Free Blood and Snow 7: Seal of Gabriel by Rashelle Workman Page A

Though the height of his head was more than double my size, I didn’t fear being eaten. Dragons didn’t like the taste of vampires, especially one’s that hadn’t been humanized, like me. On the other hand, Abernathy might enjoy Sharra’s fleshy, humanized hide. Snorting in disgust, I rolled my shoulders back, allowing my wings to beat and expand.
    Abernathy was a remarkable looking creature. Our wings were similar, though his were a beautiful metallic shade of gold, while mine were black. His reminded me of a glorious cape, the way he held them draped over his back. On either side of his face and under his chin was a mane of wavy hair. The top layers of his scales shone golden metallic. The scales underneath glistened in ambers and bright gold.
    He yawned, exposing his razor sharp teeth, as he shook his head. “Hello, Silindra,” he said, his voice booming against my bones. “Nice to see you.”
    I bowed slightly. “Greetings, Abernathy.”
    The dragon rose, his scales clicking against each other as he moved. With him on his feet I felt like an ant—small, insignificant, and easily crushed.
    He returned my bow. “It’s an honor. To what, or whom do I owe for this… pleasant interruption from my slumber?” He smacked his lips, as though he considered making me a meal. I stepped back.
    “I need your help,” I said, tentative, raising my chin. I refused to let the overgrown flying lion intimidate me.
    “Of course you do,” he responded. He sat on his haunches, and the earth beneath him shook in discomfort. “Tell me?” Abernathy blinked.
    I focused on his long, black lashes. “My sister, Sharra, is ambitious for power. I fear if she succeeds in her plans, the world, as we know it, will be lost. Then only those she deems worthy will retain magic.” And I knew that meant her, and no one else, at least not to the extent that she did. I paused, unable to meet his gaze, and took a secret breath.
    A big part of me hadn’t wanted to come. Doing so meant I was betraying Sharra. That wasn’t my intention. I loved my sister. Sharra and I had been the best of friends for more than a thousand years, until she discovered humans, and their uses. Until she realized she could change them into a new variety of vampire, and use them to do her bidding.
    Until she decided she should rule instead of me, I thought remorsefully, and shoved those feelings away.
    To Abernathy, I continued, “We may drive her back for a time, but she’ll return. She’s strong willed, and so determined.” I swallowed. “I-We need a way to protect a portion of Earth’s magic, so it can’t be muddled to suit her lust for power.”
    “I see.” Abernathy’s tail whipped and curled around his feet. I got the feeling he really didn’t see, but wanted to mollify me. “You realize, dear vampire, life is evolution, whether you want to believe it or not.” He drummed his clawed paws on the ground, sending wisps of dirt into the air. “Had a tadpole not longed to roam on land, it never would have become a frog.”
    I nodded. It was the same argument Sharra used. But that didn’t make it right.
    “Why do you want to stop what so naturally is,” Abernathy continued. “Unless you’re worried creatures of magic will agree with her instead of you.” He gave me a knowing glance, and I cringed.
    Clearing my throat, I steeled myself, and tried to glare. The idea of losing one’s magic made no sense. Why would someone willingly give up such a gift? Choose to mate with lesser creatures? Weakening their power. There was no rhyme or rationale behind the logic. Flapping my wings in frustration, I said, “The unicorns believed as Sharra does, and they are all but extinct. Each generation diluted until the youngest no longer grow a horn, and can’t communicate with other creatures of magic. It’s a disgrace! They are called horses, and they do the humans dirty work.” My words came out ragged, but that was the truth. It was despicable what happened