Taking her time just to irritate him, she finally packed her things and left the bathroom. He was dressed and ready. Setting down her suitcase she stretched her arms out wide, releasing her magical hold over the resort. Within seconds she knew that her protection was gone, and she found herself at Gideon's mercy.

For a moment, she thought she might have seen regret on his face before he took her hand and she teleported them to the other side of the barrier. She could see the human world, and desperately she tried to step through the barrier, but as she suspected it had been a one-way trip. Her father had removed her magical visa. There was no going home. Unable to help herself she crumpled in front of the barrier but Gideon caught her before she hit the ground.

Exhausted and sad she wept softly. Tessa couldn't look him in the eyes; she felt too embarrassed by her reaction. Somehow, losing her ability to cross freely felt a little bit like losing her mother all over again. She felt depleted, and Tessa closed her eyes.

Chapter 5

December 25th


It was just after midnight and now Christmas morning. She'd only had enough strength to get them to the boundary between the worlds. Gideon carried Tessa and her single suitcase with ease. She was very small, and her fragile state frightened him. This confused him because although enjoyed drinking from virtual strangers -a vampire's bite often ended with sex, although he was more selective than most- usually he didn't think much of their care after he'd bitten them.

Strangely, he felt an overwhelming need to protect the woman. Her father was known to be a hard man, and he feared what her father might do to her in his effort to force her compliance to his wishes. When he'd seen her true grief over losing her privilege to cross the border between worlds he felt like someone had kicked him in the ribs. He knew his people depended on her return but seeing the result of his deed made him ill. The Grand Master must really be a monster if his own child had such a strong aversion to returning home.

Upon arriving at the castle Gideon was ushered directly to the Grand Master's office. The demon looked like he'd not had a moment of sleep since he'd sent Gideon on his mission. A guard of troll descent tried to take Tessa from his arms. Gideon growled at the man and he backed off. The Grand Master rushed around his desk and looked down at his daughter. He glared at Gideon and spoke.

"What have you done to her? She's so pale! How dare you harm my child?"

Watching the horns grow on the man's head and seeing the red haze cover his normally black eyes, Gideon felt a moment of fear. "She's just exhausted. She was using her magic continually, and it's my guess she doesn't practice it much. She just needs rest."

The Grand Master beckoned for the guard to take Tessa; but Gideon refused to back away. He saw anger in the ruler's eyes.

"I'm not leaving until she's awake. I'll not leave her helpless and at the mercy of your troll." He wanted to say "you" but he knew better. Holding her tightly, he waited for a reply.

Levelly, the Grand Master glowered at him. Gideon stared back without flinching. With a nod, the demon sat back down at his desk; returning to paperwork. He could feel the older man's concern, but he could also see that Victor was trying to hide it. When he spoke, Gideon was surprised.

"Take her to the family room. I will send my physician to look at her. You can stay, but under guard, until she opens her eyes." He motioned to the troll. "Krux, go with them. Make sure the vampire doesn't hurt any of the royal family."

The troll grunted, and Gideon followed him to a small sitting room off the great room. There was a television and a pool table, and it felt very informal. He wondered why they didn't just take her to a bedroom. When he questioned the troll about it the answer surprised him.

Snorting the troll replied, "She doesn't have a bedroom here, she hates it here. She refuses to sleep here; she's never spent a night since she turned eighteen. She always stays at a motel this side of the boundary and just comes back and forth when she visits. Girl is whacked; says the place gives her nightmares." He ended with another derisive snort, as if he couldn't believe the castle could scare anyone.

Gideon felt worse about his part in her imprisonment. Why would a child born and raised in Other World feel so alienated? "Why does she feel like that?"

The troll grunted again, a curiously pitying look in his eyes as he looked at the girl. "Girl's mom was human. She didn't know the old man was a demon until after all the girls had been born. He'd 'magicked' her to see him as human. She was a fox." He watched the vampire's reaction for a moment before continuing. "The Grand Master thought she loved him and showed his 'true self.' The lady took off; just left the kids with her friend and ran. She didn't want anything to do with demons, not even the kids.

Tessa's father really cared about his lady. He kept her unaware for years. The glamour he used made her just kind of ignore how weird everything got. I was one of her bodyguards for a few years. The Grand Master kept her comfortable, but I don't think he really understood how human families work. Demons tend to reproduce and that's the end of it for them. Humans raise their kids. This one was seven or eight when they came to live here and she never knew her mom left.

I heard that those kids never met him until the night he brought them here. Had to be strange, finding out about this place after living in the human world with their mother. The Grand Master told them their mother died; didn't want to break their little hearts I guess. He's a fierce motherfucker; but when it comes to those girls, he's a big old softy. That's why he let this one live like a human. He hates it; but he just can't put his foot down.

I've been a house guard for years I've seen all the drama myself. She really hates her old man. Only reason I'm telling you this stuff is I like Tessa, she's a good kid. I see how you're looking at her, -damn, don't let the Grand Master see that look- and if you care about her you need to understand how fucked up it's all gotten"

Gideon mulled the revelation over. The troll had a big mouth; he was obviously not going to make employee of the month. No wonder Tessa felt like she did about Other World. He wondered if her mother was still alive; if she cared about the little girls she had abandoned.

When the doctor arrived Gideon was nervous. All the physical bite marks would have healed without a trace; but would the doctor be able to ascertain he'd taken a pint of her blood? After a quick inspection, the man left with Gideon still nervous about the man's findings. He didn't care for the last glance the doctor had given him.

A few minutes later the Grand Master entered the room. Both Gideon and the guard jumped, and the guard stood at attention; giving him a salute. When he looked at the guard with his fiery eyes the troll shriveled. Gideon remained seated next to Tessa.

"Go see a room is made ready for her. Have one of the women make it as human as possible," the Grand Master ordered the troll.

Bobbing his head wildly, the guard rushed off to see to the order. Gideon found himself alone in the room with the most dangerous man in all of Other World.

"She's a handful. Thank you for bringing her home. Did you have any trouble?" When he spoke he sounded tired; and the slip of his control surprised Gideon. His head snapped up to look at the feared leader.

"I had to kill a human demon hunter. Tessa buried his body at the bottom of a lake. Your girl is scary-talented with power. If she builds some stamina up, I can't imagine how much she could do."

The Grand Master sighed, and he sounded like a tired old man. "She is talented, but I can't risk her. I won't let her go back there again. Does she know she can't cross? Did she try?"

"She tried; that's why she came home like this. Your daughter threw everything she had left into the attempt."

He sighed again. "I'd rather have her hate me than she die. Your people are safe; and as a 'thank you,' I vow to never threaten them in such a way again. You have my word."

Gideon nodded.

Both men sat in silence until Tessa stirred. When she opened her eyes, Gideon was the first one she saw, and she smiled a little before she closed her eyes again. Glancing at the Grand Master, Gideon saw the man rake him with a look of pure hatred and realized that Tessa not hating him like she did everyone else Other World might not be such a good thing.

Tessa opened her eyes again, and when she saw her father she squeaked in surprise. "What do you want, Victor? I'm alive and I'm here. Let Gideon go; he's done his dirty deed. I hate that you would keep me here against my will again." Her expression was definitely not happy and her voice bitter.

Tessa obviously hated her father; but she appeared to be safe, so he decided to leave. There wasn't much he could do for her at this point.

"You are welcome to Christmas dinner. You saved her life and brought her home. Please be our guest." The Grand Master's words made Gideon frown in bafflement. Why would he invite a vampire to come back?

Gideon looked at Tessa, and she looked back. With a grimace and an exasperated noise in the back of his throat, he nodded briskly and then left.


* * * *

Tessa had lost her Christmas spirit. Her father had given her the curse of eternal damnation. Old age and death wouldn't even save her from the place; she wouldn't age here in Other World. Her younger sisters tried to get her to sing, tease, and joke with them as she usually did. She just couldn't muster enough spirit even to fake it. Ebenezer Scrooge had nothing on her for the 'bah, humbugs!'

The thought of seeing Gideon again left her nervous and agitated. Gideon had been invited, but coming from her father it really was more of an order. He wouldn't be coming to see her if he showed up. The man had done what vampires do; enjoyed promiscuous sex and nothing more. She meant nothing to him. If it hadn't been for the threat she would never have come back so easily. When she thought about him, her emotions were all muddled and twisted. Keeping his part in her imprisonment at the forefront of her mind would serve her best if he did actually show up for Christmas dinner. He had saved her life, and for that she at least owed him dinner; although her return had spared his species' extinction. Did that make them even?

Tessa questioned her strange connection to the man while she helped her sisters decorate and bake; they hadn't done any of it before her return. Tabitha had insisted they wait, because "without Tessa Christmas lost its meaning." She was touched, but annoyed. If she'd had her way, she'd just have found a nice quiet spot to sulk.

Tessa was helping Tonia string popcorn and cranberries when Victor walked into the room. He stopped and just watched Tessa for a long moment before he continued on his way. His attitude irritated her. She was the one being punished; if he didn't want her there he could easily let her leave. Joy and happiness would fill her heart as she skipped away from Other World for good.

A little green woman with big pink eyes came into the room holding a tray of hot chocolate. Tessa took a cup and thanked her quietly. She just wanted to go home, to what felt normal.

Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is reality!

Sipping her chocolate, she let the bitter thought fade.

A tall, thin reed of a woman came in. From her pointed ears it was obvious that she was a were-creature of some type; probably a panther judging from her shiny black hair. Tessa knew her father trusted weres and employed them often. When the woman spoke, the rolled r's confirmed her race.

"Come with me; your father commands it."

Tessa resisted the urge to stick out her tongue at the woman and mimic her words. She knew she was scowling at the woman, and she tried to rein in her anger. It wasn't this woman's fault that her father was forcing her to remain. However, the wording used couldn't have been worse. Dragging her feet, Tessa got up and trudged behind the woman. Whatever he wanted, she was sure she wouldn't like it.

When they got to the top of the stairs, the woman opened a door for Tessa. "This is your room. The Grand Master arranged it especially to your liking. It's very… human. Your suitcase is here already." The woman then left; closing the door behind her.

Tessa stood in the large bedroom, fuming. She might be a prisoner in Other World; but that didn't mean she would be living in the castle. There were plenty of apartments for rent and jobs she was qualified to do. Stomping toward the door she stopped when something caught her eye.