Blood Match

Chapter 16: Yule Celebration Invitation

Liam opened the envelope and pulled out a beautiful invitation. As he read it, he realized that his name was on it.

“The honor of your presence is requested by Mr. Leonidas De La Cruz and Mr. Liam Von Anderson, The Yule Celebration — December 21st, 2024 — Pazo de Bentraces, Galicia, España.”

Liam looked at Leo.
“Spain, Leo. We are going to Spain!”

“You said you wanted us to celebrate our traditions, so we are going to celebrate. I will open the Manor House, and I will celebrate Yule for the first time in sixty years—and I will do it with you by my side.”

“Wow, Spain huh,” Liam said, hugging Leo and looking into his eyes. “Well, I guess you got me beat. Christmas at my house is going to be quite a letdown after this little adventure.”

“Never. Anywhere you are is my big adventure!” Leo said, kissing Liam on the forehead.
“Well, come on—the gallery should be about to close, and Tristan is going to set up dinner. Is it okay if Kara, Joseph, and Tristan join us tonight?”

“Leo, of course. Absolutely,” Liam said, taking his hand.

---

They all sat around the table laughing and joking as they digested the meal Tristan had laid out. He had arranged for Claude to create a menu that catered to both human and vampire tastes. A long table had been prepared in the back of the gallery. The deep, rich red of the tablecloth contrasted beautifully with the white and gold china and the shiny silver and gold flatware. The candles cast a warm light, creating a cozy and elegant atmosphere. The flickering flames danced across the table, adding to the enchanting ambiance.

The meal had consisted of dishes for both human and vampire consumption. The first course was a carpaccio of rare beef drizzled with a blood orange reduction and garnished with microgreens, along with a bruschetta of roasted bone marrow on toasted artisanal bread. A chilled tomato gazpacho garnished with cucumber and drizzled with basil oil followed as a palate cleanser, before the spectacular main courses: lamb heart tartare and rare venison loin with a black cherry and red wine reduction for the vampires, and herb-crusted rack of lamb with mint and rosemary for Kara, Tristan, and Liam. Dessert was a vanilla panna cotta with blood-red cherry sauce for the immortals, and tiramisu for the mortals.

“Tristan, as usual, you have outdone yourself in planning this meal,” Liam said, putting his hand on Tristan’s arm. “Please extend my compliments to Claude—and tell him that he’s going to have to pay my gym membership for the next three months.”

“Don’t worry. I think I can find a few ways we can burn some of those pesky calories off.”

“Leo!” Liam exclaimed with mock indignation, then leaned over and whispered in his ear,
“Any time you are ready for a workout, Mr. De La Cruz, just let me know.”

Joseph started chuckling, and Liam looked over and immediately turned red.

“Damn. I forget just how sensitive vampire ears are. Not one word, Joey. Not one word.”

Joseph raised his hands in surrender as he tried to control his laughter.

---

“On a different note,” Leo said, “I wanted to inform everyone that we will be closing the gallery for the month of December. Liam and I plan on celebrating Yule and Christmas, so our focus will be on the holidays. But—there’s more.”
He reached into his jacket pocket and retrieved two shiny gold envelopes. Liam knew what they were and eagerly anticipated Kara’s and Joseph’s reactions.

He watched as Leo handed them the envelopes and waited for them to open them.

As they opened them, Joseph was the first to respond.
“Leo, you are opening the Manor House for Yule! You’re really going back?”

Leo nodded.
“I think it’s time—time to honor the past and make some new memories. I would like both you and Kara to join us.”

“I would be honored to come,” Kara said, smiling.

“Count me in, Pop! Wild horses couldn’t keep me away!” Joseph said excitedly.

“Good—but I also have a slight ulterior motive in inviting you both. I haven’t returned to the Manor House in over sixty years. Tristan’s family has taken care of it, so it’s well maintained—but it’s going to need some decorating for the Yule celebration. Kara, you curate my art, so it will be your task to select the art that will be hung for the holiday. Joseph, you will be acting as my liaison with the local covens. My return to the estate is going to cause a stir, and I want to keep things as calm as possible. The plan is to arrive on December 15th and open the house for the festivities on December 19th, culminating in the grand ball on the Winter Solstice, the 21st.”

“No worries, Leo. We would love to help,” Kara assured him.
“Plus, I get to rummage through your main art collection—which I’ve been dying to do since I began to work for you.”

Leo looked over at Tristan.
“Tristan, I would like to extend an invitation to the Corona De Fuego. Can you accomplish that?”

“Of course. The leader of the coven is here in New York. I will contact him and extend your invitation.”

“How many members are in New York?”

“Leo, there are three hundred members in New York and more scattered throughout the United States. The Corona De Fuego has always kept a low profile, blending in and hiding their numbers. They still hold to the throne, even now when the world government holds sway.”

“Arrange two planes for the three hundred that are here in the city. I want to send a message.”

Tristan let out a laugh and slapped his knee.
“You are going to make a lot of people very nervous.”