"Good." He pressed a quick kiss on my cheek. "You up to going to school?" Gabe asked, standing.
I searched for a clock, trying to hide the flush his warm lips touching my face caused. "Is it Monday already? Can I go to school? Isn't Professor Pops afraid I'll eat someone or something?"
Gabe laughed. "Drink your tea, and you should be fine. That's what Pops says." He walked to the door. Before leaving, he added, "There are towels, and girly... stuff in Dorian's bathroom, including some clean clothes." He inclined his chin toward the open bathroom door. "Don't freak out, but yes, the shirt I chose for you is pink, and it's in your size."
I pulled back the covers, and got out of bed. My socks had been removed, but I'd slept in my clothes. "Gee, thanks," I said, throwing a pillow at him. It landed straight in his face, and he fell, smacking his head against the wall with a thud.
I gasped, and ran over to him. "Gabe. Gabe. Can you hear me?" I grabbed his arms, and shook.
He groaned, and his eyes blinked open.
"Wow, I'm so sorry. Remind me never to throw a pillow again."
"You've got some arm." He sat up, massaging the tender area. His amplified heartbeat pounded like a drum in my ears. A delicious scent saturated his pores, like honey. Without meaning to, I leaned into his neck, and drew a deep breath. His hands pressed against my shoulders, determinedly pushing me away. His expression hung guarded.
I shook my head. "Are you okay?" I asked, working to comprehend what I'd almost done.
"Yep, all good." He jumped up, as if to show how good he was. "You mostly caught me off guard. But, you'd better finish your tea."
"Right."
"Hurry, and get ready. Pops made breakfast."
I nodded, and closed the door.
In the bathroom I searched my reflection for changes. Opened my mouth, and checked my teeth for needle sharp fangs. Flexed my muscles. They looked the same. "You're still you," I said, pulling off my shirt, and turning on the hot water.
***
After my shower, I dressed rapidly. Gabe had picked out a pink shirt with GO GREEN across the chest. I liked it. I liked the jeans too. They sat low on my hips, and draped baggy. What I had issues with were the cotton, hot pink bra, and undies. For one thing, they fit perfectly. Not that I had a lot going on up top. I was a good, solid B cup. How would they know though? Also, the undies were my style, except for the color. I usually wore white underneath everything.
Do I want to know? The thought ran through my mind more than once, and I decided no, I definitely did not want to know. Some things were better left unsaid.
After sliding on a pair of socks, and my converse, I brushed my hair, and gathered my dirty clothes. From the back pocket of my jeans a piece of paper sailed to the floor. I bent, and picked it up. Unfolding the letter, I read:
Dearest Snow,
You have been bitten by your Hunter, and are now a revenant.
Congratulations.
The strong survive, and only one will have the pleasure of becoming my new host.
Now is the time to play. Build up your strength. Enjoy all your new body has to offer. Find your true love. Get your fill of him physically, emotionally, spiritually, and then consume his heart.
You must do so by your eighteenth birthday. I believe in you, Snow. You are passionate, and that is why I've chosen you.
The sooner the better.
Yours,
Sabina, Queen of the Vampires
My hands shook. The letter had been written by her, in-I sniffed the red ink-and knew instantly. Blood. Dread surged through me. She could be anywhere, yet I knew nothing about her, not even what she looked like.
Quickly, I went downstairs, the letter still clutched in my hand. The aroma of toasted bread permeated, and I hurried into the kitchen.
The guys were in varying degrees of feeding their faces. But when I walked in, they all froze.
I ran a hand through my still-wet hair.
"What's wrong?" Gabe came over immediately. I held out the note.
"You guys aren't playing tricks on me?" I tried to laugh.
Gabe took the paper, and read it. I watched the color drain from his face.
Professor Pops came over. From his shirt pocket he pulled his wire-framed glasses. Gabe handed him the letter. After reading, he set it on the counter, replaced his glasses in his pocket, and wiped a hand over his face.
"Do all the marked receive a note from her after they've been bitten?"
His face looked bleak. "In the past I've heard that more than one have received something similar. I must speak with the other Protectors."
The brothers circulated the paper. Had I not been panicked to the point of passing out, I might've laughed. "How many Protector's are there? Are you all drone vampires who've left the Queen's... hive?" I asked, focusing on Professor Pops navy button down shirt.
"There are several. Not all of us are Hunter's. Some are Worker's. Others are unusual creatures that know of the Queen. All of us have pledged our promise to destroy the Vampire Queen."
I tucked my hands in my back pockets, and started pacing. "Can you though? She's been alive thousands years. You've been fighting against her for like, forever. What hope is there that you can accomplish this? I mean really?" I felt bad for stating it so bluntly, but facts were facts. Might as well get them into the open.
"You're right, of course. The task seems bleak, but we believe we've figured out a way."
"How do you plan to stop her?" Gabe asked, moving further from me. I guessed he was rethinking his crush on me. The whole "consume his heart" line in the note was pretty disturbing, and then there was my dream. Gabe hadn't been with his brothers. Was he my true love? At the thought, my heart beat faster. The blood had tasted better than anything I could imagine. My knees quaked, weak.
"Yes, how do you plan to stop her," I repeated, forcing back the thoughts I'd been entertaining of tasting Gabe's blood.
Professor Pops regarded me. "You must receive true love's first kiss."
Gabe perked up. And I blushed.
"So his heart will turn me into a vampire, and his kiss will what?" I cleared my throat.
Professor Pops said, "His kiss will free you, and you will once again become completely human."
"Awesome," Daniel shouted. He was usually so quiet, we were all stunned, and turned to gawk at him. "Well it is."