Ashlynn Monroe - Vampires and Mistletoe

December 25th

It was just after midnight and now Christmas morning. She'd only had enough strength to get them to the boundary between the worlds. Gideon carried Tessa and her single suitcase with ease. She was very small, and her fragile state frightened him. This confused him because although enjoyed drinking from virtual strangers -a vampire's bite often ended with sex, although he was more selective than most- usually he didn't think much of their care after he'd bitten them.

Strangely, he felt an overwhelming need to protect the woman. Her father was known to be a hard man, and he feared what her father might do to her in his effort to force her compliance to his wishes. When he'd seen her true grief over losing her privilege to cross the border between worlds he felt like someone had kicked him in the ribs. He knew his people depended on her return but seeing the result of his deed made him ill. The Grand Master must really be a monster if his own child had such a strong aversion to returning home.

Upon arriving at the castle Gideon was ushered directly to the Grand Master's office. The demon looked like he'd not had a moment of sleep since he'd sent Gideon on his mission. A guard of troll descent tried to take Tessa from his arms. Gideon growled at the man and he backed off. The Grand Master rushed around his desk and looked down at his daughter. He glared at Gideon and spoke.

"What have you done to her? She's so pale! How dare you harm my child?"

Watching the horns grow on the man's head and seeing the red haze cover his normally black eyes, Gideon felt a moment of fear. "She's just exhausted. She was using her magic continually, and it's my guess she doesn't practice it much. She just needs rest."

The Grand Master beckoned for the guard to take Tessa; but Gideon refused to back away. He saw anger in the ruler's eyes.

"I'm not leaving until she's awake. I'll not leave her helpless and at the mercy of your troll." He wanted to say "you" but he knew better. Holding her tightly, he waited for a reply.

Levelly, the Grand Master glowered at him. Gideon stared back without flinching. With a nod, the demon sat back down at his desk; returning to paperwork. He could feel the older man's concern, but he could also see that Victor was trying to hide it. When he spoke, Gideon was surprised.

"Take her to the family room. I will send my physician to look at her. You can stay, but under guard, until she opens her eyes." He motioned to the troll. "Krux, go with them. Make sure the vampire doesn't hurt any of the royal family."

The troll grunted, and Gideon followed him to a small sitting room off the great room. There was a television and a pool table, and it felt very informal. He wondered why they didn't just take her to a bedroom. When he questioned the troll about it the answer surprised him.

Snorting the troll replied, "She doesn't have a bedroom here, she hates it here. She refuses to sleep here; she's never spent a night since she turned eighteen. She always stays at a motel this side of the boundary and just comes back and forth when she visits. Girl is whacked; says the place gives her nightmares." He ended with another derisive snort, as if he couldn't believe the castle could scare anyone.

Gideon felt worse about his part in her imprisonment. Why would a child born and raised in Other World feel so alienated? "Why does she feel like that?"

The troll grunted again, a curiously pitying look in his eyes as he looked at the girl. "Girl's mom was human. She didn't know the old man was a demon until after all the girls had been born. He'd 'magicked' her to see him as human. She was a fox." He watched the vampire's reaction for a moment before continuing. "The Grand Master thought she loved him and showed his 'true self.' The lady took off; just left the kids with her friend and ran. She didn't want anything to do with demons, not even the kids.

Tessa's father really cared about his lady. He kept her unaware for years. The glamour he used made her just 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.