Authors: L.A. Kelley
The party broke up an hour before dawn. Rosalie collapsed in a chair watching the last of the guests transported away by the cupids. She kicked off her shoes. “Best…party…ever…”
David plopped down beside her. He lifted her feet onto his lap to massage.
Rosalie leaned her head back, closed her eyes, and groaned. “That feels wonderful. I’ve never danced so much in my life. You will definitely dash-away me home, because no way am I walking out of here.”
David glanced around with a wicked grin. “Let’s go before Natalie notices we’re missing. It will take me at least an hour to say a proper good night.”
“Dad already volunteered to return it to the vault. He and mom are heading back to New York tonight. They’ll attend the wardens’ meeting tomorrow.”
“Then what the hell are you waiting for, mister?”
David snatched up her shoes, lifted Rosalie into his arms, and dashed-away from the roof. Neither one observed Ms. Jankowski watching them with a thoughtful expression.
****
David fibbed. It took way more than an hour to say a proper good night. Once he left, Rosalie went straight to bed and slept until early afternoon. She and David were invited to Christmas dinner at his parents’ condo after the wardens’ meeting, but she had time to kill. As Rosalie nursed a cup of coffee at the kitchen table, she resolved to tie up one more loose end before enjoying the holiday.
Rosalie navigated through the empty streets. In no time at all she pulled into Stephanie’s driveway. Hesitantly, she knocked at the door. Stephanie immediately answered. Instead of a designer outfit, she had on old jeans and no makeup with her hair done up in a loose bun.
“Stephanie, I know I’m the last person you want to see, but I had to make sure you were okay.”
Stephanie’s wan face lit up in a smile. She motioned Rosalie inside to a seat. “Come in. Sorry about the mess.” She had obviously cleaned, but remnants of Anthony’s stay lingered. “Some party, huh? Too bad I don’t remember much of it.” Stephanie eyed her, shamefaced. “Frankly, that’s a good thing. The scattered memories left of Anthony and the others aren’t particularly pleasant. I heard them talking. Anthony came back here to kill you.”
Rosalie gaped at her, shaken. “Me?”
“As revenge on David Kloss. He went to Penrose’s, but then overheard you and Marissa in the dressing room discussing the party.”
The creaky board…Anthony had been close enough to touch. Unconsciously, Rosalie shivered.
Stephanie sat down with a sigh. “Anthony changed his plan and decided to kill everyone at the party that night, rob the dead of their jewels, and steal back the Naughty and Nice list. He figured once successful other Integrals would follow him. He could recruit an army of undetectable followers. I’m glad you stopped him. Not just for my sake, but for everyone’s. I-I never wanted this.” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m so sorry.”
Rosalie was moved by her heartfelt distress. “I know. Everything’s okay now. Life can get back to normal.” She motioned to several suitcases piled in the corner. “Taking a trip?”
“A permanent one. It’s time for a change from normal for me. I already notified the landlord. Once I finish cleaning, I’m on my way.”
“Where are you headed?”
“Dallas. I got a call today out of the blue from a cousin I hadn’t heard from in years. Beth runs a non-profit. One of the fund-raisers is a consignment shop. Sales support a women’s shelter, but the store doesn’t bring in much. She needs someone who knows fashion and can network with the city’s affluent community to bring in higher quality items and increase profits. Beth thinks I’d be good at it.”
“Actually, I agree.”
Stephanie’s gaze dropped to the floor. “I had it easy, Rosalie. Right or wrong, things generally fell my way. I never gave much thought to other people unless my life benefitted somehow. I owe a lot and I need to pay back.” She glanced up in surprise. “Beth and I were never close, ne gavebut she said something made her think of me today. Was The Book at work?”
Rosalie shrugged. “I don’t know, but life gave you a second chance.”
“I’m going to take it.”
****
David waited for her at the apartment. Rosalie kissed him. “This is a nice surprise. I didn’t expect you for another hour.”
“Dinner is delayed. Dad called. He and mom are still at the wardens’ meeting in New York. We’re both summoned.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “Why?”
“I don’t know. Maybe the wardens want to thank us.”
“They already thanked us.”
“They probably want to do it officially and make it part of the record. You know how we Integrals are about proper procedure.” He kissed her. “The hell with the wardens. We’ll stay here and make out.”
Rosalie pushed him back. “None of that, E.L.F. You’re finally off their Naughty List and you’re not getting back on because of me.”
They dashed-away to the wardens’ chamber. The gallery was packed with Integrals. Brian and Grace waved to them. Even Billy and the entire security team were there. A muted buzz of excitement rippled through the large hall.
“What’s going on?” she anxiously whispered to David.
“Not a clue.”
The Odin called them forward. They stood in front of the conference table, all eyes on them. “As you know,” the Odin began, “we have had repeated discussion over the last several years about the general makeup of the wardens’ council. The motion is presented once again by the Santa to allow a human to sit in membership. Not only will such a decision allow human representation, but will also insure an unequal number of wardens to prevent further voting deadlocks. Considering the profound change to Integral law, the wardens decided the vote must be unanimous.” A hushed murmur of discontent rippled from the gallery.
“Well, that tears it,” David muttered bitterly. “Dad will never get a unanimous vote.”
“Are the wardens ready?” All heads nodded. “The Odin votes yes.”
“The Hera votes yes.”
“The Dagon votes yes.”
“That’s a surprise,” David murmured under his breath. “She’s a demon and always votes with the Baal.”
“The Yōkai votes yes.”
The atmosphere in the chamber grew tense. Only two votes to go.
“The Toltec votes yes.”
There were excited whispers and shuffling of feet. Only one vote remained from the Baal. His feelings on the subject were already quite plain. The chamber grew silent, but the demon only stared down at his folded hands.
“We call for the Baal’s vote,” the Odin reiterated with a frown. “Dominic, you must—”
The demon shot Rosalie a sharp look. She swallowed nervously. “The Baal votes yes with the sole condition Rosalie Thatcher accept the position of warden.” The chamber erupted in cheers.
“What?” Rosalie gaped in confusion. Did she hear correctly? “David,” she uttered in panic. “This is crazy. I can’t possibly—”
“Does the human Rosalie Thatcher accept the position of warden and speak for all humanity?” asked the Odin.
All eyes focused on her. Rosalie nervously eyed the door, certain she coulrtavotes yd make it halfway down the corridor before they even know she was gone.
“One word, Rosalie,” David whispered tenderly in her ear, “and I’ll take you away from here. Just the two of us. We’ll never look back.”
He would do this for her. David would abandon friends, family, and everything he ever cared about to stay at her side. Only she didn’t want him to. They would build a life together in both worlds or none at all. Rosalie felt for David’s hand and stated unflinchingly. “I’m honored to accept the position of warden.”
The cheers grew deafening.
“Let the record read…” The Odin’s voice roared, and the crowd stilled. “Rosalie Thatcher is the Human, newest member of the wardens’ council. Only one more point of business remains. I summon the cupid,” he thundered.
Poof.
Natalie Jankowski appeared with tablet in hand.
“Oh, crimony,” David whispered. “Do you think she’s mad we snuck away last night?” Rosalie shuffled nervously. She had visions of another five years of monitoring tacked on for bad behavior.
“Your report,” the Odin commanded.
Natalie cleared her throat. “Rosalie Thatcher’s instruction in Integral law and history should continue especially as she now sits on the wardens’ council. However, as Cupid Section Chief for Southeast Regional Precinct Three, I see no further need to monitor the developing relationship between Ms. Rosalie Thatcher and E.L.F. David Kloss. I appeal to the wardens to allow them to pursue their relationship at their own discretion.” She held up a thick sheaf of pink paper. A heavy flowery scent drifted over to Rosalie. “My final report goes into great depth—”
“That won’t be necessary,” The Odin interrupted. “Do the wardens accept the cupid’s recommendation?”
The chamber echoed with a quick chorus of yes, even from the Baal. All eyes turned to Rosalie. The Odin’s face held an amused expression. “We need your vote. Does the Human also agree?”
“The Human?” Rosalie stammered. “I mean…yes, the Human agrees.”
“The vote is unanimous. The wardens’ council is adjourned,” the Odin declared.
Integrals crowded around with congratulations. David cornered his father. “Did you know what the Baal planned to suggest?”
“Not a clue, but I told you I had high hopes for Dominic.”
Slowly, the congratulations ended, and the chamber emptied. Grace hugged Rosalie. “We’re moving Christmas dinner to our quarters, since everyone is here already.”
“Great,” David said, “because I’m starving.”
The Baal lingered near the door. “Ms. Thatcher—a word.”
David kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll wait outside.” He thrust out his hand to a surprised Dominic. “I never did get a chance to thank you for all your help.”
He shook it solemnly. “You’re welcome.”
David paused. “If you’re not doing anything for dinner, you’re welcome to join us.”
“Thank you.” He appeared startled by the request. “I would, but my uncle expects me.”
Rosalie felt a tug of pity. Knowing the old Baal’s reputation, dinner probably consisted of a royal ass-chewing. The chamber emptied. She and the Baal were alone. “Listen,” she blurted out, “whatever the problem I really can’t help. I don’t know anything about this warden stuff, yet.”
I’ll be damned, Rosalie thought. Dominic just made it off her Naughty List. “Of course, but wouldn’t you like to give them yourself?”
His jaw tightened. “It’s not possible…family obligations. Thank you, Ms. Thatcher.”
“Call me Rosalie. Merry Christmas, Dominic.”
His eyes glimmered. “Merry Christmas, Rosalie, to you and your E.L.F.”
Rosalie ate a lovely Christmas dinner with the Kloss family. David previously cautioned her no one wanted a Christmas gift. “We give rather than get. It’s a family thing.”
Nevertheless, Rosalie decided Christmas presents to the family that meant so much to her were appropriate. Rosalie thought of and discarded a dozen different ideas. These were not the kind of people comfortable receiving expensive items from someone with no money. So, Rosalie gave Brian and Grace the elf hat from Penrose’s and a box of handmade ornaments she assembled herself. Grace hugged her tight while Brian gleefully insisted he would wear the hat in the gallery during her first wardens’ meeting.
Then Brian gave her a beautiful framed parchment of gilded runes. “Nordic curses,” he admitted slyly. “Trust me, as a warden you’ll need them.”
“You’ll need this too,” Grace added with a wink, pressing a hand-stitched Italian leather purse into her hands.
Rosalie’s gift to David came to her at the last minute, a donation in his name to a certain women’s shelter in Dallas. She told him about Stephanie. “She’s on her way to a new life. I think she’ll make it. If it wasn’t for you and The Boo
k she wouldn’t.” He said nothing, but she knew he was pleased.
David offered no gift in exchange. She didn’t want one. He already gave her the best present of all. She t
ook his hand. They said goodbye and dashed-away to her apartment.
Rosalie felt solid surface under her feet again. She squealed and grasped David in a death grip. “This isn’t my apartment. Where are we?”
“Stone Mountain, more precisely on Traveller’s head.”
“Who?”
“Robert E. Lee’s horse
. Nice view, isn’t it?”
The night sky was clear. City lights twinkled in the distance.
“B-Beautiful, but—”
“Don’t worry. I won’t let go. Sit down.”
Then she noticed the pile of blankets and the bottle of champagne tucked into a crevice. David poured them each a glass. He reached into a pocket and dropped a small wrapped package in her hand. Inside rested a sparkling pink crystal snowflake ornament.
“I couldn’t find a duplicate, so I had this one made by an isis. They do nice work.”
Her eyes glistened with tears. “It’s beautiful. No, it’s perfect.”
David leaned over and kissed her. “Merry Christmas, Rosalie.”
“Merry Christmas, David.” The glasses clinked. “Best…Christmas…ever.”
A word about the author...
L. A. Kelley lives in Florida where the heat and humidity has driven everyone slightly mad.
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