Book Six: Chapter 64

“Thank you, Santa,” he told her. “Merry Christmas.”

“Right. Merry Christmas.” She waved him off of her. “Now go to bed before I bring you coal.”

“If Janet stops being so mean, you can bring me coal forever.” He grinned for her, suddenly looking much younger than he seemed. It was like the stress of his stepmother’s machinations had prematurely aged him, but now that weight was gone. She gave him a wave, then stuffed the whole sandwich in her mouth on her way out the door.

Death was reading the manual in the sleigh when she returned. Once they were airborne, she transformed back into her normal form and picked up the thermos. As she poured herself a mug of cocoa, she pondered again how Santa would have handled the whole affair. Perhaps it was some magic he possessed that she was unaware of, but it almost felt like the whole experience had been tailored to her particular strengths.

If so, to what purpose? That would mean that Santa had known that trouble was br