“We need to move farther north.” It was direct and utterly dispassionate.
“North? Like Sacramento or San Francisco?” My voice sounded small even to my own ears because I knew he didn’t mean anywhere in California.
“Farther.”
“Okay, I could do Seattle.” My frown deepened as Rudy shook his head. “I draw the line at snowy tundra.”
Pierce rubbed his chin. “Vancouver might work. Possibly Anchorage.”
I wrapped my arms around myself, already feeling the coldseeping in. At least this time, it wasn’t from wayward magic. “I have a job. A house. A life.”
Kip’s fingers brushed my ankle from his spot on the floor next to the couch, his touch gentle but insistent. “A life you’ve been sleepwalking through.”
I swallowed hard. “So what, I just pack up and go? Where exactly?”
“We can vote,” Cole suggested.
“Lake Tahoe might be a good choice.” Dash’s eyes brightened with possibility as he leaned forward. “Not too far from your life here, but with enough elevation and natural energy to help. Plus, it’s beautiful.”
Everyone started talking at once, excitement in their voices. My head spun with the casual way they discussed uprooting my entire existence. I pictured snow-dusted pines and glittering water, so different from my desert sanctuary, and scrunched my nose in distaste.
Rudy’s voice cut through the chatter. “We’re going to Klarhaven. We leave in an hour. The decision is final.”
The others exchanged glances that ranged from surprise to unease.
It sounded exactly like the kind of place that would appear on one of those “World’s Most Remote Locations” lists where mail arrives by dogsled once a month and everyone knows how to skin a moose. Perfect for magical reindeer men, but not for a California girl who considered a light sweater adequate winter preparation.
“Hold on.” I shot to my feet, nearly knocking Dane sideways. “First of all, we’re not going anywhere in an hour. Second, no one’s decided anything, and third, where the actual hell is Klarhaven?”
Dash stood, his hands raised in a placating gesture. “Klarhaven is a small town up north.” He turned toward the stoic giant. “Don’t you think that’s too much, too soon? We’ve only restored a fraction of her Christmas spirit. The place is... intense.”
Rudy’s expression didn’t change, but his jaw ticked almost imperceptibly. “She needs immersion.”
Pierce moved to stand beside Rudy. “With Neve’s powers manifesting so unpredictably, Klarhaven might be our best option. The town has natural wards. If something goes wrong…” His eyes flicked to me. “The damage would be contained.”
“Damage?” I sputtered. “What damage? Like the hot chocolate thing? I’m not an unstable nuclear reactor!”
At least I hoped I wasn’t.
Blitz bounced up from his spot on the floor, excitement radiating off him like a dog about to get the zoomies. “So if we’re going to Klarhaven, are we hitting Reinberg too? I miss those little maple candies they sell at The Sugar Shack. Plus, the winter festival’s starting soon, right?”
“Yes, Reinberg too.” Rudy’s deep voice cut through the excitement. “Full immersion. We need to rip off the Band-Aid.”
I crossed my arms. “Hello? I’m still here, and I haven’t agreed to any of this!”
A strange choking sound drew everyone’s attention to Vix, who had paled at the mention of Reinberg. His usual smirk had vanished, replaced by something almost like dread.
Don raised an eyebrow. “Problem, Vix?”
Vix slumped further into his chair, very interested in a loose thread on his shirt. “No problem. Just, you know, considerations. Maybe I should stay behind. Or wear a disguise. Or legally change my name.”
Kip burst into laughter, clutching his stomach. “Oh man, they still haven’t forgiven you? It’s been three years!”
“What happened?” I demanded, momentarily distracted from my protest.
Vix’s eyes narrowed at Kip. “It wasn’t my fault. How was I supposed to know those ice sculptures weren’t load-bearing?”
Cole shook his head, a smile playing at his lips. “You tried to pose on one.”
