A Vampire for Christmas

chapter TEN





THE SUN HADN’T SET, but it was dark enough for Eagan to risk running straight for the diner. Seven minutes later he charged through the door, ready to take names and kick ass if that’s what it took to find out what was wrong.



The wolf bitch was pacing back and forth just inside the door. When he walked in, her eyes flashed gold and her upper lip curled back over an impressive set of fangs. The rest of the diner was empty except for some guy wearing an apron walking out of the kitchen as he dried his hands on a towel.



Both he and Eagan sized each other up. Great. Another damned shifter, although Eagan was betting Della had no idea that’s what he was.



He stared right back, not caring if that riled the guy’s alpha nature. “Where is she, wolf? And don’t bother telling me it’s none of my business.”



Lupe got between them. “Tennessee, don’t tell him anything. He has no claim on Della.”



The male wolf stepped around the female and sniffed the air around Eagan. He immediately nodded as if he’d just confirmed something he already guessed.



“He does have the right, Lupe. He’s bonded to her.”



Lupe actually growled, her eyes turning feral. “When did that happen? Darn her, I warned Della to stay away from you.”



There was no time for this. “Woman, I have no idea what your issues are with my kind and don’t give a damn. Right now Della’s in danger, so tell me what you know. If she gets hurt because you held something back, I guarantee you won’t like what happens next.”



The woman stared at him in disbelief. “She’s not in danger. She just went to check on Daniel and take his family her presents for them.”



Eagan got right in her face. “Like the man said, bitch, I’m bonded to her. That means I feel what she feels, and I’m telling you that she’s terrified. I can track her through the bond, but it would help to know what I’ll be walking into.”



“If she’s in danger, call the police.”



He pulled out his badge and shoved in her obstinate face. “Damn it, I am the police. Now talk.”



Some of the female’s aggression died down. “Right after she left, Daniel called. When I told him that she was heading for his house, he sounded really worried and asked how long ago she’d left. He hung up before I could get more out of him.”



Eagan pulled out one of his cards. “Here’s my cell phone number. If you hear from her or the kid, call me immediately.”



He headed back outside to start hunting. He closed his eyes and breathed deeply of the night air. Before he’d gone two steps, the diner door opened again. It was the male wolf shrugging on a biker jacket.



Eagan did not have time to screw around with Della’s friends. “What do you want?”



Tennessee held up his hands and tipped his head to the side, a sign of surrender among his kind. “I know you can feel her through the bond, but it’s too new to make finding her all that easy. I thought maybe you could use a second nose. Besides, I’m pretty handy in a fight.”



The guy pulled up his sleeve to reveal a familiar tattoo. Eagan asked, “Special Forces?”



“Used to be. Now let’s get moving.”



As they loped down the street, Eagan prayed they’d get to her in time. If those young vamps sensed the bond between him and Della, they might kill her to end the connection.



The entire downtown area was clogged with last-minute shoppers. Every store and street were festooned with Christmas decorations. He bet Della loved it all.



But this was not the time to get distracted by bright shiny lights and thoughts of making love to Della underneath the mistletoe.



Right now the only Christmas present he wanted was to find Della and make sure she was safe. He struggled to keep his lips closed over his fangs, but it was difficult with all of his protective instincts running hot. Whoever had dared threaten his mate would pay with their blood.



He turned his focus inward, trying to sense if there’d been any change in what she was feeling. She was still scared, but no worse than she had been. He wasn’t sure what that meant.



The only good news was that she was close. He could feel her too-rapid pulse and taste her fear on the night air. Tennessee had slowed down, tipping his head back as he turned in a circle to hunt for Della’s scent.



Am I glad to see you, young man. You, too, Tenn.”



Eagan was so focused on Della that it took him several seconds to recognize the elderly man headed straight for them. The last thing he need right now was a distraction, even if Harry was one of Della’s personal favorites.



Not now, Harry. We’ve got a problem we’re working on.”



The old man caught Eagan’s sleeve and refused to let go. “I know. I just called the diner to summon help and spoke to Lupe. You’re looking for Della, and I know where she is.”



Where?”



If Harry noticed Eagan’s eyes were the color of obsidian or that Tenn’s were gleaming gold, he didn’t say anything. Instead, he started shuffling back down the street.



This way. I saw her and Daniel run into an alley down this way. Two young men followed them in. There was something definitely off about those two. Something about the way they moved. Sorry if I’m not making myself clear.”



Actually, he was. The young vamps were in predator mode, moving with the inhuman grace and power of their kind. At their young age, they wouldn’t stand a chance against Eagan or even Tennessee, but the two humans were no match for them.



At the next corner, Harry pointed down the cross street. “See that alley? That’s where they went. I’ll stay here out of the way.”



Eagan clapped the older man on the shoulder. “Thanks, Harry. We’ll make sure she’s safe.”



“See that you do, since I’m not up to doing it myself.” His voice wavered. “She’s like a daughter to me.”



Eagan understood a man’s need to be useful when it came to protecting those he cared about. He handed Harry his cell phone and flashed his badge. “Hit two on the speed dial and tell my lieutenant where we are. When my backup gets here, point them toward the right alley.”



Harry stood taller. “I’ll do that. Now get going.”



“Tenn, you take this side while I come in from the far end. Hopefully I’ll be able to drive them back in your direction before they get to her.”



Tennessee nodded. Eagan waited for him to get in position before using his strength and speed to go up over the buildings to the opposite end of the alley to make sure they trapped the young vamps in between them.



Before returning to street level, he closed his eyes briefly, trying to get a clear reading on what Della was feeling. Fear definitely. Worry, most likely for Daniel. And pain.



That did it. The bastards would die. With fangs out, Eagan dropped down two stories back to the ground and took the hunt to the hunters.





DELLA’S CHEST HURT. She wasn’t dressed warm enough for the cold, but that wasn’t what had her shivering. Daniel wasn’t faring much better as the two of them huddled in the corner behind a stack of trash cans. They’d only meant to stop long enough to catch their breath, but their pursuers were closing in.



She and Daniel had tried everything to lose them, but nothing had worked. She’d also lost her pack when she’d first seen them trying to drag Daniel into an abandoned building, so she didn’t have her cell phone to call for help. When she’d swung the bag at the closest one’s head, it had connected with a satisfying thud. However, Daniel’s attacker had latched on to the strap and ripped it out of her hand.



At least it had distracted him long enough for Daniel to get free. He’d grabbed her hand and dragged her back down the street at a dead run. Unfortunately, they were in a section of town where few shops were open, leaving them no easy place to take sanctuary.



They had to get moving again before they were cornered here, where it was unlikely anyone would hear them calling for help. She started to reach for Daniel’s hand when she heard Eagan’s voice faintly whisper, “Stay where you are, Della. We’re on our way.”



When she didn’t immediately spot Eagan, she whispered, “Where are you?”



Daniel’s eyes, already wide with fright, zeroed in on her face. “I’m right here, Della.”



She squeezed his hand. “Not you. Eagan. Didn’t you hear him say he was coming?”



When Daniel slowly shook his head, she closed her eyes to listen harder. “Eagan?”



When he answered, his words were stronger this time, but felt as if they were brushing against the inside of her head. “We’re almost there. Me and your friend Tennessee. Just stay hidden. Those two punks tracking you are between you and us. I’m afraid they’ll use you as hostages if we rush them.”



Good grief, he was using telepathy! She tried thinking her response. “I think they’re like you, Eagan. Well, not like you, but your kind.”



His mental sigh was telling. “Yes, they are. Don’t worry. They’re no match for us, but it’s likely to turn ugly. I’m sorry you and your young friend got caught up in this.”



Then the connection broke. A rock bounced off the wall behind her followed by a nasty laugh.



“Hey, kid, come out and play. Who knows, maybe we’ll let your pretty lady friend live.”



Daniel actually started to stand up, but she jerked him back down by her side. “Stay still. Help is coming.”



He clearly didn’t believe her and struggled to get free. “I got you into this, Della. Let me distract them while you run. You can send help.”



Like those two would let him survive that long. “They can’t let me live, Daniel. We both know that. And you must not think much of me if you think I’d abandon you now.”



He still fought her, panic taking over. “Then we’ll both die.”



His voice had grown louder, but knowing who was after them meant it didn’t matter. They’d probably heard every word they’d said. The two punks couldn’t be more than a few feet away now. She braced herself to fight with everything she had.



Then there they were, with their gleaming eyes looking like black holes and their fangs ghostly white against their lower lips. One jabbed the other in the ribs with his elbow.



“Hey, look what I got you for Christmas. Dinner for two! She’s even wearing Santa on her shirt.”



As the two kept themselves entertained, they failed to notice they were no longer alone in the alley. Eagan stood behind them, looking like an avenging angel. The two young vampires might be dangerous, but they didn’t radiate pure death in the way Eagan did.



She should find him every bit as terrifying as they were, if not more so. All she felt was relief.



He latched onto the back of their collars and sent them both flying across the alley to bounce against a brick wall. Planting himself firmly between them and Della, he looked back over his shoulder at her.



Go that way, and you’ll run straight into Tennessee. He’ll make sure you get back to the diner safely. Some of my friends will arrive any second. Don’t be scared of them. They’re the good guys.”



Will you come find me when you’ve—”



She broke off midsentence, not wanting to think about what was going to happen to the two young vampires who were already back on their feet and attacking.



Go, Della. Now.”



She grabbed Daniel and hauled him down the alley. But before she reached the other end, she stopped long enough to think one last thought.



Come back to me, Eagan. Don’t make me spend Christmas without you.”



Then she ran to where Tennessee stood waiting.