Vampire Secrets

By RaShelle Workman

Be careful what you wish for...

My name is Jasmine and I am an original vampire.

Born of the seven magics, I only ever had one wish and the gorgeous genie, Laeddin granted it.

I should be living my happily ever after, but I’m not. My wish had consequences and they are affecting every realm, including the human one. Students in Salem are going missing and turning into mindless creatures of the night.

Somehow, I must find a way to fix what I’ve done, even if doing so means giving up everything.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Booklover Legion
• Release date: Feb 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781370120321

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

Ripped Away My Wings

Ms. Ryder? Are you listening? Mr. Henry, my grandfather looked over the top of his reading glasses.

That was me. I, Jasmine, the only princess of Sharra was pretending my last name was Ryder and was sitting in history class, daydreaming.

Something I found myself doing a lot lately.

Uh, sorry. What was the question? As I spoke, I scrunched down in my chair.

Several students snickered.

Drake called me a freak under his breath.

My blood boiled, but I pushed it down.

A quick glance at the clock above the door confirmed history class would be over two minutes.

Two horrendously long minutes.

Was the Civil War necessary to abolish slavery? Mr. Henry came around his desk, removing his reading glasses and tucking them into the pocket of his tan sweater.

I would never tell him this, but the students at school called him Mr. Rogers. The description fit.

He always wore a sweater over a button down shirt and he always wore slacks with the same pair of loafers.

Personally, I thought it weird he was semi-retired from his teaching positions at Harvard and the Seven Magics Academy so he could teach high school in the human realm, but what did I know?

He was a vampire with a conscious, that was for sure.

But he didn't need the money. He just liked teaching.

Well, let's see. I was still distracted.

Today was my first day back after being out of school for a month while my body healed after Jaffar ripped my wings away.

Cam told me this was Pops' first day back too.

I knew that, of course.

He came to visit while I was healing and told me one of his other adoptive sons, a guy named Jesse was in trouble, but didn't say why or how or what. Troy went with him.

I saw Troy at lunch and noticed a difference.

His smile was gone, and his eyes were haunted.

I wanted to ask him what happened but hadn't had the chance yet.

Ms. Ryder? Mr. Henry said again.

I snapped out of it. Abolishing slavery was necessary. Equal rights for all is an intrinsic part of every human life. As for the -

The bell rang. Thank the gods of all realms.

Mr. Henry returned to his seat. We weren't excused until he said so.

But I felt the tension in the room.

It was Friday and this was the last class of the day. Everyone had their books closed, ready to bolt as soon as Mr. Henry gave the word.

All of you have a paper due next Wednesday on the very question I asked Ms. Ryder. If you haven't started, you better take some time this weekend. I want you to give me your honest opinion and back it up.

I heard several classmates groan.

I think I was one of them. I hadn't started my paper yet, though I had an idea about what I wanted to say.

Mr. Henry removed his glasses from his pocket again and slid them on his nose. You are excused. Have a good weekend. He looked up and winked.

I waited for a girl I didn't know and her friend to pass by my desk. As I got out of my chair, someone hissed in my ear.

Freak. It was Drake.

Yeah, you said that already, I said, my voice heavy with sarcasm.

I didn't even bother to look at him.

My whole body shook with anger and some fear.

When Jaffar ripped away my wings he took so much more, including my vampire abilities.

I was exactly what I always wanted to be. I didn't need to drink blood. Couldn't even smell it. No more vampire hearing, seeing, moving, or anything else.

I was truly normal.

And it was horrifying.

Drake laughed and slapped me on the back. I jerked like he just branded me with a fiery poker. The black tattoo on my back was now red and scarred and still quite tender.

Ms. Ryder, may I speak with you, please?

The classroom was nearly cleared out, and I had a straight shot to my grandfather. He wasn't focused at me, but Drake and he didn't look happy. Scary was more like it.

Drake straightened, readjusted his book, and continued down the aisle. When he was at the exit, he glanced back and made the motion that I should hang myself.

Mr. Smythe, one more like that and you'll have detention with me all week.

Drake gasped, his eyes getting big.

What's it going to be? Professor Pops asked.

But you don't run detention, Drake said, trying to remain nonchalant. It wasn't working.

Slowly Professor Pops faced him. Mr. Smythe, I'll make a special exception for you.

Yes sir. Drake ran from the room.

When he was gone, Pops' expression softened. Did you want to come over for dinner tonight? I believe Troy is making his famous steak and potatoes.

At the thought of steak my mouth watered. Troy was an excellent cook - at least when it came to his steak. It was really all he made. Since becoming normal, he cooked steak for me more than once and it was delicious.

Hmmm, sounds good. I needed to do something besides hang out at my house. What time?

Troy walked in with Peter and Zoe right behind him. Actually Pops I was just coming to tell you I won't be home until late tonight. I'm going out with Peter and Zoe.

My heart immediately lifted when I saw them, especially Peter and Zoe. I wasn't sure why I responded to them the way I did, but I really liked them. They were friendly, kind-hearted, and fun.

Zoe had short red hair, a gazillion freckles and grass green eyes. Peter was tan with dark hair and eyes that almost looked black, except when the light hit them just right. Then they were like water in oil, their color shifting from one end of the rainbow to the other. They were cool and reminded me a little of my dad's eyes. I'd said as much to him one night. Peter laughed and said that was awesome.

When I became fully conscious after my deal with Jaffar, it was Peter and Zoe's faces I saw first. Laeddin said the two of them somehow knew Professor Pops. They knew about the supernatural, and they wanted to help. I guessed they must be supernatural too. Since Zoe constantly wore peppermint like I used to, I guessed she must be a vampire.

And I envied her.

But the two of them had become permanent fixtures in my house and I didn't want it any other way. I adored them even if I knew nothing about them. In fact, even after a month of spending nearly every day with them, I still had no idea where they lived.

All I knew was they recently moved here from out of the country. It seemed super lucky they found each other. The chemistry between them was so strong, so powerful. I didn't need to have vampire powers to feel it.

What are you guys doing? I asked, trying not to sound sad they hadn't invited me.

Peter and Zoe gave each other a look, one that said they were having a conversation without using their mouths. Troy coughed. Well, we're going to -

Why don't you take Jasmine with you? Professor Pops said. It might be good for her.

Zoe gasped. I don't think that's a good idea. She hasn't completely healed yet.

Peter and Troy nodded in agreement.

It's okay, Professor Pops. If they don't want me to go with them, I don't have to. An ache twisted my heart. It hurt not to be included. Even if I did appreciate why they didn't want me to go. I wasn't healed, but without my wings I didn't think I ever would be. I had to find a way to accept my new life.

Laeddin suggested I tell my parents, see if there was a way they could help.

Just after losing my wings and while I was still unconscious, I swore I heard my parents talking to Laeddin. Like they already knew what I was up to and all that happened. But when I brought them up, Laeddin just shrugged and mumbled something incoherent about dreaming and that maybe it was my subconscious mind working through how to tell them.

I thought that sounded like a bunch of bologna. After a week, I still couldn't bring myself to talk to my parents, and decided he was probably right. My parents would be so disappointed with my decisions. They wouldn't understand.

I think it would be a great idea. Tonight is supposed to be a recon mission, right? Professor Pops removed his glasses and stood. Nothing dangerous.

Recon? Danger? I liked the sound of both, and my heart wobbled at the possibilities.

The three of them nodded as one.

Zoe's face seemed to be getting paler by the second. Even her freckles appeared lighter. Peter shrugged like he was okay with it, and Troy? Well he just looked the way I felt, like an empty husk. I wanted to talk to him at some point.

Professor Pops cleared his throat. He began organizing and gathering the papers on his desk. She needs to know what's going on. You can't keep if from her any longer. He eyed Peter and Zoe. Peter shuffled his feet, uncomfortable. Zoe lifted her chin. Professor Pops turned his stony glare on me. If there's one thing I've learned over the many centuries I've been alive it's that secrets don't protect, they don't save, or shield. He shook his head. When secrets come out, and trust me, they will, they serve only to hurt, hinder, and create bigger problems. He put his briefcase on the desk, flipped the metal clasps, and opened it. An aroma of fresh wood immediately hit my nose. It was a good smell. He tucked several stacks of papers inside before shutting the lid.

I swallowed down the lump in my throat knowing he was right. The truth was I missed my parents terribly, but I wasn't ready to face them yet. Better they didn't know where I was. When they found out all hell would break loose.

I also missed Abrea. So, so much. If I went back to Sharra and told my parents then I could see her, even if it would be briefly since they would probably ground me for life or worse, put me on troll duty.

Fine, Zoe said. You can come. It was obvious she didn't want me to.

I shook my head, fiddling with the frayed edges of my history book. "Really, I don't want to put you guys out. Go do whatever it is you're going to do without me. I was thinking I'd watch a movie with Laeddin tonight.

At the mention of Laeddin, Peter's features became hard. No. We'd love to have you hang with us instead of the old man. He ground his teeth together.

I studied him, working to decipher why he didn't like Laeddin.

Yes, we do need a fourth, Troy added.

Excellent, Professor Pops said, moving past us, and then standing at the door, indicating we should leave. Troy got there first.

I won't be around tomorrow or Sunday, Pops said. His steely eyes found Troy's. I watched as something I couldn't understand passed between them. I've got a few things to do, but I'll be back Monday.

Troy's shoulders slumped. I understand.

Good. He grasped Troy's arm. Can you stay behind a moment? I need to speak with you privately.

Troy ran a hand through his hair. Sure.

See you Monday, Pops said, excusing us with a wink.

The three of us walked down the hall. The school was mostly empty. Debris littered the floor. White poster board covered in glitter and red, white, and black paint adorned the walls, announcing the coming Winter Formal. The theme was: A Sky Full of Enchanted Stars.

Peter kicked a piece of wadded up paper and caught it in his free hand.

How was school today? Peter asked, tossing the paper into the trash.

Fine, I said, shrugging. It was nice to be out of the house. I didn't add that it sucked not having my vampire powers and wings.

You feeling any more like yourself? Zoe asked.

I kept my eyes on the floor, blinking a few times so that I wouldn't cry. It meant a lot they cared. In the last week, Cameron stopped coming around.

As if he knew I was thinking about him, he appeared on the stairs from the second floor.

Hey, Cam, I hollered.

He turned and raised a hand in greeting. Today he wore his curly black hair cropped super short, like he just got it cut. His brown eyes were sad against his handsome face, but his clothes were as fashion forward as ever. He wore pink jeans with a black button down shirt and black and pink suede shoes. Hey, Jack. The diamond studs he wore on his ears sparkled in the light from the window as he turned back around and kept walking without stopping to talk.

"Can I catch up with