Book Six: Chapter 213

“Sounds kinda dark when you put it that way,” she said with a frown. “But I’m glad you’re happy. And who gave you a phone?”

“Santa did, of course. It’s so we can stay in touch. I can even send him emojis! It took us quite some time to get the North Pole put back together, and we are very good friends now.” Death pulled a cloth bag from his robes that Lily recognized as the one they had lost to the Krampus. “By the way, Santa taught me how to do woodworking. Would you like to see?”

Lily fought the urge to roll her eyes. “Okay, what did you make in woodshop? Is it a birdhouse?”

Death held out a rectangular package wrapped in green paper. “There are no birds at the North Pole, my friend. Here, this is for you.”

Lily took it with a frown. “What is it?”

“If I told you, then why bother wrapping it?” Death chuckled, the blue fire in his sockets shedding tiny sparks. “Open it!”

She slid her finger along the edge, using her nail to cut the paper. With one