“Yeah,” Krampus says, watching me with those dark eyes. “We want to see.”
“Vespera,” Cipher says in my mind. “Tread carefully.”
Fuck. I’d thought we could at least get through this without trouble, but clearly, I’m wrong. Over on top of the tree, Steve pulses with painful light. When I glance at him, his rings stop orbiting, as if he’s trying to tell me something. Then they rotate again, and stop a little more urgently.
“Silly me,” I say, opening the box again and reaching in for the item. I grimace as the menu pops open when I touch it.
USED DILDO, FILTHY ITEM
Congrats! Someone really wants you to go fuck yourself and you’re not going to enjoy it. Wash your hands.
It takes everything in me to keep from dropping it. Instead, I force myself to hold it up.
I drop the thing back in the box and set it aside before anyone can say anything. Locke, to his credit, does not comment, but I can see the ticks in his jaw.
“Your turn,” I tell him, gesturing to his box. Harrow, what the fuck will this one be?
Locke reaches for the package and studies the top. He frowns. “This one isn’t for me.”
“Of course it is,” Anders says, smiling brightly.
Locke turns it. “Then why does it say To Liam on the top of it?”
Anders’ face reddens. “I don’t know a Liam. That gift is for you.”
Locke raises his brow. “It clearly says Liam, not Locke.”
“Santa wrote the wrong name,” Anders tries again, getting agitated. “Clearly. I’ve seen, I mean, he’s seen so many players recently that he must have gotten mixed up. Please accept my apologies on his behalf.”
Locke’s brows furrow deeper. “But I thought we were the only players you’ve seen in months?” he says, and there’s a slight growl to his voice.
I reach over and clench my hand in his trousers, a warning. He clamps his mouth shut and then smiles, getting my signal loud and clear.
“You know what?” he says, grinning. “Who cares? I can be Liam today.”
Anders relaxes and beams as Locke tears into the package. When he opens it and looks inside, I can tell it takes everything in him to keep his smile in place.
He hands the box to me rather than lift it out. I take it and pick up the small item inside.
A SINGLE CHILDREN’S SHOE, LUCK CHARM
The child this once belonged to no longer exists on any plane. Keeping this item in your pocket could bring you luck. Tread carefully. I didn’t say good luck.
“Don’t touch it,” Cipher growls in my mind and I immediately drop it back into the box.
“Santa knows me so well,” Locke says carefully.
Anders nods. “I . . . well, Santa definitely knows how to give a good gift.” He looks back at me eagerly. “Your turn again, Vesper.”
Svetlana carefully crawls along the back of the couch before leaping back onto my shoulder. She presses against me, as if offering comfort as I pick up the small present. I don’t want to open it. Something tells me it’s going to get worse and worse as I do. Still, if we’re keeping up appearances, I have to open it. If only so we can pretend long enough to put our clothes back on and get out of this fucking place.
I slowly untie the ribbon on top, watching as the bow unfolds. Anders and Krampus seem to lean forward in anticipation. I peel the wrapping paper away to reveal a velvet box. When I pop it open, I’m not exactly sure what I’m looking at. Not until I press a finger to them and the menu interface pops up.
NIPPLE CLAMPS OF THE MOTHER
You kinky bitch, you! While wearing these nipple clamps, your breasts will produce enough milk to save an infant or wow an audience. Dealer’s choice. Its effects can be nullified with the use of the safe word.
SAFEWORD: rechtsschutzversicherungsgellschaften
