A Vampire for Christmas

chapter TEN





THE DRUMBEAT INSIDE Trace’s head became almost unbearable. He really should stay and listen to these Council members discuss policies and politics, but he just couldn’t take it any longer. The walls felt as if they were closing in on him.



“Excuse me, gentlemen. I should circulate, make sure my other guests are comfortable.” He quickly exited the room.



The last time he’d felt this way was when Charlotte had been in danger outside that club. Where the hell was she?



He strode through the main rooms, looking for the tell-tale silver sparkle of that dress. Groups of people were laughing and eating, but no Charlotte. A few guests tried to strike up a conversation with him, but he didn’t pay any attention. A quick check of the kitchen showed she wasn’t there, either.



He sprinted through the gallery and into the ballroom. The string quartet was playing a holiday classic and dozens of couples were dancing. Above the music, the sound in his head became an incessant roar.



Find me. Find me. Find me.



Jackson, who’d been flirting with a different woman every time Trace had seen him this evening, suddenly appeared right in front of him. Dude, are you all right?”



“It’s Charlotte. Something’s happened. I can feel it.”



His friend wasted no time going into full Guardian mode. He unbuttoned his jacket to make his weapons more accessible and punched a code into his phone. “When did you last see her? Is she on the premises?”



“It’s been more than an hour.” Trace reached inside, centered himself. “She’s not far away, but I can’t tell if she’s inside or not.”



“Dom’s gonna be pissed he left early. He’d be all over this.”



Yeah, I know he would,” Trace answered. “But if there is something going on, maybe it’s best that Mackenzie and the baby aren’t here.” If only Charlotte was also somewhere safe….



We’ll find her, man. Don’t worry.” Jackson headed for the stairs. “I’ll check up here. You take downstairs. Meet you back in five.”



Trace wrenched open the double doors and took the steps two at a time. Although it was faint, he could almost smell the vanilla scent of her skin. She’d been down here at some point recently.



If something happened to her, he didn’t know what he would do. Whether it was the seat on the Council or his status among his peers…none of that mattered if he didn’t have Charlotte in his life.



It had taken losing her, then finding her again for him to come to that realization. He wasn’t about to lose her again.



The wine cellar was empty. He was about to head back upstairs when his gaze landed on the storage room door. When he wrenched it open, all he saw was were a few empty boxes of Christmas decorations.



No Charlotte.



And yet…



His cousin’s face flashed in his mind. The hungry, wolfish grin. His disregard for the rule of law.



Trace got the distinct feeling that Sebastian was behind this somehow. He’d left the library soon after dropping the bombshell about his family and Trace hadn’t seen him since.



By the time Trace got to the foyer again, Jackson was coming down one of the twin staircases.



She’s not up there,” Jackson said. “And I checked all the rooms. Including the occupied ones. Do we search the exterior premises or could she have left by vehicle? Can you tell?”



Trace focused inward, but heard nothing from her. He shook his head.



Come on,” Jackson said. “Let’s go out and see if you pick up anything there.”



I’ll be right there.” A moment later Trace was in his bedchamber, where he pocketed his scorpion blade and a few other weapons. He was not going to lose Charlotte without a fight.



Back downstairs, just as he was about to head outside, the wrought-iron door to the elevator opened. His grandmother was sitting on the small bench inside.



Have you found her yet? When your friend burst in on me and said—”



No, Grandmother.” He didn’t have time for—



I last saw her dancing with Sebastian. About twenty minutes ago. I remember thinking it seemed a little odd, but didn’t think more about it until that young man, the Guardian with the red-streaked hair, came into my room, looking for her.”



Sebastian. He’d been right to suspect his cousin’s involvement.



He bolted outside and quickly located Jackson. “My cousin—he’s driving a black Escalade. He took her.”



The valet he’d hired stepped out from his station. “Sir, a black Escalade left the party about fifteen minutes ago.”



Jackson palmed his keys. “Then let’s go.”



They climbed into the Guardian’s jacked-up truck and careened down the long driveway. But just as they were about to turn onto the main road, a strange feeling came over Trace. The mental pull seemed to be lessening. He was almost certain Charlotte hadn’t come this way. She…she…was behind him somewhere.



“Let me out,” he demanded.



“But—”



Trace opened the door and Jackson slammed on the brakes, spinning the truck in a one-eighty.



“Follow up on the Escalade, but it could be Sebastian’s girlfriend leading us on a wild-goose chase. I’ll be in touch.” Before the car came to a complete halt, Trace was on the ground, running.





DRIFTS OF SNOW had blown in under the trees, blanketing the forest in silence. All Trace could hear was the muffled sound of his footsteps and his own even breathing.



He’d forgotten about the guesthouse on the back of the property. It had been a favorite hangout of Sebastian’s when he’d visited as a kid. If he had Charlotte, he may have taken her there.



The lights from the main house didn’t extend to where the cottage stood at the edge of the forest, dark and forgotten. Years ago, his mother had used it as a potting shed, but now, it was rarely occupied. The mansion was more than big enough to accommodate any guests.



The closer he got, the more certain he was that Charlotte was somewhere inside. He could feel the pull of her blood. Whipping out his phone, he sent a quick text to Jackson then stuffed the thing back into his pocket just as he reached the white picket fence.



He knew he should circle the cottage to assess the situation and wait for backup, but fury clouded his judgment. He couldn’t stand to have Charlotte spend another moment inside.



In three strides he was on the porch. Then with one mighty kick, he brought the front door down.



Charlotte was slumped in a wooden chair in the center of the room with Sebastian leaning over her. He snapped his head up when Trace crashed into the room, surprise registering on his face. Fangs hung from his mouth and blood—Charlotte’s blood—trickled down his chin.



A burning rage shot through Trace’s system, ringing in his ears.



“Motherf*cker!” Trace launched himself at his cousin.



His right hook made contact with the side of the guy’s head, while his left hook got him in the belly. Sebastian doubled over, but he didn’t go down.



“A relationship…with a human…can’t work, Trace. You of all people should know that.” Sebastian groaned as he straightened up and flashed a weak-assed smile. “In fact, did you know…those were the exact words…your grandfather said to mine…the day he stole the Council seat…from us?”



“But why would you go after Charlotte? She’s innocent.”



“I was thirsty, what can I say?” Sebastian touched the corner of his mouth where Trace had hit him.



“That’s bullshit. You’re a coward, that’s what you are. I’m the one you should’ve come after, not her.”



“Who says I didn’t? I kill Charlotte, but you take the blame because they assume you f*cked up and took too much of her blood. You lose your seat on the Council, and it shifts back to the Tafts, where it rightfully belongs.”



The next punch knocked his cousin all the way down and Trace jumped to Charlotte’s side. “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” But she didn’t answer. Gently, his cradled her face in his hands. Her normally rosy lips were tinged blue and her skin was cold. Sebastian had taken too much from her.



Without thinking, Trace pulled out his scorpion blade and drew it across his wrist. As the blood welled up, he held it to her mouth.



“Drink,” he commanded her.



But she remained still, lifeless in his arms.



Clutching her body to his, he yelled to the heavens. The only time in his life he’d ignored his duty, forgotten his promise to his father and dared to love the forbidden had resulted in this unspeakable tragedy.



The woman he loved was gone.





HUSHED VOICES CAME from somewhere faraway. Charlotte knew she should open her eyes but the effort was just too much. She was so tired. So cold. All she wanted to do was sleep.



Strong arms lifted her up and her face pressed into the hard, warm plane of someone’s chest. He smelled of sandalwood and Christmas trees. Trace.



If only she could hold him one more time. Tell him how much she loved him before she had to go. As her life force ebbed out, faint memories flashed before her, including the first time she and Trace had been together.



Just as she’d suspected, she’d loved him then, as well.



More jostling, more voices, then something warm touched her lips.



If only she could tell him just one more time….