Wicked Winters

by Melanie Karsak et al.

  Andrew’s beautiful face snarled. “Not likely.” He disappeared.

  The wind cut through me, and it was raining. I wrapped my jacket tight. The silence coming from Ferric was killing me. He was tense, and his emotions rippled off him. Most women would find him sexy. Maybe I did, too, but this moody silence made me want to stab him. We needed find the Vampires soon; anything to break this tension.

  I looked down the street and back to Ferric. The nest had to be around here somewhere. “Let’s try the alley again. It’s getting later. Maybe they’ll be out.”

  The closer we got, the lower the vibrations dropped which meant there were demonics nearby. Ferric touched my arm, letting me know he felt it, too. The vampires were out, and they would be careless and hungry, so I braced myself for an attack.

  I caught a whiff of fried pork chops. I didn’t know if every Ghoul smelled like this, or if it was just Frankie. We turned the corner, and yes, it was him. He was smoking a cigarette. Frankie was the only ghoul I’d ever met. He was a disgusting creature, oily, greasy and smelly.

  Frankie fumbled and dropped his cigarette. “Mistress, what are you doing here?”

  Ferric crossed his arms. “My question is, what are you doing here? Didn’t the Mistress order you home after sunset? I believe this is a clear violation. Wouldn’t you agree, Mistress?”

  I nodded, “Yes, I would,” Frankie was restricted to feast on the flesh of closed casket dead, or those who would be cremated. He’d been caught killing cattle at a farm inland and was on probation.

  The ghoul backed against the wall and squeezed his eyes tight. “I didn’t do anything. Ferric, please don’t kill me.”

  Ferric signed. “I will ask you only once, Frankie. What you are doing?”

  Frankie opened his pleading eyes. “It was supposed to be just a party. You know I’m stuck at home all the time. I didn’t know, I swear.” He held up his hands.

  “Count Dragomir?” I asked. He nodded his head quickly. “Take me to him.”

  The ghoul looked down at his feet. “I--I can’t do that. If I bring you, they will kill me.”

  I looked over my shoulder to the imp. “Ferric.”

  Frankie threw his hands up. “Wait, wait, fine. I’ll do it.”

  “No one will be left to harm you, Frankie,” I assured him.

  Frankie looked greasier than usual, his head beaded with sweat. “You’re going to have to step to the side. Last night there was an angel, and some vamps died, so now the door is manned. No one will let you in.”

  Ferric’s jaw shifted, and he was gone leaving me alone with the ghoul.

  Frankie stepped up to the door at the back of the alley. I only felt Frankie; it must have been heavily warded. Part of me hoped Ferric got through and part of me didn’t. The hair on my neck prickled. What if this was all a set up? What if Ferric and the Count really worked together to get rid of me? It was the perfect plan, I was separated from Andrew and anyone else that could help me.

  “You didn’t get enough of her, Frankie?” the vamp manning the door asked. I considered leaving but couldn’t bring myself to do it. Even if Ferric was the bad guy and this was a set-up, I had a responsibility to take them out.

  I stepped into view; I was surprised to see it was one of the local Vampires. The ghoul stepped back, I leaned against the doorway. “Donovan, how are you this evening? I can’t believe no one invited me to the party.”

  His eyes grew wide. “Oh, shit.” I pushed past him. A loud crash rang out from somewhere in the house. Ferric was doing his thing, I hoped.

  “I can explain!” Donovan yelled from behind me. I’d let Ferric deal with him.

  My knife was in my hand ready to go. It decorated cheerful Christmas music filled the air--Jingle Bell Rock-- with trees, wreaths, and bows. You’d never have known this was a Vampire’s den. It looked like Martha Stewart threw up.

  The living room was bare but for a few humans, most already dead. One woman on the couch, blood trickling down her neck and a large chunk of flesh missing from her leg. I made a mental note to question Frankie later. She was very pale, and her energy was dispersing. I swallowed, the poor soul was on her way out, a horrible way to go, but there wasn’t anything I could do for her now. A surge of anger burned away the last of my fear.

  Laughter came from the top of the stairs. After a moment of hesitation, I climbed the steps. I wished Andrew was here. I knew I could always trust him.

  Warning bells went off in my head again, making my stomach clench. I couldn't shake the feeling of Ferric and Vladimir working together to get me out of the way? They were both demonic. They couldn’t kill me, but I could be hurt and tortured. Damn it, and here I was walking straight into it. Ferric had gotten through the wards surrounding the area with no problem, and HIS vampire was manning the door.

  Regardless of their plans against me, I had to put a stop to the new vampire problem. Even if it meant taking out Ferric, too, it was my responsibility. My heart hurt. I didn’t know him well and thinking of him was so wrong. Never had a man driven me so crazy, and in all the right ways. Ferric was strong, sexy, and very, very arrogant. The thought of him not existing gave me a pang, but I shoved it down and continued up the stairs.

  He moved toward me so quickly, I didn’t see him coming until the last moment. I didn’t have time to react. Ferric crashed into me, shoving me to the floor and I grunted. Damn it, I was right. He was against me.

  “Stay down,” he hissed and was off me.

  Something clattered to the floor at my feet. I leaned up on my elbow, it was a decapitated Vampire. There were vampires in piles all around me. Ferric stood tall a few feet away wielding a sword. Where the hell did he get a sword? He was striking down anything that came near him. How the hell did he do that? Ferric killed a room full of Vampires and didn’t have a scratch on him. He’d saved me from getting attacked. Ferric definitely wasn't on Vlad’s side.

  The Master Vampire was all gothed out tonight, from his boots to his black nail polish. He didn’t seem fazed that thirty of his vampires lie around him dead.

  “You stupid Imp, I will just make more.” He stepped closer. "I have made more.”

  The remaining five or so vampires scattered to the side of the room, getting into a position of attack. Vlad looked over his shoulder. A tall dark woman opened the door behind her, and a dozen or so Vampires filed out.

  Was Vlad really so stupid? “Ferric just killed a room full of vampires, and now I’m here.” I stood firm with my knife in hand. What the hell, I couldn’t die. Ferric shook his head, but it wasn’t his say and he knew it.

  My breathing stopped when my gaze fell on one vampire in particular. Diego. Damn it, this was the party he had invited me to. This never would have happened if I’d said yes. Diego wouldn’t be standing here, ready to attack as a Vampire.

  My hands fisted at my side. “I will kill you, Vladimir,” I forced through my gritted teeth.

  “Oh yes, you see your friend. He was the only one who put up at fight. The others were more than willing, but I had to have him. I knew he was one of yours. He’s strong and that’s all part of my plan. Beautiful Mistress.” He shrugged. “Granted you weren’t supposed to show up yet, but here you are, and with our dear friend Ferric.”

  Vladimir was delusional. He couldn’t take us on. If worse came to worst, I would call in the angels. But only as a last resort.

  The Vampires circled Ferric and me but didn’t strike. Diego stood by his new Master.

  “It’s mind control. If we kill their master, they will all be loose cannons. He’s the only thing keeping them together,” Ferric said.

  I walked a sodden heel to toe, heel to toe toward Vladimir who was in the center of the room. Diego’s blue eyes were violent and crazy, and he hissed. Ferric watched but didn’t make a move to stop me. Smart man.

  I stopped and lifted my chin. “What do you want with us?”

  “Him?” He pointed to Ferric. “I want him dead. You? Anya, darling, you will be
a great asset to my team. I’ve known that the moment I first saw you.”

  “I don’t know,” I said. “I think things are great the way they are. Besides, you can’t kill either of us.”

  He held out his hands. “You may be right, so we are at a draw. If you kill me, my Vampires will go crazy.”

  “And if we don’t, how many innocents will die?” I snapped. Killing Vlad was the only option. I hoped Ferric would take care of the rest.

  I pulled the surrounding energy, letting it flow through my body and through my arms. It sizzled and popped as it burst out of me into the Master Vampire. He snarled and flinging vampire at me. I stepped to the side and shot another energy surge at him as he stumbled back. His mental hold on the new vampires faltered. They broke rank and went after Ferric.

  “Anya.” Ferric threw a broken piece of Christmas tree at me. I flung the makeshift stake into Vlad’s heart, and he stared at me in disbelief then crumbled to the ground.

  I dropped to my knee. A surge of power enveloped me, making me queasy. Looking up, I saw Ferric picking off vampires. I spotted Diego, and Ferric was heading straight toward him.

  With every ounce of my being, I needed to stop him. There was no time to react. I grabbed Diego and threw him into the corner and wedged myself between him and Ferric.

  “No!” I screamed.

  He stepped closet to me. “I have to, Anya.”

  I gritted my teeth. “Please don’t make me fight you, Ferric.” He rolled his wide shoulders and crossed his arms. I glared at him.

  His dark eyes meeting mine, he frowned. “I thought you said he wasn’t your lover.”

  “He isn’t, but he is my friend and you will not hurt him.” Diego hissed from behind me but stayed still.

  Ferric sighed. “Was. He isn’t the same, Anya. Let me put him out of his misery. He can’t go in the ground now. He doesn’t have a Master.”

  My eyes teared up. “You aren’t the same as when you were human either, Ferric. He didn’t ask for this.”

  Ferric cringed; I knew I’d hit a soft spot and I was playing dirty. The imp shook his head. “Anya, he will be out of control. It isn’t his fault, but it’s the way it is. It is my responsibility to exterminate him. As you can see, we can’t have wild vampires running around.”

  “Is he attacking you now?” I asked. I looked to Diego and nodded to him to come to me. He was unsteady and unsure but approached with caution and stood next to me. “I will be his Master.”

  “Anya?” Diego asked. His confusion and fear hit me. I felt him in his mind, and I grasped onto the humanity that was left. It was there and gave me hope.

  “How did you do that?” Ferric frowned then shook his head. “You know nothing about Vampires, Anya,” Ferric insisted.

  I crossed my arms. “No, not much, but you do. You could help me.”

  Ferric lifted his chin. “You’re asking for my help? Why would I do that?”

  I blew out. “Because it is important to me. Please.”

  “Your angel won’t like this.” Ferric rubbed his chin. “Fine. But the vampire works for me. I will need a replacement for Donovan.”

  I jumped and wrapped my arms around Ferric, he stiffened. “Deal, but when he isn’t working, he is with me.”

  “Damn, will you all quit talking about me like I’m not here?” Diego’s eyes spoke recognition.

  I stepped away from Ferric and pulled him into a hug. I had known he was in there somewhere. His teeth grazed my neck as Ferric pulled me back.

  Ferric sighed. “He needs to feed. I’ll take care of it. And all of this.” We looked around at the bodies everywhere.

  “But--” I started.

  He held up his hand. “You will have to trust me. No one will get hurt,” Ferric said. “Go home and wait for us. It won’t take too long.”

  I passed corpse after corpse on my way out of the house. After seven hundred years, the shock of violence and the tragedy I’d seen never went away. It was something I could never get used to, even when it was a necessity.

  My body downright ached. Even my hair hurt and I didn’t know that was possible. It was the repercussions of battle and I never got used to it. Luckily I had no broken bones; after all, I was still a human who fought vampires and the day after was always worse.

  Vampires….my eyes sprang open. “Diego.” I pushed up to find him, but arms were wrapped around me.

  “He’s fine. He is in your guest room sleeping,” Ferric leaned on his elbow. “You talk in your sleep.”

  I peeked up at him. “What did I say?”

  Ferric ran his fingers through my hair. I was surprised by his touch but let it slide. “I don’t know, but you were upset, so I stayed and there was no way I’d leave you with the new vampire by yourself. At least not yet.”

  I leaned up, and he let go. I’d been drooling on his sweater. I would not let this get awkward… I would not let this get awkward. “You didn’t wake me up when you came in.”

  “No, he was exhausted, and so were you. He’s like a baby, they sleep and feed a lot.”

  I snorted. “Great.”

  Ferric half smiled, “It’s a lot to take on. Are you sure you can do this?”

  “Compared to the alternative? Yes, I’ll make it work.”

  Ferric patted me knee and rose from the bed. “I’ll get us some coffee. Diego will sleep for awhile.”

  Ferric was suddenly very human. His usually perfect hair was tousled, and his sweater was wrinkled where I had been lying on it. He disappeared, and I hopped up and went to the bathroom. Damn, I looked like hell. I brushed my hair and changed my clothes.

  “Where did you go? This coffee smells amazing.”

  Ferric was standing in my living room, looking absolutely perfect in his alpine sweater and slacks.

  “I went home. I’m a coffee snob and you have donut coffee. No offense but I need the good stuff.” He held up a bag I buy this straight from Columbia.”

  “Of course, you do.” Ferric struck me as having to have the best of everything. I took a sip of my steaming mug. It had the perfect amount of cream and sugar.

  “Thank you for saving me last night.”

  “I would have had to answer for letting the local Alchemist get harmed.” Ferric looked away. A heavy sigh sifted through me. Ferric ran hot and cold. His passionate kisses gave way to this...indifference. I couldn’t read him; even his energy never spiked with emotion. Once again, I was reminded of what he was. I made a mental note to raise the wards to my room even higher.

  Silence fell as we sipped our coffee. I didn’t know what to say or how I felt. The past few days had been a whirlwind. I couldn’t deny I had some feelings for the Imp. It wasn’t anything I wanted to acknowledge, and it was obvious he didn’t reciprocate.

  “Thank you for all you have done, Mr. Bertrand. I have to get ready for the Christmas Eve party tonight.” I stood.

  “Are you dismissing me, Mistress? You forget that your Vampire friend will have to feed when he wakes.” Ferric leaned back on my couch.

  “So, you will hang out until he wakes? Can’t I call you?”

  Ferric was in front of me. He pulled me up out of my chair to him. His hand was on my back. The smell of his aftershave hit me, stirring up lustful feelings.

  Surprised, I stared at him. “What do you want from me, Ferric?” I was afraid of the answer. My stomach clenched. Part of me wanted his lips on mine, and the other part wanted to punch him in the throat. He was the most infuriating and beautiful man I’d ever met.

  He shut me up with a kiss. His tongue went deep, and I kissed him back. My need for him was strong, stronger than anything I’d ever experienced.

  I leaned back, breaking the kiss. “What happened to you not being Louis?”

  “Louis is dead. I’m here, and I want you. I’m tired of denying it, Anya,” he whispered into my ear. “I believe you want me as well.”

  “I do, and I’m not the same woman who cared for your brother.” I reached up and ran my hand
along his chest. “I don’t know if this can work, Ferric.”

  “You know what I am. You can’t change me. As long as you know that, it can work.”

  My body said yes, this was what I wanted. So did my heart, yet my mind went through a thousand excuses as to why this was wrong, and I shouldn’t do it. I quieted my mind and focused on his lips.

  “People will talk.” That was more my problem than his. Not that I cared what people thought, but I’d finally built my life over again. I had friends, and a purpose. My arms went around his neck, tilting my face upward to get more of a kiss.

  Ferric was hot, dangerous, and amazing. I refused to overthink it. We’d let it play out and see where it went.

  I didn’t want this to end, but I had to get everything ready for the party tonight.

  “Hmm, will you come with me tonight?” I slid my hand under his shirt and grabbed his waist.

  “You’re asking me to your Christmas party?” Ferric smirked.

  “I am.”

  He responded with a deeper kiss.

  I second-guessed myself much of the afternoon. Ferric had taken Diego to go feed, and I was at the soup kitchen. It was one of our busiest nights, and after dinner was served, the staff and family always had a party.

  Now it was time to face my friends. I’d finally rebuilt my life, and here I was, possibly throwing it all away for someone I hardly knew. If that was what it took to have him, I’d do it in a heartbeat. I couldn’t rationally explain it, but it felt right. At least I knew Andrew would forgive me; we’d been through worse.

  He was always my guest to our party, but everyone knew we were just friends. Neesy thought he was gay, or that I was.

  I folded my apron and tossed it on the counter. It was time to face my friends and their judgment. I took a deep breath and opened the door to the recreation room. Ainsley was pouring Neesy some wine and made a beeline for me as soon as he saw me.

  “Hey there, party girl,” Neesy said, handing me eggnog as she ran after her girls. I took a sip; there was a lot of bourbon. It was exactly what I needed, my liquid courage.