Tis The Season for Secrets (Village of Yule #2)

31. Will

T hat evening, walking down Cane Lane, Will pulled at his collar, regretting that he’d left his coat at home before heading out to pick up dinner. He didn’t have any food at home; he hadn’t been expecting an impromptu Christmas tree shopping trip. But he’d wanted to give Juliet a day to remember before breaking the news about Mason and Eloise’s legacy plan.

He planned on how to talk it through with her once he got home. He’d never expected, when Juliet’s file had crossed his desk, that she’d be at his place one day putting as many ornaments on the tree as possible. When he’d left, Meet Me in St Louis was playing in the background and she was surrounded by the boxes of baubles he hadn’t taken out of the attic for the past few years. Leaving her was the last thing he wanted, but he’d stepped out to deal with something urgent. Eloise had called to warn him that she had been confronted by Council members Frederick and Una after the guardians’ graduation ceremony, having received information about a missing ancestral chest. Thankfully, the Frost chest was exactly where it was meant to be, but she’d wanted to give him a heads-up.

When he walked in the front door, the Christmas tree in the front room by the TV shone brightly.

“Tree looks great!” he called out, walking through to put the Chinese takeaway on the kitchen table. “I got a mix of everything, since I figured you’d be hungry after all the decorating. I was lucky to get in when I did – they’re super busy before Christmas Eve. I did find one packet of mince pies left in the shop for dessert, though!”

When she didn’t respond, he figured she might be upstairs. He put down the plates he’d taken from the cupboard, listening for movement in the house.

“Juliet?” he shouted up the stairs, but there were no lights on in the house except for the Christmas tree. He searched the house, and there was no sign of her. His heart raced as he considered where she could’ve gone. Had someone from the council called after he’d left? He slapped his hand against the banister. She promised not to disappear again .

She couldn’t have gone far. He’d been with Eloise and the council members for about an hour to clear up the chest misunderstanding. In that tense moment, he’d thanked Juliet for her foresight. Even with the Christmas Eve deadline given by Mr Frost, it was likely her disappearing act had prompted her father to report their activities. Without evidence, they were in the clear. For now. Still, they’d come dangerously close to ending up on the Naughty List.

His eyes fell on the small silver dish on the mantlepiece where he’d left her bell. It was empty.

Not again. He sat on the couch by the tree and rested his head in his hands. She’d left her bag here, though, so she must plan on coming back. There were two options: she had either gone to see Lyla or Eloise; he didn’t think there was anyone else she would go to right now. Reaching for the house phone, he considered calling Eloise, but as he went to dial, he stopped himself. If she has gone to see her mum, this is their chance. I can give them some time.

Instead, he typed in the Klauses’ house number.