"I—" My brain misfires, still trying to process Adrian's resurrection while staring at a demon masquerading as Buddy the Elf.
I don't even have the mental bandwidth to unpack this right now. I accept the water glass, my hand still slightly shaky.
Rhyland's hand trace steady circles on my back as I drain the glass, each stroke pulling me further from the edge of panic.
"Well, this is awkwardly festive given our current situation," Lucian quips, antlers askew. "Nothing like a vampire queen crash and a ghost from Christmas past to really deck the halls."
As the reality of our situation sinks in, the festive atmosphere takes on a somber note. The twinkling lights and garlands seem almost mocking now, a cruel reminder of the normalcy we can't have.
"Holy shit," Emily blurts,taking in our testosterone-laden crew, decked out in fuzzy holiday sweaters. "Did Santa's workshop throw up in here or what?"
"You guys did all this...?"
"Observant as ever, Princess," Lucian snarks. "We only transformed the place into the North Pole's wet dream while you were out getting your lady bits landscaped."
"Surprise," Erik deadpans, his stoic expression made ridiculous by the blinking nose on his sweater.
"By Odin's beard," Bryn marvels, circling Erik like a predator assessing prey. "The mighty silfrhár reduced to wearing festive garments. Most... intriguing."
"The timing could be better," Sable offers softly, "but it's beautiful."
Damon materializes beside her, his usual silent entrance. "Hey, sorry I was asleep—heard all the commotion." He slides next to Sable, taking her hand in his.
"Yeah, thanks for the assist, Sleeping Beauty," Lucian snaps. "Nothing says 'team spirit' like snoozing while the rest of us transformed this place into Santa's sweaty workshop. I personally hung fifteen miles of twinkle lights while Erik was on ladder duty. You know what he says when you ask him if the lights are straight? 'Adequate.' That's it. One word. It's like decorating with a Terminator who occasionally hands you tape."
"Lies." Erik retorts.
Bryn studies the tree. "These ornaments... they serve no defensive purpose. And yet, there is a certain beauty in their frivolity."
"That's kind of the point, Xena," Lucian snarks. "Christmas is all about the unnecessary shit that makes you feel good."
"And you," Emily purrs, sauntering toward Brax in his Buddy the Elf getup. "How'd you know I have a thing for guys in tights? Though I gotta say, I've never wanted to sit on Buddy's face before, but you're making me reconsider my life choices."
Brax's eyes gleam devilishly as he adjusts his pointy hat.
"For the love ofgod," I gag, watching them eye-fuck. "Can you two save the North Pole exploration for when we're not in a crisis? I'm traumatized enough without watching my best friend seduce an elf."
Erik clears his throat, drawing our attention. "Given the circumstances, a bit of cheer might be in order." He gestures at the half-decorated tree. "We saved the best part for you."
Rhyland pulls me close, hisridiculous sweater soft against my cheek. "We wanted to surprise you, Angel. Give you something normal before..." He trails off, his hold tightening protectively.
I lean back into his warmth, blinking back the sudden sting of tears. "It's perfect. All of it. I just wish..."
"Hey, none of that," Emily interjects, her voice fierce. "Lilith doesn't get to ruin this, too. We're gonna deck these fucking halls, drink too much eggnog, and have a goddamn merry Christmas. And if that bitch shows up, we'll shove a tree so far up her ass she'll be coughing tinsel."
A surprised laugh bubbles out of me, and just like that, the heaviness lifts a bit. Leave it to Emily to find the silver lining in a shitstorm.
My focus snaps back to Lucian—the only one of my testosterone trio who couldn't care less if Adrian spontaneously combusted in front of us. Unlike Rhyland's brooding concern or Erik's calculating assessment, Lucian's face screams, "Not my circus, not my traitorous monkeys."
"Look, Lucian," I manage, fighting to keep my tone steady. "I get it—Adrian's currently public enemy number one. But he's being mind-fucked by your psychomom,and if anyone knows what that's like..." I let that sink in. "I won't leave him to be her puppet. Not when we can help."
"Jesus Christ." Lucian pinches the bridge of his nose, reindeer antlers wiggling. "What's next on this magical redemption tour? Marriage counseling with Satan? Trust falls with Moretemis? Maybe we can all hold hands and sing Kumbaya with the forces of darkness?"
"She's right." Guilt, and regret pulse from Rhyland like a bruised heartbeat—the weight of dismissing my concerns about Adrian before everything went sideways. His arms tighten around me, his voice a low rumble against my back. "Adrian is our brother." The words carry the weight of centuries. "If there's even a chance to save him from that bitch's control..."
"The tactical disadvantages are... significant." Erik adds. His fingers trace absent patterns on Bryn's arm. "Though leaving him as her weapon could prove more costly."
"Okay, timeout." Emily makes the time-out gesture. "Not to rain on this rescue mission parade, but how exactly are we planning to yank Adrian from the clutches of Demonic Vampire Barbie? Because last time I checked, that bitch was collecting power-ups like it's Mario Kart."
