This summary section includes “Fournier’s Curious Clockwork,” Chapter 16: “Extended Vacations,” Chapter 17: “The Gatherfeast & Returned Starposts,” Chapter 18: “The Rotties & Hot Maps,” and “The Aces.”

In Betelmore, Gia enters a clock shop in disguise and talks to the owner, Fabian, who testified against her at her trial. Gia forces him to drink a potion, extracts his magical power, and seals it in a vial. She needs Fabian’s marvel to use a watch from his shop that can stop time.

The students return to the Arcanum after the holidays end, and Ella receives a request to visit Masterji in his office. When she arrives, she finds a note stating that Masterji is on an extended vacation. Headmarveller Rivera arrives to explain, saying, “It happens to the best of us, and I don’t think we should hold it against him, Ella. Sometimes vacations extend” (261). Ella doesn’t believe the Headmarveller and alerts Jason and Brigit to her concerns.

On their first evening back, the students assemble for a Gatherfeast to celebrate the union of all the magical communities. Headmarveller MacDonald says, “The wolf is a lucky animal who always adapts for winter. We are like the wolf.