did he say? What do we do with it?” She placed her hands on her hips.
I wanted to tell them exactly what Abernathy said, but something stopped me. “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 noises 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.
Fate and Magic: Snow White Reimagined with Vampires and Werewolves (Seven Magics Academy Book 2) Page 9
