Kuri woke up early that morning. It was Christmas!

Darren was by her bed in a second, holding out a present.

She opened it happily. "It's Dracula! A first edition! I love it!" Kuri laughed. "It's such a funny gift!" She whispered the next part conspiratorially. "Larten will HATE it."

Darren chuckled. "That's the point. I have Christmas Cake."

Kuri went and sat with him. Reiko joined them shortly.

"I have news." She announced. "It's not only me who's red. Mana, she's alive. A vampire saved her from her feral self. A vampire named Kurda."

"How do you know all this?" Darren asked.

"Its...hard to explain." Reiko said. "Just trust me."

Darren stood and grabbed Kuri's hand. "Come with me."

He led her to the square, to the Christmas tree.

Darren turned to her and kissed her as the tree stood above them

Yes, a day for lovers. Christmas really was romantic.