Blood and Snow Volumes 1-4: Blood and Snow, Revenant in Training, The Vampire Christopher, Blood Soaked Promises (12 page)

“Exactly.” He held the blade, still sheathed in a black cover, in both hands. “This is called a
Jokoto
, or, Katana, which is the now universal term. From the wall, he took a smaller sword that rested under the long one. This is a
Wakizashi
.” He moved into a fighting stance, showing me how to hold them. “Samurai used these swords together during battle beginning in the 7
^th
century.” He indicated with his head I should follow. Awkwardly, I bent my knees, and angled the swords. He nodded, and started to move, crossing his right foot over his left. I followed.

As we moved in a circle this way, Professor Pops said, “The long one is for enemies at a further distance. The shorter for when the enemy gets inside. He parried, maneuvering the blades as he battled an invisible foe. “Like this.”

I tried to follow, but ended up tangling my hands together.

“Very good.”

I laughed. “Really?”

Professor Pops smiled and turned to replace his sword.

Turning back to me, he said, “Samurai believed the katana held their soul, and would only use them as a last resort. They would use the bow and arrow first, then a spear, and finally, if they had to, their swords.”

He moved behind me and began adjusting my body. Several minutes later he had me in the
proper
position. I felt like a rag doll.

“Every day after school, and after track practice, you will come here, and either myself or one of the boys will train you. Dorian is excellent with the swords. Gabe is the best bowman, and Salvatore is brilliant at all of them. Though, if one of those three aren’t available, any of them are more than exceptional.”

I sighed. “Okay.”

“After a couple of hours of training, you will spend an hour or two studying about the different creatures in the other room, until you’re acquainted with every one.”

I stood. “What about school?”

He waved his hands dismissively. “You’ll find your schooling comes more easily.”

“I’ll have to see it to believe.” The prospect excited me. I struggled with several subjects, especially English, Science, and,
Phys
-Ed.

“I think you’ll find much of regular human necessities will come easier, and you’ll want to spend more and more time in your new world.” Professor Pops took the swords and placed them back on the wall next to the other set.

“Are you sure I’ll be okay going to school?” I thought about Chemistry, and what’d almost happened.

“We’ll give you a double dose of the tea twice a day. Then send you with a dose to school for emergencies.

He walked out of the room, and I followed. Then he locked it. I couldn’t help but stare at a female vampire behind the glass case. Her eyes were red and still seemed to glow.

“What happens if I do drink a human’s blood?” The words came out without my thinking about them first, and I blushed beet red.

Professor Pops stood next to me. “I understand your needs, perhaps better than anyone. Human blood will increase your powers, making you stronger in every way, except one.” He pointed at my heart. “The more blood you drink, the more like a vampire you’ll become. It’s like anything in life, if you work to keep yourself as human as possible, that part of you will remain, will be the strongest. If you consume human blood, the way a vampire does, that part of you will become the strongest.”

I nodded. “I understand.” I wanted to tell him I craved blood, and that I’d almost drank from Dorian today. And I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Embarrassed at the almost sexual nature of my desires held me back. They seemed overwhelming, and I wasn’t sure how to control them.

He patted my shoulder. “Don’t misunderstand me. Craving blood is part of who you are now. The time will come when you will drink.” He paused and his eyes dilated. I saw a flash of what he must’ve been like as a Hunter. The image scared me, but the look left his face almost as quickly as it’d appeared. “There are two things you must promise me.”

I swallowed, and cleared my throat. “What?”

“Promise me you won’t drink from the same human twice.” At his words he held up a finger. “And, two. Promise me you won’t drink for more than ten seconds. Any more and there is a possibility you’ll kill the human from blood loss, or your blood lust.” While he spoke a second finger went up. “Can you do that for me, please?”

I suddenly felt parched. The idea of consuming blood caused my muscles to tense with need.

“Snow?”

“I promise,” I agreed, though at that moment, I would’ve agreed to anything. He hadn’t given me the green light to bite, but he said it was bound to happen. I wanted it to happen sooner rather than later.

“And, Snow?” I focused and was met with his piercing eyes.

“Yes?”

“Gabe—”

“I’m what?” Gabe stood in the doorway, looking smug.

I ground my teeth. Why were the guys constantly interrupting Professor Pops when he mentioned Gabe? Almost as though they had a sixth sense or something.

“Hi, Gabe,” I said shyly. It was weird seeing him in this room full of supernatural creatures.

Professor Pops cleared his throat, and I turned. “Why don’t you go home tonight, get caught up on your school work, and get some
rest.
Come tomorrow, after I’ve talked to the boys, your training will begin.”

Gabe gave Professor Pops an unreadable look. “Will she be safe?” Gabe asked, his face tight with unspoken worry.

“I’m fairly certain no one will come after her until she turns sixteen.” He raised a hand, and rubbed it over his face. “Which reminds me, what’s your favorite birthday cake flavor?”

I blanked. I hadn’t had cake since my mother died. Right after her funeral I’d decided I wouldn’t eat anything that had been killed.

“Um,” I glanced at Gabe, though I have no idea why. He was a total meat eater. “Can you make cakes without eggs?”

“Someone can. I intend to hire the best. What’ll it be? Chocolate? Vanilla?

A twisted smile spread over my face. “Red velvet.”

Gabe and Professor Pops laughed.

“Perfect. I’ll get on it. And your favored color?”

I didn’t have a favorite color. I’d always liked purple because of my mom.

Gabe answered for me. “Her favorite color is purple.”

“Purple, or red.” I gazed at my shirt, and then at Professor Pops. “I’ve always really liked glittering red.”

“Excellent. See you tomorrow, Snow.” Professor Pops waved us away as he went back toward the Downy fairy.

“I’ll walk you home,” Gabe said, his smile tight.

Chapter
9

“S
ince when did you start liking red?” Gabe and I walked side by side at a slow pace toward my house.

I offered him a sideways smile. It gave me butterflies to know that Gabe paid attention. A
glowy
, tingly, happiness bloomed in my chest. “Since the first time I saw Dorothy’s shoes on
The Wizard of Oz
. Probably at age three or four.” I stuffed my hands into the front pockets of my jeans. “Then my mom died, and most of the stuff I kept of hers was purple, so I sort of adopted it as my favorite as well.”

“Huh,” Gabe grunted.

“I’d guess you’re favorite color is…” I considered. His car was silver. His room looked like a shrine to the Celtics, but he wore a lot of white, and blue. “Either green or blue,” I said.

He smirked. “You were thinking about my room weren’t you?”

I nodded.

“I guess it’s green.” He grabbed my hand, and stopped, so that I turned toward him. His heartbeat pounded rapidly. With gentle fingers, he caressed my cheek, stroked my hair. “I’ve always loved the color of your hair.”

I blushed, and lowered my head. “You have?”

He played with the ends, twirling a strand in his finger. “It changes color in the light. Sometimes it’s black, other times there seems to be blond highlights. It’s magical.” He released my hair, and lifted my chin. “Like you, Snowflake.”

“I’m not.” My cheeks burned hotter. The bloodlust grew a couple of degrees. Would Gabe offer his blood to me the way Dorian had? At the thought, my heart began to match Gabe’s beat for beat.

“Snow…” he hesitated. Curious, I searched his face. “I’ve liked you for a long time.”

“I’ve liked you, too.” I returned. The sun gleamed through the thick trees, causing rays of sunlight to streak through Gabe’s face. Half of his face was shadowed, and the other half shone in the light.

“No, I mean liked, liked you.”

I finally got what he meant, and nearly smacked myself in the forehead with the palm of my hand.

“I didn’t know. I thought you thought of me as just a sister.” A mixture of gladness and nervousness swirled in my stomach. I’d only just discovered he liked me. Before we had a chance to find out what that meant, the Hunter bit me. It didn’t seem fair.

He grabbed my hands. “I think of you in ways much different than I would a sister.” A mischievous gleam sparkled in his eyes.

I giggled, glancing at my shoes.

He leaned in, and I realized he was about to kiss me, which reminded me I’d kissed Christopher today, which reminded me I’d almost drank from Dorian today, which made me feel like a total sleaze.

“I’ve got to go.”

I turned, and ran. Fast. And I didn’t trip once.

Chapter 10

A
s soon as I unlocked the door, Gatsby was there, weaving between my feet, and meowing like he was mortally wounded. “Hi, kitty. I know you’re hungry. Sorry, boy.” I scooped him up, and scratched behind his ears, the way he liked. Today, he squirmed in my arms, unhappy. I put him down. “Okay. Okay.”

Grabbing his bowl, I filled it with kitty kibble, and set it on the floor. He rushed over, and started eating. I poured him some water, washed my hands, and snatched some almonds from the refrigerator to snack on while I did my homework.

In quick succession I got my math assignments done, conjugated my Spanish verbs, and studied for Chemistry, and Social Studies quizzes. Then I made myself some whole-wheat pasta, and watched the latest episode of
Survivor
. Gatsby jumped on the couch and into my lap. I was glad he’d forgiven me for ignoring him the last few days.

Around ten o’clock I went to my room, washed my face, and changed into my flowered, flannel pajamas. Once I was in bed, and Gatsby had situated himself, I turned off the light, and closed my eyes.

Immediately I was whisked away into the other realm. Her realm. I stood on a balcony in a large, white castle. From my position I could see the beautiful countryside. It was dusk. The descending sun bathed the landscape in twinkling light. I wore a long dress, the skirts abundant, and they swished when I moved. The sleeves were short, and the bodice tight. It was a deep burgundy with a dark grey ribbing. The shoes I wore pinched as I made my way into the room.

A large headboard rested against the far wall directly in the middle. Lush gold bed coverings, and pillows covered it. The windows were stained glass. And in one corner was a large, round mirror. I gasped at its familiarity. This was
the
mirror, the one the wicked Queen used in the Snow White movie. I wondered what would happen when I stepped in front of the mirror.

The person reflected back at me was stunning, her black hair piled high, her lips a blood red, and skin luminescent as the moon. I turned, and she copied. I lifted my hand, and she did the same.

“It’s me,” I said, awed.

“My beautiful Queen. You truly are the fairest in the land.”

My hand froze in midair. The voice was Christopher’s. I noticed him now, seated in a chair dressed in lavish clothing. Black pants. Black boots extended over his knees, and a burgundy jacket that matched my dress.