Book Six: Chapter 150

Holly smiled dreamily, her expression softening as she stared at nothing in particular for a few seconds longer than necessary. Then she sighed, the sound carrying a weight that made Mike glance up at her.

“I’m not in the mood,” she told him at last, her voice low and honest rather than teasing. She hugged her arms around herself and leaned back against the table. “Too depressed.” She gestured vaguely toward the cavern walls. “There’s not even any mistletoe. All we have for Christmas is that tree over there, and it’s not even decorated.” Her mouth twisted into a faint frown. “Why bother setting it out if you aren’t going to put ornaments on it?”

Mike followed her gaze to the lonely fir standing in the corner of the room. It looked almost apologetic, its branches bare and slightly crooked, needles dull in the ambient light. For a moment, he considered giving some noncommittal answer—something