Seven Tricks by K.S. Trenten

Author:K.S. Trenten [Kevern, Gillian St.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: NineStar Press, LGBT, Abduction, fantasy, Christmas, children, magic users, holiday
Publisher: NineStar Press, LLC
Published: 2017-04-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eight: The Human Toy

A SWARM OF humans came from all directions of the house toward the shrub. They picked up boxes and opened them. Prissipat, her unpleasant mother and father were all there. No one took any notice of me. No one seemed to notice Cracktooth wasn’t there, either.

Except for one. She was smaller than the rest. The straw on her head was longer and darker than Prissipat’s, but she had the same mashed-in muzzle, the same huge eyes, the same thick lips.

For some reason, they didn’t look as ugly on her as they did on Prissipat.

The small human carried the doll, Claire, in her arms. She didn’t put her down, not even when all the other humans were tearing open the presents and shouting at each other. She looked around as if searching for someone.

She asked Prissipat something in a low voice.

“Cracktooth couldn’t be with us today.” Dousselmause was all smiles when he handed the smaller human a wrapped box.

It was the one Cracktooth was in.

I tensed, wanting to move, charge, do something.

I remained motionless in Grandfather Clock’s shadow.

“He regrets not being here.” How easily the lies dripped from the magician’s lips. No wonder he was so good at setting traps. “He wanted you to have this, Marchen.”

Ah, so this was Marchen, Dousselmause’s goddaughter. The one Dousselmause intended for Cracktooth as either his bride or his master.

Prissipat and I watched Marchen open the box with sour anticipation.

For the first time, the human and I agreed on something.

Marchen’s face lit up the moment she saw Cracktooth’s handsome wooden form, his impressive jaw.

She had better taste than most humans.

It didn’t make me hate her any less.

She let go of the doll to pick up Cracktooth. Her new nutcracker.

I wondered if Claire felt hurt or rejected. I couldn’t see her face from this distance. Vinyl smells were hard to distinguish. She just lay there motionless on the cushions while Marchen passed Cracktooth around to other humans the same size.

Nuts were roasting on an open fire, burning not far from the decorated shrub. The giants popped them into Cracktooth’s mouth. They used a lever on his back, to move his lips, forcing him to crush the warm treats for them.

He truly was a toy, now, a slave. What had I done to him?

Tears ran down my face into my whiskers, wetting them.

I’d made Cracktooth beautiful, but I’d turned him into a human plaything.

Finally, Prissipat banged him against the floor when he was passed to her, deliberately breaking his jaw.

His tiny cry was unheard by anyone but me.

At least, Marchen wasn’t without compassion for her new toy. She bound up his jaw with her handkerchief.

She picked up both Cracktooth and Claire, retiring from the party. The rest of the humans continued to play games.

I crouched in the shadow of Grandfather Clock and gnashed my teeth. I waited for him to chime.

When he did, I raced in the direction Marchen had taken Cracktooth. I didn’t care how dangerous it might be. I was going to rescue my nutcracker.

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