Holidays Bite: A Limited Edition Collection of Winter Holiday Vampire Tales

by Greenwood, Laura

  “On what?” She crossed her arms over her chest and cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t expect you to trust me, but I’m here with you for a reason. I want him dead just as much as you do.” She drew in a breath. “He’s the one who turned me, after all. Ruined my life. Don’t you think I want him destroyed? You have no idea how much I despise him.”

  Drake nodded. “Yeah, believe me, I understand. He ruined my life as well.”

  Zoe frowned, pursing her lips. “What are you not telling me? Why so secretive? I’m ready to go in there with you and do whatever it takes to destroy him, yet you’re holding back on me.”

  “My father…”

  Realization sunk in. “Your father is a vampire.” It wasn’t a question, as the pieces of the puzzle came together. “And Albian is the one who turned him.”

  Drake shook his head. “No, not my father. Albian ruined him, but he didn’t turn him.”

  Zoe’s eyes traveled over Drake’s face, confusion evident in her expression, but she remained quiet, allowing him to continue.

  “My parents were happy, Zoe. They were so in love. I grew up feeling so lucky that I had a family who cared for each other so much, especially with so many friends coming from broken homes. I thought we had everything.”

  He stood up and moved out of hiding. Zoe strode quickly to catch up to him.

  “Albian stole that life from me… from us. Destroyed it without a second thought.” He raked his fingers through his hair and sighed. “Nothing was ever the same after that.”

  “Your mother,” Zoe replied, a thought forming. “Where is she? You never talk about her.”

  Drake seemed to walk a little faster. “Like I said, Albian didn’t turn my father, but he ruined him. When he lost the only woman he’d ever loved, he couldn’t see a life beyond that. He turned to drugs, then alcohol. You know the rest of the story.”

  Zoe knew how violent and angry Drake’s father could get. She’d seen the sadness on Drake’s face the last few months. How lonely and hopeless he’d seemed.

  “Albian turned your mother.”

  Drake nodded. “The worst part is that it was her choice. Except he tricked her. He didn’t turn her; he went too far…and she bled out.”

  “That’s why destroying Albian tonight is so important to you?” she asked, a hint of sadness in her voice. “Your mother went to the Night of Transformation. She wanted to be turned?”

  “Yeah,” he replied. “She wanted us all to go. Claimed everlasting life would be so beautiful, that we could be a family forever. I don’t know what happened to her to make her want to do that. We didn’t even know that was what her plan was, but when I came home from work one night, and she wasn’t there…I knew what she’d done. She never came back.”

  Zoe thought about how Drake’s mother had been at the same event, on the same night. Zoe shivered at the memories of that night. She reached out, running a hand over Drake’s shoulder feeling a deep sadness at how much Drake had lost—all because of Albian’s darkness.

  “I’m so sorry, Drake.”

  He stared blankly ahead as they continued walking. “I just want Albian to pay for what he did to her.” He turned to Zoe, his body tensing. “And for what he did to you. I promise, Zoe. He will pay.”

  The look in his eyes told her it was a promise he fully intended to keep.

  “Okay, let’s do this,” Zoe replied, pulling her dagger out of its sheath. “Together. Let’s take that bastard down.”

  “Here, take this.” Drake reached behind him, drew his sword and handed it to her. Then, he pulled out the strange looking device and held it tight against his chest.

  “Thanks,” she replied, testing the weight of the sword in her hands. It was beautiful, with a polished gold trim that gleamed under the moonlight.

  “And you know,” he murmured, his lips curving into a smile. “Maybe I was wrong.”

  “About what?” Zoe asked.

  He wrapped his free arm around her shoulder and squeezed her close to him.

  “Maybe I can be friends with a vampire after all.”

  Chapter 7

  Together, they crept through the crackly, dry underbrush that led to the back of Albian’s property. Drake had planned it all carefully, surveying the land over the last few months to create a blueprint which would reveal the weak points in Albian’s security.

  “So, your original plan was to attack him inside his own compound and not at the Night of Transformation?”

  Drake nodded. “I didn’t think he’d be there.” He rubbed a hand over his chin, fingering the stubble. “He doesn’t usually leave his property.”

  It was true. Albian had enough men to carry out his orders and handle whatever business he had without having to step foot off his land.

  “So, why do you think he was there?” Zoe asked.

  Drake shrugged. “I was going to ask you the same thing. Who knows how that brute thinks? He’s a psychopath.”

  “So, what’s the plan then? Lay it out for me, slayer.”

  She listened carefully as Drake explained.

  The plan was to use the tunnels that led from an older part of the compound no longer in use into the newer buildings in order to get around Albian’s minions undetected. Then, they’d make their way to the main residence, where Albian would be far less protected.

  Drake didn’t tell Zoe exactly how he planned to kill Albian, and she didn’t ask. After seeing him in action earlier, she knew whatever Drake had decided, it would be effective. And frankly, she didn’t care how it was done. Beheading, stake to the chest, didn’t matter to her. She just wanted to be part of destroying him once and for all.

  “The entrance to the tunnel is right over there,” Drake said, his voice barely above a whisper. “It’ll lead us beneath the compound.”

  Cautiously, they entered the darkness of the tunnel. Zoe helped lead them through until they got deep enough where Drake was comfortable turning on a flashlight. They pushed forward, moving quietly, keeping to the side of the tunnel. Suddenly, a fork appeared in the path ahead.

  “Which way do we go?”

  Drake nodded to the left, and Zoe followed closely behind him. They kept their weapons at the ready; Drake with his strange contraption that hummed quietly, and Zoe with a stake in one hand, a sword in the other.

  As they made their way through the tunnel, however, something washed over Zoe—like a scent of something familiar, yet foreign. A flash of adrenaline pumped from the top of her head straight down to her toes, firing up everything in between. She spun around.

  “Zoe?” Drake flicked the flashlight off as she scanned the area.

  “I heard something,” Zoe replied in a whispered tone. “There are vampires nearby. Up ahead…around the corner.”

  Sure enough, they suddenly heard the low murmur of voices up as they quietly made their way through the tunnel. Moving cautiously, they pressed their backs to the tunnel wall, sliding their bodies along, one careful step after another, until they could see what was around the corner.

  Two vampires were seated on old wooden crates, lanterns hanging on the wall, making it clear that this was their regular hangout spot. One had long, black hair and a thin frame, but the other was the complete opposite. He had short, red hair and looked to be as wide as he was tall.

  “He’s a selfish prick,” the dark-haired vampire snarled, while lighting a cigarette. “All those women, yet we aren’t allowed to have one of our own?”

  “Well, you can,” the redheaded vamp replied, his voice a deep growl. “But only for as long as it takes to drain her.” He picked up a bottle filled with a deep red liquid and held it to his lips but paused before taking a drink. “It sure would be fun to keep a few around, though.”

  The dark-haired one snickered at that, reaching out for the bottle the redhead had finally pulled away from his mouth. “What if I told you I’m going to get one?”

  “Get what? A woman?” The redhead chuckled as if it was the most preposterous thing he’d e
ver heard. “And where would you keep this woman? If Albian found out you were keeping one for yourself—”

  “Albian doesn’t need to know,” the dark-haired one replied, bitterly. “We serve him. His every need. Recruiting for his army, stealing women from the city for his pleasure. I even brought him my brother’s wife, and what did he do? He didn’t turn her as promised. He fucking bled her out right in front of me!” The vampire raked his fingers through his long, greasy hair and sighed. “Didn’t even let me taste a drop of that beauty.”

  “What are you saying, Neiro? Are you planning on breaking his rules?” The redhead laughed so hard his shoulders shook wildly. “You? He’d have you dead before you could blink.” He stood from the crate long enough to pick up another bottle from a nearby table. “Now, about this woman. Tell me.”

  That seemed to settle the vampire down. “I have a plan,” he replied, his eyes growing brighter. “Next time we go into the city to kidnap women for Albian, I’m going to keep one.” He licked his lips at the wicked thought. “I’ll keep her in one of the older outbuildings. She’ll be my private donor. Among other things.” He chuckled darkly. “Don’t tell me you don’t want to be part of that?”

  Zoe’s chest tightened as her mind flashed back to the time she was kept captive on the property—first as a donor and then when she was turned against her will. Drake sensed her distress, and he reached out, wrapping his arm around her waist, both to keep her back and to comfort her.

  “I must admit, it sounds rather interesting,” the redhead replied, but then he quickly turned his head toward where Drake and Zoe were hiding around the corner. “Did you hear something?”

  Neiro snorted. “Who would be down here in the tunnels except us? I think that blood wine has gone to your head.”

  The redheaded vamp shrugged. “Virgins do always make the sweetest wine.”

  With that, Drake couldn’t hold Zoe back as rage and disgust swelled in her chest. She moved swiftly around the corner and launched herself at the redheaded vampire, her sword flying out in front of her. She swiped at him, hitting his side before bringing it around in a shining arc. She embedded the sharp, blade deep into the vamp’s chest, just missing his heart.

  Drake appeared by her side as the blade came free from the vampire’s body. The creature thrashed beneath Zoe’s weight as Drake pulled out a wooden stake.

  “Move out of the way, Zoe.”

  She twisted to the side, moving off the vampire while Drake aimed the stake at the vile creature. His knuckles turned white as he slammed it down, piercing the ghastly skin and driving the wood deep into the monster’s chest. The vampire’s eyes widened, and he writhed on the ground for a few seconds, but it was pointless. The shriek died on his lips quickly, and his red eyes turned black.

  Drake and Zoe spun around, ready to attack the other vampire who hadn’t moved a muscle to help his friend.

  He shrieked, backing away, but his jaw elongated, revealing thick, sharp teeth as his true self took control. Bloodlust swirled in the depths of his red eyes. “You’ll pay for this,” he hissed.

  “Do you think we’re afraid of you?” Drake asked, the dagger raised. “Or of Albian?” He stepped forward, lifting the half empty bottle to his nose and taking a whiff of its contents. He growled, his face turning into one of pure rage as he smashed it to the ground. “You’re pathetic. Nothing but monsters, and none of you deserve to live.”

  Zoe took a step forward, and the vampire’s expression turned to one of shock and anger.

  “You,” he hissed. “You killed one of your own.”

  “I’m nothing like you,” she spat.

  “Oh but are you not?” the vampire taunted. “Do you not want to feast on this man? Taste the sweetness of his blood?” He grew bolder when he realized what Zoe was and took a small step towards her. “To give into your cravings? Destroy him with me, and then stay with us. Albian will welcome you with open arms.”

  Drake’s muscles flexed, ready to attack the vampire, but Zoe placed a hand on his chest. “I’ve got this.” She took a step toward the vampire, closing the distance.

  “Your leader is about to die,” she growled, her voice unwavering. “What do think we’re doing here?” Her eyes didn’t leave the vamp’s as she erased the space between them. “We’re going to destroy everything he’s created.”

  The vampire’s eyes widened in horror at the idea that someone would dare attack his leader.

  “You’ll never get to him,” he hissed, backing away from Zoe, but she took another step forward, pinning him against the wall. “He’s the most powerful vampire to ever live.”

  Zoe cocked an eyebrow as she jabbed her sword into the soft flesh beneath the vamp’s jaw. “Then he’ll be the most powerful vampire to ever die.” With her other hand, she slammed a stake into his chest. The vamp fell to the ground with a sickening thud.

  Zoe stood over him, breathing heavily. The thought of having to face Albian suddenly settled in, making her dizzy. Did she have what it would take to put an end to his vampire tyranny once and for all?

  “Hey,” Drake whispered, stepping behind her. He squeezed her shoulder gently, and she spun around, rage swirling in the depths of her eyes.

  “You.” She spat the word out as if it was poison on her tongue. “You’re going to kill me. After all this is over, you’re not letting me leave here alive, are you?”

  Drake furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. “What are you talking about? We’re in this together.”

  “Are we?” She recoiled when he reached out again. “What you said… about how we’re nothing but monsters that don’t deserve to live.”

  Drake shook his head. “Zoe, I wasn’t talking about you. I meant—”

  “I know what you meant,” she replied, some of the anger lifting from her tone. “But that vamp was right. I am one of them. How do I know you aren’t going to kill me after we’ve taken down Albian?”

  Drake stared at her dispassionately, his wide eyes completely unreadable. “After all this, are you saying you don’t trust me?”

  She didn’t answer right away, which was its own answer. “I don’t even really know you…and you certainly don’t know me.”

  Dark hurt flashed in his eyes before he dragged his gaze away from her. He clenched his teeth, steeling himself before he answered. “I don’t know you?”

  He raked his fingers through his dark hair, frustration creasing his brow. “You’re right. We haven’t known each other very long. And until tonight, I had no idea you were a vampire.”

  “Exactly. Like I said, you don’t know me.”

  He stepped forward, pushing her gently against the wall of the tunnel. “You’re wrong; I do know you.” His eyes searched her face. “I may not have known you were a vampire, but that isn’t who you are, is it? Does that define you?”

  Zoe turned her head to the side and blinked back tears. She didn’t want to look at him, to allow him to see all she was feeling.

  “Because I don’t think it does. And here’s what I do know… I know you’re stronger than any woman I’ve ever met. I could tell that about you from the first moment I laid eyes on you. I also know you’re a good person, and you would never intentionally hurt anyone.” He reached up and weaved his fingers through her hair, tense against her scalp.

  “And I know you’ve been hurt. And that it’ll take you a very long time to ever trust anyone again. But here’s something else I know, Zoe—” He lowered his fingers, tracing them over her chin. “—I know when that time comes, I want it to be me.”

  “You?” Zoe asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

  A trace of a smile played on his lips. “Yeah, me. Why the hell not?”

  Zoe looked away, her eyebrows furrowing and her jaw set. “The odds would not be in our favor,” she finally replied. “A vampire and a human…together.” She shook her head. “Just seems like a disaster waiting to happen.”

  He leaned forward, and her cheek brushed against the light stubble o
n his face, contrasting with all the smooth, passionate heat surrounding them. When he looked at her again, in that moment, the warmth of his body and the intensity of his touch were all that existed.

  “It definitely wouldn’t be easy,” he murmured, his eyes locked with hers. “But you have to admit, it would be one beautiful disaster.”

  Then his lips were on hers, the rest of his words lost in the swell of desire that wrapped itself around them.

  For a moment, Zoe held back, but the sweet, desperate longing that spread through her body was too strong to resist. He kissed her as if she was the only woman in the world, and she believed him. The kiss was gentle at first, just brushes of his soft lips against hers, then light teasing with his tongue. But when he pressed against her with the full strength of his body, the kiss deepened. It was a promise of what was to come once the madness of this night was over.

  The urgency of his touch, the hunger…Zoe felt it in every inch of her body, right down to her toes. She kissed him back—hard—trying to get everything she wanted to say to him, but couldn’t, into that kiss.

  Dizzy with desire, Drake finally took a step back. Even in the faint light, his eyes were still a brilliant blue, though heavy-lidded, as he looked down at her. One corner of his mouth curved into a sexy grin. Zoe felt as though he was looking right through her—straight into her heart.

  And even though she no longer had a beating one, she knew he had somehow managed to work his way into it.

  “Still think it’s not worth a shot?”

  Zoe laughed, taking a step forward and nudging him playfully as she looked over at the two dead vamps. “Well, it’s not off to a great start, that’s for sure. This isn’t exactly the most romantic setting for our first kiss.” She pursed her lips. “Let’s just get through the night, and then we’ll talk.”

  Drake chuckled. “Fair enough.” He walked over to the dark-haired vamp, uncorked a bottle of holy water and sprinkled it over the body. Then he took a few steps to where the other lay and did the same. The corpses immediately began to smoke and sizzle, turning into a gray, cloudy puddle on the tunnel floor.