"The Mage used to tell me happy birthday in June," I offer. "That's when he found me, when I was eleven-ish. But I always liked Christmas. I used to spend it with Agatha's family. Her mom always gave me clothes, and Professor Wellbelove talked to me like I wasn't destined to die in a ball of fire. That was nice."

I wonder what I'll do now that I'm stuck here. Agatha and I might have broken up, but surely I'd still come for Christmas - I did even before we were together. The holidays next month are going to be awfully lonely, but perhaps Bitty will let me hang out with him. "I'll bring you a present," I say. "For your birthday. See what all the fuss is about," I add with a grin. "And eat. I love to eat."