Blood and Snow 12: Vampire Ever After?

Praise for the Blood and Snow series:

“The modern twist on the Snow White fairy tale was interesting and original, which isn't easy to find these days. Highly recommended.”
Sarra Cannon, bestselling author of the Peachville High Demons series

“This book will definitely suck you in (no pun intended) instantly.” Anthony

"BLOOD AND SNOW draws you in from the very beginning and never let's you go, only to leave you anticipating more! Loved it. Can't wait for volume 2." Debbie Davis from Debbie's Inkspectations

"This is a fun, smart, and sexy read!"
 Elizabeth Mueller, award winning YA author of Darkspell

“I definitely look forward to more, and recommend this to anyone who likes a fairy tale with a twist.” Kay Glass

“If you enjoy vampires and fractured fairy tales you'll enjoy these quick reads!” Laura Pauling, author of the Circle of Spies series

“Best books that I
have read!” Mercedez

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Cindy Witch
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Afterword

Additional Works by
RaShelle Workman

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1

“Home is where your heart can flourish.” My mom used to say that. And as Abernathy circled Professor Pops’ sprawling mansion, my heart clenched. After I told Professor Pops and the brothers what happened with Dorian, would they still consider me part of them?

From the air I could make
out the little cottage-type house I’d lived in with my mom and dad, and then my dad and stepmother. It was minuscule compared to Professor Pops’ extensive grounds and house. Though it was dark, I was able to distinguish the tennis court, and putting green. Behind the house, which seemed somehow larger from the sky, lay a sculpted, manicured lawn, and a rectangle pool—lit, and giving off a cyan glow.

If I hadn’t left my mother in captivity in
Mizu, and Dorian dead, I would’ve been excited. But I wasn’t. I was sick inside. Each time I thought about one of them, my mom or Dorian, my heart broke.

I
leaned against Cindy. She, Gabe, and Abernathy were melancholy as well. None of us spoke. Too much had happened.

While I
’d healed their wounds with the Seal, I’d told them about Dorian. About the Unknowns, and their belief that to break the Seal I had to die. I told them about Dorian, and what he’d done. That I tried to save him, but he vanished. I told them all of it, without an ounce of feeling, as though I was relating events that’d happened to someone else.

When I finished, it was obvious Gabe and
Cindy were fractured. Broken, like I was.

Abernathy only nodded, and said, “The Unknowns are strange creatures. They see things much differently than we do.”

And that was it.

We flew the rest of the way home in silence.

Honestly, I was grateful. I didn’t know what to say, and I knew I’d have to tell Professor Pops, and the remainder of the brothers what happened, what I’d done. That because of me, Dorian was dead.

Dorian, I thought, wiping at
fresh tears.

Abernathy
’s wings pounded against the night sky. He landed gracefully on the back lawn. It was winter so the grass crunched and crackled under his weight, and the size of his paws.

Gabe slid off first, and helped Cindy down. He didn’t bother with me.
Probably too upset about what happened. That I’d taken one of his brothers from him.

“I must speak with the other chayot leaders
,” he said, giving Cindy a quick hug. “Let Professor Pops know I’m back, and safe. Please?” He glanced at me then, and I nodded.

Without the slightest noise,
or even a flicker in the wind, he was gone.

Cindy said, “I should get home. My parents are probably freaking out.”

“Okay,” I whispered as I slid down.

Cindy patted my arm. “I’ll see you tomorrow.
We’ll figure out a way to get your mom back.” She spoke the words, but I sensed her trepidation, her exhaustion. Though I knew without a doubt she’d help.

“Tomorrow,” I repeated, and tried to smile, but my lips wouldn’t cooperate. She jogged toward the house, and skirted it. I knew she was headed for her car, parked in front. As I watched her go, I wondered
if it was wise to be close to the people I loved? Being near me seemed to cause them pain.

Abernathy let out a
gust of smoke through his nostrils. “You mustn’t worry so much. Yes, your friends may suffer. And sometimes it’ll be your fault. But you should ask yourself this. Would they be happier knowing you went into danger alone? Would they feel safer?” He shook his head, making his golden mane swirl around his face.

I didn’t know how to respond. He was right.
Of course. But it didn’t make me feel any better.
Accept that you’re going to cause people pain.
That’s what it felt like he was saying. How could I consent to that? The answer was simple. I couldn’t.

“There are a hundred questions swimming around in your
vampire head. Ask them, so I may return to my home, and get some sleep.” He lay down, resting his chin against his front paws. Somber eyes bore into me.

Had I not wanted to put off talking to Pops and the brothers, I would’ve
found an excuse to leave.

I snorted. “I do have questions,” I began
, but stopped. At the edge of the woods, between my house and Professor Pops,’ stood Christopher. But that wasn’t what gave me pause? For the briefest moment, I thought he was Dorian.

My heart shattered all over again.

Gulping down my pain, I leaned against Abernathy.

A rumble, like a purr, came from deep within
his body. “Stay strong. You still have much ahead of you.”

His words made me ill
. It was true. I still had to find a way to save the seven magics, preferably without losing my life, as the Unknowns intended. I needed to rescue my mother. Tell Pops about Dorian, and figure out if I was meant to be the next Vampire Queen. Each thought weighed more heavily than the one before, until I wished I could disappear. Vanish into nothingness.

“He’s waiting. You should talk to him,” Abernathy said. I sensed
a hitch in the dragon’s words. Whether it was the lilt or intonation, I didn’t know. The dragon knew way more than he shared. And there was something he wasn’t saying.

I
studied my Hunter. The man I loved. He was handsome. Excessively so. And before that moment it hadn’t dawned on me how much Christopher and Dorian looked alike. They both had hazel eyes (at least before the Seal changed Christopher’s to a violet). Both had sandy colored hair. They were tall, tan, with well-defined bodies. They could’ve been fraternal twins. Brothers, at least.

Maybe it was because their personalities were so different. Where Christopher was serious, Dorian was more laid back, playful. But it was weird. Especially since Christopher still wore the clothes Dorian let him borrow.

“How long were we gone?” I asked Abernathy.

“A few days. They’ve all been worried. I t
old Pops you were visiting your mom, after I left you with her. So he knows, but that didn’t stop the concern.”

“Great.”

“Agreed. The Hunter freaked the most.” A question lay behind his words, but he went on, and I forgot to be worried. “He wanted me to fly him to you, but I told him no. Christopher isn’t too fond of me at the moment.” A soft chuckle escaped the dragon’s throat. “Go on. I’ll rest my eyes while I’m waiting.”

I stepped away, but thought of
a question. “Aren’t you worried someone will see you?”

He’d already closed his eyes
, but opened one. “Do I look the least bit concerned, little vampire?”

“No, you really don’t. And I’m hoping it’s because you know what you’re doing and not because…” I trailed off. I didn’t want to call him crazy. That would be rude.

“I’m not crazy—well, at least no more than can be expected after six thousand plus years of life. I do possess a good deal of magic.” He closed his eye. “Trust me. The only reason you can see me is because I want you to.”

“Alright.” I mo
ved briskly toward Christopher. The closer I got, the faster I went, until I was in his arms. My face buried in his neck. It was good to see him, to feel his body against mine, giving me a sense of security. My heartbeat quickened with happiness at having him near. And I was filled with an overwhelming urge to taste his blood. My fangs pricked the inside of my mouth.

“Don’t ever leave w
ithout telling me,” he said fiercely, his fingers winding through my hair.

“I’m sorry
,” I responded, forcing away the tears stinging my lashes. The last time we were together, he’d asked me to go away with him. He’d wanted some time alone with me. I’d wanted that too, but I’d been nervous about what that alone time would mean. Without a doubt he wanted to take our relationship to the next level. But I still wasn’t ready.

“What’s the dragon still doing here? Doesn’t he have someplace to be? A nap to get to?”
Christopher’s words were filled with bite, and I glanced at his face.

“I need to talk to him. He’s waiting until I’m done with you,” I said softly, trying to smile.

Christopher met my gaze, his eyes filled with longing. “If I have my way we’ll never be apart again.”

I hugged him. “I feel the same.”
And I did. I was certain the only reason my heart wasn’t one hundred percent on board with Christopher was because of my sadness over losing Dorian. The feelings of love, when Dorian and I kissed, consumed me. As did my sorrow that he was gone.

“But,” Christopher asked.

“I need to speak with Abernathy. Alone.” I looked away, hoping he wouldn’t be upset, but determined to stand my ground. It wasn’t that I didn’t want him to know about the black gem. It was just I wanted to understand what it was first. It’d been created on the altar, from Dorian’s blood. And mine. If the gem was bad, good… whatever, I had to know what it meant before I told anyone else.

“Fine,” he replied after several long seconds. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I pulled him close, kissing his neck.

He cupped my face in his hands, brushing my cheeks with his thumbs. Electric
shocks of desire and heat coursed through my body. “You can tell me anything, you know that right?”

I swallowed, nodded. “I will. Later.”

He pressed his lips to mine. A kiss filled with
promises. When we separated, he sighed. “Tomorrow, Frosty,” he said, and brushed the tip of my nose with his finger.

Chapter 2

When I was sure Christopher was gone, I hurried back to Abernathy. He smacked his lips, and opened one eye. “
Awww, young love.”