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Crimson Kisses on a Cold Winter's Night
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents 2
a blood bound short story 3
Anika Willmanns 3
Contents 6
Acknowledgments 7
Crimson Kisses on a Cold Winter’s Night
a blood bound short story
Anika Willmanns
Copyright © Anika Willmanns 2016
Book cover by Ravenborn Covers
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
CONTACT INFORMATION:
[email protected]
Created with Vellum
To my husband Christian
I love you
Contents
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
About the Author
Acknowledgments
My best friend, Sharon Lipman, for your patience and not strangling me for every time I pop up with the question: “Hey Sharon, how do you say...”
Mamma and Pappa, for always being there for me and raising me into the person I am today.
My stepfather, Helmut, for sticking to me when you didn't have to.
My little sister, Katharina, for just being who you are. You can achieve greatness. I believe in you.
My big sister, Angelika, for believing in me. You are the best.
My dearest cats, who have been doing their very best to prevent me from getting any work done.
And last, but not least, my husband Christian. I'm still amazed that you married me. Are you sure about this?
Chapter 1
Snow and ice
covered the country, the temperatures far below the freezing point. I stood outside, my skin nearly as white as the snowflakes covering it. Black pants hung low on my hips, my feet shoved in a pair of combat boots, that was all I wore and yet I showed no ill effects, for I wasn't human.
The sun had set long ago on this Christmas Day, but I did not need light to see my prey - a young woman, all alone in her small cottage. It was on the outskirts of a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. It was perfect. She had nowhere to run. Red hair gleamed in the light of the fire she was sitting before, giving the illusion of being part of the flames themselves. She was reading. Coming closer I fought a smile. It was one of those dreadful romances, one with a bare chested vampire on the cover. Little did she know her fairytale was about to become reality, just not in the way she was fantasizing about.
Unlike every other house I'd come across this evening there were no Christmas decorations to be found here. No tree, no tiny lights, no towering stack of gifts waiting to be unwrapped. She wasn't expecting any visitors. Perfect.
I walked up to the door and knocked, crossing my arms across my chest when she opened it, pretending to shiver because of the bitter cold. “I-I'm sorry to disturb you, can I use your telephone? I was robbed and...”
“Oh you poor man, come in, you must be freezing!” she exclaimed as she took in my pitiful appearance. I tried not to let my glee show on my face as she beckoned me inside, for the legends of vampires being unable to cross a threshold, when not invited in, are entirely true. But she had welcomed me inside, so no magical barriers held me back as I walked into the warmth of her home.
She hurried away, coming back with a blanket moments later, wrapping it around my shoulders. I was taller than she was, so I leaned down to her, inhaling her scent as I did. It made my mouth water and I quickly averted my gaze, not wanting to scare her. Vampire eyes turn pitch-black when hungry and I was starving.
Backing away she motioned to the couch in front of the fire, her cheeks flushed as if she were embarrassed by something. “Sit down, please. I'll get the phone to call for help.”
I knew the phone wouldn't work, as I had made sure of it. I heard her frantically punching in several numbers, but finally giving up. Frowning she came back. “The phone is dead.”
Her hands fluttered helplessly at her sides as she was chewing her bottom lip. She was uncomfortable with having a half-naked stranger in her house. As she should be. Getting up from the couch I limped to the door. “I'll try to get to town then. I don't wish to intrude.”
She was at my side in an instant. “But you're hurt! You can't go out there. Please,” she seemed to fight with herself, before she sighed, “please stay. We'll get you to a hospital in the morning.”
Inwardly I smiled, my fangs pressing against my lips. “I don't want to be any trouble.”
She offered me a watery smile. “And I don't want your death on my conscience. I'll get you something to eat, sit, please. I'm Alexis by the way,” she called over her shoulder as she disappeared into the kitchen. Alexis. The name brought a chill to my spine, but I shrugged it off. What harm could a simple name do?
I decided to play along, after all, toying with my victims was the only joy I had in life, so I sat down at the table, the blanket still firmly wrapped around my shoulders. I knew, however, that in staying, in talking to her, I risked becoming enthralled by her. “Thank you, that's very kind of you. I promise, I'm not a serial killer.” That got a laugh out of her, transforming her already beautiful face into something almost angelic. For a moment I was transfixed by it.
“That's... not reassuring at all. A serial killer would say that exact same line to make a woman feel safe.” But her eyes sparkled with amusement as she placed a bowl of steaming hot soup in front of me. “So tell me...”
“Chase.”
“Tell me, Chase, what brings you to my doorstep?” Her voice held a slightly flirty undertone, awakening a hunger I had almost forgotten.
I fabricated a story of being stood up by friends and then being mugged, using the vampiric power in my gaze to put her at ease.
She placed a pale hand on my arm, squeezing it slightly as if to reassure me. “I'm sure the cops will find who did this to you.”
I lifted my gaze, my eyes meeting her beautiful green ones. They were the most incredible shade, like grass bathed in sunlight. Fighting the urge to reach up and brush away a stubborn lock of flaming red hair that kept falling into her face, I leaned forward. “How does a lovely lady like yourself end up spending Christmas all alone?”
As if a switch had been flipped, she snatched her hand away and started walking briskly to the door. “Maybe it would be better if you left. There is a phone booth down the street, maybe you can call 911 from there.”
I was behind her in an instant, moving far faster than a human would. Her eyes flew open at my sudden movement, but I quickly took away her fear. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you.”
Her eyes were still slightly widened, her breath a little too fast and for a moment I was sure my compulsion had failed, but then she nodded. “It's okay, it's just I miss him so much.”
“Who do you miss, Alexis?” I asked softly, trying to ignore her delicate fingers curled around my arm, trying to ignore the enticing feeling of her pulse beneath my fingertips as I cupped her face with my hand, gently tipping her head back so I could look in her eyes. “Who have you lost?”
“My husband. Car crash one year ago. It was Christmas. I tried to kill myself. I couldn't handle him being gone.” She showed me faint scars on her wrists and I let out a curse.
Alexis was just as lonely as I was, just as lost in this enormous, vicious world. A cruel world that swallowed millions of souls each year without the slightest remorse. Looking into those pale green eyes I knew I might have found the one to spend eternity with.
“It's okay. Come sit with me. I'll make the pain go away,” I promised. I would not take her husband's memories away, nor would I replace them, but perhaps I could help her live with them.
Feeling her warm body in my arms, her head resting against my shoulder and inhaling her intoxicating scent I made the decision that I would not kill her. I found I couldn't.
Brushing her hair away from her throat I pressed my lips against her racing pulse. She let me, even moaning softly.
I did not see the stake until it was being shoved into my chest with one smooth, lightning strike, piercing my heart. She had moved far too fast for a human and I froze in shock.
“Merry Christmas, blood sucker,” Alexis said, a bitter smile twisting her full lips.
Then it struck me. Alexis McKenna. Alexis, protector of mankind. Beautiful, delicate Alexis was a vampire hunter. No wonder her name sounded familiar.
A fitting end for me, I suppose. I've been the downfall of many beautiful women, it seemed only right that one would be mine.
The last thing I heard before I turned into dust was the radio being switched on, a voice singing about crimson kisses on a cold winter's night.
About the Author
Anika Willmanns was born in South Africa. After spending her childhood with her loving grandparents, she moved to Germany at the age of eleven to live with her mother, stepfather and little sister. She suspects moving halfway around the world at that exact age caused her Hogwarts letter to go missing.
She is a paranormal romance and urban fantasy author, whose computer is a graveyard of abandoned story ideas. She has an unhealthy addiction to coffee and chocolate. When she's not reading or writin
g, you can find her designing book covers or curled up on the couch with her husband, Christian, watching the newest Netflix show. Most of her stories feature vampires, witches and werewolves, so be advised to keep your windows closed while reading.
Anika Willmanns, Crimson Kisses on a Cold Winter's Night
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