What about Christopher, I thought.
I didn't have an answer.
And Dorian?
At his name, my heart clenched in pain.
Dorian.
I swallowed down the agony, so it wouldn't squash me. "I get it. And you didn't hurt me. I'm glad you're with Cindy. She loves you."
He nodded. A fragment of a smile curled over his lips. "She's a pain in the ass, but I love her too." His eyes caught and held mine. "I really do."
I nodded. "You better."
He chuckled. "Life is weird, isn't it?"
"That's an understatement," I responded. Then shaking the lighter in front of us as a reminder of why I came down, I said, "Well, I'd better get my bath."
"Oh, right," he said, slightly embarrassed. "See ya later."
"Yep, see ya."
He moved out of my way, leaning his back against the island. I smiled and walked by. Without thinking, I reached out and hugged him. Hard. As of way of acknowledging him for all he was, all he'd done for me. "Thanks, Gabe."
"For what?" he asked, wrapping his arms around me.
"For everything. Being a great friend, an amazing boyfriend, and, well..." I pulled back so I could see his face. "Thanks for being you."
He blinked in surprise. "You're welcome, Snowflake."
Chapter 6
I closed the door, and kneeled in the middle of the star. Then I lit the candles the old fashioned way. With a lighter. When I was finished, I tossed the lighter outside the circle, and sat.
It occurred to me that I was breaking my promise to Christopher. He'd asked me not to leave without telling him, but this couldn't be helped. I wouldn't put him or anyone else in jeopardy.
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.