Free Blood and Snow 6: Masquerade's Moon by Rashelle Workman Page A

lips meeting. I pressed my body into his, allowing my need for him to overpower every other emotion. For several long minutes we were lost in each other and I forgot about everything but how good it felt to have Gabe’s hands caressing my body, his tongue skimming the inside of my mouth.
    When we broke apart, we were both breathing heavily. I smiled, running my hands through his thick dark hair. Gabe was beautiful. His eyes searched mine, a signature Gabe-smirk plastered on his face.
    He’s proud of himself, my inner voice smoldered.
    “My turn.” I pulled his hair, tugging his head back, exposing the delicious blue-green vein. My canines started to grow.
    A low growl rumbled in the back of his throat, and he closed his eyes.
    I sank my teeth into his neck, relishing the way his skin parted. I tugged his body tightly against mine, sucking slowly, enjoying the intimacy.
    “Snow,” he groaned cupping my butt with his hands.
    Now that I knew he was half chayot, I relished the distinct difference in his blood. I understood it. This was my third time drinking from Gabe. Professor Pops had made me promise to drink from each person only once.
    Yes, but Gabe isn’t all human, I thought, pulling my teeth from Gabe’s neck, and kissing the twin holes that were already healing.
    He grabbed my head, and kissed me, his tongue entwining with mine. “I love you, Snow,” he whispered into my lips, gently rocking me closer to him.
    His words halted my insides.
    He loves me, I thought cheerfully.
    “I love you too,” I returned.
    He slowly moved backward, bringing me down with him and rolled so his body covered mine.
    I knew Professor Pops had “the talk” with him after he walked in on Gabe and I the other night. In a phone conversation, Gabe and I decided we would wait to go any further than kissing, but his body felt so good against mine. I almost decided to change my mind.
    Gabe stopped though, sitting up, pulling me with him.
    “I should go,” he said, his voice hoarse, his hair rumpled.
    “Okay,” I agreed.
    We stood, and he hugged me. “You’re amazing,” he said, his lips brushing against my hair.
    “Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you.”
    I nuzzled his neck. He groaned, kissing my forehead. “I can’t imagine what it feels like for you,” he stopped and touched his neck, feathering his fingers across the place my teeth had been moments before. The holes were already gone. “But I’ve never experienced anything better.”
    His words caused my knees to go weak. “That pretty much sums it up.”
    For some reason an image of Christopher popped into my mind.
    Ask him about the pendant. Use your powers of persuasion if you have to, and ask already, my inner voice commanded.
    But I couldn’t. I didn’t want Gabe to think I was accusing him of stealing.
    “What is it?” he asked, his fingers touching my swollen mouth.
    I shook my head. “Just happy.” I sighed, leaning into him. I never would’ve believed there could be a Gabe and I.
    “See ya.” He opened the front door, letting in a brisk November wind.
    “Bye,” I responded, closing the door behind him.
    I got ready for bed, a perma-smile trapped on my lips. After I pulled my purple comforter over me, Gatsby jumped up and curled himself at my feet, his purring a soothing ballad. I immediately fell asleep.
     

Chapter 2
     
    I was dead. My body rested on a cloud of purple, inside a clear glass cylinder that was my casket. I’d been laid to rest in a gossamer white dress. Dainty white slippers covered my feet. My dark hair was curled and a white ribbon wound through, like a headband. In my hands I clutched a single red rose, the color of my stained lips. Dark lashes stood out against the stark white of my skin. The casket rested on a white stand in a lush field full of thousands of white daises. They swayed in the slight wind.
    The smart-dressed brothers and Professor Pops were at the foot of my casket, and the Vampire Queen stood near my