Free The Saint by Melanie Jackson

same, for he loved them still and would not forsake the Worshippers. Instead, he walked among them doing good deeds, and in time the Worshippers forgot that he was a Celebrant shaman and fey, and they called him Saint Niklas and sometimes Christkind. And the daughters of Man came especially to ask for his aid in finding husbands—and to fill their barren wombs.
    â€”
Niklas 4:6

    Petyr stared at the dice and then, in anger, beat all four fists on the table.
    â€œThe Goddessss alwaysss did love you bessst,” he hissed.
    â€œTrue. I don’t know why you insist upon gambling with me,” Niklas agreed, grinning.
    The goblin, though angered at losing, found himself smiling back. One couldn’t stay angry at this fey. “What do you demand of me thisss time?” he asked.
    Niklas’s smile grew wider, and Petyr knew a moment of alarm. “You know that I sometimes go out on Saint Nicholas’s Day to bring gifts to human children?” the fey asked.
    â€œYesss,” the goblin answered warily.
    â€œWell, there are more children than ever, and this year I need an assistant. You’ll enjoy it—truly.”
    Petyr’s mouth fell open. “You want me to go among the humansss?”
    â€œYes. There is one town in particular I need to visit. They have been struck with plague, and many of the children have been orphaned. They need food and clothing as well as toys, and the other humans are too afraid to go there.”
    â€œBut I can’t—I daren’t.” Petyr tugged nervously on his ears and nose. They stretched comically.
    â€œDon’t worry. Neither of us can catch this disease. It only affects humans.”
    â€œIt’sss not that. You know it isss forbidden for lutinsss to go among humansss. Gofimbel hasss outlawed it.”
    â€œWe shan’t let on that you’re a goblin,” Niklas said. “We’ll dress you in a black cloak that will hide your arms, and we’ll rub ash on your face and say it is from the chimneys you and I have been down. We’ll call you Black Peter, the gnome.”
    Petyr snorted, but he was resigned.
    â€œThey’ll think me a demon,” he warned. “Or their Satan-devil.”
    â€œJust so long as they don’t think you are a goblin,” Niklas answered.
    Petyr sighed and picked up his dice. He hesitated before dropping them back into his pouch. Normally he was very lucky, but he could never win against Niklas.
    â€œI’m getting new dice before we play again,” he warned.
    â€œCertainly,” Niklas answered. “It won’t make any difference, though. The Goddess always wins.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    â€œDid Hell freeze over while I was sleeping?” Adora asked the Satanic instrument in her hand, knowing it would relay her question to Ben. Glancing over at Kris, she lowered her voice. “I haven’t a clue. And even if I did, that is confidential material beyond the scope of the book and I won’t discuss it. Ever. So don’t ask again. . . . Did the contracts arrive?”
    The phone squawked, and she held it away from her ear. She grimaced when Kris looked up from his ledger. Ben’s favorite tool of information procurement was a shaming tongue that he used to cut people to the quick. But saws and knives, useful as they were, didn’t work when a lockpick was needed. Adora figured that he would eventually figure that out and leave her alone.
    Ha! You’ve heard about old dogs and new tricks? He’ll never change. What an asshole,
Joy commented.
    Now, now. Don’t insult the rectum. At least
it
does something for me,
Adora thought back. She focused on getting off the phone with her agent. Kris was sitting here patiently in the hotel suite, waiting for her to begin her interview.
    â€œSoooo that’s everything. I have to go now. I’ll call if anything comes up. Good-bye.” She put the phone down, cutting off shrieks and stutters. Adora