Book Six: Chapter 205

With that, Santa pulled his hands from his pockets to reveal chrome brass knuckles inlaid with gems. The words Christmas Cheer was carved intricately into each one, and he slid them over his gloved fingers. With a wink at them all, he placed one finger on the side of his nose and transformed into a glittery mist that circled the North Pole twice before disappearing through an unseen crack in the ceiling.

“What...on earth was that about?” Lily asked.

Holly smirked. “I was given a choice,” she replied. “And so I made a few modifications.”

***

Kisa walked behind the column of elves, holding her coat tightly against her skin. Ahead of her, thousands of elves carried hundreds of children, led by Alabaster and Christmas Present. They were climbing the ridge of what was either a snow-covered mountain or a massive glacier, she had no idea which.

At the top of the ridge, she found herself looking down into a small valley with an empty train station. Her vantage