The Klaus Brothers Boxed Set

by penny watson

  His throat felt tight when he tried to speak. “Gabi, I think you need to fess up. What is going on with the snowman, and flying, and…” He stopped suddenly. “Holy hellfire. You’re a Bändiger, aren’t you?”

  Gabi’s eyes grew wide. “Don’t tell anyone.”

  Oskar grasped her shaking hands. “Why don’t you want anyone to know? It’s a great honor to be a Bändiger. You should be apprenticed to Master Eugen.”

  “Because… someone might try to make me do bad things with my magik.” Gabi hung her head. “Really bad things. I don’t want anyone to know.”

  Oskar’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “Gabi, does Wiebe know you’re a Bändiger? What the hell did that bastard…”

  His phone rang, interrupting his conversation. “It’s Boris. I gotta get this.”

  Kiana rubbed Gabi’s back and whispered to her while Oskar answered the call. “What’s up?”

  “Boss, I need you over at Lys Bauer’s cottage ASAP. There’s been an incident with Wiebe. He is definitely our man. Ingo’s been hurt, but he’s doing okay.”

  “I’m on my way.” He glanced at Kiana and Gabi. “I’m bringing the girls with me. I think Gabi can help us with the investigation. We need to talk with her, too.”

  Boris yelped on the phone. “Both girls? I thought you didn’t want the Council to find out about your guest?”

  Oskar laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure no one sees us. We’ll be there in a couple of minutes. See you soon.” He snapped the phone shut.

  “Listen up, ladies. We gotta run over to Lys’ place. Ingo’s there with Boris, and they have some information about Wiebe.” He squeezed Gabi’s hand reassuringly. “And I think we all need to talk about what’s going on, and how we can stop Wiebe before he does any more damage. What do you think, Gabi? I could use your help.”

  Gabi looked up at Kiana, who nodded at her. “I want to help. I’ll do whatever I can, Oskar.”

  Kiana reached for Oskar’s hand. “Me, too. Even though I’m just a Suddie without any cool magik abilities…” She winked at Gabi. “… I would like to help out, too. Let’s go.”

  Oskar hugged both girls and gave them loud smacking kisses on their cheeks, which made Gabi laugh. “All right. Let’s get cracking.” Mr. Frosty followed behind. “Dude, you aren’t coming into my house. Got it?”

  Mr. Frosty’s rocky smile turned down, but he shook his head in agreement.

  This was turning into one weird day.

  Lys brushed a lock of hair from Ingo’s face. Wrapped in an afghan, he curled on his side on the sofa, breathing shallowly. She’d been horrified to see the bruises and swelling around his neck, and the red welts on his arms. Wiebe was nothing less than a monster. Ingo clasped her hand and wouldn’t let go.

  Boris hovered behind her, blabbering on his cell phone. “Dammit, Günter! I know Wiebe’s got to be hiding out somewhere in Glasdorf! Where the hell could he be?”

  Ingo’s eyes snapped open and he struggled to sit up.

  “No! Ingo, please don’t get up. You’ve been through a horrible ordeal and you need to rest.” She tried to gently push him back down on the couch, but he shook his head.

  “I’ve got to help find that bastard. He’s dangerous.” Ingo’s voice was scratchy and hoarse.

  “Not right now, you don’t. He almost killed you.” She pulled the blanket tightly around his shoulders as he sat upright.

  Boris sighed and hung up his phone. “He’s gone missing, the son of a bitch. Oskar’s on his way over.” He hesitated. “He’s uh… bringing some friends along to help with the investigation. Gabi, who might be able to help us figure out where Wiebe is hiding. And, uh, a Suddie.” He cleared his throat.

  Lys turned to Boris. “A Suddie? Is it a police officer or something?

  Boris chuckled. “Yah, something. Not really a police officer. More like Oskar’s latest lady friend who snuck into town.”

  Ingo went rigid on the sofa. “What’s this? Oskar has a new lady friend?”

  Boris nodded. “Yah, and we’re not supposed to let the cat out of the bag, so to speak. Otherwise, the Council will kick Oskar’s sorry ass right out of Glasdorf. So, keep it mum, all right?”

  Lys noticed that Ingo seemed agitated. He pressed Boris for more information. “Does Oskar seem to really like this girl? Are they serious?”

  Boris threw his arms up into the air. “How the hell would I know about Oskar’ love life, Ingo? The girl’s got love marks all over her neck, so I guess he likes her well enough.”

  Lys’ brow crinkled. “Why are you so worried about Oskar’s new girlfriend, Ingo? Do you think she might have something to do with the Dark Magik?”

  Ingo shook his head. “Oh, no. Of course not. Just curious, that’s all.” He stared at a painting on Lys’ wall, his expression pinched.

  That’s odd. I wonder what he’s thinking…

  Lys heard the whir of a motor outside, and then a quick rap on her front door.

  “I’ll get it,” Boris said. “That’s the boss.”

  Lys continued to pat Ingo’s back, hoping to get him to relax a bit. He sighed and rubbed his hand wearily over his beard. “Don’t worry, Ingo, everything will be okay.”

  He squeezed her hand. “You are so very sweet, Lys. I surely hope that you are right.”

  Lys stood as the visitors entered her great room. Oskar Klaus, youngest son of the Weihnachtsmann, bent his head to enter the diminutive room. He was flanked by Gabi, the stepdaughter of Wiebe, and a lovely Sudlander with startling aquamarine eyes. The poor elfin girl looked scared to death. The Suddie held Gabi’s hand, and glanced curiously around Lys’ cottage.

  “Hello, Oskar. Welcome to my home,” Lys said as she approached the giant Klaus. “Thank you for coming. I’m so worried about Ingo. Wiebe tried to kill him using Dark Magik.” She wrung her hands nervously.

  Oskar knelt to the ground to kiss Lys on the cheek. “Thank you for finding Ingo and taking such good care of him. I want you to be very careful, all right?” He squeezed her hands.

  Lys blushed and nodded. “Of course.”

  “Lys and Ingo, this is Gabi, Wiebe’s stepdaughter.” Gabi waved hello and then hid behind the Suddie’s long legs.

  The woman smiled. “I think Gabi’s feeling a bit bashful right now.”

  Oskar slid his arm around the woman’s waist. “And this is Kiana Grant. A… friend of mine from Manhattan.”

  Lys shyly stepped up to the stunning woman and held out her hand. “It is very nice to meet you, Miss Grant.” The Suddie smiled and shook her hand politely.

  Ingo’s voice rumbled behind her. “Likewise.” He shot a worried look toward Miss Grant.

  Oskar glanced at Ingo and grimaced. “My God, Ingo. Are you going to be all right? Should we call a healer?”

  “Later. Right now I need to fill you in about what happened today at the Bibliothek Magik.”

  Lys sat down next to Ingo on the sofa while he explained everything to Oskar. The Klaus boy listened attentively, asking questions as the conversation went along. Eventually, he turned to Gabi, who was perched on Kiana’s lap on the floor.

  “Gab, I think it’s time for you to tell us your side of the story, Honigbienchen. What do you know about Wiebe’s activities lately?”

  Gabi hung her head. “You’re going to be mad at me, Oskar.”

  Oskar sat down on the floor next to Kiana and pulled Gabi onto his lap. He gently brushed the hair from her forehead. “I’m not going to be mad. You can tell me anything.”

  Kiana nodded. “It’s okay, sweet pea. Just tell Oskar what’s going on with your stepfather, so he can prevent him from hurting anyone else. Start at the beginning, okay?”

  Gabi’s big blue eyes gazed at Kiana. It was clear to Lys that the girl trusted and cared for the Suddie.

  “Okay,” she began, her voice trembling. “After mama died, Wiebe started drinking. More than he used to. He was always complaining about things, his job and how other elves were treated better than him
. He was mad a lot.” She paused and stared up into Oskar’s face. “He forgot about stuff like making dinner, or helping me with my homework. He got mad at me a lot, too.”

  Oskar sighed. “I’m sorry, Gabi. You didn’t deserve that.”

  Gabi rested her head against the Klaus son’s shoulder. “One day he got really angry. He was mad at you, Oskar, ‘cause you got him in trouble. He said he wished he knew Dark Magik so he could ‘let you have it.’ And then he started coming home with all these weird books. And practicing spells in our house.” Gabi rubbed her nose and stared at the floor.

  “And then…”

  Kiana squeezed the girl’s shoulder. “What happened, Gab?”

  Gabi’s eyes filled with tears. “I tried to hide my magik. The other kids couldn’t do the same stuff, and I didn’t want to be different. But one day Wiebe saw me flying in our back yard. I was just playing. He got so excited. He said he could use my magik to strengthen his own ‘power’ and make everyone sorry.” She blinked once and the tears fell down her cheeks. “He dragged me to the Theater and said I had to help him blow it up. But my magik was afraid of Wiebe’s spells. He couldn’t catch it. He got so mad.”

  Ingo nodded. “Gabi’s right. I have no idea where Wiebe got the cockymamy idea that Dark Magik can be enhanced by Light Magik. It doesn’t work that way. Light Magik and Dark Magik don’t mix. It’s like oil and water.” Ingo smiled at the girl. “You were a very brave child. Continue with your tale, young one.”

  Gabi wiped her face. “Wiebe was so proud of himself after he blew up the theater. He kast a spell from one of the books he found. He said if I told he would punish me bad. And he didn’t believe me when I said my Magik couldn’t help him. He kept trying to make me do his spells, but I couldn’t. So, I ran away. I’m tired of him hurting me, and lying, and trying to make me bad like him.” She wrapped her arms around Oskar’s neck and sighed. “I want to stay with you and Kiana forever.”

  Lys placed a hand over her heart, barely suppressing the emotion she felt for this poor child. Oskar looked haggard after hearing her story, and Kiana’s face was covered with tears. Ingo stood up gingerly from the sofa and walked over to where Oskar was sitting. He knelt down next to the girl.

  “Gabi, do you know I’m a Bändiger?”

  She shook her head. “No. You are?”

  He nodded. “Uh huh. It is something to be very proud of, little one. Not ashamed of. Your power is a wonderful talent, a skill that Master Eugen will help you learn to use for good things. Like healing people, making folks happy.” Ingo hesitated and looked at Oskar. “It is always under our control how we use our magik—for right or for wrong. Wiebe has chosen poorly, and for that he will be punished accordingly. You made the right decision, and I know that some day you will find great joy in your gift. You must trust Master Eugen and the Klaus family to protect you and cherish you and your special ability. Your magik is strong… I can feel it.”

  He reached for Gabi’s hand and lifted their palms, linked together, into the air. Giggling, blinking sternschnuppen swirled in the air, wrapping around their hands like a swath of shining gauze.

  Gabi gasped and laughed out loud as the Light Magik danced up and down her arm, flowing around her body and Ingo, protecting both of them in a glittering cocoon.

  “It is good, yah?” Ingo asked, and Gabi nodded. He pulled his hand away, and the sternschnuppen blinked out.

  “Thank you, Ingo.” Gabi frowned. “What’s going to happen to Wiebe?”

  Oskar cleared his throat. “Don’t you worry about that, Gabi. The Council will take care of Wiebe. But first we have to find him. Do you have any idea where he might be hiding? We couldn’t find him anywhere.”

  Gabi shook her head. “No, I’m sorry. He’s been very secretive lately.”

  Oskar ran a hand through his hair. “All right, here’s what we’re going to do. Let’s round up a group from Dag’s bar and organize a search. Under no circumstances is anyone to confront the bastard.” He glanced at Ingo’s neck. “He is way too dangerous. Let’s just figure out his hiding spot, and then Eugen can come up with a plan to neutralize his Dark Magik.”

  He stood up and stretched, leaning against the mantel over Lys’ fireplace. “I’m going to schedule a powwow with my dad for tomorrow. We’ll go over everything and work out our game plan.” He held out a hand for Kiana and Gabi, and pulled them to their feet. “One way or another, Wiebe is going down.”

  Boris plopped an unlit cigar in his mouth and nodded. “Time for Wiebe to play with some big kids for a change.” He stared at Gabi. “He’ll get what’s coming to him, that’s for sure.”

  “Be careful. You have no idea how powerful he is right now. He is dabbling in something he has no concept of, and the Dark Magik will enjoy taunting all of you.” Ingo’s face was creased with worry.

  Oskar glanced at Lys’ mantel. “You have quite a collection of Per’s Mother Bond designs, Lys. You like these little animals, huh?”

  Gabi floated into the air and gasped. “Oh, they’re so cute! Look at the mama polar bear and her cub!”

  Lys shook her head in confusion. “What are you talking about, Oskar? Those are Ingo’s designs. He carved them all. He is a very talented wood worker.”

  Oskar frowned. “Ingo? Per told me he made these. Ingo, what’s going on?”

  Lys noticed Ingo staring at his feet.

  He cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. “Yah, well, actually, Per sort of lied about that. I designed that line, but Per likes to get the attention.”

  Oskar shook his head. “Hell, I’m sorry about that, Ingo. I told Sven Per made those animals. He gave him a promotion because of it.” He stepped closer to Ingo. “Why didn’t you set him straight?”

  Ingo huffed out a breath. “I didn’t get a chance. He’d taken off for Manhattan, and by that time… well, Per was already promoted, so it hardly seemed worth making a fuss.”

  “I disagree. That was totally uncool for Per to take credit for your work. And my brother needs to know that.”

  Lys was shocked to see an expression of pure anguish on Ingo’s face.

  “Ah, there’s something I need to tell you, Oskar…” Ingo began.

  Kiana lifted Gabi into her arms. The girl was sagging with exhaustion. “Oskar, I think we need to get Gabi home for a nap.”

  The Klaus boy nodded. “Ingo, can it wait? I gotta get my girls home to rest.”

  Lys was touched by the way Oskar wrapped his arm around Kiana and Gabi. So protectively. The three of them had obviously formed a strong attachment. And the way he gazed at Kiana… well, she could tell the youngest Klaus boy was in love.

  Ingo nodded his head, looking resigned. “Of course. We’ll talk later.”

  A rapping at the window had all of them looking outside. A snowman with a lop-sided rocky smile was waving a twig.

  “Jesus H. Canola. Did Mr. Frosty follow us all the way here?” Oskar asked incredulously.

  Boris chuckled. “Who the hell is Mr. Frosty?”

  Oskar rolled his eyes. “Never mind. I’m going to pop the girls into the back seat of the sleigh under a blanket so no one sees them. Mr. Frosty is not hitching a ride.”

  Lys and Ingo said their good-byes as Boris and the others left the cottage. Ingo collapsed back to the sofa and groaned.

  “Oh, Ingo, are you all right?” She knelt before him and cupped his face. “I’m going to call the healer straight away. You’re suffering.”

  Ingo grasped her hands in his. “Oh, I’m suffering all right, but not because of my injuries. I did something awful.” He swallowed nervously. “I’m afraid to admit it to you. You’ll probably kick me out of your house. Never want to see me again.”

  She frowned. “Don’t be ridiculous. What have you done? Tell me.”

  He stared out the window and shook his head. “I’ve kast a spell on Oskar Klaus. It’s called Zottig Herz. To break his heart.”

  She gasped. “Why, Ingo? Why wo
uld you do such a thing?”

  “It’s a long story.” He blushed and turned his face away. “I… well, never mind. Suffice it to say, I was an idiot. And now poor Oskar is going to get his heartbroken by that Suddie. And I’m to blame.” He hung his head in shame.

  There’s more to this story than he’s telling me. Poor Ingo, he looks so… broken.

  Lys stroked his face. “Don’t worry. I saw the way Kiana was looking at Oskar. She’s in love with him. Why would she break his heart?”

  “It’s the spell. She’ll break his heart all right.”

  “Can’t you fix it? Reverse the spell?”

  He nodded. “Tonight at midnight I’m going to try the reversal spell. I hope to God it works.” He paused and searched her face. “You’re not disgusted with me?”

  Lys smiled and squeezed his hand. “Honestly, I am a bit surprised. It’s not like you to do such a thing. But it’s obvious you’re torn up about it.” She pulled his gnarled hand to her lips and kissed it gently. “You’re a good man, Ingo. We all make mistakes sometimes.”

  He breathed a huge sigh of relief. “You’ve got the sweetest heart, Lys Bauer. I don’t deserve your kindness.”

  His eyes filled with tears, and Lys felt like weeping herself. She climbed onto the sofa and slid her arm around Ingo’s waist. He wrapped his arms tightly around her and she rested her head against his shoulder.

  His scratchy voice rumbled in her ear. “One way or another, I’ve got to clear things up today. I have to find Wiebe and stop him from causing further mischief. And I have to try and save Oskar from a broken heart.” He sighed and rubbed his cheek along the top of her head. “I’m glad to be here with you, Lys Bauer. You give me hope that things will be okay.”

  She smiled to herself and tightened her hold on him. “Have faith, Ingo. We’ll figure this out together, I promise.”

  Oskar approached his cottage, rubbing a weary hand over his face. It was hours past his meeting with Ingo, and after searching unsuccessfully for Wiebe, he was just now returning home.

  He nodded to the elves standing watch at the front door. “Any trouble this evening?”