A Warrior Christmas

by Gabelman, Teresa

  “I have never heard you talk like this.” Katrina listened in awe.

  “I’ve never had a reason to.” Blaze kissed her softly. “Now, come on. Let’s finish these lists so I can get you home.”

  With Blaze’s help, they were done quickly. As they passed the jewelry, she spotted the bracelet she had looked at earlier when they’d first got there, but she kept going. Blaze stopped her and the cart as he backtracked, looking at the bracelet before guiding her to a checkout lane.

  Katrina noticed how all the women were eyeing up Blaze, and how could she blame them? She was always caught staring at him too. He didn’t seem to pay attention to the women who were openly gazing at him. She, on the other hand, shot a few of them nasty glares.

  As their total was rung up, Blaze pulled out his wallet. “Wait, I have the money you gave me.”

  Shaking his head, he handed the cashier cash. “Keep it.”

  “But….” Katrina tried to give it to him, but he refused to take it.

  “Honey, when a man tells you to keep the money, you keep the money.” The woman smiled with a chuckle.

  “Yeah, listen to her.” Blaze winked at the older woman, making her blush. He loaded the bags into the cart, then politely thanked the cashier. They waited for everyone to finish before walking out. “Who did you ride with?”

  “Nicole and Damon,” she answered, taking a glance up at him to see him glaring at something. She looked that way to see a man checking her out, his eyes moving up and down her body as he slowed.

  “Move the fuck along, buddy,” Blaze growled, his eyes narrowing dangerously. When the man hurried his steps, she glanced at Blaze. “I swear, if one more man eyes you like that, I’m going to set him on fire.”

  A chuckle escaped her throat before she could stop it. “Sorry.” She tried to stop it but more followed.

  “Oh, you find that funny?” Blaze’s glare transferred to her.

  “No, but I’ve been thinking the same thing about all the women checking you out.” She grinned, then laughed a real laugh, feeling freer than she had in a long time. “But instead of fire, I was thinking of bats, snakes, and such.”

  “Honey, you don’t ever have to worry about other women.” Blaze gave her a slow wink. “None exist to me other than you.”

  Her insides quivered and she wished to hell everyone would hurry up. The faster they got home, the quicker she could show him how much she appreciated his words. “Ditto,” she replied with a shy smile.

  “Ho fucking ho,” Steve said as he slowed in front of them. “What can Santa send you, young Blaze?”

  Katrina bit her lip, waiting to see what Blaze was going to say.

  “A new pair of boots,” Blaze said with a growl at Steve. “Since one of mine is going to be up your ass if you call me young Blaze one more time.”

  Steve sighed, looking down at the ground in defeat. “What is it with everyone wanting to shove their boot up my ass?” Steve huffed, then pushed past them. “Seriously, where’s the Christmas spirit?”

  Blaze’s face relaxed as soon as Steve disappeared around the corner. He grinned at her and gave her a wink.

  Just as Damon and Nicole were passing, Blaze followed. “We’re going to put the stuff in your car, and I’ll take Katrina back. We’ll meet you there and help unload.”

  “Good.” Nicole grinned at them. “We need to separate and wrap. Hope you’re ready for a long night.”

  Katrina placed her hand on Blaze’s at his disappointed expression. “Ho fucking ho,” she whispered to him and felt a sense of home when he burst into laughter.

  Chapter 14

  Bonnie frowned as she placed another bow on the thousandth present she had wrapped. Okay, that was an exaggeration, but seeing the men disappearing from the work was pissing her off. Raven had shown up once they got back and jumped in to help. She’d heard from Jill about what had happened earlier. Good for her. If Raven wanted to transfer, then so be it.

  A quick glance around to make sure no one was looking at the gift she was working on, the present magically became wrapped.

  “Nice trick,” Raven said, not even looking her way. “Care to do a few of mine?”

  Bonnie grinned as all of Raven’s gifts were wrapped and tied with a pretty ribbon. “How’s that?”

  “Perfect.” Raven sighed with a grin, then took them to the tree.

  Charger came into the game room, his eyes landing on Bonnie. “Sloan wants you in his office,” he said, then glanced at Raven. “You also.”

  “Dammit, you guys can’t keep taking my helpers away, or we’ll never get these wrapped,” Nicole grumbled at Charger.

  Bonnie lifted her arm and twirled her hand. All the presents were wrapped instantly. “You’re welcome.”

  The women shouted their thanks as Bonnie left the room with a smile on her face. Bishop stood out in the entryway with a cocked eyebrow. “Nice.” He nodded to her as she stopped in front of him. “Good way to make friends.”

  “I play nice… sometimes.” She smiled, then glanced toward Sloan’s office. “You ready for this?”

  “The question is, are you?” Bishop teased her back, then laughed when she snorted.

  “Sloan Murphy doesn’t scare me.” She glanced at Bishop over her shoulder as she walked into his office and then jumped sky-high when Sloan bellowed.

  “Why in the fuck have you not told me you’ve had attempts to collect the bounty on your head?” Sloan’s voice shook her to her very soul. He was angry and it showed in his black eyes. “Not one, but three!”

  “Ah, because…” was all Bonnie could manage to say.

  “Ah, because, is not what I want to hear.” Sloan slammed his hand on his desk. “Dammit, Bonnie. Do you want to get yourself killed?”

  Glancing at Bishop, who just raised both eyebrows at her, she scowled back at him. The traitor. “Well, that’s not really in my plans, no,” Bonnie replied, then regretted the slightly sarcastic remark. “But I think the more important issue is what Bishop and I both think about the demon situation.”

  Sloan actually shut his eyes tightly. It sounded like he counted to five before opening them. “At the moment, I don’t give a shit about demons. What I do care about is you running around without protection. Do you have any clue how many people are out to find you right now? We are on lockdown because of this bounty on your head.”

  “Well, I’d say quite a few since the bounty is outrageous,” Bonnie replied, then started to get a little pissed off. “And no one asked you to be on lockdown. I sure as hell didn’t.”

  “What do you expect me to do? Kick you out on the streets?” Sloan growled, exacerbated.

  “Yes, that’s exactly what I expected you to do if you want me to be honest,” Bonnie growled back. “But you didn’t, and here I am. If I need to walk, I will walk, but you need me. I know it. You know it. Hell, everyone knows it and so does my bastard of a father.”

  “What in the hell are you yelling about?” Viktor walked in with a frown. “I can hear you all the way outside.”

  “Late as usual,” Bishop said to his brother, who passed him.

  “Fuck you, Bishop.” Viktor didn’t even look his brother’s way.

  “Then I guess you heard that Bonnie here has had three attempts against her to collect the bounty,” Sloan hissed, his angry eyes still on Bonnie.

  “Actually four, but who’s counting, huh?” Bonnie shrugged, always trying to be the smartass when getting her ass chewed out. She didn’t do authority well, obviously.

  “Are you fucking mad?” Viktor glared down at her.

  “Actually, no. Haven’t been angry in a while,” Bonnie replied, then realized maybe she was pushing it when a vein actually throbbed on Sloan’s forehead. “Listen, I’m fine. Got all my fingers and toes.” She wiggled her fingers to prove her point.

  “Bonnie,” Bishop said, then shook his head at her in warning.

  “I’ll stick with her,” Raven said, breaking the tense silence. “If she agrees.”r />
  That surprised Bonnie and she glanced at Raven. She saw something in the woman’s eyes and nodded. “Agreed.” Hell, why not? It may be fun, and together they could probably kick some major ass.

  The feeling in the room was definitely heavy, but no one objected, which shocked her. It seemed they always objected to something. Raven must really be a total badass.

  “Now that’s settled—” Bishop gave her one last glare, warning her not to open her mouth about that subject again, he glanced at Charger and Sloan. “—we don’t think demons are working with Orjyll.”

  “Who is ‘we,’ and how have you come to that conclusion?” Charger said before Sloan could react—he seemed to still be trying to get himself under control after his Bonnie bitch-out tirade. She really tended to do that to people. Some would call it a gift. Okay, she called it a gift. Others called it annoying as fuck.

  “I make up the ‘we’ in this scenario,” Bonnie answered. “Orjyll is not going to chance a demon, especially one that is powerful as let’s say, Jezebeth, to do his dirty work. I think she’s here for another reason and her appearance is totally coincidental.”

  “What reason do you think that is?” Sloan finally spoke up.

  Both Bishop and Bonnie looked at Charger. “Not sure, but I think it has something to do with you,” Bonnie answered. “I know Orjyll better than anyone, which is why I’m sure you were so upset, Sloan. Ya know, about the bounty and stuff.”

  “Bonnie, drop it,” Bishop hissed at her. “What she’s trying to say, and I think she’s right because I’ve been thinking this for a while, is even though Orjyll may be using demons here and there, which witches have done in the past, I don’t think he is partners with one.”

  Sloan looked toward Viktor. “What do you think?”

  “I’m actually agreeing with them,” Viktor replied, then nodded toward Charger. “I want to know his opinion.”

  Charger remained silent as he stared at Bonnie. “Does Orjyll have a witch with powers to bring a demon in and out of Hell.”

  “Yes.” Bonnie nodded. “At least the last time I was around, he did. Dipshit always had witches with different powers. I just can’t see him trusting a demon. He never trusted one before, with his grand scheme of taking over the world and ridding the planet of you guys along with the Grail women. The demon thing just isn’t jiving.”

  “Demons need chaos,” Raven added. “Without humans, there is no chaos. So to rid the world of humans isn’t a demon’s usual motto.”

  “Exactly.” Bonnie nodded. “Not that some aren’t involved, but I don’t think they are as involved as we earlier thought.”

  “And that definitely wasn’t a demon who tried to take Bonnie out at the restaurant,” Bishop added, then grinned when she shot him a dirty look.

  “Had to bring that up, did ya?” She peeked at Sloan, and that vein began to throb again. “And he’s right. That was magic. I felt it before it happened, which is why I’m standing here for you to yell at.”

  “Then I guess you aren’t going to need our help as much as we originally thought,” Charger said, and Bonnie heard a hint of disappointment.

  “I wouldn’t say that,” Sloan replied with a frown. “We still don’t know the exact reason Jezebeth has shown up. With everything going on, I can’t really spare anyone to put on that issue only.”

  Charger nodded but didn’t say anything.

  “When are you starting with Kira?” Sloan asked, his voice sounding more normal, though still holding a note of pissiness.

  “Next week,” Bonnie replied, then didn’t shut up. “Unless someone collects that bounty.”

  “Not happening,” Raven announced, saving Bonnie from another teardown from Sloan.

  “Why haven’t you started yet?” Sloan frowned at her, totally ignoring her earlier jab.

  “Because the power she acquired from my mother is strong to the point, if she used it too soon, it could actually kill her, or the person trying to help her,” Bonnie replied, realizing that these men really had no clue what they were dealing with. They did vampires amazingly well. But other than Bishop and Viktor, they knew next to nothing about witches. “Believe me, if I could have started training her when we first realized she had the power, I would have. The sooner we take Daddy-o out, the better I’ll sleep at night.”

  “Well, stop being a stubborn ass and stay alive long enough to see that done.” Sloan narrowed his eyes at her in warning, again.

  “Aww, you do like me.” She smiled sweetly at Sloan.

  “I swear, I think you’re worse than Jill.” Sloan cursed with a shake of his head.

  “I’ll take that as a compliment since Jill is awesome.” Bonnie laughed, then held up her hands. “Okay, sorry. I’m well known for driving people insane. Come on, bodyguard Raven. Protect me while I go get something to eat. All this anger directed toward me makes me hungry.”

  Raven laughed as she passed Bonnie and walked out the door. “All clear,” Raven called with a chuckle.

  Bonnie stopped before passing Charger. “You lose her, you’re an idiot,” she whispered for his ears only. Damn, if the bounty hunters didn’t kill her, she was sure one of the Warriors or Dark Guardians may do the job.

  Chapter 15

  In the shower, Katrina let the hot water rain down on her. It was Christmas Eve, and her heart hurt. She knew Blaze had been trying to keep her busy, and he’d been doing a very good job of it. Every time sadness seemed to seep into her mind, he was there.

  Tonight, the kids were coming, and she promised to help, actually forced herself to agree. What she wanted to do was keep herself in their room and just spend it with Blaze. Not a selfish person by nature, Katrina felt terrible about her feelings about tonight and sucked it up. She would be there for the kids, and that was that.

  Knowing she was stalling, Katrina finally shut off the cooling water. After wrapping the towel around herself, she finished up in the bathroom, then headed out into their small room at the compound.

  “Oh my God.” Katrina’s eyes were wide as she gazed around. Their tiny room had been transformed into a Christmas card. Lights were strung everywhere, a tiny tree sat glowing on the dresser, and Blaze stood in the middle of it all with a smile on his face.

  “Merry Christmas, Katrina.” Blaze’s deep, masculine voice broke her. Tears leaked from her eyes as she stared up at the man she loved more than anything in this cruel world.

  “What have you done?” She sniffed, glancing away from him to look at the beauty he had created.

  “I never want you to forget your Christmases with your mom, but it makes you sad.” Blaze remained where he was; he didn’t even try to touch her. “My goal always is to see you happy. This is to new memories to hopefully taking over the bad ones.”

  She couldn’t believe he had done all this, and while she was in the shower, no less. How freaking long was she in there? Sobs racked her body as she put her face in her hands. How had she gotten so lucky to find this amazing man? She heard him move, felt his arms wrap around her.

  “Hey.” He gently removed her hands from her face and lifted them up so their gazes met. “I can take it all away if that’s what you want.”

  “No!” She shook her head, her eyes searching his. “It’s perfect. I can’t believe you did this.”

  He smiled at her, then glanced over at the tree. “Santa brought you something.”

  Katrina looked the same way, excitement tingling in her stomach seeing a small present underneath the little tree. Holding the towel with one hand, she walked over and picked it up. Suddenly a terrible thought crushed her happiness. She frowned at him over her shoulder. “I didn’t get you a gift, Blaze.”

  “Katrina, you are my gift.” Blaze winked at her, then nodded toward the present. “Open it.”

  Tucking her towel so she didn’t lose it, not that it would have mattered—Blaze had seen her naked thousands of times—she turned toward him and slowly opened the gift, savoring it. Lifting the lid, she smiled. It w
as the bracelet from when they were shopping for the kids, the one Blaze backtracked to look at when he spotted her eyeing it. To even think he went back to that store and bought this for her warmed her soul.

  “Thank you.” She hurried toward him, wrapping her arms around him tightly. “I love it.”

  “Here, let me put it on you.” He reached around and took it from her, placing it on her wrist. “And there’s something else.”

  “No, Blaze. This is enough.” Katrina frowned, looking away from admiring her bracelet. “Really, I feel bad enough I don’t have anything for you. I didn’t think we were doing gifts.”

  Ignoring her, he unzipped his leather jacket and pulled out a large yellow envelope. He handed it to her. She frowned as she took it, opened it, and pulled out the contents. Her eyes searched the papers before meeting his. “What is this?”

  “It’s a contract to start building our home.” Blaze nodded down at the papers in her hand. “Since ours blew up, I finally had the land cleared, researched reliable contractors, and they start in January.”

  Katrina’s hand flew up to her mouth as an ugly cry started. This man was going to kill her with kindness as well as love, and she was soaking it in. Every single piece of it. She couldn’t even say anything other than stare at him through tears.

  “They’re waiting for you to pick out everything.” Blaze grinned down at her. “Cabinets, flooring, windows, light fixtures, doors, colors, and other shit I can’t remember.”

  Her body shook as she held her future in her hand. No, that wasn’t true. She was staring at her future. Her life was finally complete, yet she couldn’t utter a single syllable.

  “Okay, so ah, the house not a good idea?” Blaze cocked his eyebrow at her silence and wide-eyed stare. “I mean, we can continue to live here, but—”

  His words were cut off as Katrina slammed her body into his, dropping the papers to the floor. “I think I’m in shock.” She cried and laughed at the same time. “This kind of stuff doesn’t happen to me.”