Seek out your true love. You, beautiful Snow, are the key to defeating the Queen.
Chapter 6
I knew I was back in the girl's bathroom even before I opened my eyes. And someone was in the bathroom with me. There was a knock on the stall door.
"Snow, are you alright?"
It was Dorian.
I picked up my backpack; thankful he'd found me. Opening the door, I took in his face. Concern plastered his features. "I'm fine," I answered, trying to reassure him. "What are you doing?" I pushed past him, and walked to a sink, casually peering at my neck in the mirror. Newly healed scars glared back.
"I watched you go in. After ten minutes I thought I'd better make sure you weren't drinking the blood of some poor, unsuspecting female." His eyes gleamed with amusement.
"D-Do you see anything on my neck," I asked, tilting slightly.
He shook his head. "Did... something happen again?"
"Yes. I went into the other realm. He, The Hunter, was there." I washed my hands, and patted a wet paper towel over my face. "I don't know if it's a good idea for me to be at school."
At my words, his eyes grew wide in mock terror, and he circled his neck with his hands. "Thirsty? Do you vant to suck my blood?" He spoke with the lively silliness of an old-fashioned vampire, but the worry in his body was evident.
I sighed. The uncontrollable feeling vanished. "I am worried I might bite someone. Your blood pulls at my bloodlust, but not too bad," I said impulsively.
His face fell. Dorian actually seemed sad. "Oh," he stepped closer, his features changing from teasing to seriousness. "If you ever do need some. Blood, I mean. You're welcome to mine."
I gasped. "Do you even know what you're offering?" Anger flashed. How dare he tempt me? His naivete made me want to bite him, inflict a little pain, a little reality check, but I speculated he'd enjoy it the way I had. There's one way to find out, I thought. Professor Pops hadn't told me not to bite humans, and Dorian offered. I decided to give my new fangs a whirl. "Come here, then," I said.
He gulped, and his heart picked up speed.
"Nervous?" I asked, a smidge glad.
"A little," he admitted, but saw he would hold true to his word. I placed my hands on his appealing neck and pulled him down, much the same way I'd handled Christopher not too many minutes ago. Tentative, at first, I touched my lips to his neck. He let out a groan. Whether it was from fear or pleasure I didn't know, and in the next moment I didn't care. My fangs grew, pricking his neck.
And the door flung opened. Dorian tucked me into his chest. "Just a minute," he said, his voice heavy.
I quivered in fury at being interrupted, but I didn't want anyone to see my fangs so I took a deep breath, inhaling the delicious guy smell that was the handsome Dorian. My fangs retracted. Peeking up, I searched Dorian's eyes. A tight smile sat on his lips. I smiled back before gazing around him, at who'd so rudely interrupted.
"What the hell is going on, Snow?" Complete shock packed her face, and I laughed.
"Hey, Cin," I said with choked amusement. It wasn't that I found the situation funny so much as I had all of this anxiety stored up, and it was finally coming out.
Dorian recovered, and swung around. "I was making sure she was okay. Our Snow needed a hug, that's all." He regarded me. "You're good, right?"
"Yes, thank you, Dorian." I closed my lips, trying to hold in the laughter, but that didn't help. My conscious gnawed with guilt. I'd kissed Christopher, and nearly drank Dorian's blood. But I liked Gabe.
Hussy, my mind screamed.
Dorian escaped the bathroom without a backward glance.
Cindy huffed, and stopped her foot. "What's gotten into you?" She walked to the mirror, and checked her reflection.
I faced her, my image still taller. "Oh, Cin. It's a long, crazy story."
She gave me the eye, the one that questioned my motives, the one that got right to the center of me. "I want to hear all about it. First, Mr. Wallace wanted me to tell you you're supposed to go to the office for a tardy slip. He said you're not allowed in class without it. I've got to get back." She ran her hands through her ponytail. "Chace seemed concerned. He even took off after you did. For a minute there I thought you were in his arms." She let out a sigh. "See you in a few. Au revoir," she added as the door closed behind her.
I straightened my shirt, and picked up my backpack. Cindy's strong perfume lingered, and it dawned on me. Cindy's blood hadn't inspired even a little bit of hunger. "Huh."
In the office I called Professor Pops, and explained in brief details what'd happened-the way my fangs grew, and how I'd gone to the other realm where the Hunter, Christopher, bit me again. I left out Dorian offering himself. The confession would be pointless, and I didn't want what he'd done getting back to Gabe, or the other brothers.
Professor Pops spoke with the school's secretary, excusing me from the rest of my classes.
He picked me up in the front, his distinguished face lined with worry. In the cup holder between the seats sat a carafe. "Bloodlust tea?" I guessed as I buckled my seatbelt.
"Drink up. I made a double dose in the hopes that will help."
I took a sip, and grimaced. It was strong, but I finished. When I placed the empty container back in the holder, Professor Pops mumbled his approval.
After clearing his throat, he said. "I've heard of the Hunter, Christopher. He is very good at what he does. I'm sorry I must say this, but at this point, propriety be damned." He gave me a quick look, probably to determine my level of shame.
"What is it?"
"He's skilled in the art of seduction. From what I understand, he also has an unlimited lust for power. He wants to be the Vampire Queen's second."
At hearing his words I didn't blush, but became angry. Well, more hurt. I guess I wanted to believe Christopher reacted to me the way he did, not because it was his job, but because he felt something for me. Ugh, I groaned. I would not be that girl!
Professor Pops pulled into the driveway. After I followed him into the house, and sat at a barstool in the kitchen, he said, "Your revenant abilities are developing a lot faster than most. And I think I know why." As he spoke he peeled a banana, and tossed it into a blender. Then he pulled some soy milk from the refrigerator, and some ice from the freezer, and put them in the blender.