Snowball Fight

After being clearly warned to stay away from the forest, it came as no surprise that the trio immediately decided to investigate it.

They'd had to wait a few days, carefully timing their visit to the forest to align with their first night off. The last thing they needed was for the eavesdropping Count Vivok to start growing suspicious.

Priscilla held up her lantern now, casting a dim glow into the dark forest stretching out around them. There had been a storm the night before and the forest floor was covered in a thick blanket of snow that crunched loudly beneath their feet as they walked.

"So," Mulock said dryly, "does anyone have a better plan than just wandering aimlessly hoping we find something?"

Priscilla and Wheeler exchanged a glance.

"Okay, so I'm going to take that as a no." The demon sighed. "Well, this is already off to a great start."

"Maybe it'll turn out to be werewolves," Priscilla said, her breath crystalizing in the air as she spoke.

"Like Clyde the werewolf king in A Dangerous Thirst?" Wheeler asked excitedly.

"Exactly! Maybe they walk around shirtless like him too!"

Mulock rolled his eyes. "If either of you bring up that book again I'm going to kill you before the wolves do."

Wheeler simply laughed, his eyes crinkling. His face had grown flushed from the cold and was half buried in a woolen scarf far too large for him. Mulock realized with a start that a small smile was pulling at the corner of his lips. He quickly caught himself, resuming his usual annoyed expression.

Wheeler suddenly bent down, grabbing a fistful of snow in his thinly gloved hands.

The demon's eyes narrowed. "Wheeler, if you even think about throwing that at me it'll be the last thing you ever do."

"But snowball fights are fun!"

"For eight year olds," Mulock snapped, turning his back on him. "Moving on, we should keep to the edge of the forest for now. That way, if it really is dangerous--" He was cut off by a wet ball of snow slamming directly into the back of his head. The demon spun around, eyes blazing. "Wheeler, you little shi--" he was immediately struck by a second ball of snow to the face.

Wheeler flashed him an innocent smile.

"Oh yeah, keep grinning," the demon growled. "I'm about to wipe that expression off your stupid face."

He lunged at Wheeler. With a laugh, the boy took off running.

"Uugh, do you guys really have to do this now?" Priscilla asked, trailing behind with the lantern.

"Yes," Mulock snapped, scooping up a handful of snow as he ran. "This has become a matter of defending my pride." He hurled the ball at Wheeler, striking him in the shoulder.

"Good shot!" Wheeler called, darting behind a tree.

"You're not supposed to be supportive," Mulock countered sharply. "It's a snowball fight, not a snowball brunch." He ducked, narrowly avoiding the snowball Wheeler had just hurtled at him.

An idea came to Mulock now, quickly moving behind a tree as well. As he expected, this brought about a stalemate. Wheeler tended to act like a puppy more times than not, constantly excited with a small dash of over-eagerness mixed in. Soon, Wheeler couldn't seem to bear the stalemate any longer and emerged from behind the tree. The moment he did, Mulock sprung forward, lunging at him so quickly that Wheeler didn't even have the chance to move before Mulock pummeled him into a snowbank.

This action immediately led to the two beginning to wrestle in the snow. Giggling profusely, Wheeler attempted to shove a handful of it down the back of Mulock's jacket. This was a mostly fruitless effort. Despite his size, the demon had no trouble overpowering Wheeler, keeping him pinned to the ground beneath him.

"Oh my God," Priscilla muttered. "Are you two done yet?"

"We aren't done until he surrenders," Mulock snapped.

"Well don't count on it just yet," Wheeler said with a laugh, finally managing to scoop up a handful of snow, flinging it in the demon's face. The distraction was just enough for Wheeler to finally squirm out of his grip.

"Why, you little--"

And that's when the low howl of a wolf rang out.

All three instantly froze.

Slowly, Wheeler and Mulock let go of each other, stumbling to their feet.

"Everyone, stay quiet," Mulock whispered. "We don't know how close they are."

"Uuuuuuh..." Priscilla's face had gone deathly pale. "I think I can answer that."

She pointed one trembling finger into the woods. And then they saw it too...glowing yellow eyes watching them from the darkness.

Before he even had time to register what he was doing, Mulock started to run. Priscilla and Wheeler did the same, looks of horror plastered to their faces.

With a sickening howl, Mulock heard the wolves lunging forward, following close behind.

"Oh no," Priscilla said, her voice tight with panic. "These are most definitely not hot shirtless werewolves."

"An astute observation," Mulock snapped.

With those words, they began to run even faster, the wolves still howling at their heels.