As my gaze drifted around the room, I caught a flicker of movement in the air near the fireplace. My stomach tightened, and I moved toward it to investigate. I couldn’t see anything, but as I stepped closer, the flicker came again. It was like a flash of smoke wafting through the air, and I barely got a chance to look at it properly before it disappeared again.
I froze as I stared at the spot and waited for the movement to return. Something magical was happening, but I wasn’t sure what it was. I drew in a gasp when a figure appeared without warning right in front of me. At first, the figure rippled through the air like smoke in a breeze, but then, it gathered and thickened before taking a more solid form. My heart wrenched as I realized I was staring at my mother.
Her ghostly form was just as translucent as it had been the first time she appeared to me in the alley in Bramblewood, and she was flickering in and out of existence, struggling to remain with me.
“Mom?” I whispered, closing the small distance between us.
I was still just as shocked to see her as I had been two weeks ago. I wanted nothing more than to hug her, and tears were welling in my eyes as I watched her struggling to speak. She wasn’t a strong ghost like Alfie, and even just showing herself to me was sapping all her power.
“Clio.” She eventually managed to speak, but her voice was weak and only just louder than a whisper.
“Hi, Mom.” I gave her a sad smile. She reached out toward me and I lifted a hand, feeling a soft fluttering against my skin as her fingers brushed alongside mine.
“I need to…” Her voice cut out before she managed to finish the sentence.
“You need to what, Mom?”
Her eyes were pained as she tried to continue speaking. Several moments passed before she finally had the strength to continue. “I need to…” She tried again. “I need to warn you.”
“Warn me about what?”
She opened her mouth to speak once more, but her ghostly body flickered out of existence. She quickly returned, but her form seemed weaker and more distant.
“Mom, is this about what you said last time? About the chaos?” My gut was pulling tight with worry. I could see in my mother’s eyes that she was frightened, that she was desperate to speak with me, but she was failing to get the words out. Instead, she nodded her head quickly up and down.
“What about it? What does it mean?”
Her mouth was moving, but no matter how hard I strained my ears, I couldn’t hear a word she said.
I shook my head at her. “I can’t hear you,” I said. “Is this about the barrier?”
Again, my mother nodded.
“You don’t have to worry, I already know about the barrier. We’re going to fix it.”
She started vehemently shaking her head, and I felt more confused than ever.
“You don’t want me to fix the barrier?” I asked, trying to understand.
“Don’t go near Bels—” Her voice cut out and she disappeared once more.
“Bels?” I repeated. “What is Bels?” I called out. I waited for my mom to reappear again, but I couldn’t sense any ghostly beings nearby. Moments passed and then minutes before my shoulders slumped, and I knew she was gone.
“Who are you talking to?” Dash asked from behind me.
I jumped with surprise and spun to face him. “What are you doing up so early?”
“I could ask the same of you.”
I sat down on the nearest couch and sighed. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“Me neither.” He sat across from me. “Some claus was shouting from the living room, which makes sleep a little more difficult to come by.”
I pulled my knees up to my chest and hugged them close to me. I hadn’t meant to shout, but it was hard not to get upset when your dead mother appeared to you as a ghost.
“I saw my mom,” I finally said, glancing up and meeting Dash’s eyes.
He frowned. “Just now?”
I nodded, taking a deep breath in before I continued. “She died two years ago, but I didn’t know she’d turned into a ghost. Not until she appeared for the first time two weeks ago and then again tonight.”
I’d thought she’d moved on, like most magical beings did when they died. Only beings with unfinished business remained tied to Earth in their spirit form, and it seemed my mom was one of them.
Dash was slowly shaking his head as I spoke. “That doesn’t sound right,” he said. “Surely, she would have been drawn to you before now, like most ghosts are to their loved ones. It shouldn’t have taken her two years to show herself to you.”
I shrugged, unable to explain her sudden appearance. “She’s far weaker than Alfie and can barely materialize. Perhaps that’s why I’ve never seen her before.”
“Perhaps,” he agreed, but he didn’t sound convinced.
“Anyway, she’s been trying to warn me,” I said. “At first, she said that chaos was coming, and just now she was trying to warn me about the barrier. It seemed like she didn’t want me to help fix it, but I couldn’t be sure.”
“What did she say?”
“Nothing really, just that she had a warning for me and to stay away from something called Bels. I don’t know if it’s a place or an object or a person. It doesn’t mean anything to me.”
“Me neither.” He looked just as puzzled as I was.
I let out a long breath and turned away from Dash to face the window that was now growing warm with early morning daylight. It wasn’t nearly so dark in the living room anymore, but there was still a chill in the air.
“What are you going to do about her warning?”
“I don’t know,” I replied, looking back at him. “There’s not really much I can do when I don’t know what Bels refers to. I just wish she’d been able to talk to me properly.”
“Do you think you could get Alfie to find her and talk to her?”
“Have you ever tried to get a ghost to talk about another ghost before?”
Dash shook his head, and a frown narrowed his eyes, as though he was surprised by my question.
“It’s impossible. I don’t know if it’s magic that stops them, or what, but it’s like they’ve all made some unbreakable pact and won’t speak about another ghost.”
“Huh,” Dash replied. “I never knew that.”
“Most people probably don’t. But when your best friend’s a ghost, it’s kind of hard not to notice it.”
The door to the bedroom I’d slept in last night opened, and Melody slowly traipsed out into the living room. “Why are you guys up so early?” She rubbed her eyes as she came to stand near the couch I was sitting on.
I chewed on my lower lip, wondering whether I should mention my mom’s most recent appearance. She’d been really concerned when I told her about the first encounter, and I didn’t want to worry Melody again unnecessarily. It’s not like I could even understand the warning I’d received. “I couldn’t sleep.”
“I thought we’d try to get an early start,” Dash added.
Melody nodded, not the least bit suspicious. “I’m going to help myself to some coffee. You guys want some?”
“Is that even a question?” I smiled.
Melody smirked before making her way toward the kitchen.
“You don’t want to tell her?” Dash asked as I heard the flick of the kettle and the soft whir of water as it started to boil.
I gave a slight shake of my head. “She doesn’t need to be burdened with more of my crap.”
“Are you still okay to go to the prison today?” he asked, tilting his head and watching me closely.
“Seeing my mom doesn’t change anything,” I said. “We need the nameless one’s help.”
“So, we’re still going?”
“We’re still going.”
Chapter Five
Dash’s herd was waiting for us when we arrived at the town square in the center of the North Pole. Coop, Vixen, and Blitz all looked as nervous as I felt. Coop’s hands were restlessly tapping against the sides
of his legs while a tense scowl dented Vixen’s forehead. Blitz had his arms crossed over his broad chest, and his usually jovial expression was nowhere to be seen. None of them needed to come with me to Incarceror, but I was glad I didn’t have to go alone.
They were standing at the edge of the square next to some of the protectors who were guarding the sleigh point. The three shifters started walking toward us the moment they caught sight of Dash. All three of them looked frustrated and aggravated, and I wondered what had them all riled up so early in the morning.
“The protectors won’t let us use the sleigh point,” Coop said when we reached them.
“Did you tell them we’re on an assignment for the royals?” Dash replied.
“No, he thought it might help to leave that bit out,” Vixen replied with a roll of her eyes.
“Surely, it’s too early for sarcasm, Vixie,” Blitz said as he covered his mouth and yawned.
“Call me Vixie again, and I’ll take you to the vet and get you neutered.” She didn’t bother to look in Blitz’s direction as she fired her response back at him.
Blitz laughed, apparently enjoying her threat more than fearing it.
“I’ll handle this,” Dash said, walking past the three reindeer who stood in front of us and toward the nearest protector. She looked a whole lot more stern than the claus we’d encountered the previous night and had a deadpanned expression that would have intimidated nearly anyone. I was surprised Dash wasn’t quaking in his boots as she settled her steely glare on him.
I watched as Dash showed her the same summons that he’d given the protector the previous night. The woman glanced over it, but her mouth twisted as though she were unsure. Dash didn’t give her a chance to say no though. His face seemed to morph before my eyes as he smiled and started chatting with her. He laughed at something she said, and I wished like hell we were a little closer so I could hear what they were saying.
When the woman smiled in response to him, I wanted to walk right over there and give her unfriendly expression a reason to return. What was Dash playing at? It looked like he was flirting with her, and now really didn’t seem like the most appropriate time.
Eventually, the woman nodded and passed the summons back to Dash. He grinned and glanced over his shoulder at us, waving for us to join him. He’d managed to get us access to the sleigh point after all, and it looked like he’d scored a protector’s phone number in the process.
The other three shifters went to follow him, but I hesitated. Instead, I turned to Melody who had been waiting at my side.
“I don’t think he was really flirting with her,” Melody said, a small crease puckering her brow as she frowned after Dash. “He was just trying to make sure she let us through.”
I waved her comment off and shook my head. “I’m not worried about that.” I was such a liar. “But I am worried about you. I don’t expect you to come back to the prison.” My voice was soft and filled with sympathy. Melody may have come with us last time, but she was so afraid of tight, dark spaces that she hadn’t entered the tunnel that led to the nameless one’s cell. I didn’t want her facing that same dilemma again.
“I know you don’t expect me to come,” she replied. “But I want to help.”
Her eyes were filled with sincerity, and I knew she would follow me anywhere. The prison was one place I didn’t want her to have to go though. “Look, I might not be able to get back to Bramblewood before my shift tomorrow. Plus, I hate leaving Tomi there alone. I know you want to come, but returning home would actually be a massive help.”
Melody’s forehead creased, and she glanced at the group of shifters who were already entering the sleigh point. Doubt and uncertainty flittered across her eyes. Her face was like an open book, and I could easily see the different emotions she was trying to process. I could see she was worried for me, but I could also tell she didn’t want to let me down. She still seemed conflicted when she finally looked back at me. “What if you get into trouble?”
“Well, I’ve already granted the nameless one a favor,” I said. “Surely I can’t get myself into any more trouble than that. We’re just stopping by, getting the answers we need, and coming back here to tell the royals.”
I didn’t believe for one second the mission would go so smoothly, but a girl could hope. Plus, I didn’t want to give Melody any more reason to worry about me. She seemed anxious enough as it was.
“If things don’t go that well, I’ll contact Alfie and get him to let you know,” I added, since she was still eyeing me with uncertainty.
Melody finally gave me a nod. “Okay, but only if you’re sure. I want to help.”
“You are,” I replied. “I promise.”
She nodded once more, seeming a little more assured, and then surprised me by pulling me in for a hug. “Just don’t do anything silly in there.”
I laughed, pulling back from her. “Why does everyone always assume I’m going to go off script?”
“Because they’ve met you.”
“True. Okay, I’ll keep to the script.”
“Good,” she said, but she started chewing on her lower lip like I hadn’t managed to dispel her worries. I wasn’t sure there was anything I could say that would put her at ease though.
We started toward the sleigh point to join the others. It was early in the morning, and the air around us had a crisp bite to it. There were only a few protectors scattered around the square, but I suspected far more of them were hidden like they had been the night before. There were no other magical beings around, and the town was silent except for the crunching of the snow under our feet. Even the fairies that lived in the ancient tree that loomed over the sleigh point were sleeping, and none of their sparkling lights could be seen trailing over the long, thick branches of the pine.
Just looking at the pine was enough to make me sneeze. I wished we could find another sleigh point to use to get in and out of the North Pole. I usually got a stuffy nose around pine trees, but the Northern Realm’s enormous Christmas tree seemed to pack more of a punch. It was probably because of the tree’s size, which meant more pine to attack my allergies with.
“Melody’s going to be returning to Bramblewood,” I said, as we joined the others. “I need her to keep an eye on Tomi.”
Dash nodded before glancing at Coop. “And Coop will be staying here. I want him to monitor the barrier. I want to know exactly what state it’s in when we return.”
“So, I guess it’s just the four of us,” Blitz said, a wide grin spreading across his face. “Kind of like a double date.”
“You’d take a date to prison?” I asked.
“Uh, yeah,” Blitz replied. “It’s way more interesting than going to a restaurant or something equally as boring.”
“You would think that,” Vixen said with a shake of her head. “And just so we’re clear. I’m not your date.”
“Clio can be my date then.” Blitz smirked.
“No, because that would mean I’m Dash’s date. I’m not my brother’s date,” Vixen argued. “Nobody is on a date.”
I laughed at the disgust in her voice.
“I never said we were actually going on a date,” Blitz replied, as though he were stating the obvious. “I said it would be like a double date.” He was grinning so broadly that Vixen let out a grunt of annoyance before stepping into the sleigh point and disappearing without another word.
“Can you please try to avoid antagonizing my sister so much when we’re about to enter a prison?”
Blitz shrugged. “Better angry than nervous.” He followed Vixen into the sleigh point and disappeared.
“It’s actually kind of sweet if you think about it,” I said.
Dash lifted an eyebrow at me. “Please don’t tell me you’re buying into Blitz’s bullshit.”
I laughed. “Maybe.”
He shook his head at me as though he was disappointed, but a grin pulled at the corners of his mouth. His bright amber eyes sparkled as they looked at me, but he qui
ckly pulled them away and turned to Coop.
“If there’s any trouble with the barrier, I want you to get word to me as quickly as possible.”
“I think it will be fine,” Coop replied, pushing his glasses up his nose as he spoke. “By my projections, if the barrier keeps disintegrating at its current rate, we should have a week before it dissolves completely.”
“That doesn’t exactly make me feel better,” Dash replied.
“Think of it as incentive to act quickly then.” Coop stepped forward and reached out a hand to shake Dash’s. “Good luck, both of you.”
Coop released his grip on Dash’s palm and turned, walking back to where the protectors were hiding at the edge of the town square. As I watched him cross the open square, I felt a buzz of energy behind me. I turned around and was hit by the intense smell of peppermint wafting from the sleigh point. The air crackled with bright green electricity, signaling someone’s arrival. I took Melody’s arm and yanked her back from the sleigh point as a figure came into view with a swirl of magic.
The blood drained from my skin as I took in the magical being that had appeared. It was not a light being nor was it any of the dark beings I’d encountered in the Human Realm before. It was a creature of enormous size with white bristling fur that covered its gargantuan figure. It looked somewhat humanoid in shape, but its bulky muscles and face were more akin to a gorilla. Its huge black claws were long and sharp, and I swallowed as I focused on the way they glinted in the morning light.
Standing next to the massive creature was an elf who had arrived in the same swirl of magic as the beast. It was touching the creature’s leg, and I immediately suspected the elf had brought it here. My suspicions were confirmed when the elf grinned and winked back out of existence, leaving the creature behind.
“That’s a yeti! Get back!” one of the protectors yelled from behind us.
Melody immediately started to run, but I was too busy trying to figure out how we were supposed to stop such a formidable beast. The creature seemed disorientated as it squinted its eyes and took in the scene surrounding it. It was so big it hadn’t noticed we were standing at its feet, but then its black eyes flicked to the ground. It let out a distraught moan as it caught sight of me, flashing its razor-sharp teeth.
Christmas Chaos (Christmas Magic Book 2) Page 5
