As a child, Richard believed in the magic of Christmas. Now, as a jaded adult desperate for work, he’s acting as a store elf. The weight of life is proving too much for him to bear, and in an act of desperation, he sends a letter to Santa, briefly reviving the belief he once held.
However, Santa is real, and twin elves Ellis and Emery manage to capture the letter, showing it to their mate Bear, a polar shifter. Reading between the lines of the letter, Bear sets out with the twins and reindeer shifter Rudolph to save Richard.
Can they reach him in time and teach him to believe in the magic of Christmas once more?
An alarm sounded, and Emery quickly snatched the materialising letter just as it started to burn away. A number flashed in neon red indicating an adult who’d briefly regained their belief in the magic of Christmas.
“Look,” Emery held the letter to read, and pointed to the number that had briefly shone so bright. “It was him. His belief was back. But see what it says.”
Dear Santa,
At least that’s how I used to address you. Not sure if it’s appropriate as I turn thirty.
I used to believe in you, to the point I thought we played chess together. I still have the set.
Well, as much as I’d rather dwell on happier days, the truth is, I need a Christmas miracle. Thanks to government cuts to public services, I lost my job. I’m currently an elf which gets me to Christmas Day. After that, there’s nothing.
The proverbial elf on the shelf.
Add to that I’m lonely. No family here, few friends.
I just want something to show me that life’s going to get better. That it’s worth holding on to. At this time, it really doesn’t feel that way.
Love, Richard
“For a while, he believed. Long enough to get this here.” Ellis raised his gaze to his twin. “Do we take it to Nick?”
“No. Nick will stay invisible while Richard doesn’t believe. Let’s show it to Bear. He’ll know what to do.”
“I don’t know why, but I feel we have to get to Richard fast.” Ellis worried at his bottom lip. “Like he’s in danger.”
“I feel the same.” Ellery nodded. “Let’s hurry.”
* * * *
At the sight of his mates’ anxious faces, and the sour scent to match them, Bear knew this was no frivolous call on him by the twins. He indicated they should come to his office for privacy. They were barely inside the door when they pressed a letter into his hand.
“It’s from Richard,” said Emery.
“One of Nick’s favourites from the past,” supplied Ellis.
“We think he’s in danger.” That was them both, and Bear began to read the note.
Having a greater knowledge of adults in the human world, Bear instantly picked up on the underlying depression in the letter, and he growled.
“Not on my watch.” He looked up at his mates. “Get Rudolph and change into human clothing. We’ll need a mini sleigh. I’ll sort that. We’re paying a personal visit to Mr. Richard Boulle. With any luck, we’ll have enough magic to make him think this was all a dream. Hurry, my loves.”
Leaving his mates to organise the reindeer shifter, Bear went to secure a mini sleigh. He didn’t miss the way Nyx and Bucca watched him. They were his lovers’ greatest rivals for the coveted position Emery and Ellis held. But these elves weren’t above ... distorting the truth to get what they wanted.
So long as they don’t try to interfere with me taking this sleigh, I don’t care. Nick won’t be bothered that I have it. His mind will be rigidly fixed on Christmas Eve. He knows I’ll be there to take out the starship.
A few minutes later, Emery and Ellis came at a run, with Rudoph loping behind them. As a reindeer, Rudolph was elegance personified. But in human form, it was as if he lacked any kind of coordination. But Bear needed his skill in tracking. Rudolph led the Mother Sleigh because of his innate ability to find his way anywhere in the world at any given time.
But he bit back an open groan at the way his mates had dressed. It was easy to forget that the elves at the North Pole had little to no human interaction above the age of children. Emery was dressed like Loki, complete with long dark hair and gold crown. Ellis was Sailor Moon, with long blond hair and a short white skirt.
No time for them to change again. I need Rudolph to take me to Richard. Without any further delay.
