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by V. G. Ford The phone rang just as Nikki Jeffries came in the kitchen door, her arms piled high with shopping bags. She dropped the entire mess on the island, stripped off her gloves, and dug her cell phone out of her pocket, frowning at the number that flashed insistently at her. “Damn, what now?” She flipped open the phone. “Please tell me I don’t have to kill someone this week for you. It’s Christmas!” “You know, I don’t call just to have you kill someone,” came the swift retort. “You don’t?” Nikki tried to recall the last time the StarChild had called to just talk. “Really?” “Really,” Shanna Greystone said firmly. “Besides, it is Christmas, and you’re bound by the Solstice Covenant just as much as anyone else, Horseman.” There was a subtle rebuke in her rich voice at the use of her formal title, but Nikki ignored it. “I do have a job for you, though.” “I knew it,” Nikki said, but there was no rancor in her tone, just resignation. “Who’s done what now?” “Missing Earth Lord.” Shanna sighed. “I need you to find her before Christmas Eve, with a minimum of bloodshed and angst, and no breaking the Covenant. If you do, even I won’t be able to protect you from the consequences.” That made Nikki pause for a moment. “Why me? If you need someone subtle, wouldn’t Justin be better suited?” “You need to learn subtlety, Nikki. You may be the Horseman Death, but that doesn’t mean you have to ram that down everyone’s throat when you deal with them. Consider this your latest homework assignment. Besides, if you can’t find her by Christmas Eve, you’ll be able to take her place in the ritual, and then you can keep looking for her.” “Great.” Nikki couldn’t argue with Shanna’s logic: her ability to use all three major spheres of magic had come in handy often enough. “Where am I going now? Someplace warm maybe?” “Sorry.” Shanna didn’t sound sorry at all. “But that reminds me—you’ll want to pack warmly. You’re heading to the North Pole.” “The North Pole,” Nikki repeated, wondering if she’d heard the StarChild right. “Seriously?” We have Earth Lords in the North Pole? “Yes.” “Who am I looking for, Santa Claus?” Nikki joked, running her fingers along the edge of the island. This is too bizarre, she thought. What am I going to do at the North Pole? Shanna’s tone, deadly serious, seemed all the more ridiculous considering her next words. “No, thank the Light. If Kris was missing, I’d be sending you out with no restrictions and the Covenant be damned. Luckily, his wife keeps a good eye on him.” “I was kidding,” Nikki said. I can’t believe we’re having this conversation. “I wasn’t,” Shanna said bluntly. Nikki blinked, twining a strand of her long, black hair around one finger. “Shanna, Kris Kringle is a myth. Everyone knows that.” “Everyone thinks the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are myths too, and that hasn’t stopped you breathing yet, has it?” Shanna’s voice was dry, and Nikki flushed. “Trust me, Kris Kringle not only exists, he’s alive and well and one of the most important Elemental Lords you’ll probably ever have the privilege to meet. What’s more, he’s going to be your first contact when you get there. He knows Lucia and knows everyone else up there. Trust him. He and Julietta are probably the only ones I don’t suspect right now.” “Julietta?” “Mrs. Kringle,” Shanna said. “Any questions?” “You’re seriously sending me to the North Pole to help Kris Kringle find a missing Earth Lord named Lucia two days before Christmas.” “Is there a problem with that?” The slight edge in Shanna’s voice reminded Nikki that she was talking to the one person who could destroy her without blinking an eye, should she so choose. Pissing off the StarChild is not a good way to start the day. Watch it, Jeffries. Just because she’s been nice before doesn’t mean you get a free ride for your mouth. She’s the boss, after all. “Nope,” she said, before the silence stretched too long. “Just making sure I heard you correctly. I assume I should head out as soon as I’m packed?” And the groceries are put away, she added silently, looking at the bags piled on the island behind her. “Yes. And Nikki?” “Yes?” “One more bit of advice.” Shanna paused, making Nikki wonder just exactly what was going on in the redhead’s mind, and how much more there was that Shanna wasn’t telling her. “Don’t believe everything everyone tells you and remember the season.” Return to the catalogue. Purchase: eBook |
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