Vampires and Mistletoe

kind of ignore how weird everything got. I was one of her bodyguards for a few years. The Grand Master kept her comfortable, but I don't think he really understood how human families work. Demons tend to reproduce and that's the end of it for them. Humans raise their kids. This one was seven or eight when they came to live here and she never knew her mom left.

I heard that those kids never met him until the night he brought them here. Had to be strange, finding out about this place after living in the human world with their mother. The Grand Master told them their mother died; didn't want to break their little hearts I guess. He's a fierce motherfucker; but when it comes to those girls, he's a big old softy. That's why he let this one live like a human. He hates it; but he just can't put his foot down.

I've been a house guard for years I've seen all the drama myself. She really hates her old man. Only reason I'm telling you this stuff is I like Tessa, she's a good kid. I see how you're looking at her, -damn, don't let the Grand Master see that look- and if you care about her you need to understand how fucked up it's all gotten'

Gideon mulled the revelation over. The troll had a big mouth; he was obviously not going to make employee of the month. No wonder Tessa felt like she did about Other World. He wondered if her mother was still alive; if she cared about the little girls she had abandoned.

When the doctor arrived Gideon was nervous. All the physical bite marks would have healed without a trace; but would the doctor be able to ascertain he'd taken a pint of her blood? After a quick inspection, the man left with Gideon still nervous about the man's findings. He didn't care for the last glance the doctor had given him.

A few minutes later the Grand Master entered the room. Both Gideon and the guard jumped, and the guard stood at attention; giving him a salute. When he looked at the guard with his fiery eyes the troll shriveled. Gideon remained seated next to Tessa.

'Go see a room is made ready for her. Have one of the women make it as human as possible,' the Grand Master ordered the troll.

Bobbing his head wildly, the guard rushed off to see to the order. Gideon found himself alone in the room with the most dangerous man in all of Other World.

'She's a handful. Thank you for bringing her home. Did you have any trouble?' When he spoke he sounded tired; and the slip of his control surprised Gideon. His head snapped up to look at the feared leader.

'I had to kill a human demon hunter. Tessa buried his body at the bottom of a lake. Your girl is scary-talented with power. If she builds some stamina up, I can't imagine how much she could do.'

The Grand Master sighed, and he sounded like a tired old man. 'She is talented, but I can't risk her. I won't let her go back there again. Does she know she can't cross? Did she try?'

'She tried; that's why she came home like this. Your daughter threw everything she had left into the attempt.'

He sighed again. 'I'd rather have her hate me than she die. Your people are safe; and as a 'thank you,' I vow to never threaten them in such a way again. You have my word.'

Gideon nodded.

Both men sat in silence until Tessa stirred. When she opened her eyes, Gideon was the first one she saw, and she smiled a little before she closed her eyes again. Glancing at the Grand Master, Gideon saw the man rake him with a look of pure hatred and realized that Tessa not hating him like she did everyone else Other World might not be such a good thing.

Tessa opened her eyes again, and when she saw her father she squeaked in surprise. 'What do you want, Victor? I'm alive and I'm here. Let Gideon go; he's done his dirty deed. I hate that you would keep me here against my will again.' Her expression was definitely not happy and her voice bitter.

Tessa obviously hated her father; but she appeared to be safe, so he decided to leave. There wasn't much he could do for her at this point.

'You are welcome to Christmas dinner. You saved her life and brought her home. Please be our guest.' The Grand Master's words made Gideon frown in bafflement. Why would he invite a vampire to come back?

Gideon looked at Tessa, and she looked back. With a grimace and an exasperated noise in the back of his throat, he nodded briskly and then left.

* * * *

Tessa had lost her Christmas spirit. Her father had given her the curse of eternal damnation. Old age and death wouldn't even save her from the place; she wouldn't age here in Other World. Her younger sisters tried to get her to sing, tease, and joke with them as she usually did. She just couldn't muster enough spirit even to fake it. Ebenezer Scrooge had nothing on her for the 'bah, humbugs!'

The thought of seeing Gideon again left her nervous and agitated. Gideon had been invited, but coming from her father it really was more of an order. He wouldn't be coming to see her if he showed up. The man had done what vampires do; enjoyed promiscuous sex and nothing more. She meant nothing to him. If it hadn't been for the threat she would never have come back so easily. When she thought about him, her emotions were all muddled and twisted. Keeping his part in her imprisonment at the forefront of her mind would serve her best if he did actually show up for Christmas dinner. He had saved her life, and for that she at least owed him dinner; although her return had spared his species' extinction. Did that make them even?

Tessa questioned her strange connection to the man while she helped her sisters decorate and bake; they hadn't done any of it before her return. Tabitha had insisted they wait, because 'without Tessa Christmas lost its meaning.' She was touched, but annoyed. If she'd had her way, she'd just have found a nice quiet spot to sulk.

Tessa was helping Tonia string popcorn and cranberries when Victor walked into the room. He stopped and just watched Tessa for a long moment before he continued on his way. His attitude irritated her. She was the one being punished; if he didn't want her there he could easily let her leave. Joy and happiness would fill her heart as she skipped away from Other World for good.

A little green woman with big pink eyes came into the room holding a tray of hot chocolate. Tessa took a cup and thanked her quietly. She just wanted to go home, to what felt normal.

Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is reality!

Sipping her chocolate, she let the bitter thought fade.

A tall, thin reed of a woman came in. From her pointed ears it was obvious that she was a were-creature of some type; probably a panther judging from her shiny black hair. Tessa knew her father trusted weres and employed them often. When the woman spoke, the rolled r's confirmed her race.

'Come with me; your father commands it.'

Tessa resisted the urge to stick out her tongue at the woman and mimic her words. She knew she was scowling at the woman, and she tried to rein in her anger. It wasn't this woman's fault that her father was forcing her to remain. However, the wording used couldn't have been worse. Dragging her feet, Tessa got up and trudged behind the woman. Whatever he wanted, she was sure she wouldn't like it.

When they got to the top of the stairs, the woman opened a door for Tessa. 'This is your room. The Grand Master arranged it especially to your liking. It's very… human. Your suitcase is here already.' The woman then left; closing the door behind her.

Tessa stood in the large bedroom, fuming. She might be a prisoner in Other World; but that didn't mean she would be living in the castle. There were plenty of apartments for rent and jobs she was qualified to do. Stomping toward the door she stopped when something caught her eye.

Slowly, she walked to the dresser where there was a photo she'd never seen. It was a picture of her mother, but it looked… wrong. Squinting, she picked up the photo and studied it closely. Her mother looked far too old; much older than she had been when she died. Tessa touched the face in the picture through the glass tenderly before setting the photo back down on the dresser. The gilded frame had been sitting on a piece of paper. She picked up the age-yellowed paper. What she read on it made her ill and she had to sit down on the lavish king-sized bed.

Victor:

I cannot live with what you are. I know you hoped I would join you, but you were wrong. You have betrayed me in the worst possible way. You messed with my mind and I've been in love with an illusion. I gave birth to abominations. You are no better than a rapist. I want nothing to do with you or the children. My friend Lilith has agreed to take the girls and tell them that I am dead. Looking at them, knowing what they are, makes me sick. God