The Darker Reindeer 2 (bit of language)

I would suggest reading "The Darker Reindeer" first before reading "The Darker Reindeer 2". The concept would make much more sense.

“Rudolph’s been dead for two years now.”

“Patience. The time isn’t right. Besides, we have to wait for Claus to come to us. He can’t postpone Christmas for two years straight.”

The first voice, a boy with dark brown hair and large antlers emerging from his head, grunted and shrugged. “I still think I’m a better Lead Deer. My nose is brighter than Tag’s.”

His companion, a girl with long blonde hair laced with braids and shorter antlers, elbowed him. “Get real, Kyte. Have you seen Tag’s reindeer nose when it lights up? It’s brighter than the Sirius star.”

“You don’t think I know that, Fiona? There’s just no guarantee it’ll work the entire trip,” Kyte argued. “Tag even said it takes a lot of effort to turn his black nose into the colors of the rainbow.”

Fiona glared at him. “Tag will try. He won’t fail.”

Kyte rolled his eyes. They strolled through the dark streets of their town, Darkwood, and turned into an alley.

“I still don’t trust him,” Kyte muttered. “He’s a Northtown reindeer. Hanging out with the gangs doesn’t make him one of us.”

“But I can try.”

Kyte looked up. A pair of dark, purplish black eyes stared back at him from the shadow of a nearby building. Jagged black hair fell slightly over one of the eyes and the newcomer blew it gently out of his face.

Kyte glared at Tag. “What’re you doing here?”

“This alley belongs to the Shades. I have every right to be here.”

Kyte snorted. “You’re not part of that gang.”

“Not officially.” Tag slipped his hands into his jeans pockets. “ But I will be soon. After Christmas.”

The comment found its mark. Kyte’s green eyes gave Tag a look of pure poison. “You were lucky. Nobody trusts you, Tag. You’ll fail, and then you’ll be out for good. My nose is better anyway.” Kyte smiled.

“So?” Tag shrugged. “Nobody likes poop-green lights either. People are expecting a red-nosed reindeer, not a vomit-colored replacement.”

“You take that back!” Kyte roared. He pulled back his fist and slammed it at Tag’s face.

“Kyte, are you crazy?” Fiona shouted.

But Kyte’s knuckles were gripped firmly between Tag’s fingers. Tag lifted a foot and kneed him hard between the legs. Kyte yelped in surprise. He spun Kyte around and, twisting Kyte’s arm behind his back, forced him to his knees.

“I killed my father for this position. I’m not about to give it up to a low-life like you. So why don’t you just shut your trap before I shut it for you?” he hissed in Kyte’s ear.

“You little, goddamn-”

“Stop it, you two!” Both boys looked up. Fiona crossed her arms. “You’re both in the same gang. Save your breath for El Fangz. It’s them you should be beating up, not each other.”

Tag reluctantly let go of Kyte and backed away. Kyte stood and flexed his shoulder painfully, all the while shooting Tag dirty looks.

“Fine,” Tag muttered. “Was wasting my time on him anyway.” Kyte opened his mouth to curse at him but the darker reindeer boy was already gone.

Kyte swore under his breath. “I’m going to murder him.”

Fiona patted his shoulder soothingly. “Another day, Kyte. Another day...."

Tag rounded the corner, patrolling the alleys in Shade territory. When I become a Shade, I’ll show Kyte, he told himself, closing his eyes to calm down. I’ll be the next reindeer worshipped by the humans during Christmas. I’ll erase all memories of my father and replace them with me.

Tag, the Darker Reindeer.