Blizzard of Heat by Viola Grace

Prologue
     
     
    “Well, you have gotten rid of nearly all of us.” Cupid looked up from her filing, and she smiled at Ru.
    “You know that that isn’t what is going on. Change requires leaps of faith. I am trusting him to do the right thing.”
    “It is a big chance.”
    Ru sighed. “I know, but something has to change. He has been locked in his pattern for too long, which has locked us up. Both things need alteration.”
    Cupid nodded and finished her filing, making notes on how far she had gotten. She was meticulous.
    Rudolph chuckled. “So, have you figured out what you want to do?”
    “I think I would like an office with actual people and a chance to help folks through the stress of this holiday. Since I can’t do it for you, I would like to do it for someone.”
    Ru smiled slightly and gave her a quick hug. “You have always been there for folks that need it. Your team depends on you, and you never let them down.”
    Cupid sighed. “I know. I just want to try it with others and see how things work with humans. I have heard things, and I want to see for myself how horrible the holidays can be for some.”
    Ru put her hand on Cupid’s shoulder. “That is going to be rough on you.”
    “I can take it.”
    “I know you can, but seeing pain changes you. It either makes you colder or increases your empathy.”
    “I will welcome the change. I have had too much of my life be static and immobile. Change is growth, for good or other.”
    “Just don’t lose yourself in their pain. You are not human; you can never be human. All you have is a moment to share with them and to be with them.”
    Cupid blinked at the bald statement. “If I can ease one person’s cold and hostile winter, I will do it.”
    Ru grinned. “That’s the attitude I expect from you. Here is your transport.”
    Ru extended her hand, and a small box was in her palm.
    “Did you have that with you the whole time?” Cupid blinked.
    Ru snickered and opened the box. A small and elegant snowflake was sitting and glittering against dark velvet.
    Cupid took the snowflake and pressed it to her shoulder. The rush of magic made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.
    Ru handed her the box and smiled. “Think about where you want to be and go there. The magic will do the rest.”
    Cupid closed her eyes, and she was swept away in a blur of magic and snowflakes.
    She opened her eyes to the knowledge that she was Cwen Uma Piderson and she was the office manager for Legal Aid. It was time to face the holidays with those who had little to celebrate.
     

 
     
Blizzard of Heat
     
     
    Cwen hung up the phone and massaged the back of her neck. Four weeks of being the office manager and getting the supplies she needed never got easier.
    Fighting her way through bureaucracy was a challenge that exhausted her, and keeping the supplies flowing and the files in their proper places was her contribution to what was going on at Legal Aid.
    She kept snacks and everything else well stocked for the clients. The stunned expression on most of their faces was more than enough for her. Their faces were those of people who had lost everything or who had everything hanging in the balance.
    The cheerful decorations in the office weren’t Cwen’s idea. She frankly thought they were in bad taste, but the children who came in with their parents loved them.
    The lawyers often chided Cwen for being too serious. She just wanted to keep things running smoothly.
    One of the lawyers came into her office. “Cwen, we just got a new hire. Can you show him around and get him set up?”
    “Sure, Anthony.” She smiled and got to her feet, rotating her shoulders.
    She came around her desk and walked into the lobby. It wasn’t hard to spot the new recruit; he was the only one wearing a coat that cost more than most of the occupants of the room made in a month.
    He smiled at her approach, and the breath left her lungs. Oh, my. He was going to be very good for their win