Page 38 of A Vampire for Christmas
“Alec Dormer’s, of course. He’s aware of you becoming one of us and we’ve been summoned.”
The vampire king is intense.Eyes that flicker between unamused black and threatening red glare down at us from his throne. Yes, an actual throne.
When I booked my holiday, I never imagined the trip would somehow end with a visit to the United States, in a castle straight from a movie—because of course the king lives in a castle—and kneeling to the North American king of vampires.
As a vampire myself.
“Stand.”
Lucian helps me to my feet, though unnecessary. It’s his way of touching me though, something he’s done a lot of this past week since my transformation.
“Lucian’s explained the rules to you, I take it?” Alec’s finger taps his armrest, the only motion from the very still creature.
Pretty much the only rule, for the safety of his—our—kind. “Under no circumstances should humans be made aware of us.”
“Even though he’s not very good at sticking to that particular rule.” His brow ticks up ever so slightly. “I suppose congratulations in taking a mate is in order.”
Lucian goes still beside me but remains silent. His hand tightens around mine, but I have to believe his earlier reassurance still holds true. He feels the king won’t careabout my immortality—if anything, he’ll be thrilled because I’m another number in their ranks.
“Alec!” a female voice suddenly yells from somewhere nearby. “Where did you—oh! They’re here.”
Alec sighs as a woman speed walks across the room to him. With hair a mix of red and black, she hovers near Lucian and me, her strange eyes studying me—one black, the other purple. Lucian starts to bow but stops when she snorts.
“Please don’t bow. It makes me cringe.” Then she crosses the massive ballroom in mere seconds to Alec’s side, her speed is like ours.
Witch…and vampire?Lucian didn’t mention that part. Learning fantasy creatures are real is one thing, but now there’s a combination of them…
Alec lifts off his throne and wraps and arm around her waist. “Meet your queen, Harlow Sinclair. She, too, is a newer vampire.”
Harlow centres her multicoloured eyes on Lucian, and then me, putting two and two together quickly. “Welcome to the intense world of being a vampire. And congrats, you two.
Alec, seemingly finished with us, flicks his fingers to the entrance behind us. “See yourselves out. Enjoy immortality, Sawyer. Look for my next summons. There will be a meeting soon to discuss the future of Earth.”
Lucian looks confused by the statement but urges me into a quick bow for the couple and then propels me out of the room, barely able to return Harlow’s wave. He doesn’t break stride until we’re well away from his castle.
“Alec can be moody, and I’d prefer not to hang around for long.”
Except hanging around is exactly what I want. No idea which state we’re in, but being over the border is one place on a longlist to explore. Without having to work a million jobs, as Lucian’s been reminding me, time is all ours.
“What if we don’t go home for a while? We’re already in the States, and there are so many places here on my travel bucket list.”
“Then I’d say, lead the way, little human.”
Although it never fails to make my stomach flip, I ask, “When are you going to stop calling me that? I’m not human any longer.”
He catches my hand and nips the tips of my fingers. “Never. You were the Christmas present I didn’t know I wanted. No holiday will ever beat this past year’s.”
“Mm, bet we can.” With purposeful intent, my fangs flash at him. “But I’ll accept spending forever trying to always one-up the previous.”
He takes my hand and leads me onwards…to our next adventure.
