A Vampire's Fallen Christmas Star (Vampires On Holiday #2)

by M. L. Guida

  She raised her eyebrow, not believing what she was hearing. Wasn’t he a vampire killer? “That’s an urban legend.”

  He knelt and pinched her cheeks tight. “You’d like me to believe that, wouldn’t you? You’d do anything to save your own skin. Soon you’ll face Satan and pay for your sins.”

  He released her. Hate fumed through her. Before she could stop herself, she spit in his face. He slapped her across the face. Pain exploded on her cheek, and she bit her lip.

  “I bet you’d like to do more than spit in my face,” he taunted. “The hallowed mud is actually from Jerusalem—Golgotha to be exact. It’s where Christ was crucified. We found that the soil there is the most potent, deadly to the most powerful vampire.”

  He was insane. How could Jayden not see the mental illnesses rotting inside Desmond?

  One of the men smirked. Based on his pudginess and the glee in his brown eyes, he had to be Robbie Dane. She didn’t know the other two and didn’t know how many of them were here. She had no doubt Jayden would come with Michael and Derek. Unless she could get loose, she wouldn’t be able to protect Jayden, his friends, or herself.

  Desmond picked up a lock of her hair and rubbed it between his thumb and finger. “Such beautiful hair. It’s a shame that you’re one of the undead.” He wrapped her hair around his finger and pulled hard.

  Pain shot through her, and she winced, but she refused to cry out.

  “I know who you are. You and Janus Morano killed my ancestor. We’ve never forgotten. And tonight you’ll pay.”

  “Your ancestor murdered my family.”

  He released her hair and shrugged. “Your father should not have betrayed his clan. We do not take kindly to people who protect vampires.”

  She tried to kick him or do something, but her body refused to move. Her breath came out ragged.

  “You can struggle all you want, but the hallowed mud streaming through your veins is making you weaker. Don’t worry. When I cut off your lovely head, you’ll die quick.”

  He stood and drew out his sword. She braced herself to die. Desmond put the sword underneath her chin and forced her to look at him. “I want Jayden to watch you die.”

  “Why?” she asked. Her voice was strong and didn’t tremor like her insides.

  “Because he needs to see the monster who cast a dark spell over him die. He’s my brother, and I won’t let his soul rot in hell.”

  A silhouette of man stepped around a naked aspen. “You’ve a funny way of saving me—brother.”

  Jayden’s droll voice filled her with dread and happiness at once.

  Desmond jerked the sword away from her throat, nicking her.

  She flinched and bit back a cry. She stared at Jayden, hoping he wouldn’t do anything stupid and get his head decapitated. “Jayden,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “You need to get out of here while you can. I’ll be fine.”

  “Yes, Jayden,” Desmond said. “Once, she’s dead. You’ll be back to normal.”

  “You know that’s not true. Why the ski masks? It’s not like we don’t know who you are.”

  “It’s more of our signature costume.”

  “You’re kidding. You mean you psychos think you’re Batman?”

  “No, more like terrorists. A vampire’s worst nightmare.”

  “Let Eleanor and my mother go.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t do that,” he said. “If you can’t be changed, I’ll have to kill you. I need to wipe out the disease.”

  “Disease?”

  “Yes, it’s virus. Like the zombie movies,” Desmond said.

  He approached Jayden, and the fool didn’t move. Why wouldn’t he move?

  “But this isn’t Hollywood. Unfortunately, this is all too real.”

  “In all of your vampire lore, have you heard of anyone changing back to human?”

  “Never cared before. Until now. You’re my brother.” He pointed the sword at Eleanor. “And because of that bitch, you’re in jeopardy of losing your humanity.”

  Eleanor struggled to break free of her bonds, but the hallowed mud had robbed her of any vampire powers. “Jayden, save yourself. Go, before it’s too late.”

  Jayden’s hands twitched. It took all of his will not to rip out Desmond’s throat. He was baiting him. If he cut him with the sword, he’d lose his edge. For his plan to work, he had to stay sane.

  He scanned the clearing. His vampire sight allowed him to look at his surroundings as if it were in the middle of the day. Better than a red scope light.

  Rainbow Lake looked to be frozen, but looking didn’t mean it was. The aspens were bare while snow covered the branches. Besides Desmond, there were two men on either side of Eleanor. Robbie and a skinny dude guarded his mother. Based on his long legs and the long pony tail down his back, he had to be Robbie’s younger step brother, Frank, who had dropped out of high school his senior year. Jayden’s mother was at least close to the fire, but her hands were bound. Robbie held a revolver and pressed it into his mother’s side.

  Hate burned in Jayden’s heart. Betrayal tasted sour. And his so-called brother threatened the two women he loved most. Realization smacked him in the face. He did love Eleanor. He’d never felt this way about another woman. The dread of losing her sent his vampire powers tingling from his head to his toes. He crouched, ready to lunge. “What happened to you to make you so twisted?”

  Desmond stopped a few feet from him. The moon was behind him. As a human, he wouldn’t have been able to see Desmond’s features, but he wasn’t human.

  “I’m not twisted,” Desmond said. He lifted a closed fist. “I’m a champion for mankind. You don’t how many times I’ve kept you safe.”

  “Kept me safe?”

  “Many times when we’ve been on the road, I found the vampire nests and exterminated them.”

  Jayden glanced at Eleanor tied to a tree, and he wanted to rush over and save her. But he knew Desmond was counting on it. “Not all vampires are evil.”

  “That’s where you’re wrong.” He tilted his head. “You’re just saying that because you want to fuck the bitch. I’ll tell you what, brother. I’ll untie her, you can have your fun with her, then we’ll kill her. And we’ll be home for Christmas dinner.”

  Jayden recoiled. “I take it your sword is coated with hallowed mud.”

  “Of course.” Desmond swiped it in the air. “I play to win.”

  Derek and Michael circled the clearing, but Michael didn’t possess the same hunting extinct as Jayden did, the same experience with weapons. He shouldn’t have let them come, but they would have come up here anyway. At least Michael wasn’t coming alone. Jayden had insisted he bring his buddy, Caesar.

  A low, menacing growl broke the silence.

  “What’s that?” The man guarding his mother said. He gripped his sword and faced the hill. “There’s something moving up the hill.”

  “I think it’s a wolf,” Robbie said.

  “There are no wolves in Colorado, idiot,” Desmond said.

  His voice shook, and Jayden hid his smile. The great vampire killer wasn’t as fearless as he claimed—he couldn’t even recognize Michael’s German Shepherd, Caesar.

  Robbie grabbed Jayden’s mother’s arm, and she muffled beneath her gag. He was so dead. “Get your gun, Frank, and—”

  Frank pulled out a revolver and aimed it at Caesar. An arrow whizzed through the darkness and hit him in the shoulder. He sank to his knees, clutching his shoulder. His weapons dropped onto the snow.

  The smell of warm blood teased Jayden’s nostrils. It was strong, damn strong. He licked his lips. Hunger rushed over him, but if he attacked Frank, Desmond would kill Eleanor.

  “Damn you, Jayden,” Desmond said. “You brought Derek. You were supposed to come alone.”

  Ignoring the blood lust, Jayden flashed Desmond a toothy grin. Derek wasn’t good with a gun, but he was an excellent archer. “I lied,” Jayden said. “Just like you—brother.”

  Desmond pointed his s
word at him. “You’re hungry, aren’t you? You want to drink Frank’s blood. You’re a monster.”

  “No, I’m not,” Jayden said.

  Caesar stepped closer to Robbie and snarled. The back of his fur stood straight up, and the moonlight glittered off his canines.

  Robbie pressed a dagger into Jayden’s mother’s neck. “Shoot me, Derek, and I’ll kill her.”

  Desmond glared. “Michael’s here too, isn’t he?”

  “Yeah, they’re on my team.”

  “Do you know what we do to humans who harbor vampires?”

  Eleanor gasped.

  Desmond glanced over his shoulder and laughed. “You remember, don’t you, beautiful?”

  Anger surged through Jayden’s veins. “You’re a bastard. Those psychos wiped out all of Eleanor’s family. Do you think this is a game?”

  “My family did what they had to do. Vampire sympathizers deserve to die.”

  The righteousness in his voice stewed the acid in Jayden’s stomach. How could Jayden had have ever thought Desmond was his brother? Desmond wasn’t anything like Jacob. Jayden wanted to sink his fangs into Desmond’s neck then drain him dry. The fully loaded semi-automatic pistol was tucked inside his belt. He was fast, faster than Desmond. But was he faster than all four of them? If he was slow, either his mother, or Eleanor could die. Or the two wanna-be cowboy and Indian.

  Prickles ran down the back of Jayden’s neck, setting off a thousand warning signals. “Wait a minute. Where’s the slinky dude?”

  Desmond answered his question with a sly smirk.

  Damn it. Desmond had distracted him. Was that his plan all along? Crafty son-of-a-bitch.

  Jayden drew on his vampire senses, especially hearing. Listening for a crunch in the snow, a broken twig, a slight breath. But he also kept focused on Desmond. Desmond wasn’t the only hunter. “Killing women and children, Carver? That makes you a real hero.”

  “I am a hero.” Wildness flashed into his eyes. “I protect humanity from the undead. You’ll see.”

  A shimmer by a clump of pines caught Jayden’s attention. A glowing outline of a man formed. Jacob. He looked the same as when Jayden had fallen down the mountain. This time, he was pointing at a large boulder. Was he trying to tell him something? Jayden shook his head. Was it really Jacob or was his mind dealing tricks?

  Desmond tilted his head. “Brian, kill the bitch.”

  A man hiding behind a boulder rushed toward Eleanor, his sword drawn. It was like being back in medieval times.

  Michael chased him, the fool. He had no weapon and would get himself killed.

  He yelled, “Caesar, attack!”

  “Michael, stay with Derek,” Jayden ordered, but Michael didn’t listen.

  Caesar passed Michael. Brian turned around and lifted his sword to cut the dog down, but another arrow sang, hitting him in his palm. He dropped his weapon, his hand pinned to his thigh. More succulent blood burst through his wound.

  The German Shepherd leapt onto his chest and pushed him down on the snow. He towered over him, teeth bared.

  Michael grabbed his sword. “I got it, Jayden!”

  “You’re plan is unraveling,” Jayden said to Desmond.

  “Drop the sword!” Robbie ordered.

  Jayden glowered. Rather than a sword, Robbie had a gun. Out of Michael and Derek, Robbie knew how to shoot.

  Desmond chuckled. “What were you saying?”

  “Michael, stay where you are!” Jayden yelled.

  But it was as if Michael moved as if he thought he was immortal. The fool!

  Desmond raised his sword high over his head. “Death to vampires!”

  He sped toward Eleanor like a Highlander warrior.

  At the same time, Michael ran to intercept. He thrust his sword at Desmond. Pistol drawn, Robbie yanked on Jayden’s mother’s arm as he dragged her toward Michael.

  “Michael! Behind you!” Eleanor screamed.

  Robbie aimed his pistol at Michael.

  “No,” Jayden yelled. He jumped, higher and longer than a mere man, hoping he could save Eleanor and Michael. But he was too late.

  A shot rang out. Michael arched his back and fell. He collapsed behind Desmond.

  Desmond swung his sword, slicing it through the air. Eleanor braced herself against the trunk, her eyes wide with fear. Using vampire speed, Jayden snatched Desmond’s wrist and yanked it backward. Bones snapped.

  Desmond cried out. The sword slipped through his fingers.

  Caesar left Brian, who was sniveling like a worm, and rushed to Michael. The dog sniffed, then dropped down onto the ground.

  Jayden’s stomach twisted at his soft whimpers.

  Desmond held his wrist close to his stomach. “You bastard, I’m trying to save your soul.”

  Ignoring his pleading voice, Jayden lifted Desmond and tossed him across the clearing. He smashed onto the frozen lake. A loud shatter splintered through the air. “Help me! The ice is breaking.”

  Jayden didn’t care. “Then die.”

  Robbie focused his gun on Caesar, who didn’t attack. The dog was licking Michael’s face, but Michael didn’t move.

  Derek emerged out of the reeds with his bow pulled back. “Move, and you’re dead, Robbie.”

  “No, I’m not.” He held the pistol’s to Jayden’s mother’s forehead. “Fly another arrow, Robin Hood, and she’s dead.”

  Jayden knelt. “Eleanor, are you okay?”

  “Aye,” she nodded. “Help your mother.”

  Jayden slowly stood, but doubt raced down his spine. What if he couldn’t? Nothing in his plans had worked so far, but he wasn’t done, not by a long shot. “Do you actually think you can make it out of here alive, Robbie?”

  “You won’t risk your mother’s life,” Robbie said. His frightened eyes darted between Jayden and Derek. Derek didn’t have to move to shoot the fat ogre.

  “You shot one of your best friends,” Derek growled.

  “Don’t you see?” Robbie said. “He had to die. He was going to help a vampire. Hurt Desmond.”

  “Robbie, help me,” Desmond cried. Ice cracked.

  “Stay where you both are.” Robbie motioned with his gun. “Jayden, help Desmond, or I swear to God I’ll blow your mother’s brains all over.”

  “He means it,” Eleanor said. Her voice was too soft, and her head slumped forward. Shit, she was slowly succumbing to the hallowed mud.

  “I mean it, Jayden,” Robbie said.

  Tears pooled in Jayden’s mother’s eyes. She mumbled something against her gag, but not even Jayden’s sonic hearing could detect it.

  Hoping he made the right decision, Jayden rushed across the lake, his feet barely touching the cracking ice and yanked Desmond out. He threw him onto the bank. He stood next to him. “Satisfied?”

  Robbie stared. “Desmond?”

  His teeth chattered. “I’m fine.”

  “Get your sword,” Robbie said. He tilted his head. “The bitch is almost dead. Finish her.”

  Desmond dragged himself to stand and panted. “Jayden, you’ll be glad when this is over. You’ll be human again.” Desperation rang in his voice as if Jayden would believe him.

  “One of our best friends is dead, and you think I’ll be happy?”

  Desmond took a wobbling step but managed to dig the sword out of the snow. Eleanor was unconscious and dipped forward as if her head was too heavy. She’d be powerless to defend herself.

  A slight movement caught his eyes. Michael. He was moving his hand. Through the darkness, neither Desmond nor Robbie could see him.

  Don’t do anything stupid.

  But Michael reached into his back pocket and pulled out a switch-blade. He lifted up to throw it.

  “Michael’s not dead!” Desmond cried.

  Robbie fired. But not fast enough. The blade hit Desmond in the knee, and he toppled onto his side.

  A gunshot cut the night like a cannonade.

  Michael screamed.

  Rage consumed Jayden. Robbie had sh
ot Michael twice. Now, he’d pay for his stupidity.

  Robbie fired the gun, but no bullets came out. Empty.

  He shoved Jayden’s mother in front of him like a shield. He pulled out his blade and held it to her throat. “I swear I’ll cut her. I mean—”

  Before he could finish, the blade flew out of his hand. Jacob appeared, his eyes blazing.

  Jayden sucked in his breath. He was here. He wasn’t dreaming this time. He wanted to rush over and hug him, beg for his forgiveness.

  Robbie screamed. He turned tail and scampered like a yellow-spine hamster down the rocky path toward Frisco.

  Jayden’s mother stumbled. She put her hand on her mouth. “Jacob?”

  Jacob smiled.

  Jayden wanted to stay and enjoy the family reunion, but he had a fat rodent to kill. Too overwhelmed with rage, he easily overtook Robbie. If Jacob hadn’t been there, Robbie would have killed Jayden’s mother, a woman consumed with grief. Jayden’s incisors lengthened. He grabbed Robbie’s arm, whirled him around, and ignoring Robbie beating him with his hand, sank his teeth into his roly-poly neck. Blood rushed into his veins, and he drew on the hot blood. He was surprised at the images floating through his mind.

  But the images weren’t his, they were Robbie’s. The bastard had planned to kill all of them. He wanted no witnesses.

  Jayden sucked harder and harder until the images faded into blackness. He lifted his head and stared into Robbie’s lifeless eyes. Jayden wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. Wetness dripped down his chin onto his shirt. He felt nothing. No pity. No remorse. No regret.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Eleanor’s vision blurred. The men, trees, and lake turned fuzzy. She shook her head to concentrate. But weariness seeped into her strained muscles, and it would be so easy to give up the fight and sleep.

  No! Stay awake! Fight!

  The words were a tiny echo in her mind. Hallowed mud drew on her life force. If she didn’t draw on blood soon, she’d be dead.

  A sloshing sound brought her attention. Desmond clutched a sword in his hand and crawled toward her. Lord, didn’t the man ever give up?

  She wanted to call out for Jayden, but when she opened her mouth, only a slight gasp whooshed out.