Miss Frost Braves the Blizzard

by Painter, Kristen

  I picked the globe back up and aimed it so my dad could see in. I moved the beam of the flashlight as I moved the globe, giving him a good view.

  “Hmm. Connections on the battery don’t look corroded. All of the wiring looks intact.”

  “Has this thing ever been tested?”

  “It should have been, but I don’t know for sure. I wasn’t here for the installation. I would assume that the manager at the time wouldn’t have signed off on it if they hadn’t seen it run.”

  “Doesn’t it need gas? Maybe it’s out.”

  “It’s connected to the town’s natural gas lines. So there’s nothing to fill—lower the globe so I can see where it’s connected to the gas line.”

  “Hang on, it’s going to take me a sec to figure out which one the gas line is.”

  “Should be marked with yellow.”

  He was right. “Yep, found it.” I moved the globe and the flashlight so he could see it.

  “There’s the problem,” he announced. “The gas line is turned off. Twist that knob and open the line and you should have power as soon as it kicks on. But brace yourself, it’s going to be loud.”

  “I can live with loud if it means we have heat and light.” I twisted the knob like he told me to, and sure enough, a few seconds later the generator kicked to life.

  Loud was an understatement. “I feel like I’m standing in a jet engine,” I yelled.

  Okay, that was an exaggeration, but after the dead silence of the last half an hour, the sudden noise was a shock to the system. I shut the generator lid, got out of the utility room and closed that door as well. I could hear myself think again.

  “You see why we keep it in the utility room?”

  “I do. And I can see more than that. Look.” I moved the globe around so he could tell that the nighttime lights had kicked on. It was just enough to take away the creepiness.

  “Excellent.”

  “Thanks, Dad.” I gave him a big smile and blew him a kiss.

  “You’re welcome, honey. Let me know how things go, okay? And feel free to close the store until this weather situation is resolved.”

  “Thanks. Love you and I’ll be in touch.”

  “Love you too. Oh, one more thing.” His nose scrunched up. I knew that look. It usually preceded bad news. “The generator will keep your heat and lights on, but it won’t power the elevator. Those big hydraulics take too much juice. You’ll have to tell the employees that they probably won’t be able to run a lot of appliances at once, either.”

  “We can live without too many extras for a while, but no elevator?” I playfully rolled my eyes and sighed. “I’m going to have to eat more sugar to compensate for all those extra calories burned.”

  “Do try to hold up.” He winked at me, then the snow in the globe settled as his face disappeared.

  I double-checked that the utility room door was locked, then tucked the globe in my purse, turned my flashlight off and headed back upstairs. This time the stairs weren’t so scary with the emergency lights on. Neither was the hall with the normal low hum of things in the background. Funny, but I’d never really noticed that sound until it was gone.

  Spider ran toward me as I walked into my apartment. The kitchen light was on, making the place bright. Spider’s tail was up, a sure sign he was happy. “Mama, lights.”

  “I know, baby. Your grandfather helped me fix that.” I laughed. What would my dad think if he knew I was calling him that to my cat?

  I turned the kitchen light off, plunging myself into semidarkness again. But with the ambient light that came off the cable box, the coffeemaker, and the light under the microwave, it wasn’t that dark at all. It was the evening glow I was used to.

  I headed back to my bedroom, happy to see the bathroom night-light casting its blue gleam into the hall. I went to the window and looked out. The rest of the town was still dark, as far as I could see. Frost edged the corners of the glass here, too, but not as bad as the living room window.

  I stood there for a moment, staring into the darkness. There was a faint flicker of light in the distance. What was that? I wasn’t sure. But it seemed like it was coming from the residential area. Maybe someone out there had a generator too.

  There had to be more in town. Nocturne Falls might be in Georgia, but it was in the mountains and winter storms were definitely a possibility. I couldn’t believe the Ellinghams hadn’t thought of that when they’d taken over. They’d thought of just about everything else. They were the most prepared vampires I knew.

  Vampires. The word swirled around in my head for a moment. There might have been vampires out when this storm had hit. Outside of the Ellinghams and my ex-boyfriend Greyson, the general undead population could go out only after dark.

  How fast moving had this storm been? Maybe I was gun shy from the insta-freeze we’d all been subjected to at the Black and Orange Ball, but I couldn’t shake the image of some poor, random vampire citizens of Nocturne Falls out there, possibly frozen in place.

  If they were still there when the sun came up, they’d die.

  I couldn’t let that happen. “Snowballs.” So much for going back to bed.

  With a much beleaguered sigh, I pulled on my boots and my winter coat and buttoned it up. I slung my purse across me again, minus the snow globe, which I returned to its spot on the end table. “Spider, Mama has to go out for a bit. You be a good boy, okay?”

  “’Kay, Mama.” He curled up on the bed, tucked his tail over his nose and closed his eyes like returning to sleep was the easiest thing in the world.

  “Show-off,” I muttered as I left.

  I was plenty warm after two flights of stairs for the third time, so I was ready to get outside in the cold. But getting the warehouse door open proved a bigger task than I’d expected. Much like my window, it was frozen shut. Where was my favorite summer elf when I needed him? Taking care of his mom, so I really couldn’t begrudge him that, but right now, Cooper Sullivan would have come in extra handy. I wouldn’t even have given him any grief for breaking up with me, in exchange for him using his heat magic to melt the door open.

  But Cooper wasn’t here, and this was another job that I was going to have to figure out on my own.

  I put my shoulder against the door and pushed. I was stronger than the average human, after all. Not vampire strong, like Greyson, but I could open all my own jars.

  There was straining and creaking, but no budging. Apparently, anything that could be frozen shut, was. I planted my hands on the metal and concentrated on absorbing some of the cold so that the ice would melt away.

  I shivered as the cold seeped into me. This cold was really cold. Almost supernaturally so. When I’d had as much as I could take, I backed up, then rammed my shoulder into the door again. It popped open, tossing me into a large drift that had blown against the building.

  All this and I had yet to have any sugar. I lay there for a moment, wondering why I hadn’t grabbed a Dr Pepper. I blamed that on lack of sleep.

  I got up, brushed myself off and assessed the world around me. Fortunately, I’d had the forethought to tuck the flashlight into my purse and zip it closed, so I hadn’t lost it or my phone in the tumble.

  Flashlight on, I turned in a slow circle. The sheen of ice coated everything, just like I’d seen from the window, but down here, seeing it up close and personal was something else. Snowdrifts, some reaching as high as the second story, were everywhere. And that big hunk of ice I’d dropped out the window? It had bent the streetlamp.

  I frowned, thinking about what that was going to cost. I sighed, sending a puff of frosty breath into the darkness. There’d be time to deal with the damages later. Right now, I needed to make sure no vampires were about to be turned into flame-cicles when the sun came up.

  I headed to Main Street, sort of skidding-walking-skating along the sidewalk. It was more of the same—ice and snow and darkness. I stood there and shone the flashlight in both directions. No vampires. No anyone. Didn’t mean ther
e wouldn’t be someone out here somewhere.

  I picked a direction and started walking. I should have asked Sinclair to come with me. I still could, I guess, but I was meeting him at the sheriff’s department at dawn. No need for both of us to be out in this cold. Except that I’d rather be with him than by myself. I pulled out my phone. Headed to the police station early.

  Because I was. I’d just decided that was the place to go. If there were citizens in trouble, they’d know about it. The place never closed. And even if they didn’t have power, there would be someone there.

  His text came back quickly. Meet you there. Be safe.

  I smiled. Five words and I already felt less creeped out.

  The department did have power, something I realized as I approached. Maybe not full power, but there were lights on in the building. They must have a generator too. Made sense. You’d think places like the sheriff’s department, fire station, and hospital would all be equipped with that kind of backup.

  Suddenly, the street and store lights around me came to life. Well, not all of them. Only every other street light and none of the little fairy lights that outlined the shops, but they were lit up down both sides of Main. I guessed that only the alternating ones had been turned on because there was only so much power to go around. After my dad telling me our generator couldn’t run the elevator, it made sense.

  I tried the door of the sheriff’s department, but it was locked. I knocked. “Hello? Anyone in there?”

  I rubbed away a circle of frost and peered in. There was no one visible.

  And then there was. I jerked back as a deputy instantly appeared on the other side of the glass. I knew he hadn’t just “appeared”—his speed was a vampire thing. I just hadn’t been prepared for it.

  He unlocked the door and held it open. “Come on in out of the cold. I’m Deputy Remy Lafitte. Call me Remy. What can I help you with?”

  I was happy to go inside. “I’m Jayne Frost, I manage the Santa’s Workshop toy store?”

  “Sure, I know it. I don’t think we’ve met, but I’ve seen you around.”

  He had a nice accent. Southern. Kind of. “Any idea what’s going on? How did the lights just come back on?”

  “No idea what’s going on with this crazy storm, but the lights are back on because the crew working on the main generators must have fixed things.”

  “Doesn’t surprise me the town has generators.”

  He nodded. “Banks of them.”

  “In the Basement?”

  “Some of them are, yes.” Curiosity lit his eyes. “How do you know about that?”

  “There’s a town employees-only elevator in my warehouse that goes down there. And let’s just say I’m the relentlessly inquisitive type.”

  He laughed. “Is that what brings you to the sheriff’s department on this bitter morning, Miss Frost?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “Then what has brought you out?”

  “Vampires,” I said. That earned me another look. Maybe because he was one. I kept going. “It occurred to me that if this storm came on as suddenly as I think it did, there could be some citizens frozen to the streets out there. And if they’re vampires and the sun comes up—”

  “Right.” His eyes went wide. “If you can stay here and answer the phone, I can check the streets.”

  My mouth came open in disbelief. “There’s no way you can check the whole town by yourself.”

  “Sure I can. I have the speed and the stamina. And I have Nick Hardwin and Ivan Tsvetkov on speed dial.”

  Nick was a gargoyle and Ivan was a dragon shifter. Both men, in their other forms, could fly. “You’re going to have them check things out from overhead?”

  “Yes.”

  “Brilliant. I’ll be happy to answer the phone for you.”

  Which was how I came to be sitting behind Birdie’s desk when she and Sinclair walked in together.

  “Hey, you two.” I’d been at the station a little over three hours. Thanks to the vending machines and all the loose change in my purse, I’d had three Dr Peppers, a bag of M&M’s, two boxes of Junior Mints, and a honey bun. (Which was a sad thing compared to the pastries I was used to from Sinclair’s.) Oh, and a granola bar I’d found in the break room, the eating of which proved what I’d always thought about myself. I was not a granola person.

  I was, however, still starving. The large Zombie Donuts box in Sinclair’s hands was the most beautiful thing I’d seen in a long time. Outside of Sinclair himself, of course.

  “Hey, babe.” He slid the box onto the counter. “Thought these might be appreciated.”

  “Does a yeti love fish?”

  His brows pulled together. “I’m going to say yes.”

  I laughed. “They do. They love fish.” I wished he’d been able to come sooner, but he’d texted not long after Deputy Lafitte had left to say two of his employees were trapped in their houses due to the ice. Sin had gone to help them. Then, after a text from Birdie, he’d gone to help her with the same problem. Which I supposed was why the two of them were here now, about twenty minutes ahead of sunrise. “How did you get everyone unfrozen?”

  “Crow bar. I pried the ice loose from their doors. Then applied some brute strength.”

  “Nicely done.”

  “He was a great help,” Birdie added as she looked around. “Princess Jayne, are you manning the fort all by yourself?”

  “I am, because all the deputies are out helping people. So I’m actually doing your job. And not that well, I’m ashamed to add. The phone’s been ringing off the—” It rang as if to prove my point. I groaned. I already had a pile of messages, and my handwriting had gotten progressively worse with each one.

  “I’ll get it.” Birdie hustled around the counter and grabbed the receiver. “Sheriff’s department, Birdie Caruthers speaking.”

  I got out of her way, sliding past her to stand with Sin. He caught me in his arms and hugged me. “You okay?”

  I nodded. “Yes, you? You must be exhausted from digging everyone out.”

  “Nothing more than a good morning workout.” He kissed me, short and sweet, but nice all the same. “How’s Spider?”

  How could I not be crazy about a man who asked after my cat? “He’s good. Although you know how I leave the window open a little for him sometimes? I did that last night. You wouldn’t believe the mess I woke up to. Ice and snow everywhere.”

  “You want help cleaning it up?”

  I wiggled my fingers at him. “No, I took care of it.” I left out the part about the bent streetlamp. “Sugar okay?”

  “She got fed. That’s all that mattered.”

  “I hear that.”

  The radio behind the desk squawked. That had to be Deputy Lafitte. He’d been checking in every so often. Birdie was still on the phone and in the middle of taking a message, so I picked it up. “This is Jayne, go ahead.”

  “Jayne, this is Remy. I’m off duty and back at my house. Daybreak is just a few minutes away. But I wanted to say it was nice meeting you. And thanks for your help. I found a handful of people who owe you one.”

  “Just being a good citizen. I’m glad you were able to rescue them.”

  “Me too. Also, Van got the go-ahead from the Ellinghams to clear Main Street, so be on the lookout.”

  “Clear it? How?”

  There was laughter in his voice when he answered. “The way only a dragon can.”

  Just then, a whooshing sound filled the air, and through the windows, we could see a slanted column of bright, focused fire making its way up the street. Clouds of steam billowed up behind, making for a pretty spectacular show. Good thing this was the slowest time of the year and there weren’t many tourists in town. “I see him. Nicely done. Enjoy your daysleep.”

  “Will do. Over and out.”

  I put the radio back in its holder, then ran to the windows with Sin to watch the rest of Van’s flyover. It was incredibly impressive. I’d seen him close-up in his dragon form before. He’
d been having some issues shifting due to an injury, but he was healed and that was all behind him now. Of course, a dragon of any size would have been something to see, but Van’s dragon was the size of a bus. A big bus.

  “Look at that.” Sin pointed to where Van had just been. The ice he’d evaporated was now falling back to the ground as snow along with the rest of the snow that was still coming down.

  “Yeti poop. That’s not good. It’s undoing all of his work.”

  “Not totally. It’ll be easier for the plows to clear snow instead of ice.”

  “I suppose that’s true.”

  Hank Merrow, the sheriff, came in through the back door. Nick Hardwin was right behind him. They stood there for a bit, stomping snow off their boots. The sheriff gave Sin and me a nod, but spoke to me. “Miss Frost. Thanks for helping out. Remy told me.”

  “No problem, I was happy to do it. Hi, Nick.”

  Nick nodded in response.

  I spoke to the sheriff again. “How’s it going out there?”

  The sheriff shook his head. “The roads in and out of town are impassible, but we’ve decided to let them stay that way for a bit. No need for any more tourists to get stuck here until this weather quits.”

  “Good thing it’s a slow time of year. What about businesses that need restocking?”

  “We’re hoping that can wait a few days.”

  Sin shrugged. “If I’m not open, I don’t need supplies.”

  “True. And we don’t rely on trucks, so my shop is good. Anything else happening?”

  The sheriff grunted and looked at Nick.

  I wasn’t sure what that meant, but I wasn’t one to stay ignorant if I could help it. “What does that mean?”

  Nick glanced at the sheriff. The sheriff’s mouth firmed into a hard line. “Let’s go into the conference room and talk.”

  Sin squeezed my hand. “I’ll wait out here.”

  “No,” I said, tugging him toward the room with me. “Come along.”

  The sheriff cleared his throat like I should rethink that.

  “It’s okay,” I said. “I’m sure it’s nothing Sinclair can’t hear.”