Wicked Winters

by Melanie Karsak et al.

  Diego laid the fresh-cut tree against the wall in the gathering room. “My grandmother sent it. She said it was one less thing you had to worry about.” His grandmother was right. With Christmas Eve tomorrow night, I wasn’t sure if I could get everything for our party. I was tired and rushing around. After last night, my mind was consumed with newborn vampires and a deliciously handsome imp.

  I had even dreamed of Ferric the night before. I realized I met him in his human life; now I remembered that day, the way he looked, the way he smelled and that smile. How could I have forgotten those eyes? They used to be so warm and happy, but now were so cold.

  Abram came out of the kitchen shaking his head “Anya, we can set up everything for you. No offense, but you look like shit. Maybe get some rest.”

  He was right, I needed to get out of here. “I have some Christmas shopping to finish up. Ainsley, you have this?” The elderly gentleman looked up from his case files and nodded. He suddenly stood and stared at the door.

  “What are you doing here?” Ainsley demanded, pushing his glasses up on his nose. I felt the energy surge through him as he tapped into a ley line nearby. Judging from the amused look on Ferric’s face, he did too. The old warlock was protective, and Ferric wasn’t one of his favorites. Ainsley brought charges against Ferric at least once a month.

  I sucked in my breath. Ferric had on a slim blue v-neck sweater that fit his chest tight. He’d paired it with a dark pair of jeans. It was weird not seeing him in his usual business suit, but it fit him well. Really, really well.

  I cleared my throat. “Mr. Bertrand is here because we’re working on a project together,” I said. Ainsley’s forehead creased, and he frowned at me.

  “Mr. Bertrand? Are we back to that?” Ferric smirked.

  I ignored him. I wanted to get him out of there as soon as possible and away from Ainsley’s curiosity.

  Neesy brought a plate of cookies and offered one to the Imp. “Why don’t you two stay and help us decorate?”

  I crossed my arms. “No.”

  “Yes.” We spoke at the same time. I didn’t want this demon spawn around our patients. They were weak and ripe pickings for him. If they signed a contract to lose their soul to hell, there would be nothing I could do to help them.

  “What I mean is, I’m going Christmas shopping, and Ferric is coming with me.” I bit the side of my lip. Why did I say that?

  Ainsley crossed his arms but said nothing. I grabbed my keys and jacket and headed to the door. Ferric was close behind.

  “Anya!” I paused and turned to see what Neesy needed. “You’re under the mistletoe!” She giggled.

  “Really, Neesy? Who puts mistletoe at the entrance? It doesn’t count,” I complained.

  She pointed at us then the mistletoe. “I believe it does.”

  Ferric’s eyes were on me. I swallowed and stepped back, but he caught me. His lips pressed to mine. They were soft. I didn’t mean to kiss him back, especially here and now, but I did..

  I pushed away and caught my breath.

  “Whoo hoo! I was worrying about you, Anya. Where have you been hiding this hottie?” Neesy winked, I wanted to crawl under a rock. Ainsley’s disgusted look hurt. My eyes met Diego’s, and I saw his pain as he set down the box of decorations and left the room.

  The kiss meant nothing, and I didn’t mean to hurt my friend. I crossed the room to follow him into the kitchen, but Ainsley laid his hand on my arm.

  He shook his head. “I’ll take care of him but you and I need to have a little talk later.”

  I frowned and sighed. “It isn’t what you think. I’ll see you at the party tomorrow.” I kissed his cheek and left.

  We stepped out of the door of the Philostorgy House, I turned to Ferric, “What are you doing here?”

  He leaned against my car. “I came to check on you.”

  I pursed my lips. “As you can see, I’m fine.”

  Ferric frowned. “Is that why you have a scarf wrapped around your neck?”

  My hand touched my neck. I scowled, he didn’t care about my neck. “What do you really want, Ferric? I’m busy; I have to finish Christmas shopping.”

  He lifted his chin. “I’m going after Vladimir.”

  I crossed my arms. “So you said. With my permission or without if I remember correctly.”

  He exhaled. “Anya, I have to. If I don’t, there will be a Legion of Angels here to do it for us, and I know you don’t want that any more than you want Hell here.” He was right; I was assigned here to help keep the balance so that very thing didn’t happen.

  I looked toward the Philostorgy house then back to him. “Fine, but I’m coming with you.”

  Ferric held up his hand. “That isn’t necessary.”

  I pursed my lips. “Actually, it is. You and I both know that I must be involved at this point. I’ll meet you at my house thirty minutes before dusk.”

  He grimaced. “No. I’m coming with you now.”

  “What? You don’t trust me?” I asked.

  He furrowed his brows. “I trust no one.”

  I shrugged. “Fine. Whatever. We’re taking my car.” He opened the car door and slid inside.

  He leaned back in the seat smirking. “Are we going to the mall?”

  I snorted. “You have lost your soul. Of course, I’m not going to the mall.”

  Ferric frowned, he didn’t find my joke amusing; he sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window until we came to the downtown shops.

  After a little perusing, I found Neesy some wine and chocolates, and some outfits for her daughter and niece.

  “My God, Anya, that is the ugliest sweater I’ve ever seen.” I held out the long Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer sweater.

  Yes, it was hideous, perfect. “It’s supposed to be. It’s for Andrew.”

  He laughed. “Well, then, it’s perfect.”

  “It’s a joke,” I explained frowning, Ferric shrugged. I added humorless to my mental note about Imps.

  “Did you need to go anywhere to get anything? We can even go to the mall.” I cringed.

  He looked straight ahead. “I don’t celebrate.”

  “Oh yeah, well, I guess that makes sense you working for Hell and all..”

  “It isn’t about religion, or us versus them. I just don’t celebrate.” He set down the sweater he was looking at. “Are you almost finished?”

  “Yes, I need to go to Ainsley’s shop to get something for Abram, and maybe I’ll find something for Diego while I’m there. Do you want to wait outside?” I didn’t want to explain to Ainsley’s daughter Vanessa why I was there with Ferric.

  “No.” He opened the door, and I went through.

  “No, of course not.” I mumbled under my breath.

  Two days before Christmas, and the New Age shop was packed with shoppers. I pushed past some Goths and made my way to the crystal case. I bought Abram a large crystal but didn’t find anything for Diego. Maybe we would hit up the surf shop if all else failed.

  On the way back to the car, I wandered into an antique shop. Ferric was quiet, always staying a few steps back so it was easy to ignore him. If he insisted on being here, I would go where I wanted.

  The antique store smelled like old books and brass. There was so much to look at, I could get lost for hours, but I knew I didn’t have that long before dusk. I found a silver cross; it was Russian Orthodox, so it would be a little piece of me. If Diego forgave me, of course.

  My eye caught an eighteenth-century porcelain vase. It was beautiful and strong, just like Ferric. I scooped it up and paid for them both.

  “Are you finished?” Ferric asked, eyeing my purchases. “Who are those for?”

  “Diego and you.” I handed the vase to Ferric.

  He regarded me, looking startled by the gift. “I don’t want your present, Anya. If I had wanted this vase, I would have bought it.” Ferric tried to hand it back.

  I threw up my hands, refusing it.

  “I want you to have it. Not as a
Christmas present, but as a gift that is a connection to your past, a reminder of your humanity.”

  Ferric’s jaw shifted, then he sighed. “How well did you know my brother?”

  I shifted to the side biting my lip. “We were lovers.”

  He looked surprised by my admission then quickly covered his emotions. I adjusted the strap to my purse and looked down. “He was actually your half-brother. You were a few years younger.”

  He pushed open the door onto the street. “I assumed, since we had different last names.”

  “You shared the same father.”

  He smirked. “Ahh, so I was a bastard.”

  “Some things don’t change,” I said, and he belly laughed.

  We walked down the street together. “You and I met the night he died. I dreamed about it last night and everything came back to me.”

  Ferric paused and looked at me as though he were waiting for me to continue.

  I looked at my feet. “Louis introduced us when he presented me with the table. Later that evening, he asked you to watch over me when he was called away. We were dancing at the ball when we got the news. His wife killed him because of me. They’d had an arranged marriage she didn’t love him but couldn’t stand for him loving me. I never saw you again. I left France shortly after.”

  He studied my face. “You don’t strike me as the type of woman who would be with another woman’s husband. You must have loved him.”

  I shrugged; some memories were left better buried. I swallowed. “I cared for him. Are we finished with the questions, Mr. Bertrand?”

  Nausea crept up. Ferric and Lois had the same eyes. The memory of Louis’ death compounded with an army of Vampires on the loose topped with Ferric was too much. I needed some fresh air and distance between Ferric and I. I didn’t care if Ferric followed or not. I’d rather he didn’t.

  “Where are you going?” Ferric called out after me.

  I turned. “I need to get something else for Andrew.” It was the truth. I had planned on getting it in the morning, but now was as good of a time as ever.

  Ferric caught up with me. “It will be dusk soon.”

  “This won’t take long. I can meet up with you later if you like.”

  “No.” he scolded.

  “Suit yourself.” I sat the shopping bags in my car. Ferric slid into the car. I drove down to Bayfront Park since I didn’t get to last night. The drive was short, and the radio broke the silence.

  When we got there, the tide was low but coming in quickly. I had to hurry. I took off my shoes and rolled up my pants. The muck in the water felt slimy, and the water was cold, but this was the place. I had to be careful not to slice my foot on the shells, especially since they were still tender.

  Ferric glanced down at me. “What are you doing?”

  “I told you. Hold on.” My eyes shut and slid my hand over the water concentrating and feeling the different energies. Once I found what I needed, I pulled out my knife from my waistband and knocked the oyster loose.

  I rinsed it off and stuck it into my pocket. Ferric offered his hand and pulled me up. I crashed into him. His body steadied me, and suddenly I was aware how close we were.

  Ferric’s arm wrapped around me. “You aren’t what I expected, Mistress Ivankov.”

  He wasn’t what I’d expected either. There was no denying I found him attractive, but I didn’t need this, not now, and certainly not him.

  Ferric brought his hand to my face. “Is the boy you bought the cross for your lover?”

  I pulled away. “As if that is any of your business.”

  “It is. I need to know if I have a problem with him seeing the way you kissed me.” Ferric offered a playful grin.

  I felt my face warm. “Kissed you? You’re the one who stuck your tongue down my throat, and no, he is not my lover.” I turned to stomp away. “I need to get these presents home before we go out hunting.”

  He disappeared, and I was thankful for the ride home by myself.

  Unfortunately Ferric waited at my front door. I stepped around him and unlocked it without a word.

  He narrowed his eyes. “Do Alchemists not transport?” he asked.

  “We can. I choose not to. Something about all of my molecules dispersing and coming back together makes me uneasy.” Last night, I had shifted back here instead of driving, but I only did that on a rare occasion.

  The presents went into my study, and I ended up in the kitchen, pulling out the oyster and setting it in the refrigerator. I turned and jumped: Ferric was in front of me, invading my personal space, but I didn’t back up.

  His hand untied my scarf slowly; he lightly touched my jaw, moving it so he could examine my neck.

  He ran his fingers across my skin giving me chill bumps. I hated that I responded to his touch. “It’s healing quickly, but there will be a scar.”

  I shrugged; I should have been dead a hundred times over. “It’s just a vampire bite. It isn’t my first, and won’t be my last. Besides, it will match the werewolf's bite on my thigh.” I smiled.

  Ferric looked down, his eyes fixated on mine, his hand cupping my neck. His dark eyes were bewitching. My heart raced. I couldn’t deny that I wanted him. I reached up, brushing my lips against his, and he responded, kissing me hard and deep. His hand went to the back of my head, pulling me closer.

  I couldn’t get close enough to him. My hand slipped under his shirt, touching his abs. He sucked in and brought his kiss to my neck. I wanted him. All of him. I needed Ferric.

  He pushed back, breaking free. I caught my breath. His eyes went cold. “Anya, I’m not my brother.”

  I jerked away. “You are such an asshole, Ferric. You certainly aren’t your brother. He was loving and kind.” I stomped off to the bathroom.

  My eyes stung, and my chest hurt. I knew it was just my pride. Ferric was the first person I had kissed in a very long time and here he was, rejecting me.

  What else could I expect from an Imp? He was a soulless Hell spawn who just wanted to weaken and exploit me. I splashed some water on my face and took a few deep breaths. I needed to compose myself and not let that jerk know he had gotten to me. I stood to look in the mirror, and Andrew was looking back at me.

  “Are you okay?” Andrew said from behind me.

  I jumped. “Yeah, what are you doing here?” I was so preoccupied I hadn’t felt him come in.

  Andrew placed his hands on my shoulders. “We had a date. Chow mein, remember? More importantly what is that Demon lackey doing in your living room?”

  I turned to him and frowned. “We will find Count Dragomir and put an end to this vampire mess.” Andrew’s face showed his hurt; I never forgot our time together, but this time, I had.

  He grabbed my hands holding them to his chest. “You need to eat. Besides, do you really think you need to be hunting vampires? Do I need to remind you of the Black Forest and the werewolf pack?”

  This time was different, I knew I couldn’t do it alone. “And what, Andrew, wait until the city is over run with new vampires and more innocents are being murdered?”

  He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I can have a team of warriors come in.”

  I shook my head. “No, absolutely not. Just like I don’t want Ferric handling this alone. I need to help.”

  Andrew frowned. “Fine, but you aren’t going without me.”

  I stepped around Andrew into the living room. “Andrew is coming, and we’re taking my car.”

  Ferric stood. “No, he isn’t.”

  I grabbed the white container of chow mein. I could eat on the way. “You act like you have a say.” Ferric looked from Andrew and I then grabbed his coat.

  “Shotgun!” yelled Andrew and handed me my fortune cookie, my favorite part. I cracked it open.

  It’s never too late. Just as it is never too early.

  I crumpled it up and tossed it in the trash on the way out.

  “Do you know where Vladimir’s nest is?” I looked in the rearview mirror at F
erric.

  His eyebrows furrowed. “He never registered with me. You’d have known that if you had heard my side of the case, Anya.” Ferric’s voice was tight, he looked away when our eyes connected.

  “Oh, it’s Anya now?” Andrew snarled.

  I patted his leg. “Stop. That isn’t a good look for you.” Andrew grabbed my hand squeezing it. I looked over at his tense smile; he would want to talk later. He’d have to stand in line.

  I turned my jeep into the downtown area near where I was bitten. “Let’s start with where the girl was attacked. A new vampire wouldn’t stray too far from his Master,”

  The streets were packed with holiday shoppers, but I found a parking spot relatively close to the alley.

  Ferric opened his car door and we followed. “This many people will be easy targets, even for an inexperienced vampire.”

  “Where should we start?” asked Andrew.

  I rubbed my hands together; the temperature was dropping quickly. “Are there any abandoned buildings? Isn’t that where vampires do their thing?”

  “No, not in this area, it's been built up so everything is occupied.” Ferric said. I walked toward the alley where we had found the girl. We’d feel their vibrations eventually.

  A stray cat ran out of the alley, but that was the only action.

  “Maybe we should split up? We can cover more ground. Andrew, I have to stay with Ferric. If you take the north end of town, we’ll head south.”

  Ferric shook his head and pointed at the angel. “No, absolutely not. Who says he won’t call in Heaven instead of telling you?”

  I touched Ferric’s arm. “Because he’ll give me a chance to take care of it first. He always does.”

  “Of course I will! But Anya, I’m not leaving you.” Andrew ran his hand through his hair.

  Ferric’s eyes narrowed, he stepped in between Andrew and I. “You did her a lot of good last night. If I remember correctly, it was me who pulled off the vampire feeding on her. She’ll be safe with me, Angel.”

  Andrew’s balled up his fist, I placed my hand on his chest. “Please Andrew. We’ll meet up in two hours, or if you need us. I promise I won’t do anything to get in trouble.”