Christmas Healing

by Fenris, Morris

  “I haven’t seen you in quite some time, Tony,” the stranger said. “How have you been?”

  “Fine,” Tony replied, his grip on Annalise’s wrist tightening. “What can we do for you?”

  “Tony,” Dr. Hever scolded him. “Gregory is here to ask a favor of us.”

  The others seemed to be staring in awe, and Annalise cocked her head in confusion.

  “Sorry, I’m lost. I’m Annalise,” she said with a smile on her face. Gregory shook it.

  “Yes, I’ve heard great things about you my dear. That you’ve gotten this family into such good shape, blending in perfectly with the human world.”

  “I uh, sure…” she said. “Sorry, who are you?”

  “My apologies, I haven’t properly introduced myself. My name is Gregory Bugresson. I am the oldest of the Initials.”

  Annalise gasped. She hadn’t placed the name until now, but she finally understood. This was the vampire king, standing in their hallway. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out, and so Gregory continued.

  “And Dr. Hever is right. I have come to ask a favor of you. You are the best in the business, so the word is. My family and I require your services.”

  “I’m sorry?” she replied, confused.

  Gregory cleared his throat, looking around.

  “I suppose I should tell you, as it will get out soon enough. Most of you know my brother Brock was recently awakened from Torpor. Two days ago, my brother Arthur awoke as well.”

  “Arthur?” Tony said, startled. “I didn’t even know he still existed.”

  Gregory smiled slightly.

  “Arthur exists, and is very much alive these days. However, he is very outdated. And so that’s why we need to borrow Annalise for awhile.”

  “No!” Tony was quick to snap.

  “ Tony!” His adoptive father gave him a harsh look.

  “Seriously, no!” Tony wasn’t daunted by the discipline. “Are you crazy? These are the Initials, Father. Their reputation precedes them as dangerous. And Annalise is in treatment here, you can’t just …”

  “Ahem,” Gregory cleared his throat, his voice remaining calm. “I appreciate your concern, Tony, but we are in need of your culture teacher, and no more shall be said on the matter. Annalise will be well provided for, monetarily and medically.”

  Annalise looked up to Dr. Hever, taking a step further back to Tony’s arms. The vampire king wanted her to go with him, to teach his brother who hadn’t even opened his eyes in a thousand years? As well, she knew the stories of the Initials, and Tony was right, they only stood for danger and destruction. A thousand years ago, it was commonplace to kill without blinking, and she didn’t think they had updated their opinions on that. What if she did it wrong? What if she wasn’t that good at it? Would they just dispose of her?

  “I ---“ A stutter came into her voice. “Thank you for your offer, but I think I’ll just stay here. Tony’s right. I’m in treatment here, and really, I’m not that good. I mean, I’ve worked with a few others, but nothing like your brother, and I don’t think …”

  “Annalise,” Dr. Hever’s voice was soft, but firm. His eyes were sad. “Gregory is the King of the Vampires and our sire, our bloodline. We cannot disobey him.”

  Annalise’s mouth hung open.

  “I … you mean I can’t …”

  “He means it isn’t a choice,” Tony growled, the old warrior coming into his voice. “We have no choice but to let him take you.”

  Annalise spun back to Gregory, tears filling her eyes. The vampire king seemed unaffected by this.

  “I’ll give you an hour to pack my dear, and make your excuses. But we really do need to hurry. Arthur is in desperate need.”

  “Will I … see my family again?” she asked, and Gregory smiled.

  “A great man once said there is nothing to fear but fear itself. If all goes well, hopefully you’ll be back in time for Christmas. It depends on how fast you work. “

  But looking at him, Annalise felt there was a lot more to fear than that.

  Chapter 2

  Annalise held her bag tight against her body, as if that would shield her from whatever she was about to approach. She wasn’t afraid of vampires, as a rule, of course. She had so many of them come in and out of her life that the actual fear of them had long since disappeared. But one glance from the Initials still struck fear into her heart, even after the long plane ride sitting next to Gregory, and the drive from the airport courtesy of Knox.

  As kind as they were, offering to stop in for food and pick up anything she needed that wasn’t crammed into her purple suitcase, it still didn’t change the fact that she was a prisoner. They were the kindest jailers that she had ever met, and her expense account was unlimited. But she hadn’t wanted to leave Tony, or the Hevers at all, and she had no choice in the matter. Like it or not, she was going to help Arthur Bugresson.

  She had begun to hate him before they even landed, her stomach turning in anticipation of entering the Bugresson house, the door slamming behind her. What if this was all a trap and they just wanted to get her alone to kill her? She knew the Hever’s weren’t well liked in some circles, and this could easily be a creative revenge.

  She was tired, the trip already exhausting her, and she wanted nothing more than to be curled up in her bed, safe and warm, with Tony’s watchful gaze over her. But instead, she was freezing to death, first on the plane and then in the car, the vampires not picking up that the air conditioner was on full blast.

  Whoever this Arthur Bugresson was, it was his fault for falling into self-imposed Torpor for a thousand years. What did he expect, to wake up and feel the world was just the same? Things moved so fast that the phone that came out yesterday was now outdated; so how could he think that nothing would change?

  By the time she stepped through the door, she had made up her mind to hate him, do her job as quickly as possible, and then hopefully leave before she was killed.

  “Full house now,” said a boy about her age as they entered. He was sitting in the kitchen, munching on what appeared to be the world’s biggest sandwich. She didn’t immediately pick up on the fact that he was a vampire until they were introduced. Vampires could eat, drink, walk in the sunlight, mimic breathing and even make their heart beat, if they chose. Legends were full of telltale signs, but many of them just didn’t exist.

  “Annalise, this is my youngest brother, Brock,” Gregory said, as they shut the door behind them. “Brock is recently awake from Torpor after 100 years, so he’ll be joining you for some of your later lessons.”

  It was a comment, not a question, that she would be acquiring this extra student with the mischievous grin. She nodded, holding out her hand.

  “Hi,” she said, although it wasn’t very friendly. Brock, to her surprise, took it and kissed it.

  “My pleasure. She’s a pretty one, Gregory.”

  “Perhaps you can get to your lesson on etiquette sooner rather than later,” Gregory said to Annalise, but glared at Brock.

  “Uh … sure,” she said, following Gregory as they stepped past Brock. From the door on the left, raised voices came in a language that Annalise didn’t understand. Gregory immediately pushed the door open.

  Inside, there was a girl a little older than Annalise, with jet black hair and almond eyes, her hands flying in explanation and annoyance. Annalise had taught the Hevers sarcasm and tone long enough to understand, even if the language was foreign to her. She appeared to be yelling at the missing link between the three brothers. Arthur was tall, and broad shouldered. Although only a year younger than Gregory, he looked more aged, with longer hair and a thinner frame. His eyes were wide as he responded in the same language, his limbs rigid with fear.

  “Arthur!” Gregory said, trying to get his attention, and they both turned, looking at the visitors for the first time. Arthur’s head swiveled to Annalise and his nose twitched. She knew he was smelling her infected blood, the taste of non-tempting human, a strange sensation.
He took a tiny step back, and in that moment, her heart almost broke.

  Here she was, having flown across the country in comfort, not blinking twice at the planes or cars or cell phones. The Initials had no reason really to hurt her or kill her. All they wanted was comfort for their brother who looked ready to expire from fear at any moment. Her eyes softened, and she took a small step, her hand out. She missed home, and she wanted to go back as soon as possible. However, that didn’t mean that she couldn’t at least try to talk some sense into this one.

  “Arthur,” she said, softly, pointing to him. “Annalise,” she said pointing to herself, a Tarzan and Jane moment.

  Perhaps it was because Annalise was half a foot shorter than Diana, and 30 lbs lighter. Perhaps it was because her blood didn’t smell like a buffet, or her eyes weren’t jaded and fierce. Whatever it was, Arthur’s muscles relaxed, although he didn’t move from the spot. He said something in Latin, and Diana turned to Gregory with a smirk.

  “He says your law has gone soft, there are humans everywhere who know of his existence.”

  Gregory looked annoyed. “Tell him Annalise evokes the law of deliverance.”

  “What’s that?” Annalise asked, but Gregory waived his hand, indicating she should be quiet. The girl didn’t need to know that the law said that those dying would be allowed to know of their existence. She would be unmotivated then.

  “The Initials are the most feared and most irrational of all vampires. They rule by absolute law, and it’s built into all of us to obey. Sometimes they are reasonable, some of them more than others, but it comes down to the fact that, like a domesticated tiger, they can kill at any moment and not a thing could be done about it.”

  Tony’s words echoed in her head. She had pictured them as animals, but they seemed so civilized here in the house.

  “Shall we get to it?” Diana said, clearly over whatever outburst Arthur had. “You only have me for another three weeks and we are making no progress.”

  “If progress is not made, I can assure you that your contract is extended,” Gregory replied, with a hint of a growl. Diana seemed unafraid and rolled her eyes, gesturing to the couch.

  “Annalise, welcome to purgatory. Please, sit.”

  “Oh … I uh …” her bag was still in her hands. “Are you teaching language? I don’t need to …”

  “On the contrary, it’d be better if you could communicate with Arthur once Diana leaves us,” Gregory replied.

  “Oh …” Annalise put her bag down, daring not to ask for a shower or a nap, and leaned back against the couch. After a few moments of intense standoff, Arthur settled in the arm chair and Diana on the couch beside him.

  “How do you know Latin?” Annalise asked, curious, looking around for Diana’s books or tools. But the girl had nothing on hand.

  “I’m a translator, professionally. My boyfriend used to give me shit for blowing thousands of dollars on ancient language courses, but this is coming in handy. Otherwise, I just use it for texts and old tombs.”

  “Right,” Annalise nodded. “I don’t even speak Spanish, so I’m not sure I’m going to be able to learn anything.”

  “You will,” Diana smiled. “This isn’t school, I’m not going to test you. The best way is practice, so we just have conversations.” Her head swiveled to Arthur, who was glaring at her. Annalise understood, in a way. The last time this vampire had walked the earth, he had been a prince, second only to his brother, the king. He had also made up his mind to die. And now, here he was, being treated like a child and awake against his will. She could certainly understand that.

  There were times in the hospital when she just wanted to be left alone, to not have chemo forced upon her, to not be asked again and again ‘did you take your meds’. And sometimes, in the worst of it, to not take them at all. Annalise believed in natural death, believed in heaven, and wanted to see it someday. Unlike other humans who worked alongside vampires, it wouldn’t be a lifestyle she chose when the time came. She was curious to know the next step, beyond life here.

  “Arthur, Annalise is going to teach you 1000 years worth of history,” Diana said, calmly, in English, as if he hadn’t just spent time screaming at her. “What do you think has changed the most?”

  He cocked his head at her like a dog, and Annalise giggled a bit. Arthur turned to her, staying silent, and her eyes lit up. She reached into her bag, pulling out the only thing she had brought on the plane as useful, her 10th grade history textbook. Opening at the first page, a fully colorful picture of a 11th century painting, she passed it over to him.

  The book only went as far back as 1050, so he wouldn’t quite remember it, but the meaning was clear. There was a church, the star of Bethlehem painted high in the night sky, and Mary on a donkey with the baby Jesus.

  “Christmas,” Annalise said, meeting his eyes as his finger traced the picture.

  “Christmas,” he repeated, clearly enough, and then hesitantly, not taking his eyes off Annalise, angled the book towards her. “Yes, the same.”

  Annalise furrowed her brow, turning to Diana.

  “He remembers?”

  “The painting is something he remembers, the tradition as it was then,” she said, as if she could read his brain. “You could try explaining it to him, and I could translate. Obviously, Latin didn’t have words for everything, but we’ll see what we can do.”

  “Is that the … best way?” Annalise asked, and Diana nodded.

  “Sure. Conversation is the most important form of communication. Go ahead.”

  “Um …” Annalise wasn’t quite sure where to start. With the Hevers, it was easier. They understood her perfectly, except for slang, and they had only spent 50 years living in the wilderness, waiting for a time to return to the world when no one would remember them. But this was so different. Despite having spent hours teaching culture, she felt lost. But she started talking anyways.

  “So Mary and Joseph went to the Inn, you must know that, and it was full, so they had to sleep in the barn and she had baby Jesus there, the Son of God. And lots of people visited with presents and blessings. Three Wise Men and people came from really far. Today, on the day of Jesus’ birth, to celebrate him, people put up decorations and give each other presents and cards and candy.”

  Diana paused at candy, and then tried a different word. Arthur looked confused and Annalise reached into her purse again, pulling out the ginger wrapped candies she used for nausea. They weren’t the best introduction to the world of sugar, but it was something. She handed one to each of them and unwrapped it.

  “Candy,” she said, with a grin and popped it in her mouth. Diana did the same, making a bit of a face. Arthur was more hesitant, watching to see if the girls were going to drop dead, if they were trying to poison him. When neither of those things happened, he placed the ginger sugar on his tongue and bit into it. And then, for the first time, he smiled. He had a beautiful smile that went all the way to the crinkles in his eyes, and it was just for a moment, but it made Annalise realize that perhaps this wasn’t as hopeless as she had thought.

  “What the hell are these?” Diana asked, unimpressed. Annalise was already pulling out two more, cherry lifesavers that she had in case she was with vampires who didn’t have food.

  “How do you say different?” Annalise asked, handing one of the red candies to Arthur. “Different candies.”

  “Diversae dulcis,” Diana said with a shrug. “Different sweet, really.”

  “Diversae,” Annalise repeated, her accent off, as she handed one to Arthur. She was glad he ate. It was something they could share together. Some vampires, needing only to exist on blood, didn’t bother in the pleasure of meals anymore. But some quite enjoyed the different tastes and smells and ate as often as humans did. It wasn’t necessarily for nourishment, although it could quell a craving for a little bit if needed.

  “Melius,” said Arthur after a moment and Diana snorted, nodding.

  “Yes, those ones are better.”


  Annalise only had one other type of candy in her bag, a yellow jawbreaker, but she figured that was a whole lesson in itself. Arthur had smiled twice at her now, which was a damn site better than when she had come in earlier. The jet lag was getting to her, and she yawned hugely.

  “We can be done for the day,” Diana said. “Finitoque, Arthur.”

  Apparently, he didn’t need to be told twice. He stood immediately. The girls may not have any power, but he was there under his brother’s orders. And whether or not the power of obeying the vampire king flowed through his blood, Annalise had a feeling that he obeyed anyway, out of duty. It was such a different time back then, when nobody really thought for themselves, or considered thinking outside the box.

  Once gone, Diana offered to help her take her stuff upstairs.

  “You’re dating a vampire, right?” Annalise asked, as they brought the bags upstairs from the hallway, no boys in sight.

  “Yep, for a few years now. I’ve done a few translation gigs, mostly for traveling vampires, so I’m safe from the law. What about you? You have a boyfriend back home?”

  “Uh, not really,” Annalise shook her head. “My best friend is a guy … and sometimes it gets … I don’t know, awkward. But he’s married and happy.”

  “But do you like him?”

  “I don’t know,” Annalise shrugged. “I teach them all, the whole family. Nothing like this though.”

  “You only live once,” Diana grinned as they got to the top of the stairs and she pushed open a door.

  The room was more luxurious than anything Annalise had ever seen with a four poster king bed, candles on the wall, and a velvety soft rug. It looked like it was made for a Princess.

  “Wow,” she breathed in, looking around.

  “I’m going to head into town,” Diana said, breaking her moment of awe. “Do you need anything?”

  “Just … uh …” Annalise tried to make her brain work. “Is there anything I should know about Arthur? What were you fighting about, when we came in?”

  Diana’s face darkened as she thought.