Christmas was coming up in less than two weeks, and I planned to make it special for Blair. The story of Jesus was a lie that religions told people. The Germans and pagans were more on the mark for the truth behind Christmas, and that had to do with Krampus. Krampus was from the demon realm, and during winter, he would come to Earth for all the naughty children. He was celebrated in our realm.
The demon realm did have its own holidays and traditions, but it wasn’t as big a deal as it was for the humans on Earth. We celebrated Lupercalia on February fifteenth; we celebrated krampus night on December fifth; and finally, we celebrated the yearly equinox and solstices, for the coming of spring, summer, fall, and winter.
I wanted to create traditions with my mate and our future children. I wonder how her family celebrated the holidays. We hadn’t talked about it much because I knew it was a sensitive subject for her. I was going at her pace, and if she wanted to bring it up or discuss it, I would happily listen and be her support. I wonder if some of our new traditions could include some demon holidays and traditions.
* * *
When I came downstairs for a drink of water, I felt a chill run down my spine, on high alert. Blair was asleep in bed. Out of concern for her, I jogged my way around the first story, checking all of the doors and ensuring they were locked. I peered out the back sliding glass door, checking oursurroundings. I couldn’t see anything, but I felt death coming from the forest. I slipped some shoes on and went outside in the backyard, ensuring I closed the door quietly, not wanting to wake her up. I walked toward the back of the property where the tree line was and where the feeling originated.
I stopped dead in my tracks when the death and anger were overwhelming. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. What the hell was a hellhound doing on Earth? In my last ten years here, I have never once encountered one. They weren’t supposed to be here unless they were with their master. I thought it was impossible for them to go rogue, but apparently I was wrong. Something didn’t seem right.
The hellhound growled at me, snapping at the air in warning. The smell of decay permeates the air around us.How dare you take her away from me!I heard in my head the hellhound speaking to me telepathically.
“Excuse me?How in the hell did you come up withthatconclusion?”I growled, flabbergasted at the audacity.I’ve hunted her for years. Waiting in the dark for the moment I found her and could take her. She is mine.
“I never took her away from you because she was never yours to begin with! Have you been the one hurting her?!” I throw the accusation its way. My mind goes back to the scratches that she had on her, which looked a lot like claw marks now that I think about it.
She needed to be taught a lesson, but she has been corrupted. You disgusting excuse of a demon.The hellhound hissed at me. “The only thing that is corrupted is you. She’s mine! Mine to protect. If you come near her again, I will end you,” my voice booms with rage.
We’ll see about thatit taunts, before it slinks off anddisappears into the dark. Floating along the wind, a last fleeting thought was barely heard,Better watch out, time is running out. Better say your goodbyes.
To say that I was furious was an understatement. Howdarehe threaten my mate? Howdarehe think she was his? The pieces are starting to fall into place. The bruises and scratches were from when we went on a date together. The little random items she kept finding around her, which were obviously gifts to her, but she didn’t realize it. I wonder if she even felt the presence or not.
Thankfully, she was claimed by me. I was hoping that claiming Blair would have helped protect her more, maybe make the hellhound backoff but I know that made the hellhound unhinged, desperate, and angry, which meant they would be more unpredictable. The bigger concern of mine was how did it find her? How did it know she was here? How was the creature even able to get on the property? I had wards up to protect the entire property. The hellhound was a bigger threat than I expected and anticipated.
As soon as I was back inside the house, I went straight to our bedroom and wrapped myself around Blair’s body, setting my hand on her belly. The steady heartbeat of her and the thrum of the baby helped to calm down my rage and racing heart. I would protect them with my life.
26
Chapter 26 - Blair
Asmodeus told me that he had never celebrated Christmas with anyone before. I insisted on doing something special for him. Christmas was one of my favorite holidays. My family and I would always give each other handmade gifts, decorate the tree together that we went out to cut, and make a meal together. We made homemade ornaments, strung up popcorn, and hung lights all over the house. My mother always made ham with sweet potatoes and green beans.
It’s been over four years since I had a Christmas with my family. Keeping these traditions alive by doing them with the family I was starting with Asmodeus, which sounded like the perfect idea to keep their memories alive.
I had celebrated Christmas with Heath when we were together, but it was always simple. I would go over to his family’s house with him for Christmas dinner, and we would exchange gifts between the two of us on Christmas morning. His family wasn’t the most welcoming either; they seemed a bit cold and distant. Because it had been only a year or twoafter my parents’ death, I had a difficult time celebrating Christmas or any holiday. It would always fill me with despair, spending half my time crying and the other half stuck in the past, remembering everything about them and the things I missed.
I found out this week that I was pregnant. It made this Christmas all the more special. The first person I thought to tell when I found out was my mom. The pain of losing them had started to subside a little, instead of a gaping wound; it was a small ache that lived inside my chest. The realization that they would be missing out on much of my life and future had me bawling my eyes out for god knows how long.
The closer it had gotten to the holidays, the more worked up and upset I seemed to get. At one point Asmodeus stopped asking me what was wrong. He took the initiative to give me the comfort, love, and reassurance that I needed without me even having to ask. How could I explain to him how difficult this was? He wouldn’t understand. All of his family was still alive.
It had gotten bad to the point I couldn’t get off the couch or bathe. “Hey little one, are you doing okay?” he murmured as he pushed my hair off my head, brushing his lips against my forehead. Shaking my head no because I really wasn’t, and I didn’t have it in me to speak.
“I’m sure this is a really rough time for you. I couldn’t imagine being in your position right now. You must feel lonely. I’ll always be here for you and support you in whatever way you need.” His words are a soothing balm to my soul, sniffling and crying as I lay curled up on the couch with a fuzzy blanket.
“I know you’re spiraling right now, but you need to getclean and you need some food. It’s not good for the baby or for you. Let’s get you in the shower and then I’ll make you some food. If you want, you can wear my favorite hoodie I know you love.” I nod my head in agreement, letting him help me off the couch.
“I’m sorry I’m such a pain in the ass. I don’t know how you deal with me,” I sob as he walks me up the stairs into our bedroom.
“Because you’re MY pain in the ass,” he jokes.
“Not funny,” I mumble.
“You honestly have nothing to apologize for here. You lost your parents, Blair. Yes it may have been over four years ago, but I know grief and loss don’t care about years. Sometimes it hits you out of nowhere, and that’s normal. I could completely get how not having your mom around while you’re pregnant would be extremely hard on you. From what you have told me, I know she would have been here for you every step of the way. I’m sorry you don’t get to have that experience. It’s normal to grieve for the things you will never have that you could have if they weren’t stolen from you.” Somehow, my clothes are now off and on the ground, the bathroom steaming up from the hot water billowing out of the shower head.
I look up at him, concern and understanding written all over his face. “I love you. You always seem to know what to say,” I whisper, stepping into the shower. The hot water relaxes the tension in my body. Asmodeus gets right behind me.
“I love you too, Blair. And I wouldn’t say that. I just know and pay attention to you. I promise we will make this Christmas special and create traditions that your parentswould love. Our baby may not ever get the chance to meet them, but at least we can bring their values and traditions into our life, keeping their memories alive.” He scrubs my head with shampoo as I let his words sink in. Keep their memory alive, I really like the sound of that. As much as it breaks my heart that our baby will never know their grandparents, Asmodeus is right and this is the only thing we can do.
