The Vampire Next Door

by Ashlyn Chase

  She may not have meant for Sly to hear it, but he did and laughed. “Why are you so surprised, Roz? I heard you were the one who suggested Merry offer me the love shack.”

  She giggled. “Oops. She told you, did she?”

  “Yup.”

  “You’re not upset about the matchmaking, are you?” Konrad asked.

  Sly shook his head. “Far from it. Everything has worked out better than I could have hoped.”

  “You’re with Morgaine, right?” Roz asked.

  “Correct.”

  “We thought we noticed sparks between you two.” Roz winked. “I guess you just needed a little push.”

  “Here, let me get you inside and we can talk some more.” Sly fit his key in the lock and let them in to the building. “Who did you come to see?”

  “Whoever’s around,” Konrad said. “We’ve missed everybody.” He shrugged out of his jacket and helped Roz with hers. “We were in town for The Nutcracker and thought we’d stop by.”

  “Great idea. So if no one’s expecting you, who do you want to start with?”

  Roz and Konrad stared at each other as if communicating telepathically. Oh yeah, they probably were.

  “Why don’t we all go see Morgaine? You two can tell us about your plans.”

  Sly led the way to the elevator. “There’s not much to tell. I just asked her. Merry and Jason offered their penthouse for the handfasting ceremony, and we agreed to take them up on that.”

  As they rode the elevator to the third floor, he asked, “So how about you two? Made any plans yet?”

  “Not yet,” Roz said. “We’re still settling into the routine of private school life. All we’ve figured out so far is we’ll have our ceremony next summer.”

  Konrad squeezed her. “But now that we have a two-week break, there’s plenty of time to make reservations and stuff. I guess we’ll have to plan on an evening so you can attend, but we’ll be careful to avoid the full moon, of course. That could be awkward for Roz’s relatives.”

  Roz raised her eyebrows. “To put it way mildly.”

  The old friends chuckled.

  The elevator came to a stop, and they proceeded to Morgaine’s door. Sly knocked. No footsteps sounded on the other side. Could she be out and about? Nah. He knocked again. When there was still no answer, he said, “She must be over at Gwyneth’s.”

  They traipsed across the hall and knocked on the opposite door. Again, no footsteps. Another knock. No answer.

  “That’s strange. They must have gone out together.”

  Suddenly, the decorated broom hanging on Gwyneth’s door jumped.

  Konrad chuckled. “It looks like Chad’s home.”

  Sly had never needed to communicate with Chad when Morgaine wasn’t around, but it might be nice to try. “Hey, Chad, can you make the broom move up and down for yes and side to side for no?”

  The broom lifted a couple of inches and fell back in place. “Okay, that looks like a yes. Are Morgaine and Gwyneth in the building somewhere?”

  The broom swept the door back and forth until Sly interpreted out loud, “No.” He turned to his friends. “Hmmm… That’s unusual.”

  Roz shrugged. “Maybe they went shopping. Morgaine and I went a few months ago. She had all kinds of fun trying on new clothes.”

  Sly nodded. “She told me about your makeover. She really did have fun. That’s probably where they went then.”

  He turned to leave but before he got far, he felt something soft whap him in the back of the head. Spinning back to face Gwyneth’s door, he noticed the broom wagging back and forth.

  “Do you have something to say to me, Chad?”

  The broom lifted and fell. That meant yes.

  Sly looked at Roz and Konrad. “Can either of you hear him?”

  “No,” they both answered.

  Now what?

  At that moment a door downstairs opened.

  “Nathan?” Sly leaned over the railing and called down.

  He couldn’t see him, but it was Nathan’s voice that answered, “Yeah, buddy?”

  “Can you communicate with Chad?”

  “Not unless he points to something and I happen to guess what he wants. Usually he just points to the TV and if I don’t turn it on, he points to me with his middle finger.”

  Roz and Konrad chuckled.

  “Who’s up there with you?” Nathan asked.

  “It’s Konrad and Roz back to visit,” Konrad said. “We were trying to find Morgaine but the girls aren’t here.”

  “I know. They’re Christmas shopping.”

  By now, Nathan had found the one spot where he could look up through the stairwell and make eye contact with the trio leaning over the third-floor railing.

  Sly’s eyes grew wide. “Christmas shopping? Like, for us?”

  Nathan grinned. “Well, yeah. It’s not like they buy gifts for each other at this time of year.”

  “Shit,” Sly muttered. “I didn’t get her anything. And tomorrow is the winter solstice. That’s the holiday they celebrate. It’s called Yule. If we’re getting gifts for our holiday, we should reciprocate for theirs.”

  Roz spoke up. “You know what, Sly, you should go get something for her while there’s still time. We can always visit Merry and the baby until you get back.”

  He thought it over and agreed. “Okay, I wouldn’t just run out on you, but this is important. What should I get her?”

  Roz tipped her head and tapped her bottom lip, as if she were giving it some thought. “Hmmm… Let’s see. What do you give a woman you want to marry? Oh, I know!” She waggled her third finger on her left hand. The pretty little marquis diamond sparkled in the light from the sconces.

  “A ring? Really? It’s that simple?”

  Roz smirked. “If you can afford it, you’ll never have an easier no-brainer gift to get.”

  * * * *

  Only Sly couldn’t afford it. The visitors had called Merry and were welcomed up into the penthouse, so Sly was on his own to figure this out.

  Nathan waited at the bottom of the stairs, and Sly jogged down to talk to him.

  “How do you know they went Christmas shopping?”

  “Gwyneth stopped by and asked me all of my sizes, so I guess I’m getting clothes.”

  “Did you buy her anything yet?”

  “Yes. She has pierced ears, so I got her a pair of earrings.”

  “Hmmm…” Unfortunately, Morgaine had about seven piercings, so Sly didn’t know how to handle that. Would he have to buy three and a half pairs of earrings? And, with what? Would she want something he got with his charm, good looks, and powers of mesmerism?

  Sly shook his head. “I have to think of something else. Got any other ideas?”

  “I thought Roz told you what to get.”

  Sly hung his head. “I know. A ring. I can’t afford anything, much less a ring. I haven’t begun tutoring yet, but I dropped off some flyers around the colleges. If only I had another couple of weeks. Do you know when they’re planning to do this?”

  “You can borrow some money from me. I have a bunch saved, just in case I get evicted.”

  In case he got evicted? Who thinks about that when saving money? Oh, yeah. He was talking to Nathan… Mr. Gloom and Doom.

  “I’m sorry, Nate. I couldn’t take your money. Not that you’ll be getting evicted or anything. It’s just that to me, it would seem like you’re buying Morgaine’s ring.”

  “But I’m not marrying her.”

  Sly chuckled, trying to picture the unlikely pair. “No, you’re not, so I should be the one to buy her a gift.”

  Nathan clapped him on the back. “I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes, buddy. But I doubt Morgaine is the type to expect a big, fancy diamond ring. You could probably get away with a thin, silver band.”

  Ha. Silver. I might burn my fingers on it. And she might too, if I turn her. Then, it was as if a lightbulb lit up over Sly’s head. Of course! “You’re right. She’s not the type to care about exp
ensive material things. I know just what to get.”

  “Good. Glad I could be of help.”

  “I do have to do an errand though.”

  Chapter 24

  Gwyneth’s knitting needles clicked as she knitted and rocked. “Morgaine, are you sure a sweater is enough of a gift?”

  “It is if you knit it with your own hands.”

  “I love the black wool we got, and the pattern is nice, but I haven’t knit anything for a few years. Last knittin’ I did was a flask cozy for Dwayne.”

  Morgaine chuckled. “A cozy for his booze?”

  Gwyneth pouted. “It’s what he wanted. The metal flask got cold in winter.”

  Morgaine had all she could do to hold in her laughter. Dwayne was still a sore spot for Gwyneth.

  Suddenly, Gwyneth brightened and sat up straighter. “I know what he really wants. Yeah, that’ll do it.” She fell silent and returned to her knitting, but she sported a satisfied smile.

  “Uh-oh. What are you thinking?”

  “None of your beeswax. It’s personal.”

  “What? A blow job?”

  Gwyneth gasped. Morgaine waited for the indignant denial, but to her surprise, her cousin asked, “Have y’all learned to read minds now?”

  Morgaine slapped a hand over her mouth, but she lost the battle and guffawed.

  Gwyneth stopped knitting and leaned forward, her eyebrows scrunched. “What?”

  Morgaine waved away the giggles. “Nothing. It’s a great gift. Any man would be thrilled, especially one who loves you so much.” An unexpected sadness came over her.

  Gwyneth noticed her mood change. “What is it, Cousin?”

  “I just wonder if Sly loves me that much. He seemed so shocked that I’d want to be with him forever. I thought that’s what commitment was all about.”

  “Oh, sugar… y’all are lookin’ at this all wrong. I thought me and Chad explained it to y’all already.”

  “Y’all… I mean, you did. I just wasn’t quite in agreement.”

  At that moment a knock sounded on the door. “I’ll get it,” Morgaine said.

  “Thanks, I know it’s my apartment and all, but I’m all comfortable and covered with yarn so I’d be much obliged.”

  Morgaine opened the door and was surprised to see Sly standing there.

  “Hi, hon. You’re just the one I wanted to see.”

  How did he know she was here at Gwyneth’s place? Oh, yeah. Superhuman hearing. I guess I’ll never know what that’s like.

  “Nice to see you, Sly.”

  “Why so formal? Is everything all right?”

  Gwyneth butted in. “She thinks y’all don’t love her enough to turn her. Personally, I think she’s crazy for wantin’ it, but who am I to judge?”

  Morgaine whirled on her. “Gwyneth!”

  Sly put his hands in his pockets. “I thought as much. We need to talk.”

  Morgaine sighed. “I guess we do. Gwyneth, I’ll see you later. You’re still coming over for dinner and the burning of the Yule log, right?”

  “Of course. I wouldn’t miss it. Remember that cake Yule log I made last year?”

  Ugh. Don’t tell me she still has it.

  “I just made another one exactly like it. I thought we could invite Nathan and Sly over for dessert. Well, wine for Sly.”

  Whew. The cake isn’t stale and hard as a rock. “Sure. Sly, would you be interested in celebrating Yule with us tonight?”

  “Absolutely. I was going to ask you when I could give you your Yule gift.”

  Morgaine sucked in a breath. “A Yule gift? For me?”

  “Why are you so shocked? I heard you went Christmas shopping.”

  “Oh… I did. It won’t be ready tonight though.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll give you your Yule gift today, and you can give me my Christmas present on Christmas.”

  She smiled sadly. “That would be fine with me, except your gift won’t be ready for Christmas either. I tried, but it’s kind of complicated.”

  “That doesn’t matter. We can have a belated Christmas anytime.”

  She gave him a coquettish look. “I’ll make it up to you.”

  Gwyneth laughed.

  He grinned. “I’ll look forward to that. So, can you come down to my apartment?”

  “Sure.” She waved to her cousin, called, “See you later,” and closed the door behind her.

  * * * *

  The night before, Sly had mesmerized a jewelry maker, telling her she would give him three pieces of white gold and he would pay her back as soon as he could. The cost wasn’t prohibitive because they were raw materials and nothing had been designed from them yet. Sly knew exactly what he wanted to do.

  He braided all three bands of gold, bent them around a dowel to meet, cut the ends to barely overlap, and then used his vampiric strength to fuse them together. On the flat section where he’d pressed, he used a sharp needle and, in his best cursive handwriting, inscribed their initials… SF & MM. It came out better than he had envisioned.

  He was excited to show it to her and hoped it would mean more because he’d made it by hand just for her.

  Morgaine appeared nervous while he unlocked his door. She shifted from foot to foot behind him.

  “What’s wrong, Morgaine?”

  “Nothing.” She slapped a smile on her face so fast that he almost didn’t catch the worried expression it had replaced.

  He opened his door and stepped aside for her to enter.

  “Seriously, how are you, love?”

  “I’m well. I suppose you are too, since you never get sick unless you come into contact with silver or sun. And now that you have your wine, you don’t even have to worry about that.”

  “I don’t know about silver yet. I haven’t tried handling it.”

  Is she being sarcastic? No, that’s not my Morgaine. “I want you to know I’m rather proud of what I made for you. I hope you like it.”

  “You made something for me? That’s so sweet.”

  All the jittery nerves and frosty formality seemed to disappear.

  “Wait in the living room. I’ll go and get it.”

  She grinned and strolled over to his sofa.

  He had it in his bedroom, having been unsure when he’d have the opportunity to give it to her. He thought giving it to her before or after making love would be nice, but come to think of it, giving gifts while wearing nothing but underwear seemed a little unromantic.

  He plucked it off the dresser and returned to her. On the way, it glowed. Maybe it was simply the way the light hit the metal. Perhaps he’d infused it with the light of love. That idea pleased him.

  He curled his fingers around the ring and hid his hand behind his back.

  Morgaine smiled. “You’re not going to make me guess which hand, are you?”

  “No.” Sly sat beside her. “I just didn’t have a box or wrapping paper. I hope that’s okay.”

  She smirked. “No, absolutely not. I must have wrapping paper.”

  Sly knew she was joking but decided to play along. “Oh, never mind then.” He started to rise.

  She grabbed a fistful of his shirt and dragged him back down. “No, I’m kidding. I’ll forgo the wrapping… this time.”

  He grinned and kissed her on the cheek. “I thought as much.” Then he opened his hand.

  Morgaine caught her breath. Her eyes grew wide, but she didn’t say anything. She picked up the beautiful ring and examined it.

  “You made this?”

  Sly nodded.

  “It’s beautiful.” She stared openmouthed.

  “Let me try it on you and see if it fits.”

  “Okay.” She held out her left hand, then her right. “Which hand should I wear it on?”

  “Well, now, that’s up to you.”

  She grinned and dropped her right hand, keeping her left hand extended for him. He slipped it on her ring finger, and it fit perfectly.

  “Wow, how did you know my size?”

  �
�I didn’t. I guessed.”

  “Good guess.” She held up her hand and admired it. “I can’t get over it. You made this?”

  “Yup.”

  “How?”

  “Brute strength. I suppose you’ll be able to do the same thing someday soon… if you’re still interested.”

  She whipped her gaze to his face. “Interested? In what?”

  “Becoming my vampire bride.”

  She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight.

  * * * *

  On Valentine’s Day, the happily engaged couple sat in front of a cozy fire in Sly’s apartment. After exchanging Valentines and kissing fervently, it was time for Morgaine to spring her big surprise.

  “I hope you didn’t mind waiting until now for your Christmas gift. It took a while to put it all together.” Morgaine admired her ring again. Every time she looked at it, it reminded her of the man she loved with all her heart. It still seemed like a dream that he’d fallen in love with her too.

  “I don’t mind at all. I admit I’m curious though. You and Gwyneth have been up to something.”

  She chuckled. “Yes, we have. But this gift is also from Merry and Jason. It’s a little weird, but I think you’ll be happy.”

  He glanced at her sideways. “Weird, huh?”

  “You’ll see.”

  She took him by the hand and led him out of his apartment to the basement door. “Do you want to go first or shall I?”

  “Why? Am I going to trip over it?”

  She chuckled. “No. It might surprise you though.”

  “Hmmm…” He bowed and swept his arm in a grand gesture. “Ladies first.”

  Morgaine couldn’t wait to see the expression on his face when he saw the enterprise the four of them had set up. Gwyneth had suggested the idea, and then Merry and Jason hired some help to put the whole business together. Morgaine had insisted on paying for the supplies. Her biggest and best surprise she’d save until last.

  She flicked on the light switch and descended the stairs with Sly behind her. At the point where he could see the actual layout, he halted.

  “What the…”

  Morgaine giggled. “Can you tell what it is?”

  “I see a big wooden vat, some shelves that look like they’re made for wine bottles, and a few other pieces I’m not familiar with. It looks like a whole wine-making operation.” He reached the bottom of the stairs and wandered through the setup.