Page 32 of Letters to Satan

“Sir?” he nudges, and I realize I’ve just been sitting in silence for a long stretch. “Is everything alright?”

“We’re behind schedule, Caddy, and it’s my fault.”

“You can’t shoulder all of that blame, sir. There are thousands of us here.” He puts a hand on his hip as he raises a strict brow at me, anticipating my argument before it even forms on my lips.

“The elves will have to pick up extra shifts over the next week and a half, and even then, I’m not sure we’re going to make it.”

“You’ve never failed us, Niklaus, and I have every confidence this year will be no different. I’ll speak with the department leaders about increasing hours. They’ll do whatever it takes to help you. We are here to serve, sir. Don’t forget that.”

My chest rises with a deep breath as I attempt to latch onto the assurance in his words, but it’s a struggle. I wasn’t born into this life. Even though my mother and I came to live at the North Pole when Iwas young, stepping into the role of Santa didn’t come naturally to me. Bernard’s abrupt passing has forced me to find my own way through the transition.

It has taken me years to become confident in the job, and I expect it will require many more years for me to be content with my progress. My discipline has always been my driving force, but now my emotions for Damien have clouded even that.

And speaking of the Devil…

“There will be a delegate from the supernatural mail system here later for a meeting with me and The Lucifer.”

“Very well. I’ll be on the lookout for their arrival.” He hesitates, and when I glance at him, there’s a familiar curiosity in his eyes. “How much longer do The Lucifer and his companion plan to stay in the North Pole?”

“Why? Is it causing issues?”

“No, no, it’s just that… the elves have been talking and…” My hackles rise knowing they’ve been gossiping.

“And?” I ask, my voice colder than I intend.

“And, well, I can’t help but wonder if he’s a bad influence on the elves.”

I sit back in my seat, pulling the side of my cheek between my teeth. “Has there been trouble I’m unaware of?”

“No, sir, but—”

“Has The Lucifer been causing problems, or disrupting work, or speaking inappropriately to the elves?”

“Not that I’m aware of—”

“Then whatexactlyis the problem?”

Caddy stares at me for a long second before he gives a slow shake of his head. “There is no problem.”

“We don’t have the luxury of idle gossip and running mouths while we’re this far behind schedule. If there’s time to indulge in rumors, they can find the time to help me get this Christmas caught up.”

“Of course, sir,” he says, bowing his head. “Is there anything else you need from me?”

“No, that’s all.” He bows again and leaves me to my thoughts, but they just keep returning to one place.

“Thank you for joining us today, Arryn,” I say as I lead the shapeshifter into our formal dining area. The governing body for supernaturals is diverse, with representatives from all factions, but the communication department is primarily run by shapeshifters. This gives them the ability to move between realms unnoticed and blend into their surroundings.

Right now, Arryn appears as a human woman with long brown hair and a soft smile, and it’s no doubt meant to put us at ease. Their natural appearance is much more sinister, with an unnaturally large mouth filled with needle-like teeth.

Not something you want to be on the wrong end of.

“I must say, everyone at the office wasveryintrigued when we received a request for a joint meeting with The Santa and The Lucifer. It was quite the competition to decide who would attend.” Her eyes take a slow perusal up my body, an obvious suggestion in them.

Damien narrows his eyes at her. “And how did you win?”

She flashes him another of those unnervingly serene smiles. “Brute force, naturally.”

“Naturally.” He matches her sinister smile with one of his own, and I clear my throat before either of them gets any wild ideas about testing their strength. I don’t think Arryn would be stupid enough to challenge Damien, but one never knows.

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