She's a big, fat liar, my inner voice hollered.
Pushing down my fears, I changed the subject. "Are you saying you were in the right? You deserve the power?" I didn't add that Kenmei and Professor Pops told me they were her hunters at one time, and that I knew they left her. Immediately a small flutter danced in my belly. Is that where Christopher went? Professor Pops and Kenmei never told me what they did to break free of her. Was it just a matter of walking away, or was more required? I thought about the bear Christopher carved, and how excited he was when I gave it to him.
It's possible, I thought.
"Of course I deserve the power. I've ruled for thousands of years. That isn't going to change anytime soon." She walked back over to the thrones and sat. I did the same. She twirled her pointer finger and we were back at the castle.
Standing, she moved to the center of the circular room. With her back to me, she asked, "Have you seen the so-called Seal of Gabriel?"
I gulped and tried to calm my racing heart. My hearing got better after I turned, so I had no doubt she heard my increased heartbeat and already knew the answer. "I-I don't know," I stammered, trying to pretend I wasn't sure.
She spun around. "Where is it? Do you have it?"
Taking a deep breath, I shook my head. "No. I don't know where it is anymore."
"You had it in your possession." Anger burned her features. "Stupid girl. It must be destroyed. That thing could ruin everything." Her voice softened. "If you see it again, take it and bring it to me." She walked over, and brushed her fingers along my jaw. "That pendant will be the death of all vampires. The whole race. Including you. And him." While she spoke she moved her hand in a whimsical S. A glass case, like those my stepmother used to hold her porcelain dolls, appeared. It was much larger and reminded me of a coffin. It sat atop a white stand.
Someone was inside.
I took a step toward the coffin, trying to ignore the ball of fear growing in my chest.
"Who is that?" I asked, giving the Queen a sideways glance as I walked past her.
"You'll see, my dear Snow." The evil smile was back. The ball of fear grew into full-blown anxiety.
It was a guy, his dirty blond hair flawlessly combed. His eyes were closed, but I knew his eyes were hazel.
"Christopher," I whispered.
Around his neck hung the carved bear. The one he made right before he was changed into a vampire. He wore brown leather pants, and a white shirt, with a leather vest. Dark chocolate brown boots were on his feet and stopped just under his knees. His hands rested on his stomach. "Is he-" I stopped.
"Dead? No. But if you don't bring me that necklace, he will be." She came to stand next to me. "You don't want that, do you?" She touched my shoulder, and it took all my courage not to shrink away.
"I don't know where it is. I swear." I clasped her hand, begging her to believe me.
"I believe you, but I know that if you think really hard, you'll know where you need to start." She squeezed my hand back, and I thought the bones in my fingers might break.
And just as I was about to respond, I realized I wasn't in Sharra anymore.
"You're not ready, Snow," the Vampire Queen's words echoed through my mind.
Chapter 7
A sound escaped my throat, and I clamped the hand the Vampire Queen crushed only moments ago over my mouth. I was happy and scared all at once.
Maybe I wasn't ready, but I was home, standing in the middle of my room.
Purple walls filled with baby animal posters. Purple curtains. Purple towels still hung in the bathroom. I was glad to see all of it. Wistfulness swept through my veins. At the same time, I was terrified. How would I confront Professor Pops, and the brothers? Cindy? Gatsby? And, my stepmom and dad. Were they here? Using my newfound stealth I creeped over to their bedroom and peeked inside. They weren't in their bed. My heart fell. I'd been gone two weeks. Maybe no one bothered to tell them what happened. I'd lost my cell phone at some point during my time away. They could've called. What about poor Gatsby?
"Here kitty, kitty," I called, keeping off the lights. I didn't need light to see and I didn't want the brothers, or Pops to know I was home. I listened, taking in the familiar smells and sounds of the house. I didn't hear any soft padding of kitty feet so I tromped down the stairs. In the kitchen I sat at the counter and pulled over the envelope filled with the invitation to my birthday party. A tear fell onto my cheek. The idea of the party was awful, but the person who planned it meant the world to me.
How could Professor Pops ever forgive me for what I'd done?
"Gabe," I whispered.
"Hello, Snowflake."
His voice came from behind. It was a voice I thought I'd never hear again. I didn't want to move; afraid if I turned around I would realize it wasn't real or a figment of my overactive imagination. But I sensed movement. My body began to tremble.
Could it be? Was it possible?
I was too afraid to find out.
His voice whispered in my ear. "Snowflake. You're back."
I had to see him. Turning, my eyes caught hold of his face. I could see him, but even that could be my imagination. My mind still wouldn't believe. I placed both hands on his face. "Are you real?"
He pulled me off the chair and into his arms.
And I was lost. Wrapped in his embrace. He was alive. Gabe.
After I don't know how long, I pulled back. I needed to see him.
"How? I saw the angle of your neck. It was broken." I fought hard to keep the tears at bay.
He leaned down, his lips pressing against mine. I responded with all the guilt, the sorrow, the excruciating pain I'd held inside over the past two weeks. He scooped me up and carried me upstairs, into my bedroom, and lay me on my bed. His kiss deepened, and I clung to him as his hands went under my shirt sending fiery heat along my skin. After a long time, he lifted his head. "Snowflake, I didn't die. It may have appeared that way, but Professor Pops and the brothers overreacted. I was just unconscious."
I wanted to believe him. But something in his voice, a slight pause when he said 'overreacted' gave me pause. The memory of the way his body felt under me, the way I grabbed his body, and I remembered the sound of his neck breaking. The moment ripped through my consciousness as though I was reliving it. I shook my head. "No, you were dead. Why aren't you telling me the truth? D-Did you..." I paused. "Are you a vampire?"