I considered the pendant around my neck. Without a doubt I knew it was the same one Silindra had worn.
"It's called The Seal of Gabriel because without his blood, the magic would've been lost."
Kenmei's words brought down the weight of the power I carried. "Why would she create this?"
"Ah, Shiryo-san. A very good question. She created that necklace for you."
I looked at him like he'd lost his mind. "Impossible."
"With everything that's happened to you over the last several days, how can you say that?" He took my hand and squeezed. "The magic contained within the pendant is powerful, and anyone who understands magic can use it, increasing their power at least ten fold, but you... Shiryo-san, you can restore balance, bring peace back to Earth by destroying the Vampire Queen."
I snorted. Very unladylike, I know. Super disrespectful too, but I wasn't buying it. "I bet you say that to all the girls."
He jumped from his seat, fury flashing in his eyes. Like the strike of a cobra he grabbed me by the collar, and lifted me in the air, so that my feet dangled. "No, Shiryo-san! Never in seven thousand years has the gem worked for others the way it works for you." As if to prove his point a red ball of light shot from the pendant and into Kenmei. He dropped me as he went flying backward into the bookcase. Books tumbled onto his head, and he groaned. "Don't you see?" He looked up, his face anxious.
Fear, hot and thick, filled my throat. "No, I don't." I ran to the door. "You're crazy. Leave me alone." I threw open the door, startling the seven brothers and Professor Pops, who hovered in the hallway.
They scared me, and I yelped before regaining my wrath. Methodically I found each set of eyes. Once I'd considered them, I said, "I don't want to see any of you ever again. Stay away from me. All of you!" I stormed from the house, my body moving like the wind.
At home, I ran up to my room, and threw myself on my bed. Gatsby followed, and jumped up, nudging me with his furry forehead. Rolling over, I picked him up, and hugged him. He hissed, and let out a painful yowl. In the same instant I smelled burning flesh. I released him, and noticed the scorched fur surrounding a red welt on his side.
"I'm so sorry." Furious tears poured from my eyes, and leaked into my ears. "I don't want any of this. I didn't ask for any of this." Sitting up, I reached around and pulled the necklace off. Then chucked it at my dresser. I'd been aiming for the picture of Gabe, his gorgeous smile seemed to leer at me, but missed, and it smacked against a perfume bottle before skidding off the back of my dresser.
"Good riddance." I flipped onto my stomach, and fell asleep.
Chapter 8
When my alarm went off the next morning, I noticed my mother's blanket covered me. I knew I hadn't set the alarm, which meant either dad or Vivianne had.
After I dressed, I went downstairs and noticed two significant items sitting on the counter. A cell phone, and a laptop. On top sat a note. Freakin notes! It said the phone was already programmed and they'd downloaded some necessary programs to the laptop. Then they said they went out to breakfast, and they hoped to see me after school.
"They are so present," I scoffed, sarcastic, grabbing Gatsby's food and water. I hadn't seen him yet this morning and wondered if he was still mad. A pang of loneliness washed through me. The brothers wouldn't be coming over today. I knew they'd abide my wishes. Christopher was gone. My dad had Viv, and I had...
Cindy!
Time to patch things up. Unlocking my new phone, I dialed her number.
"Who the hell is this?" she answered.
I laughed, enjoying the sound of her voice. "Guess who got a cell? Come on, guess?"
"Snow? Is that you?" I could hear her happy relief.
I sighed. "Yes, it's me. Dad and Viv got me a laptop too. So no more track practice.Woohoo!"
"They must feel really guilty about something. What'd they do?"
I grabbed a water from the fridge, and opened it. As I drank an overwhelming need for blood scorched my throat. No. No. No. I grabbed a soy yogurt, pulled off the top, and put a spoonful in my mouth. The yogurt tasted ashy, but I ignored it. Act human. That's what Pops said.
Another pang of guilt hit me.
"Snow, you still there?"
"Yep. So you still want to get together after school?"
"Hells to the yeah. We can hang at my place, if you like."
The note my dad and stepmother said they wanted to see me tonight. "How about we hang out at my house?"
"Okay. Are you genki?"
I giggled. "What is gen-ki?"
She laughed. "Basically the word means happy."
"Oh, well sure. It's been a while since my dad's been home. I'm glad he's back" I didn't tell her that I'd seen him all of half an hour the night before.
"Cool. So I'll see you at school in a few."
"Yep."
After we hung up, she texted me.
U hav a cell. U so awesum!
There was a winky face after the exclamation point. I had no idea how to text. Plus, since I had to ride my bike I needed to hurry. Carefully placing the laptop, and phone between my math and chemistry books, I put my backpack on and rode to school on my purple Schwinn.
***
"Will you set the table, Snow?" Vivianne was at the sink, draining the spiral noodles. The chicken cacciatore already sat in a serving dish, as did a green salad, and some dinner rolls.
"Sure." I took four plates from the cupboard, and set them on the counter.
"I'll help, Viv," Cindy added sneaking a caramelized onion drenched in red sauce. She pulled placemats from the drawer, and set them on the table. I followed her, setting the plates on top. In a low voice, she said, "What's up with Viv and cooking? This is new."
I shrugged. "Got me."
Cindy pulled two wine glasses, and two regular glasses from the cupboard. "Viv, did you want me to open a bottle of wine?"
Vivianne put the noodles in a ceramic serving bowl, and took it over to the table. "That's alright. I'll get the wine."
Cindy crinkled her nose. "Okay."
I grabbed the silverware. Cindy folded the napkins. Just as we finished setting the table, my dad walked in.
"Hello beautiful ladies. Mind if I join you?" He wore crisp tan pants, and a white linen shirt, his thick hair combed just so. I discreetly check out Viv. She had on a red cashmere sweater, and gray pants. Cindy looked good too, in a black mini with black leggings, black boots that came to her knees, and a fuchsia cable sweater.