Page 63 of Of Magic and Reindeer
I narrowed my eyes, took aim, and hurled my snowball with all my might. It hit Blitz in the face with a satisfying splat.
His expression of utter shock sent me into a fit of giggles.
“Direct hit!” I pumped my fist in the air.
“You better run.” Don’s voice was full of amusement.
Four snowballs flew at me simultaneously. I shrieked and darted away, heading for the edge of the clearing where trees would provide some coverage.
A snowball whizzed past my ear. Another hit my back. I scrambled behind a wide pine, frantically gathering snow.
“You can’t hide forever!” Vix’s voice echoed through the trees.
I peeked around the trunk and let loose. The snowball caught him in the shoulder, exploding in a puff of white.
I was already running before he could retaliate, laughing so hard my sides hurt. When was the last time I’d felt so... free?
My boot caught on something hidden beneath the snow. I tumbled forward, arms windmilling as I plunged face-first into a drift. Snow went up my nose and down the neck of my coat.
I pushed myself up, sputtering and wiping snow from my eyes. The men advanced like predators stalking prey, each with a fresh snowball.
“Not fair!” I scrambled backward like a crab. “Four against one!”
Pierce cocked his head. “Life isn’t fair, North.”
I raised my hands instinctively to shield myself. “Don’t you dare!”
A strange tingling sensation shot up my arms. The surrounding snow shivered, then rose upward in a swirling curtain of white. It spiraled higher, curving inward, forming walls that twisted and solidified into smooth, gleaming surfaces.
Within seconds, I was sitting in the center of what looked like an elaborate snow fort, complete with elegant, spiraled walls and intricate frosted patterns etched into the surface.
I slowly lowered my hands, staring at what I’d created. “What the…”
The men stood frozen outside the small opening of my snow dome, eyes wide with identical expressions of awe.
Blitz whistled low. “Well, that’s new.”
I stood and ran my fingers over the nearest wall, feeling the perfect smoothness beneath my gloves. It was beautiful but strong. Soft light filtered through the translucent walls, casting everything in a soft blue glow.
I felt a flicker of wonder instead of fear. This power, whatever it was, could create beauty too.
A smile spread across my face, tentative at first, then growing into something real and genuine. “I made this.”
Don stepped inside, and his eyes softened as he examined my creation. “It’s magnificent.”
My cheeks warmed at the simple praise.
Vix peered through one of the arched openings. “Are you going to invite us in, or did you build this fortress specifically to keep us out? Because I’ve got to say, that’s cold. Literally.”
I rolled my eyes. “Come in.”
They didn’t need a second invitation. Pierce ducked through first, followed by Blitz, who practically dove inside. Vix sauntered through with exaggerated casualness.
Pierce ran his hand along the curved ceiling. “How did you know how to make this?”
I shook my head, still marveling at what I’d done. “I didn’t. I wanted somewhere to hide, and... this happened.”
Blitz circled me, eyeing my ice creation with exaggerated suspicion. “So you conjure a magic fortress to escape us, then invite us in?” He wagged his finger. “Classic trap tactics.”
