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Jack stared around the room that used to be Chris’s. It was empty, with not a stitch of furniture and definitely no dragon blood-infused jar. He heeded Simon’s advice to try to find the jar. He found no evidence of a cloaking device but there had to be something as things did not vanish into thin air unless a specific spell was cast. And he’d checked there was no sign of a vanishing charm either.

Alex was sweeping the room again, thinking his elf magic might have a shot since it was different to Jack’s. “There’s nothing here,” Alex insisted. “The neutral aspect of the room would have dampened any residual energy, and I didn’t sense anything from the jar to start with.”

“Has Karl tried?”

“Yes, twice, and nothing set off his demon tingles either.”

This was very annoying, and Simon was right that the jar would be important evidence. He’d sent Dorian a copy of the notes he’d made from his investigation of the jar and Dorian had agreed to sign to attest that what was recorded was true and accurate, especially around how it gave off a sense of growth and not just about the dragon’s blood.

“I can’t believe we can’t find a bit of pottery. Surely something made from dragon’s blood must give off something,” Jack said, annoyed with himself.

“Are you sure this is the last place he had the pot?”

Jack was sure he’d put it back in here, on the shelf, after Dorian had manhandled it. “I put it on that shelf myself.”

“And Chris didn’t move it after?”

“He might have, but I don’t know why he would have.”

“Have you tried your room?” Alex said, a little too condescending for Jack’s liking.

“Yes, I’m not a complete idiot.”

“Would you let me look?”

Jack didn’t have an issue. “Knock yourself out.”

Alex followed Jack to his bedroom and after a sweep, Alex pouted. “I had hoped you’d overlooked something.”

Jack walked over to the window, a floorboard creaked under his foot. “Did you hear that?”

“There are more creaky floorboards than quiet ones in the hall,” Alex drawled.

“But this is new.” He dropped down and placed his hand on the floor. He recognised a low-level masking spell that was only noticeable if touched, and it was Chris’s signature. “Can you believe he’s hidden it under the floorboards?”

“I don’t suppose he had any other option,” Alex said.

Jack waved away the wood and there was Chris’s jar. He reached down and for a moment he couldn’t move, and then the barrier was gone. “I think he keyed the access to me.”

“Makes sense. You’re his favourite person.”

The jar was missing its lid, he peered into the hole. “The lid’s missing.”

Jack stared into the jar. “Strange to think he spent so long in here.”

The jar glowed for a moment.

“Jack? Is that you?” Chris’s voice came from the pot. Jack checked inside to make sure it was empty.

“Chris?”

“Your voice is coming out of the lid of my jar,” Chris said, squeaking in excitement. “Oh, maybe this was why Sebastian came.”

Somehow they were able to communicate through the jar. He had no idea how, but he wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. “Sebastian’s with you?”

“No, he visited, and when he left, I found the lid on my desk. I guess you must have found where I hid the jar. You’re so clever.”

He didn’t feel very clever. “Are you all right? You’re not hurt?”

“No, I’m fine, a bit bored though. When do you think you can come and visit? I was told you were going to be my counsel so you must be allowed.”

They were still trying to find an official channel to work through, but somehow Sebastian had managed to connect them. One way would be to go through him, but Jack wasn’t sure that would be the best idea, and waiting for Simon would be better. “I hope it will be soon, I’ve been in touch with Simon and he says things are beginning to happen.”

Chris sighed. “I miss you.”

Jack glanced at Alex who smirked. “I miss you too. I’ve Alex with me, we were looking for your jar as we think it’ll be important evidence.”

“Sorry, Alex, I don’t miss you like I miss Jack,” Chris said.

“I’d be worried if you did,” Alex said, repressing a laugh. “You should be careful not to get caught with the lid. Keep it hidden so you can remain in touch with Jack.”

“I’m not stupid. How about you sod off so I can talk to my boyfriend?”

Jack failed to hold back his laugh and Alex rolled his eyes and left.

“He’s gone now.” Jack wished he could see Chris, he would no doubt have a furrowed brow and an annoyed frown,

“Honestly, he thinks I’m an idiot.”

Jack didn’t think that Alex thought Chris was specifically an idiot, just that he considered most people to be, and it took a lot for Alex to excuse someone from the demographic. “You do need to be careful. They’ll probably be monitoring your room.”

Chris snorted. “I think Simon dealt with that because otherwise, I’m sure they’d have been in here already since I must look highly suspicious talking to a bit of old pot.”

Jack supposed Chris had a point. “I wouldn’t put it past them doing regular sweeps.”

“I know, but I can sense them coming. I can hear them as well because they make so much noise when they fly.” He gasped. “Oh, you’ve not seen my wings yet!”

“You’ve wings?”

He heard a flapping noise. “Yes, and they are splendid. When will you come? I want you to see them.”

“I’ll contact Simon and the fae liaison for the WRC—I’ll get there as soon as I can.”

“I miss you. I was worried the fae might try to do something to you or the hall when they came for me. I couldn’t put you at risk. You understand that it wasn’t because I didn’t want to run away with you.”

“I know, and you were right. We’ll be reunited soon, don’t worry.”

“I have to go.”

For a brief moment there was a muffled noise, and Jack thought the lid might have been pushed under a pillow but then there was nothing. Jack got off the floor. He had things to do and he would start with trying to get access to Chris.