Plus, my idea might not even work. I had no clue how to get into or leave Sharra. In the past, it just sort of happened. But I needed to try. It hadn’t gone unnoticed that there were seven points to the star, and there were seven magics. That meant something. It had too.
Closing my eyes, I concentrated on the realm of Sharra. The castle. The bedroom where I kissed Christopher. The bathroom where I saw and spoke to Zenny in the mirror. His flamboyant clothes. Focused on the smells of Sharra—magic and rosemary.
And blood.
I don’t know how long I sat like that. Visualizing everything I remembered about the castle, but after a time my mind started to wander. I started thinking about the little cottage near the edge of the forest. The trees and foliage. The bush where hundreds of pixilettes rested. I recalled the smells, the babbling brook, the way the ground was soft with moss.
I realized I was no longer in my room.
Cautiously, I opened my eyes. I was in front of a cottage. The place Christopher brought me when I’d been poisoned. My heart lurched with joy.
I did it. I was in Sharra.
Standing, I went over to the hut, and climbed the steps. Dirt covered the window, and I used a hand to wipe it away. Then I peered in.
It was small, but looked homey.
A small kitchen, with a stove, a sink, and a tiny wooden island. Copper pots hung above it. The floor was wood. To the right of the kitchen was a little living area. A wooden rocking chair stood next to a rock hearth. Beneath it was a furry carpet, in the shape of a bear. Another window was along the wall on the side of the house. A table rested against the wall, under the window. In the center was a vase. Inside were two dead flowers. They could’ve been daisies. But it was hard to tell. Most of the petals had fallen, and surrounded the vase.
For some reason the children’s song, Ring Around the Rosy, came to mind. I’d learned in World Civilization that the supposedly sweet song taught to children everywhere wasn’t sweet at all. It was about the bubonic plague, and death.
Perhaps it was the way the petals touched each other, as though they were holding hands, like the children did as they sang the song. Or maybe it was the wilted stems in the vase. I didn’t know, but it filled my stomach with dread.
Maybe I should’ve brought Christopher with me, I thought nervously. But it was too late. I was already in Sharra, and I wasn’t leaving until the Vampire Queen was gone or stepped down.
I snorted.
It was doubtful she would step down.
“Snow.” The voice was minute and high, like a light gasp of the wind. It made me jump. I spun in its direction, and saw Ryden. Behind her was a flurry of hundreds of pixilettes, including Arianna and Eon.
The pixilette looked surprisingly young for being more than six thousand. “You startled me,” I said, clutching my hands together.
Eon laughed, and the others joined in, like hundreds of bells tolling the end. Ryden turned, and glared. They stopped abruptly, except Eon, who covered his mouth.
“Sorry, Snow.” Her features radiated tenacity. It was clear she had something to say.
“What is it?” I asked, holding out a hand, palm facing up. She landed, and sat on the edge, where my palm met my wrist.
“Ahhhh,” she sighed. “I’m too old for this nonsense. But I am glad you’ve finally come.” She shielded her eyes from the blazing sun and turned her face up. “You are here to dispose of Sharra. Yes?”
I swallowed. Abernathy seemed to believe Sharra could be rehabilitated. If it were possible, I would certainly try. “I’m here to help her see the truth,” I said, my voice quivering.
She laughed, but it wasn’t because she was happy. “I see,” she said with a grunt as she stood. “Well, we will assist in whatever capacity we can. What are your intentions then?”
I glanced at the others and further, beyond the trees. Hundreds or perhaps thousands of magical creatures—elves, unicorns, fairies, and trolls—hovered in the shadows. Listening.
Ryden lifted into the air, and turned. “Their fates are in your hands,” she said.
I swallowed. “I know. I’m going to speak with Sharra. See what she has to say. I will do right by them.” I waved a hand toward them. “I’ll do right by you,” I added. Then to Ryden, I went on, “They will be freed one way or another.”
Ryden bowed. “Sharra is at the castle. She’s been completely out of sorts. Worse than usual. Until last night. I don’t know what’s changed, but my spies inform me she’s ecstatic about something. So be careful.”
“Thank you, Ryden.” I stepped off the porch, and moved toward the castle.
The pixilette landed on my shoulder. “Do you want me to come with you?”
I was touched by her offer. And I did want her company. But I wouldn’t be putting her or anyone else in harms way. I was the Seal. Dealing with the Vampire Queen was my responsibility. I would handle her alone.
“You’re welcome to come as far as the castle. After that, I’ll go by myself.”
Chapter 7
I said goodbye to Ryden, and opened the front door. No sense trying to hide or be secretive. That would moot my point. I wanted her know I was here. The sooner the better.
“How lovely of you to come, Snow White. Although, if you had any manners, you would’ve knocked.” The Vampire Queen stood in the center of a large rock foyer. I realized I’d never seen the castle from the front, the way visitors might. It was extravagant, with heavy red material draped along the top. An enormous chandelier, lit by lanterns, hung in the center. From the foyer were four different hallways. Double stairs circled to a second floor.
But, I wasn’t there to be civil. This wasn’t about niceties. It was about the messy, ugliness of war. The Unknowns thought to kill me, and everyone in the world, to restore magical balance. I hoped my way would be kinder, less cruel.
That was yet to be seen.
“You know why I’m here. What I want.” It was a statement. I could see by the conceited haughtiness on her face, she knew this was the end. After today, our lives would be altered. She believed my body would be hers.
The power of the Seal pulsed through my veins, spread through me like wildfire.
“Why don’t you come into my drawing room? I can see it’s been days since you’ve had blood. You shouldn’t starve yourself. It’ll make you weak.
I flinched. It had been a while.
The idea of blood sounded amazing.
Sharra seemed to sense my need. A goblet filled with red liquid appeared in one of her hands.
It was blood. The scent wafted to my nose. My fangs grew inside my mouth.
Just a taste, my inner voice cooed.
“I don’t want it, Sharra.”
Her lips were painted a bright red. Thick, but perfectly placed eye shadow adorned her eyelids. Her long, black hair had been curled, and was piled atop her head. A slightly curled tendril snaked down either side of her face. Light blush covered her otherwise porcelain complexion. She wore a floor length red velvet dress. A black leather corset bound around her waist, and ribcage. It pushed her breasts together, giving her all kinds of cleavage.
She smiled. “Fine. More for me.” And she tipped the glass, gulping down the contents. A drop fell on her chest. She snapped her fingers, and a Drone vampire appeared from one of the hallways. He placed his arms behind his back, and slowly licked the blood from her.
I turned away, embarrassed. My throat burned with longing. I swallowed. “Are you ready to call it quits?” I asked, as soon as she sent the vampire away.
She giggled, like I’d told a hilarious joke.
I felt like an idiot. Why would she abandon her way of life? She’d been winning for more than six millennia. Why change what worked so well?
“Is that what you want? Me to quit?” She took a step toward me.
I nodded. “Yes. Let the creatures have their magic back. Allow balance to be restored.”
“And what happens if I agree? Do you kill me? What’s your plan,
dear Snow?”
I turned my attention to her pointy black shoes. I couldn’t meet her eyes. The truth was, I didn’t know. Up until this point, I’d done what I was told.
Someone told me I was the Seal, and that I needed to rebuild the magics. I believed them. Someone told me to see Abernathy, I did it. Someone said, go see Sharra, I agreed.
What did I want? What was right?
“Ugh.” I stepped toward Sharra. “You got anymore blood?” I figured I might as well enjoy some.
The empty glass refilled. “Of course.” Her smile grew bigger when I took it and chugged every drop. When it was gone, she took the glass, and it vanished. “I have something to show you.” She wrapped her chilly fingers around my forearm, and we whooshed into the round room. I’d been in there once before.
Hundreds of female Worker vampires sat on what looked like rock bleachers. Opposite the door were two thrones. To the right was a group of girls. A sheet of ice blue magic surrounded them. The girls seemed tattered. Beat down. Their clothes were dirty, as was their hair and their bodies.
“Who are they?” I asked, but I knew as soon as the words left my mouth. They were the other Marked. She’d rounded them up like cattle. Girls, like me, who were Marked at a young age, and then bitten by their Hunter. I could tell some were already full-fledged vampires. They must’ve drunk from their Hunter, and humans. The rest were revenants.
In particular, one full-fledged vampire stood out. She was regal. Tall. Brown skin. Straight, black hair. And eyes the color of liquid night. Her face seemed familiar.
Pocahontas, I thought, astonished. But that’s impossible. Right? It sure looked like her. Immediately I comprehended she was the other Chosen, the one Sharra spoke about while my mind was with Silindra.
Pocahontas’ features hardened. She glared. At me.
I wondered if she’d already eaten her true love’s heart?
“These are the Marked. Destined to die.”
At mention of them, the girls began to cry and wail. Some tried to escape. Others stood like soulless zombies. Allowing themselves to be pushed around. They were awake, their eyes open, but they saw nothing. Sorrow pricked my heart. Cindy could’ve helped. She could’ve neutralized the magic. Freed them.
Abernathy’s words, “You need your friends, your family. Without them you’ll lose,” stung me, but I shook it off. It didn’t matter. I was already here. My friends, my loved ones weren’t. They were safe. And that was my plan. Keep them from any more harm.
Steeling myself, I said, “That’s crap, Sharra. You know it. And I’m here to prove you and your stupid destiny wrong.”
She cackled, a chilling, mirthless sound. “I suppose I should’ve known you’d never be ready to understand what I’m trying to do.” Her lips pressed into a tight line. She swept her hands toward the girls. “They’ve been Marked. I can only choose one. Many haven’t even gone past the revenant stage. They are beautiful, and sweet, but they haven’t found love. Many haven’t even tasted blood.” She spun, and stalked over to one of the thrones, sitting with a huff. Her face softened. “You think this is what I want? For them to die?”
I lifted my chin. “I don’t think you care one way or the other.”
Sharra smirked. “Of course I care.” Pain carved across her face. “These many years I’ve suffered, knowing what had to be done.” She slammed her fists against the armrests. They shattered, and I stepped back. “What I must do. But if I want to live, continue to rule, then finding a new body, Marking them, and choosing one, is necessary. Vampires were the first. I am the oldest, wisest being on the planet. If anyone understands the tough decisions, it’s me.” She raised a brow. “And I am one of the seven magics. A pure vampire. Without me, there won’t be balance. Have you thought about that?”
I hadn’t. And she made sense, sadly. Maybe that’s why Abernathy wanted me to talk to her, instead of killing her. He understood.
It didn’t change the fact that she wasn’t sharing, but consuming. Stealing. Keeping magic for herself. That wasn’t acceptable. If I’d learned anything in school, it was that tyranny never won out in the end. People would always fight against oppression.
“It is your choice,” I snapped. “You’ve been alive for seven millennia. You’ve ruled six. When is enough, enough?” I took a step toward her, my hands out, imploring. “Release the magic you’ve taken. Allow the magical creatures to roam freely once again.”
Sharra leaned against her chair. “Perhaps you’re right. Maybe I should stop. Life is hard, and it just gets harder.” She snorted. “I’ve accomplished all I could possibly want anyway.” She closed her eyes.
I took another step toward her. Behind me was a flurry of voices. The Worker vampires were restless. Sharra’s words disturbed them. Or excited them. I couldn’t tell. Sadly, I understood their excitement. She’d said everything I wanted to hear. “At least step down,” I pleaded.
Chapter 8
“You are a senseless, foolish girl, Snow White.” Her eyes were still closed, but her words bit through me and held on, like vice grips. When they finally flashed open, they blazed with fury. “How about I start killing the Marked now? Liberate them from their miserable lives.” As she spoke, three of the girls fell forward, out of the sheet of magic surrounding them.
“Noooo,” I yelled, rushing over to the nearest body. Their faces were frozen in terror, their eyes wide, as though they witnessed horrors, even in death. I felt for a pulse on the neck of the closest girl. She didn’t have one. Sickness rose in my throat.
The remaining girls screamed, and tried, once again, to escape. But the magic held them fast. Each tear, every cry in pain, tore at my insides.
More senseless death, I thought.
I moved over to the next girl, hoping against hope she still lived, and checked for a pulse. Nothing.
Several more girls fell forward. One smacked into my shoulder, knocking me off balance. I skidded against the floor. The rough surface scratched my arm, but it healed immediately. I gently lifted the dead girl, and laid her on the ground next to the others.
“Stop. Stop it,” I murmured.
“Make me,” she hissed. Four more girls fell forward.
I pushed aside my devastation, and stood. My whole body shook, with frustration, and fear. It dawned on me I had no idea what I was doing. I’d been alive eighteen years. Had almost zero life experience. And I’d decided to go up against a vampire seven thousand years old. Sharra was right. I was a senseless girl.
An image flashed in my mind. It was of the time Sharra brought me to her realm, and I killed some of the Workers.
I could retaliate. A death for a death.
The power of the Seal burned through my fingers. I whipped around. Lifted my hands and shot two bolts of red light into two Workers. They immediately began to burn. I glanced at Sharra, my jaws clenched in frustration. “Stop,” I shouted.
She snickered, and four more girls fell to the ground. “You seem to think I care for them.”
I lowered my hands. I wouldn’t kill uselessly. “But you did care for them. The night you brought me here. You screamed when they started burning. You were upset. You were—”
“Faking it,” she finished with a shrug. “It was for their benefit,” she waved her hands in the Worker vampires’ direction, and then went on, “as much as it was for yours.”
I stared at her in disbelief.
She sighed. “I do care, of course. I’ve created them for a purpose. Despite what you may think, every creature in Sharra and on Earth is important to me. But I must take into consideration cause and effect.” She smiled genially at the Workers. “My need for a new body far outweighs anything else.” She pointed at her Workers. “That includes them.” She pointed at the girls who were Marked. “Them.” Then she pointed at me. “Even you, dear Snow. But the difference between you and them is they understand.”
I shook my head. “But why? What more do you need?”
She made a tsking noise with her
mouth. “I don’t expect you to grasp my rationale. How can you? Your life is nothing but an infinitesimal blip on the timeline that is my life.” She steepled her fingers, resting her elbows on the arms of her chair that had somehow reformed themselves. “If you agree to become the Vampire Queen, allow me to have your body, I will free the rest of the Marked.”
“Just until they turn nineteen. And then they die anyway, right?”
She gave me a knowing look. “No. I will remove the mark. They can go on living until such time as they would’ve died anyway.
Don’t trust her, my inner voice shouted.
If I agreed, she could do what she wanted. I wouldn’t know whether she kept her word or not. But if I disagreed, they would all die now. If I said yes, Sharra would possess the Seal. No one would ever be able to defeat her. But if I said no, hundreds of girls would die. My mind whirred in circles.
What do I do? I wished I would’ve brought my friends, my family, my…
“Christopher?” I shouted.
He appeared from a door near the Vampire Queen’s chair. He pushed a person, a guy by the looks of him, forward. A burlap sack was over his head. But something about him was familiar.
“Christopher,” I said again, and took a step in his direction. He let go of the guy, and moved so I thought he was coming toward me, but at the last second swerved. A smirk creased his lips. Lifting Sharra up by the waist, he dipped her into an embrace, and kissed her.
On the mouth.
I blinked several times; sure my eyes were deceiving me. But he continued to kiss Sharra, and she was kissing him back. Passionately.
I wanted to run away. I wanted to hide. To go back to the night I’d been bitten and have everything, all of my memories wiped clean. “I don’t understand,” I finally said. Even though I was beginning too. Christopher betrayed me.
When the Hunter first bit me, Professor Pops told me he wasn’t to be trusted. That he desired power above all else. I hadn’t believed him. I didn’t want to.
After several minutes, they stopped kissing. But Christopher kept his arm around Sharra. They both looked at me, gloating.
Blood and Snow 12: Vampire Ever After? Page 3
