Queen of the Vampires
Seven Magics Academy Book Three
RaShelle Workman
Polished Pen Press, llc
Copyright @ 2019 Queen of the Vampires: Seven Magics Academy Book Three 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
DEADLY WITCH
Coming Soon
Also by RaShelle Workman
About the Author
Chapter 1
Time was a flighty fiend. Seconds flickered in slow motion until an instant later, weeks simply vanished, disappearing without a backward glance.
A month passed since I woke from my time with Silindra.
Though I was still desperate to end her, Sharra, the vampire queen, decided I wasn’t meant to be her next victim, which took the bullseye off my back. But she also said if I woke, she would kill all those I loved.
That worried me, but only slightly. I hurt her somehow when she tried to kill me in my sleep, and she seemed to have gone into hibernation to heal or lick her wounds or whatever. Still, I told Professor Pops and Kenmei all she said and that she already selected another victim. The news sent Kenmei, Professor Pops, several of the brothers and even Christopher on a wild goose chase to try to find the new marked, but so far, they hadn’t had any luck.
Since my dad had left and was nowhere to be found, Adam Henry, the man I called Professor Pops, had become my guardian. While everyone searched, Professor Pops asked that I complete the last seven months of my final year of high school.
It stung that my dad didn’t want me anymore, but I was grateful to Pops for taking me in, and I reluctantly agreed to his wish. He talked to the principal and after taking several tests, I was permitted to finish my senior year as though I hadn’t been in an enchanted sleep for the past two years. It was weird. So weird, but I promised him, and I was trying to enjoy life at Salem Academy and all that entailed.
While I was with Silindra, Professor Pops decided to make the Academy official and invite a select few supernaturals to participate. Several were witches. One was a gargoyle while another was half dragon. Classes were currently being held in Pops’ basement. I overheard him talk to Kenmei about the need to expand, but nothing had come of that yet.
Dorian and Gabe were already graduated from Salem Academy as was Cindy. I missed her being in school with me. It was a little lonely sitting by myself at lunch and I didn’t speak unless spoken to. People gave me looks and whispered about me. Instead of jokes about me falling or being klutzy, I became Mono Girl, which was worse.
Thankfully, my friends were all still around. Cindy taught magic at SMA now. She was good at it too. The few times I watched her; I was impressed by her ability to get her point across. And she was passionate about what she taught. It was impressive. Of course, she still had a seriously crazy love of fashion, while I still wore jeans and tee shirts. Nothing fancy. I kept my long hair pulled back in a pony tail or sometimes I just brushed it and went, leaving it wild.
Classes at human high school were simple enough; I could’ve taken my GED test and just gotten the whole high school experience over with, but Professor Pops wanted me to experience all that high school was supposed to be, including activities.
Oddly, Christopher also sided with Professor Pops, telling me to finish out the last few months. I hadn’t seen much of him lately, but I was glad he was okay.
Fall break was coming up. That meant a week of not worrying about school, but I agreed to go to the stupid autumn formal. Dorian was going to go with me. At least that was something to look forward to though I wasn’t thrilled about having to wear a fancy dress again.
Cindy sat on the chaise in my closet, while I studied myself in the full-length mirror. She was distracted. Probably texting Gabe. I wanted to wear the same dress I wore to my sixteenth birthday party, but Cindy vetoed the idea, and when it came to fashion, I always deferred to Cindy.
She locked her phone and stood. “Try these on,” she said, handing me a pair of black heels.
I slid them on and stood. They fit well and made my already long legs look even longer, but they felt like stilts. “I’m not doing it. No way. These things will be the death of me.”
Cindy laughed, moving to stand behind me so she could adjust the red dress I had on. I thought it was too short and too tight.
“You look amazing,” she said, fiddling with the spaghetti strap.
I grimaced. I looked something. Not like me.
While I watched, Cindy used magic to style my hair and do my makeup. I turned back and forth in the mirror, trying to find the awkward girl I was before the Seal took hold of me. She was gone. In her place was a woman. One that stumbled right out of one of Cindy’s fashion magazines. Full red lips. Dark eyes with a wisp of silver. Long dark hair that hung in loose waves around my shoulders and nearly down to my waist. “Can you use your magic to make it a little longer,” I asked, tugging at the dress’s hem.
“Hell no. It’s what all the kids are wearing these days. Besides, you look hot. Gorgeous. Every guy in the place is going to want your number and every girl is going to want to kill you.”
“That isn’t what I’m going for.” I pulled at the sweetheart neckline, wishing it was a little higher, and thankful I didn’t have much cleavage. That would’ve been obscene.
Cindy batted my hand away. “That’s exactly what you want. Hell, if I was going to be at the dance, even I would be jealous.” She crossed her arms, admiring her work.
“That’s a great idea, Cin. Why don’t you come? Please?” I put my hands together, begging.
“I can’t. I have a date with Gabe.” She made a face and I ignored the way my heart jumped at his name. I didn’t have feelings for him anymore—at least not romantic feelings. But it was hard seeing Cindy and Gabe together. In a way, I felt like a failure that my relationship with Gabe hadn’t worked, but theirs was. “Besides, Dorian will be there with you.”
“That’s true.” I was so thankful he was going. We woul
d dance and have fun and I wouldn’t have to worry about being alone. “Fine, but I really think I should change.”
She shooed me toward the closet exit, and I found I could walk in the heels without an issue. Vampire genes, I thought. In my bedroom, I grabbed my clutch, the one Cindy said I had to take because it would hold my school id card as well as lip gloss and a fifty Professor Pops gave me for emergencies. I felt weird carrying it.
“If I wore my Converse, I could just tuck it all in my shoes. That’s much easier.”
“Merde,” she swore following after me, picking up her purse and keys as she walked past my bed.
I laughed. “Fine, but if I lose the dumb thing, you can’t be mad.” I held up her clutch so she would understand what I meant.
“Yes, I can. Don’t lose it. I love that bag.” Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. “In fact…” She paused and tapped her finger against her chin. “Got it.” She said some words I didn’t understand and then smiled smugly.
“What did you do? Will I turn into a toad if I lose it?” I shook my head in exasperation.
“No, but that’s a good idea.” She winked, putting a hand on the door knob
Someone knocked. We both started. Cindy recovered first and moved me out of the way. “If it’s Dorian, I’m going to tell him to wait at the bottom of the stairs so you can make a grand entrance and he can admire your beauty.”
“Or catch me when I fall,” I said, only a little exasperated.
She made a face and opened the door. It was Dorian and she sent him downstairs, then closed the door and turned to face me. “It’s showtime. You ready?” She gave me another quick once over. “Yes, you are,” she said, answering for me and opening the door.
“I can do this,” I said.
She nodded as I passed her. “Have fun,” she said in her sing-song voice.
I snorted and kept walking, taking hold of the banister out of habit. It really wasn’t hard to walk in the heels, but it felt like it should be.
“You look like a queen. Own it,” Cindy hissed.
I released the banister and moved down the stairs with as much confidence as possible. Dorian stood at the bottom and I smiled with relief. He was my friend and he loved me. He said so while I was in and out of consciousness. I didn’t think he meant in a romantic sense. It was more like the kind of love like I felt for Gabe.
His eyes got big as he took me in.
He looked amazing too, wearing his black tux with a red tie that was slightly askew. His dirty blond hair had been cut but was still on the longer side, and his gray eyes shone intently. When I reached the last three steps, he held out his hand.
“Wow, Snow. You’re beautiful.” He held a container that I guessed had a bracelet corsage in it.
“Thank you,” I said, feeling suddenly shy.
He put the corsage, which was red flowers that matched the red of my dress, on my wrist. “You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.” I took his elbow when he held it out.
Before we could get out the door, Professor Pops and the brothers were there, all except Gabe. They took pics and gushed about how great I looked.
We went down the front steps and to a waiting Mercedes. Dorian held the passenger door open for me before getting in. “This is going to be fun,” he said peeling off down the driveway.
Chapter 2
As we entered the dance, it was like everything moved in slow motion. I took the whole scene in at once. The crowd of students dancing and talking—most of them I didn’t know. The music blasting so loud is seemed to be coming from inside my mind. The scent of several hundred blood filled bodies pummeled into me and I held my breath. It wasn’t that I craved the blood, only that it was really strong, and a bit overwhelming. Although, when I smelled Dorian’s blood, I decided I wouldn’t mind a taste. I glanced at him, but he was focused on the decorations.
The gymnasium was enchanting. Thousands of paper snowflakes dangled from the ceiling. A disco ball spun from the center, filling the darkened room with white dots of light. Sparkling white bunting that was supposed to look like snow covered the walls and perimeter of the dance floor. The tables were covered in white tablecloths. In the center of each sat an oversized snow globe and chocolates covered in white foil.
As we skirted the edge of the gym, Dorian and I looked at each other and laughed. He took my hand. “It’s like they created this dance especially for you without even knowing it.” He kissed the back of my had, his amused eyes focused intently on me. I laughed.
“I swear I didn’t compel anyone,” I said, swallowing down my nerves.
“If you say so,” he said, pulling me closer to him. “Want to dance?” His breath smelled like his minty toothpaste, but it was his blood that caused my pupils to dilate and my fangs to press against the inside of my mouth.
“Sure,” I said, and let him pull me onto the dance floor. I wasn’t a dancer, but it didn’t matter. A distraction was in order.
Besides, Professor Pops would ask me if I danced and I didn’t want to let him down.
Dorian walked us through the crowd until we were directly under the disco ball, avoiding the mosh pit near the DJ booth. Just the thought of trying to dance there gave me hives. I was glad Dorian didn’t lead us over that direction.
He glanced there though, and my eyes followed. “Please tell me you don’t want to dance in the pit.”
“No,” he said, his eyes squinting. “It’s just…” His voice trailed off and I gave the group a closer look.
Sharra twisted and writhed among the dancers. They seemed to swarm around her, like bees in a hive, she would bite one of them on the neck, suck briefly, lick the wound closed and move on. “What the ever loving hell?”
She heard me and looked up, her fangs buried in the neck of Tanner, one of the popular students. Her eyes sparkled with wicked mischief as she withdrew her fangs and licked her lips.
“Stay here,” Dorian said.
“No.” I grabbed hold of his arm. There was no way I would let him go over there and do—what? It wasn’t like he could stop her, and she could and probably would kill him. I felt the Seal of Gabriel stir inside me, not awake yet, but ready. I pulled at Dorian, making him face me. “Don’t go anywhere near her. She isn’t killing them, just drinking from them. It looks like she’s here to bait me into coming after her. If I do, then those humans could get hurt. We don’t want that. Ignore her.”
“You want me to ignore her?” He was shocked. “She’s using them like all-you-can-eat buffet and you’re saying we should let her get away with it?”
I wrapped my hands around his waist. “What’s the alternative? Try to kill her and end up murdering innocent humans instead?” I shuddered at the thought. “No,” I said, firmly.
His hands found my hips and I caught his gaze, knowing if I had to, I would compel him. Tension coiled through his body, humming like a new car. He was trained to fight against evil and Sharra was evil, but for his sake and those at the dance, we couldn’t start anything. That was exactly what Sharra wanted.
“You’re serious?” he asked again.
“Completely.” I tried to smile, but it didn’t work.
Dorian gritted his teeth so hard I could hear them grinding. “I can’t do that,” he said.
I was a stronger than him and I held him firm. “I won’t let you leave. If I have to make you stay, I will.” I would do anything to keep him safe. There was no way I would let Sharra harm him. In that moment, I realized how much I cared about Dorian. Just the thought of him getting injured brought out the anger in me and I felt the Seal flare to life.
Dorian flinched, pulling his hands away like I burned him.
“Sorry,” I said, dropping my hands to my sides. “Why don’t we go? If we leave, I have a feeling she’ll leave too. She’s only here to make me crazy.”
“We can’t leave these students alone with her.”
“Fine. Then you stay here, and I’ll go over there.”
“Tha
t’s not how I’m made, Snow. Where you go, I go. I won’t stand by and watch you walk into danger.” His eyes pierced through me and I knew he meant it.
My hands turned into fists of frustration. “Stop being an ass. Don’t you get it? I can’t have you going over there because then I’ll be too worried about you getting hurt.”
Dorian sucked in a breath and then pulled me into a bear hug. As he did, he wrapped his suit coat around me. “Okay. Okay. I’m sorry, and you really need to calm down. You’re glowing for crap’s sake.”
I glanced between us and saw the red shimmer of the power of the Seal. He was right. I had to relax right now or my time as a normal high schooler would be over. I closed my eyes, resting my head against his chest, allowing him to hold me a few moments. He felt good. Safe. He smelled like expensive cologne, and under that, I could smell his blood. My mouth watered, but I shook the desire away and took a deep breath, trying to quiet my mind. It was difficult with Sharra so close to Dorian. I glanced over my shoulder in the direction of the mosh pit. “She’s gone,” I said. At Sharra’s absence, the tension in the room vanished and the gym was much livelier and lighter.
“Yeah, I saw her disappear as soon as you started to glow.” His hold on me softened and he slid back into his jacket before placing his hands on my waist. “I think she’s testing you, searching for a weakness.”
“You’re probably right.” I swallowed, hating that I was in this predicament.
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