Christmas Magic

by Alexandra Moody

  “You really mean that?” she asked.

  I nodded, not sure I was ready for the barrage of emotions I could see welling behind her eyes. In a heartbeat, Melody jumped up, rounded the table, and threw her arms around me in a grateful hug. When she stepped back from the hug, I could see tears in her eyes.

  “I just need a moment,” she murmured, excusing herself from the kitchen.

  “What have you done now?” Dash asked.

  “What?”

  “It’s like you’re a magnet for strays.”

  “Are you calling yourself a stray?” I asked with a grin.

  He shook his head at me. “You know what I mean,” he grumbled.

  It was the middle of the night when the rest of Dash’s herd returned. Crow’s captives were all awake, and I’d spent the last few hours getting to know them. Most of the group consisted of elves, but there were a couple of wolf shifters amongst them too. Melody was the only light being amongst the group, but you couldn’t tell because of how close she was with them all. Despite being free of their captors, they all appeared so nervous. They were jumpy, like they expected they could be in danger at any moment.

  The group seemed to look to the older elf, Pearl, for guidance. She was beautiful, like all elves were, but her skin was dull from malnutrition and her voice crackled with old age. I had no idea how she’d lasted night after night in the ring, but the woman was clearly far stronger than her frail body appeared.

  The captives had spent most of the evening discussing their plans, now that they were free, and it seemed that most of them wanted to stick together. From the way they looked after each other, I could see how much they’d bonded. Even Melody seemed torn between staying with them and coming to live with me.

  But all talk of plans for the future came to a halt the moment Coop, Vixen, and Blitz walked into the living room where most of us were gathered.

  “I didn’t have any luck with Sage,” Coop said as he entered the room. “I went to her tree, but she refused to appear to me.”

  “And all traces of the bar are gone,” Vixen added. Dash had thankfully found something other than pinewood to burn, but I still found my throat constricted as Vixen shared the news.

  Dash seemed disappointed as Coop spoke, but his eyes went wide when he heard what Vixen had to say.

  “What do you mean it’s gone?” he asked.

  “We watched the alley for hours after it got dark, but there were no comings or goings. We began to get suspicious that something was up and went to investigate.”

  Dash lifted an unimpressed eyebrow, but Vixen ignored him as she continued to explain.

  “There was no bouncer out the front, and the sign for the bar was gone. Blitz broke the door down, and we searched the venue, but the place was completely abandoned.”

  “So, Crow is gone?” Dash asked.

  “Yes,” Vixen answered.

  “And we’ve lost our only lead on the dark elves?” I asked.

  The others fell silent, clearly as frustrated by the news as I was.

  “What dark elves are you talking about?” Melody asked. She was seated at my side, carefully braiding Tabby’s long hair.

  “A group of elves have been killing magical beings. We tracked them to Crow’s bar,” I said.

  Her eyes lit with understanding, and she glanced around the room at some of the other captives who also had knowing looks in their eyes.

  “What is it?” Dash asked, catching their shared looks.

  Pearl spoke up for the group. “We heard Crow speaking with groups of elves on many occasions,” she said. “He used his persuasion frequently on our kind though never on us prisoners. He preferred to torture us without the use of his silver tongue. If your elves were at Crow’s bar, I can almost guarantee they were doing his work.”

  I pushed down a shudder. My hatred for Crow was growing by the second.

  “Do you have any idea what kind of orders he’s been giving them?” Coop asked.

  “It could be anything,” she replied. “Crow always has one scheme or other afoot. But lately, his focus seems to be on finding particular magical beings in the Human Realm. He’s been sending elves out searching for them and keeping tabs on any they find. I never heard him order any murders though, but I only ever overheard the conversations he had in his bar.”

  “When did he start seeking out specific magical beings?” Dash asked.

  Pearl shrugged. “A couple of years ago, maybe.”

  I pushed down a shudder, wondering if I’d been on Crow’s radar all this time. Was my mother still alive when his elves first found me, or was it only recently that I’d been discovered? Either way, it made me feel sick with worry. The question remained though, what did Crow want with each magical being?

  “And none of you heard anything about why he was searching for these beings?” I asked, studying the faces of the prisoners, hoping that perhaps one of them would have some insight into what Crow was planning. If we knew what he wanted, we might have a better chance at stopping him.

  All I received were blank faces and shaking heads in response though, and I let out a tired breath, feeling like we’d reached a dead end.

  “It might be because of that glowing orb thingy in his office,” Tully said, his voice quiet as though he was nervous to talk. “He was making me clean in there a couple of weeks ago when he brought it out. It was so powerful. I don’t think I’ve ever felt anything like it before.”

  My eyes widened at his words, and I glanced at Dash to see if he knew what Tully was talking about, but Dash looked just as confused as I felt.

  “What did it look like?” Coop asked, crouching down at Tully’s side as he pushed his glasses up his nose.

  “It was a bit like a rock, but it was hard to tell because it was glowing with such a bright white light that it was really hard to look at.”

  Coop frowned in response and rubbed the side of his face, like the explanation was making him sweat. “You said you could sense it was very powerful,” Coop added. “Did you feel anything when you saw it or after Crow put it away?”

  Tully was the one to frown this time. “I don’t know. Maybe a little tired?” He spoke as though he was asking a question, like he was unsure. “I just knew I didn’t want to get any closer to it.”

  The crease in Coop’s forehead grew more pronounced, and he stood tall, walking away from Tully. He seemed deep in thought, and no one interrupted him as he paced back and forth. “This isn’t good,” Coop eventually said, abruptly pausing and turning to look at us.

  “Do you know what it is?” Dash asked.

  Coop nodded, but he didn’t look happy about it. “I could be wrong—”

  “Coop, you’re never wrong,” Vixen interrupted.

  “Well, this time I could be. I’ve never seen one of these before, and I’m only going on what I’ve read in some very old texts. But I think we could be dealing with a Christmas star.”

  My eyes darted toward Dash, who swore under his breath and paced away, gripping his hands to his head tightly. My stomach dropped as I watched him.

  “You’re sure?” Dash asked.

  “The way Tully described its glow and how he felt tired after being near it both fit what I’ve read about Christmas stars,” Coop replied. “I can’t think of what else it could be.”

  “What’s a Christmas star?” Blitz asked, looking at our alarmed faces with confusion.

  “It’s a type of fallen star that lands on Earth on Christmas day,” Coop explained. “Supposedly, they are infused with the power of Christmas. Most of what’s known about them is rumor and myth, but apparently one was found and locked away by the light royals centuries ago.”

  “I’ve heard the stories too,” Dash added. “They say the star was so powerful the royals sealed it away forever. If Crow has found another Christmas star, the elves are the least of our concerns.”

  “And what do these stars do?” Blitz asked.

  “No one knows for sure,” Coop said. �
�But I have read that they can absorb the energy around them and grow more and more powerful. That would be why Tully felt drained when he was near it.”

  My heart skipped a beat as I listened to Coop. If the Christmas stars could absorb energy, could they also drain a magical being of its powers?

  “If Crow has a Christmas star, could he have used it to kill Thistle and the other magical creatures?” I wondered out loud.

  “What do you mean?” Dash replied.

  “There was no magic at the scene of the crime and no sign of what killed Thistle or her tree. Perhaps the star took her magic.” I paused and swallowed uncomfortably before I continued. “Took her magic and took her life.”

  Everyone had their eyes on me, and an uneasy silence fell over the room as they considered what I was suggesting.

  “Clio’s right.” Coop finally spoke up. “It’s possible a Christmas star could be used to drain a creature’s magic.”

  “But that still doesn’t explain why Crow would want to kill them,” Blitz said.

  “The star is already immensely powerful,” Dash answered. “Imagine how strong it would be with all of that extra magic fueling it. Crow could unleash untold destruction.”

  Coop was nodding, and my stomach churned with worry as the seriousness of the situation hit me. That’s why Crow was targeting such powerful creatures. That’s why he was targeting me. I didn’t even want to begin to think of what Crow would do with such a power.

  “Well, whatever Crow is planning to do with the star, we let him get away last night.” Vixen growled. “We could have had him.”

  A feeling of guilt flooded through me once more. I was the reason he escaped. “Maybe we should go back to the club and try to track him?” I suggested.

  “The place was doused in pine. There was no trace of anyone there,” Vixen said.

  “If he’s abandoned his club, you’ll have little chance of finding him now,” Pearl said. “Crow has had to disappear before, and he does it well.”

  The room fell silent as we considered our options.

  “Do you have any idea where he might go?” I asked.

  Pearl shook her head, but then a small twinkle entered her eyes. “I have no idea, but there might be someone who could tell you.”

  “Who?” Dash asked.

  Pearl shook her head. “It’s probably not even worth suggesting. I don’t think any of you are desperate enough to seek his help.”

  “Who is it?” Vixen asked, stepping forward.

  “The nameless one,” Pearl replied. “He’s dangerous and untrustworthy, but he might be the only one who can help you.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “You’re not actually considering this, are you?” Vixen yelled as we followed Dash from the living room and into the kitchen.

  He shot her a dark look, which we both knew meant he was definitely considering it.

  “I don’t understand what the fuss is; who is this nameless person?” I asked.

  “Not this nameless person, the nameless one,” Vixen replied sharply. “He’s a mysterious Christmas being who was trapped centuries ago in a prison where only the worst criminals are sent—Incarceror. He’s dangerous.”

  “He’s also someone who could help us,” Blitz said, following us into the room. “I’ve heard the stories too, Vix, I know how dangerous he is. But if we’re careful, I know we won’t be fooled by him.”

  “Well, I certainly won’t be, because I refuse to go,” she replied.

  “I didn’t think you were scared of anything,” Blitz said. “I guess I was wrong.”

  “Quiet, you two,” Dash growled. “I’m trying to think.”

  “Well, stop,” Vixen said. “None of us are going to Incarceror; it’s simply too risky.”

  Dash threw her another threatening look before he continued pacing the kitchen.

  “I still don’t understand the danger,” I said.

  “Our history texts don’t say much about him,” Coop explained, entering the room. “But of all the prisoners in Incarceror, he is well known as the most dangerous. No one is sure what kind of being he is, but I’ve read that he’s incredibly powerful and can see into the future.”

  “How dangerous can a prophet be?” I asked.

  “Many beings have been led to their doom on words alone,” Coop replied.

  “How poetic,” I murmured.

  Vixen crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Coop. “You know there’s more to him than his words,” she warned Coop. “They say the atrocities he committed were so bad that he will be locked in that prison for eternity.

  “Maybe he’s just misunderstood?” I asked.

  “Only you could describe him as that,” Dash muttered.

  “There has to be another way,” Vixen said. “Why don’t we go back to the krampus bar and see if we can find Crow’s scent?”

  “He’s covered his tracks well, Vixen. You smelled all that pine they left behind,” Blitz replied. “It would be a waste of time to go back there when we already searched the whole area and had no luck.”

  She threw her hands up in the air. “Well, then, let’s just wait Crow out. He’s got to resurface sometime!”

  “You know we can’t do that,” Dash said. “He could persuade the dark elves to kill again if we wait. Do you really want another death on your conscience?”

  Vixen folded her arms over her chest and frowned, refusing to give Dash a response.

  “Don’t forget, we also don’t know what he intends to do with the Christmas star,” I added. “If this nameless one really can tell the future, he’ll be able to tell us what Crow plans to do with it. I don’t know about everyone else, but after seeing what Crow did to his prisoners, I don’t trust him with anything so powerful.”

  The room went silent at my words, and I received nods in agreement from Coop and Blitz.

  “Surely, there’s some other prophet we could find,” Vixen said.

  “There hasn’t been another in centuries,” Coop replied. “Unless you know of one?”

  “No, I don’t know of another prophet,” she grumbled.

  “Look, I wish I could think of a better way to find Crow and work out what he’s up to, but I can’t,” Coop said in his calming voice. “I vote we visit the nameless one. I know he’s dangerous, but it sounds like it’s worth the risk.”

  “You’re right,” Dash replied. “But I still don’t like it. My father has told me stories of Incarceror, and the nameless one might not be the only danger.”

  I swallowed at the ominous tone in his voice.

  “So, we’re going,” Vixen said, her shoulders slouching as she uncrossed her arms and let them fall at her side.

  “I don’t think we have much choice,” Dash replied. “Visiting the nameless one is a risk we have to take.”

  “You can always stay behind if you’re too scared,” Blitz suggested.

  Vixen shot him a dirty scowl, which only made Blitz grin. “I’m not scared. I’m cautious,” she said.

  “If it walks like a scared tomten and acts like a scared tomten…” Blitz replied.

  “I’m not scared!” she barked back at him. Blitz struggled not to laugh in response.

  “Does anyone actually know how to get to Incarceror?” Coop asked, raising his voice to be heard over Vixen and Blitz’s bickering. The two of them fell quiet as Coop spoke, and their faces became serious once more as they focused on the real problem at hand.

  “I know it can be accessed through the sleigh lines, but since I’ve never been there myself, I can’t lead us there,” Dash said.

  He looked around the group, as though he was hoping the others would have something more positive to suggest, but only blank faces stared back at him.

  “Could your father help us?” I asked.

  “No,” Dash replied bluntly. His response was so abrupt that I could tell it was a bad idea to push him any further. I found myself wondering what Dash’s relationship was like with his father and why he would dismiss h
im so sharply.

  “Okay then…”

  “I can help,” a small voice said from out in the corridor. Melody slowly walked into the kitchen. She looked slightly sheepish after listening in and interrupting our debate. “I know how to get to Incarceror.”

  “You do?” I asked.

  “Yes. My father took me there during one of his dealings when I was a child. He was trying to teach me all the important sleigh points at the time, and apparently he figured Incarceror made the list.”

  “What’s the prison like?” Vixen asked. “Did you meet the nameless one?”

  Melody shrugged. “I had to stay by the sleigh point, so I didn’t actually see the prison. And this is the first I’ve heard of the nameless one.”

  “But you can take us there?” Coop asked.

  “Yes, I can take you,” she replied.

  “Can you transport this many of us?” Vixen asked with calculating eyes. It was like she’d only just noticed how frail Melody was.

  Melody gave a firm nod in reply. “I may not have transported so many at once before,” she said. “And it’s been a while since I’ve used a sleigh line. But I’ve transported my drunken father home using sleigh lines more times than I can count. If I can manage to get him home in one piece, I think I can handle this.”

  “Fine, we’ll leave in the morning,” Dash said.

  I lifted my hand, reluctantly indicating I needed to ask a question. “What is it, Clio?” Dash asked. His voice was strained as though he already knew he wasn’t going to like whatever I was going to say.

  “So, leaving in the morning is fine and all, but can we swing by my work first so I can let Sam know I won’t be making my shift tomorrow night?”

  “You’re kidding me, right?”

  “Why would I kid?”

  He shook his head at me before stalking out of the room. Even from here, I could hear him grumbling out in the corridor about the ridiculousness of a magical being keeping a day job.

  “I’ll take that as a yes?” I called out after him. He didn’t shout back, so I assumed he was okay with it. Sam wasn’t going to be happy, but I figured he had the easier end of things. He was only going to be short an employee for the night; I had to go to a magical prison to see an ancient creature who was supposed to be one of the most dangerous beings alive. Yeah, I really had the raw end of things.