Holidays Bite: A Limited Edition Collection of Holiday Vampire Tales

by Laura Greenwood

  Charlotte ignored the chatter when she realized they were coming to the end of the festival and joining a line of fae waiting for their turn to talk to the mysterious fortuneteller. The clearing stopped behind the tent, ringing it with lanterns in a clear barrier. She watched the sky, hoping the stars would continue shining despite however long they had to wait.

  “Izell mentioned the fortuneteller can make one wish come true. She must’ve heard so many by now,” she said quietly.

  “Yeah, but how many people made a wish with more than one person’s secrets?” Olivia asked, looking thoughtful. “I saved a juicy one for her.”

  She blinked in surprise. “You did?”

  “Of course! C’mon, you deserve something nice.” She leaned over and whispered with a hand over the side of her mouth. “Besides, you and Armando are so cute together.”

  Warmth licked at her cheeks. “Are we?”

  “Uh huh. And if you ask me, you’ve been a couple for a long time without actually making it official,” she said.

  If she were honest with herself, that was probably true. She just lifted a shoulder. “I can’t lock him into a relationship unless this works.” So, she dearly hoped the fortuneteller would listen to her wish above all the others whispered in her ear this night.

  Her first glimpse of the fortuneteller didn’t do much for her confidence. The woman was an average fae, skin brown like the earth. She wore robes, and a turban covered her candy pink locks except for a braid down her back. Numerous bangles coated each arm, clinking as she gestured, and two sets of hoop earrings quivered by her cheeks, each nearly wide enough to double as additional bracelets.

  The woman was seated cross-legged on a cushion and beckoned for the fae in front of Charlotte to come sit down. They murmured together as the fortuneteller skimmed her finger over the other fae’s palm. She reached to her side to draw a fine-tipped brush from a pot of paint. The tension in Charlotte’s back knotted up as she realized she would soon be next.

  She met the gaze of the fortuneteller, whose eyes were pure green with a hint of sparkle at the corners. Despite having no visible cornea, it still felt like she gave Charlotte a quick appraisal before beckoning her over.

  “Good evening to you.” She held her arm up to Charlotte’s with a playful smile. “Seems we match. You are here to make a wish?”

  “Yes. Do you want my secret first, or…?” The fortuneteller had already taken her hand and was reading her palm with a thoughtful frown.

  “Hmm. How unusual,” the fae murmured. “Will you come into the tent with me? I need to consult a book on human and vampire fortunes. Perhaps your friends can join us?” Her head tilted toward where Olivia waited with her hands clasped while Violet rubbed her shoulder and whispered in a soothing undertone.

  They followed as the fortuneteller put up a sign and led them into her tent, which was pitched wide enough to contain a table and bookshelf comfortably. Charlotte stopped short when she saw Izell at the table with her legs up, drinking casually from a mug of tea.

  “Took you long enough to get here,” she remarked. “Lovely tea tonight, Saniya.”

  “Glad you’re enjoying it,” the fortuneteller said with a chuckle. “Did you cast the—?”

  Izell cut her off with a flippant wave. “Yes, yes. No one will be able to hear or sense what’s about to happen.” She turned to Charlotte. “You might want to be sitting down for this.”

  She sat obediently, her brow creased in confusion until the moment Saniya took off her turban and exhaled. The fae’s form blurred before her eyes, going from a pretty, pink-haired woman to something completely different. From the torso up, she was still feminine, but the waist down turned into a drifting column of smoke that hovered a foot off the ground.

  Saniya’s robes billowed at the bottom to their own personal wind. Suddenly, the turban would’ve made her look the part of what she was, matching every stereotype of a genie Charlotte could pinpoint. Her skin had shaded to scarlet, boldly complimented by her bangles and slitted yellow eyes that glowed from within. They seemed to pierce right through to Charlotte’s soul.

  “My friend Izell said you had a wish for me,” she said, her voice echoing with power.

  Charlotte’s mouth was dry with shock. “Uh…yeah,” she managed. “Are you…really…?”

  A smile revealed a hint of pointed teeth. “I’m a very well-kept myth. Just seeing me adds you to a spell of secrecy I maintain on myself. I’m Saniya, the last free wish-maker djinni.”

  She remembered her manners and led introductions for herself and her two friends. The djinni greeted them warmly before saying, “I can sense you all carry a deep desire in your hearts. Though my magic only allows me to grant one wish a day, perhaps you can still share what you want more than anything?”

  Neither of them had said anything about a “deep desire,” but Charlotte realized that was because of her. She figured they must’ve put aside what they wanted to help her, even to the point of not making a wish to give her a better chance. Well, here was a more direct chance, and she found herself getting emotional.

  “You guys go first,” she murmured so they wouldn’t hear how she was choked up.

  Violet and Olivia exchanged a glance, gesturing to each other to take the lead. Finally, Olivia spoke up. “There’s only one thing I would make a wish on. I keep wondering…I’m an Alchemyst just like Queen Nyah. I can make potions and sense emotions like her. Does that mean I’m also a nephilim? Both the nephilim I know faced down a demon directly, and I…well, I had a chance, and I wimped out.”

  “I don’t think anyone would call your situation wimping out,” Charlotte said in surprise.

  Olivia shrugged, a troubled frown tugging at her lips. “I also didn’t fight a demon, which seems like the trigger.”

  Violet held up a finger. “Technically, we found that the trigger was exposure to demonic magic.” She glanced over at her, rubbing her lips together. “I guess now that Jazrach’s gone, it doesn’t matter.”

  “That’s right, it doesn’t matter. I just wonder, you know?” Olivia shrugged.

  The djinni nodded, her expression inscrutable as she turned to Violet. “What is your desire?”

  Her mouth was half-open, hand resting on Olivia’s in sympathy. “Um.” Violet blinked rapidly, a silvery blush rising to her cheeks. “It’s a little personal.”

  “I cannot help unless your wish is spoken aloud.”

  “Well, my fiancé is an older vampire, right?” She shifted in her chair under everyone’s attention. “The older a vamp gets, the less fertile they are. And I want a baby.”

  Charlotte nodded in approval. Olivia released something between a cry and squeal, jumping out of her chair to hug Violet’s side. “You want a family! Two-point-five little vamplings! Can I be auntie?”

  “Definitely,” Violet said, her blush fading as she released a laugh that visibly relieved the tension from her shoulders.

  Saniya wet her lips, turning to Charlotte. It looked like she was trying not to smile. “And your wish?”

  Moment of truth, she thought. “I’m looking for my father, a vampire,” she said. “I’ve looked for him for a long time.”

  “Why is it so urgent now?” The djinni was definitely staring right through her with those glowing eyes.

  “I want to be the real deal for a man. An immortal man.” She thought of Armando’s megawatt smile and couldn’t help a wistful twist of her own lips. “But I can’t entertain that idea if our theoretical life ends with me getting old and dying.”

  Saniya hummed. “It is the natural order of things, to love and grow old. But I see. I have good news for you all.” She spread her palms with magic shimmering on her fingertips.

  “She’s still granting one wish, but…” Izell pointed to Violet. “We have remedies for your mate.”

  “And…little known fact to mortals.” Saniya offered her glowing fingers to Olivia. “Djinn are demons.”

  “You are?” Olivia’s face creased wi
th sudden wariness.

  Izell snorted, an eye roll in her tone. “She wouldn’t be free right now if she hadn’t earned it.”

  “I don’t intend to fight you, but perhaps the touch of my magic will be…illuminating.” Violet caught the pun from Saniya and giggled heartily.

  Olivia shook her head, taking the djinni’s hand after a moment of hesitation. “I’m not even sure if I would know what to do with light magic,” she said. “Just, you know, it’d be nice to have some closure. That it’s the nephilim angel stuff that makes my blood gold instead of silver.”

  “Does this answer your questions?” As Saniya pulled away, cradled in Olivia’s palm was a tiny ball of light. Considering how violent the awakening of a nephilim’s power could be, Charlotte’s awe was tempered with gratitude that Olivia didn’t explode with it and potentially harm someone.

  Olivia bounced to her feet and danced in place while cradling that bit of magic. “It’s true! It’s in my blood!” She drew herself up and intoned self-importantly, “It’s my legacy.”

  Laughing in amusement, Saniya turned to Charlotte. “That leaves us with you. Are you ready?”

  Charlotte quivered with anticipation as she nodded. “Don’t mind my third eye. It’s just a djinni thing,” Saniya said. “Stand and repeat your wish for me.”

  She got to her feet and cleared her throat. “I wish to be reunited with my father.” Her heart leapt to her throat as the third eye made an appearance, opening vertically between Saniya’s brows. Tingles ran their way over her skin as it felt like invisible magic caressed her.

  The moment couldn’t have lasted longer than a breath. The creepy eye closed, returning Saniya’s features to normal as she smiled. “Granted. Now, you all should be going before you are trapped in Faerie at dawn.”

  Charlotte made sure to hug the djinni first. While she seemed ethereal floating there, she was solid and strong as they embraced. “Best wishes to you. And Merry Christmas,” Saniya whispered in her ear.

  Chapter 7

  Armando

  Julian drove him to Izell’s house, parking alongside a familiar car. “So this is where ladies night went,” Julian commented as he cut the engine.

  Armando gathered up the garment bag holding the lacy thing he’d bought Izell, hoping it was good enough. Because he’d probably die of mortification if he had to go back and get it exchanged.

  “Kind of suspect, huh?” Armando commented. “That they came here. When I’m doing something for Izell and all.”

  His uncle shrugged. “We’re all working toward the same thing. Also, speak of the Devil.”

  They watched the rosy-cheeked trio of Charlotte, Olivia, and Violet giggle their way to their ride. He was stunned anew to see Charlotte looking tired but carrying an air of happiness she hadn’t had in a long time. She stopped short when they made eye contact through the thin barrier of the car’s window.

  He scrambled to get out and talk to them. “What are you doing here?” he and Charlotte asked at the same time.

  “Jinx,” she said quickly.

  “Visiting Izell—aw darn it. What do I owe you for a jinx?”

  She smiled wider. “Just give me a hug. It’s nice to see someone normal.”

  “Implying Armando’s normal,” Julian said, gazing soulfully into Olivia’s eyes as they clasped hands. Seeing that, Armando realized that it was past time for them to get engaged. He couldn’t help a thrill of excitement that it’d be happening so soon.

  “He’s more normal than all the fae we just saw,” Violet said, standing back and watching while Armando and Charlotte shared a hug. She clutched a little wooden box to her chest and shivered from a cold breeze. “It’s midwinter! Fae Christmas!”

  “It was great, but we’ve been up really late,” Charlotte sighed.

  “So, you’re heading home? Without telling me how you were invited to fae Christmas and I wasn’t?” Armando put a hand to his chest in faux hurt.

  She patted his cheek. “Yup. See you later.”

  “Wait. At least tell me what it was like?” He didn’t want her to go so soon. Her cheer was infectious, drawing him closer. Surely something amazing had just happened to get Charlotte in such high spirits.

  “I will. But we just spent, like, an entire day in Faerie. I’m gonna saw some logs and then you’ll hear all about it,” she promised. “And you need to talk to Izell!”

  “I do?”

  “Definitely.” Even Violet and Olivia were nodding, though the latter was still pressed close to Julian.

  Armando had this feeling he was on his own again, confirmed when Julian tossed him the keys to the car. “I’m driving back with them. Good luck,” his uncle said before opening the door for Olivia.

  “Yeah, man, thanks,” he sighed. He went to knock on the door, his knuckles striking bare air as Izell opened it a split second too early.

  The fae’s trademark scowl was absent. She waved him inside. “I have good news, and you have perfect timing.”

  He thrust forward the garment bag. “I got your thing,” he blurted. She took it and glanced inside. With a scoff she threw the bag over her shoulder. “Was…it not good enough?”

  “No roses. I’ll enchant it later,” she grumbled. “I know where to send you to find this man.”

  “Charlotte’s father?”

  “Were you looking for another man?” she asked, pinching the bridge of her nose.

  “I’m just making sure.” He didn’t want to accidentally find the wrong guy. Charlotte didn’t deserve that kind of disappointment.

  She shook her head and went into the next room, retrieving an old-fashioned brass compass. Its needle was pointed southwest, barely a wobble even as he admired its casing. There was a fae rune etched into the base.

  “I think it’s broken,” he said, as the needle didn’t move even as he turned with the compass in his palm.

  He glanced to Izell, whose face was set with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. “That’s one of my finest seeker compasses, Armando. It’s enchanted to find the one you’ve been looking for.”

  “It’s…oh! It’s pointing toward him,” he said, holding the compass that much tighter. “Thank you, thank you so much. Wait. How far away is he?” He inspected the glossy face of the tool for any hint of that.

  She smiled to herself. “Far, but not too far.”

  What an unhelpful, fae kind of answer. “Like, a day’s drive? Would I burn up in the sun if I started driving now?”

  She tapped her chin with a sharp fingernail before gesturing toward him. A wave of magic flowed over his skin with a wake of goosebumps. “If you want to find him, you will go now,” she said, flicking her wrist in dismissal.

  Instead of taking his leave, he pulled her into a hug. Most wouldn’t dare, fearing the sharpness of her tongue or the sting of her magic, but he knew there was more to her than that. “I don’t know what you had to do for this, but—”

  Izell’s eyes twinkled. “Believe it or not, I’m just the messenger.”

  Armando propped the compass on the dash, using his phone for leverage. He drove with the sky lightening at his back. For a few moments, he feared what would happen if Izell’s spell failed as the sun’s rays caressed the back of his head. Yet nothing sizzled.

  Not much changed, either, except that he’d picked up a thirty-ounce coffee from a drive-through and fought off stray yawns in the gaps between the peppy music he played. He’d crossed the state line into New Jersey some time ago and split his gaze between the road and the compass needle, hyperaware of its every twitch.

  This car was Julian’s second one, the type of vehicle a vampire took when they didn’t want attention. Armando wasn’t too impressed with it, as he caught the sound of a whine when he pushed the gas too hard or the way it shook when he hit the brakes. As he hit stop-and-go traffic in the Philadelphia area, he took a peek at the registration.

  The car was twenty years old. He sighed to himself and made a mental note to tell Julian older vehicles nee
ded more care than this one had apparently gotten.

  That wasn’t the end of his woes, though. Clouds clustered across the sky, soon choking the air with snow flurries. Traffic slowed to a snail’s crawl. “C’mon,” he grumbled, his coffee lukewarm at best as he swirled it impatiently. He shouldn’t have had the impression that this would be easy when he hadn’t even found the guy yet.

  What would he say? “Hi, I’m Armando. Your daughter’s lifemate,” he said, meeting his gaze in the rearview mirror and trying to put on a friendly expression. “You didn’t know you had a daughter? Well, uh, surprise!”

  No, that wouldn’t work.

  He pep talked himself into the afternoon, only stopping for gas. Even when the compass guided him to skim Philadelphia and switch interstates to head northwest, the weather was steadily worsening. It felt like nighttime. To his light-sensitive vampire eyes, a blessing. But problematic for everyone else. Several accidents from overeager mortals returning to family meant he was worried he wouldn’t find Charlotte’s father and return with him in time for Christmas.

  If Armando could figure out what to say to him to get him to come back to New York in the first place. He was so caught up in it that he didn’t think to question the compass when it turned again…until he recognized a sign he’d passed before. “Hey, don’t lead me in circles,” he said, scowling at its brass face.

  It didn’t change its bearing until it pointed toward an exit from the interstate. “Trusting you,” he muttered, glancing at the time. Four in the afternoon. Any sane vampire would be asleep by now, not braving a snowstorm during a time the sun should be up.

  Maybe the compass would take him to a house. It could be ideal to do this now, when Charlotte’s father wouldn’t be moving around. He was still considering positive what-ifs when the car jumped forward, releasing a puff of black smoke from under the hood. Armando cursed as he felt something give way. Brakes worked, but the gas pedal didn’t. He guided the vehicle to the side of the road and rested his forehead on the wheel.