Chapter One
“She’s not ready.” Hadrian Graham continued to watch a young teacher herd a gaggle of kindergarteners from the schoolyard playground through a pair of high-powered binoculars from a city park across from the school.
“I know.” Frank Stone sounded grim.
“It’s going to be Christmas in a week.” Hadrian knew firsthand what it was like to be thrust into a world of the impossible. He’d been a few years past ready when the magic had happened to him and learning the truth still had been hell. “Can’t we wait until after the New Year at least? Give her one last chance to enjoy her normal life with her normal friends?”
“No. It’s too late for that.” Frank trotted down the concrete steps that led to a sunken fountain. A sheen of ice covered the silent waters. “Forces are in play that have taken that luxury away from us.”
Hadrian followed down the steps. “She’ll break,” he warned.
The Protectors had been watching the young woman with that quick smile and ears with a slight elfin point for the past three years.
Hadrian still couldn’t get over how fragile she looked. She was a slender woman with a haunting pair of green eyes.
“It’s too soon. We bring this to her, she’ll fall off the edge. She’ll drop straight into hell. And then what do we do? What good will she be to us then...to anyone?”
Frank ran his finger lightly of the smooth surface of the ice. It crackled.
“I’m counting on you to not let that happen.”
* * * *
“Burl Ives?” Priscilla’s eyes grew wide as her mouth fell open with wonderment.
Holly Post nodded furiously. “It’s true. He was my mother’s uncle. My great-uncle. Holidays were wonderful. Magical. Like a homespun scene in a Norman Rockwell painting, the children would gather around as Uncle Burl sat beside the Christmas tree and played the guitar all evening. We’d all sing along. Even the adults.” She paused for a quick breath. “And we’d all drink lots and lots of eggnog. I love eggnog. Don’t you?”
“Wow,” Priscilla whispered. “Burl Ives.”
Holly felt a stab of pride. She closed her eyes and pictured the lovely scene. The soft snow falling in fat clumps in the hilly countryside while a fire blazed warm in the fireplace. The family, large and happy, gathered around and enjoyed the closeness of the season. Norman Rockwell truly would have been proud.
“He’s gone now,” Holly said, in a soft, solemn voice. “Uncle Burl. But my cousin does a fair job carrying on the tradition. His voice isn’t quite as deep or rich, but he fills his songs with the same love.”
“So that’s what you’re doing this Christmas?” Priscilla asked. “Spending it with your family?”
“How could I not? It’s in the Catskills this year. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone. We live too far apart nowadays. Christmas is the only time we ever get together anymore.”
“Your family must not be anything like the rest of the world’s.” Holly could hear the awe in Priscilla’s voice. “If my family got together like that, they’d probably have to call in the National Guard to break up the bickering.”
Holly laughed. “My family is different, all right. Special.”
“I’m glad you have someplace to go,” Priscilla gave Holly’s arm a squeeze. “I have to admit that I was worried about you. I’ve never heard you talk about this marvelous family of yours before today. I had gotten the impression that you wouldn’t have anywhere to. In fact, John and I were planning on inviting you to spend Christmas day with us and the kids.”
“I wish I could spend Christmas day with you, but...” A warm glow spread through Holly’s chest when pulled her friend close and gave her a fierce hug. Friends were rare and heartfelt invitations gifts to be treasured. “I might not talk about my family, but they are never far from my mind.”
Her young students were bouncing up and down, giddy to start the holiday break.
“She’s not ready.” Hadrian Graham continued to watch a young teacher herd a gaggle of kindergarteners from the schoolyard playground through a pair of high-powered binoculars from a city park across from the school.
“I know.” Frank Stone sounded grim.
“It’s going to be Christmas in a week.” Hadrian knew firsthand what it was like to be thrust into a world of the impossible. He’d been a few years past ready when the magic had happened to him and learning the truth still had been hell. “Can’t we wait until after the New Year at least? Give her one last chance to enjoy her normal life with her normal friends?”
“No. It’s too late for that.” Frank trotted down the concrete steps that led to a sunken fountain. A sheen of ice covered the silent waters. “Forces are in play that have taken that luxury away from us.”
Hadrian followed down the steps. “She’ll break,” he warned.
The Protectors had been watching the young woman with that quick smile and ears with a slight elfin point for the past three years.
Hadrian still couldn’t get over how fragile she looked. She was a slender woman with a haunting pair of green eyes.
“It’s too soon. We bring this to her, she’ll fall off the edge. She’ll drop straight into hell. And then what do we do? What good will she be to us then...to anyone?”
Frank ran his finger lightly of the smooth surface of the ice. It crackled.
“I’m counting on you to not let that happen.”
* * * *
“Burl Ives?” Priscilla’s eyes grew wide as her mouth fell open with wonderment.
Holly Post nodded furiously. “It’s true. He was my mother’s uncle. My great-uncle. Holidays were wonderful. Magical. Like a homespun scene in a Norman Rockwell painting, the children would gather around as Uncle Burl sat beside the Christmas tree and played the guitar all evening. We’d all sing along. Even the adults.” She paused for a quick breath. “And we’d all drink lots and lots of eggnog. I love eggnog. Don’t you?”
“Wow,” Priscilla whispered. “Burl Ives.”
Holly felt a stab of pride. She closed her eyes and pictured the lovely scene. The soft snow falling in fat clumps in the hilly countryside while a fire blazed warm in the fireplace. The family, large and happy, gathered around and enjoyed the closeness of the season. Norman Rockwell truly would have been proud.
“He’s gone now,” Holly said, in a soft, solemn voice. “Uncle Burl. But my cousin does a fair job carrying on the tradition. His voice isn’t quite as deep or rich, but he fills his songs with the same love.”
“So that’s what you’re doing this Christmas?” Priscilla asked. “Spending it with your family?”
“How could I not? It’s in the Catskills this year. I’m looking forward to seeing everyone. We live too far apart nowadays. Christmas is the only time we ever get together anymore.”
“Your family must not be anything like the rest of the world’s.” Holly could hear the awe in Priscilla’s voice. “If my family got together like that, they’d probably have to call in the National Guard to break up the bickering.”
Holly laughed. “My family is different, all right. Special.”
“I’m glad you have someplace to go,” Priscilla gave Holly’s arm a squeeze. “I have to admit that I was worried about you. I’ve never heard you talk about this marvelous family of yours before today. I had gotten the impression that you wouldn’t have anywhere to. In fact, John and I were planning on inviting you to spend Christmas day with us and the kids.”
“I wish I could spend Christmas day with you, but...” A warm glow spread through Holly’s chest when pulled her friend close and gave her a fierce hug. Friends were rare and heartfelt invitations gifts to be treasured. “I might not talk about my family, but they are never far from my mind.”
Her young students were bouncing up and down, giddy to start the holiday break.
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