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Summer

T he following two weeks are spent wreaking absolute havoc in Dr?culea. It didn’t take long for word to spread, and soon, vampires were running in the other direction or ducking into alleyways to avoid us when we approached.

The distance from Avalon has done nothing to help me forget that day. Even now, I can feel the way her blood clung to me. I can still see those milky, unfocused eyes. The killer let this victim keep them this time. The way her head was tilted slightly to the right. My stomach roils every time I remember the gore streaking the pretty pink sweater with the daisy buttons.

“Home sweet home.” Alice sighs when we arrive back in our dorm.

Cautiously, I look around, relieved to see there’s no residual blood from that day. I’m both excited and dreading being back in Avalon for Christmas Eve. I’m excited to spend time with Connor and his family, but I’m also nervous about being back within reach of the killer.

Collapsing onto the couch, I check the time on my phone. Connor should be back any minute. I can’t wait to see him, but I am not looking forward to having to keep another secret from him. The headmaster had sent me one email over the break. It simply said that he was going to take the opportunity that an empty school brought and do some research into the murder. He ended the message by warning me that the authorities wanted this to remain strictly under wraps.

“Man, terrorizing an entire species is exhausting,” Alice groans, flopping down next to me.

“Pretty fun, though,” I admit. To be honest, I did find a lot of it fun. I found it liberating to incite fear in people, and I crave the power of it.

Alice snorts. “Super fun.”

Someone knocks on the door, and I look up as Connor enters the room, using the key I had made for him. I smile and jump up, running to him. I throw my whole body against him, knowing he will catch me.

“Hi, big guy.”

Connor seals his lips over mine, kissing me deeply. I wrap my arms around his neck and stroke my tongue against his, savoring his taste. I’ve missed him madly over the past two weeks. We’ve video-called a couple of times and texted every day, but I’ve missed feeling him against me.

Connor lifts me easily, and I wrap my legs around his hips. Without breaking the kiss, he carries me into my room.

“Well, hello to you too, bird brain,” Alice grumbles from the living room just before Connor kicks the door closed.

Connor sets me on my feet, and we tear our clothes off. The moment we are both naked, he pushes me onto the bed and flips me onto my belly.

“Fuck, I missed you so much,” Connor growls, pulling my hips up and sliding his thumb through the slickness already dripping from my pussy.

“Missed you—” My words end with a cry, and I grasp at the pillows as he slams inside of me.

Connor slides his fingers into my hair and tugs hard as he thrusts deep inside me. My back bows, his rough possession only intensifying my pleasure. Connor pulls my hair again, yanking my head back as he plunges his cock into me over and over.

“You’re soaking me so good, babe,” Connor groans from behind me, his fingers digging into my hip as he pulls me into his thrusts.

“Spank me,” I moan, my eyes rolling.

Connor gently hits me on the ass.

“Harder,” I beg, craving the sting from his hand.

Connor hits me harder, and I cry out.

“You take my cock so good,” Connor groans, and I glance at him over my shoulder. His gaze is locked to where we are joined, his expression transfixed.

I feel my arousal sliding down my thighs, and I fist the blankets, bracing against his brutal thrusts.

Connor spanks me again. It’s still not as hard as I’d like, but definitely harder. “You’re dripping. Fuck. Didn’t know you could get this wet.”

“Again… please!”

“Close…” Connor spanks me again, and I hear the strain in his voice.

I shove my ass back against him. “Grab me,” I demand, knowing exactly what I need to get there.

Connor grips me with both hands, digging his fingers into my hips hard. “Fuck. Fuck, Summer.”

“Pull my cunt onto your cock, big guy,” I pant the words, my body trembling right on the precipice.

Connor moans as he takes control, yanking me back and forth on him. “I’m going to cum.”

I close my eyes, thinking about how it felt when he pulled my hair, thinking about how it would feel if he had me tied up, about how I’d love to be gagged and helpless to his every whim and pleasure. Connor yells, filling me with his release, and I come, crying out for him.

Connor collapses on top of me, completely spent. “Hi,” he pants into my ear.

I moan. “Hi, handsome.”

Connor kisses down my neck. “You liked that.”

“Fuck, Con… So fucking good.” I shiver, aftershocks of pleasure rippling through me. “Where did that come from?”

“I uh…” Connor says hesitantly. He eases out of me, and we both moan.

I roll to face him as he lies beside me, his cheeks flushed.

“Well, I did some research,” he finally says.

“Wait. What kind of research?” I ask, lifting an eyebrow.

“I’ve kind of… caught on that you like that sort of stuff, so I looked into it.” His blush creeps down his neck.

“You did?”

Connor nods. “And there were things I wanted to try.”

“Like what?”

“Like… tying you up. Spanking. Hair pulling,” Connor says, pulling me in closer.

I stare up at him. Does he really enjoy the things I do, or is he just doing this for me?

“I was imagining us doing it, and well, I had to take care of myself,” Connor continues.

“You fucked your fist imagining me tied up for you?” I ask.

Even Connor’s ears turn red.

“It turns me on, Con. Knowing you did that.”

“Yeah?”

I move closer, bringing my knee to his hip and placing my hand on his chest. “So fucking much.”

Connor leans in and presses his lips to mine, and we lose ourselves in pleasure once again.

Connor hums as we get dressed, and I smile as I pull my tights on. “You excited, big guy?”

Connor smiles at me, buttoning his pants. “I love Christmas.”

I pull on a maroon wrap dress and tie it at the waist. “I know you do.”

“Alice!” Connor calls, banging his fist on the wall. “Get dressed for Christmas!”

I laugh as I push my feet into my boots and bend to zip them.

Alice opens the door without knocking. “I am not worshiping some weirdo felon who enjoys breaking, entering, and theft.”

I sigh. “It’s also Yule, Alice.” I look at myself in the mirror, touching up my lipstick. “Besides, you won’t get your gifts if you don’t get dressed.”

Alice sighs heavily and stomps back into her room reluctantly. Though I can tell, there is a sprig of excitement about presents.

Connor holds out his hands to me. When I walk into his arms, he pulls me against him and dips me dramatically. He kisses me passionately and then pulls back to gaze down at me. The love in his eyes is humbling. “Merry Christmas, Summer.”

I smile up at him, and Connor straightens, steadying me on my feet. I reach up and wipe the lipstick from his lips.

“Not my shade?” he asks.

I laugh. “Not really.”

Connor wraps his arms around me again, his hands resting on my ass. “Man, I missed you.”

I cup his cheek. “I missed you too, big guy. How’s your mom and dad?”

“They have gifts for you and Alice,” Connor says, smiling brightly.

“I have gifts for them, too! I’m happy they’re coming,” I say, kissing him again.

Connor squeezes me tight before pulling back. He slides his hand into mine and says, “Let’s go.”

Fear slithers through me when we near where I found the girl’s body. The snow is fresh, and the only footprints other than ours are the ones Connor made on his way to the house. I keep expecting to see where mine veered off course when I heard that voice, but there is nothing but fresh, white snow.

The pendant grows warm, a phantom reminder of what happened. I turn my head to the left, looking at the path I would have taken. The forest is as dark as always, the trees unassuming. Do they still feel her death?

“Babe?”

I blink, looking at Connor, and realize I have stopped walking. “Huh?”

Connor frowns. “You okay?”

“I—”

“She’s fine. Right, Sum?” Alice interrupts, sliding her arm through mine and giving me a knowing look.

I nod and pull my face into a smile before looking up at Connor. His gaze is concerned, but it eases when we start walking again. Alice leads the conversation about Dr?culea, and I take the opportunity to look back over my shoulder. There is nothing to see except the faintest sway of the tree branches. I swallow and snap my head back around.

Fuck.

The Morningstar House is as bright as if we are approaching an actual star. Alice holds her hands up to cover her eyes. “This is way too much fucking light after just getting back from two weeks of gray.”

I chuckle and squeeze her arm.

“Do you like it?” Connor asks me, and the hope in his voice makes me melt. He’s done this for me. He wants me to feel the magic of Christmas and knows I’ve never had a family to celebrate the holiday with. I need to make the most of this with him. He does so much for me. The least I can do is enjoy every second. I take a moment to shove away my fear and thoughts of the dead girl, focusing on the present and this man who loves me.

“I love it, Con.”

“Well, my retinas don’t, and she’s lying,” Alice grumbles.

I shove Alice playfully and pull Connor to the front of the house. “Take a photo of us, Al.”

Alice pulls out her phone and snaps a photo. “You can barely see you two past the lights. It’s like you’re standing on the sun.”

I pull Connor in for a kiss, and Alice snaps another photo.

“I love you,” I say.

“I love you, too,” Connor says, starting to glow. “Let’s go inside. It’s freezing out here!”

I nod, and we all head inside. I’m immediately hit with the smell of cinnamon and apples. The whole house is decorated, and ornaments adorn every surface. The tree in the window is so large it nearly touches the ceiling. It’s expertly decorated with ornaments and draped with red and green ribbons. On top, a gold star shines proudly.

“This is fucking insane,” Alice says, completely awestruck. “Where is everyone?”

“I came back early. Mom was still cooking, but I wanted to get back to see you guys.” Connor drops my hand and walks to the couch, where there is a pile of folded sweaters. He holds one up. “Put these on!” I blink at the design. It’s baby blue and has white wings embroidered on the front. There is a large M in the middle of the chest.

“But, my dress…”

“Just for a picture of the three of us. My mom and dad will love it.” He hands me a sweater and then gives one to Alice. “You’re honorary Morningstars.”

I sigh and pull on the jumper. “Just for you.”

Alice grumbles but yanks hers on.

Connor grins as he pulls the sweater on over his head and then ushers Alice and me to the tree. He sets the phone up on the sofa and then runs back to stand between us. He wraps his arm around us, and we all smile as the camera flashes.

“Wait, another one!” I say, setting the camera up again. I run back and pull Connor’s face to mine at the last moment, kissing him just as the photo is taken.

I check the images and laugh when I see that Alice put two fingers up behind Connor’s head in the second one, giving him bunny ears. When I turn around, Alice has already pulled the sweater off and draped it over the back of the couch. I look at the joy on Connor’s face and opt to keep mine on.

Connor wraps his arms around me and nuzzles my nose. “Merry Christmas.”

“Merry Christmas, big guy.”

“Enough! Presents!” Alice groans.

“Shouldn’t we wait for everyone else to get here?” I ask, but I eye the presents hungrily. I have never had presents.

Alice glares at me mutinously.

“Never mind, I guess,” I say with a laugh, holding up my hands. Connor plucks a gift from under the tree and hands it to me. It’s expertly wrapped, and I don’t know why I’m surprised. He’s Mr. Holidays. I sit down on the couch and place the box on my lap. I take care opening it, not wanting to destroy the lovely gold paper decorated with shiny pictures of baubles.

Connor smiles and crosses his arms as he watches me, his eyes shining. “It’s silly, but I thought it would help when I’m gone.”

I place the wrapping paper on the coffee table and open the box. Inside, there is a brown stuffed bear. It’s wearing a blue t-shirt embroidered with the word Conbear .

“It’s for you to sleep with.”

I gasp, looking at the soft, fluffy bear. It’s got a small black nose and large brown eyes.

I push the box down beside me and stand, jumping into Connor’s arms. “Thank you! I love it!”

Connor laughs, spinning me around. “It’s only for when I’m not here.”

I smother his face in kisses. He reluctantly puts me down after a long moment. “And the second gift is from my parents and me.”

This gift is a much smaller rectangle. I take the same care with this one, peeling off the paper and opening the box. Inside is a key attached to a cloud-shaped keyring. I blink and pick it up.

“It’s a key to my place in Eden.”

I lift my eyebrows, looking at the key again. It dangles there innocently like it’s not a huge fucking deal. “A key to your place? How forward, Morningstar.”

“I want you to move in with me after I graduate,” he says, and I meet his gaze.

“In… Eden?” I ask.

Connor glances behind me at Alice and then back at me. “So, I spoke with my dad. I will be allowed to live here and work as an archangel until you graduate, but I will need to spend summers in Eden.”

I stare at him, not sure what to say.

Alice moves to stand beside me, looking between us.

“So I’ll live with you here?” I say, finally finding my voice.

Connor nods. “During the school year.”

“What about Alice?” I ask, needing to know that he has planned for this. Surely, he knows me well enough to know I’d never leave her.

Connor smiles. “My dad has offered to add onto the house if Alice is game.”

I look at Alice, unsure how she’ll react.

She meets my gaze and shrugs nonchalantly. “I go where you go.”

“Really?”

Alice nods. “I don’t care where we live.”

I smile and jump on Connor again, kissing him hard.

Connor pulls back, blinking. “So you’re?—”

“I’m in.” I grin, and Connor glows a little brighter, squeezing me tight.

“I’m going to need the biggest room,” Alice says.

“Absolutely not,” I say as Connor lowers me to the ground. “Okay! Presents from me!” I walk to my bag and pull out two presents. I hand one to Alice and one to Connor. In direct contrast to the finesse I demonstrated, Connor tears into his present like a kid. He pulls out a football jersey in the school’s colors, but the name on the back is Tuatha De Star .

Connor holds it up with a wide, bright smile. “This is perfect!” He kisses me, and I snuggle against him when I hear Alice tearing into hers. While Connor was like a child, Alice opens her present like a rabid animal.

Inside the box, there is a blood-red dagger. The steel is darker than the handle. Legosi is engraved on the hilt, with tiny rubies set into the letters. “It’s runed to you. If you want it and it’s not near, it’ll appear in your hand. The blade can also heat up and freeze as you will it.” Those runes were challenging to create, but I finally managed to get them right just in time. I’m suddenly tackled out of Connor’s arms. Alice takes me to the ground, her small body landing hard on top of me. “I love it!” she exclaims, nuzzling into me.

“Alice!” I laugh.

“Shh. Endure it. You do this shit to me all the time.”

After a moment, Connor lifts Alice off me and helps me to my feet.

“I also have a present for you, Sum.” She hands me a very small, thin gift almost completely covered in tape to hold the paper together. The wrapping paper is folded in odd ways and it sticks out in random places, but it might be the most beautiful thing I have ever seen because she’s done it herself.

I open it, and inside is a solid gold credit card with HHRH Summer Tuatha De Daanan written across the front. I gape at the shiny gold.

“I’ve added you as an honorary princess of Dr?culea, so you’ll have access to the royal treasury.”

“Alice, I can’t accept this,” I stammer out.

“Yes, you can. I never want you to worry about money.”

“But—”

“But nothing, Summer. It’s yours.”

I smile and pull her into a hug, smothering her in kisses. She allows it for a little longer than usual before pulling back. “All right, no more mushy.”

I move back to Connor and cuddle into him. “Your other gift I’ll need to give you when we’re alone.”

Connor’s eyes darken, and he kisses me.

Alice comes over with glasses of eggnog and hands each of us one. “I don’t know what this is, but I can’t see any other alcohol.”

“It’s traditional!” Connor says, somewhat outraged.

Alice lifts her glass in the air. “To a family of misfits.”

Connor and I lift our glasses, too. “A family of misfits.”