I smile up at him, the kind of grin that could melt glaciers and make elves rethink their life choices. "You look like you’re about to kill it."
His eyes flick to the mannequin in the red velvet Santa suit, then back to me. "I’m considering it," he mutters, flicking ash on the floor. He slides the cigarette back between his lips and pulls me closer, one hand settling low on my back, the other gripping my waist. It’s like he needs the contact to stay grounded.
"It’s judging you," I whisper, squeezing him tighter.
He exhales the smoke, his eyes locked on the mannequin. "It should be afraid."
I laugh softly, my breath brushing his jaw. "You’re going to look devastatingly hot in red."
We have the costume, the list and a mission: It’s time to make Mournton festive.
Chapter 14
NEO
The red train hisses to a stop at the edge of Mournton, its wheels steaming. The station is crooked and frostbitten, draped in cobwebs and flickering lanterns that haven’t seen joy since the last full moon.
I step off first, my boots crunching on the snow-dusted cobblestones, coat billowing like I am about to cast a spell—or start a fashion riot. Behind me, Nox descends with the costume hanging over his shoulder, the red velvet catching the light. The fur trim brushes his jaw, while his eyes are scanning the town like he’s sizing it up for seduction or destruction.
Ice, the elf hops down next, clutching his bag and muttering something about him not being paid enough for this. "We’ve got two days to make this place festive," he says. The snowman follows, jumping off the cargo car in eerie harmony. His coal eyes glow, the carrot nose twitches.
I turn to Nox excited. "Ready to make Mournton festive?"
Nox lits a cigarette and smiles. "Terrifying."
I step closer, tugging playfully on his coat. "You’re the vampire Santa. Youhaveto deliver."
He leans in, voice low. "Only if you promise to unwrap me later."
Ice groans audibly.
With that, our crew marches into Mournton—a witch, a vampire, elf and a once decapitated snowman—ready to turn gloom into glitter with a side of dread.
Chapter 15
NOX
Ilean against the doorway of Neo’s candy shop, arms crossed and my eyes scanning the scene. A skeletal reindeer is perched on the mantle. The tree is black, of course, draped in cobweb tinsel and ornaments shaped like screaming snowflakes hang for dear life on its branches. Beneath it lay wrapped gifts with tags like To: Victim, From: Regret, and Do Not Open Unless You Dare.
Neo emerges from the kitchen holding a tray of cocoa topped with ghost-shaped marshmallows looking like they are mid-scream. "Festive enough for you?" she asks, one brow arched.
I chuckle, low and warm, the sound curling around the room. "You turned Christmas into a séance."
She hands me a mug. "You’re welcome," and walks to her cauldron.
I take a sip and glance at the mistletoe hanging above the doorway—except it has tiny skulls that glow faintly white. "Is that thing… growling?"
Neo laughs. "It bites if you kiss under it wrong."
"I need you at my place," I say. "Costume crisis."
Neo looks up from her cauldron, one brow arched. "You? Having a crisis over clothing?"
"It’s red... It’s velvet, and it’s judging me."
She smirks, wiping her hands on a black towel. "You meanSanta’s coat?"
Nox steps into the shop, eyes gleaming. "I need your witchy touch. And maybe some claws."
