Queen of the Vampires

By RaShelle Workman

Fairytales really do come true at the Seven Magics Academy. But it isn’t all about romance and dating. Because, before the happily ever after, there will be blood.

As a vampire, Snow White is part of a supernatural world bigger than she imagined. More than a few of her extraordinarily hot neighbors aren’t just human either.

Newly awakened and full of blood, Snow is desperate to save those she loves, but Professor Pops has other plans. He wants her to graduate high school and spend six months as a normal teenager. Snow agrees, but when Cindy uses her magic to find the dragon, Abernathy, everything changes.

Under the sea, she meets someone she thought was dead. During the quest, she also finds the courage to fall in love and gain the knowledge she needs to defeat the vampire queen. But destroying her might end in betrayal and lead to the ultimate sacrifice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Booklover Legion
• Release date: Jul 15, 2019
• ISBN: 9780463641798

RaShelle Workman

Booklover Legion brings together authors and readers who love: ya fairytale reimaginings, supernatural suspense, paranormal cozy mysteries, steamy contemporary romance, heartfelt romantic suspense, sweet romance, sexy ya science fiction, and paranormal romance.Authors include:RaShelle Workman ~ YA Fairytale ReimaginingsRachel James ~ Supernatural SuspenseBess Morgan ~ Paranormal Cozy MysteriesRuby Carr ~ Steamy Contemporary RomanceLayla Jones ~ Heartfelt Romantic SuspenseAnn Hardy ~ Sweet RomanceShelly Saber ~ Sexy YA Science FictionCaroline Asher ~ Paranormal RomanceBooklover Legion is a subsidiary of Polished Pen Press, LLC.

Book preview

1

RED HOT

Time was a flighty fiend, I thought as I watched Cindy rummage through my closet. Not the one at my little cottage of a house, but the one in Professor Pops' mansion.

What about this one? Cindy asked, holding out the dress my dad and stepmother had brought home for me.

I swallowed down the raw hurt over my father leaving. Shook my head. What else? I eked out.

Cindy was getting frustrated. She threw her hands up. I need a break. Your turn. She gave me a haphazard look and I smiled, getting off the chaise.

Fine, I said, watching Cindy fall onto the same chair I'd been sitting in.

As I pushed through all of the amazing dresses Pops had purchased for me, I considered again the strangeness of time. How seconds flickered in slow motion until an instant later, weeks simply vanished, disappearing without a backward glance.

A month had passed since I woke from my time with Silindra. 

Though I was still desperate to end her - Sharra - the vampire queen, I wasn't meant to be her next victim, which took the bullseye off my back.

But she also said if I woke, she would kill all those I loved. 

That worried me, but only slightly.

I hurt her somehow when she tried to kill me in my sleep, and she seemed to have gone into hibernation to heal or lick her wounds or whatever.

Still, I told Professor Pops and Kenmei all she said and that she already selected another victim.

The news sent Kenmei, Professor Pops, several brothers, and even Christopher on a wild goose chase to try to find the new marked, but so far, they hadn't had any luck. 

Since my dad had left and was nowhere to be found, Adam Henry, the man I called Professor Pops, had become my guardian.

While everyone searched, Professor Pops had kindly demanded I complete the last seven months of my final year of high school. 

It stung that my dad didn't want me anymore, but I was grateful to Pops for taking me in, and I reluctantly agreed to his wish.

He had talked to the principal, and after taking several tests, I was permitted to finish my senior year as though I hadn't been in an enchanted sleep for the past two years.

It was weird. So weird, but I promised him, and I was trying to enjoy life at Salem Academy and all that entailed. 

When I was with Silindra, Professor Pops decided to make the Seven Magics Academy and official school and had invited a select few supernaturals to participate.

Several were witches, and one was a gargoyle while another was half-dragon. Classes were currently being held in Pops' basement. I overheard him talk to Kenmei about the need to expand, but nothing had come of that yet.

Dorian and Gabe were already graduated from Salem Academy, as was Cindy. I missed her being in school with me. It was a little lonely sitting by myself at lunch, and I didn't speak unless spoken to.

People gave me looks and whispered about me.

Instead of jokes about me falling or being klutzy, I became Mono Girl, which was worse. 

Thankfully, my friends were kind of still around.

Cindy taught magic at SMA (Seven Magics Academy) now.

She was good at it too.

The few times I watched her, I was impressed by her ability to get her point across. And she was passionate about what she taught.

She was inspiring. Of course, she still had a seriously crazy love of fashion, while I still mostly wore jeans and tee shirts.

Nothing fancy.

I kept my long hair pulled back in a ponytail, or sometimes I just brushed it and went, leaving it wild. 

Classes at the human high school were simple enough.

I could've taken my GED and gotten the whole high school debacle over with, but Professor Pops wanted me to experience all that high school was supposed to be, including activities. 

Oddly, Christopher also sided with Professor Pops, telling me to finish out the last few months.

I hadn't seen much of him lately, but I was glad he was okay.

Fall break was coming up. That meant a week of not worrying about school, but I agreed to go to the stupid autumn formal.

Dorian agreed to go with me.

At least that was something to look forward to though I wasn't thrilled about having to wear a fancy dress again. 

How about this? I held out a black full-length dress. It was simple. Elegant.

Cindy huffed. You aren't going to a funeral. Hang on. She went back to her phone. Probably texting Gabe. 

I put the dress against my body and went over to the full-length mirror. I thought it looked great but that was why Cindy was here. She liked fashion. I liked to think about it as little as possible.

She locked her phone and stood. Hang that dress up and put on this red one. She walked past me and over to where all of the dresses were hanging, removing a beautiful but short dress.

You're a spoil sport, I said but didn't mean it. Hanging up the black one, I took the one Cindy recommended and slid it up over my hips. Don't you think it's too short? I made a face, tugging on the hem. 

Nope. Try these on, she said, handing me a pair of black heels. 

I slid them on and stood. They fit well and made my already long legs look even longer, but they felt like stilts. I'm not doing it. No way. These things will be the death of me. 

Cindy laughed, moving to stand behind me so she could adjust the dress. You look amazing, she said, fiddling with the spaghetti straps. 

I grimaced. I looked like something. Not like me. 

While I watched, Cindy used magic to style my hair and do my makeup. I turned back and forth in the mirror, trying to find the awkward girl I was before the Seal took hold of me.

She was gone.

In her place was a woman.

One that had stumbled right out of one of Cindy's fashion magazines.

Full red lips.

Dark eyes with a wisp of silver.

Long dark hair that hung in loose waves around my shoulders and nearly down to my waist.

Can you use your magic to make this a little longer, I asked, tugging at the hem again. 

Hell no. It's what all the kids are wearing these days. Besides, you look hot. Gorgeous. Every guy is going to want your number, and every girl is going to want to kill you. 

That isn't what I'm going for. I pulled at the sweetheart neckline, wishing it was higher. Thankfully I didn't have much cleavage.

That would've been obscene. 

Cindy batted my hand away. That's exactly what you want. Hell, if I was going to be at the dance, even I would be jealous. She crossed her arms, admiring her work.

That's a great idea, Cin. Why don't you come? Please? I put my hands together, begging. 

I can't. I have a date with Gabe. She made a face, and I ignored the way my heart jumped at his name.

I didn't have feelings for him anymore - at least not romantic feelings.

But it was hard seeing Cindy and Gabe together.

In a way, I felt like a failure that my relationship with Gabe hadn't worked, but theirs was.

Besides, Dorian will be there with you, she said.

That's true. I was so thankful he was going.

We would dance and have fun, and I wouldn't have to worry about being alone.

Fine, but I really think I should change.

She shooed me toward the closet exit, and I found I could walk in the heels without an issue.

Vampire genes, I thought.

In my bedroom, I grabbed my clutch, the one Cindy said I had to take because it would hold my school id card, lip gloss, and a fifty Professor Pops gave me for emergencies.

I felt weird carrying the purse. Why not a backpack? That was what I asked Cindy.

She rolled her eyes.

If I wore my Converse, I could just tuck it all in my shoes. That's much easier.

Merde, she swore in French following after me, picking up her purse and keys as she walked past my bed.

I laughed. Fine, but if I lose the dumb thing, you can't be mad. I held up her clutch so she would understand what I meant.

Yes, I can. Don't lose it. I love that bag. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief. In fact - She paused and tapped her finger against her chin, thinking about something.

I guessed a spell.

Got it. She said some words I didn't understand and then smiled smugly. 

What did you do? Will I turn into a toad if I lose it? I shook my head in exasperation. 

No, but that's a good idea. She winked, putting a hand on the doorknob.

Someone knocked.

We both started.

Cindy recovered first and moved me out of the way.

If it's Dorian, I'm going to tell him to wait at the bottom of the stairs so you can make a grand entrance and he can admire your beauty. 

Or catch me when I fall, I said, only a little exasperated. 

She made a face and opened the door.

It was Dorian, and she sent him downstairs, then closed the door and turned to face me.

It's showtime. You ready? She gave me another quick once over. Yes, you are, she said, answering for me and opening the door. 

I can do this, I said. 

She nodded as I passed her.

Have fun, she said in her sing-song voice. 

I snorted and kept walking, taking hold of the banister out of habit. It really wasn't hard to walk in the heels, but it felt like it should be. 

You look like a queen. Own it, Cindy hissed. 

I released the banister and moved down the stairs with as much confidence as possible.

Dorian stood at the bottom, and I smiled with relief.

He was my friend, and he loved me.

He said so while I was in and out of consciousness.

I didn't think he meant in a romantic sense.

It was more like the kind of love like I felt for Gabe. 

His eyes got big as he took me in. 

He looked amazing too, wearing a deep gray suit with a red tie that was slightly askew. His dirty blond hair had been cut but was still on the longer side, and his gray eyes shone intently.

When I reached the last three steps, he held out his hand. 

Damn, Snow. You're beautiful. He held a container in his other hand and I guessed it held a bracelet corsage. 

Thank you, I said, feeling suddenly shy. 

I'm only telling the truth. He opened the container and slid the corsage, which was red flowers that matched the red of my dress, on my wrist. You ready? 

As I'll ever be. I took his elbow when he held it out. 

Before we could get out the door, Professor Pops and the brothers were there, all except Gabe.

They took pics and gushed about how great I looked. 

We went down the front steps and to a waiting Mercedes. Dorian held the passenger door open for me before getting in. This is going to be fun, he said, peeling off down the driveway.

2

LOVE AND LIGHT

As we entered the dance, it was like everything moved in slow motion. I took the whole scene in at once. The crowd of students dancing and talking - most of them I didn't know. The music blasting so loud it seemed to be coming from inside my mind. The scent of several hundred blood-filled bodies pummeled into me, and I held my breath. It wasn't that I craved the blood, only that it was powerful, and a bit overwhelming. Although, when I smelled Dorian's blood, I decided I wouldn't mind a taste. I glanced at him, but he was focused on the decorations. 

The gymnasium was enchanting. Thousands of paper snowflakes dangled from the ceiling. A disco ball spun from the center, filling the darkened room with white dots of light. Sparkling white bunting that was supposed to look like snow covered the walls and perimeter of the dance floor. The tables were covered in white tablecloths. In the center of each sat an oversized snow globe and chocolates wrapped in white foil.

As we skirted the edge of the gym, Dorian and I looked at each other and laughed. He took my hand. It's like they created this dance, especially for you without even knowing it. He kissed the back of my had, his amused eyes focused intently on me. I laughed. 

I swear I didn't compel anyone, I said, swallowing down my nerves. 

If you say so, he said, pulling me closer to him. Want to dance? His breath smelled like his minty toothpaste, but his blood caused my pupils to dilate and my fangs to press against the inside of my mouth. 

Sure, I said, and let him pull me onto the dance floor. I wasn't a dancer, but it didn't matter. A distraction was in order. 

Besides, Professor Pops would ask me if I danced, and I didn't want to let him down. 

Dorian walked us through the crowd until we were directly under the disco ball, avoiding the mosh pit near the DJ booth. Just the thought of trying to dance there gave me hives. I was glad Dorian didn't lead us over that direction. 

He glanced there, though, and my eyes followed. Please tell me you don't want to dance in the pit.

No, he said, his eyes squinting. It's just - He shook his head.

I followed his gaze, giving the group a closer look.

Sharra was there. She twisted and writhed among the dancers.

They seemed to swarm around her, like bees in a hive.

She would bite one of them on the neck, suck briefly, lick the wound closed and move on.

What the ever-loving hell?

Sharra heard me and looked up, her fangs buried in Tanner's neck.

Her eyes sparkled with wicked mischief as she withdrew her fangs and licked her lips. 

Stay here, Dorian said. 

No. I grabbed hold of his arm. There was no way I would let him go over there and do - what? It wasn't like he could stop her, and she could and probably would kill him.

I felt the Seal of Gabriel stir inside me, not awake yet, but ready. I pulled at Dorian, making him face me.

Don't go anywhere near her. She isn't killing them, just drinking from them. It looks like she's here to bait me into coming after her. If I do, then those humans could get hurt. We don't want that. Ignore her. 

You're kidding? He was shocked. She's using them like an all-you-can-eat buffet, and you're saying we should let her get away with it?

I wrapped my hands around his waist. What's the alternative? Try to kill her and end up murdering innocent humans instead?

I shuddered at the thought. Let her drink from them. At least they'll live, I said firmly. 

His hands found my hips, and I caught his gaze, knowing if I had to, I would compel him. Tension coiled through his body, humming like a new car.

He was trained to fight against evil, and Sharra was evil, but for his sake and