Page 15 of Letters to Satan

I nod again, rubbing my chin as I consider the option. “And do you know someone willing to cast such enchantments… discreetly?”

She hesitates, but Jujube butts into the conversation. “There’s a guy in the magic department that owes me a favor.”

“Enough of a favor to keep this a secret from The Santa?”

His grin is impish, even with his rosy cheeks and upturned nose. “Let’s just say that I caught him doing some particularly naughty things inside The Santa’s office one night when he was supposed to be refreshing enchantments. The receiving end of these naughty thingsalsoworks in the magic department, so I’ve got double the resources.”

“Fantastic,” I say, clapping my hands in front of me, “make it happen. Now, moving onto supplies and tools. We will need a few molds crafted, a heating element and protective gear, silicone in any color you can think of, minor electrical supplies…”

“Decorative gems?” Xalreth suggests from beside me, and my grin spreads.

“Yes, most definitely some decorative gems. We’ll make the best butt bling there is.”

“Butt… bling, sir?” A mousy elf with squinty eyeshiding underneath half-moon glasses asks, and I turn my wide smile towards him.

“What did you think we were going to be creating in here, toy soldiers? We’ll be making toys, alright, my friends, but not the kind you’re used to. If you want out, now’s the time to leave, otherwise you are officially indoctrinated into my army.”

“Army?” Jujube asks, a sly smirk on his face.

“My Army of Hellves.”

Hours later, I peek out of the workshop door. Magic has been cast, equipment and supplies loaded into their appropriate places, and molds have been designed. Most importantly, the locks have been re-keyed and sealed with a privacy enchantment so that no one aside from me, Xalreth, or the Hellves can unlock it.

I hope.

Unsure of how powerful Santa’s magic is in his domain, I’m erring on the side of caution.

My eyes sweep across the workshop, seeing nothing of concern above the sea of heads. The elves are so hard at work, none of them pay me any attention as I slide out of the room and casually close the door behind me with a click, tucking the key into my pocket.

A timid ebony-haired elf works diligently on what appears to be a dollhouse, and I slink over on quiet feet, leaning in until my face is beside her ear. “Ooooh, whatcha making?” I ask, and she releases a blood-curdling shriek, flinging her miniature hammer into the air.

It’s mesmerizing, spinning in a few weightless loops before crashing back down, thunking square between the eyes of the elf across the table. “Ouch,” Ihiss as he groans, eyes rolling up into his head. His tiny body deadweights and crumbles to the ground, knocking the chair out from underneath the elf behind him.

One by one, they fall, squealing like piglets as they hit the floor. It’s like a row of wiggly, squeaky dominos falling, one after the other, as the pandemonium spreads along the aisle.

I’m so fascinated I forget to laugh.

“What is going—” Niklaus’s deep voice booms through the workshop, his eyes instantly locking on mine. “Lucifer. I should’ve known you were involved.”

My hands fly up, palms facing him. “I was only complimenting the craftsmanship of this dollhouse. It’s notmy faultshe is startled so easily.”

Niklaus comes closer, his eyes narrowed and suspicious. “Lolli, can you please tell me what happened?”

She’s a nervous thing, wringing her hands in front of her as she stares at the floor. “I’m sorry, Santa, sir… he… he’s telling the truth. He asked what I was making, and I… I just overreacted.”

“Understatement,” I grumble, but am ignored.

Niklaus’s brow lifts in a very skeptical arch. “That’s all he said?”

“Yes, sir. I-I didn’t mean to… make such a mess…”

Niklaus puts a soft hand on her shoulder, kneeling in front of her. “It’s alright, Lolli. Having guests here is new, and it’s natural that you’d be startled by someone you don’t recognize.” Sheglances up to meet his gaze, and I realize with horror that she’scrying.Giant, fat tears pool precariously as she nods, her weak little chin trembling.

“Oh, ew,” I mutter, unable to help myself.

Niklaus’s eyes carve into mine, a fierce flame flickering behind that emerald stare, filled with a passion that thrills me to my very core. Excitement burns in my gut as I hold the breath in my lungs, desperate to see that temper unleashed.

Slowly rising to his full height, he closes in on me until there’s barely more than a few inches separating us. The tension is so dense, I swear sparks crackle and buzz over my skin.