Vampire Secrets: Book 2 (Blood and Snow Season Two) (18 page)

“After calling the kids’ parents and checking nearby hotels
, we’ve verified they are in fact missing.

“That’s terrible,” I whispered.

“Yes, Jasmine. It is,” Officer Vick agreed.

“Any idea where they might’ve gone.”

I shook my head. I honestly didn’t know. “No. I don’t.”

Officer Vick sighed heavily.
“For some reason I don’t believe you.”

“Are you accusing her of something?” Laeddin growled out.

“No sir. Of course not,” Officer Gand said.

“But we will find out what happened and when we do, if it’s discovered you had anything to do with it,” Officer Vick pointed his pen
, “we’ll be sure to punish you to the full extent of the law.”

Laeddin walked over to the door and yanked it open. “I’m going to have to ask you gentlemen to kindly…  Get. Out.”

The policemen went to the door. Officer Vick stomped down the stairs and to his car.

Officer Gand hesitated. “We just want to know what’s going on and for some reason your name keeps coming up.” He gave Laeddin a pointed look. “Sorry for any inconvenience.”

“Fine,” Laeddin said curtly.

We watched the officers drive away.

“Why do you think the National Guard is sitting in our front yard?” 

Chapter 14

Laeddin went out to speak with the uniformed men sitting in the truck. They didn’t say much except there was some “suspicious activity” in the area and advising us to “stay inside unless leaving was absolutely necessary”. That was all the information they gave us.

I told Laeddin the truth about
seeing the kids in the Harmony Grove Cemetery and I explained about Maleficent. “What are we going to do?” I asked when he didn’t say anything.

“You said she spok
e and sprinkled red powder over the spots where they’d been?” Laeddin finally asked.

“Yes.” I thought about what I’d seen and remembered
another bit of information. “Also, before they disappeared, she blew yellow smoke in their faces.”

“That sounds li
ke something Maleficent would do. She’s always had a thing for the dramatic.” He pulled a water bottle from the refrigerator and drank. When he finished, he said, “I think you’re right about Sharra and Maleficent being combined somehow.” Laeddin walked upstairs. I didn’t know where he was going but I followed.

W
hen we reached his bedroom Laeddin opened the door and went inside. “When you talk to her, who do you hear? Maleficent or Sharra?”

“I hear Sharra,
” I said, unable to stop myself from checking out his room. It was neat as a pin and had been changed recently. It looked like his genie bottle after he’d revealed it. That felt like a lifetime ago.

“Interesti
ng.” He picked up an old book from off a bedside table. “We need to start searching for the pieces of the crown, but first I’m going to make a trip back to my realm. I’m pretty sure I know exactly where to look for the spell she’s placed on those kids.”

“What good will
that do?” I asked, upset he was leaving. Again.

“Usually the book will explain how to cast the spell, what it does, and how to
reverse
it.”

“You think we can reverse the spell on Cameron
and the others?” I forced myself not to hope.

“Perhaps
. I’m going to check the histories. Find out. Okay?” He touched my shoulder kindly. “I’ll be back soon and then we’ll go by carpet to Connecticut.” He smiled sweetly.

“I guess.” I sighed. “Please
hurry.”

“I will.”

With the snap of his fingers, Laeddin was gone.

I spun in a
quick circle, knowing I should leave his room. His bed was made, the white comforter thick and billowy. The four-poster bed had mosquito netting draped across it, like a circus tent. Only the netting was white and easy to see through.

Without really thinking about what I was doing, I pushed back one of the curtains and climbed on his bed. His pillows smelled like him—oranges and exotic spices. I lay back, staring up at the ceiling.

My mind drifted. I went over what Laeddin had
said. About the crown and how it could create life. I thought about what that meant. Generating new life from my DNA. Designing vampires like me. They would possess all seven magics and have wings. I wouldn’t be alone. No longer a freak. No longer different.

I remembered the look on Troy’s face when he heard. He’d been horrified. Terrified. Was I really that scary? Would dozens of
Original Vampires really be that bad? I tried to look at it from his point of view.

They would possess a great deal of power
, be nearly impossible to contain or kill or control.

And what if they chose evil? If Maleficent got a hold of a vampire like
I was and used it to do her bidding…

This skin on my arms prickled and my senses heightened. I wasn’t alone any more.
I opened my eyes, thinking Laeddin had returned. “Hey, sorr—”

It wasn’t Laeddin and there wasn’t just one person
either. There were seven. The same seven Maleficent had turned into Akuma last night.

“Cameron?” I sat
up, scooting close to him, hoping I could reason with him. I was strong. I had my vampire abilities once again. And if I had to tear his head from his body to free him from whatever Maleficent had done to him, I would, but I didn’t want to.

His dark eyes gleamed. “All alone?”

“How perfect,” Gemi said.

“She was right,” Another of the boys said.

“The Mistress will see you now,” Cameron added.

“Please, Cam. Don’t do this.
Please.”

Laeddin was trying to find a way to fix him
, to get rid of the evil demon part of them and keep what was left… if there was anything. I hoped there was.

“Take her,” Gemi screamed.

The seven Akuma came at me at once.

I fought, kicking at Gemi, sending her flying backward
so she smashed against the dresser. A guy and girl grabbed my feet, pulling me toward them. I grabbed the guy by the hair and twisted off his head. His body fell back. I tossed his head. It caught in the netting and rolled on the bed. His surprised features frozen in place, until he disintegrated.

The girl screamed as though she were in pain. She grabbed hold of one of my arms. With my other I yanked her long ponytail and wound it around her neck, choking her. Then used my feet to push her body away
. Her head came off with a pop.

I threw the head over the edge of the bed.

Someone ripped the netting and used it to bind my arms. I growled, rolling onto my back so that I could tear off its head with my legs.

But it was Cameron. “Cam,” I whispered. “Please.”

That few seconds I was distracted was all they needed to bind my hands and feet. They were stronger than normal humans. And the five of them held me fast.

Whatever magic they used infiltrated my system. It felt vaguely familiar and I realized Maleficent had used some of the magic connected to my wings to create the
se monsters.

I choked on a sob,
slashing at the netting over my head with my fangs. I tore a hole in it, but the five Akuma wouldn’t be deterred. “Laeddin,” I shouted, trying to think of a wish. One that wouldn’t have consequences. One where I could get out of this mess and not hurt anyone else. It was so damn frustrating.

By the time I had a wish formulated I was no longer in Laeddin’s room. I was somewhere
else altogether.

It was dark and hot and smelled of brimstone.

Had they taken me to hell?

“No
t hell, Jasmine.” It was Maleficent. “Welcome to my home. It isn’t much, but after your mother nearly killed me, this was where I was sent. What do you think?”

I shuddered. “I wish—”

Invisible hands stronger than steel clamped over my mouth and held my tongue. “No. No. No wishing for you, pretend vampire. Laeddin will come, but it must be of his own choice and not because you wished him here.”

I glared. There was still another way. I could wish with my mind. Maybe? Couldn’t I?” It wouldn’t hurt to try. I closed my eyes.
I wish
…

But my mind
inexplicably softened, like butter melting in the hot sun. I couldn’t remember what I’d been about to wish for. I opened my eyes.

Maleficent stood in front of me
her dark eyes gleaming with evil mischief. Her lips red as blood. Her skin white as snow.

“No thinking for you either.”
She was so beautiful it almost hurt to look at her for too long.

Maleficent
stepped back and I noticed what she was wearing. It was made of velvet. The collar was high in the back and low in the front, exposing an immense amount of cleavage. The bodice was black and laced down to her waist. The sleeves were long as was the skirt. It was black and violet. Her black hair had been piled high on her head.

And my wings?
My beautiful black wings cascaded down her back like inky waterfalls.

Tears stung my eyes. “
Why are you doing this?” My head lolled to one side and I took in the room.

There wasn’t much to it.

Large.

Black.

But it sparkled like diamonds.

What really caught my attentio
n were the hundreds of Akuma packed inside. There were humans, elves, trolls, fairies, unicorns, and so many more.

“What do you intend to do with them all?” The words slurred out of my mouth.

“Whatever I want,” she said slyly. “Why don’t you sleep, false vampire?” She opened her mouth and blew. Yellow smoke drifted into my face. I tried to hold my breath, but it still went up my nose and penetrated my mouth. I felt it in my pores too. It smelled like sulfur and vanilla, not a good combination. “When you wake, you’ll be all mine.”

Chapter 15

I woke to the sounds of hooting and hollering and stomping feet and whistling. It was like a stadium full of spectators at a football game. I kept my eyes closed, trying to figure out what was happening without giving away the fact that I was aware.

“Laeddin, so nice of you to come.”

My heart raced and my mouth went dry. Laeddin was here. Maleficent said he would come and he had.

“Release Jasmine now,
Maleficent,” Laeddin said.

  “Of course, genie. I will
. Just as soon as you give me what I want.”

“And what is
that?”

“Your power, of course,” Maleficent said matter-
of-factly.

The room went wild again.

“Why would you want it? You have more power than I already. I can feel it.” Laeddin whispered.

“
Awwww, did you hear that?” Maleficent glanced around the room.

The Akuma clapped and cheered. “While that may be true, I don’t have enough. With your powers I’ll be unstoppable.”

Laeddin had incredible power. I knew that. And so much more. As quickly as it’d come, the fuzziness in my brain cleared up. My mind sharpened and I was myself once more. I would’ve sighed in relief, but it was too soon. I needed to figure out a way to save Laeddin and get us out of there.

“Fine,” Laeddin
said.

The cheers in the room became louder than ever.

“He accepts,” Maleficent said. The ovations grew.

I chanced a peek in the direction of the talking. Laeddin had no emotion on his face. He was being led to an altar made of sparkling black stone
by two Akuma.

I watched as s
everal more Akuma forced him onto his back on the altar where black ropes appeared and bound his arms, legs, and head.

“He’s ready,” an
Akuma said. It hurt to realize it was Cameron. He’d been right to stay away from me, but it hadn’t done him any good. Even after all I sacrificed to save him, he’d still become a demon.

Maleficent stood beside Laeddin
. “I first realized you hid in that cave in Sharra around the same time Jasmine was born. It didn’t take long to recognize the opportunity that had been laid in my path. Having the two of you together was fate. My destiny. At that moment I knew you would die and give me your power. And that you would do so willingly, in order to save her.” Maleficent glanced over. Our eyes locked. Hers were filled with surprise. Mine I’m sure were full of fear.

I quickly closed my eyes.
Too late.

“It seems Jasmine
has wakened. Just in time. Bring her over.”

Cameron and Gemi pushed the
iron prison that looked like a lion’s cage over next to Laeddin. Maleficent smiled. It almost looked genuine.