Page 23 of Nice

Rolling his eyes, Kris examines his nails, his body language bored with the entire conversation. "So, you picked someone from the back of the list? You should have known better."

Asmon throws his hands up into the air before poking his head out of study. "Someone get me the damn list!"

"Really, Asmon. There's no need to terrorize my elves. Don't you have one of your own to abuse?"

"Now wait a minute!" I finally gather my courage and step up to Santa, pausing before I poke him in the chest. My body trembles as I keep the façade of valor tightly around me. It's freaking Santa and I'm going toe to toe with him. What the hell am I thinking? Obviously, I have the insane need to defend Asmon. The way Kris is treating him just isn't right or fair. "He doesn't abuse anyone. In fact, he's treated Fredrick as well as he can...under the circumstances."

Grinning, Kris grabs my finger and lowers it from his chest. "I'm sure there's a reason and excuse for everything. There always is with people like him."

"Like him? What is that supposed to mean you pompous -."

"Aha. See!" Asmon interrupts, thrusting the book under Kris's nose.

Rolling his eyes, Kris takes the tome and scans it for a minute before his brows furrow.

"And you’re sure she wasn’t lying?" Kris glances over at me for a moment.

“Crème brûlée.”

Eyes widening, Kris peers at me thoughtfully. “Such a decadent dish. You do aim high.”

It finally hits me what they’re talking about. Heat engulfs my face as I turn away from Kris and his stupid smirk.

“Then this isn’t right.”

"That's exactly what I'm saying!" Asmon bellows.

Kris looks up at me, the hunger lighting in his eyes. "You are indeed on the good list."

Now it’s my turn to be surprised. That’s what this is all about? Frowning, I look at the book myself, and there’s my name, emblazoned in the naughty book. But how can they tell I’m not naughty? Guilt engulfs me as I think about my behavior a day or so ago. Nope, I’m fairly sure I belonged on that list.

“The list must be correct. I mean, if the stories are correct, you check the list twice right? How can it be wrong?” I fiddle with my fingers, trying to avoid the stares of the men in front of me. They don’t understand. Maybe last year I was good, but my outbursts and drunken behavior were just deplorable, and I don’t deserve their pity or excuses.

“Again, I ask you, what the fuck did you do, Kris. You’re the one in charge of the lists. How the hell did she get on there?”

I wince as his voice ratchets up higher and higher. His anger and fury flow out of him, filling up the room. Wrapping my hands about my waist, I flit my gaze about, trying to find somewhere to hide from his wrath. It doesn’t matter that it’s not directed at me.

“I guess go find another girl?”

My stomach twists painfully at his words. I’ve only known Asmon for a day at most, but the thought of him pleasuring and punishing someone else makes me ill. Besides, he’s obviously not done with me yet. I’m still wracked with guilt. Doesn’t it make sense for him to just keep punishing me?

“I’ve already punished this one.”

“Oh dear. I bet you just feel awful, don’t you?” Kris grins and beckons me towards him. “Don’t worry Asmodeus, I’ll take care of this little morsel. Just like last time.”

I stay planted where I’m at and watch Asmon as his face pales for just a moment before his horns burst through his skull. He doesn’t even wince as they slide out and curl on either side of his head. Anger and hatred blaze from his eyes. In increments, his skin dissolves into fur. But his eyes never leave Santa. Danger radiates off him that it’s almost like a visible shimmer. Like when the heat rises off the road in front of the sun.

My body snaps into gear before my brain can even catch up. I fling myself at him, wrapping him in my arms. I don’t know what’s happening between these two, but something tells me that Asmon is about to snap. Maybe I can hold him back? I’m mortal. Perhaps that will appeal to his sense of logic.

“Please. Please Asmon, don’t do this.”

He looks down at me, his glowing eyes boring into my soul. Despite my fear, arousal thrums through my body like a live wire, crackling and zapping between us. I breathe in deep as I clutch him, willing him to breathe with me. After a few moments, the fur shimmers and disappears. All that remains are his horns. Asmon blinks a few times as he looks down at me. It’s like he’s finally seeing that I’m there.

A look of intense grief flashes through his eyes before he eases my hands out from around him and steps away. I feel the loss instantly. What did I do wrong? Asmon glares over at Kris before crossing his arms.

“That will be for her to decide.”

Before Kris can ask me my choice, a lithe elf pops into the room and sinks into a deep curtsey. “Forgive me, master Claus, but dinner is now served. Cook prepared some for the mortal and,” she sniffs the air, “him. Shall they be joining us, or will you send them on their way?”