Free Revenant in Training (Blood and Snow series) by Rashelle Workman Page B

transferred into a new body. With my help the Queen became the first Snow White , the fairytale child which is your namesake .”

Chapter 2
     
    “Y ou’re saying that the Snow White from the movie was real?” I needed to sit be fore I fell . On rubbery legs, I walked back over to my chair.
    “Yes, Shiryo-san. She was real, and very beautiful, just as you are. Though the story was more of a Brother’s Grimm tale, and even they were way off. ”
    It seemed strange to have others say I was beautiful. I didn’t think I was ugly, just plain. I looked down, studying some nonexistent lint on my jeans. After a few moments of silence, I asked, “Am I the only one the Vampire Queen is after?”
    Kenmei smiled. “You are one of many. Hundreds. Adam Henry and I have made it our life’s m ission to help the marked, the chosen.
    “I am your Protector, ” Professor Pops stated.
    I caught what Pops said, but couldn’t fathom the meaning behind them at the moment . Instead I fixated on what Kenmei had said. “There’s hundreds? She only needs one body. Why not just take mine, or one of the other’s right away? What’ s she waiting for?”
    The two men looked at each other, and something I didn’t understand passed between them. “A lot must happen for the body of a chosen one to be ready . Many will die,” Kenmei said.
    Professor Pops continued, “In order for the Vampire Queen’s magic to work the revenant must drink the blood of her true love , and consume his heart .”
    The memory of my dream, where I’d tasted the heart, and his blood, filled my mind. It’d been the heart of my true love. A warm hunger rushed through my body, and I shuddered. Professor Pops noticed.
    “What is it, Snow?”
    “I dreamt of a heart. Of drinking blood.”
    Both men started, I somehow perceived their panic .
    “Tell us everything. Leave nothing out,” Kenmei said.
    I told them a bout the guys, and that I ’d known the heart had been my true love ’ s , but I hadn’t cared. When I finished they didn’t speak for what seemed like forever. Finally, Professor Pops asked, “What did the boys chant?”
    I thought a moment. “Lips red as rubies, hair dark as night. Drink your true love’s blood, become the Vampire, Snow White,” I repeated. As I said the words, a thick darkness filled the air. It was as though the Queen entered me .
    “This is worse than we believed ,” Professor Pops uttered.
    “Yes,” agreed Kenmei. “It seems she may have a distinct interest in this one. Perhaps it’s her name, or her beauty. I must admit, she does have something extra special. ”
    The tremor in my hands travel ed into my arms, and down my body . “Is there nothing we can do ?”
    Professor Pops patted m y hand. “Yes, of course . But we’ve shared enough with you tonight. Let’s get you home.”
    I wanted to yell, tell him I nee ded to know everything right then . I didn’t , though . He pick ed me up, tucking my head against his chest. Kenmei said something about the tea, and he set my shoes on my lap. I thanked him, and closed my eyes.
    When Professor Pops stepped into the alleyway, I recognized the odor .
    “Were you one of her Hunters too?” I whispered.
    “Yes, Snow, I was.”
    A part of me wanted to be afraid, but I couldn’t. He’d been nothing but good to me. “Why did you leave?”
    “The same reason Kenmei did. I fell in love with the girl I bit.” His voice sounded sad.
    “Does that happen a lot?” An idea, or a n impression wiggled its way into my mind. I tried to grab hold of it, understand it, but too much had happened. Too much information weighed on me.
    “Yes, it does. ”
    I got the impression h e wanted to say more . “What happened to the one you loved?” I asked, fearing the answer.
    “She died.”
    “I’m so sorry, Professor Pops.”
    “As am I, Snow White. As am I.”
    I fell asleep, the pounding of his heart, the warmth of his arms, and the movement as he walked making it too difficult to