Page 30 of Magic in Mistletoe
“Now, close your eyes,” he instructed gently. “This might feel a little weird, and sometimes it stings.”
“Stings? What stings?”
“Going through the force field.”
“The what?”
“It will all make sense in a minute. You’ve come this far. Please humor me a bit longer.”
She clung to Martin’s hand like a lifeline, willing herself to have faith in the extraordinary. She thought of his smile, his laugh, his poetic heart, his welcoming family, of Rosie and Caleb, of the town supporting her, and of how much her life had changed since moving to Mistletoe. Martin had shown her that the spirit of Christmas was about the joy of connection, the beauty of kindness, and the warmth of shared humanity.
That was the true magic of the season, and since she’d already accepted that, perhaps she could also believe in another type of magic.
“Okay. Let’s do this,” Sadie said with a nod and squeezed her eyes shut, feeling silly and vulnerable all at once. Somehow, Sadie knew her life was about to change forever. So, she drew in a deep breath, filling her lungs with cold, invigorating air, and embraced the possibility of the impossible.
“Here we go,” Martin whispered, and a tingling wave surged through her body.
“Okay, open your eyes,” Martin said, his breath warm against her cheek.
As her eyelids fluttered open, her breath caught in her throat. The forest had transformed into a bustling construction site, with people working on tearing down buildings and dismantling structures. The air was thick with dust, and the sound of hammers and saws echoed all around.
“What—what is this?” she stammered, her heart hammering.
“Santa’s Village, where we make the toys and where my team lives. Or at least it was going to be.”
“What? Why?”
“Every story has its share of challenges,” Martin said softly, his grip on her hand tight with reassurance. “Ours is no different.”
“Challenges? I don’t understand,” she admitted, unable to tear her gaze from the chaotic scene before them.
“Come with me,” Martin said, and together they disembarked the sleigh and walked closer to the village. “You see that shimmer over there?” he asked, pointing toward a faint, iridescent glow that encircled the entire area.
Sadie squinted, trying to focus on the barely perceptible light. “Yes, I think so.”
“That’s our power source,” he explained. “But it’s been struggling lately. There isn’t as much power in this valley as we expected.”
A chill ran down Sadie’s spine as the gravity of the situation sank in. Her gaze darted between the workers and the power source, her mind full of questions. She watched the scene for a long time before asking, “So, how does this all work? Are those people elves?”
“No, no, that’s all legend,” Martin said. “You met Ellie. She’s not an elf.”
“Well, I guess she didn't quite match my expectations of an elf's appearance. Then again, you don’t look like Santa.”
“True enough, I suppose, but I will when my hair turns white,” Martin replied. “The people you see are families that have worked for mine for generations. They’re regular people who work for a magical family.”
“So, like indentured servants?”
“Oh, goodness, no. Nor is it some kind of labor camp. Anyone can change locations, change jobs, or even leave.”
“Leave? Won’t they reveal your secret?”
“Not typically, although it has happened. But even when it does, it’s not believed.”
“And yet you expect me to believe you?”
“Yes, because I’m showing you proof. Those who have spoken out have only had their word.”
“Did your family hunt them down and silence them?”
