Any time's a good time for a new story by Jane Jensen, but just to make it a little more seasonal, the acclaimed author and designer has just released a Christmas-themed short story that helps set the stage for her upcoming adventure, Gray Matter.

Released on her Gray Matter blog, the story recounts "a lonely Christmas in the Eternal City", as aspiring-but-struggling street magician Samantha Everett finds herself all alone in Rome on Christmas Eve. An American with no family of her own to spend the holiday with — and on this day, not even a paying audience for her talented act — Sam's high hopes for the evening soon turn to despair, at least until she finds an opportunity to share a little Christmas magic of her own.

In Gray Matter, Sam will eventually find her way to the English home of neuro-biologist Dr. David Styles, where she becomes an assistant to the reclusive scientist who lost his wife tragically many years earlier. Her first assignment is to find six volunteers from the local university for a series of experiments that begin harmlessly enough, but soon take a turn for the surreal. Controlling both Styles and Sam at times, it'll be up to players to solve the unexplained mysteries of Dread Hill House.

Gray Matter is currently scheduled for release some time next year. In the meantime, be sure to check out the tale of Sam's Christmas.