Page 25 of Santa’s Lawyer

“How does what work?” he asked back, staring blankly ahead, as they made their way down an empty hallway lined with doors.

“How would you erase my Christmas memories?”

He sighed. “Please, let’s not think about—"

“I need to know,” she insisted, holding his arm firm and stopping his march forward.

Giving her hand a squeeze, he wordlessly led her on down the hallway. They stopped in front of a large golden door. Louis pulled an ornate key out of his pocket and slid it into the lock.

“No ID brooch?” Avery asked.

“This is a very old door,” Louis explained.

She followed him inside. The room was grand, the surfaces made of dark, rich wood, each wall lined with shelves full of bottles and jars, much like a wine cellar. But instead of wine, every glass container was filled with a golden, glittering powder. There were no electric lights: the space was illuminated by a faint, warm glow emanating from each vessel.

“It’s so beautiful,” Avery remarked in a reverent whisper.

“It’s Christmas Magic,” Louis explained from the center of the room. “Harvested. Concentrated. Think of it like—pixie dust. Properly administered by someone who is strong with the magic, and received with intention, it can be used to alter the mind. Change memories.”

Walking the perimeter of the room, she ran her fingertips along one of the shelves, brushing the side of a bottle. The light inside momentarily flared at her touch, and she yanked her hand back.

“And if it’s not properly administered?” Avery asked, inspecting the nearest jar.

To her surprise, Louis snorted a laugh, and she turned to face him.

“It’s been used, by some here, as a recreational drug. On special occasions, we might have it in a drink. But very diluted. In its powdered form, it’s—euphoric. An—” he cleared his throat, “aphrodisiac. And for some, it creates temporary amnesia. How far back in time the memory loss goes and how long it lasts depends on the person and their tolerance. It’s strong stuff, and the effects can be unpredictable when not directed properly. That’s why I have the only key to this room,” Louis said, looking down and patting his pocket.

When he looked up, Avery was directly in front of him.

“So, we have a bit of privacy?” Avery asked, sliding her hand onto his waist.

“Yes,” Louis answered. There was caution in his voice. But his hands heedlessly made their way up her arms to her shoulders.

Avery drew in a long breath, gathering her courage. “I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know if I’m even going to get to remember you, or any of this,” she said, stepping forward and pressing herself against him. “But I know, one way or another, I’ll regret it if I don’t get a chance to express myself. To you. And I wish I could get you to do the same.”

Louis closed his eyes, took a breath, and pulled her into an embrace.

Avery clung to him.

“There is nothing I want more,” he said softly, “than to tell you everything you deserve to hear.” He squeezed her tightly, running his hand through her hair, breathing her in. “There’s just so much I can’t explain. Not now. Soon, I hope. There are other things that would be so—selfish for me to say. You have your case to prepare for. I couldn’t live with myself if I distracted you right now, if I was the reason,” Louis trailed off.

Avery sighed into his chest and ran her hands down his back. “I’m prepared. But my head is swimming. I wish I could clear my mind for a few minutes. Especially since there’s just one thing I can’t seem to stop thinking about, and I’m sure if I got to do it, this court appearance would be a breeze,” she said, tracing a convincing finger down the center of his spine.

He pulled out of their embrace, crooking a finger under her chin and using his other hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Is it the same thing I’ve been thinking about since the moment you walked into that restaurant?”

Avery blushed and smiled widely. “I think it’s the thing you’re thinking about right now,” she said with a laugh, looking above his head. Above them hung a cluster of mistletoe the size of a punchbowl. She watched with amusement as it rapidly expanded to cover the entire ceiling. “Though you’ve waited this long,” she mused, “I’m beginning to think you don’t even want to ki–”

Half a breath later, Louis’ hand was in her hair, his lips pressed firmly against hers before gently parting. Warmth spread from her core to every point of contact between them. She held him tight; his hands roved across her back possessively, pushing her suit jacket off her shoulders to the floor before helping Avery do the same for him.

Her arms were bare, and she could feel that golden shimmer pulsing off her skin. The glow was so bright she could see it through her closed eyelids.

Then she opened her eyes.

Louis’ breath shuddered as he did the same.

Her skin was indeed glowing. So was his. So were all the bottles and jars on the shelves. Bottles and jars, now unsealed, with lids and corks floating in the air above them.

The air swirling around Louis and Avery was full of the sparkling golden dust that had escaped its containers, drawn to their embrace like iron filings to a magnet.