Blood and Snow 7: Seal of Gabriel Read Free

shouldn’t be seen cavorting with a watered down vampire, especially one that served Sharra. But whenever he was near, my body would melt.
    Every strict word I told myself, each promise I made to Ryden was forgotten, flitting from my head like a petulant bird. I craved his nearness. Even now, knowing we needed to complete the most important task of my long life, I couldn’t stop myself from kissing him, touching him, wanting him.
    “Gabriel,” I whispered.
    He responded by deepening his kiss, and I felt it in my knees, down to the tips of my toes.
    “Shiny sheep poo, would you two break it up?”
    I smiled against Gabriel’s lips. Ryden had quite the sense of humor.
    “Fine,” I said softly, but my gaze never left Gabriel’s. “Climb on, Ryden. You don’t want to get left behind.”
    She flew to my shoulder. “You’re disgusting,” she murmured into my ear, but I noted the hint of sympathy in her voice. The little pixilette understood.
    “Shall we go your way or mine?” I asked Gabriel, my wings beating behind my back.
    “My way, if you please,” Gabriel said.
    I sighed. “Oh, alright.” I knew he didn’t like to fly.
    “Where to?” he asked, wrapping his arms around my middle.
    “The Isle of Rhue.”
    He lifted me into his arms with ease. I marveled at his strength. I wasn’t the lightest of creatures.
     

     
    … “Snow, it’s me, Cindy. I don’t have a lot of time. Your boyfriend thinks witches had something to do with what happened to you, but it isn’t true.”
    “Are you ready to complete the spell, my child?”
    “Yes, Grandmother.”
    “Good. Then begin.”
    “Don’t worry, Snow. This isn’t going to hurt. Essaya. Guinevia. Essaya cayana soyoble.”
    “See, my dear, the spell is working. She’s fine. We just need to help the idiot chayot keep her safe until she wakes.”
    “Thank you, Grandmother.” …
     

Chapter 4
     
    The Isle of Rhue was an inlet off the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Cloaked by enchantments, only those who possessed magic could find it, and even then it was difficult. The elves weren’t social creatures, and the elven leader was no exception. In fact he was ornerier than Abernathy. A rock had more personality. I’d spoken to him all of ten times in the last thousand years. Each conversation had been at the United Council meeting held once a century. Needless to say, I was not looking forward to this encounter.
    We arrived quickly. Gabriel halted at the edge of Keening Forest. It was known for its giant pine trees, and the hostile phantoms that lurked within.
    Gabriel released me. Dried grass crunched underfoot. “Come on,” I said, ready to get this over with.
    “I don’t know,” Ryden said, her high voice quivering. “Are you sure this is necessary? I mean, can’t you command Devoran to come to you?”
    “I could, but he wouldn’t come. We have to do this.” I stepped over a pinecone the size of Gabriel’s head. “Stay on my shoulder,” I told Ryden lightly. Once we entered the forest, if a pinecone fell on her, she’d be squished.
    “Agreed. Everything is so big. I could live in one of those pinecones.” As though to prove her point, a hairy spider, as big as my fist, crawled out of one. “Holy monster, I’m hiding in your hair,” she said with a shudder. The spider, if it caught the pixilette, would make her an appetizer.
    “I’ll get rid of him,” Gabriel said, shooing the spider in the opposite direction with the tip of his boot. There wasn’t much growing under the canopy of trees, just a lot of dirt, pine needles, cones, and the occasional fern. It made sense though. The sun was all but blocked from view. Shadows danced within the stilted silence. In the distance I could hear the waves crashing and something else…
    “The cries of the dead,” Ryden whispered, pressing her little body against my neck.
    “Let’s go,” Gabriel said, taking the lead, but immediately stopped.
    A group of six elven guards approached,