Page 35 of Christmas Spirits

I opened the door.

Standing there on my stoop was the breathtakingly handsome guardian angel again. Elijah.

“Oh!” I gasped, surprised to find him at my door. But it was Christmas, after all, and we were spending it with friends. I wasn’t going to send him away. “It’s cold out there. Why don’t you come in. We were just about to—”

Above, footsteps sounded.

“He’s back…” Arianna called down the stairs to us. “The shirtless hunk with the spear.”

“You know this guy?” Sean asked her, sounding to be at the top of the steps, too.

I didn’t turn around. I couldn’t peel my gaze off Elijah. Something wasn’t right. I could feel it in my bones.

“Of course I do,” Arianna and Sean’s conversation went on without us. “Do you?”

“He appeared in the middle of my house out of nowhere and then walked off with Jade. Wouldn’t even let her tell us what was going on.”

“If you’re here for food, come up because it’s getting cold!” Laurence’s shouts followed. He must have turned on the stereo because Christmas music suddenly played in the background.

Elijah ignored them all, only stared at me, his weighted gaze full of worry.

“Elijah,” I started, my throat tight. “Whyareyou here?” Because suddenly I was doubting it was to try Sean’s mother’s tuna casserole or watch holiday movies.

“It’s Jade,” he said, his words clipped with urgency. “She’s missing.”

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