Tella’s heart pounded as the villain released her. The heat of his hands, his lips, and his body all disappeared in a second.
The room where he was keeping her prisoner went suddenly cool and quiet, save for the blood rushing to her ears.
He’d left her.
She didn’t need to see to know that he was gone. The magic that had pressed against her skin had vanished. All she felt was cold and alone.
“Bastard!”
He couldn’t leave her tied up and blindfolded until tomorrow.
Of course, she knew that she was wrong.
He’d taken her captive on Great Holiday Eve Eve. And as she’d thought back over the events of the day, he’d clearly gone to some trouble to do this. He would, without a doubt, keep her tied up and blindfolded for however long he wished.
“Come back here and untie me, you bastard!” she shouted. “How am I supposed to…” She trailed off. She didn’t want to shout the rest of the sentence.
Instead, she pounded on the door with her shoulder.
As Donatella continued to beat up her unfortunate shoulder, a clock far in the distance chimed twelve times, ringing in Great Holiday Eve with the
bright sound of bells.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
Ding-dong.
Hearts all over the city felt happier and lighter and full of expectation as the final bell chimed—and the snow globe tilted again. It shook back and forth, stirring up swirls of beautiful glittering snow that snuck in through cracked windows and doors, turning sleepy mouths into drowsy smiles as people were gently rocked in their beds.
It was a magical start to a magical day for everyone. Except Donatella Dragna. She lost her balance when the snow globe tilted and promptly flopped to the ground.
