Page 34 of Nice

"She was wearing Kris's pajamas. I dare say, red is an altogether dashing color on her," Dancer chimes in, looking all too happy to relay that bit of information.

"You're not helping the situation. Go back to base and wait for me there."

Dancer gives a slight bow before looking back up at me, a smirk twisting her pretty features.

My brain freezes. For that moment, time stands still. All I can think about is her in Kris' clothes. There's only one reason she'd be in them. Before I can punch him again, Red lays his hand on my arm. It's not constraining this time. He looks up at me, his eyes filled with sympathy. Disgusted, I shove him off. I don't need his pity.

I make my way out of the house, sending up muttered curses and half prayers that she's safe at the inn. NPP isn't massive, but she could be anywhere. Standing outside the door, I take in a deep breath. I can still smell her. Tipping my nose in the air, I follow the scent, fully expecting to follow the trail we first took coming into the city. Instead, it veers off to the left. Thank Christmas, she went to the inn.

Following the trail, the scent takes a different turn, leading up to a small house before heading back on the path. My stomach plummets as her scent grows stronger and stronger, the direction leading straight out of the city. Stupid, stupid woman. Shaking my head, I conjure her in my mind. Her delicate features fill my brain for a few moments before I lift my hand to create a portal.

Nothing. Looking down at my palm, I frown and force the thought harder. Still nothing. My stomach cramps as my body seizes. I force my hand out again and again, each time being met with the same results. Terrified, I turn back and run the entire way to Northport. Without pausing, I burst through the main door, startling Kris and Red.

"What the fuck did you do?" I scream, grabbing Kris's shirt and hauling him over to me.

His eyes widen with fear as he struggles in my grasp. "Let me guess, she changed her mind and wants me back?"

Roaring, I toss him to the ground. "You arrogant jackass. She's left the city and my portal won't work. What. The fuck. Did you do?"

Frowning, he dusts himself off and extends his palm. He closes his eyes and concentrates for a moment. No portal. Not even a blip of magic. Blood drains from my face.

“What the hell is happening?”

Kris stares at his hand for a moment before looking back up at me. "I'm not the one doing this."

"We have to find her," I croak, my voice barely a whisper.

Nodding, Kris reaches over and throws on his jacket. Any ill will I have for him vanishes in that moment. Right now, all that matters is finding Caitlin. Both Red and Kris flank me as we make our way through the town. Stares and whispers follow us, but I brush it off, holding Caitlin tight in my mind. I might not be able to make a portal, but I can still will her to be safe. I glance up at the stars and send off a wish and prayer to Kringle. We need a miracle, and maybe he's the one to grant it.

We pause at the gate. The storm is even worse than earlier. My heart drops to my stomach. How can my little mortal survive this? I stick my nose out and scent the air. Nothing. I can't smell anything in all this ice and snow. On my right, Kris buttons up his jacket and adjusts his lantern. To my left, Red starts pulling off his clothes. Lips set into a firm line, I start to remove mine as well. The beast dances about, elated to be set free.

"For what it's worth, I never meant for her to get hurt."

I stare at Kris, not trusting myself to say a word. Closing my eyes, I let my beast free. Fur ripples across my body. My legs lengthen and turn into hooves. Last are my horns. They push through and complete the transformation. Gasps and shrieks sound off behind me from the small gathering of curious elves. Looking back, I raise up my arms and roar at them, sending them scattering. Kris chuckles but tries to hide it behind a cough. That small moment breaks the tension between us. Even Red has a twinkle in his eye.

In reindeer form, he's almost at my chest. His horns stretch up into the night sky. Shaking his head, he lowers his neck and ambles out into the snow. I touch his side, and he looks over at me.

"Thank you."

He nods, his antlers almost knocking into the arch of the gate. Once he slips into the night, I eye Kris. His face is serious, his body tense. Hopefully, he won't betray me. Digging into his coat, he hands me a flare.

"If you find her, fire this. We will come to you. Watch for mine or Red's. He strapped his to his body before shifting."

I take the flare and grasp his arm. "Don't betray me."

"I won't. Not with this."

Determined, we both slip out into the night. With my beast in control, my sense of smell increases dramatically, but I still can't pick up on her scent. I let my eyes adjust to the night and scan the area. Nothing but white meets my gaze. Breathing deep, I start walking. In this snowstorm, it's impossible to discern anything. Caitlin could be dead for all I know. Pain lances through me at the thought of not seeing her again. Collapsing down into the snow, I fist my hair into my hands.

"Please. Please just let me find her." I search my brain, trying to come up with promise, a bargain, something to tip things in my favor. Tipping my head up to the sky, I close my eyes and whisper out into the storm. "Father Christmas, past and present, guide me. Grant me this wish." I drop my hands to my lap. "I don't ask for much. I just. I need her."

I open my eyes and start to stand up when a glint of light catches my attention. Squinting, I watch as it flashes again. Definitely not a flare. Picking myself up, I race towards it. It could be nothing, or it could be everything. I can't take a chance and not investigate. As I make my way closer, I finally pick up on her scent. Thank Christmas it's her!

I pick up my speed, lighting my flare in the process. Her smell is so strong now, but it's mixed with another scent. My blood runs cold. Up ahead, a lump of snow moves in the night. The polar bear is one of the largest I've seen. It stands on its hind legs, roaring and fuming. I drop my flare and race towards its side. Cupping my hands to my mouth I bellow a warning.

I don't want to kill it if I don't have to. It's not its fault that Caitlin looks like a nice meal on a cold day. The bear looks at me, its eyes widening. Behind me, I hear other steps approaching. A quick glance confirms it's Kris and Red. Kris saunters over to the polar bear, his hand extended. It takes a few minutes, but finally the bear drops to its front knees, bowing to Father Christmas.

With the bear out of the way, I race over to the small lump by the tree. Another figure stands huddled over her. Fear grips me as I watch this unknown person touch her. With a roar, I fling them away, not wasting time on figuring out who or what they are. The small elf squeaks as she plops into the snow. Illuminated by the dying lantern, I make out bright red hair and wide, intelligent green eyes.