"Okay." I threw off my clothes, and cautiously stepped into the dress, zipping up the side.
I went over to the full-length mirror, and twirled side to side, watching the dress glimmer. It fit perfectly.
"Snow," Viv hollered again.
"Keep your hair on," I muttered, opening the door. At the top of the stairs I paused. Viv clutched her throat, and she gasped. That made me smile. A part of me wondered if Viv had hoped the dress wouldn't fit. But she said, "Snow, you look amazing."
"Yes, you do. Like royalty," Dad chimed in.
Viv gave him a dark glance. Then she scowled in my direction. "Come down. Let me see you."
I walked down the stairs. Before I reached the bottom her hands were on me, pulling and tugging. I hoped she didn't rip any of the material. After several minutes, she said, "It isn't perfect, but you'll do."
I wiped the grin off my face and nodded. "Well I'm tired. I'm going to bed." Giving Viv an uncomfortable hug, I continued, "Thank you for the dress. It's gorgeous. I love it."
She patted my arm. "Of course." Viv moved back over to the bags, rifling through them again.
Dad pressed me to him.
"Thank you, Dad."
"You're welcome, Snow-Angel. Good night."
"Night." Before I started up, Viv brought over a hanger nestled in a garment bag, and a bag that held the mask. "Here, put the dress in the garment bag, and put the mask somewhere safe." She pressed them into my outstretched hands.
"Thank you."
Chapter 2
Gatsby followed me upstairs and jumped on my bed. He curled himself into a ball and lay down, his blue-grey eyes watching. "Do you think you're under fed?" He licked his mouth. "Of course not. You're the perfect size. Quite handsome."
I hung up the garment bag and placed the sack holding the mask on the shelf above my clothes. Carefully I stepped out of the dress and hung it up inside the garment bag.
After pulling on a cherry tank and a black pair of PJ pants, I bushed my teeth, washed my face, and climbed into bed. I tucked my hands under my pillow. My fingers brushed against... something. Rolling to my stomach, I lifted the pillow. There was a red gem in the shape of a teardrop attached to a long, sliver chain. It wasn't too big or too small, about the size of my thumb.
Underneath the necklace rested a piece of paper. I flipped on the lamp next to my bed and read:
Frosty,
I'd intended to wait until your birthday to give you the necklace, but I may not be able to make it. So I've giving it to you now. The gem is filled with magic, like you. Wear it always, please. It'll keep you safe. I'll see you soon.
Your Hunter,
Christopher
I read the note several times. Each pass caused my heart to constrict in pain. He wouldn't be able to make it to my birthday? It was more than a month away. Would he be gone that long? I eased the fine chain over my head, watching the gem glint against the filtered light.
It's beautiful, I thought.
Gatsby came over and rubbed his head against my hand, purring. I scratched him behind the ears. "I'll be fine, kitty." Folding the note, I tucked it under the lamp stand and turned off the light. Gatsby nudged me, a not so subtle hint that he still wanted to be petted. With a sigh, I accommodated, and thought about the last time I'd seen Christopher. We'd been in my kitchen. He was excited, happy even, but there'd been another emotion, barely under the surface. It had to do with the wooden bear. "What's going on?"
Weary, I closed my eyes. My mind wandered back through my day. I hadn't done any homework. Not good. Hopefully I'd be able to get it done tomorrow, during classes.
***
"Snow White. Come closer." Her voice seemed to whisper inside my mind.
The room was circular with walls made of rectangular rocks. A darkened window prevented any light from entering. The Vampire Queen sat on a large throne. It was decorated in jewels that twinkled in the light from the candle chandeliers. All around the room sat others-women. They seemed angry, barely contained. Their eyes gleamed a golden yellow like the sun.