Blood and Snow 12: Vampire Ever After? Read Online Free

Happily Next Chapter , or Happily Ensuing Life … Or… “What do you mean?” I asked, wondering if his grief corrupted his thoughts.
    He stood. A little bit of light shone in his eyes. It didn’t matter that I tried to dissuade him. The man still held out faith that his son wasn’t dead.
    “I’ve got some research to do.” He went to the door. Stopped, and rushed over, wrapping me in his arms. Without prelude the waterworks flooded my face. I hugged him back, and held on tight. “It’s okay,” he cooed softly, stroking my hair. “It isn’t your fault. It’s okay.” I clung to him. His words were exactly what I needed to hear. He didn’t hate me. He wouldn’t banish me from his house, his life. I was loved. No matter what. It was a sensation I needed, and treasured.
    Several minutes later, he released me. Professor Pop’s smile was kind. “Get cleaned up. Get some rest. We’ll figure this out. We’ll get him back.” He glanced around the room, noticing the candles on the floor in the shape of the star. Wax had melted and left blobs on the carpet. I doubted they would come out. “I’ll get this cleaned up later,” he said.
    I tried to return his smile. His confidence was contagious.
    “ Don’t worry about the others either. I’ll tell them what happened. When you’re ready, come down, and we’ll make a plan.”
    “Okay,” I said.
    He closed the door, and I sank onto the bed, grabbing one of the white pillows, and squeezing.
    A plan, I thought.
    That meant more opportunities for those I cared for to get hurt, or die. I wasn’t going to allow that to happen. I would face the Vampire Queen. And I would do it on my own.

Chapter 5
     
    I took a quick shower . Brushed my teeth. Put my long hair in a ponytail. Dressed in jeans and a t-shirt, and put on my red Converse. When I finished, I went to the bed, and stared at the star on the floor beside it.
    My plan was simple: Find a way into Sharra. Speak to the Vampire Queen, and destroy her with the Seal, if necessary. Then I would have Abernathy take me to Mizu, get my mother, and bring her home.
    This isn’t her home, my inner voice quipped. But I pushed those thoughts away as technicalities. The house next door was still mine, at least according to Pops. We would live there. Simple as that.
    Everything else. Christopher. Dorian. Cindy. School. Life. I would deal with whatever else came a step at a time.
    Gatsby climbed on my lap. I scratched behind his ears. “I’m going to fix it. Promise.”
    Gatsby purred in response. Then jumped off the bed, and went to the door.
    Taking a deep breath, I followed him out. In the kitchen I opened drawers, and cupboards, searching for a lighter or matches in order to light the candles.
    “What are you doing?” His voice had a hint of amusement to it.
    I turned. “Hi Gabe.” Telling him my plan was out of the question. I needed to make something up. “I-I was going to take a bath, and wanted to light some candles. Do you know where to find a lighter or matches?” I shrugged, hoping the movement was nonchalant enough.
    He smirked, and moved over to a cupboard. He opened it, and pulled a black lighter, one used for lighting a grill, with a long neck, from the top shelf. “Here you go,” he said lightly.
    When I took it, our fingers brushed, and I had a quick flash of drinking from him. The night we almost did more than kiss. And he told me he loved me.
    “I’m sorry, Snowflake,” he whispered.
    I searched his features. He seemed older, his features hardened. Mature d. His green eyes were still vivid, but darker.
    “For what?” I asked, running my fingers along my wet ponytail.
    “I’m a coward. I should’ve been a champion for you, fought for you, loved you the way you deserve.”
    I crossed my arms . He didn’t need to apologize for that. “You are a man with a lot on your mind. I get that. You’ve got the chayot to lead. Cindy.” I sighed. “You did what you had to do. We all did.”
    He