“Yes. Whatever soul they had before the Mistress got a hold of them is gone. We find the Akuma mainly in graveyards because they feed on corpses.
I shuddered. “But how do you know their souls are gone?”
Troy set down his sword. Then he took the one I held and placed it on the counter next to his. “I’m half dragon, Jack.”
“I know,” I said, wondering where he was going with the comment.
Troy took my hands. It surprised me and my heart raced. “One of my dragon abilities is that I can sense the soul in a creature.” He shook my hands playfully. “Like yours,” he began looking deep into my eyes. “I know you’re feeling displaced without your wings, your magic, and your vampire abilities. I can’t imagine losing so much so quickly. But the part of you that has remained the same is your soul. Still vibrant. Still warm and kind and giving.”
“Thanks, Troy.” I looked away.
“But you’re also sad and that makes me sad. So we need to figure out what’s going on.”
I nodded.
Peter, aka my dad, walked into the room. His jaw was clenched and I realized he was upset that Troy was so close to me, that he was holding my hands. “You two ready to go?”
I pulled my hands from Troy’s and went to my dad. “Is Mom coming back?”
“Not tonight.” He took a sword from the table covered in all sorts of weapons, removed it from its sheath and buckled the sheath over one shoulder and across his chest. Then he slid the blade into the sheath along his back. “Load up. Let’s go.”
Troy buckled a thick leather belt around his hips and slid the sword into place.
“Can’t you just become the dragon and fight that way?” I asked as I watched.
“If it comes to that, I will, but it’s better if I don’t.” Troy picked up the katana I’d been holding. “You gonna use this?”
It was that or nothing. “Yeah. I buckled the leather sheath across my shoulders and around my back, casing my sword the way my dad had. Peter walked out of the weapons room first. I followed and Troy brought up the rear, turning off the light and closing the door behind us. As I walked past the Museum for the Supernatural I tried to remember the creatures that’d been there. The Hunter, the dragon, the werewolf, and the pixilette. All gone. I wondered what’d happened, but figured now wasn’t the time to ask.
We climbed into Troy’s truck. “What happens if we get pulled over by the cops?” I pushed his large sword out of the way and scooted into the seat next to him.
A smidge of the Troy I first met came back. He smirked. “We don’t.”
“Good.”
“What brought that up?” Peter asked.
I told them about the police officers showing up at the house and asking me questions.
Peter growled. “This is getting much too dangerous,” he said.
Troy agreed.
I was sorry I’d brought it up. Since my dad didn’t look like my dad, but a teenaged guy from high school, it was easy to forget who he was.
Troy started his truck and pulled around the circular driveway. When we passed my house I glanced over and couldn’t help an overwhelming feeling of sadness.
Since I met Laeddin and made that first wish my life had changed. A lot. Peter and Troy seemed to comprehend my melancholy at the same time. They each patted one of my thighs, realized what’d happened, scowled at each other and then looked away. It was humorous but I couldn’t bring myself to laugh.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Harmony Grove Cemetery,” Troy said.
“I was thinking we’d hit St. Mary’s tonight. It’s been a few days since we were last there,” Peter said.
“Nah, I’m feeling Harmony Grove, man.” Troy gave Peter a quick look. “I mean, sir.”
“Fine.” Peter sat back.
Troy turned left onto Bridge Street. We drove a little and then he made a right on Friend Street and another onto to Harmony Grove Street. The cemetery was gated, with a large brick column on either side of the entrance and a wrought iron gate that was closed and locked.
“Uh, how are we getting in?” I glanced from Troy to Peter.
“Easy.” Troy threw the truck in Park and shut it off before he climbed out and helped me jump down.
Troy and I walked around the front. Peter was already at the entrance and climbing the iron gate. At the top, he grabbed the edges, pressed himself into a handstand and then flipped off onto the other side, landing on the asphalt with a light thud.
“Show off,” I said.
Peter smiled and for the briefest moment I saw my dad. “Come on. It’s easy. You can do it.”
“I don’t know.” I shook my head worriedly.
Troy walked past me, climbed the gate and jumped over.
“Your turn,” he said.
I pulled down my shirt and started up. Before I’d given away my wings I could’ve just flown over. I never realized how much I used my wings until they were gone. By the time I reached the top my thighs were shaking. “I can’t do this,” I said.
“Can. Can. Can,” Peter said.
Troy moved so that he was just below me. “Jump, Jack. I’ll catch you.”
“I don’t know,” I said, nervously.
“Definitely not. If anyone is going to catch her it’ll be me,” Peter said.
I could tell the guys were about to get into a fight when I heard a noise. It wasn’t a growl. More like a whinny-grunt. I followed the sound as a unicorn moved into view, stomping its hoof and shaking its mane.
“Dad?” Growing up, I’d met many unicorns. They’d been generous and sympathetic. My mom explained it had to do with their nature. A unicorn’s strongest magic was grounded in the power to heal. This unicorn must have missed that last part because it seemed determined on destroying instead. I was frozen as I watched it lower its head, pointing its sharp horn directly at my dad’s back. There was a malicious gleam in the unicorn’s black eyes.
Peter and Troy turned toward it. Keeping his eyes on the creature, Peter said, “Get my daughter off that fence. I’ll go after the Akuma.”
“Got it.”
The unicorn was Akuma? Great!
I watched my dad pull his sword from its scabbard, bend his knees and assume a fighting stance. He held the sword like a baseball bat. I figured it must be a good head-chopping position.
The thought made me sick.
“Jack, I want you off that fence and in my arms. Now,” Troy ordered.
I looked down into his handsome face, saw his strong chest, his muscled, outstretched arms and did the unthinkable. I jumped. Troy caught me easily and set me down.
“Thank you,” I said as he set me on my feet. I was relieved and at the same time worried. Because in order to get out I was going to have to do that again.
“Troy, get over here,” Peter shouted. His words were garbled between the sounds of clanging metal and huffing.
I searched the area where my dad had been standing a moment before but couldn’t see him. There was very little light, only what was coming from the moon. I missed my vampire vision. “Da—” I started and then thought better of it. “Peter. Where are you?”
Troy took off like he knew exactly where Peter was. I followed the best I could, my katana at the ready. Gravestones were everywhere. I carefully stepped around them, crossed a paved road and continued through the neatly clipped lawn past more gravestones.
Troy was long gone.
I tripped over a gravestone and fell to my knees. “Dammit,” I cried, falling onto my butt. I wanted to help. I didn’t want to disappoint my dad and Troy. Fighting noises were coming from deeper in the cemetery. I needed to get up. I needed to help.
“If you drink my blood, Jasmine, you’ll be able to do so much more than fight. You’ll be strong again.”
It was Christopher. The Hunter was relentless. “Go away,” I said, working my way back to standing. Then picked up my sword and held it out in the direction I thought his voice had come from. With
out my vampire abilities I wasn’t sure where he was.
He came forward. The moonlight allowed me to see his shadow but the only feature I could make out was his eyes. They were red. “I can’t. Even if I wanted to, it’s in me to protect you.”
“That makes no sense!” And it didn’t. I’d barely said fifty words to him over the course of my entire life.
“Really? Consider this.” He moved closer. “You were created from your mother’s blood. She drank from me. So my blood created you too.”
I started to walk away. “You’re nuts, just like my mom said.”
Christopher glared. “Maybe. Maybe not. But I know what you need. I can sense it.”
His words caused me to stop.
“Lies,” I said.
“I’m not lying.” He moved like lightning and was unexpectedly standing in front of me—so close, too close. His scent was powerful, like apples baked in cinnamon and nutmeg.
I jumped back, nicking his neck with my blade. My eyes were mesmerized by steady trickle of red. I licked my lips.
“I told you normal was overrated,” he said, taking my chin in his hand.
I looked away, surprised by the intensity coming off him. It also bothered me to realize that he was no longer just a random man with the red eyes from my dreams. But Christopher. The Hunter.
He raised his other hand and I followed it with my gaze as he tore a gash in his wrist with one of his fangs. “You need my blood. I know you need it. So, before it’s too late, drink.” He forced his wrist against my mouth.
I resisted, squeezing my lips together, but he pressed harder and his blood got in. As soon as the tang touched my tongue, my heart raced. It beat so strong I thought it would rip through my chest. I swallowed. And swallowed some more. His blood tasted incredible. It didn’t take long to realize he’d been right. I’d been parched for weeks. Literally dying of thirst. Not for water or any other liquid a human required, but for blood. His blood.
I dropped my katana and took hold of his wrist with both hands, pressing it deeper into my mouth.
“That’s it,” he said.
My parents had refused to let me drink from him before. I thought it had to do with the fact my mom drank from him when she was younger. That maybe it was an awkward situation or something.
As his blood soothed my throat, basically brought me back to life, I decided that was crazy. His blood was like none I’d ever tasted, an exquisite combination of power and sensuality. With each pull, my body became stronger. I could’ve kept drinking until the vampire was dry, but I knew that wouldn’t do. I released his wrist and looked up. Christopher smiled. “You look better already,” he said, brushing some hair off my face.
What could I say to that? I knew he was right. I felt better. Not a hundred percent—I still didn’t have my wings—but I no longer felt like a shell of the person I used to be. “I don’t understand. No blood has ever affected me like yours. How? Do I have my powers back?”
Christopher winked. “I would think so.” He picked up my sword and held it out. “Go find out.”
I smiled, taking a deep breath. And knew. Immediately. I could smell … everything. His blood. The scent of the soap he’d used to shower, a light dusting of cologne, and so much more. I stretched my abilities further and realized I could smell Troy’s blood and my dad’s. I did a little dance.
Christopher laughed.
I probably should’ve been embarrassed, but I wasn’t. I couldn’t help it. I’d never been so happy.
I could see, even in the dark, the color of his eyes. They were no longer red, but a dark green.
“Hurry,” he said.
“Fine.” I turned away, heading toward Troy and Peter, and the battle that still raged.
Then I remembered I hadn’t thanked him. “Hey, tha—” But I stopped.
Christopher was gone.
I had no doubt I’d see him again. He still needed to explain why he thought we were betrothed. My mom and dad would never allow that. Ever. My dad would kill him before he’d allow Christopher and me to be married. If he ever found out I’d drunk the vampire’s blood, my dad might kill him anyway.
And my mom… I shuddered involuntarily at the thought. Christopher would probably wish for death after my mom finished with him.
I’d deal with that later. First I had to go help Troy and my dad.
CHAPTER SIX
We didn’t capture any of the Akuma. Troy, Peter, and I decapitated them all. Once their heads were severed from their bodies, they fell apart, shriveled up and dissipated.
Emotionally, it was difficult to kill, but I got over it quickly.
Christopher’s blood pumped through my veins and the more I fought the stronger I became. If I‘d thought it was appropriate I would’ve cheered. My vampire abilities were back in force and I used them to their full potential, grateful I could actually help.
Troy and Peter noticed too.
After the last Akuma was beheaded, Troy came over. “Jack, you kicked ass.” He held up his hand for a high five. I didn’t leave him hanging.
“There’s my girl,” Peter said, pulling me into his chest for a hug.
“Thanks,” I said, enjoying the compliments. When I pulled back, Peter squinted, staring at my mouth. “You’ve got blood,” he pointed, “right there.”
“Oh?” I wiped it away with my shirt, knowing it wasn’t any of my own, or the Akuma’s. They didn’t bleed. That meant the blood was Christopher’s.
“Let’s go,” Troy said. “I need a shower.”
Peter nodded. “You two go ahead. I’m going back to Sharra. I should check on Snow.”
I squeezed Peter’s hand. “Tell Mom I love her, please?”
He squeezed back. “Of course.” Then he was gone. I had no idea how he did that. He wasn’t a vampire. He was no longer human. Again I questioned what sort of creature he’d become.
“Jack?” Troy called, interrupting my thoughts. He must’ve noticed the flush on my cheeks or the happiness radiating from my eyes. I could feel the difference at having Christopher’s blood beating through my veins. “You’re different. What—”
“Race you back?” I started running, my vision crystal clear in the darkness and my speed at full throttle. I didn’t want to lie to Troy but I didn’t want to tell him what I’d done either.
“Dude.” He was surprised.
“Hurry.” I laughed and kept running.
He was gaining so I stepped it up, hurtling and dodging tombstones. I was going to win. I knew it.
But a name engraved on a large gravestone seemed to jump out as I passed, and I slid to a stop.
Abby Jones.
I moved to stand in front of her grave. Thankfully the dirt and grass in front hadn’t been disturbed. The Akuma elf who had killed Drake said the Mistress sought out evil.
Abby hadn’t had an evil bone in her body.
Her honey brown hair, dark hazel eyes, and freckled face came to mind. I hadn’t known her long, but we’d become friends. She loved to read and had hooked me on The Vampire Diaries. I was beyond heartbroken that she was gone.
Troy stopped. “Jack, what are you …? Oh.” His hands rested on my shoulders. “I’m here, if you need someone.”
“Thanks, Troy.” I appreciated his nearness and leaned into him.
Troy dropped me off at home. He put his truck in Park, got out, and came around to open my door. “This is totally odd timing. School is crazy. The world is going to crap, but I had a question.” His face was dirty, his short hair rumpled, but his hazel eyes were hopeful.
“What?” I asked, hopping out of the truck.
Troy seemed nervous, but he took my hands. “You know how there’s the Winter Formal coming up at school in a couple of weeks?”
“Um, I’ve seen the posters.” I hadn’t thought about going. Laeddin wouldn’t go. And I hadn’t considered going with anyone but him. Plus, I figured no one else would ask. I was the school freak after all.
“Well,” he sm
iled. It was a goofy half-smile that sent my heartbeat into an unexpected rhythm. “I wondered if you’d go with me.”
“Really?” I was genuinely surprised.
“Yeah. I’ll dress up in a tux. You’ll wear a pretty pink princess…”
I snorted.
Troy winked. He was teasing. I didn’t wear pink. Over the past several weeks he’d come to know that. “You’ll wear a pretty dress. We’ll take a limo. Go to dinner. Then hit the dance. Maybe take Grand Pops’ yacht out and watch the sunrise from the ocean.” He shrugged nervously. “The whole thing. What do you think?”
It sounded really fun, especially the part about the sunrise on the ocean. That was a sight I’d like to see. “Yes. I’d love to.”
Troy let out a big breath. “I’m so glad you said yes. Plan B was going to be a whole lot less cool, but way more entertaining.”
“Oh, what was Plan B?”
He smirked. “I pull the dragon card and steal the pretty girl.”
I laughed out loud. Couldn’t help it. Troy was funny. “Well I guess I’m glad I said yes then too. I would’ve hated to pull the vampire card and been forced to kick your dragon ass.”
Troy’s eyes danced with joy. It was good to see him cheerful again. “After watching the way you fought tonight, it might be possible.”
“Yep.” I flicked him in the stomach.
He flinched, catching my hand in his. “I don’t know what happened, but I’m glad it did. You seem better.”
“Almost,” I said quietly.
“Wanna talk about it?” He gave me a serious look, one that said he cared.
“Yes. I do. But not right now. I need a shower.” I was covered in Akuma remnants and I wanted it off. I started toward the house.
“You really do.” He waved a hand in front of his nose.
I laughed again, noticing the smell of his blood. It was fragrant, like sandalwood and copper. My mouth watered.
“See ya, Troy.”
“Later, Jack.”
After I closed and locked the front door, I went upstairs and took a shower. While I towel-dried my hair I went back downstairs and turned on the news.
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