Page 25 of Knotty Bargain (Monster Holidays #3)

CHAPTER 25

CORDELIA

I burrow deeper under the sheets. The bed feels cold and empty, a vast wasteland of loneliness threatening. Silent tears soak into my pillow as I clutch it.

God. I feel so pathetic. This is not how I wanted to end this vacation.

A soft knock interrupts my wallowing. “Hey! Are you awake? I brought you a pumpkin spice latte, your favorite candy, and our costumes for today.” Sylvia’s cheery voice filters through the door. “It’s Halloween, remember? Let’s have some fun! We had planned on getting drunk and dressing up, remember?”

I sigh, knowing she won’t relent until I emerge from my cocoon of misery. Reluctantly, I sit up, the blankets pooling around my waist. “Come in, Syl.”

She bursts in with a radiant smile. Perching on the edge of my bed, Sylvia hands me the latte, its warmth and spicy aroma bringing a ghost of a smile to my face.

“Thanks,” I murmur, taking a tentative sip. The sweet, creamy flavor washes over my tongue. I hum in delight, though a part of me aches with the memory of Levi bringing me the very same drink.

Sylvia’s brow furrows with concern as she studies my tear-stained face. “Oh, Lia, babe... I know it hurts, losing Levi like that. I’m so sorry he left.” She sighs. “He seemed so nice. For a demon, anyway. He made you laugh, and I really thought he was in love with you.”

I avert my gaze, focusing on the whipped cream melting into my coffee. “It’s not just Levi. It’s... everyone. They always leave, Syl. My dad, my mom... I think I’m scared to let anyone else in. Falling in love is too risky when abandonment is inevitable.”

Sylvia reaches out, gripping my hand. Her brown eyes shine with unwavering support. “Lia, listen to me. Not everyone will leave. The people who truly love you, like me? We’re here to stay, no matter what. You have to trust that love is worth the risk.” She smiles. “Love is about vulnerability. How are you going to have a healthy, happy relationship without ever opening up?”

Her words strike a chord deep within me, igniting a flicker of hope amidst the darkness. Maybe she’s right. Maybe I can’t let fear control my life anymore. The times I opened up with Levi were amazing. He was also vulnerable with me and he made me feel safe.

And maybe, just maybe, Levi is worth fighting for.

I squeeze Sylvia’s hand back, a spark of determination rising in my chest. “You’re right, Syl. I... I want to go after him.”

“Wait.” She raises her hands, shaking her head. “Hold on. I was talking about relationships as a whole. We’re not going after the guy who broke up with you. Let him grovel if he wants a piece of you.”

Blinking in confusion, I stare at her. “He didn’t break up with me.”

“What do you mean? You think it doesn’t count because of the fake dating thing? No, no, no, it does count, and...”

“No, Syl. I’m the one who sent him away. He said I was right, that we’re too different, and he agreed to leave.”

Sylvia, with her messy bun, her scratched face, and her warm brown eyes, stares at me as if I ‘m the one with four arms. “You broke up with him.”

“Yeah.”

She slaps both hands over her face, grunting in frustration. “Oh, my god, Cordelia Dallimore! You really pushed someone you love away because you’re afraid he doesn’t love you back?”

“Yeah...”

“The man—the devil, whatever—he’s obsessed with you! Obviously! Do you really think he was watching all those bad horror movies because he likes them? Do you really think he was spending his day walking up and down this town when he could teleport just because? He’s obviously in love with you!” She throws her hands up. “He didn’t even watch those movies! He spent half the time watching you!”

My heart races. “Did he?”

“Yes!” Sylvia cackles. “Get up. Shower. Change. We’re going after him.”

I shoot to my feet. Yes. Yes, I want that. I want to see Levi again. I want to tell him how I feel.

At least I need to try. “Do you think... could we do another spell?” I ask her. “Maybe a communication spell? Or a way to find him? I have no idea how to reach out for him.” At least without dying.

Sylvia’s face lights up with excitement. “Of course! I’ll grab Love Spells & Rituals and I’ll talk to Mom.”

Once I’m showered and dressed in a pair of leggings and a cute shirt with a nice cleavage—he does love my breasts—I go after Sylvia in the living room.

Sylvia looks up, a gleam in her eye. “So, I think the woods are our best bet. You know how I’ve been to New Obernzell for that date? They’re ten times crazier about paranormal stuff than we’re here. They say the Devil’s Mountain is magic. That there’s a monster called a Krampus there, and he kind of rules over all the other creatures. Plus,” she motions with her phone in hand, “today is Halloween and everyone knows thatthe veil grows thin or something like that. It’s perfect for opening a portal.” She grins, victorious.

I nod, nerves fluttering in my stomach at the thought of seeing Levi again. “It’s amazing that I’m the one with the magic powers, but you’re the one with the brains.”

She laughs. “Am I your familiar?”

“I told you. You’re the Salem to my Sabrina.” I squeeze her as tight as possible. “Let’s do it.”

We head out into the crisp autumn air, the streets of Shadow Glen teeming with costumed tourists. Driving is going to be a nightmare, so when Sylvia spots a bike rental stand, she grins at me.

“You know, since you’re conquering all your fears, maybe we should ride a bike there.”

I blanch, eyeing the innocent-looking bicycles with trepidation. She’s right. She’s absolutely right. Besides, if we went on foot, we’d take a couple of hours to get there.

Half an hour later, I’m wobbling down the leaf-strewn path, Sylvia coaching me as I struggle to keep the bike upright. The damp, earthy scent of the woods envelops us, ancient trees standing sentinel on either side.

“You’re doing great, Lia!” Sylvia calls. “Just keep pedaling!”

I grit my teeth, but keep going. For a moment, I teeter dangerously, sure I’m about to topple over. But then, miraculously, I find my balance. The bike surges forward, the wind whipping through my hair as a giddy laugh bubbles up from my chest.

Sylvia whoops with delight, pride shining in her eyes as we ride into the forest. In this moment, with the unwavering support of my best friend, anything feels possible. Even winning back the heart of a demon king.

We reach a clearing, our cheeks flushed with the exercise. As Sylvia prepares the portal spell, I close my eyes, picturing Levi’s face. The wind blows colder. I tug my coat closer to my body.

“Here,” Syl says, her teeth chattering as she pushes her phone into my hand. “I made a circle with stones and put the items inside. You just have to think hard about him and read the incantation.”

My heart jumps to my throat as I begin the incantation, myvoice rising and falling with the strange words. I hold my breath, my heart pounding in anticipation. Please let this work.

I keep going, even as the forest seems to grow too dark for such an early hour. The air pressure changes. My ears pop, but I keep going. I reach the end of the spell.

Nothing.

Sylvia, her arms crossed over her chest as she shivers, says, “We should wait a while. We learned that it might take a while, right?”

“And just what do you think you’re doing?”

We whirl around, coming face to face with a towering figure that seems to have materialized out of the shadows. For a second, I think it’s Levi. That it worked. That he came for me.

But no. It’s not Levi.

This monster has blue skin, white hair, and a pair of wicked horns. He’s massive, even bigger than Levi. He looks like he’s about to whip us.

This has to be Krampus.

Sylvia squeaks in terror, instinctively grabbing my arm. But I stand my ground, staring up at the forest ruler with a defiant tilt to my chin. After Levi, this guy’s imposing aura is almost familiar.

“What’s going on?” A second figure emerges from the trees, all curves and cascading dark hair.

A human. That’s... unexpected.

Krampus crosses his arms. “Portals are not playthings, humans,” he shoots at me. “Especially not on All Hallows’ Eve.”

The human grins, waving at us. “Hi. I’m Olivia.”

Sylvia and I exchange a glance. “Cordelia,” I say, pointing at my chest. “My best friend, Sylvia.” I point at her, who waves back.

“ This is the exact reason why we’re here,” Krampus roars. “To keep portals shut. These portals only open with my permission.”

“And when you forget to close them,” adds Olivia.

Krampus shoots her a withering glare, but it clearly has no effect. He snaps his attention back to me. “You shouldn’t be here. Go back to your human town.”

“But she’s in love!” Sylvia blurts out. “Leviathan was here, and they fell in love, but Lia pushed him away because she has abandonment issues, but I swear she’s improving. I swear I’ll make her see a therapist. Please, please! She has to get him back!”

Olivia’s eyes widen, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Ooh, how romantic!”

Krampus pinches the bridge of his nose, exasperated. “Liv, we can’t just let them?—“

But Olivia is already turning to him, batting her lashes. “Please? For true love? For me? I’m your mate. You wouldn’t refuse me that.”

Krampus lowers his voice, bending to talk to Olivia. “You can’t keep adopting strays, woman. What kind of lord of the woods do you take me for?”

“The generous kind.” She grins. It takes everything in me not to laugh, but mostly because I’m nervous.

Krampus looks at Sylvia, who jerks closer to me. “You said Leviathan.”

“Yes,” I burst out. “Big guy. Four arms. Red skin. Horns.”

“Fuck,” says Krampus. “The king of the underworld? What the fuck?”

Olivia’s smile turns into an all-knowing smile. “Oh, you’re a monster-fucker, too, aren’t you?” And she throws her head back and laughs.

Sylvia laughs with her. Krampus and I groan in unison.

I hold my breath as Krampus regards his mate, his stony expression wavering. Finally, with a long, suffering sigh, he relents.

“Fine. But just for the evening.” He fixes me with a stern glare. “And don’t make me regret this.”

Relief floods through me as Krampus waves his hand. The space between two oak trees at the edge of the clearing darkens, then opens like a slit in the space-time fabric. The portal shimmers invitingly. I give Sylvia a quick, fierce hug.

“Wish me luck.”

She squeezes me tight. “Go get your man, Lia. I’ll be waiting for you.”

“No, you’re not,” says Krampus. “You’re going back to the edge of the forest. Olivia and I will wait for her. It’s dangerous in here. You humans have no sense of survival.” And he shoots his mate a glare. She grins and bats her lashes at him.

“Thanks, Krampus.” I smile.With a final nod to Syl, I step through the portal, my heart soaring with hope. As the world dissolves around me, a raven’s cry echoes through the air.