Christmas Consort

Vampire Sunrise

"How did you know?"

"The scene was off. The scent was wrong."

Silas sat near where he'd laid Kylie on the couch after she fell asleep in his arms. "I don't know how you pick a right scent from a wrong one when there is that much blood around."

Ridley saw then that his old friend still had doubts. Still doubted himself. "You know what the death taint smells like though. It wasn't here. You didn't have it."

"That doesn't make sense. Her blood was taken from her as sure as if I attacked her myself. And I drank it. God help me, I drank a lot of it. I've never been so glad I was staked in my whole life. I don't know how you do it." Silas held his head in his hands, ashamed.

It hurt Ridley to see his old friend like that. "I'm sorry about Lara. I know you two were together for a long time."

Silas shook his head. "I thought if I just kept helping her along, she'd be okay. She'd learn. I'm not sure I ever knew her at all. What she did to me...to her..."

Ridley stood. "I should go."

"You can't go. Kylie wants to talk to you. The only reason she stuck around was to see you."

Ridley almost barked a scoff. "Silas, old man. Let me tell you something about blood healings. People don't just wake up from them. What's going on in their bodies, as bad as your young lady there was hurt? She's going to sleep for at least the next 24 hours. Maybe longer. She didn't wake up for me. She forced herself out of a profound rest to help you." He strode to the door and opened it. Early morning light was beginning to touch the sky. The birds already knew and were raising a raucous.

"Ridley. Please stay. It's almost dawn anyway. As a favor to me? Just till Kylie wakes up. So she can speak with you."

"She'll be here next time I come around, won't she? It is her house after all."

Silas was taken aback. "How did you know that?"

"She and I used to have a uh....mutual acquaintance. Besides if I leave now, I could be doing you a favor."

"What?"

"She might be more inclined to let you stick around if she knows another one of us might be stopping by."

"I don't think--"

"I can't stay, Silas. There have been a lot of killings out west. They're edging into my territory. Young ones that don't know better. I mean to show 'em the lay of the land."

Silas finally nodded. "I know you would never need help, especially from me. But I am here for you. You are a good friend." He wanted to say more.

Knowing him, Ridley waited. The sun broke over the horizon, not yet high enough to touch them. The warmth was that of friendship.

"If you go into the cities, be careful Silas. That's what you can do for me. This new Game Coven is bad news. They hunt in groups and they don't follow the old ways at all. That's what you can do for me. Be. Careful." Ridley strode down the steps to his car. The sun broke over the trees onto his face. He and Silas were both thinking of the dead vampire behind the house. Silas wondered how long until daylight took her. Ridley wondered something else, but he wasn't left wondering for long.

"You are a good friend too, Ridley. I understand and...I want you to know I do forgive you. I do."

Ridley gave a nod and Silas watched his car until it made the turn out the long driveway. He never had cause to wonder if it was the last time they would meet. Not till now. Young vampires hunting in packs? How strong would they be teamed up like that? A Game Coven? What in tarnation was that?

Not my concern, he thought turning back to the house. Her house. She would be laid up there in bed healing, resting. He would watch over her...as long she would let him and perhaps let him drive away the last of that darkness that followed her around.

The sun dimmed slightly as a single snow flake drifted down out of the sky to land on his face. More followed and soon the ground was covered with a thin layer of fresh snow.

This made him think of Kylie. She would probably love some hot cocoa when she awoke. He knew he had when he was...well, when he was other. He also remembered how much he had enjoyed cooking for her and seeing her enjoy what he had created.

Silas strode into the house with a smile on his lips. He now knew what he was going to do all day until the woman he loved awakened. He would prepare for her a feast the likes of which she had never witnessed. Silas would use all his years and experiences and feelings for her to craft a gift that would be worthy of her.

After all...it was Christmas Day.

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Thank you for reading! Please Vote or Comment. I'd love to hear your thoughts.

This started as a short story "Fateful Night" but nothing much happened with that when I released it. My mind didn't let go of Kylie though. What was happening to her now? Thus began Christmas Consort.

 This story will be up as an ebook soon, so if you have a minute please, please, please leave a review of it on Goodreads or Amazon or wherever you get digital books.

Message me about your writing and what you like to read or would like more of in my story. It's always great to connect.  I write a blog as well, but it's mostly about traveling and living in The Netherlands right now.

Cheers!