[Operation Reindeer Retrieval 07] • Bells and Chains

Donder is a holiday designer asked to spruce up a pleasure club, and the Master is interested in more than her designs.

Doni is having fun during the weeks before the holidays. She has never enjoyed herself more. After a variety of successful jobs, her boss sheepishly asks her to take on one more client before the holidays strike.

The private club caters to those with an adventurous bent and the money to ensure their privacy. Doni needs to bring a little joy and sparkle to their themed rooms, and she dives into the project with enthusiasm.

Bern has been watching for the reindeer to cross his path, but he never expected it to come in such an amazing form. Christmas has never looked more perfect.

Excerpt:

Donder finished her sprint around the archive, and she took one final look at her room. It was perfect and precise. Just what she always strived for.

Ru sauntered up, wearing her customary uniform of dark-brown leather tunic and trousers. It was definitely a look.

“Are you ready, Doni?”

Donder nodded. “I am. Are you? After Blitz leaves, you are going to have to deal with the fallout.”

“I will be fine. There isn’t anything that can be done to me. He needs at least one of us for the sleigh. Are you ready to hand over your collar?”

“I am.” Donder quickly unbuckled it, and Ru strapped it to her arm. Ru winced and fastened the buckle.

Donder asked, “Are you all right?”

“I am. The weight of it is getting heavy. That much power focused on me is a little hard to bear. At least I only have Blitz to send off. I can manage that.”

Ru fished the box out of her pocket. “This will hide you from casual searching. Stick to the name you selected and keep it in your mind. Do you know what you want to do?”

Donder grinned. “I want to plan parties and decorate for the holidays. Doniyka Derger will be enjoying herself this holiday season.”

Ru chuckled and hugged her. “Have fun, watch the humans and find out what makes the holiday special for them.”

“Why?”

“Because you know what makes it special to you. You have to find things that remind you of why folk still believe in magic.”

Doni put the snowflake above her navel and took a deep breath. “Take care, Ru. Here I go.”

A blur of snow and magic swept her across the world and dropped her squarely into Doniyka Derger.

**