Excerpt 9 from the Exclusive Episode of Lazare Donatien’s Adventures

Discover below the promised excerpt from the exclusive episode of Lazare Donatien’s adventures:

Lazare’s Gift

Chapter 9

When I saw my guests emerge from the chamber, I could scarcely believe my eyes.

By Jove! They had done it!

“We have a few more recommendations to share,” Sorah explained, gliding toward me with grace.

“In that case, why not conclude the evening in the library?” I suggested, leading the way.

“Let’s go,” she replied, falling into step behind me, followed by her sisters and Zeph.

The fire had been crackling in the hearth since early evening, and a pleasant warmth now filled the room. Snowflakes danced outside, illuminated by the Manoir’s garlands. We settled into the comfortable armchairs, while Zeph took his place behind me. I let my guests steer the conversation.

“As we explained earlier,” Sorah began, “your friend’s new body comes with certain conditions that must be strictly followed, lest this privilege be revoked forever. Should that happen, we could not repeat what we’ve just accomplished.”

“Very well, we’re all ears,” I replied.

“The first condition is this,” the young woman continued. “Zeph may use this body for only twelve hours a day. For the remaining time, he will revert to his immaterial spirit form. If he were to break this rule and deliberately keep his body beyond those twelve hours, it would vanish.”

“The second condition,” Miríel chimed in, handing me a vial of iridescent liquid, “is that every seven days, Zeph must immerse his physical form in a bath of ice-cold water, one hour before leaving it, adding exactly nine drops—no more, no less—of this mixture. Contact us when you run out, and we’ll send more vials.”

I took the finely crafted glass vial, nodding, and set it on the table beside me.

“Understood. Are there any other conditions?”

“The third and final condition,” Hénora concluded, slipping a cord around Zeph’s neck from which dangled an hourglass shimmering with eternal glints, “is that every year, on Christmas Day, Zeph must not use his body for a full twenty-four hours, from midnight on December 24 until midnight on December 25. This hourglass holds exactly 8,760 time-beads, each representing an hour of the year. It will help you remember this condition while protecting your body when unused. Tonight, at midnight, the hourglass will start, and you’ll observe this first Christmas as outlined.”

“Have you understood everything, or do you have questions?” Sorah inquired, her voice soft yet commanding, as was her way.

I turned to my faithful valet.

“Zeph?”

“All is clear, sir,” he replied, his voice trembling with emotion. “Rest assured, I’ll follow each condition to the letter. I cannot thank you enough for such a gift, ladies,” he added, addressing the three sisters.

“Use it well and thank Lazare instead, for this is his gift to you.”

“You’ve helped me fulfill an old promise, my dear ladies,” I said with a shrug. “You’ll always be welcome in this abode, and today I solemnly vow to aid you in return one day, should it be within my power.”

“We may indeed hold you to those words someday,” Sorah replied with an enigmatic smile.

I rose and offered my guests a glass of champagne, pressing one into my valet’s hands with mock insistence, who, by my troth, had never known how to refuse a toast!

“I rarely make promises, so when they come to pass, I take the time to celebrate. Will you do me the honor of toasting this one with us, dear enchantresses?”

I raised my glass high, proclaiming my joy at sharing this moment in such fine company.

“Merry Christmas, dear ladies, and thank you!” I added, bowing like a true gentleman before bringing the golden, sparkling liquid to my lips.

A crystalline toll rang out, and Zeph began to fade, his hourglass glinting at his neck.

“Merry Christmas!” he echoed, flashing a broad smile I’d never seen before, vanishing in a fleeting spark, like a wave of a magic wand.

THE END