Had Vivianne taken it? Hurriedly I ran downstairs, fed Gatsby, and got on my bike. It was getting easier to pedal. Easier to move, period.
With each turn of the wheels, as I moved closer to the school, my worry for the necklace dissipated. If the necklace was gone, that meant I wasn't accountable for ending the Vampire Queen, restoring balance. Right?
See, everything leaves you, my inner voice chided.
I shrugged.
"Good."
Chapter 11
One morning, several days after bolting from Professor Pops' house, I came downstairs and noticed a package sitting on the counter. Under it was a note that said: Remember, twice a day. By the smell I knew inside was my bloodlust tea. Without opening it, I placed the tea in the Sugar canister, and did my best to forget.
I was strong, the tea unnecessary. Whether because of drinking Christopher's blood, or some other reason, I didn't know. I didn't want to think about the questions or the consequences. Plus the tea was another reminded of the guys.
***
September disappeared, and October was more than half over before I acquired the courage to talk to the guys, Professor Pops, or Kenmei again.
It wasn't that I held a grudge against them anymore. I'd stopped being angry a week after my outburst. The problem was I didn't know how to approach them. And they seemed to be doing fine without me. Sure I caught them staring once in a while, but they'd turn away as soon as our eyes met.
In a way being apart was good. Their absence from my life helped me to realize how much I loved them, appreciated them, and needed them. They were my family, and life without them wasn't the same. Even if my life with them meant crazy, supernatural drama and training. Try as I might though, I couldn't bring myself to break the silence.
At least I had Cindy. We hung out every second she wasn't working. She would practice her magic with me, sometimes on me. We had fun. One day I went to school with a red streak in my hair, the next a yellow one. She became a pro at changing her nail polish and even "painted" mine red once during lunch.
Cindy was the one who gave me the push I needed to make up with the guys. She drove past my house, and pulled into Professor Pops' driveway.
After putting the car in park, she shushed all of my lame excuses and said, "Look, it's like a Band-Aid. Just rip the sucker off."
I wanted to be upset, but all seven of the guys, and Professor Pops immediately came outside, and were waving and smiling like goofballs. I couldn't leave them hanging any longer. I didn't want to.
"You're right," I agreed, and got out of her car.
Chapter 12
Our reunion went better than expected. Hanging out with them again felt like putting on my favorite shoes. They were comfortable. Even Gabe seemed less tense then before my meltdown.
After several hours of chatting, dinner, and a movie screening-The Avengers-in their amazing theater room, Gabe suggested some training.
"You want to take a revenant on at midnight? You're brave." I playfully punched him in the arm, and rose from the supple leather couch. He'd sat next to me when the movie started. At first it was awkward, but as the movie progressed, and we laughed at our favorite parts together, I relaxed, and so did he.
"Training is an excellent idea, Snow. Not for too long though. After an hour, you should head home and get some rest. We'll be here in the morning for some breakfast, if you'd like." Professor Pops' eyes twinkled with happiness, and I was sure my expression matched his.
I'd been away from my favorite people on the planet for far too long.
"I'd like that."
Gabe stood, and I followed him down the stairs. When we entered the Museum of the Supernatural, it was like coming home. I missed the place more than I realized. After Gabe unlocked the door to the training room I followed him in.
He grabbed the longer sword, the katana, and the shorter one-I couldn't remember what it was called-and handed them to me. "Ready?" he asked, as he crouched and started to circle.
"Bring it, Gabriel." I'd started to laugh, but it caught in my throat. For weeks Professor Pops tried to tell me about Gabe. My talk with Kenmei, his story about Silindra and the vampire who'd killed her. His name was Gabriel too. It couldn't mean anything, right? I shook my head. That they shared the same name was a complete coincidence.
Gabe smacked me on the arm with the flat side of the blade. "Concentrate, Snowflake. These weapons aren't pretend. They're real."
I jumped. "Right." I copied his stance, feeling my body find its position as I moved with a grace I hadn't realized I possessed.
Even Gabe was impressed. He raised an eyebrow. "Have you been practicing?"
I shook my head. "Maybe," I said, just to throw him off. We circled a few more times, and then he lunged. I blocked the blow, and spun around.
"Aren't you Little Miss Kickass!" He smirked.
"You know it," I responded, smirking back.
After that, we were a blur of blades. An orchestra of clanging metal, breathing, and synchronized heartbeats. We moved in time to music of our own creation. Sweat mingled with the warmth of his skin, the delicious bouquet of his blood.
He tripped me, and I fell, landing on my butt. He took my swords and put them away. When he finished he came over and stuck out a hand. I grabbed hold. He yanked, but I had a better idea. I yanked back, hard. Surprised he fell toward me, but caught himself.
"Nice move," he said with a smile, trapping me under him, his arms on either side of my shoulders.
I was mesmerized by his bright green eyes. They danced with a happiness I hadn't seen in weeks, not since that night in my bedroom. Our faces were close, and I kept checking out his lips, soft and full. What's changed? Why is he being friendly again? I didn't have time for an internal debate because his lips were suddenly on mine.
I gasped in surprise, and gladly reciprocated, twining my fingers in his hair.
Gabe groaned, grabbing my hips and rolling so I was on top.
He pulled back, releasing my lips. I let out a sound like a pouting kitten; upset he wasn't kissing me. He smirked and brushed some hair out of my face.
"I'm sorry I've been a jerk. I promised I wouldn't leave and that's exactly what happened. Can you forgive me?" His voice was hoarse, full of emotion, full of sincerity.
I responded by pulling his head down, claiming his lips with mine, hungry for more. I needed this Gabe. Sweet, kind Gabe. His tongue flicked inside my mouth, and I felt it low in my belly, a fiery desire.