Kiss of the Vampire (The Vanderlind Realm Book 2) by Gayla Twist

said, after leading her to the center of the room. “What has your experience been with flying too far?”
    After giving it some thought, Haley said, “I seem to fly best when I’m not thinking about it. Like, if I’m angry or in a hurry or something. Then I can fly pretty well. But as soon as I notice, ‘Hey, I’m flying,’ then things start going wrong from there.”
    “That’s your old brain in conflict with your new body,” I told her. “As a mortal, you’re thinking, I can’t fly. Although as a vampire, it’s perfectly natural.”
    She nodded. “So, what do I do about it?”
    I moved to stand in front of her and took both her hands in mine. “Close your eyes,” I instructed and for once she did as she was told. “Now try to relax every part of your body. Relax your arms, relax your legs, let go of any stress you might be hiding in the back of your mind.” I had closed my eyes after I’d instructed her to close hers, but I couldn’t resist taking a peek. She didn’t look completely relaxed, but she looked more at ease than when she had first flung herself into my arms in the great hall. “Are you relaxing?” I asked.
    “Yes,” she said, suppressing a giggle.
    “Good. Now try to concentrate,” I told her, keeping my voice calm, but a little stern. I intended to be a strict teacher. “I want you to think, ‘I am a vampire’. Just say it over in your head. ‘I am a vampire. I am a creature of the night. Gravity no longer confines me to the earth. I am free from its grip and I can now soar among the stars’. Things like that.”
    I tugged a little on her hands and we both began to levitate into the air. “Gravity is only a state of mind. Once you know you are its master then it can no longer control you,” I told her while we rose higher and higher.
    As we approached the ceiling, I tugged her down a little so she wouldn’t bump her head. She was as easy to guide as a helium balloon. “Okay now,” I said. “I want you to keep concentrating. I want you to remember that you are a member of the undead. Do you understand?”
    “Yes,” she whispered, giving my hands just the hint of a squeeze.
    “Okay then,” I told her. “Haley, open your eyes.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 8
    Haley
     
     
    “Gah!” I let out an involuntary shriek and then lunged for Dorian, wrapping myself around him like I was trying to climb a coconut tree. I had known my feet were no longer on the ground, but I hadn’t realized how high we had risen.
    “Haley, it’s fine. It’s fine,” Dorian assured me, but he still held me firmly so that I felt secure. “I didn’t mean for you to be startled. I thought you realized we were in the air.”
    “Yeah, I kind of did,” I told him. “I mean, I knew we were up in the air, but I didn’t realize we were up in the air.”
    Dorian chuckled. “It’s perfectly fine,” he assured me. “Just try to center yourself and remember what I told you. Gravity doesn’t affect you anymore. Not unless you want it to.”
    He encircled my waist with his hands. “Put your arms around my shoulders like we’re slow dancing,” he said.
    I felt wobbly, but I did as I was told, assuming he wouldn’t let me crash to the ground.
    “What’s your favorite waltz?” he asked, once I was in position.
    “Uh…” He had me there. I wasn’t even sure I knew any waltzes. “Isn’t there that one by Strauss?” I hedged. I thought the name was somehow waltz related.
    “ The Blue Danube ?” he asked. “That’s usually most people’s favorite.”
    “Sure.” The Blue Danube sounded fine by me. “Is that your favorite?”
    “I probably prefer The Waltz of the Flowers , but I think The Blue Danube is easier to hum. Don’t you think?”
    “Yes,” I readily agreed, although I had no idea how to hum either one.
    “Okay then.” Dorian kept one hand on my waist