Chapter Eleven
Almost Christmas
Ryan could tell the house was empty as they walked up the driveway. Through the open curtains, the silver lights of a Christmas tree flickered, but otherwise, the building was in darkness. He supposed they could all be in bed. But the place had an empty feel to it.
“They’re not here,” she murmured from beside him.
“No.” Had something happened? They’d arrived later than they’d expected. The snow had thickened, and he’d had to crawl along in almost zero visibility. Luckily, the snow plows had been out—eager to get their Christmas overtime—and the roads were clear. Otherwise, they would have been walking. Now the snow had stopped, and everything was a glittering wonderland. It was going to be a white Christmas. Above him, the sky had cleared, and the stars shone down. He glanced at his watch—it was just before midnight.
Where was Liam?
As he approached the front door, he saw an envelope stuck to the glass, with Ryan scrawled across the back. He tore it off and pulled out the note.
Ryan, you bastard, where the hell are you? I’ve been trying to call you since nine. No fucking answer. We’ve gone to midnight mass. You’d better be here when we get back. Steve.
“They’ve gone to church,” he told Winter.
“Do we wait?”
“No. Let’s walk over there. It’s only ten minutes away.” He couldn’t face hanging around, waiting. And after the long drive, it would be a relief to stretch his legs.
He felt good both physically and mentally, better than he could ever remember feeling. Vitally alive, which was ironic, really.
The snow was crunchy underfoot. Winter walked beside him and after a minute, she slipped her small hand into his.
He’d forgiven her. It had been easy; he’d been more shocked by her sheer audacity than angry. And even a little amused. Perhaps his reaction was less than altruistic, because he wanted to make love to her again. He could hardly do that if he was at odds with her. And already, he hungered for her blood.
Blood and sex. He was a simple guy.
But it was more than that. She was right. Subconsciously, he’d been riddled with guilt over ignoring Liam, because it hadn’t been the totally selfless act Winter had described. Yes, he hadn’t wanted to bring Liam into his fucked-up world, but it had been almost a relief to have a justifiable reason for staying away. Being a vampire gave him the perfect excuse for keeping to himself and not letting anyone close.
He was a coward. He always had been, as far as commitment was concerned.
“You know,” he said. “I lost my mother as well. When I was eight. She got fed up with waiting while my dad went in and out of prison, and just walked away from us all.”
“I’m sorry, Ryan.”
“I never heard from her again.”
Scary how their pasts were so similar. As were the results—both terrified to commit. He’d hated his dad, and had held his sister at arm’s length, because he hadn’t trusted her to stay. And as soon as he was able, he’d gotten as far from this town as he could, heading south and losing himself in the anonymity of London.
Now he felt the tug of familiarity. He’d walked this route to school every day for years.
He stopped at the wrought iron gates in front of the church grounds, pushed them open, and ushered her down the yew-lined avenue that led to the towering gothic church and its huge wooden doors.
The service was still in progress, and the sound of singing drifted out into the still night air. “O Little Town of Bethlehem.” He headed for the door, but then paused as something occurred to him. Weren’t vampires supposed to be barred from churches? Didn’t they spontaneously combust or something? That would impress Liam.
Before he could decide whether to risk it, the singing stopped and a moment later, the joyful ringing of the church bells filled the air. Midnight. It was Christmas Day.
“Happy Christmas,” Winter murmured, and he squeezed her hand.
The door opened. He stepped to the side, Winter beside him as the congregation started to leave.
Ryan studied them, watching for his nephew. He hadn’t seen Liam in more than two years. Would he have changed? The church was nearly empty by the time he spotted him.
God, he’d grown.
He was as tall as Ryan now. But lanky, with short dark hair.
“He looks just like you,” Winter whispered from beside him.
Liam was with Steve and his wife and presumably their four kids, but he looked apart and alone. As the small group came up level with them, Ryan stepped out onto the pathway.
“Hello, Liam.”
They all stopped. Ryan kept his gaze fixed on his nephew, catching the moment the boy recognized him, the flash of a smile that was quickly wiped out and replaced with a scowl. He hoped the boy wasn’t going to make this difficult. They needed to get back on the road. But first, he owed Liam an apology.
“I’m sorry about your mother,” he said. “And for not being there for you.”
“It’s been six months. Where were you?”
He shrugged. Now was not the moment to go into that particular answer. Hopefully, there would be lots of time later. “It’s difficult. I will explain, but there were reasons.”
“Really good reasons,” Winter added. She nudged him to the side and held out her hand to Liam. “Hi, I’m Winter. I’m a friend of your uncle’s.”
“You look like a total dick, Ryan,” Steve said. “Tell me the two of you have just come from a fancy-dress party.”
Ryan glanced down at himself. All in black, he looked like a goddamn vampire. Winter was no better, in her black leather Goth gear. They were a matching pair. He grinned. “Yeah. Something like that. I’ve come to take Liam home for Christmas.”
“Home?” Liam asked.
“We’re heading back to London. I’d like you to come and spend the holidays with me. After that, you can decide where you want to live.”
“But I could stay with you?” He sounded so tentative that Ryan’s heart ached.
“If you want.” There was a good chance that he wouldn’t, not once everything came out. If he decided to come back here, then Ryan wouldn’t make him stay. “I hope you will.”
“Are you sure, Liam?” Steve asked.
“Yeah. I’m sure.”
At that moment, Ryan’s wolf awoke and growled softly. Ryan ignored him, then stepped forward and shook Steve’s hand. “Thanks, mate.”
“One day you’ll tell me what’s been going on, right?”
“Of course.” If the Order’s plans to reveal their existence to the world came to fruition, then there was no reason why he couldn’t. In fact, he was quite looking forward to it.
His wolf growled again, then lashed out, raking his claws down Ryan’s insides. “Ouch.” What the hell was his problem?
Steve and his family turned to go, just as Winter tugged on his arm. “Ryan?”
He looked down. Her eyes were wide and slightly panicked. He followed her gaze. The rest of the congregation had left. Only the vicar still stood in the doorway. But all around them, figures emerged from the darkness.
Oh shit. There’s the problem.
He went still. Werewolves. A whole freaking pack of them, it seemed. As he watched, Marissa strolled out of the shadow of the trees. “Happy Christmas, asshole. It’s payback time.”