Blood and Snow 11: Resolved to Rule (3 page)

“I don’t think you understand,” my mother started, and I noticed her bottom lip quivering. “This city won’t allow you to leave unless Devoran commands it.”

Chapter 5

A burning ferocity coursed through my veins, and I felt the power of the Seal. The palms of my hands radiated red. Was this truly what Devoran intended when he gave his eternal sight to Silindra? He said he thought everything through. Did that mean he knew one day I’d come? It seemed highly unlikely. Maybe he didn’t realize the power would become part of me. I didn’t think anyone realized that. Except maybe Abernathy. The dragon had a lot of explaining to do. He brought me here for a reason. He knew what I was capable of.

I still trusted the golden dragon though. Whether that was a good idea or not remained to be seen. If he brought me, surely he could help me escape.

I glared at my mother. “I don’t think you understand. And neither does Devoran. Maybe he hasn’t heard what happened to Oberon, the chayot leader, when he tried to take the Seal from me?” The power of the Seal pulsed through my veins. I was sure they hadn’t heard what I’d done to Sharra, burning her when she tried to kill Christopher. “No one will tell me what to do. I make my own choices.”

“Your eyes,” my mother began, her breath caught in her throat. “They’re red.”

I blinked. “I’m angry, mother. And sad. And more let down than you can possibly imagine.”

She started to cry. It didn’t look right coming from the woman in front of me. Everything about her said she was hard, unfeeling, but the tears leaving her eyes were big.

“I didn’t want any of this to happen. I believed my father when he said he would make sure you were never bitten. That you would be kept safe, away from all of this. I should have listened to the Unknowns.” She covered her mouth with a hand, trying to push down the sobs racking her body.

“It looks like you believed in the wrong person,” I said, my voice stiff.

She sucked in a large gulp of air, and blew it out slowly. “You’re right.” She went back to the couch, and I followed. “I don’t know if this will make sense to you,” she paused and smiled, “but I thought Devoran felt bad about the way he treated me when I was younger. At least, that’s what I wanted to believe. See, he was embarrassed that I look this way.” She pointed at her very human form. “He and my mom weren’t the most loving of parents.”

I sighed, and sat next to her. How many years had she been harboring the pain so fresh in her eyes? I realized I didn’t know her age. When I was five I hadn’t cared. My father once said she died when she was thirty-five. But she didn’t look much older than me.

“Abernathy told me what happened. The way your… they treated you,” I said softly.

My mother blinked back tears. “I’m sure it was nothing compared to what you’ve had to go through.”

I doubted that was true. Even though she hadn’t been around, I had others—Professor Pops, the brothers, Cindy, and my dad.

She went on. “Growing up must’ve been so hard on you. But there’s no denying you’re incredible. I don’t think I could’ve helped you become any more amazing than you already are.”

“Really?” My insides fluttered with pain, at hearing her say the words I’d always needed to hear.

“Oh, yes. You appear human, but I sense your energy, your
magic
. You radiate power—everything beautiful and glorious as well as evil and terrifying. But there’s still so much humanity in you. Truly spectacular.” A worried expression pressed her brows together.

What did she mean? And I wondered if her words were true, or just her way of trying to make me feel better. “Thank you,” I said softly.

My mother leaned away, as though she were really taking me in. I immediately missed her nearness.

“I’m really…” I began, but stopped. I wasn’t sure how to express all the feelings bottled up inside.

She sniffed. “May I hug you?”

The question seemed out of place, with all of her
gear
on, but I nodded.

She moved closer so our knees were touching. Then she wrapped her arms around me. Her cheek pressed against mine. We stayed like that for several seconds. And I finally hugged her back, tentative at first, but then I pulled her closer. Tears clouded my vision, and my heart swelled with sympathy, care, and… love?

Yes, I loved her. So, so much. And I missed her. Holding her in my arms filled me with joy.

I was happy.

In that moment I realized why Abernathy brought me into a city where the ruler wanted to use me. The dragon wasn’t betraying me, but trying to help. He wanted to give me back my mother.

“Mom,” I whispered, hugging her tighter. I took in her scent—wild flowers. And the feel of her soft skin against my cheek. The way her fingers tightened against my back.

After several more minutes she began to pull back. As she did, she whispered in my ear. “I’ll do what I can to help you and your friends leave. The Unknowns were right all along.” She smiled, and it was radiant.

A surge of absolute affection cut through my heart, leaving it raw and tender. I wanted to leave. I wouldn’t be used. But I wanted to be with her too. “You’re coming with us, right?”

A look, one I couldn’t read, crossed her features and vanished immediately. “Yes,” she said. “Of course.”

Chapter 6

We stood together. She grabbed hold of my hand, and squeezed. We walked to the elevator-type opening, and the doors slid closed, sealing us in. At once it moved up, and then started moving sideways. After a few seconds the elevator seemed to slant downward.

“What is this thing?” I asked, my brows bunched together the way my mom’s did.

“Basically, it’s an elevator. You might as well settle in. We’ll be inside a while.”

“It reminds me of rollercoaster, only not as bumpy.”

She smiled.

Something kept niggling in my head. I had to ask. “You’ve said, Unknowns, twice now. What is it?”

My mother appeared startled. She glanced down, brushing her hands over her slick black clothing. “Not an it, but a who. The Unknowns are what we call Sharra and Silindra’s parents.”

“Oh?” I’d seen them when I was inside Silindra’s mind. They didn’t seem real. More like ghosts or apparitions.

“No one knows what exactly they are, so we call them the Unknowns. Kind of silly, I guess.” She shrugged.

“But you’ve seen them? Like with your own two eyes.”

“A couple of times. They came to me the first time right before you were born, and again a few days ago.” She sucked in a deep breath. “They’re a little creepy.”

I laughed. That’s exactly what they were.

“So, what’s it like to be a vampire?” she asked, changing the subject.

I blinked, unable to answer. The question was so surprising. Her lips danced, as though she were fighting back a laugh.

“It’s… fine,” I answered, wondering how much she knew about vampires.

Her face grew serious. “How far along are you in the process?”

I bit down on my lip. “What do you mean?” What process?

“Have you fallen in love? Did you drink your true love’s blood? You’re eighteen. You must be relatively close.”

I blushed. “Um…”

“Talk to me.” She glanced around, crossing her arms, seemingly uncomfortable. “I know you don’t know me—not really. But I’d love to hear what’s going on with you.”

“There is someone,” I said. My face burned with heat.

“And you’re in love, I can tell,” she said, smiling. “Who is he?”

I glanced at my feet, uselessly studying the tips of my Converse. It wasn’t that I felt defensive, but I was nervous. “His name is Christopher Charming. He’s got… had hazel eyes, and hair the color of a soft, sandy beach. He’s tall, and really nice. He…” I thought about what word to use to describe Christopher. Sure he was completely gorgeous, caring, and utterly kissable, but he was so much more.

“He what?” my mother asked.

“He gets me,” I finished. That was it. More than anyone, he and I were the most alike. He understood my craving for blood, what changing had been like. He accepted every part of me.

“I see,” she said, her lips tight. “And have you drank from this boy?”

My face got hotter. If I became any more embarrassed I might turn into fire.

“Well,” she asked, her voice concerned.

“Yes, but its no big deal,” I responded. It was crazy that I hadn’t seen her in thirteen years, but she was still able to make me feel like a little girl. “He and I are—” I paused. I didn’t want to say, made for each other. That was just too cheesy. Cliché. But it was how I felt.

“Have you kissed him?” There seemed to be some hope to her voice. And I remembered Professor Pops said if I kissed my true love I would be changed back. Become a human again. I nodded. “Yes, we’ve kissed.” I touched a hand to my cheek. It burned with uncomfortable emotion.

Her eyebrows lifted. “You’re still a vampire.”

“Probably because of the Seal, or, I don’t know.” It was all so complicated. The whole idea of kissing my true love. Drinking his blood. Eating his heart. I’d kissed Christopher before I was the Seal, and nothing happened. If anything I craved blood, his blood, more. At first I hadn’t loved him. Only lusted. Now that I knew I was in love, I was the Seal. It seemed reasonable to believe the Seal made it so I couldn’t change. Either that, or Professor Pops lied.

The Vampire Queen implied that was the case.

Did I even want to be human again? Go back to the girl I was before?

“You’re probably right,” she said, interrupting my thoughts. “You’ll never be human again.”

And there it was, the truth I’d been trying to avoid, spoken aloud. I don’t know why, but her words made me angry, and I lashed out. “Yeah, but I was never wholly human anyway, so no biggie.”

She sighed, and crossed her legs, leaning her hands against the rail in the elevator. “I’m sorry,” she said, her words heavy with sentiment.

I released the tension in my shoulders. “I’m sorry too.”

Without looking at me, she said, “All that’s left is for you consume his heart. Sharra might be able to take over your body. You’ll be the next Vampire Queen. With the power of the Seal you’ll be the mightiest creature on the planet.”

“Yeah, but I won’t be me.” What would happen to me? I didn’t know. And I wondered if anyone knew.

“Perhaps.” She moved toward me. “Do you want to be the Vampire Queen?” she asked quietly.

What kind of question was that? Of course not. I wanted to be me. Snow White. I had no desire to be anything else. “No.” I shook my head.

“But you know you’ll never be just a girl ever again. That you never were an ordinary girl. You were destined to be more from the moment you were born. So why not be the Vampire Queen?”

I sputtered. “Do you want Sharra to take over my body?” She made it sound like I had a choice in the matter. That I could decide to be the Vampire Queen and Sharra would no longer exist.

Chapter 7

“That’s the thing,” she began, her voice soft against my ear. “With the power of the Seal, I don’t think Sharra will be able to push you out. And when you destroy her, someone will need to rule in her place. You must be resolved to rule. It’s your destiny.”

“I think destiny is just another word used to force others into doing what they think is best.”

She glanced at me sideways. “You’re wrong. Destiny happens in spite of your choices. One day you’ll understand.”

There was no point arguing. But I was sick of the word—destiny—and the others that went with it.

The elevator stopped. A bright rectangle of light pulsed on the other side of the opening. I remembered how Silindra journeyed by light to get to Crystal City—the home of the elves. Silindra didn’t like it.

“Are we going somewhere by light?” I asked, pointing.

“Yes, it’s how elves travel and this is the only way to reach your friends.” I started to speak, but she quickly continued, “Travelling by light doesn’t hurt. I promise.”

I snorted. “That’s not what Silindra said.”

She made a noise like a gasping fish. “How would you even know that?”

I leaned my shoulder against hers, and spoke softly, “I spent some time with her.”

My mom’s eyes widened. “That. Isn’t. Possible.” She enunciated each word, as though that would help me comprehend that what I said was impossible.

“It may not seem doable, but it happened. I was with Silindra when the Seal was created. I went with her to see your father in Crystal City. She went by light. And it didn’t tickle, that’s for sure.” I shrugged.

“Silindra died a thousand years ago. Last I checked you’re barely eighteen.” My mother gave me a pointed look.

Should I tell her, explain how, after the Seal killed Oberon, it took me back in time. That I helped Silindra create the Seal, that I witnessed her death. “Believe me when I say, it’s possible, it occurred, and the events that arose while with the Vampire Queen’s twin sister won’t be easily forgotten.”

She smiled nervously. “That’s a story I’m anxious to hear.” She tucked a piece of wayward hair behind my ears. “Let’s get your friends, and get out of here.” She pointed toward the sheet of light. “Ready.”

I forced back a shudder. “Not really.”

My mother grasped my hand in hers. “Let’s do it together.”

As one, we stepped into the light. I closed my eyes. Gritted my teeth. The smell of daffodils filled the air. My mother was squeezing my hand like her life depended on it.

The light vanished, and I glanced over. Her features were scrunched in pain. I opened my mouth to tease her. By her expression, it was obvious the method hurt (even though it hadn’t really hurt, just felt weird, like I was pulled apart and put back together again). But my gaze fell to her other hand, the one not squeezing mine. It was wrapped around the handle of a knife protruding from her chest. Blue blood obscured her fingers and dripped down her wetsuit-like clothing.

“Mom,” I cried, helping her lower herself to the ground. Frantic I looked to see if anyone was around, but there wasn’t.

“Snow.” Blood gurgled from her mouth. “You must find the—”