It, in fact, has done just that. Which is why it’s now built out of stone.
Mandy tugs my hand. “Where are we going?”
She stifles a yawn, and I can tell the night is taking its toll on her, no matter what superpowers kids on Christmas Eve get.
But when we walk through the heavy doors--that I push open after she tries and fails to open them herself, letting out an adorable grunt of frustration in the process--her jaw drops. “Puppies!” she screams, and all the Hellhounds turn to look at us, low growls in their throats.
In a move that proves the kid has zero self-preservation instincts, she runs into the pack of hounds like she’s in a petting zoo for bunnies.
“Hello puppies!” she says in a baby voice as she kneels to hold her palm out to them. There are about two dozen of them, since three of my bitches just gave birth to new litters.
Others are working--guarding various levels of Hell, keeping an eye on the cells.
But some of the older pups are ready for real work, too.
And all of them are a good three times Mandy’s size, even the youngest and smallest of the pups.
She looks like a chew toy in their presence, but they instinctively know to treat her gently. I know their moods like my own, so bonded are we.
Slobbery tongues the size of Mandy’s head are licking her, and she’s ewwwing and squealing with feigned disgust and clear delight.
When all the greetings and wagging tails have settled, the giant black canines form a protective circle around the girl, their ears perked and heads facing her, as if they’ve been called to a meeting.
I stare in shock. I’ve never seen them act like this before.
“Okay,” she says, taking control of the room. “We need eight of you to fly Satan Claus’s sleigh tonight. You have to be able to fly, and um…” she pauses, thinking. “And carry us and all the presents. But there’s magic, so I think you’ll be okay. Who wants to come?”
This isn’t how I planned on going about this, but I watch in fascination as the hounds begin stepping forward one by one. As each does, she holds out a small hand like a royal sword for knighting, patting each one on the head. “I dub thee Dasher,” she says to the first. “And you shall be Dancer.” And so on, through to Blitzen. “That’s eight,” she says.
I feel Lyla approach, but keep my gaze locked on Mandy. I’m not worried the hounds will hurt her. I’m more entranced by her bewildering powers over them.
“She’s always been like this,” Lyla says with a smile. I can hear it in her voice. “She has a way with animals. We’d have a whole menagerie if my apartment complex allowed pets and I could afford it. She has strays following her home from our walks all the time, and I swear there’s a bird that shows up at her window everyday with a small gift.”
“She is channeling primal magic,” I say. “It’s the only kind animals respond to. Earth magic. Nature magic. Very elvish.” I almost hate to admit the relation to elf magic, but it’s true.
Lyla sucks in her breath and watches as the sound of a whine draws Mandy’s attention.
The hounds are circled around her, but she steps forward, and two larger hounds part to reveal a much smaller hound standing there, ears too big for his head, eyes wide and trusting--not like a proper Hellhound at all, half-tail wagging. This hound is much smaller than the others, small enough that Mandy can pick him up and hold him against her chest. “Oh look at you. You’re the sweetest aren’t you? A good boy.” She studies him carefully then nods. “And look at those bright red eyes. They practically glow. I dub you Rudolph. You will guide the sleigh for the others.”
The pup yawns with a wide mouth and little puffs of fire spark around him. Lyla gasps and moves forward, but I hold her back. “Look.”
Mandy laughs and sets Rudolph on the floor. “The elf clothing protected her.”
Lyla exhales, her shoulders relaxing.
“Let’s go, deerhounds, it’s time to deliver presents!” Mandy says, marching out of the barn and back toward the sleigh.
And to the astonishment of every demon--and human--present, all nine of them follow her in an orderly fashion.
It does not take long for us to strap them to the sleigh, but Mandy pauses, frowning. “Hm...”
As if reading her mind, Tzul snaps his fingers and another demon arrives carrying a large bag. He hands the bag to the girl, who peers into it and smiles, then says “thanks” in Demon, shocking her mother.
“She’s already learning their language?” Lyla asks.
I nod. “She’s an extraordinary child.” I glance at the beautiful woman beside me and smile. “She must get it from her mother.”
Mandy drops the bag on the floor and the demons help her take out the contents and strap them to the Hellhounds, who stand patiently during the entire process.
The cheeky girl has given them each fake reindeer antlers. “This way, against the moon, they will look like Santa’s reindeer and people will believe. Just like in the story me and Mommy read each year.”
Lyla walks forward and pulls her child into a hug. “It’s perfect.”
There’s an excited energy in the air as we all climb in.
“Are you ready?” I ask her, holding the reins but knowing I won’t need them. My hounds know my will. That is all that is needed to guide them.
Still, the reins are a nice prop. Something to occupy my hands so I don’t give into temptation and touch Lyla in ways I know we both want.
I tighten my knuckles around the leather straps as Lyla smiles nervously. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” she says.
Mandy whoops from the back seat. “Let’s do this!”
I press the red button on the dash, and we fly.
11
Lyla
I clutch at the list as the sleigh lurches into the air. Mandy is in the second row, whooping like crazy. Her delight is palpable and I can’t deny the smile spreading across my own face. Deciding to not hold back, I let out my own whoop of exhilaration. There is no explaining the thrill of being pulled through a night sky in a sleigh.
Lucifer presses some buttons on the dash and then we’re flying through one of his fiery portals. I close my eyes as we pass under the flames and then suck in a breath as true winter cold hits me. Wind whips at my face and hair and I reach up to grab my hat, but it’s staying on as if it’s glued in place.
Magic, I think to myself. For that matter, other than my nose and cheeks, I’m not cold in the least. Looking down, I run a gloved hand over my pantsuit. It feels like normal velvet, but I’m not uncomfortable. Gurch is sitting in my lap wearing one of those ridiculous Hell-elf costumes and doesn’t look bothered at all.
“Where to first?” Lucifer raises his voice just a little and glances in my direction.
Right, this is where my part came in. I look over the edge of the sleigh to see if I can guess where we are. “Is this Chicago?”
“Yes,” he says.
I run my finger over the list the way Gurch has shown me and pull up the list for Chicago. It’s surprisingly small for such a large city. Maybe Santa already got a lot done in this area.
“The Denricks! They live in an apartment complex in Lincoln Park. Gurch says if we get close the sleigh should do the rest.” I watch as Lucifer stands confidently, the reigns loose in his hands.
“Then the Denricks it is.”
The sleigh makes a sharp turn to the right and I clutch my seat tightly. “Mandy, you better be holding on!”
“Don’t worry, Mommy! Mr. Lucifer put in a seat belt!” she hollers back.
I jerk my head back to look at her. She lifts the blanket from her lap and displays a tight black strap clasped across her lap. She smiles impishly up at me as if to say they thought of everything.
The flight to Lincoln Park doesn’t take long, which isn’t a surprise. Magic and all that. The list in my hand begins to vibrate and I gasp.
“That’s the signal!” Gurch wiggles in excitement and I wrap an arm around him to make s
ure he doesn’t wriggle right out of the sleigh.
“We’re close!” I tell Lucifer and carefully raise the list so he can see it. “The closer we get, the more it vibrates.”
“Hm.” Lucifer glances at me. “You’ll have to be my navigator. Whatever magic links the list to Santa does not apply to me.”
The list jerks in my hand. “To the right!”
“Aye, aye, Captain.” Lucifer guides the sleigh to the right and levels out. When the list gives another jerk, I shout out a command.
Within seconds we’re floating above a tall apartment building, the architecture old and graceful. Street lights glow in the dark and light sprinkling of snow floats around us. Lucifer stands and grabs the sack from beside Mandy.
“Well, I suppose this is the place.” He hefts the sack over one shoulder and smiles.
Gurch leaves my lap and jumps to his master’s shoulder, patting his ear. “I do stockings.”
I look down to hide my smile. Are the devil's minions alway so cute and presumptuous?
The bright glint of gold flashes on the list and catches my attention. “Wait!”
“What is it?”
“There’s a D next to their names!” I stand up in my excitement and the sleigh rocks a little. I can’t help my squeal. Lucifer reaches out and steadies me.
“Does this mean they’re almost failing at something?” His voice is amused in my ear.
I push away gently and clear my throat. “No. I think it’s the opposite. Gurch, Fuchsia, and I think it means they are Descendants. Families from magical lines that still carry a little in their blood. Why else would Santa bother making the notation?” I don’t bother telling him Fuchsia put in a call to a friend in the North Pole. It was just to confirm what we’d already guessed.
“And what does that mean for me?” His expression sours and I have a feeling he knows exactly what it means.
“You need to encourage their belief.” I reach out and grab his hand. “Do something they can’t just shrug off. Rejuvenate their magic. Who knows? If everyone does this and keeps at it, it might even encourage their magic to grow. I’m certain it will at least help the children keep it alive longer.”
“You want me to pretend to be the miserable old elf?” Lucifer purses his full lips as if he’s tasting something nasty. Maybe candy canes.
I know I will never eat another one as long as I live. I’m traumatized.
“You don’t have to be Santa Claus, Mr. Lucifer! Be Satan Claus!” Mandy undoes her seat belt and leans forward eagerly. “Just do a little something they will alway remember.”
“I’m not sure I’m that creative, sweetheart.” He smiles down at my daughter.
Sweetheart? Did they become that close while working on the sleigh?
“Not creative? Your entire job is about creativity. How many levels of Hell have you created? How many ways have you devised to make souls pay off their debts?” I snort.
“Fine. Then let’s do this together.” He reaches out a hand and grasps Mandy’s.
“Wait! We can’t just go in there! We’re human! We need masks! And you too! What if we’re contaminated and you accidentally carry that into someone's home?” I touch his arm.
He looks like he wants to argue, instead he sighs and black masks appear, covering all of our mouths and noses. Even on Gurch, though I’m not sure how it’s staying in place since the little demon doesn’t have ears. “I assure you, my magic precludes any kind of disease, as does the jolly sick bastard’s. But if it makes you feel better than I shall comply.”
“It does,” I say. “And if we get caught, I don’t want them worrying either. This year’s been hard enough.”
“Very well then.” He turns his head to Mandy. “Don’t be scared.”
“Wha--” I’m cut off before I can finish my question as Lucifer, Gurch, and Mandy swirl into black smoke and I watch as my own hand, then arm disappear too.
I suck in air but am careful to not make a sound.
The next second we’re all standing in the living room of a very expensive apartment.
“What the hell was that?” I whisper yell up at the man next to me.
“Mommy, we have to be quiet.” Mandy raises a finger to her masked lips and I clamp my mouth shut.
“Were you scared?” Lucifer leans down and whispers in my ear. There’s a hint of teasing in his tone.
“Confused, not scared.” I turn to correct him and our noses bump. He doesn’t pull away. Instead he points up at the ceiling with one finger. I tilt my head up just enough to see the clump of sparkly mistletoe hanging in the archway above us.
I look back at him as my heart picks up pace and I lick my lips, getting the taste of medical-grade mask on my tongue.
“If we’re going to keep magic alive, we should keep up the traditions, don’t you agree?” He leans just a little closer. I look to the side and notice that Mandy is nowhere near us, instead she’s curiously inspecting the Christmas tree with Gurch. It’s a huge tree, nothing like the one at home. Gurch seems to be asking questions about the different ornaments.
“I think... you’re right.” My heart lurches in my chest and I feel a giddy dizziness as I lean forward a little more. That's all he needs for an answer.
I see the smile in his eyes before he pulls down his mask. He caresses my cheek, slipping my mask off with his finger as he does. He dips his head until our lips are a breath apart. I feel an electric current run between us, and when our lips finally meet that familiar zing rushes through my body. Whatever magic is left in my blood is definitely responding to his magic. His mouth is slow and tentative at first. Gentle presses and caresses of his lips on mine before the warm tip of his tongue traces the seam of my mouth. I open, letting him in, savoring his taste. With his free arm, he pulls me snug against him and I give in fully. My hands run through his hair, tangling in the curls, before gently tracing his horns with the tips of my fingers.
He gasps softly against my mouth, but he doesn’t stop. On the contrary. He leans into my touch and slides his hand to the small of my back so he can press closer. I can feel every line of his body through the ridiculous velvet bodysuit and it suddenly doesn’t feel so ridiculous. I’m glad I let Fuchsia bully me into the outfit. In fact, I have to fight to keep from rubbing myself against his hard, taught body. I love he is taller than me, love he doesn’t mind I’m not a size two, love how secure I feel with him and against him. I grip his horns, one in each hand and hold him so he can’t back away. He may have asked for this kiss, but I’m the one in control now. The hand on my lower back is slowly dipping further south and I am here for it. It’s been so long since I’ve been kissed, but I know it’s never been like this. As if our souls are communing on some deeper level. It feels as if I was made just for him. As if--
Only the sound of a giggle can break the special magic our kiss has entranced us with. My hands drop from his horns as if I’m burned by them and I try to step away, but Lucifer keeps his arm firmly around my waist. I bury my face against his chest in utter humiliation.
“I see Mommy kissing Satan Claus.” Mandy hums the tune with the words before her giggles overtake her. When the giggles grow louder, she slaps hands over her mouth.
“Why you sing?” Gurch stops his work.
“There’s a song about that,” she whispers to Gurch. “That makes this funny.”
“Mandy,” I hiss. How embarrassing to get carried away in a stranger’s house in front of my daughter.
“Hmm. You teach later?” The little green demon in his goth elf suit is scrambling up the mantle and stuffing all sorts of things into the stockings. “Demons like songs.”
“Sure! I know lots of songs,” Mandy says.
“Not so sure you’ll like their singing though,” Lucifer whispers, his voice wry. I look up into his eyes and take a moment to appreciate just how handsome he is. My gaze drifts back to his lips and they curve in a sexy smile, full of promises. “As much as I’d like to continue this bit of magic, time r
esumes the moment we’re off the sleigh. So we need to hurry.”
“Oh!” I step back as we both slip our masks back on, and I watch as he puts the large red sack on the floor. “When you open the bag, the toys meant for this family should be the only ones you find,” I say.
Lucifer scoffs. “I always figured him for a cheat. This is too easy. Where’s the challenge?” The King of Hell shakes his head as he reaches into the bag and pulls out a bright red package trimmed with green ribbon. He looks at it and sighs. “All these years and he’s never changed his color scheme.”
“Maybe that’s part of the magic! So no one forgets.” Mandy dashes forward and grabs the present. “I’ll put it under the tree!”
“It is good branding,” I say.
The sound of tearing fabric catches my attention and I run over to Gurch who is trying to stuff a piece of chocolate the size of a basketball into a stocking.
“Gurch, that doesn’t fit!” I grab the chocolate before the little demon can do any more damage.
“It is appropriate stocking material. Candy about a game the child likes.” Gurch frowns at me. “Should go in stocking.”
“Ah. Okay, yes, a Basketball made of chocolate is a great idea, but it’s too big for the stocking. So why don’t we just put this one with the presents?” I take a step back and watch the three little eyes glaring at me mulishly.
“I make fit.”
“No, you’re tearing the stocking. Put something else in it. The child will still be very happy.” I hold the chocolate behind my back so Lucifer can take it from me and hopefully hide it from the determined little demon.
“Fine.” Gurch turns to the stocking, moves his mask to open his mouth… and proceeds to vomit candy, toy cars, and what looks like a set of colored pencils… all into one very lucky boy’s stocking.
I swallow back the bile that rises in my throat. It takes a few tries before I can speak without wanting to throw up myself. Are those toys and candy dry, or covered in demon… Nope. I can’t think about it. Nope. Nope. Nope.
Unholy Night: A Paranormal Holiday Romance Page 10
