“I leave you alone for one night and look at the mess you’ve gotten yourself into,” Alfie replied with a shake of his head. “One night.”
“And you wonder why I hate Christmas.” I let out a sigh and stared up at the wooden ceiling.
“Have you tried to get out of here?” Alfie asked.
“No. I’m just waiting to be rescued...”
“Sarcasm, really?” He sounded so disappointed in me I laughed.
“Sorry, Alf, what I meant to say was that I’ve tried everything. I even summoned a chainsaw and tried to cut my way out of the place. There’s no way out.”
Alfie looked at the gaping hole in the wall near the fireplace and lifted an eyebrow at me when he saw the discarded chainsaw beside it. “You’re nothing if not original.”
“I’m taking that as a compliment.” I smiled. “What I really need is for my good-for-nothing tomten to return so I can convince him the danger has passed and that he can lift the barrier. I don’t want to be here when Dash returns.”
“Dash, as in Dasher the reindeer?” Alfie asked, standing up a little straighter. “This is his place?”
I let out a groan. “Don’t tell me you’ve heard of him.”
“I’ve heard a few things. Ghosts see more than you think, and we talk. Apparently, he has the biggest antlers around.” He winked at me.
“Oh my gosh, you cannot say that. Take it back.” Dash and his antlers were the last thing I wanted to talk about.
“You’re not the least bit curious?”
“No!” I probably replied too quickly and a little too adamantly, but I really didn’t like the knowing look in Alfie’s eyes. “I mean I don’t need to be curious. I’ve seen his antlers, and trust me, they’re not that great.”
“Don’t pretend you weren’t impressed,” a voice said from the door.
I spun around to find Dash leaning against the doorframe, his smug smile back on his lips. “You didn’t think to tell me Dash was here?” I muttered at my friend.
Alfie grinned at me and shrugged. “And miss this fun? No chance.”
“Who are you talking to?” Dash asked, pushing off the doorway and walking into the room.
“My friend Alfie.”
Dash frowned at me. “And is Alfie your only invisible friend, or can I expect more to be joining us here?”
“Ha, ha, aren’t you just a regular comedian,” I replied. “Alfie’s a ghost.”
“And you can see him this early in the season?” Dash asked.
“Sure, can’t you?”
“Clearly not.” Dash’s eyes narrowed with suspicion. “And I doubt anyone else would be able to see him either, which begs the question: why can you?”
I glanced at Alfie, my hands growing clammy at Dash’s question. My friend looked worried, and I knew it was because he shared my concern that Dash was bordering on the truth about me. The reason I could see Alfie was because my powers were just as strong now as they would be at Christmas, but I couldn’t let Dash know that. I needed to throw him off the scent quickly.
I crossed my arms over my chest and hardened my expression as I looked back at Dash. “I can see him because I knew him before he died,” I answered, trying to sound as indignant as I could manage. It was unusual to see a ghost this early in the season but not totally unheard of when someone had a connection with the deceased. That was the reason why I’d come to the sad conclusion that my mom hadn’t turned into a ghost after she died. She surely would have been drawn to me if she had, and I knew now I’d never see her again.
“Did you want to hear about his death too, or are you done with the interrogation?” I continued.
“Right, sorry.” Dash’s face blanched at my words. He looked guilty, and thankfully, the suspicion in his eyes faded. “Well, welcome to my home, Alfie.” He glanced in my friend’s direction. “I look forward to meeting you properly soon.”
I could have sworn Alfie blushed, but I was far from being charmed by the reindeer.
“We won’t be here long enough for you to have the pleasure.”
Dash looked pointedly toward the gaping hole in his living room wall. “You’ll be here as long as I need you to be,” he replied. “The dark elves are still on the loose. I can’t risk them finding you and finishing you off.”
“Aw, you worried about me Dash?”
“More concerned with why they want to kill you.” He sat down on one of the cushy leather couches, leaning back and making himself comfortable. “The truth is, you’d be a whole lot less of a nuisance if I just gave you to them.”
“Gee, thanks.” I shot him a scowl and walked to stand behind the couch opposite him. I felt like I needed a good five-meter perimeter between the shifter and me so I could think straight.
“Why are they after you?” Alfie whispered, coming to stand beside me. “You’ve had trouble with magical creatures before, but none of them have ever tried to kill you.”
I shrugged. All my run-ins in the past had come from trouble I’d either created or stumbled upon. None of those magical creatures had specifically sought me out, and I also doubted any of them were aware of how powerful I was.
Last year, I’d had to deal with two ancient light elves. I’d moved to a town where the two sisters lived, and I was somehow dragged into the middle of the war they were having with each other over some potion book they both wanted. Before that, it had been Christmas fairies. I accidentally summoned one fairy, which started an infestation in my apartment.
I didn’t even want to think about the time before that. My mother had just died, and I summoned what must have been a hundred ghosts while I was sleeping one night. My home and the street beyond had been filled with them. I still had nightmares about waking up to a room of translucent bodies hovering over me.
I seemed to encounter magic wherever I went, and as much as I might want to, I couldn’t seem to escape it. Alfie was right though; none of the creatures I’d encountered had tried to kill me. These elves were different, and while I didn’t know for sure, I was worried that it was my unique magic that interested them. I couldn’t exactly say that to Alfie with Dash standing nearby though. I’d promised my mother I’d never tell anyone about my powers, and I wasn’t about to start with Dash.
Alfie only knew because we’d been so young when we had first become friends. I hadn’t realized how unusual it was that I could summon him even when he couldn’t appear himself, but he’d figured it out pretty fast. I was far more careful with my magic now. Well, sometimes.
“Where have you been all day?” I asked, focusing on Dash once more.
“Reporting to my father,” he replied. “And before you ask, yes, I still think the elves are a threat, and no, you cannot leave.”
“You don’t know if they are still after me,” I protested.
“I’m almost sure of it,” Dash replied. “I’ve sent my herd to see if the elves are still in Bramblewood, and they should return soon with more information. Even if they’ve left though, I still don’t think it’s safe.”
I bit down on my lower lip and turned away from Dash. I walked over to one of the windows and looked out at the woods beyond the cabin. It was dark, but the light of the moon reflected brightly off the snowy ground.
I knew Dash was right. If I returned to Bramblewood, I would be in danger. The creatures couldn’t get to me here in the Northern Realm, so for now, I was safe from them. Dark Christmas beings could not come anywhere near the Northern Realm as a magical barrier barred their entry. A similar one stopped us from entering the Southern Realm, where they were from. The Human Realm was more of a free-for-all, so there was nothing to stop the elves coming after me again if I went back to Bramblewood.
But the elves weren’t my only concern, and I knew I couldn’t remain here. I might not be at risk from the elves in the Northern Realm, but they weren’t the only threat in our world. There was a reason my mother took me from here as a child, and I knew I was in just as much danger if I remained here too long.
I turned to face Dash once more. “Look, you’ve already told me I wasn’t their first victim. Those creatures will keep on killing if you can’t capture them,” I said.
I didn’t particularly like the way the thought sat with me. As much as I wanted my life back, I also didn’t want anyone else to be harmed. The only solution was to get rid of the foul creatures as quickly as possible, and there was only one way I could think to achieve that.
“So, use me as bait,” I suggested. “That way, I can go home quicker, and you can get your mark. Everyone is happy.”
Dash stood abruptly and paced toward me. “I’m not using you as bait.”
“Why not?”
“Because I can find them just fine without endangering you.” He came to a stop right before me and folded his arms across his chest so his muscles bulged.
I rolled my eyes at him. “I’d hardly be in danger. If your herd are as big and bad as you say they are, then the elves won’t be able to touch me. Besides, I can take care of myself.”
“Didn’t look that way last night,” he said.
“I was doing just fine without you,” I growled. “Plus, it was a slightly uneven fight. There were four of the things and one of me.”
“Which wouldn’t be a problem if you were trained for battle, but it’s pretty clear you’re not.”
Dash was being ridiculous. I wasn’t even sure why he was so hell-bent on protecting me. Not five minutes ago he was telling me how much better his life would be if he just handed me over to the elves. I went to push past him, but he took hold of my arm. My skin warmed under his touch, and as I looked up into his eyes, my heart stuttered a beat. The stupid, sexy reindeer probably got this reaction out of all the girls.
“Look, can you stop arguing with me over this?” he asked. “I’m trying to protect you, but you’re making it damn hard.”
I yanked my arm from his grip. I didn’t get a chance to argue back though because the front door opened, and the three shifters from earlier entered the room, interrupting us.
Dash immediately turned toward them. “Did you find their hideout?”
The woman’s eyes flicked in my direction. Her gaze was still riddled with the same judgment I’d seen in her eyes earlier, and she was pursing her lips as though she wasn’t sure if she should speak in front of me.
I stood a little taller, my eyes just as hard as hers, as I returned her stare. I wasn’t going to be intimidated by her, even if she did look like a catwalk model with waist-length hair that even Rapunzel would be jealous of.
“Vixen?” Dash prompted.
“Yes, we found their hideout,” she replied, her eyes reluctantly meeting Dash’s once more. “But it was abandoned. We don’t think they’ve been there in days.”
“And I could still scent their magic in Bramblewood.” It was the smaller, nervous-looking guy with glasses who spoke up. “They’ve been covering their tracks with pine though, so it’s impossible to narrow the search.”
Dash nodded, his eyes clouding as he absorbed the information. He’d clearly been expecting more progress, and I could sense he was disappointed they hadn’t found the elves yet.
“Still keeping the claus around, are we?” the bigger guy asked, a knowing smirk on his lips. He was the one who’d laughed at me earlier, and I got the feeling he enjoyed making light of bad situations.
“The claus has a name, shifter,” I shot back before Dash could speak for me.
The large shifter chuckled in response. “I knew I liked this one,” he said to Dash. “If you don’t want to keep her, I’m happy to volunteer.”
Dash let out a long sigh. “She’s not a pet,” he replied before looking at me. “Sorry about Blitz, he doesn’t really have a filter. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to get rid of him.”
Blitz grinned and nodded as though it were something to be proud of.
“So, these shifters are your herd?” I asked, glancing at each of them uncertainly.
Dash nodded. “Yes, this is my sister, Vixen,” he said, indicating the woman who was still scowling at me. “That’s my cousin, Coop,” he added, gesturing to the smaller guy with glasses. “And Blitz—no relation.”
“No relation, but he likes me the best,” Blitz added with a wink.
Dash shook his head but made no move to correct him.
“I’d say it’s a pleasure to meet you all,” I replied, “but after the kidnapping and house arrest, I can’t honestly say it’s been all that pleasant.”
Blitz chuckled at my comment, but Vixen’s lip curled as I spoke. It was like my voice alone offended her. I didn’t really care what she thought though. I couldn’t wait to be done with these shifters.
The third guy, Coop, wasn’t really paying attention to me. His face was serious, and he was still focused on their leader. “Dash, I don’t think we’re going to be able to find these elves until they strike again,” he said. “We can’t manage to track them when they’re covering their magic.”
“I know,” Dash growled.
“We have to do something,” Coop continued.
“I know,” Dash growled again. He was still at my side, and I could feel the tension rippling off him. He was growing more and more frustrated, and I think I knew why. He was going to have to reconsider using me as bait.
I didn’t hesitate to bring it up again. “You know I’m your only option then.”
“How so?” Vixen asked. Most shifters weren’t great fans of clauses, and it was pretty clear that Vixen was one of them. Her expression totally changed whenever she looked in my direction, and she didn’t even try to keep the disdain from her voice as she spoke to me.
“Because if they’re still after me, I can act as bait to draw them out.”
Dash turned to glare at me. “I already told you that’s not an option.”
“And I’m not part of your reindeer herd, so you can’t tell me what to do. I want this. The sooner these elves are dealt with, the sooner I can get back to my life.”
“It’s not the worst idea,” Blitz said.
Dash shot him a dark look. “Don’t indulge her.”
“I agree,” Vixen said. “If we take her back to Bramblewood, the elves are bound to try and finish what they started.”
“And by finish, you mean kill her, just like the others,” Dash replied.
“It’ll be different this time,” Coop said. “We weren’t there to help the others. If we use Clio as bait, we might just have a chance to catch them before they kill again. I think we all know they’re not going to stop at just her.”
The room fell silent. Dash’s herd was watching him expectantly, but he didn’t reply.
“Look,” I said, turning to him. “I don’t want anyone else to face what I had to with those elves. Let’s give this a try. You’ll be close enough that you can be there if anything happens. I’ll even keep Tomi near me at all times if that helps.”
“Well, there’s our next problem. Even if I agree, your tomten won’t let you leave here when he hears what we plan to do with you.”
“Sure, he will,” I replied. “We just won’t tell him what’s planned.”
“You’d lie to your tomten?”
“Have you met Tomi?” I asked. “He pretty much always lies to me, it’s only fair.”
Dash shook his head at me, but from the resigned look in his eyes, I knew he’d already caved. “Fine. We’ll try to use you as bait to catch the elves. But I’ll be keeping a close eye on you, and if anything goes wrong, I’ll have you back here in the blink of an eye.”
I couldn’t stop the grin from forming on my lips.
“Don’t look so happy about it,” Dash grumbled. “You’ll probably end up dead.”
“Nah, I’m way too crafty to get myself killed,” I replied. “Besides, I have four reindeers ready to back me up. It won’t be an uneven fight this time.”
“I still don’t like it.” Dash faced the rest of his herd. “Why don’t you all go get some sleep. We’ll be leaving fo
r Bramblewood at first light.”
The rest of the group nodded and proceeded to leave the cabin. Blitz gave me a merry wave as he left while Vixen walked out without another look my way. Coop gave Dash a nod of his head in farewell before he turned and followed the others out. Once the front door closed behind them, Dash and I were left alone.
“I’m guessing there’s no chance I can go home to my own bed tonight, is there?” I asked.
He pointed toward the bedroom I’d awoken in. “Not a chance in hell. You’re off to bed too.”
“Yes, Dad,” I replied with a roll of my eyes as I turned to traipse toward the bedroom. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to sleep tonight though. I was already thinking far too much about what I was expected to do tomorrow. It had seemed like such a good idea in theory, but reality was starting to set in.
In the morning, I was returning to Bramblewood to act as elf bait, and I needed to trust four shifters who had kidnapped me to keep me protected. Dash was right; I probably was going to die.
Chapter Six
“Tomi, you have to remove the barrier around the house so I can leave,” I said, trying to use my firmest voice with the tomten.
His arms were crossed over his chest, and there was a determined look in his eyes. “Can’t,” he replied. “You’re not safe out there.”
I lifted my hands in the air and groaned as I paced away from him. “I already told you the danger has passed. It’s time for me to leave!”
We’d been arguing for ten minutes. I’d barely slept last night, and I was already in a grumpy enough mood. I couldn’t deal with Tomi’s attitude this early in the morning. It wasn’t often that Tomi got to use his powers on me, and there was a twinkle in his eyes that showed how much he liked tormenting me.
“Do you need me to talk to him?” Dash asked, walking out of the bathroom. His hair was wet, and water droplets slowly ran down his bare chest. He was only wearing a towel, which was hanging much lower than necessary. What was it with this reindeer? I swear he spent more time half naked than he did clothed.
“Just put some clothes on, I’ve got this,” I replied.
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