Editor’s note: This is the fourth chapter of a 12-part fictional holiday tale that is running daily until Christmas. Parents are encouraged to read aloud with their children.

Jasper emerged from the doorway he’d created, exiting the frigid winter air and entering the warmth of the Christmas Village. A quick glance around confirmed nobody had noticed him, and he settled into one of the chairs that lined the wall where parents sat watching their children play.

He spotted Juniper right away, and grinned as he watched her take part in a cookie decorating contest. It was hardly fair, considering the extensive practice she had baking cookies with Mrs. Claus herself, but he was happy to see her having fun — even if it was at the expense of human children.

His grin faded to a frown as he thought back to the incidents he witnessed where Juniper seemed to have lost control of her magic. It worried him for two reasons. One was the fact that she had been careless enough to let humans see it. From what he heard while eavesdropping on Katie and Kellan, the girl had indeed witnessed what Juniper could do but wasn’t completely sure of what she had seen. That was good; Jasper hoped it stayed that way.

But it was also concerning that Juniper wasn’t in control of her magic. He had heard tales of such a thing happening to elves who left the North Pole. It was as if their magic couldn’t handle being away from where it was created.

Juniper finally looked up from her cookies, wearing a self-satisfied smile. She glanced around the Village and their eyes locked. For a moment, Jasper thought he saw her eyes flash with fear and a little bit of anger. But just as quickly, joy highlighted all her features as she sprinted into Jasper’s arms.

“Jasper! What are you doing here?”

He chuckled while letting Juniper squeeze him tightly, almost cutting off his air.

Jasper smiled down at his little sister. They had always been close, and these last few days hadn’t felt right without her at home.

“What do you think?” He smirked while she side stepped his ruffling of her head. “I’ve come to take you home.”

Juniper instantly tensed, squaring her shoulders and lifting her chin. “I’m not going back. How did you even find me?”

“Juniper, come on. This has gone on long enough. Everyone’s worried. And Santa is how I found you. Did you really think he couldn’t track his elves?”

Juniper’s eyes widened in surprise. “He knows?”

A wave of guilt washed over her. She didn’t want Santa thinking she wasn’t grateful for the life that she had at the North Pole. It just … wasn’t enough.

“Everyone knows, Juniper. And everyone’s up in arms! Elves are requesting a scheduled rotation for human world vacations; reindeer are asking for a permanent second breakfast. Even the elder elves are starting to wonder if maybe they deserved a better Christmas bonus than Mrs. Claus’ Fabled Fudge. What could be better than Fabled Fudge, Junie?! You’ve started a North Pole rebellion!”

Juniper giggled at the seriousness in her brother’s features, but she sobered quickly and dropped her gaze to the ground.

“I know I can’t stay forever, but I’m not ready to come home.” She looked at him pleadingly. “Just… give me until after next weekend. That’s when their Santa arrives, and there are so many activities and games and contests planned. Ones where I could participate like a normal girl and not use magic and just experience things and feelings that I can hold onto for the rest of my life.”

“Not using your magic, huh? I’ve seen it, Junie. I know you’ve slipped up, even letting humans see you! Plus…well, you may not know this, but there’s been talk that elf magic gets unstable if an elf is away too long from home. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“So that explains it!” Juniper slapped her hand on her leg and shook her head. “I’ll be careful. And they won’t question me. I’m sure they’ll forget about it by tomorrow. I promise I’ll hide my magic, Jasper. Please?”

“What am I supposed to say to Mom and Dad? Not to mention Santa?”

Juniper lifted her shoulder, smiling. “Tell them anything. You’ve always been good at covering for me!”

“I’ve had too much practice,” he grumbled. Jasper knew leaving Juniper was a mistake, one he would probably get in trouble for, but he also knew that she would never stop with her wanderlust if she didn’t get this experience.

Read tomorrow’s newspaper for Chapter 5 of this year’s Christmas tale.