A wave of determination washed over me. I would go home. Face the consequences. If that meant death, then so be it. Standing, I quickly washed my hair, stepped out of the shower, and dried myself off. Now that I'd decided, I was in a hurry.
But how will you get back, my inner voice chided.
I wrapped myself in the large red bath towel and fell into the golden chair. A pearlized brush with soft white bristles appeared near my right hand. Absently, I picked it up and brushed the tangles from my hair.
How would I get back? In the past, when I came to Sharra, I went back without trying. Someone or something always pulled me between the two realms.
"Zenny," I said quietly.
I waited.
He shuffled to the side of the mirror. "What is your wish?"
I tightened the towel closer around my body. "How do I get back to the human world?"
He balked. "You can't leave. The Queen won't allow it. She's brought you here for a reason. You have to stay."
I nodded, showing him I understood. Of course he was loyal to her. Gulping down my fear, I said, "That's fine, I won't go anywhere until she allows it. But, if the time comes, how do I leave?"
His eyes grew big, and he bowed deeply. "My Queen," he whispered, and scurried out of the mirror.
I turned. The Queen was at the door, wearing a pair of holey black jeans and a black t-shirt with the words, 'love bites' scrawled in red across her chest. She wore no makeup. Her hair hung on either side of her head in braids. On her feet were red converse. She looked young, as though she were my age.
"Oh," I said, brushing my bangs off my face. "I'm not ready."
"I can see that." She smiled. It was less cruel than usual, almost innocent. Unclasping her hands, she raised them and spread them in front of her, as though she were greeting someone or offering something. Clothes, and a red pair of Converse just like hers, appeared on the counter next to the brush. "Put those on. I'll wait." She closed the door.
"Hurry," Zenny whispered from the edge of the mirror. "The Queen does not like to be kept waiting."
"Alright. Disappear, first."
After he left, I tossed the towel on the counter, and put on the clothes. A red bra and matching undies, a plain red shirt, black jeans, red socks, and the Converse.
I hesitantly opened the door. She was next to a large window, seemingly lost in thought. "I'm ready," I said softly.
She appraised me with her eyes, and then headed to the door leading out of the room. "Excellent. Let's go."
I followed, curious about what her plans were. Also I was glad I for the distraction from my heavy guilt. Besides the sooner she showed me whatever she wanted to show me, the sooner I could get back.
Chapter 5
I trailed on her heels as we passed through a sunroom, down a set of steep stairs, through a large sitting room filled with extravagant chandeliers, furniture, thick draperies, and a red grand piano. Seated in some of the chairs were... creatures. Vampires, I guessed. All of them were female. Dressed in clothing from every century. Some wore dresses with tight bodice's and large skirts, others were dressed like the Vampire Queen and I. All of them looked young-perfect skin, perfectly coifed hair, and red, red lips.
Little pixilettes fluttered around them, serving them something red (blood?) in crystal goblets. The vampires took the offered glasses and then shooed the pixilettes away like they were irritating gnats. The little things seemed worn out, their shoulders hunched, their eyes droopy.
If you hadn't lost the necklace you could fix this, change the way things are done, my inner voice scolded. I cringed internally. That wasn't possible. I couldn't change anything.
After we walked through the sitting room, we entered the circular room I remembered from my dream, or vision. Only this time it was empty of anyone except her and I.
She went up the steps in front of two high back chairs. Had there been only one the first time I was here? I tried to go back through the dream. I couldn't remember. The second throne looked like it belonged there.
The Vampire Queen sat on the chair to the left. "Sit here," she said, indicating the throne on the right.
After I sat, she waved her hand and the room vanished. We were in the middle of a grass and flower filled meadow. I heard birds chirping happily, smelled the sweet fragrance from the flowers, and felt the cool breeze against my skin.
The Queen stood and walked into the meadow. I listened to the stiff grass crackle under her shoes. When she reached the edge of the meadow, she reached up and plucked a red apple from an apple tree on the fringe.
My heart began beating fast. In the story of Snow White, the wicked witch gave the girl an apple. She took a bite, and fell under a spell. Only true love's first kiss could wake her.
Was that the Vampire Queen's plan? Did she intend to offer me the apple? Poison me? And hope my true love would find me and kiss me.
That's stupid, my inner voice quipped.
I snorted. Love didn't work that way. It was complicated, messy, and took effort. A kiss in real life didn't have the same power.
That's because you haven't kissed your true love yet, my inner voice huffed.
Maybe. I couldn't help but think of Gabe and of Christopher. I'd kissed them both. Nothing happened.
Another thought occurred to me. Had Christopher left because he accomplished his goal? I'd become a vampire. Wasn't that all he was required to do. And now I was a vampire, could a kiss return me to human? Probably not.
I messed up so badly there was no way the Seal of Gabriel, the beautiful pendant Christopher gave me, would work any longer. I ruined any chance of restoring balance when I became a monster. It was too late for me.
Maybe I should eat the apple, I thought. Then I wouldn't be able to harm anyone.
"Snow," the Queen barked, interrupting my thoughts.
"Yes," I said, moving from the throne and into the meadow. The landscape was beautiful, peaceful. I ran my hands over the tops of the tall grass and the white daisies that grew in clumps.
The Vampire Queen waved me over.
Determined, I went moved closer. When I was near her, I held out my hand. I would eat the apple. I would sleep eternally and no longer be a detriment to those I loved.
The Vampire Queen batted my hand. "Get your own," she said, taking a large bite.
I inhaled, surprised. "I will," I said after I recovered. Reaching up, I plucked a large apple from one of the branches. The sweet scented blossoms filled my lungs. Rubbing the apple skin on my sleeve out of habit, I scanned it for bruises or wormholes, and seeing it was unspoiled, took a bite. I chewed slowly, expecting there to be no flavor. All food tasted like ash since Christopher bit me. It was delicious though. The flavors a mixture of sugariness, and... I dropped it. Blood.