"Yes, you do. Like royalty," Dad chimed in.
Viv gave him a dark glance. Then she scowled in my direction. "Come down. Let me see you."
I walked down the stairs. Before I reached the bottom her hands were on me, pulling and tugging. I hoped she didn't rip any of the material. After several minutes, she said, "It isn't perfect, but you'll do."
I wiped the grin off my face and nodded. "Well I'm tired. I'm going to bed." Giving Viv an uncomfortable hug, I continued, "Thank you for the dress. It's gorgeous. I love it."
She patted my arm. "Of course." Viv moved back over to the bags, rifling through them again.
Dad pressed me to him.
"Thank you, Dad."
"You're welcome, Snow-Angel. Good night."
"Night." Before I started up, Viv brought over a hanger nestled in a garment bag, and a bag that held the mask. "Here, put the dress in the garment bag, and put the mask somewhere safe." She pressed them into my outstretched hands.
"Thank you."
Chapter 2
Gatsby followed me upstairs and jumped on my bed. He curled himself into a ball and lay down, his blue-grey eyes watching. "Do you think you're under fed?" He licked his mouth. "Of course not. You're the perfect size. Quite handsome."
I hung up the garment bag and placed the sack holding the mask on the shelf above my clothes. Carefully I stepped out of the dress and hung it up inside the garment bag.
After pulling on a cherry tank and a black pair of PJ pants, I bushed my teeth, washed my face, and climbed into bed. I tucked my hands under my pillow. My fingers brushed against... something. Rolling to my stomach, I lifted the pillow. There was a red gem in the shape of a teardrop attached to a long, sliver chain. It wasn't too big or too small, about the size of my thumb.
Underneath the necklace rested a piece of paper. I flipped on the lamp next to my bed and read:
Frosty,
I'd intended to wait until your birthday to give you the necklace, but I may not be able to make it. So I've giving it to you now. The gem is filled with magic, like you. Wear it always, please. It'll keep you safe. I'll see you soon.
Your Hunter,
Christopher
I read the note several times. Each pass caused my heart to constrict in pain. He wouldn't be able to make it to my birthday? It was more than a month away. Would he be gone that long? I eased the fine chain over my head, watching the gem glint against the filtered light.
It's beautiful, I thought.
Gatsby came over and rubbed his head against my hand, purring. I scratched him behind the ears. "I'll be fine, kitty." Folding the note, I tucked it under the lamp stand and turned off the light. Gatsby nudged me, a not so subtle hint that he still wanted to be petted. With a sigh, I accommodated, and thought about the last time I'd seen Christopher. We'd been in my kitchen. He was excited, happy even, but there'd been another emotion, barely under the surface. It had to do with the wooden bear. "What's going on?"
Weary, I closed my eyes. My mind wandered back through my day. I hadn't done any homework. Not good. Hopefully I'd be able to get it done tomorrow, during classes.
***
"Snow White. Come closer." Her voice seemed to whisper inside my mind.
The room was circular with walls made of rectangular rocks. A darkened window prevented any light from entering. The Vampire Queen sat on a large throne. It was decorated in jewels that twinkled in the light from the candle chandeliers. All around the room sat others-women. They seemed angry, barely contained. Their eyes gleamed a golden yellow like the sun.
Did she bring me here? "Is this Sharra?"
The Queen smiled, flashing her sharpened canines. She was so beautiful it hurt. The images I saw in the book at the Museum of the Supernatural invaded my mind. She looked like that at one point. I wondered if those kinds of vampires still existed or if they all died.
"I see Christopher has been enlightening. Yes, this is Sharra, a realm of my creation." A long, old-fashioned gown hugged her curvy body and spread out around her in tones of emerald and pine. Black ribbing crisscrossed the bodice. Her thick, raven black hair was done up in hundreds of curls, a diamond tiara peeking out in front. An emerald choker captured her neck. Thick black lashes framed iridescent blue eyes. Her lips shone red as blood, as did her long, manicured nails. "Come closer so that I can look at you."
My body responded to her alluring voice, stepping forward. Would she take me now?
You aren't ready yet, my inner voice whispered.
Right! I had to drink my true love's blood first. Gathering confidence, I lifted my chin. "What do you want?" The women, probably Worker Vampires, began moving toward me, fangs bared. "No. Stop," I shouted. It dawned on me suddenly that I was still in my PJ's. But I didn't have time to be embarrassed. Ithrew my hands up, hoping to keep them at bay, and a red light exploded from my palms into the woman nearest me. She burst into flames.
"Whoa!"
Those closest to her screamed and ran when some of the flames touched them, their bodies blackening. The others stopped, their beautifully fanged faces filled with apprehension.
"No. Don't hurt them," the Vampire Queen shrieked.
***
I bolted upright, throwing off the covers, frightening Gatsby. "Sorry, boy," I whispered trying to calm my racing heart. Heading into the bathroom, I filled a cup with water and took a sip. A movement from behind startled me. My heart raced. Something was in my room, near the window. Like an idiot, I moved closer. It was a squat creature, like a big blob of mud with yellow cat eyes. "Are you real?"
It opened its mouth. A bright pink tongue licked two slits that I figured could be its nose. "She sees me," it said in a raspy voice.
"Of course I see you. Is there someone else here?" I quickly scanned the room. Gatsby stood on my bed, his back arched, and he hissed.
"Magic, my Queen. The girl possesses magic." Moving more rapidly than I believed possible for the pudgy little thing, it opened my window and jumped.
"Wait," I called. When I reached the window I peered out. It bounded across my back lawn like a giant toad, and disappeared into the thick brush that lined the property.
Chapter 3
The next morning, after I got up, showered, and dressed. I went downstairs, surprised to find Vivianne in the kitchen, cooking breakfast. She had on a pair of sweatpants with the word SEXY in bold letters across the butt, and a matching hot pink hoodie. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail.