Calanis smiles, wrapping red tinsel on my horns against my will.
“Despite the rumors, you’re quite easy to love, Claw.”
“I’m a monster, Calanis.”
I look away and the tiny elf grabs me by my tinsel-adorned horns, forcing me to look at her.
“Calanis doesn’t see a monster. Calanis sees a man who dedicated his life to Christmas, to helping children get on the nice list. Calanis sees a man who has worked hard for centuries and deserves something good.”
“I don’t deserve you, Calanis.”
The elf grins, her small face flushed with excitement.
“This is true. But you are Calanis’ best friend, anyway. Now, get changed and go to your party, Claw. Go win their hearts back.”
“Knock ’em dead, Candy,” Gloom says, shoving me through the entrance of the party. It’s in the same space where we have our Love New Year, but instead of hearts and confetti, everything is pink Christmas.
The entrance is lined with pink Christmas trees dusted in fake snow; massive glittering snowflakes hang from the ceiling along with pink garland zig-zagging over the rafters.
“Wow,” I say out loud, not able to contain myself.
“I know, right? I’m not going to lie, I’m really crushing this Head Cupid gig,” Love, interim-Head Cupid, inspiration, and role model says next to me.
We’re both on the shorter side, so we’re eye to eye when I face her. Don’t act like an idiot, not in front of the cupid I admire most.
“It’s really stunning. You’ve done so much to bring all the beings of the veil together,” I say.
Love smiles and links her arm with mine, like we’re best friends. I gladly accept. No offense to Gloom—someone can have two best friends.
“You know, I never really thought about how romantic the holiday season is. I’ve always been so focused on getting myquotas for the year and celebrating at the Love New Year. But it truly is a season of being thankful and giving to those you love.”
“Oh, I don’t have anyone to share the holidays with,” I say, and Love pats my arm with her beautifully manicured hand.
“The party has just started. Who knows where the magic of Christmas will lead you.” Love bounces on her feet a little. “Oh, have you met Doom?”
I tilt my head as she leads me to an unfamiliar reaper. He’s handsome enough, but doesn’t hold a candle to Mortem or Krampus. I plaster a smile on my face and remember the plan I made with Ladybird.
Make Mortem and Krampus jealous.
“You two have fun getting to know each other,” Love says before flurrying off and greeting reapers, cupids, and other beings invited to the party.
“Hi,” I say shyly and Doom nods, looking around the room. “Are you waiting for someone too?”
“Sorry, was I that obvious?”
“No, it’s just that I am, too. My friend Ladybird said I should play coy and make them jealous.”
Doom’s dark eyebrows crease. “Gloom told me to do the same thing.”
I take a relieving breath, there was no way I could use someone to make Krampus and Mortem jealous, but if it’s beneficial to the both of us?
“How do you feel about a mutually beneficial flirtation for the night?” I ask him.
“You mean we act like we’re together to make the people we really want jealous?”
“Yes, deal is off as soon as one of us decides the game is over.”
He looks around the room, his gaze stopping on the new cupid Maple.
