10. Zara
Zara
My eyes hone in on Xin’s tight ass as he strolls out the room, leaving me with this guy - Santa.
Yeah right. Thee Santa?
I shake my head at how absurd the whole thing is, but catch the old man looking at me with a mysterious glint, and I can’t help but feel like there is something magical about him.
“How about I tell you a story while I check out your foot?” he asks, coming over with a wicker basket of medical supplies. I stare at him and just nod. I mean, what can I really say? No? Then how do I get out of here? He grabs a wee wooden stool on his way over, and sinks onto it.
“Sit down and give me your leg over, lass.”
I silently but wearily do as he says, wincing as I stretch my leg out. When he pulls off my thick wooly sock and I see the size of the lump at my ankle, I almost whistle.
That’s a belter right there.
The pulsing coming from the injury is more prominent now that my boot and sock have been removed. Santa stares at the mass for a moment, and when he reaches for my ankle I close my eyes. My whole body tenses and I dig my nails in my thighs, waiting for the agony to take over. It doesn’t.
My eyes spring open and I see his hands resting gently on my injury. Confusion takes over. I stupidly wiggle my toes thinking I might not be as injured as I thought, but when lightning shoots from my ankle up to my kneecap, my eyes water, andI realise just how wrong I am.
“I wouldn’t do that again, dear. My magic can only do so much for you right now.” Santa scolds softly, but still, I know a telling off when I hear it.
I nod vigorously, knowing I won’t be that silly again. I’ll wait until he’s at least bandaged me up. Then I’ll see if I can put enough weight on it before doing a runner.
Silence grows between us as he rubs ointments on my injury, but it becomes too much for me and I have to ask;
“So… They call you Santa?”
He looks up and smiles. “I was wondering how long it would take you to find your tongue. They don’t just call me Santa, I am Santa. Although truth be told, some call me Kris.”
“Thee Santa?” I shake my head in disbelief.
“The one and only,” he says more seriously.
“I know this might sound like a farce to you but I can assure you, it’s not.
I am Santa Clause and you are at my home on the North Pole.
My reindeers come from another world — The planet Santos — where they have been living as men.
Typically every hundred years, when I need a new reindeer for service, they are called from Santos; and with that it triggers the reindeer shift.
Majority of the time they are in their human form just like us, but there are times when a shift may be out of their control, such as when anger takes over or if they or their mates are in danger. “
I listen intently to what I would normally call complete an utter shite, but something deep inside urges me to keep my mind open and my mouth shut.
“That brings me to you, Zara.”
I try to sit up straighter but it's hard when someone has your leg clamped between their hands.
“There are nine reindeer in service at any instance and each reindeer's time of service is one hundred years. Within this time Vixen will not age and neither will his mate.”
“What is with all this mate stuff? First Vixen, now you.”
“Do you not feel the connection with him?”
I think back on our kiss. The way my entire body tingled. How I didn't fight it for a second, and gave in to a complete stranger. My mouth waters at the thought of his body pressed to mine.
“No,” I bold-faced lied to Santa. “ Even if I did. I can't be his mate, I have a family. Someone would ask questions."
“I have magic, and other ways to deceive your family and friends into thinking you are aging as normal, but that won’t be the case.
At the end of Vixen's service, you can then age and lead a normal human life with children if that is what you both desire.” He shrugs before wrapping a bandage round my ankle.
I stare at the side of his head, waiting for another one to sprout, because this is diabolical.
“And it’s really that simple?” I tut, folding arms against my chest.
“Yes it is. All reindeers are encouraged to find their mates sooner rather than later. Being with their person, calms the rage that comes with having the animalistic nature thrust upon them. Most go out into the village and see the one, but Vixen heard your call.” He looks up at me with serious eyes, “he heard you, Zara, and that was it.”
I freeze, unsure of what to say. This is bizarre, but the way he speaks sounds so genuine, that I must take some of it on board.
Is this mate thingy the reason I feel relaxed and safe in the arms of a complete stranger?
Xin - Vixen - reindeer man. I shake my head, brushing off any beliefs I've felt. This is most definitely a cult. A magical cult, but a cult nonetheless. I need to keep my wits about me, because I'll be damned if I'm getting trapped here for an extended period of time, let alone a century.
I need to get back to the lodge, get my passport and get back to Scotland.