Going to him, I pressed my lips to his. He responded hungrily, wrapping his arms around me. I sighed, knowing I would never love another the way I loved him. I met his tongue as he deepened our kiss, pulling me tight against him. It was too long since the last time we were together, and I moved my hands under his shirt, stroking the skin beneath the band of his jeans. He lifted me into his arms and I was surprised, though I wasn’t complaining, and wrapped my legs around his hips. He was kissing me like when we first got together. As though I was his shelter and he was a storm.
In his arms, I didn’t think about Sera and her lack of compassion, Quilla and her apparent allergy to magic, a land called Polonias, a man with effing dimples, or Heather and her broken heart. I just wanted to feel, to lose myself in Gabe, and he was right there with me.
He walked us over to the bed and climbed on. I scooted back, unbuckling his belt. He released my lips and pushed my hands away. “Wait,” he said, running a hand through his hair.
“I don’t want to. I need you.” I tugged him on top of me.
He groaned, kissing me again, his hands going under me, pressing my body against his, but I sensed a hesitation in him.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, cupping his face in my hands. By the look of him, I knew we weren’t going to lose ourselves in each other.
His gaze locked in on mine. Something weighed on his mind. “I can’t stay long,” he said, after clearing his throat. He looked away.
“You just got here,” I said, using my legs to hold him to me.
“I know, but I have a meeting.” He still wouldn’t meet my eyes.
“You always have meetings,” I replied, pouting.
He stood, tucking in his tee shirt. “I wish I didn’t. I wish this whole damn thing with the supernaturals would go away. I wish—” He stopped, crossing his arms. “But it isn’t, and I can’t stop. It’s my job.” He began pacing, and I quickly put on a robe. “Just tonight, right before I got here, I was called to a crime scene where five teens were drained dry. All of them dead.” He shook his head. “And you expect me to drop everything because you’re having a bad day?” He shook his head and I understood. He found me disgusting.
A fracture cracked at the edges of my heart. “I guess not,” I said, wishing he would stop talking. I knew where this conversation was heading, and I didn’t like it. But if he was going to end things between us, I wanted a clean break.
“Damn right.” He huffed and fell into a chair, rubbing a hand over his face. “I can’t do this anymore,” he said and stood right back up, walking over to the window.
I went to him, putting my arms around his waist and leaning my face against his back. “You know I didn’t do this,” I said tenderly. “I’m trying to help.”
He didn’t turn, but I heard him grind his teeth together. “Sure. You and that stupid school.” He snorted.
“It isn’t stupid, and we are helping.” I pulled away, wishing my hands would stop shaking. “When we discover someone with magic, we take them out of the human realm.” I clenched my hands into fists. “At least we don’t kill them, like you do.”
He faced me then. “The chayot must save humans and sometimes that means bringing justice to supernaturals,” he growled. “And you know we only kill those who’ve murdered humans using their powers. That’s it.”
“And the others? Where are they?”
“Incarcerated, as they should be.” He glared, but I could tell he wanted to say more. Why wouldn’t he talk to me?
I knew the chayot worked in conjunction with certain powerful humans to create a supernatural prison, but Gabe wouldn’t tell me where it was located. If I wanted to, I could use magic to find them, but I didn’t want to. Not really.
“Goodbye, Cindy,” he said, opening the window.
A blast of cool air caused my skin to prickle. Without meaning to, tears filled my eyes. I loved him. So much it hurt. And he was casting me aside like an old shoe.
“Wait.” I went to him, knowing his goodbye wasn’t temporary, but permanent, and desperation had me clinging to his shirt. Tears trickled down my cheeks. I couldn’t stop them, but angrily wiped them away. When we first started dating, I promised I wouldn’t use magic on him, and I intended to keep my promise. But in that moment, I changed my mind. I had to hear him say the words. “Abreva reveala,” I whispered.
His body jerked at the words and a pained look crossed his face. “Don’t, Cindy. Whatever spell you think you’ve placed on me, no good will come of it.”
I wasn’t having it. I needed to know. “Tell the truth,” I said. “If you’re going to dump me, I want you to tell me why.”
His shoulders slumped and he went over to a chair, sitting. The window was still open, sending wisps of cool air into the room. “Deneth,” I said, and the window slammed shut.
Gabe glared, but I saw pain in his eyes. “Fine. Since you aren’t giving me a choice.”
I momentarily thought of removing the spell but I didn’t. I was weak and needed him to speak the words. “Please, Gabe.” I knelt in front of him. “I’m your girlfriend and I love you. Whatever is wrong, we can work it out together.” I placed my hands on his knees.
He gritted his teeth as though he didn’t want to say the words, but they came out. “I don’t love you anymore. Happy now?” He closed his eyes, and he slumped down in the chair.
I fell back like he slapped me. “You’re lying,” I whispered, unable able to believe him. “Just a moment ago, you were showing me how much you love me.”
He took hold of my chin and brought his face so close I smelled his aftershave. “I can’t lie. Your spell won’t let me. Right?”
For the first time I saw a hint of his father in him. I pulled from his grasp and stood, covering my mouth with the back of my hand. Fresh tears rolled down my face. “Right,” I whispered.
Gabe went over to the window, opening it again, and throwing one leg over the sill. “You promised you would never do that.” He ground his teeth together. “Supernaturals are all the same. They take what they want without regard for anyone but themselves.”
“You’re a self-righteous prick, you know that?” I stomped over and slapped his face. “You talk about supernaturals like we’re all evil, but you’re forgetting one very important thing.”
His hand went to his cheek where I left an impression of my hand. “What’s that, witch?”
“You’re supernatural too, you son-of-a-bitch.” I moved to slap him again, but he was ready and grabbed my wrist, holding it tight.
“You broke your promise,” he said quietly. “You lied and I don’t ever want to see you again.” Gabe’s face was contorted in a combination of rage and devastation. “Lose my number. Got it?” He threw his other leg over the edge and jumped.
“Your loss!” I shouted, slamming my window shut. Heaving a deep breath, the fracture in my heart splintered, and I threw myself on my bed. Sobs racked my body as pain filled every crevice.
I don’t know how long I lay in bed and allowed myself to cry. It was after eleven when I made a decision. I needed to talk to my best friend. Taking a deep breath, I went to my bathroom and took in my reflection. My eyes were red and swollen. Haunted. Shocked. Horrified. At the memory of what happened, more tears fell. “Mirror, mirror, made of glass, show me Snow White, do as I ask.”
All of Sharra’s mirrors were enchanted, making it easy for me to use them to find Snow or anyone, if necessary, though I wouldn’t break a student’s trust. It had to be life or death. But with Snow, we had a bond.
As the spell began to work, my reflection wavered back and forth until it vanished. In its place was a darkened room. I could hear kissing noises.
Were Snow and Dorian—? I forced myself not to be embarrassed. What just happened between Gabe and me demanded I speak with Snow immediately. The polite thing would be to say the words that would stop the magic, but I was desperate. “Snow.” I cleared my throat. “Sorry for the interruption, but I really need to talk to you,�
� I said, sniffling.
Dorian cursed. Snow whispered something to him. My ears started to burn.
“I said I was sorry,” I mumbled.
“It’s okay.” Snow got out of bed. I looked away, allowing her to get decent. Then she flipped on a light and I glanced back in time to see her scoot a chair in front of the mirror. “What’s up?” She sounded tired, but happy.
“Still in love, I see,” I said, trying not to sound devastated. Obviously, Dorian and Snow were going strong, but my love life was in shambles.
“Forever,” Dorian said, wrapping a blanket around his naked hips before heading into the bathroom.
“Tell me what’s wrong,” Snow said. She looked beautiful, her hair hanging loose around her shoulders.
“It’s Gabe,” I wailed, grabbing a tissue and blowing my nose. “He came over tonight and…” I dabbed at my eyes. “I cast a truth spell on him, and he told me he doesn’t love me anymore.” I didn’t recognize my own voice. It sounded hollow and filled with pain. “It just can’t be. I heard the words with my own ears and I still can’t believe them.” I pressed my hand against the mirror. “He’s been acting weird for a while now, but I thought we could get through it.” I swallowed down a sob. “Tell me what to do.”
Snow sighed heavily, flicked her bangs from her eyes. “I don’t think spells work on the chayot. At least, not unless it’s a really, really powerful one. He was probably lying.”
I sniffled. “What? How do you know?”
“I was doing some reading and found an obscure comment about how most spells didn’t work on their kind. I could be wrong.” She shrugged, obviously trying not to get my hopes up. “But I can’t imagine Gabe just fell out of love with you.” She glanced over toward the bathroom and lowered her voice. “Dorian said Gabe has been way on edge, like he can’t even stand to be around him.”
“Does he know why?” I told her about the vamps killing the teens.
She shook her head. “No, but actually, I might.”
“What is it?” Regardless, Gabe still said the hurtful words, but if I understood what was going on in his life, then maybe it would ease the pain. Highly doubtful, but I had to try something. I couldn’t just live with this hurt forever.
“Look, I know I made the right call when I freed all supernaturals, but Gabe is right that I didn’t consider how it would affect humans.” She closed her eyes. “I know what I did is making things difficult for them and the chayot and I’m trying to come up with a plan to deal with it.” Her vivid eyes bore into me. “I’m sorry my choices have affected your relationship.”
“It isn’t your fault,” I said sympathetically.
“You know chayot are like angels.” Snow folded her feet under herself. Readjusted her robe. It was obvious what she had to say was huge.
I ground my teeth. Nodded. Could she just spit it out already?
“Well, it seems the angel above even the chayot changed the rules and the chayot can no longer date, marry, or have relations with anyone who isn’t one of their kind.” She cleared her throat again. “I’m sorry he didn’t tell you himself. I don’t think he told anyone, except me, and last I heard, he was going to defy the rules and continue to be with you, but—”
“Merde! Why didn’t you tell me?” That explained why Gabe broke up with me, but not why he didn’t just tell me.
“He asked me not to. Said he wanted to do it himself. But I figure since he was a total asshole to you tonight, he can suck it.”
“I’m so glad you told me. Not that it helps my broken heart, but at least I know why he broke it.” I was suddenly exhausted.
“Yeah, it’s stupid, and I don’t know how long it’ll last. But it’s my fault and I’m sorry.”
I picked up my brush and absently ran it through my hair. “You did what you thought was right. Don’t be sorry. That fool Gabe is who should be sorry. He just gave up the best thing to ever happen to him.” I pressed my lips together, wishing my heart could be as tough as my words.
“Thanks for saying so, but I may have to go back on my promise and force the magical creatures out of the human realm altogether.” She took a deep breath and grimaced. “Being in charge is hard.”
“Whatever decision you make, you know I’ll support it, but you know as well as I do that magic is interspersed with humans. It’s watered down in most cases, sure, but it’s still out there and has been for a long, long time. Nearly every human has magic in their blood.”
“It’s true.” She sighed again.
“So, there’s this man from Polonias who talked to me today, too,” I said, wanting to get it all out.
“Oh?” She seemed to relax though she sounded curious.
“His name is Leolas.”
Her features darkened. “I’ve heard of him. He’s the crown prince of the land. He’ll rule Polonias one day.” Snow pushed her hair off her face, resting in over one shoulder.
“He’s a prince?” I was shocked, but it really wasn’t surprising. The way he carried himself, his confidence. It all screamed “leader”. “Quilla made it seem like my parents aren’t really my parents. That I’m from there. And Pops said Polonias isn’t part of Earth—at least not really.” I blinked back more tears. “I might be an alien,” I said.
Snow stood, grabbing both sides of the mirror. “I’m a vampire, the vampire queen. I have fangs, for crying out loud. We’re friends with a dragon, and Dorian has become,” she looked away for a moment before continuing, “something. We aren’t sure what yet. There’s a little original vampire girl running about my home, growing faster than should be physically possible, and I’ve released magical creatures upon the humans like some twisted maniac. The fact that Polonias isn’t part of Earth is probably a good thing and should be the least of your worries.” She stepped back. “You aren’t an alien,” she said, her lips twitching. “Not really.”
Laughter bubbled from my chest and we both started to giggle. “It’s not funny,” I said, but laughed harder so the tears in my eyes streamed down my cheeks.
“I know,” she said, laughing with me. “It shouldn’t be, but just when we think it can’t get weirder, it does.”
“What’s going on?” Dorian asked, appearing behind Snow.
“I’m an alien,” I said, my voice thick with laughter.
Dorian chuckled. “I had a feeling.”
Snow punched him playfully.
I took a deep breath. “Thanks, Snow. I feel better.”
“Good.”
Dorian took Snow’s hand. “Does that mean my vampire queen can come back to bed?” His words were sultry, filled with innuendo.
“Oh,” Snow said, giving me a sideways look.
Dorian traced his thumb along Snow’s jaw and a pang of sadness filled my heart. It was obvious to anyone Snow and Dorian would do anything for each other, fight through Heaven and Hell to be together. Not so with Gabe. Tonight proved that.
“Of course. Night, guys.” I smiled. “And thanks, Snow.”
“Anytime.” She didn’t look at me when she spoke.
Dorian waved before pulling Snow away from the mirror.
I quickly spoke the words to the spell. “Mirror, mirror, made of glass, bring back my face, do as I ask.” My haphazard reflection returned. I stuck out my tongue before turning off the light and getting back into bed.
That night I dreamed of fire. Of burning wood and smoke so thick I couldn’t see much of anything. I tried several different spells to dispel the smoke and put out the flames, but my magic didn’t work. Brilliantly glowing reds and oranges flashed around me, burning trees to ash, until all that remained was a gray world, with soot filling my lungs so I couldn’t breathe.
Come to me, Cinderella. His voice cut through the dreariness and despair, filling my veins and sinews with something akin to purpose.
Chapter 12
In the morning, I put on a light yellow dress and did my hair up in a bun. Downstairs I grabbed a piece of toast and peanut butter after turning o
n the coffee for my mom.
She came into the kitchen, surprised. “Two days in a row?” She smiled, taking a mug from the cupboard.
“Have you heard of Polonias?” I asked, skipping past the silly pleasantries and getting right to the point. I could do a spell on her, but after what happened with Gabe the night before, I wasn’t in the mood to force someone to tell me the truth.
Her eyes grew large. “Where did you hear that word?”
I decided to be honest. “From Quilla, my fairy godmother.” I went to the refrigerator for some juice.
My mom dropped the coffee mug.
“Thenorus,” I whispered. The mug halted its descent just inches from the tile floor.
She took it out of the air and set it on the counter. “I wish you wouldn’t do that,” she said, seemingly embarrassed by my magic.
I wasn’t going to get into it with her, about the fact that I was a witch whether she liked it or not. “Sorry,” I said, though I wasn’t.
“You’ve seen Quilla?” She crossed her arms, looking at me like I was an alien and might sprout two antennae.
“Yes, I saw her. She came to my room the other night.” I blinked, trying to keep my words light, but I was experiencing another level of heartbreak. My mom knew who Quilla was, yet she kept it from me.
“I need to go. I—I must speak with your father.” She dashed from the kitchen so fast I didn’t have a chance to say good-bye.
I glanced at the clock on the microwave. There was still an hour before my first class. Shoving the last bite of toast in my mouth, I decided to talk to Abernathy, hoping the dragon would have the answers I needed.
In my room I placed bright blue candles on the floor in the shape of a seven-pointed star. Then I sat in the center, crossed my legs, closed my eyes and spoke the words that would take me to his cave.
It didn’t take long before the smell of sulfur and rotting flesh struck my nose. It was dark. “Lumia,” I whispered, and a small light appeared. As I walked toward the sound of Abernathy’s snoring, my skin started to crawl. It felt like I was being watched. I quickly glanced around, searching for the culprit, but no one was there. I stopped.
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