Gatsby led me into the music room. He jumped on Gabe's lap, curling himself in a ball, settling his head on his paws.
Gabe laughed, though his features stayed hard, stressed. "Comfy?" He scratched Gatsby behind the ears. I tried to catch his gaze, but he avoided my direction entirely.
He was seated in one of many white wingback chairs, one leg propped over an armrest. His sword (which seemed completely out of place) was in its sheath, but rested against the chair.
In the center of the room was a black grand piano. Bart played while Heathcliff and Sebastian stood behind him watching. Dorian was in another wingback, reading a manga, and the other brothers were sitting with Professor Pops and Kenmei talking.
Of course I'd been in here before, but seeing it filled with the brothers, Professor Pops, Kenmei, my cat... I couldn't help the bubble of happiness.
My eyes found Dorian's. His clothing choice needed to be discussed.
He watched me with a goofy grin.
"Really?" I said, pulling my shirt, making the words easier for me to see.
He chuckled. "Duh. You definitely do bite."
I flinched, embarrassed. Gabe's frown grew deeper, but he didn't say anything. I wondered if he cared I drank from Dorian?
Maybe he doesn't know, I thought.
Dorian came over and tugged on the bottom of my shirt, one side of his mouth in a half-smile. My heart rate increased. I wanted to reach out and touch his rumpled hair. Brush my hands along his square jaw. Press my lips to his neck, and taste more of his blood. (I couldn't get enough blood, but two years was a long time.)
At those thoughts my legs turned to jelly, and my fangs pressed inside my mouth. Dorian's pupils dilated, his usually gray eyes almost transparent, they were so light. He knew what I was thinking. I heard his heart beat faster, keeping time with mine. My fists clenched at my sides. One of Dorian's fingers brushed the skin beneath my stomach, and my breath hitched.
I stepped back and around him. "Yeah, and you'd better watch yourself or I'll do it again."
"Promises. Promises." He went back to his chair, and picked up his book.
Kenmei stood, giving a slight bow, to which I reciprocated. He and Professor Pops looked like twins... at least their wardrobe choices. Kenmei was Japanese, and shorter than Professor Pops. But they both wore chinos, loafers, a buttoned shirt, and a sweater with leather patches at the elbows. Professor Pops had his reading glasses in a pocket, and Kenmei had a white handkerchief in his.
"Shiryo-san. It's good to see you out of bed."
"Thank you, Kenmei-sensei."
"Have a seat," Professor Pops said, indicating a chair.
Bart stopped playing the piano and made his way over, sitting on a couch between Daniel and Salvatore.
I felt odd, like a new animal on display in the zoo. I sat, trying to ignore the way they stared. I wondered if they thought I might do something strange, like change colors, or grow a tail. Sure, I was changed. The Seal of Gabriel saw to that. It became a part of me. Yet it was separate. I didn't have a problem distinguishing between the power of the Seal and the rest of my body. The Seal's power was like it was a new appendage.
With its power came the knowledge I was no longer human or vampire. I was both, and more.
My body, my soul contained elements of the seven magical properties.
A piece of Abernathy's soul.
The eternal sight of the elves.
The strength of the trolls.
The healing power of the unicorn.
The giving heart of the fairies.
The essence of the vampire.
And, the blood of Gabriel, the Hunter who betrayed Silindra and killed her.
I didn't understand what I was, or how the changes affected me, but I hoped Kenmei did.
Heathcliff rushed me, carrying a mug. "Here, we made you some bloodlust tea." He placed it on the wood end table next to my chair. It smelled the same, a cross between disgusting and herbs. "It might be cold."
"Thank you, it's great," I said, taking a sip.
Cold and icky, I thought, but smiled at Heathcliff anyway.
"We know it's been a while since you've had blood," he added, pushing his hands in his jeans pockets, heading to his chair. My eyes caught hold of Professor Pops'. He knew that wasn't entirely true. Plus, I doubted the tea helped anymore, especially since I drank from humans.
"Shiryo-san, tell us what happened. Leave nothing out."
Thankful I had something to do, I said, "Okay."
I spent the next several hours going over the last two years of my life. The only interruptions happened when we had dinner. Well, the guys, Kenmei, and Professor Pops ate dinner. I pushed the delicious smelling chicken, mashed potatoes, and mixed vegetables around on my plate.
When I finished sharing the events of the last two years, Kenmei asked, "What do you think is your next step?"
I blanched. While I told them my story, the events leading to Silindra's death, a feeling, like a pull, made me believe I needed to start at the beginning. I wanted Kenmei to give me direction, tell me what to do.
"Listen to your heart. What's it saying?"
A couple of the guys snorted.
Chapter 8
Professor Pops shot a scowl around the room.
Speaking slowly, I said, "I feel like I need to find Abernathy. I think he has the answers I need to restore balance."
Kenmei nodded thoughtfully.
Professor Pops shook his head. "I disagree. You need to finish high school first. That should be-"
"No." I interrupted. While I knew school was important, and college had always been a goal, I wanted to make sure Gabe, and the rest of them were safe. I was obligated to play my part for the good of all magical creatures, now that I knew I'd become the Seal. If I didn't free them from the oppression of the Vampire Queen, no one could. And I needed to make sure Sharra didn't take over my body. Because high school wouldn't matter if I was no longer myself.
Professor Pops pressed his thumb and first finger to the bridge of his nose. "I know you believe you have to protect us. The Vampire Queen is powerful, but I think her threat to destroy you, those you love, was just that-a threat. I don't think she'll follow through. She wanted you before, and now that the Seal is part of you..."
Kenmei finished, "The Vampire Queen will give anything, do anything, to possess that power. I think instead of harming anyone, she'll try to find a way to get you on her side."