ã€ŠThe Society of Jacks, A Cozy Urban Fantasy Adventureã€‹


 Claudia and the Christmas Cowl Chapter 1

    I had a feeling something was wrong when I received an invitation from Mrs. Claus to spend the twelve days before Christmas up at the Pole.

    It was not my first time being invited to visit, of course. I usually go up once a year to help with a project or just enjoy a meal with some unique company, but those visits are always short. The magic holding the place together is complex and it tends to have an effect on people, so visitors are not encouraged to stay for long.

    Being invited to stay for the full twelve days either meant they were going to make me an offer, of which I could not guess the nature, or something had gone awry, and they needed help only I could provide. Either option hinted at what would be a very interesting holiday.

    I accepted, of course, and took care to pack all of my things so that whatever I had been called to do, I could do well.

    Who am I, you ask, and what exactly is it that I do?

    My name is Claudia, and I am a solver of all problems, magical and monstrous. You might call me a jack of all trades, considering the variety within my skill sets. I¡¯m one of the people you call when something starts to go sideways in a way that would throw off the balance between the magical and mundane worlds. I''ve done a lot of work in the North Pole, so sometimes they just invite me up for old time¡¯s sake. That wasn¡¯t the case on this trip. No, this time, they called me in to make sure they didn¡¯t have to cancel Christmas.

    At least, that is what Mrs. Claus told me over tea when I remarked on how curious I was to learn the nature of my most recent invitation.

    ¡°I am afraid that things are happening that could disturb the carefully crafted balance we have worked so hard to create here,¡± she admitted.

    ¡°What sorts of things?¡± I asked.

    ¡°It started out simple. It started out small. I almost didn¡¯t catch it at all. Things went missing, things were misplaced, the wrapping room was found in disgrace. At first, I believed it was nothing to fear, but then someone let loose the reindeer.¡±

    ¡°Have you checked with your staff to make sure this isn¡¯t simply a case of elves cutting corners or rushing to get the job done faster?¡±

    She nodded. ¡°Our elves know how to play their part. In fact, they have it down to an art.¡±This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    ¡°So, whatever is going on likely has an external component that you haven¡¯t encountered yet, otherwise the defenses would have rebuffed it,¡± I commented. ¡°My best guess would be some kind of trickster entity. Nothing too powerful or malevolent, or an alarm would have been triggered once it crossed onto the property. That¡¯s not to say they can¡¯t cause a fair amount of trouble if left unattended. If you wish, I can begin my investigation with a tour of the places we know have been hit so far and some interviews of the elves who work in those areas. Someone must have picked up on something, even if they haven¡¯t realized it yet.¡±

    ¡°Yes, of course, whatever you need,¡± she said, struggling against the compulsion to finish the rhyme.

    ¡°This has riled up the magics, hasn¡¯t it?¡± I asked, eyeing her quizzically. She nodded. ¡°I will see what I can do to calm that down as well. This may not be a quick fix, but I should be able to lighten up some of the pressure it¡¯s putting on you. Santa is still secure, right?¡±

    She nodded vehemently and I relaxed. The story magic holding Santa in his role had been in place since near the dawn of time, at least according to the stories. In reality, I knew it had to have been more recent, since the stories hadn¡¯t begun at the dawn of time but instead started a few centuries ago. Anyone who knew what really lurked behind that facade refused to talk about it and honestly, I didn¡¯t want to know. I just accepted the fact that the world was indeed a better place with him being jolly and old.

    The story had likely started to assert itself with more vehemence in the light of the trickster activity to prevent any sort of breaches. That was why all the colors felt a little brighter and why his handler, Mrs. Claus, felt so compelled to speak in rhymes.

    As I stepped out into the snow and surveyed the village around me, I took a deep breath. Even with the growing concern over whatever the heck was going on, I couldn¡¯t help but relax a bit as I took in the scenery. Elves of all shapes and sizes bustled about their business, paying me little mind.

    Now, whatever you just pictured when you read the word elves isn¡¯t exactly accurate to the people of the North Pole. Sure, there are some who are shorter and chubbier, but they are descended from a more gnomish ancestry. Within the pole lived people whose ancestry traced all over the world, who had carried the spirit of Christmas in their hearts for generations. Some were newer arrivals while some had lineages that traced nearly back to the beginning. The title of elf came from the story itself, but from what I understood, many chose to bear it with pride. It didn¡¯t matter where they came from, they were all a family.

    As for the village, it is everything you think a Christmas Village should be and then some. The colors are rich and vibrant, everything smells amazing, and there is always something in the air that brings a smile to your face. Many of the people who have visited the Pole have tried to guess exactly what that is but so far, I¡¯m the only one who has gotten close.

    The magic of the North Pole is heavily based in story-magic, and a key part of most Christmas stories is hospitality. It''s been that way for so long that the air itself is infused with hospitality, so it adjusts the appearance of the village to best fit what you think a Christmas village should look like, within the parameters of the existing story. It appeared to me as a cozy village whose paths I knew well and people I knew better.

    The piano music dancing on the wind carried with it the smell of pine needles and fresh brewed mulled cider and chocolate chip cookies. Nothing beat Christmas at the North Pole, but something told me this year would be particularly memorable.

 Claudia and the Christmas Cowl Chapter 2

    I started my investigation in the wrapping room, though ¡®room¡¯ didn¡¯t do it justice. They had an entire warehouse dedicated to the wrapping and arranging of gifts, neatly divided into sections for size and shape of the gifts in question. Behind all of the apparent organization lived a constant thrum of low level chaos that came with mixing order and creativity. I had toured the facility a few times in previous visits, stepping in to help with some logistical hiccups, but never before had I seen it like this.

    The elves had most of the mess cleaned up, but I could still spot the tell-tale signs of where someone or something had gone through and rearranged everything. The finished stacks were not as high as they should have been this close to the big day, though given the rate at which the elves on the lines were working, they would be caught up before too long. Every so often one of the smaller elves would take a package from one line and run it over to the one it should have been in to begin with.

    ¡°It looks like you all have things well in hand here,¡± I commented. Maguire, my designated guide, nodded in agreement.

    ¡°Didn¡¯t have much of a choice. Thankfully, with the buffer we add to the schedule every year, we should be able to finish on time with only a few days of overtime,¡± he said. His shaggy blonde hair kept threatening to get in his eyes, which were a sparkling silvery blue common among elves. Something in the way he watched the world around him felt vaguely fae, but otherwise he appeared human. He dressed simply too, in jeans and a red sweater with sturdy black boots.

    Contrary to popular belief, not all who work in the North Pole dress like they¡¯re going to an ugly Christmas sweater contest. That said, they did tend to be more festive.

    ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. Any chance the crew will be going on break soon? I¡¯ll have an easier time investigating if the place is empty, and I don¡¯t want to throw anyone off by being underfoot.¡±

    As if on cue, the bell rang for break time. It took all of five minutes for the elves to finish their current tasks and file out of the building. I caught a few friendly faces looking my way and I made direct eye contact with a few of them, making a gesture like I was ladling out something. They nodded, understanding flashing in their eyes as they pointed towards the elfs¡¯ kitchens, where they were preparing the mulled cider. They would meet me there, and I would get some answers to go with my cider.

    You don¡¯t get to work in the wrapping room without having or honing certain talents as well as having acute perception, so they would be able to help fill in any pieces I might miss in my own investigation. Plus, since I was going to be sticking around, I would need someone to hang out with outside of the Claus home and the elves had some of the best gossip.

    ¡°You have thirty minutes,¡± Maguire said once the final elf left.

    ¡°Perfect. Walk me through where the chaos was focused, and I will see if we can get this done in fifteen.¡±

    Maguire led me through the walkways around the main stations, where I could still see a few things that weren¡¯t quite back in place. Presents that were in the wrong piles would likely find their way back to where they belonged before the day ended. I examined them closely for any signs of magical residue, but nothing stood out, and I couldn¡¯t move them without risking sending the whole pile toppling to the ground.

    ¡°This doesn¡¯t look too bad so far, but I get a feeling it was much worse when the elves first found it,¡± I observed. ¡°How long has it been since whatever happened here?¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    ¡°We noticed the crafters'' tools had been rearranged on the first day, and this happened on the second. The third was when the reindeer were let loose, which was when they decided to call you in.¡±

    ¡°And I arrived at the start of the fourth, so chances are another incident is going to happen today unless it''s already happened.¡±

    ¡°Precisely. Everyone knows you are here and that I¡¯m your guide, so any news will come directly to me.¡±

    ¡°Good. Is there anything left from what happened here aside from the misplaced presents or has everything been handled already? Because I am not picking up much, so it may be better to go on to the stables.¡±

    ¡°Trust me, there is a reason I started us here. I know how you work, and I know there is one mess that the elves haven¡¯t even bothered touching yet,¡± Maguire said. Intrigued, I followed him to one of the little sheds that I knew from experience housed the decorative bits and bobs that some of the wrappers liked to throw on the presents for the kids who needed a little extra cheer.

    ¡°Am I going to be covered in glitter the second you open the door?¡± I asked cautiously.

    ¡°No, we keep a pretty tight control on glitter since the explosion incident six years ago. This situation is a little more unique, but thankfully we have it contained. It¡¯s easier to show than explain.¡±

    ¡°Alright. Let¡¯s see it.¡±

    Maguire opened the door and what I saw certainly defied any expectations I may have had. Bundles of ribbon and garland and string, twisted together into a vaguely humanoid shape that seemed very intent on creating a mess. I watched it as it smashed open a container full of feather boas, of all things, only to absorb this new material into itself.

    ¡°Oh. It¡¯s gotten bigger since the last time I checked.¡± Maguire looked at me hopefully. ¡°I don¡¯t suppose you have anything that could help better contain this situation.¡±

    ¡°I will have to get a closer look. Do me a favor, shut the door if it tries to run and be ready to open for a shave and a haircut. This might get messy,¡± I said, checking to make sure my tools were easy to reach within my bag. They were exactly where I left them, tucked in the exterior pockets of the messenger bag in neat rows. The tools of my trades were almost always on my person, which made things interesting whenever I had to fly commercial.

    ¡°If you aren¡¯t out in five minutes, I''ll bring in some healers and security.¡±

    ¡±Much appreciated, Maguire.¡±

    I stepped into the improbably large space, pulling two implements from my bag as I slowly circled the entity that had not yet noticed me. I studied it, watching the way it moved and how it interacted with the objects around it. The floor was littered with scraps of paper and ribbon that I managed to step around with ease until I brushed against a ribbon with a bell at one end. The sound broke the silence and the creature¡¯s attention snapped towards me.

    ¡°Time to get to business, then.¡± I brandished what looked like a stylized crochet hook in one hand and some crafting scissors in the other, the blades spread wide as I wore them like some people wear brass knuckles.

    The next few minutes passed in a blur of colors and cuts and crinkles. The whole affair would have been much more frightening had I been fighting more than a being of paper and ribbon and twine, but with my scissors I was able to even the odds enough for the hook to do its thing.

    Not only did the hook make a lovely Tunisian crochet blanket, but the enchantment could be used to weave anything. All I had to do was keep a hold of it while whatever this thing was tried to cocoon me in itself.

    Easier said than done.

    ¡°That was certainly something,¡± Maguire commented as I finished off the blanket with a flourish, effectively trapping the still slightly animated materials in a form that would have a harder time trying to kill me. He still stood in the open doorway, one hand firmly on the handle.

    ¡°Not the weirdest thing I¡¯ve had to fight, but it''s certainly up there,¡± I admitted. ¡°You can come in now, by the way. This will keep it contained until I find the source of the animation.¡±

    ¡°I think I¡¯ll just stay out here.¡±

    ¡°Come on, Maguire. Where¡¯s your sense of adventure? Plus, I need someone who is more familiar with the contents of this shed to help me spot anything out of place.¡±

    ¡°Okay, fine. Only if you promise to tell me where you got that hook.¡±

    ¡°Deal. This one is pretty specialized, but the person who made it makes other things. Now get in here and help me find the core before this thing makes a break for it. We have some evidence to collect.¡±

 Claudia and the Christmas Cowl Chapter 3

    After collecting a sufficient sampling of scraps and finding the wind-up toy that had been used as the core of the animation spell, I left the bulk of the cleanup to the elves. They politely but strongly refused my offer to help, insisting that they could easily handle the mess on their own and that my efforts were better put elsewhere. They were always far too particular with how things were organized to let an outsider do the physical work, but they knew me well enough to at least appreciate the offer.

    ¡°So, what happens now?¡± Maguire asked. We were standing in a little workshop space the Clauses set aside for whenever they had guests in my line of work. ¡°And why does it feel like someone turned the hospitality off?¡±

    ¡°Because they did. This room is about as mundane as it gets and that is very intentional. The hospitality is great, don¡¯t get me wrong, but it tends to muddy other magics which makes diagnosing problems difficult. It¡¯s still safe, of course. Still has wards and protections in place. If it''s too uncomfortable for you, I can handle the testing on my own. Just be sure to leave the samples on that table.¡±

    ¡°No, it''s fine. I can handle it, and I want to help. You¡¯ve got me curious to see how your stuff works.¡±

    ¡°In that case, pull up a seat and let''s get to work.¡±

    While Maguire pulled over a chair, I focused on arranging my tools and setting up additional protections just in case one of my tests went awry. One could never be too careful with magic and enchantments.

    ¡°I am going to start with the bits that were animated first,¡± I explained. ¡°That way I can get a feeling for the nature of the magic behind this and the rules that it follows. You may not know this, but there are countless types and sources out there and they all abide by different rules. I have worked with a lot of these in my line of work, so I have experience figuring them out and I know that it is best to start with the effect before going to the source.¡±

    ¡°I suppose that makes sense. Figure out what you are dealing with before you really have to deal with it.¡±

    ¡°Exactly! Now, I may need an extra set of hands for some of this but if you are interested, I can explain as I go.¡±

    ¡°Please do, if only to satisfy my own curiosity. It may prove useful as well.¡±

    I spent the next few hours carefully combing through the bits and pieces we had recovered, talking Maguire through what I was doing and why. He asked a lot of good questions, catching on quickly and occasionally forcing me to think outside of the box when it came to how I explained things. He had some good insights too.

    ¡°So, it''s a trickster of some sort,¡± Maguire commented.

    ¡°Yep, and it''s not malevolent, so that¡¯s good. It is a little more focused than your average mischief maker, though. Until we know what the end goal is, we are going to need to play our cards carefully. Things can escalate if they get spooked or cornered, but once we figure out where it¡¯s from, we can find a way to remove or redirect the trickster.¡±

    ¡°Now that we know some of the what, we can narrow it down by taking a closer look at the core.¡±

    ¡°Precisely,¡± I said. ¡°Any prodding may wake it up, but that is why we disenchanted the samples and are working in a room that is magically cut off from the rest of the Pole. It can try to animate the pieces it interacted with before, but it is going to have a very hard time doing so.¡±

    ¡°What do you need me to do?¡±

    ¡°You can start with tracing these runes in as perfect of a circle as you can manage on the table.¡± I opened the book to the appropriate page and indicated the design, also drawing his attention to the note scrawled beneath it. I hadn¡¯t done this particular variation of the ritual before, but I had done others that were similar, so I felt comfortable letting him handle the setup. Plus, the enchantment would probably kick up a fuss the second it realized what we were doing.

    Maguire indicated when it was time for me to put the object in the circle so he could complete it, and the second my hands made contact I could feel the magic reaching out. It would not be going down without a fight, but it didn¡¯t have much to fight with.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    It did manage to tighten some of the threads in my clothing before I set it down. It was a strange sensation, but it only took me a few seconds to straighten them out.

    ¡°Alright now, let¡¯s see what we are dealing with,¡± I said, reaching in my bag for my magnifying glass. Before I could take a look at the enchantment, though, the door burst open.

    ¡°Come quick! Something has taken the sleigh!¡± the young elf cried, in too much of a tizzy to notice the strangeness of the room or the fact they were interrupting something.

    ¡°The sleigh? Are you certain?¡± Maguire asked, glancing at me.

    ¡°It must have been taken in all of the chaos of rounding up the reindeer, but the bay is empty, and the sleigh is nowhere to be found.¡±

    ¡°I guess we will have to continue this lesson later. The circle should keep the enchantment well contained, but just in case I am miscalculating, I have some alarms I can set up that will alert me if something happens,¡± I said. Maguire nodded as I tucked the magnifying glass back into my bag and pulled out an assortment of literal bells and metaphorical whistles. The other elf who had yet to introduce himself merely watched in anxious curiosity as I arranged them around the room. ¡°Alright. Take us to the stables. I needed to investigate there anyway.¡±

    I hadn¡¯t seen the North Pole in such a tizzy in quite some time, but with everything going on, it was to be expected. Things were not going according to plan in one of the most crucial times of the year and now the sleigh was missing.

    The thing that took the longest was calming down the elves enough to organize a search party to find the missing sleigh. A few hours later and the trail we had went cold, causing the worry to settle in once more.

    ¡°What are we going to do? We can¡¯t have Christmas without the sleigh!¡± one of the younger elves cried.

    ¡°It''s going to be okay. Worse comes to worse, we have enough time to find another solution, but it¡¯s not going to come to that. I need you all to take a deep breath and trust me. We will find it,¡± I said firmly. That took some of the worry away, but it didn¡¯t erase it completely. I didn¡¯t let them see it, but I was starting to worry too. Something strange was at work here and it was up to me to figure it out and stop it before it could ruin Christmas.

    One problem at a time, I reminded myself. I fished around in my bag for something that could help and pulled out my spyglass. It was beautiful and ornate and old. Some said it looked like I had stolen it from a movie set, which was true, but I would never admit that. One of the actors had it on their wall for ¡®inspiration¡¯ and no one noticed when I switched it out for a very convincing replica. I didn¡¯t feel bad about it either. They had no need for its magic and better for it to end up in my hands than the hands of an actual thief, I told Santa when he challenged me about it not long after. He reluctantly accepted my explanation, and now, he was going to see why it was the right choice.

    I raised the spyglass to my eye and did a slow sweep of the surrounding area, catching hints of things but nothing particularly clear. I closed my eyes and did it again, keeping my hands steady and following my instincts.

    ¡°Found it,¡± I said. ¡°Behind a hill just outside of the village proper but still well within the Pole. I see no signs of traps and it appears to be intact. I have no idea how it got all the way out there, but it should be simple enough to get it back.¡±

    Half the elves were gone by the time I finished talking, rushing off in the direction I indicated to retrieve the sleigh.

    ¡°Should we go with them?¡± Maguire asked.

    ¡°No. If there was any danger, I¡¯d be able to tell and at best we¡¯d just get in their way. Let¡¯s take another look around the stables, just in case there are any clues left after all that chaos. I didn¡¯t catch anything the first go round, but sometimes it pays to double check.¡±

    ¡°Right this way, then.¡±

    We gave the stables a thorough search and found nothing of use. Then we went back to the workshop to check on the one piece of evidence we still had left to investigate.

    I knew the second I walked into the room that something was wrong. Something had changed.

    ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Maguire asked when he noticed the look on my face.

    ¡°Either the enchantment wore off or the one who cast it, dismissed it. I have a few tricks up my sleeve to bring part of it back, but they will all take time to prepare. We may as well call it a day. We learned a lot, we saved the sleigh, and now we need to rest so we can get back to this problem tomorrow.¡±

    ¡°That makes sense, though I wish we could keep working on it today. I don¡¯t like leaving things unfinished.¡±

    ¡°Me either, but there is only so much we can do, and I don¡¯t know about you, but I am starving.¡±

    ¡°Would you like an escort back to the main house?¡± he offered.

    ¡°No thanks. I think I will join the elves for dinner tonight and revisit the Claus home when I have more answers.¡±

    ¡°In that case, allow me to escort you to the dining hall. I am sure there are plenty of people who will be very excited to see you.¡±

    I locked the door behind us and tried to use the promise of friendly conversation to push down the mounting nerves. The picture being painted was concerning, but I could not yet pinpoint if that was a problem or not. Perhaps with dinner would come answers and with answers would come clarity.

    Either way, I had a lot of research in my future, and while Maguire was proving to be an excellent assistant, I still chose to keep some things to myself.

    Like the fact that something had broken the salt circle without triggering any of my alarms, which was no easy feat.

 Claudia and the Christmas Cowl Chapter 4

    ¡°I am going to need access to the archives,¡± I told Mrs. Claus the following morning over breakfast.

    ¡°What are you looking for?¡± She asked, cautious but without rhyme. With the elves'' help, I had been able to put some pieces in place to lessen the story¡¯s agitation, thus lessening the pressure.

    ¡°I have managed to piece some things together, including the fact that whatever is causing this is doing so with intention. It wants something, and I think I can figure out what if you let me have access to the archives. I just need access to the upper level, and I will accept whatever manner of supervision makes you feel more comfortable with this.¡±

    ¡°That can be arranged, of course. The archives have their own guard, which will be sufficient, and you may take Maguire with you if you desire his assistance. If you cannot find what you are looking for there, I will see what other arrangements can be made.¡±

    ¡°That will be more than enough to help me figure out my next steps when it comes to stopping whatever this is before it can affect Christmas. I can do a lot with a little, but you know what they say. Knowledge is power,¡± I replied.

    The conversation shifted as an elf entered the room.

    ¡°Pardon my interruption, but Santa requests your presence, Mrs. Claus.¡±

    ¡°Of course, dear. Tell him I will be right there,¡± she replied before turning her attention to Maguire and myself. ¡°I will ensure you have the access you need by the time you get there. If anything else comes up, send word and I will see that it is taken care of.¡±

    ¡°Thank you, Mrs. Claus. I give my word, this will be taken care of one way or another before Christmas Eve. You all focus on what you need to do to prepare, and I will handle the trickster.¡±

    ¡°We will owe you a favor for this.¡±

    ¡°Just doing my job,¡± I protested.

    ¡°We will owe you a favor for this,¡± Mrs. Claus repeated. She left the room before I could reiterate my protest.

    ¡°What is your job, by the way?¡± Maguire asked. ¡°In general, not just here specifically.¡±

    ¡°Have you heard of the Society of Jacks?¡± I asked in response.

    ¡°Can¡¯t say I have.¡±

    ¡°Basically, it''s an organization that believes it''s better to know how to do a lot of things well than to be an expert in a single thing. Sure, we have specializations but those are still broad. My primary focus is on enchantments, though I also have an interest in different kinds of magic and magical creatures. I help fix problems when they happen, and I help put systems in place, so they don¡¯t have to call me as often. Thankfully, magic is chaotic enough that even with my prevention, I still find myself with plenty of work.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like a very interesting career path.¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    ¡°Interesting is a nice word for it. It is certainly not a traditional career by any stretch of the imagination, but I wouldn¡¯t trade it for anything,¡± I said. ¡°That reminds me, what¡¯s your role up here at the Pole?¡±

    ¡°I focus on personnel and communications, except for when I¡¯m helping outsiders fix a situation.¡±

    ¡°Uh oh, we are starting to rhyme, that means we are running out of time. Let¡¯s go to the archives, see what we can learn. We only have so much time to burn.¡±

    Maguire nodded solemnly, worry glinting in his eyes as I flashed him what I hoped was an encouraging smile. This was not a good time to panic. That would only make the symptoms worse. He seemed to understand this as he wordlessly led me to the archives. I tried to communicate in as few words as possible what I was looking for and the archivists replied in equally poetic words, guiding me to where the books I wanted were located.

    Before we started our research, I hung some of the disenchanted strands of garland and tinsel around the edges of the table and laid a few small decorations on nearby shelves.

    ¡°Okay, hopefully, this will help cut back on the rhyming,¡± I said, sighing in relief as I didn¡¯t feel the pressure to continue.

    ¡°Amazing how something so simple can make such a profound impact. So, what are we looking for?¡±

    ¡°Records of previous incidents including tricksters and the North Pole. Any offshoots of the story that contain elements of trickery or anything that may have been of trickster make, to start with. While you look into that, I will start looking into the history of this specific location and any artifacts that may be on the premise.¡± I could feel the eyes of the archivists on me as I said this. ¡°The trickster is most likely either trying to get to something or someone. If I can narrow down what, I can set up a trap for it.¡±

    The archivists relaxed a bit as I said this, but I could feel them watching me a little more closely each time I went to pull a book off the shelf. I took care to keep my movements nice and visible so they could worry a little less.

    Maguire and I spent the next few hours combing through books and trading notes, compiling a list of possible culprits or targets. I already knew some of the history surrounding the Pole, though most of that knowledge focused on specific buildings I did work in.

    This time I focused on the whole area, its history, and the objects that had become artifacts. We started building a timeline of the history of the North Pole and Christmas, flagging any connections to tricksters or magic that could work in tandem with the traditional trickster magic. Some of the archivists jumped in to help clarify things or add additional notes, even going so far as to bring in a chalkboard.

    We had a few possible theories going on when I stumbled upon something that made several things click into place at once.

    ¡°It¡¯s the cowl,¡± I said.

    ¡°What?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s the cowl, or the hat or the hood or the scarf. There have been multiple iterations throughout history, but it has always been part of the magic, but the only time that was reflected in the story was when he wore a red cowl, rimmed in white. Some of the finer details might have varied from story to story, but the basic description remained the same.¡±

    ¡°And that makes it lucrative for a trickster?¡± Maguire asked.

    ¡°Because it is one of the few things that was magical before it was added to the story. Santa received it as a gift to keep him safe on his journeys, according to this record. Between that and the fact that it was part of the story, the magic will be stronger, and tricksters are masters of manipulating story magic on a small scale. Add to that the fact the cowl has fallen out of favor and been replaced with a few other iterations before we got to the traditional hat, it''s disconnected enough for it to be accessible to them. Santa was also portrayed as being trickier during that time period.¡±

    ¡°So, if the right trickster managed to snag the cowl, they could potentially tap into or replicate the power of Santa Claus to some extent,¡± one of the archivists stated.

    ¡°Failing that, they will still find a way to cause chaos. Where is the cowl being kept?¡± I asked.

    ¡°The vault.¡±

    ¡°And the rest of the inactive artifacts?¡±

    ¡°Also in the vault, but there are layers to the protections¡­¡±

    ¡°My gut says that is what the trickster is going for. I need to speak to Santa.¡±

 Claudia and the Christmas Cowl Chapter 5

    As expected, the Clauses were less than thrilled when I told them of my suspicion.

    ¡°Are you certain?¡± Mrs. Claus asked.

    ¡°As certain as I can be without asking the trickster directly,¡± I explained. ¡°It is the most likely target given the information we have gathered so far. I have been speaking with the elves and it appears that many smaller magical items have gone missing over the past few days. Things get misplaced all of the time during the twelve days, so they didn¡¯t think it was related until I mentioned the possibility. Then they agreed with me that it could very well be related.¡±

    ¡°What nefarious thing do you think this trickster will do to land itself on the naughty list?¡± Santa asked.

    While Mrs. Claus looks more like a modern stay-at-home mom who just so happens to love Christmas, Santa looks exactly like you would expect him to look. A jolly old man with a bushy white beard and a smile that made his eyes twinkle. I knew that beneath all of the story magic that wrapped around him like countless layers of bubble wrap, slept a particularly dangerous creature of chaos and greed. I had read pieces of his file before my first visit, but I never looked far enough to find what he really looked like beneath the magic. I didn''t need to know. I didn''t want to know.

    ¡°I think they are going to use the things they have stolen to bolster their own power, and that they are going to make a play for the vault. They are also going to set up some sort of distraction, something big and flashy to draw attention away from their real target.¡±

    ¡°They haven''t made a play for the vault yet because they don¡¯t want us to know that¡¯s their target,¡± Maguire added. ¡°That might also be why they haven¡¯t gone for any of the other artifacts.¡±

    ¡°This trickster is smart. They want to keep our attention away from their real target,¡± I said. I hadn¡¯t realized Maguire also connected those dots, though we had talked around it before I found the page about the cowl.

    ¡°I assume you have a plan.¡± Mrs. Claus looked at me expectantly.

    ¡°I do. Chances are that the trickster has no idea we know what they¡¯re after. When they make their move, we play along. Respond to the distraction and let them think they have fooled us. If you will grant me temporary access to the vault, I have some tricks that will not only protect the cowl but also make it even more difficult for them to break into the vault in the future. At the very least, you will have plenty of heads up if they try something again, though they will probably give up and find some other way to cause chaos.¡±

    ¡°What do you need?¡±Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    ¡°I need time in the vault and as much privacy as you can give me. Maguire can be my eyes and ears on the outside, watching for any further actions or incursions by this trickster, just in case we miscalculated, or they have some unexpected tricks up their sleeve. Tell no one outside of this room what our plan is unless absolutely necessary.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure you don¡¯t want me with you?¡± Maguire asked, sounding a little hurt. I turned to face him, placing a hand on his shoulder.

    ¡°You have been with me every step of the way. You know my methods. You know what we are dealing with. I can¡¯t be everywhere at once but what I can do is ask someone I trust to be on the lookout for any unforeseen problems. You know the case as well as I do, and you know the Pole better than I do.¡±

    ¡°I won''t let you down.¡±

    ¡°I know you won¡¯t.¡±

    ¡°You do hold a very special name on the list, and you have proven only to be trustworthy,¡± Santa said, sending Mrs. Claus a meaningful look.

    ¡°You will have access to the vault and whatever support you require,¡± she said.

    ¡°Thank you, both, for trusting me. I know it''s a big ask.¡±

    ¡°It is a trust you have earned. Now go, do what you need to do. We will play our parts.¡±

    ¡°I will see you all at dinner,¡± I said. Then we all went about our business, and I made my way to the vault.

    Few were allowed to know its location, and I only learned it when I was given permission to. It had old magic protecting it, older than the story surrounding Santa and drawing from sources far outside of the story. Even with the blessing of the keepers, I felt the power of the protection pressing down on me. It reminded me of the feeling in my chest when I stood near a speaker and the bass was turned up. That pulsing pressure settled firmly against my sternum.

    I almost let out a sigh when I made it through the doorway unharmed. I took my time getting a lay of the land, carefully surveying the items stored within. Some were literally breathtaking with their intensity, and this was only the first level of the vault. The feeling in the base of my throat told me more power could be found below. I tried not to think about that. I had a job to do.

    Of all the places in the North Pole, the vault was the least affected by the story magic and its hospitality. The walls and floors were smooth, bare stone, and the artifacts rested on unadorned stone plinths and pillars, evenly spaced around the edge of the room. A second circle had been started just inside of the first, hinting that they filled the rooms from the outside inward. If I had to guess, each time a floor was filled, they pushed it down and began again, meaning that beneath my feet rested endless history that I didn¡¯t really want to think about.

    Finding the cowl was simple enough. It radiated magic of a slightly shifting hue that tickled the back of my neck when I looked at it for too long. I started there, setting up wards and failsafes that would send the trickster far away if it got too close. Then I set up additional protections around the other artifacts. I paid special attention to the Book, which contained the names of all who were naughty and all who were nice.

    I could only imagine how many people would pay a pretty penny for a peek inside. I was tempted myself. Tempted to find the page with my name to see what I could learn. I didn¡¯t, though. I made more of a production of those protections, using its power as a red herring. Make the trickster think they were more steps ahead of me.

    Then I settled in to wait.

 Claudia and the Christmas Cowl Chapter 6

    I ended up having to make myself comfortable in the vault as the trickster took their sweet time to make their move. The guards came to check on me every hour and when they did, they brought what news they had. Otherwise, I was left to my own devices, so I tried to make the most of it.

    I examined the artifacts from a safe distance, studying them to see what I could glean about their power and function. In the process, I came up with several ideas that would undoubtedly be of great interest to my more magically-minded colleagues. They were things that could be done without direct experimentation with the artifacts, of course. Though those experiments would have been very interesting to watch.

    I was considering asking the guards if they could bring me some food when I felt a shift in the air that my gut said was the trickster making their move.

    The story magic that held the Pole together tightened its grip around all who walked the grounds with such sudden ferocity that I could scarcely breathe. The artifacts surrounding me radiated with the power, perhaps lending their strength to the defense of their home. I lost all track of who and where I was for several minutes before I managed to settle back into myself.

    ¡°Holy sugar cookies,¡± I muttered, too focused on regaining my bearings to worry too much about my unintended word choice. That problem would fix itself in time. The issue of there being a trickster trapped in the vault with me required more attention. ¡°Using the reaction to your distraction to cover your entry. Very clever.¡±

    They didn¡¯t respond but I could feel them watching me from the shadows. I didn¡¯t look directly at it, wanting it to feel safe enough to take its time with its next move. Instead, I put on a show like I was trying to find it, making sure to keep it in the corner of my eye.

    ¡°You know, they don¡¯t let just anyone down here unattended,¡± I commented. ¡°This is one of the most well-protected places in all of the North Pole, which is a pretty protected place to begin with. It must take a lot of courage and know how to pull off not one, not two, but multiple break-ins.¡±

    I pulled a large magnifying glass out of my pack, holding it out in front of me like I was trying to use it to find the trickster, and turned my back to where I knew it was. I caught its reflection as it slipped out of its hiding spot and began to slink around the edge of the room, going to investigate the nearest artifact. The way it moved felt distinctly feline, though the edges of its shape were too blurry to be fully compared to a cat. Even the shadows it cast, faint as they were in the flickering light, shifted to mimic different animals from folktales and myths. Creatures such as this were born from tales told around fires and they persisted even into the modern age with less adaptation than some of their brethren, who were more markedly changed by the shifting of tales. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    I continued talking, continued praising its intelligence, but it gave no indication that it understood what I was saying or that it was paying attention to anything aside from the way I moved. It sidled up to one of the artifacts, only to scurry back as my protections flared. Then it tried another artifact. And another. Each time it was rebuffed it became more frantic in its motions.

    ¡°I hate to break it to you, but you¡¯ve wasted a lot of time and energy today, my friend. I have everything in here protected and warded so you specifically cannot reach it. Whatever you were hoping to steal, you will not be getting.¡±

    With a screech it lunged at me, moving so quickly I almost didn¡¯t duck in time. Shadowed, sinewy limbs flailed at me, attacking me with the efficacy of an angry toddler, but this toddler had thieving fingers and nasty tricks, and it was furious at me. It managed to snag a few odds and ends before I could figure out its shape enough to scruff it.

    It looked deeply annoyed as I lifted it to eye level, giving it a few shakes to dislodge the bits it stole.

    ¡°I know what you are, now. I know what you look like. You are going to leave this place and not come back without direct permission of one of the Clauses. I am letting you go with the understanding that you will not cause trouble on your way out. If you choose to go against that understanding and break my trust, you will not like the outcome. Blink once if you understand me,¡± I said firmly. The glowing green eyes glared at me for several seconds before giving a single, slow blink. ¡°Good. Allow me to escort you to the edge of the village. You should be able to find your way from there.¡±

    The vault guards instructed me to leave my protections standing, to which I happily consented. My hands were a little full keeping the trickster under control. Once I was certain the vault was secure, I made my way outside. Before long, I found myself being flanked by additional security, which I also didn''t mind. Even though I didn¡¯t necessarily need it, it did scare the trickster into being a little more docile.

    Activity paused around me as I made my way through the North Pole, carrying a grumpy-looking trickster spirit by the scruff of its neck like a misbehaving cat. Word must have spread quickly because before too long, Maguire came jogging up to join me.

    ¡°I''ve got this handled,¡± I called out before he reached me. ¡°Can you go collect the Clauses for me? I will give you all a debrief once I''ve taken care of this one.¡±

    The trickster hissed and swatted at my hand in protest. I gave it a shake and the hissing turned back into a low growl.

    ¡°Are you sure?¡± Maguire asked.

    ¡°Yep. It¡¯s a little grumpy but we have come to an understanding. We aren¡¯t going to come back any time soon, are we?¡± I held the trickster up so I could make direct eye contact. It continued to look annoyed, but it gave me the same slow blink.

    ¡°Very well. Where do you wish to meet?¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s make it the kitchen. After that last story surge, Mrs. Claus is probably baking up a storm.¡±

    Maguire nodded and ran off, leaving me to deal with the increasingly grumpy trickster. I safely deposited it just outside of the bounds of the town, where it scampered off with its tail between its legs. I took my time heading back to the kitchen, checking in with the guards to let them know what to keep an eye out for.

    By the time I reached the main house, it was full of the scent of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, and my mouth started to water.

 Claudia and the Christmas Cowl Chapter 7

    ¡°What was it?¡± Mrs. Claus asked.

    ¡°A trickster spirit, as I suspected. They don¡¯t really have names, but some people refer to them as mischief-makers. Not particularly powerful, but they are clever and can be very focused when they find something they want, which is usually something shiny or a source of power. I think it caught the scent of the Pole and the power within while it was wandering and decided to find a way to take a piece for itself. They can be quite impressive when they are focused, but most of the time they just seek their own entertainment.¡±

    ¡°And you were able to keep it from getting anything in the vault,¡± Maguire said.

    ¡°It didn¡¯t get close. Threw a bit of a fit when it realized what I did and tried to steal some of my things, but it failed there too. I made sure all of the protections were adjusted accordingly and told the guards what to look out for if it tries to come back,¡± I explained.

    ¡°And will it come back?¡±

    ¡°Not for a while, but there is always a chance it may try again with a friend. Or it might be dumber than I gave it credit for. I plan to stick around until after Christmas just in case, but I think we are safe for now.¡±

    ¡°Ho-ho-how wonderful!¡± Santa exclaimed. ¡°You did such a good job. Here, have a cookie.¡± He pushed one of the many plates of cookies across the table, and I accepted one gratefully.

    It had taken longer than expected to calm Mrs. Claus from her baking frenzy due to the fact she had already been indulging in a little stress baking when the story reacted to the glitter bomb that went off in the square. That had been the trickster''s distraction that I felt, but thankfully the elves were well-versed in dealing with glitter. We started by coaxing her to switch from cookies to other desserts and pastries until she finally reached the point where it was no longer a compulsion. By then we had enough cookies to feed an army, a few batches of brownies, and several cakes of various sizes.

    She still had a few things left to finish, but she seemed far more relaxed than when I first came in. By the time I finished the rest of my debriefing, all of the baking was done and some of the elves had started filtering in to help distribute the wealth of pastries. They only took the treats from the green plates, though. The red plates were for the four of us to share and share we did.

    I regaled them with stories of other tricksters I had dealt with in the past, and Maguire was surprised to find not all of them had been adversaries.

    ¡°Tricksters are not in and of themselves evil or bad,¡± I said. ¡°Many of them came into being to right wrongs and correct injustices. Sure, sometimes their plans get out of hand, but they are still the embodiment of wit and stubbornness and guile. I know far more tricksters who seek only to make people laugh than tricksters who wish to create mischief. Now, that isn¡¯t to say all tricksters are to be trusted implicitly. You have to learn to spot the difference and sift the truth from the jokes. Some of my best friends are full of crap 95% of the time, but when push comes to shove, I know they have my back.¡±

    ¡°I am willing to admit that my lack of exposure to such things has colored my understanding,¡± Maguire said sheepishly.

    ¡°It is easy to misjudge what you do not know, but it takes courage to admit fault and seek to learn more.¡±

    He perked up a bit at this, and the conversation continued with him asking me questions about other things I had encountered out in the wide world. Santa could not stay long, and eventually even Mrs. Claus had to take her leave, though she returned after her tasks were done, and we were still talking. She cleared her throat to draw our attention.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ¡°All of the protections have been improved according to your recommendations and I have arranged for any unexpected occurrences to be reported to the head of our guard first, so they can learn to handle it on their own while you are still here to provide backup,¡± she explained.

    ¡°I am happy to help, and if I need to stay a few extra days, I will do so and I will make myself useful.¡±

    ¡°I do not believe that will be necessary, but the thought is appreciated. My hope is that the rest of your stay will be much more like a vacation.¡±

    ¡°I am certain it will be, and you know I always enjoy getting to spend time up here.¡±

    ¡°And we always appreciate your company. Now, have you considered what you wish your favor to be?¡± she asked. I looked pointedly at Maguire, then back at her. ¡°I thought that might be the case.¡±

    ¡°Only if he is willing,¡± I clarified.

    ¡°Only if I am willing to do what?¡± Maguire asked, finally catching on to the conversation.

    ¡°You have skill, Maguire, skill with a lot of things and talent for many more. Add that to your natural curiosity and your willingness to learn, you would make a most excellent Jack. That is if you are willing to take that leap into the unknown,¡± I explained. His eyes widened as I spoke.

    ¡°And what does becoming a Jack look like?¡±

    ¡°It''s different for every person, but it usually looks like an apprenticeship. You will come with me, and I will become your mentor, helping you learn the things you are curious to learn and hone any innate skills you wish to hone. It won¡¯t be easy, and it won¡¯t always be safe, but it will be a life of adventure, and you will not be facing it alone. Plus, the Jacks have plenty of resources and once your initial training is done, you will be free to journey about as you wish,¡± I explained. Maguire glanced nervously at Mrs. Claus, looking more uncomfortable than I had ever seen him.

    ¡°I am flattered, and I¡¯d be lying if I said I wasn¡¯t tempted. I don¡¯t know if I can abandon my post like that, even if we leave after Christmas. The North Pole is all I have ever known.¡±

    ¡°There is no expectation that you will completely forsake your life and connections here at the North Pole, and I will more than likely be returning here next Christmas as well, for one reason or another. I also don¡¯t expect you to decide today. Take your time, think it through. Talk to whoever you need to talk to. I will answer any questions you have, but the day after Christmas, I will be leaving. If you aren¡¯t ready by then, then no worries. I can make the same offer next year if you change your mind.¡±

    ¡°I¡­let me think about it. I am honored by your consideration. Just¡­let me think about it.¡±

    ¡°Take your time, Maguire.¡±

    The remaining days of Christmas passed exactly as eventfully as they were supposed to. The elves were able to catch up with their work with a little bit of time to spare and the trickster made no further attempts to break back into the North Pole, so I could focus my efforts on being helpful and enjoying myself. Maguire found me at least once a day with a series of questions, mostly about my own experience and indirect attempts to figure out why I would invite him of all people to join the Society. I just kept reiterating that he had promised and he was the best assistant I ever had the pleasure of working with, but it was his choice if he thought he had what it took to be a Jack.

    The day after Christmas, I shouldered my bag and made my way out of town early in the morning. Most of the elves would be sleeping in, but Maguire knew when and where I would be meeting him, should he choose to join me. So, I went there, and I waited, pulling out a little candle so I could keep better track of how much time had passed.

    It had nearly burnt out when I finally caught sight of Maguire sprinting through the snow, a pack flung over his shoulder. I waved to let him know I had seen him, and he slowed, only slightly out of breath when he finally reached me.

    ¡°I worried I would not get here in time,¡± he explained. ¡°It took me longer than I expected to get out of the village.¡±

    ¡°No worries, Maguire. You made it and I am still here. Are you ready to leave?¡±

    ¡°Ready as I¡¯ll ever be.¡±

    ¡°Are you ready to begin your journey to becoming a Jack?¡±

    He took a deep breath, eyes flashing with resolve. ¡°Yes.¡±

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, then.¡±

 Claudia and the Christmas Cowl Epilogue

    Days later, Maguire and I were somewhere much warmer, bunking in one of the many Society hideouts that I had access to. Most of the days had been filled with study, but I encouraged him to go out and explore whenever he so desired. Once he was convinced this wasn¡¯t a test, he did so with great enthusiasm.

    It was during one of his excursions that I made my way into one of the many secret rooms hidden in that place. In that room was a mural of a young boy in the middle of jumping over a candle, which was a real candle nestled into a divot in the wall. Reaching forward, I lit the candle, then waited for the magic to take hold.

    So, how did your Christmas caper go? The familiar voice echoed in my ear, where only I could hear.

    ¡°It went as well as could be expected. I was worried that I would have to betray their trust, but they let me into the vault willingly when I told them that the trickster was after something within."

    How lucky were you that a trickster decided now of all times to make a move on such a powerful place.

    ¡°Lucky indeed,¡± I scoffed. ¡°Next time you want to use one of my pets as part of a ruse, please ask first. It¡¯s going to take me forever to regain their trust and I think it drew some extra attention. No way it could have pulled all of that off on its own.¡±

    I am sure they will understand why it was necessary. As will you. And you are correct, it did draw in some unexpected attention. You will need to pay close attention next year, in case this new entity strikes again. Now, were you able to find what you were looking for?The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

    ¡°Yes. I found the book of stricken names in the archives and managed to copy the names. When I was in the vault, I was able to cross-reference to take a few names off the list. It¡¯s not much, but it''s a lead.¡±

    I have seen you do much more with much less. I also see you came back with a friend.

    ¡°Yes, I did. He shows much promise, and I believe he will make a wonderful Jack. Plus, you and I both know I can¡¯t do this on my own, even with you helping me.¡±

    It was a good choice, and I look forward to seeing what kind of Jack he becomes. One Jack is powerful. Two can really turn the tide.

    ¡°And hopefully it won¡¯t be much longer before we have many, many more.¡±

    You are on the right path to find them, that I can see. That, I can see. You know what to do.

    ¡°Follow the trail and follow my gut, and always take things one step at a time.¡±

    One step at a time.

    ¡°When can I tell him?¡±

    In the new year it would be wise. Give both of you some time to adjust to the new normal and figure out your next steps.

    ¡°Very well. I will tell him as the clock strikes midnight.¡±

    When the Jack said nothing else, I leaned forward and snuffed the candle. The Jack in the mural winked at me as I leaped over the door frame, just in time to dodge the flames. Not quite a candle stick, but it fit his humor.

    Then I went upstairs to think through how exactly I was going to explain the situation to Maguire. It had been months since I had another Jack to talk to, but I agreed that it was best to give him time before telling him how all the others had disappeared.

    Maybe a second set of hands would help me untangle the mystery.

    Only time would tell.

 Claudia and the Gathering of Jacks Chapter 1

    I woke up bright and early on January 1st and started a pot of coffee. Maguire and I had stayed up late the previous night, ringing in the new year with some of our neighbors, and he had yet to wake. The silence didn¡¯t feel quite as heavy as it had when we first arrived, but it still felt strange. A year on my own had taught me the value of having company, and just having one more person walking the halls made the place feel a little more like home. In the span of a few days, Maguire had learned much of the history of the Jacks and how we interact with the world.

    He still had more to learn, of course, but he showed much promise.

    ¡°Hey Maguire, you awake?¡± I called, knocking on his door as I passed.

    ¡°Go away, Claudia.¡±

    ¡°Breakfast in fifteen.¡±

    ¡°Can¡¯t I have a day off?¡±

    ¡°No rest for the wicked, but if it helps this isn¡¯t going to be a heavy training day.¡±

    ¡°Ugh, fine. I''m up, I¡¯m up.¡±

    I waited until I heard the sound of him moving to be sure he was actually going to get up, then I went back to the kitchen to start on breakfast. Maguire joined me twenty minutes later.

    ¡°What smells so good?¡± he asked. He was slowly beginning to break his habit of dressing in red or green, though I doubted he would ditch it completely. Today it was a t-shirt from a cartoon and sweatpants.

    ¡°That would either be the coffee or the cinnamon rolls. You will also notice, I waited until after 9am to wake you up.¡±

    ¡°I did notice that. Thank you.¡±

    ¡°I figured it was the least I could do given that you are used to today being a holiday. There¡¯s something we need to talk about and I didnt want to put it off any longer.¡±

    ¡°Does it have anything to do with the rest of the Jacks? I was wondering why none of them joined us for the Eve celebration.¡±

    ¡°Normally, they would,¡± I explained, ¡°but last year something happened that¡¯s had us in a bit of a pickle. You see, some of the Jacks were working on something and things didn¡¯t go exactly to plan. I¡¯m still trying to piece together exactly what went wrong, but the one thing I know for sure is that all of the others are gone. I am the only member of the Society left and I have been working with the Jacks to find a way to bring everyone else back. That is part of why I jumped so eagerly at a chance to work at the North Pole and why I recruited you.¡±If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    ¡°You need my help to save the rest of the Society.¡± He eyed me curiously over the rim of his coffee mug.

    ¡°Precisely. One Jack can make miracles but two? Two can change the world. I know it''s a lot to process and normally we don¡¯t shove recruits into such high stakes situations but, it''s not like I have a lot of options. Special circumstances and all.¡±

    ¡°Is that why you had me hit the ground running with the training?¡±

    ¡°No, that¡¯s pretty standard. The life of a Jack is many things, but dull is not one of them.¡±

    ¡°So I have gathered.¡± Maguire gestured for me to pass him another cinnamon roll. ¡°I am happy to help in whatever way I can. I have seen the work you do and it is amazing. I can only imagine how much better the world would be with more Jacks in it.¡±

    ¡°We will see if you still think that after we have rescued the others. We have some real oddballs in the Society, but they are all good at their core. Anyway, I am relatively confident that whatever caused the disappearance wasn¡¯t related to how they were introduced to the society, but just in case I will be inducting you through a different ritual than we normally do. It''s a little odd, but nothing you can¡¯t handle. I will walk you through the details tomorrow. In the meantime, I figured we could enjoy one last holiday celebration before our lives become a special kind of weird.¡±

    ¡°I will remind you that I grew up at the North Pole. We have different definitions of weird.¡±

    ¡°Trust me, the life of a Jack is far from normal but it''s the best life there is.¡±

    ¡°I can believe it. I would like to hear the story of what happened, though.¡±

    ¡°You and me both. First things first, we need to get you inducted. Your ceremony starts today. I will be able to provide some assistance but it will be up to you to complete the ceremony before the second Friday of January,¡± I explained.

    Maguire fixed me with a curious look. I refilled my coffee and grabbed another cinnamon roll before launching into a more detailed explanation of what he needed to do.

    ¡°It¡¯s sometimes referred to as the Persistence Game. It¡¯s an old tradition that hasn¡¯t been used in years, but it''s still a valid method of entry. You basically have to find and get the blessing of each of the original Jacks. They are all in the city and each will give you a clue to find the next. I can provide some assistance, of course, but you will have to solve the mysteries on your own. Story says that if you can complete the gathering by the second Friday of January, you can ask a favor of the Just Jack.¡±

    ¡°He is believed to be one of the original Jacks, yes?¡±

    ¡°Yes, he is. And before you ask, the second Friday is Give Up on Your Resolution Day. Someone somewhere at some point decided to add some significance to that. Either way, it¡¯ll be a good crash course in the kind of skills that are useful to a Jack. We can reconnect with some friends along the way and see if any of the Original Jacks know anything that can help. They¡¯re limited in what they can do, but they are clever when it comes to loopholes.¡±

    ¡°Where do we begin?¡±

    ¡°Here,¡± I said simply. ¡°Whenever you¡¯re ready, try and find the mural of Jack the Nimble.¡±

 Claudia and the Gathering of Jacks Chapter 2

    Once we finished breakfast and tidied up the kitchen, Maguire began his thorough exploration of the safe house. As with most facilities created for the Society of Jacks, the place was very cozy if a bit of a labyrinth to anyone who was unused to the way we like to arrange things. Which sometimes was the most chaotic way possible but more often than not had a logic to it, if a very silly logic.

    I trailed along behind him, coffee in hand as I watched him methodically go through each room, looking for a starting place. I took this chance to really look at the pictures that decorated the walls and shelves, spotting countless familiar faces smiling back at me.

    ¡°You knew many of the people who lived here, didn¡¯t you,¡± he said gently when he caught me staring.

    ¡°Yes, I did. I¡¯ve always been a bit of a wanderer but I spent a fair amount of time here. I try not to think about it too much, but I do miss them.¡±

    ¡°Tell me about them.¡±

    Whether he was asking out of genuine curiosity or the hope that the names and stories would hold some kind of clue, I didn¡¯t know and I didn¡¯t really care. He deserved to know more about the people he would be working alongside. The people he was trying to help me save.

    So I introduced him to Tyra, Sean, Kaley, Mira, and all of the others I knew, sprinkling in the story of how they came to join the Society and some of the adventures we had been on together. He searched as he listened, only coming to a complete stop when I got to the Petes.

    ¡°Come again?¡±

    ¡°You heard right. Identical twins, separated at birth. Both named Peter, but chose to go by Pete. It got very confusing at times, to the point where whoever walked into the room first answered to Pete and whoever entered second had to answer to Re-pete. It never failed to get a laugh and they handled it well. Oh, the pranks those two could pull¡­¡±

    My next few stories had Maguire laughing as he continued his methodical search of the room and out into the hallway, tapping on walls and tugging on sconces, looking for something out of place.

    ¡°Is the mural inside of the building or is it outside?¡± He asked after the second room.

    ¡°It¡¯s inside,¡± I replied. ¡°You are on the right track.¡±

    ¡°Okay. Am I looking for something mechanical or magical?¡±

    ¡°You will have to be more specific.¡±

    ¡°I am acting under the assumption that the mural I am looking for is hidden somewhere in the building, either behind something or in a secret room.¡±

    ¡°That feels like a safe assumption.¡±

    ¡°Is the method of unveiling the mural mechanical or magical?¡±

    ¡°There is a physical mechanism you will need to interact with to find the mural.¡± I chose my words carefully. As much as I wanted him to succeed, I couldn¡¯t tip my hand too hard without risking having to do the whole thing over again in a different city.

    Maguire nodded and went back to his searching, with me following close behind. He tried to be discreet but I caught him glancing at me whenever we entered a room, like he was trying to gauge my reaction to see if he was heading in the right direction. I kept my posture relaxed and my expression neutral, though I didn¡¯t play it as cold as I could have.

    It was a good chance to test his skills with reading body language and facial expressions. Before he got to the room that held the secret room, though, I excused myself to refill my coffee cup. When I came back, I found him inspecting the mechanism to open the door, so I just sat back and watched.

    His posture shifted the second he figured out what he was looking at, and he sent me an incredulous look as he pulled the candlestick sitting on the shelf like a lever. I heard the familiar thunk as the door unlocked and slowly started to slide into the wall. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    ¡°A candlestick? Really?¡± He asked.

    ¡°Everything you know about the Society, you¡¯re really surprised that The Jacks have a weird sense of humor?¡±

    ¡°I guess it fits when I think about it.¡± He turned to face the open space, scanning the doorframe and the ground carefully before examining the mural. It took him a few tries to find a safe way into the room, only getting slightly signed before the door slid closed behind him.

    ¡°This could take a while,¡± I commented to the now empty room.

    I busied myself gathering some materials I believed would be useful for the rest of the hunt, including some things that I could use to keep myself entertained. Maguire picked up a lot of things very quickly but even so, I knew this game could take a while.

    I also knew that Clever Jack had a knack for playing long-winded word games with new people before giving them what they asked for. I had no doubt that he would have his fun with Maguire.

    My first conversation with Clever Jack is one that stuck with me throughout my years in the Society. Of all the Jacks, he was the one I felt most connected to. That in and of itself wasn¡¯t odd. Most members of the Society have an affinity for one of the Original Jacks, though few were quite as friendly with the Clever one as I was.

    Sometimes I wondered if that was why when the others disappeared, I remained, but I had nothing to prove either way and Clever didn''t seem keen on the idea. If he knew anything, he couldn¡¯t tell me, but he insisted that there had to be another reason. I was inclined to believe him, though I knew he would never admit to having anything resembling a favorite among those who were close to him.

    I hadn¡¯t exaggerated when I told Maguire just how enigmatic the Originals could be. I also knew it had to be experienced to be truly understood.

    He came wandering into the common area a few hours later looking about as befuddled as I expected him to be after the meeting.

    ¡°So, how¡¯d it go?¡± I asked.

    ¡°You weren¡¯t kidding when you said he¡¯s weird. I think he likes me, though.¡± He plopped down onto the opposite end of the couch and turned slightly so he could face me. He glanced at the can on the table next to him and then tapped the top, looking at me questioningly.

    ¡°I think he does, and yeah, he¡¯s a bit of an acquired taste but he definitely grows on you. I take it you got his blessing?¡± I nodded, saying that yes, the drink was for him.

    ¡°Yes, I did. Eventually. And the hint he gave me was something about diverging paths¡­hang on, I wrote it down.¡±

    ¡°Writing it down is usually a good call. You never know when notes will be necessary.¡±

    ¡°My thought exactly. Here it is. ¡®Two paths diverged in a yellow wood and I took the one less traveled and that has made all the difference.¡¯ Sounds like a poem.¡±

    I laughed. ¡°It¡¯s from a poem by Robert Frost. Remind me to start introducing you to more poetry and fiction. All Jacks need a well-rounded literary diet.¡±

    ¡°I guess I know what I¡¯m doing today. Before I forget, he wants to speak with you.¡±

    ¡°Who wants to what?¡±

    ¡°As I was leaving, the Jack told me that he wanted to speak with you.¡±

    ¡°Next time lead with that.¡± I jumped out of my seat and started towards the secret room. ¡°Library is in the other hall, third door on the right. You¡¯ll find poetry near the floral statue,¡± I called over my shoulder. I could hear the telltale sounds of Maguire getting up and following my directions, so I put that out of my mind.

    He would be able to figure it out just fine on his own. I needed to get to Clever Jack before the candle blew out. Calling on them multiple times in a short period could get tricky. Thankfully, I managed to slip into the room before the candle blew out.

    ¡°I¡¯m here, Jack.¡±

    You were almost late, but better late than never. We Jacks appreciate your respect for the traditions but this may not be the best time for some things. Unique circumstances and all that.

    ¡°Are you suggesting I play a more active part in this ritual?¡±

    Rules are meant to be bent when the situation requires it and I feel it is safe for me to say you will benefit greatly from gaining the boon. Plus, we Jacks are selfish beings. We can turn a blind eye to the exploitation of loopholes so long as it helps us get back what is ours.

    Some of the tension melted off my shoulders. Between the size of the city and the enigma of the Jacks, I had been worried that Maguire would not be able to gain the blessings in time to acquire the boon. He simply hadn¡¯t had enough time to get used to everything.

    The fact that Clever Jack was speaking so bluntly did give me pause.

    ¡°I will see what I can do to expedite things,¡± I said. ¡°The sooner we begin to rebuild the better.¡±

    There is much riding on this, Claudia, but I have every faith you will see this through.

    Those words left a warm feeling in my chest, and I held them close as I exited the room. Clever Jack would always hold a special place in my heart, and I knew I would always have his support.

    I could not help but wonder, though, which Jack would most connect with Maguire.

    What kind of Jack would he become?

 Claudia and the Gathering of Jacks Chapter 3

    ¡°What can you tell me about Jack Frost?¡± Maguire asked as we settled into the plush chairs in the poetry corner. He had a wall of Robert Frost books around him, along with some collections focusing on Jack Frost and other winter-adjacent entities. Meanwhile, I had a large tome of what looked to be Chinese proverbs but was really a collection of dirty limericks, among other entertaining things.

    Every safehouse had one and there were usually a few hilarious stories stuck in the back, left there by others who had passed through for one reason or another. It was the easiest way to get a feel for the people who worked in this space, and part of me hoped that it may have some answers about what happened.

    ¡°I can tell you many things. Not sure which would actually be helpful in this instance and I¡¯m pretty sure you know a fair amount yourself.¡±

    ¡°I did hear a few stories in the Pole, but I¡¯m not sure how many of them were actually true and I haven¡¯t met him.¡±

    ¡°I have only met him a few times myself. He¡¯s one of the older Jacks and tends to keep to himself, but he is friendly, if a bit old fashioned. He embodies many of the things that one associates with winter, with a dash of his special brand of mischief. He has not always been so kind as he is now. Centuries ago he was seen as cruel and twisted as the harsh winters that took the lives of many. He didn¡¯t cause that, though, but it did affect him. Now that people have better methods of handling the cold and snow and the winter winds, he has softened significantly.¡±

    ¡°And where might one find him?¡± Maguire asked, trying to play it casual.

    ¡°He has been known in recent years to frequent places that are filled with cold and whimsy and certain amounts of sneakery,¡± I replied. His eyebrow shot up as he looked at me, obviously not expecting me to give any response to that. ¡°Unfortunately he does tend to be farther east this time of year, so you will need to find his representation. You will figure it out, Maguire. Just keep reading and follow your gut.¡±

    We spent the rest of the afternoon in the library as Maguire worked his way through a few sections, following a lead he had not yet shared with me. Whatever he had discovered he followed with great intention and I watched his progress with curiosity. He proved once again to not only be clever, but a hard worker. After a quick dinner of holiday leftovers, which I forced him to take a break for, he disappeared into one of the workshops and began collecting some equipment.

    ¡°What are you working on there?¡± I asked, stepping closer as he started with the potions.

    ¡°It''s an old trick I learned about in the Pole, something to find the coldest heart,¡± he explained. ¡°The brewers developed it to help find anyone who got lost out in the snow beyond the bounds of the Pole proper. I figured it could possibly be adapted to find Frost, or at least get a clearer heading whenever I get close to his location.¡±

    ¡°I like the way you think. Talk me through it and I¡¯ll make some suggestions. Experiments like this are best done with some adult supervision, especially when you don¡¯t know your way around a workshop.¡±

    ¡°You sure that doesn¡¯t break any rules?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d rather have to find another way to get you inducted than have you blow up my workshop, or yourself. Now, get to talking.¡±

    Maguire chuckled and started explaining what he could remember of the brew and its use. We decided to make it the following morning to allow both of us more time to research. By the time we had all of the ingredients collected, I had enough of an idea of how it worked to be helpful for the rest of the experimentation process. We went back and forth on different thoughts and theories and iterations until Maguire finally figured it out and settled on a particular concoction that would change temperature in response to a person or place¡¯s magical affiliation.

    ¡°This way, I will be searching based on magical affinity instead of physical temperature, since I don¡¯t know if that would actually be helpful in finding Jack Frost, especially considering Clever Jack exists in a mural,¡± Maguire explained. Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

    ¡°I have to say, that is quite brilliant. I¡¯ve been taking notes, because I can see this having quite a few uses,¡± I said. He beamed with pride briefly before returning his attention to the potion.

    ¡°That should do it.¡±

    I leaned forward to get a closer look, pulling out a pocket magnifier to better examine the mixture. ¡°It looks perfect. I can bottle it while you tell me where you are thinking of starting this investigation.¡±

    Maguire complied, pulling out his phone to show me the notes he had taken the night before while looking for possible locations. While such technology wasn¡¯t overly common in the Pole, they had their own versions and, as with many other things, Maguire caught on quickly. He compiled a list of several possible starting points, all of which had connections to winter or other elements of the lore surrounding Jack Frost and the poem itself.

    As he talked I slowly poured the potion into a particularly ugly thermos, taking care not to spill any onto the table. Past experience told me it was best to use unpleasant looking containers to prevent the contents from ending up in the wrong hands. It also happened to be the first one I grabbed off the shelf.

    ¡°And, perfect,¡± I said, setting the now empty beaker back onto the table. ¡°I don¡¯t know about you, but I could go for some ice cream. It¡¯s a bit of a drive, but I think we should start there and treat ourselves before we start our potentially very long day.¡±

    ¡°Okay,¡± he said cautiously. ¡°If you say so, I trust your judgment.¡±

    ¡°Yes. Ice cream is a wonderful idea. Here, take the thermos and lead the way.¡±

    Maguire took the thermos, eyeing me suspiciously the whole time, like he half expected the whole thing to be a prank. Like I would ever do something so obvious, especially when we were working on a timetable.

    It was a lovely day for a walk and I let Maguire take the lead. Potion in hand, he wandered for a bit before heading straight toward the ice cream shop.

    ¡°I realized I should have asked this earlier, but am I looking for another mural or a person?¡± Maguire asked. He held the door open for me to enter first, then followed after me.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. What do you think?¡±

    His gaze followed mine and his eyes widened as he saw the person behind the counter bore a nametag that just said J. Frost. The things that made him different were subtle, but easy to find if you knew what to look for. Chief among them was the fact that the refrigeration unit for the ice cream was not plugged in, yet everything remained perfectly cold.

    ¡°I see you have found a new friend, Claudia,¡± Frost said with a twinkle in his eye.

    ¡°That I have. It¡¯s good to see you out and about. I thought you would be farther west this time of year.¡±

    ¡°Oh, I was for a while but I decided to change things up a bit. So, who is this?¡±

    I elbowed Maguire in the ribs when he didn¡¯t respond.

    ¡°Oh, yes, sorry. I was just surprised,¡± he stammered.

    ¡°So I gathered. Now, what can I call you?¡±

    ¡°Maguire.¡±

    ¡°Maguire. It is a pleasure to meet you. The name is Jack, and I believe you have spent a fair amount of time with an old friend of mine. Jolly old fellow, likes to go by the name Chris.¡±

    ¡°Yes, yes I have.¡±

    ¡°Good to see that our dear Claudia was able to find some help. I assume you are here to gain my favor?¡± Frost glanced pointedly at me. I nodded. ¡°And he found his way here on his own?¡±

    ¡°I helped with some potion crafting but the method was entirely his idea.¡±

    ¡°Most excellent. You may be seated, Claudia. I will have your order out in a moment, once I have had time to converse with our friend Maguire.¡±

    I gave Maguire an encouraging nod and went to sit by one of the windows. I got my ice cream a few minutes later, after Maguire had disappeared into the back with Frost. He came back sooner than I expected.

    ¡°I got the favor and a clue. And I think we are going to need to go back to the library for a while.¡± He showed me the paper with its foreign script and I nodded.

    ¡°Yeah, I had a feeling there would be something to translate soon. Good news is we have an entire section for that. First things first, though. You have got to try the ice cream here. It is quite magical,¡± I said pointedly, taking another bite of my sundae. He took a bite of his, eyes widening in surprise at the richness of the flavor, complete with an aftertaste of magic.

    ¡°This seems quite generous, and delicious.¡±

    ¡°There are some perks to being one of the only Society members still at large, though many interested parties are quite keen on fixing that. I imagine we will be gaining more than just the Jack¡¯s favor before this month is done.¡±

 Claudia and the Gathering of Jacks Chapter 4

    As we returned to the safehouse, I found myself wondering how long we could go before running into our first unexpected twist. The answer turned out to be not long, because the door wouldn¡¯t open, no matter what we tried.

    ¡°I don¡¯t remember you locking the door behind us,¡± Maguire commented. ¡°Is there anyone else who has access to this building?¡±

    ¡°The Jacks do have some friends who are allowed to enter, but I doubt it was any of them that locked us out.¡± I gave the door knob one last shake, just in case this was a prank. Nothing happened.

    ¡°What do you mean?¡±

    ¡°I mean this is part of the challenge, and the harder the challenge the bigger the boon, which means we have a lot of work to do.¡± I started off towards the part of the building that I was decently confident held the garage, hoping that we wouldn¡¯t have to go hunting through a parking garage to find our ride. Maguire followed a few steps behind me, practically radiating with confusion. ¡°Sometimes they decide to ditch subtlety when they want to get a point across, and they haven¡¯t exactly had a lot of people to mess with in the past year.¡±

    ¡°I take it this little scavenger hunt is going to take us outside of the city,¡± he said.

    ¡°Looks like it. I have no doubt there is a logic behind it beyond it being entertaining to the Originals, but I¡¯d rather start puzzling that out after we have hit the road. They do this, sometimes. They give us no choice but to go on a little adventure that almost always pays off in the end. Aha, there is a garage!¡±

    As if in cue, the door started to roll open, revealing a well-kept SUV. I went to the drivers side and let myself in, Maguire following suit on the passenger side.

    ¡°Do we need to go and pack our things or will we have to buy the necessities along the way?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Depends. Check in the back, will you? I am going to see if there¡¯s a clue to where we are supposed to be going.¡±

    Maguire turned and craned his neck to see behind his seat while I started the car, tapping on the display to pull up the GPS. It already had an address plugged in, which simplified some things, though the time it would take to get there made me a little nervous. We didn¡¯t have a lot of time to waste and I had no doubt we would run into all sorts of roadblocks along the way.

    ¡°Either someone else was planning a trip recently or someone went into the house, packed our things, then locked us out,¡± Maguire said, flopping back into his seat. ¡°I see both of our bags in the back, and they both look full. So, where are we going?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s probably somewhere in the middle, though anything of ours that didn¡¯t get packed will remain safe in the house, so you don¡¯t need to worry about that. Also, it looks like we are going on a bit of a road trip. First stop is a library where my guess is we will find what we need to translate that message Frost gave you. Not sure where to go after that but we will figure it out when we get there. We haven¡¯t really had the chance to get you comfortable driving, so I¡¯ll handle the bulk of it.¡±

    ¡°That sounds good. I will help however I can, though I am very new to whatever is about to happen.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about it, Maguire. Just keep me company and let me know if you need a bathroom break.¡±

    We were out of the city within the hour, with three left to go before we reached our destination. I had been on many trips with many people, and among those names I decided Maguire ranked near the top of the list. He got a little twitchy when we hit traffic and whenever I started to speed up significantly, but in his defense, he was still getting used to some parts of the modern world. Thankfully, he did start to relax as the minutes stretched on and nothing horrendous happened. There were a few moments when he started to doze off that I considered mischief, but the only pranks I could think of felt a little mean for his first road trip. So, I decided not to, unless something really good came along like a truck hauling another truck.

    That opportunity did not present itself and halfway to our destination, we turned onto a mostly empty road. I cracked the windows just enough to let the breeze in and turned up the radio, letting the music soak into the silence. The countryside draw Maguire¡¯s attention, as it was quite beautiful, and I found myself enjoying the view as well. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Then something in his posture shifted.

    ¡°It looks like there¡¯s someone walking along the side of the road,¡± he said, pointing to a figure who was just visible near the horizon.

    ¡°They must have gotten lost or had some sort of accident. There isn¡¯t much around here for miles.¡± I glanced at the GPS to confirm that we were, indeed, in the middle of nowhere.

    ¡°I know this may not be common practice, but can we offer him a ride? I feel terrible leaving him out here all on his own when we could do something to help.¡±

    ¡°What does your gut say?¡±

    ¡°It says that we should help him get to wherever he is going,¡± Maguire said simply.

    ¡°Alright, then. Let¡¯s pick him up.¡±

    I slowed down as we approached, taking care to give the man plenty of space as I slowly pulled up beside him. He was a scraggly looking older gentleman in worn clothes that must once have been very fine. As he turned to face us, he smiled, revealing several missing teeth. Something about him made me think of Halloween, especially with the odd glint in his eyes.

    Maguire rolled down the window and leaned out. ¡°Hello there. Do you need a ride?¡±

    ¡°Would you mind terribly taking me to the next town? It is a very long way to walk and I am quite tired,¡± the old man said. Maguire glanced at me and I nodded, letting him take the lead.

    ¡°Of course! Come in and make yourself comfortable. We have some food and water in the back if you need any.¡±

    ¡°You show this old man a great kindness.¡± The old man let himself into the back seat of the car, settling in and helping himself to the food and drinks. ¡°If you would be so kind as to take me to my friend''s home, I would greatly appreciate it. He lives just on the other side of the city and he has offered me a place to sleep for the night.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s the address?¡± I asked. He rattled off the address and Maguire punched the information into the GPS, setting it as a stop along the way to the library. This added another hour to our drive, meaning we would have to find a place to spend the night ourselves before beginning our research, but I kept that fact to myself. We still had plenty of time and I had a hunch that Maguire was onto something.

    In fact, Maguire spent the whole time regaling the man with stories, answering whatever questions the old man asked without revealing any of the secrets I had shared with him. For hours they talked, with me chiming in occasionally to help clarify something that they were misunderstanding. It helped the time pass faster, though I still was not able to make up the loss enough to where we could make it to the library, since the old man asked for a warm meal as we passed by a diner.

    The diner itself was a cozy little burger joint, the likes of which I had been wanting to introduce Maguire to, so I agreed and Maguire ended up covering the old man¡¯s meal. We were only fifteen minutes from the address he had given us, by my estimate, but I let it happen anyway.

    ¡°The two of you have shown me great kindness, at the cost of your plans for the evening,¡± the old man said as the clock ticked past the library¡¯s closing time. ¡°You have given me much without expecting anything in return and for that, you shall be rewarded.¡±

    The old man slid a key across the table towards me, then flipped a coin to Maguire. We both caught our gifts around the same time, and before either of us could respond, the man had vanished, leaving us with his mess to clean up and his bill to pay.

    ¡°What just happened?¡± Maguire asked, lowering his voice so only I could hear.

    ¡°I believe you just gained another Jack¡¯s favor, and we got the key to a safe house where we can stay until it''s time for our next move. I was wondering why the GPS was taking us such a strange way to get to the city.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s an Original?¡±

    ¡°It would appear so.¡±

    ¡°Which one?¡±

    ¡°Stingy Jack, the inspiration for the Jack ¡®o Lanterns that people put out around Halloween. Haven¡¯t met him before but I know of him. He¡¯s not really one you find so much as he finds you, and his blessings are potent but rare. I¡¯d keep a close eye on that coin if I were you.¡±

    ¡°Okay.¡± Maguire carefully tucked the coin into the little pouch he wore around his neck. ¡°Well, now what? Do we have somewhere else to go?¡±

    ¡°I have no idea. We still have to translate that message that Frost gave you, which requires spending some time in the library, which may have some challenges of its own. First things first, though, we should settle up here and get to the safe house. I don¡¯t know about you, but I¡¯m looking forward to a good night¡¯s sleep and a shower.¡±

    I slept well that night, and we woke early the next morning to get some coffee before heading to the library to begin the tedious task of translating Jack Frost¡¯s foreign scrawl. While Maguire had certainly earned the respect of Stingy Jack, as much as one could, I did not sense a particularly strong connection between them. Even so, that respect could prove very useful in the long run, and there was no telling just how powerful his blessing would be.

 Claudia and the Gathering of Jacks Chapter 5

    We ended up trying three different libraries before Maguire managed to talk his way into the foreign language section at the local university¡¯s library, which was the only one that had what we needed. Being somewhat able to pass for a college student himself, Maguire set about enlisting the help of a few students to narrow down what languages we were looking for. Naturally, the riddle was written in more than one.

    ¡°We are doing a bit of a scavenger hunt,¡± I explained. ¡°The person organizing it is a bit of a linguist.¡±

    There must have been a big test coming up, because a few of the students took to the challenge with gusto in an attempt to procrastinate on their studying or homework. I didn¡¯t judge them in the slightest, having done the same thing myself on more than one occasion.

    A few hours later, we had our translation.

    ¡°It¡¯s a riddle,¡± Maguire said. ¡°Of course, it''s a riddle. What else would it be?¡±

    Some of the students began to disperse now that the challenge, at least in their eyes, had been completed. A few stayed close by, probably curious to see what treasure laid at the end of this metaphorical rainbow, but also realizing that they really should get to work on their homework. Meanwhile, I moved to stand behind Maguire so I could read the rough translation over his shoulder. The wording felt odd, stilted even, but after a few minutes of thinking it over, the pieces finally clicked into place.

    ¡°You know, some things don¡¯t translate perfectly from one language to another, and that can often cause things that are written in a poetic way to sound like a convoluted riddle after they¡¯ve been sifted through a few languages,¡± I said, choosing my words carefully. The student¡¯s looked baffled by this, but a spark of understanding flashed in Maguire¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°So our friend¡¯s fondness for poetry continues,¡± he commented. ¡°Do you have any suggestions for where to look next?¡±

    His words followed me as I beelined for the other side of the library, keeping my eyes out for a very specific display I had noticed on my way in. It took a few tries to find what I was looking for, but I managed to track down the version I wanted, along with a few other interesting reads. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    I dropped the book in front of Maguire and settled back into my seat with the rest of the stack.

    ¡°This might be up your alley. It¡¯s an interesting read, for sure. One of the best takes on some classic tales,¡± I explained. He took the book and started to read the book from cover to cover. While he did that, I took the opportunity to skim through the local newspaper.

    ¡°I think I found it!¡± Maguire turned the book around so I could see the page he was on, pointing at one of the sentences. ¡°I smell the blood of an Englishman. Be he alive, or be he dead, I¡¯ll grind his bones to make my bread!¡±

    ¡°Good catch, Maguire. Seems our friend is a fan of English fairy tales about young boys taking on giants.¡± I tossed the newspaper onto the table, open to the business section. Maguire¡¯s eyes followed the motion, focusing on the article displayed above the fold.

    ¡°Huh. Road trip time?¡± He asked, glancing from the article to me and back again.

    ¡°Yep, road trip time. Might take care of a few errands while we are still in town, though. There are some friends who we haven¡¯t talked to in a while. It¡¯ll be good to make sure they know they aren¡¯t forgotten.¡±

    ¡°Do I get to meet these friends?¡± Maguire stood and we started collecting our research to take it back to one of the carts so the staff could more easily return everything to where it belonged.

    ¡°Assuming we actually get to see any of them, yes. I''ll check to see if there are any gatherings happening tonight, and if not I¡¯ll just drop some notes.¡±

    Once the books were deposited, we headed out to the car. Our first stop was at a brunch place, where I managed to get information on a social gathering happening later that day.

    ¡°When you say gathering, what exactly should I be expecting?¡± Maguire asked, fidgeting with his seatbelt.

    ¡°You ever been to a dinner party?¡± I backed the car out of the parking spot and exited onto the main road.

    ¡°I am sure I''ve been to quite a few social events, but I''m not sure how much they compare to your dinner parties, and I usually knew everyone there.¡±

    ¡°Well, at least you won¡¯t be the only one surrounded by strangers. Plus, these people tend to be pretty welcoming and the company is top tier. It¡¯ll be a good time for both of us.¡±

 Claudia and the Gathering of Jacks Chapter 6

    The dinner party turned out to be more of a laidback potluck with a movie marathon going on in the background. It reminded me of the kinds of gatherings the Society would hold all of the time, both officially and casually. There were only half a dozen people there, none of whom I knew, but they were a friendly enough bunch, especially once they learned we were part of the Society.

    ¡°What exactly is the Society? It sounds so mysterious.¡± Lark commented. He and his partner were of the Druid variety, some who carried the affinity for nature in their blood and others who chose to pursue a life in harmony with the world around them. Lovely people to spend an evening with, though I did have to warn Maguire away from the brownies.

    ¡°We are a group of misfits who are good at solving problems, and we can be found all over. We have a knack for hiding in plain sight and subverting people¡¯s expectations, but last year was a bit of an odd one. Hopefully you¡¯ll be able to see more of us soon.¡±

    ¡°I look forward to that,¡± Kiandra said, stepping into our conversation. ¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever met a Jack before. At least, not a Jack-Jack. I did have a neighbor named Jack, once.¡±

    From what I could tell, she and the rest of the people at the party were hedge witches. What their specific interest was, I couldn¡¯t guess, but they were friendly and they had excellent taste in music.

    ¡°Fun fact, I don¡¯t think we have any people named Jack in the Society. We have a few Jacobs and some Jacquilines, but no Jacks,¡± I commented.

    ¡°Seriously?¡± Maguire asked. I gave him a look over the rim of my drink, using the cup to cover my grin. From the look on Kiandra¡¯s face, she saw straight through my little joke, but a few of the others looked like they might actually believe it.

    ¡°So, what about the rest of you? What''s your community like?¡± I asked. The conversation shifted quickly and we eventually migrated into another room. We were in Kiandra¡¯s house, though I got the impression Lark regularly crashed on the couch.

    I sat back and let Maguire take the lead on the conversation, chipping in whenever he seemed a little lost. One of the witches, a girl named Crystal, kept looking at me like she wanted to say something, so between the first and second movies I decided to step outside for a moment. She followed a few steps behind me, claiming she left something in her car.

    ¡°Do you have a question about the Society or about the Jacks?¡± I asked once we were both outside.

    ¡°Not exactly it''s just¡­I have some friends in the Society, and I haven¡¯t heard from them in a while. Something¡¯s going on, isn¡¯t it?¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    ¡°Nothing to be immediately worried about, though it''s best to keep an eye out for any strange patterns appearing. Much as I wish I could say this could be nothing, I think we both know it''s rarely something so simple.¡±

    ¡°I think you''re right, and I think I may be able to help. Not right now, of course, but later on. There''s going to be a party sometime this summer, filled with all sorts of interesting people. It''s invite only, but if you want I can find a way to get you in.¡±

    ¡°That certainly sounds interesting. What sort of party is it?¡±

    ¡°One that you won''t want to miss.¡±

    ¡°I would appreciate an invite then, if you''re able to land one. If you can get me a plus one for my friend, I''ll owe you an extra favor. I am good at solving problems involving magic and enchantments. I''ll be happy to solve one in trade, fitting within the scope of what I can handle. If I can''t fix it, I''ll help you find someone who can and we can renegotiate the favor as needed. Does this sound fair?¡±

    ¡°It does, and I hope we can become friends somewhere along the line.¡±

    ¡°I tend to consider everyone I''ve made a deal with as a friend, unless the deal is made in bad faith. So, what do you say? Are we friends?¡± I held out my hand for her to shake.

    ¡°Friends,¡± she said, shaking my hand with a glint of mischief and pride in her eyes. I felt something gently shift as we shook, sealing the deal and forging a bit of a bond between us both.

    We went back inside soon after and Maguire sent me a questioning look. I shook my head once, mouthing ¡®later¡¯. He nodded and we settled once more back into the movie night. There was more conversation between and on top of the movies, along with drinks and snacks being passed around the slightly crowded living room.

    Once the final movie was done, Maguire and I said our goodbyes and headed back to the safehouse. We drove in silence that short distance and, while I could sense him wanting to say something, he didn''t speak until the door closed behind us.

    ¡°Whatever is going on, I don''t think it''s impacting just the Society,¡± he said.

    ¡°Considering how many connections the Society has with the rest of the world, that''s not too surprising,¡± I admitted, tossing the keys onto the kitchen counter on my way to the living room. ¡°It is a little concerning, though. I''ve been so focused on figuring out the what and the how, I haven''t been able to start figuring out the why. I have theories, of course, but nothing conclusive.¡±

    ¡°Did your new friend have any insights?¡±

    ¡°In a way. Not so much an answer as a chance to get some, though it''s more of a long term opportunity than something that is immediately helpful. Still, it was a good connection to make.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m glad to hear it, whatever it ends up being. That was pretty fun.¡±

    ¡°It really was. I have to remind myself every so often that sometimes the best thing to do when you¡¯ve been working away at something is to take a step back and connect with the people around you. Either it¡¯ll give you the space you need to find a new perspective or you¡¯ll find something you didn¡¯t know you needed, but at the end of the day, we all need to get out of our heads sometime.¡±

    ¡°That is true. So, what¡¯s next?¡±

    ¡°I think a good nights sleep is in order, then tomorrow, we go hunting for our next Jack.¡±

 Claudia and the Gathering of Jacks Chapter 7

    Finding our giant slayer took more time and footwork than I anticipated. We spent the first few days back and forth from the safe house to the city, checking out all of the high rises that house businesses targeted but what I was decently confident was the spirit of Jack the Giant Slayer.

    ¡°This world may be short on literal giants, but it is full of metaphorical ones,¡± I explained. ¡°Most of those giants exist in the form of companies, conglomerates, and certain influential individuals.¡±

    ¡°So its a safe bet that whoever is toppling these giants is connected to the person we are looking for. We just have to find them long enough to see what we need to do to gain their favor.¡±

    ¡°You have a mouse in your pocket there, Maguire?¡±

    His face became a mix of confusion and concern as he started checking his pockets. ¡°I don¡¯t think so. How would I have gotten a mouse in my pocket? Is that a sort of prank that Stingy Jack likes to pull?¡±

    ¡°No, he just likes to take advantage of hospitality with limited reward. It¡¯s a turn of phrase, nothing to worry about. You said ¡®we¡¯ three times in that sentence¡­¡±

    ¡°And that is similar to the sound a mouse makes. I get it now. You were trying to remind me that this is technically my challenge to solve,¡± he said.

    ¡°Exactly. Apologies for causing you concern, though I have to say, your response was very funny to watch.¡±

    ¡°I am glad I was able to provide some amusement during what I feel like is going to be a very long day.¡±

    It ended up being a very long week as we chased down different leads, and as we reached the weekend I found myself growing increasingly nervous. I tried to keep it to myself, of course. No need to stress Maguire out, but we were running low on time and I was not sure how many more Jacks we would need to find before we got the boon.

    ¡°Can we try one more place before we head back?¡± Maguire asked. ¡°I have a hunch.¡±

    He had been doing a lot of research into possible targets of the giant slayer, who had made a name for himself exposing corrupt business practices at some of the business companies in the city. He also continued to adapt to the strange new world he found himself in remarkably quickly, which left me both proud and relieved.

    ¡°Well, it is almost four on a Friday, which is when a lot of people start heading home, but its your call. Whatever you think is right, I¡¯ll back your play,¡± I said.

    He stood and I followed him across the street to the high rise law office. We settled ourselves into the waiting room and pretended to be having some sort of discussion while we waited for whoever we were supposedly there to see, which wasn¡¯t actually anyone, but I noted some of the names on the wall in case someone actually asked us. No one did, and half an hour later something caught Maguire¡¯s attention. If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    ¡°I think that¡¯s him,¡± he said quietly, eyes locked on something behind me. I pulled out my phone and opened my camera, turning it around and holding it up so I could see what was behind me while I pretended to use it like a mirror. It took me a second to figure out who he was talking about, but surely enough there was a young man dressed in a fine suit strolling purposefully towards the door, hand clasped tightly on his briefcase. I couldn¡¯t put my finger on what it was about him, but I knew in my bones that he was the one we were looking for.

    Then I saw one of the security guards stepping forward, likely to perform a random search on whoever was nearest. Who just so happened to be the young man. I mentally ran through a few scenarios of things that could possibly go wrong, and decided that he could probably use a hand.

    ¡°I am going to inquire with the front desk to see about our appointment this afternoon. Why don¡¯t you go and catch up with your old friend?¡± I said pointedly. Maguire¡¯s brow briefly furrowed, but he nodded.

    ¡°That sounds like an excellent idea. I will see you back home?¡±

    ¡°Sure.¡± I stood quickly and walked up to the desk, and Maguire crossed behind me with equal urgency to go an intercept the young man in question. I watched them both out of the corner of my eye as I ran the woman behind the desk through a few different people who I might possibly have a meeting with, only to find out I had no meeting scheduled with anyone in the building. ¡°Oh dear, I must have gotten my dates mixed up. Or maybe it was my names? I am so sorry to have wasted your time. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.¡±

    ¡°It is no trouble. Have a lovely Friday!¡± The woman said with a signature customer service smile.

    I pulled out my phone as I left, tracing a sigil on the front to activate the tracker I had on Maguire¡¯s phone. He knew about it, of course, but I had no intention of explaining how he could turn it off until he had spent at least six months in the modern world. The last thing I wanted was for him to get lost and me not be able to find him. Not with no other Jacks around to help.

    I found them both walking through the parking lot, halfway to our car. Maguire had his arm looped through the young man¡¯s arm and they chatted amicably, drawing a few strange looks but no suspicion from what I could tell.  I picked up my pace just enough to catch up with them before they reached the car.

    ¡°There you are,¡± I said. ¡°How are my boys doing today?¡±

    ¡°Better now that I know why two strangers decided to give me a hand,¡± the young man.

    ¡°We Jacks are always happy to help a friend,¡± Maguire said.

    ¡°This is one gift horse I am not going to look too closely at, but you have certainly earned yourself a favor. You helped me get information that will allow me to expose some very bad people. Is there a way I can return the favor?¡±

    ¡°You strike me as someone who understands the value of bringing the truth to light, especially when it comes to people who use their power to hurt others,¡± I said. ¡°If I were to give you some names, could you keep me in the loop about what you find?¡±

    ¡°It is certainly a possibility but I can¡¯t make any promises. I have a code, you know.¡±

    ¡°And I would never expect you to break it. There¡¯s a possibility that one of these people took something very important from some friends of mine, and I¡¯d really like to help them get it back.¡± I palmed the list in my pocket, trying to gauge the young thief''s reaction.

    ¡°I¡¯ll consider it, once I''m done with my current projects. In the meantime, I think it''s best if we part ways.¡± He held his hand out and I shook it, leaving the list in his hand. Then he turned and set off across the parking lot to another car. As he got in and drove away, I wondered idly how long it would be for the car to be reported stolen.

    ¡°Now what?¡± Maguire asked.

    ¡°Now we go back to the safe house, see if there is anything there. Also, get some food. I don¡¯t know about you, but I''m starving.¡±

 Claudia and the Gathering of Jacks Chapter 8

    Due to a smattering of storms and other unexpected circumstances, it took us twice as long to get back to our little base of operations as it had taken to get to the city. Add to that the fact that we had to kill an entire weekend in the city before being told where to go next, and we were running out of days to get the boon.

    Then Maguire offered to be the one to drive back.

    ¡°Our original clue included something about taking the road less traveled,¡± he explained. ¡°That has to mean something, and I haven¡¯t traveled quite as many roads as you have. And if we take an indirect path, it¡¯ll better fit that first instruction. I could just be grasping at straws, but it has to bear some significance that Clever used that specific passage.¡±

    ¡°It is one of his more well known poems, but that would be very much on brand for Clever. If you feel comfortable handling the drive back, the keys are yours. You''ve shown yourself to be a pretty good driver so far, and I can always take over if you need a break.¡±

    He handled the drive pretty well, considering Clever kept messing with our GPS directions to take us the most round-about path possible and it rained nearly the whole time. Flooding forced us to stop more than once, causing the trip to take days when it could have taken hours.

    The morning following our return, I found a vase of flowers sitting on the counter with a note tucked underneath it.

    ¡°Another goose chase?¡± Maguire asked.

    ¡°Possibly,¡± I replied, flipping the card over. ¡°Huh. Seems this safehouse has another secret room down in the basement. I thought I had found them all.¡±

    ¡°Could that be where our boon is?¡±

    ¡°Possibly. I''m going to need some coffee before we go find whatever is there for us. And maybe some breakfast. I''m still wiped after that road trip.¡±

    ¡°I think there are some waffles in the freezer.¡±

    ¡°Ohhh perfect. You heat those up, I¡¯ll get the peanut butter.¡±

    Maguire gave me a quizzical look. ¡°Peanut butter?¡±

    ¡°Just trust me.¡±

    The waffles finished cooking as the coffee finished brewing and we enjoyed a quiet, but filling breakfast. Then we went to go and find the secret room down in the basement. I held back while Maguire took the lead, quickly finding the correct tile to press. To my surprise, the wall itself slid away, revealing a second wall with a very different mural.

    This mural was made with iridescent, somewhat reflective tiles, portraying a faceless figure with his hands held out like looking to embrace a friend.

    ¡°The situation must be more serious than I expected,¡± I muttered.

    ¡°What makes you say that?¡±

    ¡°This is perhaps one of the most reclusive Originals out there. This is Just Jack, or the First Jack, believed to be the first trickster. Legend has it that if you stand in front of his mural, you will see what of him lives in you and he will tell you something.¡±Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

    Maguire nodded, eyes locked on the mural. I stepped back, giving him the space he needed to step in front and see what he might find. I felt more than I saw the change, the shift in the air as something happened beyond what I could wrap my head around. After what felt like a few moments but could have been a few hours, the stillness broke and Maguire staggered back, shaking his head.

    I stepped forward and grabbed him by the shoulders to steady him. He turned to look at me, eyes slowly starting to regain their focus.

    ¡°Are you alright?¡± I asked gently.

    ¡°I¡­yeah, it was just a lot. Very intense. He wants to talk to you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, okay.¡±

    ¡°If you need me, I''ll be in the living room. I need to lie down.¡±

    I wordlessly patted Maguire on the arm as he turned to leave, trying to wrap my mind around the fact that Just Jack wanted to talk to me. A figure I had never met before, who only showed his face when things were dire, had a message he sought to deliver to me in person.

    The door closed behind Maguire, and I stepped in front of the mural. The second my reflection lined up with the figure¡¯s face, the world shifted.

    I honestly don¡¯t remember exactly what happened while I spoke with Just Jack. All I know is the second it ended, I knew I had learned many important things that I would probably remember whenever I needed to remember them. I also had to brace myself against the wall for a few minutes until the room stopped spinning.

    Once I felt steady enough, I made my way back upstairs and joined Maguire in the living room, stopping by the kitchen to grab some snacks. He was lying on the couch with his arm over his eyes, so I settled into the plush chair next to him.

    After a period of mindless silence, I turned the TV on, which woke Maguire from his unplanned nap. He glanced up at me as if awaiting some sort of explanation.

    ¡°We are taking today off. Maybe tomorrow too,¡± I said. ¡°I need a brain break and you could use a chance to absorb some low stakes media.¡±

    ¡°I won¡¯t argue with that. Might grab a snack, though.¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s a stash of cookies hidden behind the pasta boxes. Grab two. I think we both deserve a box after the adventure we have had.¡±

    ¡°Definitely not arguing with that either. I take it that¡¯s not the only stash?¡±

    ¡°Not by a long shot,¡± I scoffed. I surfed through some of our movie choices while he collected the cookies. Part of my mind still reeled from my conversation with Just Jack, but there was only really one part of it that I could bring myself to focus on.

    ¡°I may have a way to get them all back,¡± I said as Maguire walked back into the room.

    ¡°The Jacks?¡±

    ¡°Yep. The society. Everyone who disappeared. It won¡¯t be easy and we still need to figure out why it happened to make sure it doesn¡¯t happen again but¡­he showed me how to do it.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like we have ourselves a project.¡± Maguire set the packs of cookies and two sodas on the table between us before sitting back down on the couch. I grabbed a pack and a drink and handed him the remote, so he could select a movie.

    ¡°The life of a Jack is many things, but it is never dull. That doesn¡¯t mean we can¡¯t take a break before diving back into the chaos,¡± I said. I started methodically munching on the cookies while Maguire scrolled through his options before finally settling on what looked to be a rather light-hearted series.

    ¡°We will figure this out,¡± he said as the commercials started to roll. ¡°You and me. Two Jacks can work miracles, or so they say.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s good to not be alone anymore.¡±

 Claudia and the Gathering of Jacks Epilogue

    A few days after our meeting with Just Jack, I woke up to find the candlestick on my dresser had been lit at some point while I was sleeping. I checked the time on my phone and grumbled when I saw it had just passed midnight on the 17th.

    ¡°You rang,¡± I said as soon as the candle in the mural was lit. ¡°I assume this must be important if you¡¯re waking me before the sun.¡±

    You are now two. You must be rather proud of your protege. I know I am.

    ¡°I am proud of him, and we have made some new connections that could prove helpful in the long run. Doesn¡¯t explain why you want me up so early. So, what¡¯s going on? What do I need to know?¡±

    Nothing you didn''t already suspect. There is something afoot and your progress could very well cause ripples. The lack of Jacks involvement in the wider world is going to cause some to become bold. You may wish to check on our allies soon. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about that myself. Now that Maguire is a Jack, we can start making the rounds, check on the friends and family. Do you have any suggestions for places to start?¡±

    There is only so much I can say, so much I can see. It¡¯s best to be prepared for anything.

    ¡°Never a dull moment in the life of a Jack.¡±

    Never dull indeed. And now you know a way to bring them back.

    ¡°That I do. Is there anything else, or can I go back to bed?¡±

    Only that you have much work to do in the coming year. We are counting on you to fix this before things spin too far out of control.

    ¡°I know, I know. I¡¯m working on it. I won¡¯t let you down, Jack.¡±

    The figure in the mural smiled, eyes twinkling with pride, and the candle went out. This time, I walked through the fire, not awake enough to bother jumping over it. I ended up spending the rest of the night on the couch, only to be woken the next morning by the sounds and smells of Maguire fixing breakfast.

    Having another Jack around was very nice indeed.

 Claudia and the Hidden Heart Chapter 1

    There truly is no rest for the wicked. The day after Maguire finished his trial and officially joined the Society of Jacks, a friend of mine decided to call in a favor to deal with an infestation of pests causing havoc in her garden. By the time we had that taken care of, word had gotten out about Maguire¡¯s admittance, so naturally, everyone wanted to meet him.

    January passed in the blink of an eye and February caught me by surprise halfway through fixing breakfast on the first. Maguire and I had settled into taking turns with the different chores around the safehouse, though he would probably do all of them all the time if I let him. Mrs. Claus was big on cleanliness and manners, and that focus was infectious.

    ¡°Morning Maguire,¡± I said as he slid into his usual spot at the counter.

    ¡°Morning, Claudia.¡±

    ¡°How does it feel to be a one month old Jack?¡±

    ¡°Either I''ve lost track of time or you have, because it hasn¡¯t been a month since I passed the test.¡±

    ¡°Ehhh, we¡¯ve never been big on those kinds of details. It¡¯s been a month since you took the plunge and made the commitment to join. I think that¡¯s worth celebrating.¡±

    ¡°I''m not going to protest too much. Whatever you¡¯re fixing smells delicious. What are you fixing by the way?¡±

    He stood up and leaned over the counter, so I tilted the griddle slightly to show him what I was fixing. His eyes widened and I chuckled to myself, pulling some more candy from one of the assorted bowls to sprinkle onto the pancakes. Maguire quickly hopped up and fixed himself a cup of coffee, before going to grab some plates from the cabinet. Minutes later, we were seated across the bar with plates piled high.

    ¡°I''ve got some friends who are coming into town tonight. They¡¯re scholars who travel the world studying different innovations in the practicing of magic, but don¡¯t let that intimidate you. They¡¯re some of the biggest nerds you will ever meet.¡±

    ¡°Sounds fun. Where are we meeting them?¡±Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    ¡°There¡¯s a sports bar downtown. There¡¯s a trivia night every Thursday that they like to clean house in, followed by a performance from a local musician. It¡¯s always a good time.¡±

    ¡°Well, I look forward to it.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯ll be a nice break. In the meantime, you have work to do.¡±

    ¡°And what is today''s lesson?¡±

    ¡°That is for me to know and you to find out.¡±

    He slowly set his fork down on his almost clean plate and stared at me for a moment as if trying to read my mind. I looked back at him, stoic as can be, until finally he backed down. He wouldn¡¯t be getting any hints from me. not this time.

    When I went to check on his progress a few hours later, I found him deconstructing the trap I left on the basement door.

    ¡°So you have been keeping up on your reading. Good. And it looks like you broke out in record time,¡± I said, examining the pieces arrayed around him. ¡°You spent some time in puzzles, didn''t you?¡±

    ¡°Guilty as charged, though most of my experience was in tinkering before I got promoted into a personnel role.¡± Tinkering was considered part of quality control, which included testing the enjoyment and solvability of all puzzles before they were packaged as gifts. While Maguire had been working in personnel when we met, I wasn¡¯t overly surprised to learn he had worked in other departments. That kind of role shifting happened often in the North Pole/

    ¡°That makes a lot of sense, now that I think about it. And it''s good to know you have a knack for traps like that. Definitely something to explore further, though I¡¯ll probably be shifting your training to other topics. It¡¯s important for Jacks to have multiple talents. Now, if you are in a spot where you can pause your tinkering, it''s time to test your trivia skills. Come on, let''s go.¡±

    Maguire and I played our share of trivia games over his first month away from the Pole, and he was familiar in theory with how trivia nights worked. This would be his first time attending a proper trivia night, though, and I could tell he was excited. He took longer to get ready than he normally did and came out wearing a pair of nice jeans and a purple polo shirt, his hair neatly brushed back and shoes shining. He took to fashion about as quickly as he took to most things, and I found it amusing to watch his continued growth.

    Before we left he did the phone-wallet-keys pat and then held the door open for me.

    ¡°Would you like me to drive?¡± he asked.

    ¡°I will drive tonight. We aren¡¯t sure yet how well you will handle alcohol and I want you to have the chance to enjoy yourself. Plus, it''s tricky getting to the good parking spots.¡±

    ¡°Fair enough. I will pay for dinner then.¡±

    ¡°Deal.¡±

    Most of our money came from the same account, connected to the Society¡¯s vault, but the gesture was still appreciated. Plus, it made him happy to do it.

 Claudia and the Hidden Heart Chapter 2

    I fully expected our team to win trivia night. What I didn¡¯t expect was Maguire being the key reason we swept the other team. I shouldn¡¯t have been surprised, though. Between his naturally encouraging, friendly nature and his good looks, our team stayed bolstered and more than a few members of the other teams were distracted.

    ¡°You said he was smart,¡± Tanya commented as the Nerdlettes landed their fifteenth win in a row. ¡°You never said he was a heartbreaker.¡±

    ¡°In my defense, this is my first time dragging him to a sports bar since he decided to follow me home from the North Pole,¡± I replied, snagging a fry off her plate.

    ¡°This has been an incredibly unique experience in more ways than one,¡± Maguire admitted.

    Even though he was often at ease in crowds, this was his first time dealing with strangers trying to flirt with him over an extended period of time. He handled it well, if perhaps a bit too well given the fact that the attempts continued.  Thankfully, the number of people at our table dissuaded women from trying to approach, so as long as he stayed put, he didn¡¯t have to deal with it. That allowed him to face the challenge on his own terms instead of being inundated with unwanted attention. I had no doubt he would be fine, but it was nice being able to give him some backup.

    ¡°I want him on our team for the holiday trivia special,¡± Lenny said.

    ¡°Come on, now. You know I can¡¯t make commitments like that this far in advance,¡± I protested.

    ¡°First off, I am not asking for a commitment at this exact moment. I am just stating a fact. And secondly, you don¡¯t have to be there. I just want Christmas boy for the Christmas trivia.¡±

    ¡°You know there are plenty of other holidays that happen in December,¡± Maguire countered.

    ¡°Oh, we know¡­¡±

    The conversation quickly veered into all of the holidays that take place throughout the year, and another round of drinks was brought to our table. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the stage being set for the performance of a very familiar face.

    All eyes were locked on Eric the second he took the stage and greeted his fans. He flashed a smile that left half the girls in the room on the edge of swooning and introduced himself, before diving straight into his first song.

    The next hour was filled with power ballads, love songs, and duets that he sang along with the crowd. Maguire sent me a few curious looks and I nodded. Everyone at the table could feel the literal power of the song coursing through the room, spreading from person to person. It carried with it a gentle warmth that settled in the center of my chest, untangling the knotted muscles between my shoulders. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    By the time he finished, everyone was in a much better mood than they had been when they sat down. The future felt a little brighter. The world felt a little warmer. And we all felt a little closer.

    ¡°What was that?¡± Maguire whispered. Chatter began to spread once the music ended and the focus on Eric began to fade.

    ¡°Music,¡± I said simply, ¡°with a little bit of magic mixed in. It¡¯s similar to what you grew up around, but it''s a different source, a different flavor.  Sometimes it can be connected to a place but in this case it is connected to a person and brought out by an action.¡±

    ¡°He has the ability to inspire certain feelings in people through music.¡±

    ¡°Exactly, and he does so in a way that does not impact people¡¯s free will or ability to think and choose for themselves. He isn¡¯t directing people¡¯s minds so much as¡­encouraging certain feelings that may already be there.¡±

    ¡°That still sounds dangerous.¡±

    ¡°Oh, it could be. Normally the Society would make moves to remove this effect, but he¡¯s a bit of a special case. The world is better with his feel good music in it, just like it''s better having your boss in his current state.¡±

    ¡°I guess that makes sense. I am curious to know how it works, though.¡±

    ¡°We can go and chat with him afterwards. He¡¯s a friend and I planned to introduce you anyway. He gives wonderful advice on all kinds of relationships.¡±

    Maguire nodded and we returned to the conversation around the table, which had shifted to a new TV show that Tanya was obsessed with. We talked about that and I teased her about her celebrity crush until the crowd began to diminish and I suddenly became aware of a familiar presence behind me.

    ¡°So, how did you fine folks enjoy the performance?¡± Eric asked, pulling a chair over to sit with us.

    ¡°It was amazing as always,¡± Tanya gushed. ¡°We listen to musicians all over the world but there isn¡¯t one who can compare to you.¡±

    ¡°And you are kind as always, though I think we both know why my music stands out so much.¡±

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t make it any less impressive,¡± Lenny chided. Eric laughed and we slipped into an easy conversation full of catching each other up on what had happened since the last time we were all together. Any and all tension melted from the table as the smiles spread, and I found myself wondering not for the first time why we didn¡¯t spend more time with Eric.

    Then Tanya asked about Eric¡¯s latest album and he started talking about his career and I remembered the answer. Being a musician kept him busy and took him all over the world, so we only got to see each other when our paths crossed and when we made an effort. It''s just the way of the world.

    ¡°We need to do this more often,¡± Sara said, echoing my thoughts.

    ¡°We really do,¡± I replied. Maybe once we got the rest of the Jacks back, I would have a little more wiggle room in my travel schedule.

    Eric started to say something, but then he stopped. A simple, sinister shift in the air drew our attention to the back of the bar just in time to see a hooded figure slip out the back.

    ¡°Eric, where is the heart?¡± I asked, almost afraid to hear the answer.

    ¡°I had it in my guitar case,¡± he replied. ¡°I thought it would be safe there.¡±

    The stool that had once held the guitar case sat empty, and my heart sank to somewhere around my knees. I stood, looking at Maguire.

    ¡°Follow me. We need to move.¡±

 Claudia and the Hidden Heart Chapter 3

    ¡°Claudia, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Maguire asked. He leapt to his feet and fell in behind me as I wound my way through the bar, the rest of our group following suit.

    ¡°Something very important and very powerful just got stolen and we need to find it before it disappears, because that could be very bad for a lot of people. Eric, how long do we have?¡±

    ¡°I leave in two days to start my big tour.¡±

    ¡°Great, so we have two days to find and return the heart to you, as well as figuring out if the thief has any idea what they were stealing. Have you told anyone what it is?¡±

    ¡°No. I try not to even think about it when I''m around other people.¡±

    ¡°Has anyone who isn¡¯t in the know been showing particular interest in it?¡±

    ¡°Not directly, but I have noticed some familiar faces that could be following me. They¡¯re pretty nondescript and I''ve been careful, but I guess not careful enough.¡±

    We exited the alley and hit a throng of people and I sighed. Whoever stole the case did an excellent job of disappearing without a trace, which meant they were most likely professional.

    ¡°Maybe next time don¡¯t go leaving your case unattended,¡± Maguire said in what had to be the most politely snarky tone I ever heard him use.

    ¡°In his defense, the likelihood of this happening is normally pretty low,¡± I explained. ¡°The number of people who know about the heart is currently in the single digits and this just became a pattern.¡±

    ¡°A pattern?¡± Eric echoed.

    ¡°Yes, a pattern. It seems someone is going after the holidays, among other things. I¡¯m going to need you to come back to the safehouse with me so we can start figuring out our next steps. If the rest of you wish to join, I would appreciate it but it is not required or expected.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m in,¡± Sara said, and I felt a small wave of relief. She was a good friend to the Jacks, though she chose not to join for personal reasons.

    In a private conversation, she admitted that the life of a Jack sounded a little too chaotic for her. She needed some amount of order and she very likely wouldn¡¯t find that with us, which I understood. She was a whiz for detecting and following patterns, though, and I had a feeling that would come in use. Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

    ¡°We are too,¡± Tanya said, gesturing towards Lenny. ¡°We may not be able to see it through, but we want to help.¡±

    ¡°Wonderful. Maguire can show you back to the safehouse. I will be there soon. I just want to give another look around where the theft happened. Maybe the thief left something behind.¡±

    To my annoyance, but not my surprise, the thief left nothing behind. Even so, I made sure all of Eric¡¯s other belongings were carefully packed up and then took them back to the safehouse with me. At the very least I could make sure the rest of his equipment wouldn¡¯t get stolen, and there was always a chance someone else would catch something I missed.

    By the time we got back to the safehouse, it was late and everyone ended up nodding off not long after we settled in. I was the first to wake after the impromptu nap session, and I decided to get started on coffee and breakfast. We would need fuel to get us through the day and I found the cooking helped me think.

    Eric joined me shortly after and I got the distinct impression he hadn¡¯t slept much, if at all.

    ¡°It¡¯s going to be okay,¡± I said, handing him a mug of coffee.

    ¡°I just can¡¯t believe I was so careless. I should have known better than to leave it unattended¡­¡±

    ¡°You made a mistake. It happens. You are far from the first Cupid to lose the heart. The timing isn¡¯t great, but it happened in front of the best witnesses you could ever ask for.¡±

    ¡°And what if we don¡¯t find it in time?¡±

    ¡°We will find it,¡± I repeated firmly. ¡°We will. I promise you that. You have the Nerdlettes, you have me, and you have Maguire. I know you just met him, but trust me when I tell you, he is one of the cleverest recruits I have ever had the pleasure of working with.¡±

    Maguire froze just outside of the door to the kitchen as he heard me say this, either caught off guard by my words or the fact that I had company in the kitchen. I pretended I didn¡¯t see him, returning my attention to the food.

    ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯d like to hear more about the heart,¡± Maguire said as he sat down next to Eric. ¡°I can intuit some things, but I¡¯d like to hear it from you. What is it? How did it come to be yours? What does it represent?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s been in my family for generations, passing along through the different branches until my uncle gave it to me on my fourteenth birthday. That''s when I decided I wanted to be a musician. He told me the story when he gave it to me of how it was created to symbolize love and hope and the connection that people share when they let each other in. We help fan the flames of those connections through the art that we make and the best time to do that is in February. Every year I do a big charity concert that is usually televised, and its like I refresh all of the care and love people have for each other.¡±

    ¡°So, did Valentine''s Day exist before the heart did or did its existence lead to the holiday?¡±

    ¡°Closer to the second one, but from what I understand the Heart was created to capitalize on a regular occurrence,¡± I said. ¡°We have some books on it in the library, but they won¡¯t be much help in finding where it''s gone. For that, we are going to need to dig into the modern black market and see what information we can get on the thief.¡±

    ¡°I think I can help with that,¡± Lenny said, stepping into the kitchen. ¡°I know some people who deal in things under the table¡­not full black market, but they might be able to point us in the right direction.¡±

    ¡°And you trust this person?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Enough to ask for help, though maybe we should leave some details out.¡±

    ¡°Very well. Make the call, see what you can learn, and we will start looking over what we gathered last night. The owner should have emailed me their security footage by now. Hopefully, we will have a face to go with our thief.¡±

 Claudia and the Hidden Heart Chapter 4

    We left the safehouse a few hours later, parting ways and armed with a handful of threads to follow. Maguire and I went with Eric back to his hotel suite to look for signs that he might have been followed. Sarah and Tanya went to check in with some of the local covens to see if any of them had a tracking spell we could borrow, and Lenny slipped off to make contact with his grey market friend.

    ¡°Dang Eric, you¡¯ve moved up in the world since we last crossed paths,¡± I said. ¡°Do you always go for the penthouse, or did they give you an upgrade?¡±

    ¡°I learned at a very young age that it always pays to be nice to the staff. Being famous gives me a unique opportunity to be generous and pay it forward to the communities I visit.¡±

    ¡°That explains why your name sounds so familiar,¡± Maguire commented. Eric cast a curious look between us.

    ¡°He¡¯s from up north,¡± I explained. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be too surprised if you¡¯re famous up there for being so nice.¡±

    ¡°Ohhh, okay. Okay. That makes sense. I didn¡¯t realize that was a thing but I guess I shouldn¡¯t be surprised.¡±

    ¡°The world is full of surprises. Now, let¡¯s get to work. You talk Maguire through your itinerary and your communications. I''ll go over your belongings to see if anyone¡¯s been trying to track you. Between the three of us, we will find something, even if this was random,¡± I said.

    The two boys sat on the couch, huddled around Eric¡¯s laptop. While they started combing through his records, I pulled a pair of gloves and some goggles out of my bag. The gloves were flimsy and off white and by far the most reliable way of determining if an item was being magically monitored. The goggles would make it easier to determine the manner of the monitoring, also if anything had been cursed.

    Previous experience taught me that tracking and curses tended to go hand in hand and I didn¡¯t feel like dealing with being wrong. His clothing and older personal belongings showed no sign of being tampered with, at least not with any nefarious reasons. The gloves shifted slightly in hue, indicating a few magical repairs and small enhancements. Nothing worth worrying about.

    Then I moved onto some of his newer stuff, most of which sat in shopping bags on the dresser. The first few bags passed a brief inspection, but the third¡­The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    ¡°Hey Eric, where did you get this bag here? The yellow one with the flower logo,¡± I asked.

    ¡°It was a gift from a sponsor,¡± he replied. ¡°Why?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s covered in three different kinds of tracking and tracing magic, and I think I may see a few listening spells. I''ll take care of those first, then Maguire can help me start backtracking the rest¡­and they¡¯re gone.¡±

    ¡°Maybe you should have removed the listening enchantment before you mentioned it,¡± Maguire said.

    ¡°Yeah, I realize that now. Hindsight and all that. Really don¡¯t like that someone was actively listening. The good news is, I still have a trace thanks to the goggles. I may not be able to find the source, but I will know it when I see it. Eric, I need you to tell me everything about the person who gave this to you. When, where, and why. Maguire, pull up a search for any names and I¡¯ll take notes on the rest.¡±

    Maguire grabbed the laptop and Eric scooted over to make room for me on the incredibly comfortable couch.

    ¡°I can do you one better.¡± Eric pulled his phone out of his pocket. ¡°I have a picture taken last week with all of my sponsors. His company just signed on recently so I don¡¯t know a lot about them aside from the fact that they make cologne. Dude seemed nice enough, if a bit standoffish.¡±

    I took the phone and examined the photo, paying close attention to the gentleman that he pointed out. The man stood in the back and would not have stood out in a crowd, but when I looked through the goggles, I saw something quite interesting.

    ¡°He¡¯s not involved, at least not directly. My guess would be he was an actor hired to fill in the role. The good news is I¡¯m pretty sure he had direct contact with whoever put the magic on the bag because he¡¯s covered in the stuff himself. Here, look.¡±

    I handed Eric back his phone and the goggles so he could see for himself. Then he handed it to Maguire.

    ¡°So, what does this mean? Where do we go from here?¡± Eric asked.

    ¡°I think it''s time we meet up with the others, see what they have found. I¡¯ll drive. Maguire, I want you to dig through Eric¡¯s files, see if you find anything.¡±

    ¡°Eric and I can work on that together,¡± Maguire said in response to Eric¡¯s nervous look.

    ¡°I can show you all of the communications I¡¯ve had regarding the sponsor, my stop here, and my upcoming event,¡± Eric offered.

    ¡°Sounds like a plan. Man is it good to have someone else to work with.¡±

    It took us a few minutes to pack up our things and secure the room. Maguire helped me handle the packaging of the enchanted swag bag so it couldn¡¯t be used to track us or spy on us. Having some answers calmed Eric somewhat, but I knew this investigation was far from over.

 Claudia and the Hidden Heart Chapter 5

    ¡°I think I found something,¡± Lenny said the second he sat at the table. We were in a popular fast food place during a slow period. ¡°I have a when and a where the thief might try and fence what he stole, assuming he wants to offload it soon.¡±

    ¡°Which he may, if he doesn¡¯t already have a buyer and doesn¡¯t know what all he stole. Though even if he does, your when and where could still be a good cover for whatever sort of transaction he has lined up. Or, at the very least, someone there may know something. Good job, Lenny.¡±

    ¡°While you were off meeting your criminal friend,¡± Tanya said, ¡°we were talking to the local coven community. They were able to help us put some tracking magic together and we got the address for a local apothecary where we can stock up. I¡¯m assuming you can help fill us in on the details of what exactly we are going to be looking for?¡±

    ¡°I can, and once we get close I can start tapping into it, give us an edge,¡± Eric replied.

    ¡°Perfect. Lenny, how long do we have to prepare?¡±

    ¡°Four hours.¡±

    ¡°If we divide and conquer on the prep, we can be ready in three,¡± Maguire suggested. ¡°Two people go to collect anything we need while the rest of us start working on gathering what we already have. We will need to have a way to find the heart, yes, but we also need a way to get it back without making a mess.¡±

    ¡°Sounds like a plan. I will go with Tanya to the apothecary. The rest of you head back to the safehouse. Lenny can start setting up for the tracking spell while Maguire and Sara work on backup plans and contingencies,¡± I said.

    We went our separate ways a few minutes later. Tanya and I chatted about magic on the way to the apothecary, swapping some stories of experiments and studies in different kinds of tracking methods. Her knowledge leaned more on the academic side and she had some practical experience, just not so much what would be considered in the field.

    We got our shopping list a few minutes after arriving at the apothecary. The list was short, but we ended up picking up a few extra things while we were there. I even made sure to exchange contact information with the owner. There were benefits to having an ever-growing collection of contacts all across the globe. Especially if things were going to continue escalating in the absence of the Jacks. This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    The second we got back, Tanya disappeared into the workshop to finish whatever she had in mind with the help of the other Nerdlettes while Maguire met me in the kitchen.

    ¡°So, what¡¯s the game plan?¡± I asked, grabbing a drink from the fridge.

    ¡°I thought you were in charge of that.¡±

    ¡°Nope, I am letting you take charge on this one. You are very good with people and you have a closer connection with this kind of magic. Plus, it''s time you take the leap. I¡¯ll be with you as backup.¡±

    ¡°Alright.¡± Maguire leaned back in his seat. ¡°Lenny told me more about his contact and where we will be meeting them. It¡¯s an underworld marketplace of sorts, hidden in plain sight. I dug up what I could on the location itself, access points, security, publicity. Couldn¡¯t find anything on who will be there beyond the contact, but I can guess based on names I''ve seen on the list. Hoping it''s the gents with fewer offenses, but thankfully I don¡¯t think this area had too many deep-listers.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good to know. There¡¯s a chance I will know a few people there, but so long as we stay alert and keep our heads down, we should be fine. We are just looking for information.¡±

    ¡°True. If you¡¯re okay with it, I¡¯d like to have Eric somewhere nearby when the deal goes down. He shouldn¡¯t be alone, of course, but if the heart is in the area when we go to do the deal, he¡¯s our best shot at finding it.¡±

    ¡°Agreed,¡± I said. ¡°Who do you want with him?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve been thinking about it. Lenny needs to be at the meet because it''s his contact. Sara would be good to have nearby since she¡¯s good at patterns. Tanya and I can stay back with Eric, add some extra security. As for you¡­your call.¡±

    ¡°I can float behind the meet, keep an eye on both locations in case there¡¯s any unwanted movement. All goes well, we can get what we need and get out within the hour.¡±

    ¡°We should be prepared in case we need to move quickly, though. I checked some of the records about the heart and from what I can tell, it can be very dangerous in the wrong hands.¡±

    ¡°That is a theory I¡¯d rather not see play out in real life,¡± I commented.

    ¡°And I am going to make sure it doesn¡¯t. With your help. And their help.¡±

    ¡°Alrighty, then. Let¡¯s go check on the Nerdlettes and see what else we can do to put the odds in our favor.¡±