A Vampire for Christmas(35)

A burning rage shot through Trace’s system, ringing in his ears.

Motherf*cker!” Trace launched himself at his cousin.

His right hook made contact with the side of the guy’s head, while his left hook got him in the belly. Sebastian doubled over, but he didn’t go down.

A relationship…with a human…can’t work, Trace. You of all people should know that.” Sebastian groaned as he straightened up and flashed a weak-assed smile. “In fact, did you know…those were the exact words…your grandfather said to mine…the day he stole the Council seat…from us?”

But why would you go after Charlotte? She’s innocent.”

I was thirsty, what can I say?” Sebastian touched the corner of his mouth where Trace had hit him.

That’s bullshit. You’re a coward, that’s what you are. I’m the one you should’ve come after, not her.”

Who says I didn’t? I kill Charlotte, but you take the blame because they assume you f*cked up and took too much of her blood. You lose your seat on the Council, and it shifts back to the Tafts, where it rightfully belongs.”

The next punch knocked his cousin all the way down and Trace jumped to Charlotte’s side. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” But she didn’t answer. Gently, his cradled her face in his hands. Her normally rosy lips were tinged blue and her skin was cold. Sebastian had taken too much from her.

Without thinking, Trace pulled out his scorpion blade and drew it across his wrist. As the blood welled up, he held it to her mouth.

Drink,” he commanded her.

But she remained still, lifeless in his arms.

Clutching her body to his, he yelled to the heavens. The only time in his life he’d ignored his duty, forgotten his promise to his father and dared to love the forbidden had resulted in this unspeakable tragedy.

The woman he loved was gone.



HUSHED VOICES CAME from somewhere faraway. Charlotte knew she should open her eyes but the effort was just too much. She was so tired. So cold. All she wanted to do was sleep.

Strong arms lifted her up and her face pressed into the hard, warm plane of someone’s chest. He smelled of sandalwood and Christmas trees. Trace.

If only she could hold him one more time. Tell him how much she loved him before she had to go. As her life force ebbed out, faint memories flashed before her, including the first time she and Trace had been together.

Just as she’d suspected, she’d loved him then, as well.

More jostling, more voices, then something warm touched her lips.

If only she could tell him just one more time….

CHAPTER ELEVEN



JUST BE PATIENT,” his grandmother said. “These things can take time.”

It had been twenty-four hours since he’d first found Charlotte in the cottage with Sebastian, her body nearly drained of blood.

As Guardians took care of Sebastian, he ministered to Charlotte.

Desperately, he’d given her some of his own blood, but she was too far gone for it to do any good. It was only when he rushed her back to the house that his grandmother suggested her one hope was to become a changeling.

He knew these things required approval by the Council after a lengthy waiting period. But Charlotte didn’t have that kind of time.

His grandmother hadn’t hesitated. She’d grabbed the scorpion blade from Trace and drawn it across her wrist, then held it to Charlotte’s lips.

Hush,” she’d told him, though he wasn’t about to protest. “I’m not ready to let this girl go, either.”

And now, a full day later, Charlotte’s body finally stirred. Her eyelids fluttered, the color returned to her cheeks.

Char, can you hear me? If you can, know that I love you. Very much.”

For an endless moment, there was no response. He held his breath, marking the passage of time with each heartbeat. Then, slowly, her fingers reached out and curled around his.

One month later



CHARLOTTE STOOD AT THE BACK of the cavern with Trace and adjusted the collar of his silk cape, part of the ceremonial dress his people had been wearing for centuries.

Two nights ago, they’d arrived in Madrid, the original headquarters of the Night Brethren, where important Council ceremonies were still conducted. At first, Trace had argued with her, said she wasn’t strong enough yet to travel. However, with the help of Trace’s friend Dom and a few other well-respected officials, she’d been granted an audience before the Council yesterday. She wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity to speak to them.