Page 33 of Sleigh Bells and Dragon Spells

The grove fell silent again, but now it was a silence full of purpose and determination. These weren’t just allies anymore—they were a unified force, each bringing their own strengths to the fight.

“We should perform the unification ritual,” Celeste suggested. “Strengthen our magical bonds before tomorrow.”

They formed a circle, clasping hands. Even Falkor took his place without hesitation, his warm palm steady against Briar’s. The grove’s ancient magic rose to meet them as Celeste began the chant, her clear voice carrying power and purpose.

Briar felt the energy build, flowing through their joined hands like liquid light. Each person’s magic had its own signature—Daisy’s sparkled like champagne bubbles, Ellie’s flowed smooth as honey, Tabitha’s crackled with intellectual energy. And Falkor... his power burned like a star gone supernova, intense enough to take her breath away.

“Together, we are stronger than any darkness,” Celeste proclaimed as the ritual peaked. The truth of it sang through their linked magic, making the grove itself pulse with light.

When they finally broke apart, the air felt charged with possibility. The group dispersed to begin their preparations, but the magical connection lingered, a reminder of their shared purpose.

Briar found herself alone with Falkor in the grove, watching shadows dance at the edge of their sanctuary. The storm still raged beyond their barriers, but here, now, she felt hope take root and grow.

“Your mother underestimates the power of connection,” she said softly. “She thinks it makes us weak.”

“She’s wrong.” Falkor’s voice was equally quiet but carried absolute conviction. “I’ve seen what this town can do when it stands together. What you can do.” He turned to face her fully, golden eyes intense. “Thank you for showing me another way.”

Briar reached for his hand again, and this time there was nothing ritualistic about the contact. His fingers interlaced with hers naturally as if they’d been doing this for centuries.

“Together, then?” she asked.

His answer was simple but carried the weight of promise. “Together.”

THIRTY-FOUR

Early morning painted the sky in shades of bruised purple as Briar hurried up the frost-covered path to the Whispering Pines Orphanage. She wanted to check on the children before further preparing for the noontime battle.

The ancient brick building loomed before her, its windows glowing with weak amber light against the gathering gloom. Her boots crunched through a layer of unnatural ice coating the ground, each step releasing puffs of crystalline powder that sparkled with malevolent magic.

Something dark stirred in the air—a presence that made her magic prickle beneath her skin like static before a storm. The enchanted Christmas trees, one inside and one outside, flickered fitfully, their once-bright lights dimming to pale ghosts of their former glory. Even the cheerful holiday garlands adorning the iron gates drooped under a layer of killing frost, their red ribbons bleached white by supernatural cold.

Mrs. Thompson met her at the door, the headmistress’s usual iron composure cracking around the edges. Deep shadows ringed her eyes, a testament to sleepless nights spent watching over her charges. “Thank heavens you’re here.” She wrung her hands, voice dropping to a whisper. “The children... theyhear whispers in their dreams. Cruel voices promising terrible things.”

Briar squeezed the older woman’s shoulder, ignoring how her own heart thundered against her ribs. “We won’t let anything happen to them.” The words rang with more confidence than she possessed, but that’s what leadership demanded—projecting strength when others faltered.

Inside, she organized the children into groups for holiday crafts, determined to maintain some semblance of normalcy. Little Sophie hunched over her paper snowflake, scissors trembling as she cut careful patterns. The six-year-old’s usual bright smile had dimmed to a worried frown that made Briar’s chest ache.

Across the room, Tommy—normally the orphanage’s most enthusiastic troublemaker—sat quietly stringing popcorn garlands, his mischievous spark extinguished by fear.

A sudden chill sliced through the room, deeper than mere winter cold. The children’s chatter died mid-sentence, leaving only the hollow whistle of wind through ice-rimmed windows. Outside, storm clouds boiled across the sky with supernatural speed, blotting out what remained of the morning light.

“Everyone away from the windows,” Briar commanded, keeping her tone calm but firm. “Let’s gather in the center of the room.” She counted heads as the children shuffled closer. Twenty-three souls, ranging from toddlers to teens, all looking to her for protection.

The attack came without warning.

Stained glass exploded inward as icy projectiles punched through the windows. Children screamed. Briar’s magic surged instinctively, throwing up a shimmering barrier that caught the deadly shards before they could reach vulnerable flesh. The frozen daggers hung suspended for a heartbeat before dropping harmlessly to the floor.

“Stay together!” She herded the children into a tight circle, positioning herself between them and the advancing threat. Through the broken windows poured creatures of shadow and ice—twisted forms with hollow eyes that fixed hungrily on the failing Christmas tree. Their bodies shifted and reformed like smoke given frozen form, leaving trails of hoarfrost in their wake.

Sweet Sophie buried her face in Briar’s sweater, tiny fingers clutching the soft fabric. “Make them go away,” she pleaded, voice muffled by tears.

“I’ve got you, sweetheart.” Briar stroked the girl’s hair while maintaining the protective shield. “Nobody’s getting past me.”

The main doors burst open, bringing a rush of magical energy that made her shoulders sag with relief. Celeste charged in first, emerald eyes blazing as thick vines erupted through the floorboards to entangle the ice creatures.

“I guess the storm spirit couldn’t wait a few more hours,” Celeste said.

Daisy followed, her bright pink hair a shock of color against the grayness as she summoned spectral guardians that glowed with otherworldly light.

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