Page 57 of North Bound

He hadn’t slept with anyone since he lost his wife. Sex yes, but nothing personal like this. He hadn’t been interested in anything like this. Not until now.

But it’s not as easy as finding someone and dating them. Not with his job being so completely abnormal. Scarlett has a life here. She has friends, a job. All he can give her is a massive dose of the bizarre. There’s no way he’s going to drag her back to the workshop and lock her away there for the rest of her life. They have two very different separate lives. Two lives that don’t mix.

All that can happen is a hell of a lot of heartache in the future for both of them.

‘What are you thinking?’

He smiles and kisses her shoulder. ‘I thought you were asleep.’

‘With Santa beside me? No way.’

‘Try to get some sleep. I promise you’ll need all your energy in the morning. I plan on keeping you in bed all day.’

She groans and cuddles up against him. ‘I’ll hold you to that,’ she mutters sleepily.

‘You won’t have to.’

He lies awake, holding her as she falls asleep again. Time is running out - not just for them, but for him too. No way he’s going to worry her by talking about his concerns.

No Santa means no Christmas. Does that mean he won’t be Santa anymore? Does it mean he won’t be alive anymore? He’s no idiot. He feels far from right. There is something seriously wrong, and that’s freaking him out. He lifts his right arm. The tattoo is fading. The ink is linked to his magic and to the workshop. The fact the damn thing is fading isn’t a good sign.

He clenches his fist, watching the sparks of magic travel over his skin.

It’s nearly time. Another few hours and his magic will be at its peak. He holds Scarlett tighter, breathing in her scent as he stares at the wall opposite him.

They’ll try to stop him. Whoever blew up his sleigh is far from finished. If they wanted to keep him away from the workshop, they’ve only been temporarily successful. Clearly they know how things work. They know he’ll make a run for it. Try to get home. Damn it! What if it’s someone from the workshop itself?

That thought doesn't sit well with him. The place is like Fort Knox. You either had to know someone in the workshop, or work there yourself to be allowed in. Whoever it is will no doubt know he’ll make a bid to get home in a few hours.

It won’t be a case of walking outside and getting into her car. Someone or something will be waiting to stop him. He looks over to the window. They’re probably out there right now, hiding in the shadows, waiting.

As much as he needs to get home, he has another concern. And that’s Scarlett. He needs her help to alert his team, but that means dragging her through who knows what. He’ll be putting her in direct danger, and that’s not sitting well with him. He’ll protect her. He’ll fight and kill without hesitation to protect her. But he’s not thrilled about her seeing that side of him.

It’s one thing telling her he fights monsters, but it’s another witnessing him actually doing the deed. Seeing him actually gutting the bastards.

There’s a chance it won’t come to that. But he’s not going to get complacent. He’s been doing this job long enough to know that he’s trapped here for a reason. There’s no such thing as a coincidence - especially in their line of work.

An hour later, he’s still wide awake, and twitchy as fuck. His skin is tingling so badly it’s driving him insane. Something feels off. More than just his magic kicking his ass. There’s something... not right. He can’t explain what it is.

He slowly climbs out of bed, careful not to disturb Scarlett, and grabs his boxers. She stirs when the bedroom door creaks, but doesn't wake up. Nick goes downstairs and stands at the window, peering into the dark forest outside.

He curses when his magic ripples through him, sending pain spearing through his limbs. He can’t take much more of this. Being with Scarlett eases the discomfort a little, but it’s getting worse. Fast.

Then he sees movement outside. He steps back from the window, watching more intently. He sees it again, the briefest flash of grey against the total darkness.

‘Fuck!’ That explains why he’s so uneasy. He could feel the demons outside.

He quickly checks the doors are locked, then hurries upstairs and gently shakes Scarlett. ‘Wake up.’

‘What is it?’

‘You need to get up now. We have to go.’

He throws on his clothes, sitting on the end of the bed to lace his boots. ‘What? Why?’

‘It’s time.’

That spurs her on. Scarlett jumps out of bed and quickly dresses. ‘Now? But I thought you said you had a few more hours?’

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