Heather Graham - The Keepers - Christmas in Salem

“What are you talking about?” August asked. “Look at the two of you. Yes, I know about the two of you.” He stared at Samantha, then Daniel, and finally returned his attention back to Samantha. “Everyone knows about the two of you. You were the perfect couple. But the world threw a monkey wrench into things, so you two just caved in and threw everything away.”

Samantha was obviously taken by surprise. She turned bright red and gaped at August for a moment, and strained not to glance in Daniel’s direction. Her jaw seemed to be locked hard.

“August—” she began, but he cut her off.

“Yeah, right, it’s Christmas Eve. I have to be cheerful, look on the bright side of things. Except it’s dark as pitch out here.”

“Yes, and I think you enjoyed pretending that you were causing the darkness,” Samantha said.

“Because I am dark,” August said.

“Drama queen, more like,” Daniel commented.

“You’re being an immature brat, if you ask me,” Samantha said.

Daniel almost laughed. She’d been trying so hard to be gentle with August, but when she finally lost her temper, it seemed to affect him more than anything else she had said.

It was his turn to grow flustered. “I—I—Uh, yeah. I’m sorry.”

“You’re hurt and you’re lashing out,” Samantha said. “And I’m freezing. Could we move this conversation back to my house? The party has started by now, and we’re going to go in looking like drowned rats—not to mention I think I have icicles dripping off my nose.”

“I’m so sorry,” August said. “I really didn’t want to hurt you, Samantha.”

“August, you don’t really want to hurt anyone,” Sam said. “I can see that. We can both see that.”

“Let’s go,” Daniel said. “Sam is freezing.” As much as he disliked it, sometimes there were no other options, so he transformed himself into a bat, assuming the other two would quickly follow.

August flew with him, but he realized that Samantha was missing and looked back down toward the beach.

She was struggling, wet and soggy, on the sand, one wing dragging.

Swearing softly, he swooped down beside her, transforming back into a man. August quickly followed suit, as did Samantha, though she changed more slowly.

“Okay, so this isn’t going to work for me when I’m this soaked,” she said. “You two go ahead and get back and—”

“Not in this lifetime,” Daniel said. “We head back together. We’ll just go on foot.”

“That will take us forever,” she said.

“Then we’ll call a taxi.” Daniel reached into his pocket for his cell. He began to key in a number, then realized his phone was soaked.

“I threw mine in the bushes,” August said. “I’ll find it.” He emerged a moment later. “I was going to call Ciara and tell her I was killing myself because of her,” he admitted.

“Did you?” Daniel asked him.

“No, I chickened out,” August admitted.

“No, you were smart,” Daniel told him.

“Really?” August asked.

“You don’t want her having that power over you,” Daniel said. “Trust me—you’re going to get over her. And when you’re over her, you’re going to be glad that she never knew you wanted to call it quits because of her.”

August looked at Samantha, waiting for her opinion. “I don’t know your girlfriend, but—”

“Ex-girlfriend. She dumped me, remember?”

“I don’t know her, but I do know you. Yes, you’ve made some trouble, you’ve let her lead you around a little bit. So let me be blunt. Use this occasion to grow some balls. You can be whatever you want to be. Get over this and move forward. Decide on a dream and go for it.”

“She was my dream!” August said.

“Don’t be an idiot!” Sam said, growing impatient. She was really freezing now, and she needed to get home. “I told you to grow some balls.”

Somehow, Daniel managed not to laugh at the stunned expression on August’s face as he said, “All right, let’s get going.” He knew Sam wasn’t going to manage the trip on her own, so he swept his arm up to transform and enwrapped her in his hold before she could protest. She realized his intent.

She didn’t protest. She had to have been really cold. At his side, August Avery transformed, as well.

A moment later they were flying. The night air was cold, but he kept her within his hold and protected her from the force of the wind, keeping her as warm as possible while managing a decent level and speed.

He tried not to tremble at having her so near after so much time apart, but it was impossible.

He’d learned a lot in the past two years. They’d both been way too young when the council was formed, dutiful children who had behaved in a way they had considered responsible, by virtue of their birth.

What they had lacked was wisdom and a sense of perspective.

And the knowledge of just how rare it was to find the kind of love they had shared.

And now that he knew those things …

It was too late.

Samantha had taken on not only the vampires but all of Salem as her responsibility. She was there to guide her cousins, to watch out for everyone. She had grown up and grown strong, and she had closed her heart to him.

He’d dreamed of a chance to come home for Christmas and get her alone, leading to a passionate declaration. In two years, he hadn’t forgotten a thing. They’d both been swept up in the nobility of serving, when there had been no need. They could serve and still be together. Others had feared for them. That was understandable. But those Others had been wrong. He had never stopped loving her; he had never strayed from her. All he wanted was a chance.

And now the darkness might give it to him.

Because while he didn’t believe it was a vampire matter, he knew that Samantha’s feeling that the whole town was hers to protect meant it was still her responsibility.

They could stand strong together, he thought.

If only she would let that happen… .

When they neared the center of town, Daniel slowed down to a less noticeable pace and August fell into step beside him.

“We can’t exactly walk into your party looking like this,” Daniel said to Samantha. “But my house is nearby, so let’s get over there and dry off.”

“Have you suddenly started carrying a supply of women’s clothing?” Samantha asked him.

“No, but I can get you in front of a fire while you figure out what to do next.”

She nodded, and they hurried down the street toward his house.

Like Samantha’s home, it was old, with low ceilings and exposed beams throughout. Sam had to admit the Rivertons had done a beautiful job, sticking with the old but bringing in the new. There was something that spoke of a long-ago gentility in the parlor: the drapes were heavy damask, and the hand-hewn furniture was covered in shades of royal blue and crimson. But they rushed by the formal parlor and back to the family room, where the double fireplace—which opened to the parlor on the other side—was framed by a mantel that held family pictures going back generations. The furniture was comfortable, soft leather, and a wide-screen TV hung on one wall, while another held a stereo system and shelves of games, DVDs and hundreds of books.

They had barely entered the room when Daniel lifted then extended one hand toward the fireplace.

A blaze immediately rose up.

She stared at him, astonished. Fire starting wasn’t a known vampire talent. In fact, on the whole, vampires weren’t terribly fond of fire. It was the one element that could destroy them.

“Where did you learn that?” she asked him.

“Cool!” August said.