by Thea Dane
“That feels much better.” Salome emerged from the bathroom wearing jeans and a magenta tunic. “I could use a snack.”
“Food or the other variety?”
The woman gave her an approving smile. “I see why my son keeps you around.”
Violetta opened the fridge door. “Someone just dropped off several units of blood. Do you want a pack?”
Salome appeared to be having an inner debate. “I’m sure it’s fresh, but I can go for something fresher.”
“You mean, straight from the vein?”
“Do you know a person who’d be so willing? I like to sample the local fair.”
Lee’s mother had a bit of the traditional vampire in her after all. “I think this is where my expertise will disappoint, ma’am.”
“Oh, bother. Hand me one of those bags then.”
Violetta stepped out of the room so Salome could replenish. Fifteen minutes later, they were in the car again, driving to the west side of the city. “Do you want to stop at the city’s history museum? They have a guided tour in the evenings.”
Salome wrinkled her nose while she dabbed it with powder from a compact. “Darling, I’m over seven hundred years old. If anything in this city is younger than me, I don’t consider it to be historical at all. Besides, I like shiny new things.”
“There’s a galleria on this side of town. It has some very high-end shops.”
“Is that where the new kitchen gadget store is? I saw it advertised on the Mid-Atlantic edition of Tidy Townhomes.”
“Maybe.” Violetta took out her phone to check. “They do have a store here.”
“We must visit. If I see something I like, I’ll have it shipped back to Ireland.”
“Sounds like a plan.” It also sounded like something that would keep Salome busy for the next couple hours, which was what she needed in order to prevent the vampire from drinking the whole city dry.
For the next hour, Salome gave her an education on standalone mixers when they went inside the store. When they finished, Lee’s mother had placed orders for a new kitchen chandelier, faucets, and a new area rug to go in front of the sink.
“Do you think this is too much?” Salome asked after viewing her receipt that was at least a foot long.
“All you need now is the kitchen sink.”
Salome gasped. “Thank you for reminding me. I love farmhouse sinks. I knew I was forgetting something.”
Was she joking? Violetta stared at her for a couple seconds until Salome burst out laughing. People in the store looked at where the sound originated.
“You should have seen your face. That has to be the oldest line in the book.”
“I guess I didn’t get a chance to read it.”
Salome patted her hand. “You are so adorable. I wish all humans were as amiable as you.” Then she raised Violetta’s hand to the light. “What do you say we get our nails done? I’m due on a fill.”
“I think there’s a nail salon on the second floor of the galleria.”
She spent the next hour getting a relaxing mani-pedi with Salome. The woman filled her in about all of her house decorating as well as her village in Ireland. “I love country life, but Lee always liked the city even as a little boy.”
“I can’t imagine him so young.” Violetta put her shoes back on after her toenails had dried.
“I guess it has been some time since he was a little one no higher than one’s knickers.” Salome admired her new orange fingernails. “Of course, back then, we did actually call them knickers. I do like to think back on those days once in a while and imagine how proud Lee’s father would be of him if he were alive today.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” Salome then shook her head. “It’s those slayers who got him all those years ago.”
Violetta nearly sputtered. Did Lee’s mother mention slayers? She kept silent as she thought about the messy situation she was compounding in Lee’s world second by second. Guilt formed inside.
“You’re quiet all of a sudden. I didn’t mean to depress you. Let’s go to one more store before we head to the restaurant.”
“Where would you like to go?”
“Some place that sells great accessories. I have a very important event to go to on Christmas Eve. I can’t believe I forgot the accessories to my dress.”
Violetta knew she was talking about the coronation. “What color is your dress? There are plenty of stores here to get some accessories.”
“You are a darling. Let’s head to one after we pay for our mani-pedis.”
She went to the nail salon counter with her. “I guess I can pick out a pair of earrings for the party.”
“Party? What party?”
Violetta groan inwardly. Lee specifically told her not to let his mother know about the gala. She blew it. “It’s just something for the company.”
“I don’t care if it’s corporate. I love parties. Tell me more about it.”
“There really isn’t much to say.”
“Yes, there is.” A nail technician near the counter looked up from painting her client’s nails. “Mr. Desmond is putting on the fundraiser for some boat workers who got hurt. It’s supposed to be a really big and fun night.”
If Violetta could laser beam a message into the woman’s skull to tell her to put a sock in it, she would have done it a thousand times over. But it was too late. Salome had a gleam in her eye.
“He did mention it, now that I recall. I just might come to this party.”
Great. What was she going to say to Lee now that his mother was going to crash the party?
She went with Salome to find a necklace and bracelet for her dress. Once that was over, they headed to Hickory’s, where a server took them to Lee’s favorite table and started them off with drinks. Violetta ordered iced tea. Her roommate wasn’t working that night, she noticed.
She accepted the iced tea from the server and took a sip. “Lee should be here any minute. I sent him a reminder on his phone.”
“He works entirely too hard.” Salome held out her wine glass for the server to refill it. “He should be here.”
“Why don’t we order appetizers?”
Lee’s mother peered out at the restaurant patrons from the rim of her glass. “Actually, the people in this room look plenty tasty to me. I’m famished.”
Violetta set her glass down. “Maybe I should have brought another blood unit for you in my tote bag.”
“Leeland, son, so good of you to arrive.”
She turned to see Lee standing behind her chair. Just in time. Let the alpha vampire handle his bloodthirsty mama.
“Traffic is worse than usual this evening.” He explained his delay. “The Christmas shoppers are out in full force. How are you, mother?”
“I’m divine. Your pretty assistant and I were just talking about you.”
Lee lifted an eyebrow. “I’m sure you were.” He touched Violetta’s sleeve. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the office.” His hand lingered.
Violetta saw that Salome noticed, but said nothing about it.
His mother took another drink. “You don’t want her to stay? She’s been good company from the time she picked me up at the airport to when we shopped for earrings for her to wear to your fundraiser.”
Lee fastened his gaze on Violetta. “I need to speak with you.”
She was in hot water. She smiled at Lee’s mother and excused herself to follow him to the bar. He stopped in front of an empty stool at the far right corner. “You told her about the gala?”
“I didn’t mean to. It came up during conversation when she wanted to go shopping.”
He made a gruff sound. “My mother can’t resist a party, particularly around this time of year. She also can’t resist sampling new blood when she travels.”
“So I learned. You might have to share your Fast Dash stash with her.”
“I’ll handle it. Some of the show hosts from HHD are in town to scope out Briar City’s housin
g market. I’ll schedule a private meet and greet for her during the time of the gala tomorrow.”
“Your mother will be beyond thrilled. She just might forgive you for not picking her up at the airport.”
His gruffness went away. “Your humor is a light sometimes.”
“I didn’t think vampires liked light.”
He touched her cheek. “Thanks for keeping her company while I finished up business.”
“Sure. No problem.”
“Have a drink before you go home. You look like you’ve had a long day.” He signaled to the bartender and set a fifty on the table. “Make whatever she wants.”
He returned to the table to go sit with Salome. Violetta took a seat on the barstool and ordered a margarita.
“Want to try our Mistletoe Margarita with crushed peppermint instead of salt? It’s nice and festive.”
“Just a plain margarita.”
The bartender shrugged her off as a scrooge while he went to go mix up the ingredients for her drink. Her phone rang in her pocket. The call was from her aunt and uncle.
“Hey.”
“Where are you?” Her aunt asked.
“At Hickory’s, about to have a drink. Why?”
“Your brother’s home. He wants to see you.”
“Vince is back from L.A.?” She sat up taller. The bartender set her drink in front of her. “How long has he been in town?”
“He just came in this afternoon. He took a shuttle from the airport but didn’t tell us. He wanted it to be a surprise.”
She took a couple big gulps of her drink. It was a surprise. She didn’t know how to react to her brother being back home. If he was still recovering, he could be in a vulnerable position, especially if vampires were looking for him. “Tell him to stay put. I’m on my way.”
“He’ll be happy to see you. We will, too.”
She finished her margarita and told the bartender to keep the change.
“Leaving already?”
“Something came up.” She walked fast to get to the door. She turned back to see Lee and his mother dining at the table. Salome was all smiles. Lee looked relaxed as he ate from the appetizer platter. She stared at the scene for a moment, framed by a Christmas wreath decorating their booth. Then she opened the door of the restaurant and headed out in the cold for home.
VIOLETTA ARRIVED AT her foster parents’ home to find Vince seated in a wheelchair in their living room. He wheeled towards her when she stepped past the decorated Christmas tree. “It’s good to see you, sis.”
She bent down to give him a hug. “Same here. Why didn’t you say anything about coming back to Briar City?”
“I told Mom and Dad it was a surprise.”
She got a good look at him. A series of stitches marked his forehead below the hairline. His right arm was in a sling. Fifteen pounds was missing from his frame, but he otherwise appeared on the mend. “I’m glad California and our cousins are treating you well. You look refreshed.”
As soon as she said it, the relaxed features of his face tightened into a scowl. “I wouldn’t have had to go to Cali if it weren’t for the vampire gang that attacked me. Wish I could get my hands on their leader.”
She clasped her hands behind her back. “Vince, do you remember what the leader looked like?”
“Yeah. Some blond Swede-looking dude.” Her brother shrugged. “Why you asking?”
His description confirmed everything. She couldn’t let the visit go without telling him. “Because that gang leader’s name was Trevor Nilsson. I slayed him a couple weeks ago when he attacked me.”
Her aunt and uncle came to attention. “Are you absolutely sure?” Uncle Isaiah asked, tone demanding.
All eyes were on her. She nodded. “Lee Desmond tried and sentenced the remaining four gang members. They admitted that Trevor was their leader and that they attacked Vince at Polk Station.”
Vince shook his head, confused. “How do you know all this?”
“I was with Lee when he issued their sentence.”
“She’s working as his assistant.” Her uncle voiced, his tone laced with pride. “It looks like Desmond trusts her with all of his business, even the vampire side.”
Violetta unclasped her hands. “He doesn’t know I killed Trevor.”
Her uncle applauded. “I didn’t expect you to go in this deep. Good job.”
“Damn good job,” her brother blurted. “Uh, sorry, auntie. I know you don’t like swearing in your house.”
“I’ll let it slide this time.” Aunt Jessie laughed.
Uncle Isaiah put his hands on her brother’s shoulders. “See, Vince? Your sister’s going to make sure those vampires pay for what they did to you. Aren’t you, V?”
Violetta looked into the three eager faces before her. “I avenged my brother. Trevor’s gone. What’s the point of going after Lee now?”
“He’s going to be their vampire lord. We still need to take out the head guy.”
“But, uncle, Lee punished the gang. He stripped them of their guard status and gave them a three-year prison sentence for attacking Vince.”
“Don’t tell me you trust this predator.”
She steeled herself against the hard looks she received from her family. “I see what he’s doing to improve relations with humans.”
“Excuse me?” Vince beat his good hand on the arm of the wheelchair. “These vampires have been preying on people for centuries. Now you want to fall for their public relations BS?”
“I don’t think it’s BS.”
“Sis, look at me. I’m in a wheelchair. The doctors say it can take months before I walk again. I can never run, they say. I’m going to have to retire from slaying.”
She clamped her mouth, sad, as she processed the news of her brother never having the full use of his legs again. “That’s awful. I’m sorry.”
“Desmond is the one who’s gonna be sorry. I got something you can deliver to him. Show her, uncle.”
Uncle Isaiah unzipped the backpack hanging from Vince’s wheelchair. He withdrew a slayer kit and handed it to her brother. Vince lifted the lid of the wooden box. Inside was a large wooden stake, carved with symbols from the slayer heritage and her brother’s initials. He held it up to the light. “I wish I could be there to see this thing stained with Desmond’s blood. You’ll have to tell me all about it.” He returned the stake to the box and held out the slayer kit. “I’m passing this onto you. I trust you to do right by me with it.”
She stared at the slayer kit for what felt like a long time. Aunt Jessie surged forward, grabbed the kit, and pushed it into Violetta’s hands.
“Your parents committed themselves to hunting vampires. As a little girl, I had to watch my own father’s life drain from him when vampire guards ambushed us outside of our house.” Her eyes got big and glassy with unshed tears. Her voice swelled with painful emotion. “You take this kit and you let Lee Desmond know he and his horde aren’t welcome in Briar City. Do you understand me?”
Between her aunt’s plea for vengeance, her uncle’s push for action, and her brother’s challenge to officially take up the mantle as head slayer of the Sharpe family, Violetta was torn. She couldn’t find the words to speak again. With kit in hand, she turned to the door. The icy wind tore at her scarf as she left the house.
Chapter Nine
The night of the charity gala arrived. Violetta got dressed at the Briar City Theater venue. She stood in the female actors’ dressing room and gazed at her reflection in the large four-sided mirror.
The evening gown Lana delivered was beautiful. The top of the gown was black and strapless, with a subtle sheen in the fabric. Its skirt was vivid emerald green and swept the floor. She wore the bronze Louboutins again. This time, she got the hang of walking in them.
“Tonight calls for a bold lip.” Lana held up a tube of ruby red.
Violetta gave in. “It’s Christmas. Why not?” She swiped the shade on before she took the elevator to go to ballroom upstairs.
But the most important man of the hour stood in the center of the ballroom. Lee stood regal in his formal black tux. He turned his head as Violetta approached. His lips parted when he saw her.
“You are stunning.”
“Thanks. You clean up pretty good yourself.”
He looked down at his tux. “I have to dust this thing off every now and then for events. It holds up over time like I do.”
“Stop. You make it sound like you’re a thousand years old instead of a youthful three hundred.”
He stared at her lips when she talked. “The fundraiser has already reached its goal and the night’s just started. None of this could’ve happened without you.”
She shied under his gaze. “Are you trying to make all these compliments go to my head?”
“Every one of them is true.” He touched the sensitive underside of her wrist. “I want you to enjoy the evening. You deserve it after all your hard work.”
Her body experienced a ripple effect of tingles. His energy made her want to draw near. “You deserve to enjoy tonight, too.”
The string quartet played a gentle waltz. Lee offered his hand. “Care to dance?”
“I have no idea how to dance to this music.”
“It’s a waltz. It’s not hard. Just follow my lead.”
“I can’t be responsible for any broken feet.” She took his hand and let him draw her into the dance. Others cleared a space for them as he glided her along on the ballroom floor.
“You’re doing fine.”
Being this close to him again, letting the music’s rhythm and his body heat invigorate her, she felt more than fine. She never felt more alive. “Is this how you used to dance during Christmases long, long ago?”
Lee’s face changed into a more somber expression. He didn’t play along with her teasing. “This time of year isn’t my favorite.”