Tinsel, Teasing, and A Trip Back Home
I adjusted the silver ribbons on the black stair hands before stepping back slightly to assess my work. The mansion’s grand staircase shimmered with strands of warm twinkly lights, and a small tree stood proudly in the foyer waiting to be decorated.
"Too much, too soon?" I asked with a soft hum, peering at Khalid, who shuffled by the railings hanging garlands in an ugly beige Christmas sweater and denim.
He shot me a playful crease of his nose and a smirk. "No such thing. It’s December."
My lips quirked up faintly before I exhaled, my fingers lightly tracing the pine needles. The scent of wine and pecan pie wafted through the room with the gentle rhythm of the perky holiday playlist Khalid had insisted on.
Boxes of decorations were sprawled across the floor, and tangled vines of mini light bulbs snaked over the furniture like rebellious ivy.
It was a heavy contrast from the sight at home when it was just me and my parents. We always made early preparations but none of it rivaled the grandeur of the setup I was orchestrating with Khalid.
I proposed the idea last night, next thing I knew, I woke to a living room filled with boxes of decorations and a platter of pie and wine.
I held up a glittering silver ornament, tilting my head as I muttered to myself. “I can’t believe this will be my first Christmas without my parents.”
Khalid, perched up where he had moved to untangle a mess of string lights. “You say that like we’re not about to make this the best Christmas ever.”
A small smile tugged at my lips. “I’m not sure I can trust you to handle Christmas magic.”
He scoffed playfully, pressing a handful of lights to his chest in mock offense. “Excuse you, I am a connoisseur of festivities.”
“Are you now?” I remarked in a silly tone.
Before Khalid could retort, a lazy voice drawled from behind us. “You know, I’ve never really understood the point of all this.”
I turned to see Tyler lounging against the doorway that led to the library, a candy cane dangling from his lips as he held it up like a cigarette. He looked every bit like an indie rockstar, with messy platinum white curls, a half-buttoned maroon shirt under a leather jacket, and an aura of effortless rebellion. He didn't look particularly festive.
Khalid narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean, ‘the point of all this’?”
Tyler shrugged, stepping into the room. “The lights. The tree. The excessive cheer. We don’t celebrate Christmas.” He plucked a bauble from the box, inspecting it before tossing it back in. “That said, I do enjoy a good party in its name.”
Khalid scoffed. “Ah yes, because if it doesn’t involve alcohol and questionable decisions, Tyler Morales sees no value in it.”
Tyler snickered, running his hand through his hair. “Not necessarily true. You wound me, darling.”
Khalid rolled his bright blue eyes. He definitely was not having it with Tyler. He returned his attention to the decorations as I stepped toward the half-torn pie resting on the couch closest to him.
“Do save me some of that wine, Harlyn,” Tyler quipped but his gaze remained on Khalid.
Khalid plugged in the lights, only for them to flicker once before fizzling out completely. “Damn it.”
Tyler tsked. “Tragic. I always thought you were good with your hands.”
I gasped at his words letting out a laugh before reaching to pour Tyler a glass. Khalid turned to glare at him. “Fuck off.“
Tyler leaned against the counter, smirking. “You make it so easy.”
Before Khalid could retort, Abigail strode into the room, exuding her usual brand of composed authority. I'd rarely seen her for days. I squared my shoulders.
“Would you two keep it down?” She shot Tyler a pointed look. “For once, I agree with him. No need to get so invested, we won’t even be here for Christmas.”
I blinked in surprise, lowering the glass in my hand. “What do you mean?”
Before Abigail could answer, another voice cut in.
“We’re going back to Springville.” Ethan's smooth resonant voice announced.
I spun around to catch Ethan walking down the stairs, holding his phone in hand as his hair bounced with every step-down.
My heart leaped. I believed for a moment I'd heard wrong. “Wait, really?” I strode to the edge of the stairs, a hint of a smile playing on my lips waiting desperately for confirmation.
Ethan nodded with a hum and my excitement burst through my chest. Was I really going to see my parents again? My body tingled with warmth. To say I was happy would be an understatement.
My mind raced ahead of my mouth. “What changed your mind?”
Ethan’s gaze settled on me, his countenance unreadable. “I was there this past week,” he admitted. “Sorting things out with the pack.”
I scrunched up my brows into a frown. “You?” I paused, tilting my head. “You went back?”
That must be what he was doing with the rest of his days after the full moon passed.
He gave another curt nod. “I needed to be sure it was safe.” His voice was measured like he had already anticipated my questions. “And it is, Security has been tightened. Everyone is on high alert.”
Tyler strode to meet me where I stood, arms crossed. “And the Melbringer?”
Ethan exhaled. “Apprehended.”
Apprehended? However as little as I knew about the Melbringers, could they be so easily apprehended? I didn't doubt Ethan but I was curious. Who could contain a seemingly powerful sorceress?
“By who?” I inquired as my curiosity claimed my tongue.
“A specialized force,” Ethan revealed with a slow hum, his expression sharpening. “They were curated a long time ago to handle threats like this.”
I frowned. “I didn’t know there was a force for that.”
“Most people don’t.” His tone was even, but something in the way he said it told me it was better left that way.
I made a mental note to inquire more later. What mattered the most was the fact that I could finally see my parents. The weight I hadn’t even realized I was carrying began to lift from my shoulders.
I breathed out slowly, my lips curving. “So, we’re going?”
Ethan met my gaze. “We'll leave tomorrow.”