Chapter 13 and sadly no Klaine, a mention here and there, but no real Klaine. Sorry. This covers everyone else's Christmas but it is still very important so read! Especially the end, the end has some spoilers *wink*.

NOTE: This chapter starts from early Christmas morning so events from the last chapter would not have happened yet since they happened around noon.

*Chapter 13: Christmas in Ohio*

Karofsky could not believe himself at this very moment. It was just a dash past dawn and Karofsky stood by the edge where his driveway met the McKinley Main Road awaiting for Mike Chang. It was an especially cold morning and the wind was blowing right through him, even though he wore two jackets and thick and heavy undergarments. He breathed out impatiently and his breath appeared before him as cold and small ice crystals. He waited and waited and just as the sun's warmth finally was starting to do some good on this cold holiday morning Karofsky heard the familiar sounds of Mike's convoy of carts and horses. Karofsky watched as the shadows in the distance slowly grew and grew until all the details were noticeable. The carts were all glorified wagons; tens of hundreds of carts followed one another towards California's breeding facility and containment building. The contraband would travel for another day across hundreds of miles and a few rivers, the first major one being the Ohio River which separated Ohio from California and that in itself will take a while because the bridge is very old and cannot support more than two empty carts at a time. Mike Chang sat upon the first cart, leading the band with two already overworked horses. Upon seeing Karofsky he coaxed the horses to a stop and pulled up right before Karofsky. "Mr. Karofsky." Mike said slowly, as if he did not believe that the man was there. "What are you doing up so early?"

"I am actually here to ask a favor of you." Karofsky began as he walked up to the cart. He glanced behind at the other carts and commented briefly on it. "Quite a lot of carts Mr. Chang. Do you expect to empty the whole facility out this time around?"

"No of course not. Sometimes they have great and big Mystics that require their own cart… It's a precaution…" Mike's head tilted slightly as Karofsky continued to stare back at the carts. "Did… The favor Mr. Karofsky?"

"Ah yes…" Karofsky drawled out as he turned his head to look up at Mike. "When at the facility if you see two half breed merpeople, children actually, get them for me. If they're not there find out what happened to them and bring the news back to me." Mike raised a brow. "Please." Karofsky quickly added thinking that his lack of manners in one word was the cause of Mike's brow being raised.

"Mr. Karofsky… You wouldn't happen to be looking for you half breed merman's siblings would you?" Karofsky remained silent. Mike smiled softly in result. "Suit yourself Karofsky. Just know that if you get caught I will not be there to cover for you."

It was Karofsky's turn to raise a brow at the man. "And to what are you inferring to?"

"Your affections for the merman of course."

Karofsky tensed and thanked to God that Mike was traveling alone in the first cart. "Whatever could you mean Chang?" Karofsky said recovering slightly and thankful that his voice did not waver one bit.

Mike laughed at the entrepreneur's own naïveté to try to cover up what he already knows. And he was doing just a bad job at it that all his secrets were now being revealed to Mike about Karofsky and his merman half breed. "Don't worry my friend… I won't tell anyone about your forbidden affections or for the fact that you are a homosexual." Mike nodded his head at Karofsky. "Take care Mr. Karofsky. I will see you before the New Year's." With that the auctioneer snapped the reigns of his horses and the poor beasts trotted forward.

Karofsky watched numbly as the contraband of carts passed. Once they had all gone past him Karofsky made his way down towards his home. He trumped his way along down his driveway in a haze, a haze of confusion, shock, and more importantly fear. Karofsky did not usually have the emotion of fear, so this was evidentially scaring him more. If Mike Chang could have easily read him, then how is he to know that someone like the captain of the guard cannot read him just as easily? When the cloud of mixed emotions finally cleared his mind he blinked and looked around in renewed shock. He was in the Mystic barn, directly in front of Samuel Evans. The Mystics were extremely quiet today, but Karofsky knew why, it was not new to him. What was new to him was the way Sam looked as he sat at the bottom of his container. He looked positively out of it. His face showed no sign of emotion. He sat perfectly still like a sunken statue, not even a little flick of his tail or a bubble of air escaped from his nose or mouth. Karofsky's shock transformed to worry, another not usually experienced emotion that he has been feeling more than frequently recently, and he went up to the stall door. He dug in his pant pockets and pulled out the key and unlocked the door. He walked in, a little bit more quickly than necessary, and went nearly flat up against the glass. "Evans. Evans." He called to the Mystic as he rapped on the glass.

Sam blinked a few times and looked at Karofsky with those green eyes and Karofsky felt some of his worry fly away. Sam smiled sadly. "Karofsky… I don't mean to trouble you but… Could I come out?"

Worry transformed into shock for what seemed like the hundredth time that morning. "What?"

"I know I'm asking a lot but I'm really cold in this water and to be frank, it's really depressing to be in here this day."

Karofsky felt himself being torn in two directions. Should he help the Mystic, the being he is ultimately falling in love with and risk having the said feeling be discovered or should he protect himself and Sam and keep him in his tank? Well… That answer was simple. "I…" Karofsky sighed. "Wait there." Sam watched as Karofsky left the stall and came back within a few short minutes, a pair of winter pants, a heavy shirt, and a worn jacket in his hands. Karofsky climbed up on a few slabs of wood that were there to help a person reach the lock and unlocked the door to the tank. Sam moved stiffly to the top and started to pull himself up. He was focusing so much on the task at hand that he jumped and splashed back into the water when a cold yet helping hand wrapped around his wrist. Sam pushed himself up until he broke the water's surface and shook his head, cold droplets of water hitting Karofsky. Karofsky showed a rare smile as he looked at Sam. "Maybe next time I should give a warning when I decide to help you."

Sam grinned shyly as a shade of pink covered his face. "Y-yes…" Karofsky reached down and offered his hand and the merman half breed looked at the hand for a few seconds before placing his equally cold hand into Karofsky's.

*Chronicle of the Mystics*

A few short hours later, in the middle county of Lima, Artie Abrams waved goodbye to his only maid after she helped him get onto his carriage. She waved back softly and Artie was off to go to the Lima Pub and Café for some holiday coffee and a long day of work for even though it was a holiday, a carriage driver never has a day off. He was the only one out and about as of late and he found the ride peaceful, the sounds of his horse's hooves clopping their way through the cobblestone streets as the lamps on the sides of the streets were still lit their brilliant white glow. He arrived at the Pub and Café just as Santana opened the door and turned the sign around to show that she was indeed open. She waved briskly towards him as she set back into her restaurant and started to get his coffee ready. As soon as she entered the building Brittany stepped out, wearing her same dress from when Artie first saw her but with a long coat, and went straight towards the horses where she quickly tied them off. Artie watched half consciously as he helped himself down onto his wheelchair. Once the blonde haired Mystic was done she went up behind Artie and started to push him into the restaurant. "Hello Artie! How are you this morning?" She wheeled him right up to his spot and sat down in the seat directly beside him.

"I am fine. And you?"

"I'm good. I love the holidays." Artie wanted to remind her of her species' reason to dislike today's holiday when she beat him to the punch. "I know today is the Kieron's Death and all but Christmas is still a wonderful holiday. And this morning I saw the gift Saint Nicolas gave me. He got exactly what I wanted! A—"

"Brittany!" Santana called from behind the bar. "Mr. Abrams coffee is ready."

Brittany gasped happily and rushed over to the bar and back with a piping hot peppermint coffee. Artie thanked her for the coffee and took a few short sips. "So Brittany, what did Saint Nicolas brought you?"

"He got me a doll."

"A doll?" Artie asked.

She nodded. "One that looks like my long lost brother."

"You have a brother?"

She nodded once more. "But not by blood. He's my bond brother!"

"A bond brother?" Artie inquired. "Do you miss him?"

Brittany's good mood dropped then and she nodded sadly. "I miss my brother. It was so sad because he lost his mommy and he never really knew his daddy, I didn't know my daddy either, but he stayed with me and my mommy for a while inside the facility." She shivered at the mention of the breeding facility. A lone tear slipped from her eye and she made no attempt to wipe it away. "I miss my brother…" She repeated before standing and making her way up the stairs.

Artie blinked and watched as the door at the top of the stairs closed softly. He then called over for Santana. When the woman joined his side he looked up at her. "Santana, do you know who her bond brother is?"

"Brittany's? No, I can say I do not." Santana replied.

"You must be interested in who her brother is."

"I am." She answered honestly. "But there is just no way to find out. She won't tell me and the breeding facility do not keep good reports." Artie sighed softly and leaned back in his chair. "And why are you so interested Abrams?"

Artie's eyes ran the length of Santana. "I…" Why was he so interested? He found himself asking. Because he may have fallen in love with Brittany Pierce that is why. "It's just a shame. She is just so innocent despite that she is in the circuit and she seems to really want to see her brother again and—"

"Well don't bother Abrams." Santana said interrupting him. "There's nothing you or even I can do as her owner."

She turned and walked back behind the bar. Artie could not stop his eyes from rolling. "I knew that your hospitality would not last long Miss Lopez." When she did not reply he continued. "What happened last night at the Gala?"

"That is none of your concern."

"Oh really? Because I heard from Blaine Anderson's cousin that Mr. Karofsky left you."

She slammed a mug down on the bar, the sound echoing in the hallowed room of the restaurant. "That is none of your concern." She repeated more thickly. "And Mr. Anderson's cousin should not muddle in other people's business."

"Fine then." Artie answered shortly. "But Kurt told me that he and Karofsky have a sort of understanding, a friendship even, between them and whatever business Karofsky has is of concern of Kurt."

"Oh he said that did he?"

"Well… Not exactly but he did imply."

"If he merely implied then you should not assume my dear Stubbles."

"And you should really take the bitch level down a notch or two." Santana opened her mouth to retaliate but Artie cut her off. "Just because your cover to hide the fact that you love your shifter has decided to finally get up and leave does not mean that you can be a major pain in the ass to everyone."

"How did you know?" Santana asked, not even bothering to try to weasel her way out of her love for Brittany.

"Please Santana, you call her by her first name, you treat her well, and you care about her safety. I believe that by the end of the year, the general people will stop being so ignorant and finally realize what has been before them the whole time."

Santana groaned softly, fear growing from the pit of her stomach. She did not want to die. And she did not want Brittany to be killed. "Artie… Please… You must—"

"Hello everyone!" Puck yelled as he entered the restaurant. His grin fell when he realized that only Santana and Artie were present. "Ah… This place is the dumps." Puck then picked up his composure and grinned again as he shook Artie's hand. "Hello Artie."

"Hello Puckerman."

"Puck, Artie. Call me Puck." He plopped himself down in the seat Brittany had occupied moments before. "We're friends enough."

"We hardly know each other."

"Exactly." Puck replied coolly. "Santana, two holiday coffees. Miss Cohen-Chang should be entering in a moment."

Santana rolled her eyes. "You left your employer behind Puckerman? I'm surprised you haven't been fired yet."

"I'm the best at what I do Miss Lopez." Puck replied with full and complete arrogance.

At that moment Tina walked into the café. "Hello Miss Lopez, hello Artie."

Santana shrugged off her greeting and Artie smiled at his old friend who he once used to have a brief relationship with, before she became a famous singer and performer. "Hello Tina. How are you this morning?"

"Quite fine thank you." Tina turned to Puck. "Did you order my coffee?"

"It's on its way Miss Asian."

Tina rolled her eyes and averted her gaze back to Artie. "So Artie how's business?"

"As full as ever. Though I am not expecting a lot of work today because of the holidays but you can never be sure."

Santana personally delivered the coffees since her waitresses and waiters have yet to come in. The three clinked their mugs together and took sips from the coffee. Puck sighed blissfully. "This is some great coffee… Santana, you should sell this year long." He called to her as he slightly turned in his seat to look back at her.

"Not going to happen Puckerman. If I did that this coffee wouldn't be special and I wouldn't make as much money on it as I do during Christmas."

Puck nodded briefly. "True… Still, great coffee." Santana nodded her head in thanks and continued working behind the bar while she listened in to the trio's conversation.

"So Tina, where is Mike? I heard from Kurt that you two were together all night at the Gala?"

Tina smiled, a slight blush coming across her cheeks. "He went to California bright and early this morning."

"Oh that's right. For the New Year's action." Artie said softly. "I must ask though, did he even get any sleep last night?"

Puck interrupted Tina with a snicker. "No I would say not right Miss Cohen-Chang."

Tina tipped her head back, pointing her nose in the air. "I swear Puckerman; we did not do a thing last night. He just stayed over and immediately fell asleep because of the work he needed to do this morning."

"And how do you know that he fell asleep immediately huh?" Puck poked at playfully as he winked at her.

Tina groaned and Artie could not help but smile so to cover up the smile he took a drink from his coffee that was slowly starting to get cold. "Really Puckerman, you're the one to talk. What about Miss Merchant from last night?"

"Who?"

"Starling! The woman you stole away from—"

"Oh! Her!" Puckerman interrupted. "I abandoned her at the dance right before we left."

Tina groaned again. "Oh Puck… You are a hopeless, using, manipulative man."

"You forgot bad ass." Puck added snickering loudly now.

Artie chuckled along with the man and Tina glared at him. "Do not encourage him Artie!"

"Too late!" Puck nearly screamed as the two men erupted into laughter.

Tina shook her head and drunk her coffee. Once the laughter died down Artie changed the subject. "Would you mind shining some light on something Kurt told me? He said that Karofsky and the captain seemed to be very tense at dinner."

Tina nodded. "Captain was constantly bombarding Karofsky with allocations and he was getting extremely angered because of it. Especially the topic of his Mystics, specifically that half breed he bought a few months back."

Puck sighed deeply and scratched at the back of his neck. "Yes, Karofsky sure seemed to really want to hit the captain, and I am sure he would have if it wasn't the captain."

Santana raised a brow inquiringly at the trio and their conversation but she let it slide for something caught the corner of her eye. Her eyes drifted to her windows and she soon saw the familiar dark cape and dark clothing of the captain. "Quiet everyone, here comes Captain." Santana warned as she immediately started to prepare another mug of coffee.

The captain walked in and immediately greeted each and every one of them by name. "Greeting Santana, Artie, Noah, Tina." He went over and sat down in an empty table beside the trio. "Santana, do you have my coffee ready?"

"It's right on its way Captain." She said curtly as she started to finish up the mug.

The captain turned and looked at the table beside him. "So Noah, Tina, how did you enjoy the Gala last night?"

"It was spectacular as ever thank you for asking Captain." Tina answered for the both of them. "And you Captain? How was your night?"

"It was surely interesting." He replied. "Especially Blaine's cousin."

Both Santana and Artie tensed slightly, and Santana who was walking over with the captain's coffee nearly tripped and spilt the coffee and the mention of Kurt. "Here is your coffee Captain."

"Thank you Santana." The captain nodded her off and looked back at the trio. "As I was saying, has anyone even heard of Kurt Anderson before the Gala?"

Artie nodded slowly. "I am good friends with Master Anderson, I have heard of his cousin long before. But he hardly talks about him since he hardly hears news from him."

Santana nodded, though the captain could not see, and added to that. "I have heard of him too and so have Mr. Karofsky and Mr. Chang."

"Hm… Interesting." The captain muttered. He downed the coffee down his throat and placed a few dollars on the table. "Thank you for the coffee Miss Lopez. Goodbye everyone, I shall see you all soon." And the captain quickly made his way out of the restaurant and back into the cool December air.

Artie groaned softly. "Santana, why? Why did you mention Karofsky and Mike? The captain already suspects Karofsky…" He drifted off as he remembered that Puck and Tina were sitting right with him.

Puck leaned forward and stared at Artie heavily, his gaze making Artie feel much smaller. "Artie, what would the captain suspect of them?" Tina too leaned in though she remained silent.

Artie looked briskly at Santana and then back to his table mates and sighed. "What I am about to tell you," Artie began, "you do not repeat."

*Chronicle of the Mystics*

Quinn knocked softly on the front door of Finn's estate. It was a simple little farm with a simple little farmhouse but it housed the love of Quinn's life. She placed a warm smile on her face as she heard the door unlock. The door opened to reveal a small and petite maid. "Yes, Miss Fabray?"

"Is Master Finn here?" She asked politely though she knew that Finn was often a late sleeper and would definitely be here.

Though Quinn nearly fell over with the response. "I am afraid not Miss Fabray."

"Then where in God's name, is he?" Quinn asked through an awkward grin on her face.

The maid raised her shoulders in a small shrug. "I believe that he might have gone with Master Mike to help him with his Mystic collecting for the auction. I have heard that Master Finn wants to acquire some new Mystics so he went along with Master Mike to get the first pick." Of course the maid knew that was a lie but that is what Finn had told her to tell Quinn.

Quinn laughed shortly. "Is that so?" She asked, not believing the maid's words.

"That is so." The maid replied simply. "If you require, I will relay a message for him."

"Don't bother." Quinn said as she crossed her arms over her chest and turned nightly degrees stubbornly. "I will just see him when he comes back." With that she stormed off the front steps and into her carriage.

Once the carriage had gone the maid breathed out and closed the door. When she turned she started to giggle softly. The other servants were all standing behind her and listening in on the short conversation at the door steps. The maid shook her head while she smiled. "Next time Master Finn asks to intercept Miss Fabray, do not refer him to me. I beg of you." The servants laughed and continued on their work in the house.

*Chronicle of the Mystics*

Meanwhile Finn rode horseback to the Anderson estate. He had awoke bright and early to visit Rachel at Blaine's estate and to talk to Blaine about holding the wedding at his home since his own estate was not as elegant as Master Blaine's. He reached the front steps, by now it was a little past noon and he knocked upon the door. A male servant opened the door. "Hello Master Finn." The man greeted. "To what do we owe this meeting?"

"I am here to—"Finn began before Rachel's voice behind the male servant sounded.

"He's here to have a meeting with Master Blaine." The servant moved out of the way and Finn smiled at Rachel as she smiled at him. "Come right in Master Finn."

"Thank you Miss Berry." Finn said as he entered the home and the male servant went out to handle his horse and take the animal to the barn. When the door closed Finn took Rachel in his arms and planted a small kiss on her lips. "I've missed you."

"It's only been a few hours." She replied laughing softly.

"A few hours too long."

"Oh please Finn..." Rachel said blushing.

Finn chuckled softly and then glanced around the room. "So where is Mr. Anderson?"

Rachel's smile fell of her face. She knew were Master Blaine was. He had just taken Kurt upstairs not moments ago but she sensed that now was not the time to go and disturb her master. "I'm afraid he's busy now." Rachel covered, hoping that Finn would not see past that and she the truth that she, Mercedes and Wes all knew. "Why don't you step into the sitting room and I'll get you something to drink while we wait?"

"Sure Miss Berry. As long as you join me."

Rachel nodded and blushed once more. "Of-Of course Finn." She showed him into the sitting room and went into the kitchen for two drinks.

In the kitchen were Mercedes and Wes and they were talking silently about Kurt and Blaine. Rachel joined in for a few short moments, also dropping in that Finn was there. Wes overreacted. "Oh God! Finn mustn't find out about the master and Kurt! Especially Kurt!"

"Calm yourself Wes." Mercedes coaxed. "Even if Mr. Hudson knew he wouldn't tell. He wouldn't jeopardize Master Blaine's or Kurt's safety."

Wes nodded quickly. "You're right. But still… Don't hint anything Rachel."

"Of course not." Rachel said quickly with a tray of hot tea and some sweet cakes in her hands. She left without another word.

*Chronicle of the Mystics*

Meanwhile back in Lima, in the Brookenshon Castle, a vampire was released from her chains in the dungeons as a young human convict, not much older that twenty-five, was thrown before her. The man was clad in chains and looked up in fear at the vampire. She said nothing as she bent and placed a hand under his chin. He tried to move away but he found himself frozen in place. She placed her lips close to his and inhaled deeply, sucking his life force from him. He grew gray and old and his back bent forward as she stopped, leaving only a bit of his life force to keep him alive. Then, with the same hand that was under his chin, she tilted his head to one side and moved her head to his neck. She opened her mouth and her canines shot forward. She bit down and finished off the man, draining him dry. His lifeless body fell to one side and as the same half breeds who served as specialized guards dragged the lifeless body away; she made her way to the secret staircase alone.

She climbed the steps and opened the door. Inside the room had no windows with only minimal lighting from candles. There were books, and easels for paintings, some musical instruments, a bed, a table, and a fireplace with a chair before it, the back of the chair facing the vampire, the skirts of a woman's dress showing, the only sign from this view that showed that a person was sitting there. The vampire fell gracefully to her knees, despite her size, and bowed deeply, hand over hand, behind the chair, knowing very well before rising once more. "Mistress." She spoke softly. "I have news."

"Speak them then Laurisane." An older woman's voice sounded smoothly.

"I did not have the time to tell you last night Mistress." Laurisane started. "A Mystic, a shifter to be more precise, attended the Gala."

"A shifter?" The woman asked.

"Yes Mistress." The vampire confirmed. "He filled in the description of the prophecy." The woman remained quiet, a sign to continue, so the vampire did continue. "I believe that soon, the Darkness that has haunted the small island nation of Andorra will arrive and only he can help save us all, human and Mystic alike." Andorra being the birthplace of the Mystic Gods and everything that is Mystic.

The woman in the chair stood and walked towards the flames that crackled in the fireplace before her. The light shone of on the woman, revealing some darkly tanned and slightly wrinkled skin and long red hair and her long sleeved, white and black laced dress. The dress itself was all white save for the hemming, right at the elbows where black lace brought the cloth together tighter, the neckline down towards the top of the woman's stomach for an intricate wavy pattern was there in black lace. The woman sighed. "Let us hope it is him Laurisane."

There was a pause of silence which Laurisane soon filled in. "Mistress, I have your life force for you again."

"Oh good." The woman said as she sat back down on her chair. Laurisane walked around before her and kneeled on the ground. "You may begin Laurisane." The vampire bowed her head once more. She took a deep breath in through her nose and then exhaled slowly and deeply. The life force of the young convict was breathed out of the vampire in a whistle of air towards the woman. The life force entered through the woman's nose as she breathed and instantly her wrinkled skin was becoming young again as well as her whole being. When Laurisane finished she stood and backed away from her mistress. "Thank you Laurisane." The woman stood and the vampire bowed deeply at her waist.

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