Page 49 of Run, Run Rudolph (Fairy Godmothers and Other Fiascos #2)

~ Haden ~

“ W ake up!”

I woke to the sound of Tamara’s voice, and saw her marching out from behind the sleigh and its protection. I blinked away the sleep, scrambling to catch her, but she was already well beyond my reach and was hollering her command across the barn.

The building was quiet and still warm. There was no fighting, no sleigh reconstruction sounds, and the mysterious Christmas tree was blinking in the corner.

The reindeer, who’d been curled up sleeping on the floor, lifted their antlered heads as Tamara marched toward them. Mrs. Claus appeared out of a stall. She was smirking.

I caught up with Tamara, already not liking whatever was about to happen.

“Well, there you are.” Mrs. Claus’s tone was commanding, smooth, and in control. It sent shivers down my spine, and I instinctively took Tamara’s hand.

“We need to take care of Christmas,” Tamara said with authority. “It’s everyone’s holiday and?—”

Mrs. Claus snapped her fingers. The air around Tamara and me turned cold, then warm again, then cold, as dancing shadows filled the periphery of my vision. I wrapped my arms around my girlfriend, trying to shield her from whatever magic had us in its binds.

The world around us faded away.