A Vampire Carol and Other Christmas Tales
(2012)Magical Holiday Stories
A collection of stories by Tara Maya
This is a collection of ten stories--one novelette, one short and eight very short stories, plus a bonus story which is an excerpt from a larger work. Dragons, angels, vampires and elves.... They have one thing in common, the magic and the miracle of Christmas.
From The Dragon and the Angel
"I am actually an angel," she told them all. She spoke grandly, feeling very important and grown-up, like a real angel. Maybe even an archangel! "And your kindness to me has made it possible for me to give you a treasure, a miracle... "
But nothing happened.
The little angel blushed as pink as a rose. How embarrassed she was to have failed to give a miracle to the kind villagers! Her hosts looked at her curiously.
"What is that child up to?" Fredegund asked Thilderbert.
From The Christmas Palm
"I hope I will be decorated in gold!" said Cedar.
"I hope I will be decorated in silver!" said Fir.
"I hope I will be decorated in red and green!" said Pine.
"I don't care how I'm decorated," said a voice from far above all the rest, "as long as I can be a Christmas tree."
From The Captive
Mr. Vorst stomped over to the picnic table. He snatched the toy from Benjamin's hands.
"Please, Mr. Vorst, it's not done yet... "
"Another stupid car, cheap plastic, rubber and paint... . I could buy one ten times better at the store. You keep promising me magic, elf. I want magic!"
"Soon, Mr. Vorst, soon! I told you, my magic is strongest on Christmas Day!"
From A Measure of Rice (Inspired by a true story.)
Mrs. Kwon stared at the small amount of food and despaired.
Better at least one of us survive.
As soon as her husband left the room, Mrs. Kwon took one measure of rice from her bowl and added it to her husband's bowl.
From A Vampire Carol
His thirst had not been quenched. If anything, it was stronger than before. He sensed that the more he drank, the stronger his thirst would become, and also the more powerful he would become. Part of him yearned for that power. Part of him screamed inside.
He rummaged inside his suit jacket, which he still wore from the night of the Christmas office party. The picture was still there, Bradley sitting in front of the tree. Alex stared into those blue eyes. Then he noticed that his thumb left a bloody print on Bradley's knee. Alex's hands, his chin, his neck, his shirt, were covered in Gary's blood. He had more of Gary's blood on him than Gary had left in him. Alex's hand shook so hard he dropped the photo.
I can't go home, he realized. Ever.
Genre: Romance
From The Dragon and the Angel
"I am actually an angel," she told them all. She spoke grandly, feeling very important and grown-up, like a real angel. Maybe even an archangel! "And your kindness to me has made it possible for me to give you a treasure, a miracle... "
But nothing happened.
The little angel blushed as pink as a rose. How embarrassed she was to have failed to give a miracle to the kind villagers! Her hosts looked at her curiously.
"What is that child up to?" Fredegund asked Thilderbert.
From The Christmas Palm
"I hope I will be decorated in gold!" said Cedar.
"I hope I will be decorated in silver!" said Fir.
"I hope I will be decorated in red and green!" said Pine.
"I don't care how I'm decorated," said a voice from far above all the rest, "as long as I can be a Christmas tree."
From The Captive
Mr. Vorst stomped over to the picnic table. He snatched the toy from Benjamin's hands.
"Please, Mr. Vorst, it's not done yet... "
"Another stupid car, cheap plastic, rubber and paint... . I could buy one ten times better at the store. You keep promising me magic, elf. I want magic!"
"Soon, Mr. Vorst, soon! I told you, my magic is strongest on Christmas Day!"
From A Measure of Rice (Inspired by a true story.)
Mrs. Kwon stared at the small amount of food and despaired.
Better at least one of us survive.
As soon as her husband left the room, Mrs. Kwon took one measure of rice from her bowl and added it to her husband's bowl.
From A Vampire Carol
His thirst had not been quenched. If anything, it was stronger than before. He sensed that the more he drank, the stronger his thirst would become, and also the more powerful he would become. Part of him yearned for that power. Part of him screamed inside.
He rummaged inside his suit jacket, which he still wore from the night of the Christmas office party. The picture was still there, Bradley sitting in front of the tree. Alex stared into those blue eyes. Then he noticed that his thumb left a bloody print on Bradley's knee. Alex's hands, his chin, his neck, his shirt, were covered in Gary's blood. He had more of Gary's blood on him than Gary had left in him. Alex's hand shook so hard he dropped the photo.
I can't go home, he realized. Ever.
Genre: Romance
Used availability for Tara Maya's A Vampire Carol and Other Christmas Tales