He finally glanced back, his expression a mix of defiance and desperation. “I can’t just let him get away!”
“You don’t understand what you’re dealing with!” I shot back, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst.
The gap between us narrowed slightly as I pushed harder, my legs burning with the effort. Krampus was still ahead, a dark blur moving through the snow, and I knew we were losing precious time. If Liam caught up to him first, it wouldn’t be a fight but a massacre.
“Liam, damn it, listen to me!” I yelled again, my voice raw. “Stop!”
He hesitated, his steps faltering for just a moment, but it was enough for me to gain on him. My heart was still pounding, my breath coming in short, ragged bursts, but I wasn’t going to let him get himself killed.
Krampus suddenly stopped, his massive form looming in the snowy clearing. His red eyes gleamed in the dim moonlight, and his wicked grin dropped my stomach. My gut screamed what my brain already knew—this was a trap.
But my son was my priority.
Before Krampus could make a move, I pulled a star frommy belt and hurled it at him. The blade flew true, embedding itself in his chest with a sickening thud. He roared, his head snapping back as he staggered slightly, but the grin didn’t fade. If anything, it widened.
Liam didn’t hesitate. He raised his gun and unloaded an entire clip into Krampus, the sound of gunfire tearing through the stillness of the woods. The bullets hit their mark, one after another, ripping through the demon’s torso and sending blood spraying across the snow. For a moment, I thought it might actually work.
But Krampus barely flinched. The wounds closed almost as quickly as they appeared, the bullets falling uselessly to the ground.
“Those won’t do any real damage,” I called out, my voice clipped. “Trust me, I’ve tried lead on demons before. It just pisses them off.”
Liam’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t stop. Instead, he holstered his gun and closed the distance between himself and Krampus, moving with a precision and confidence I didn’t expect. He ducked under Krampus’ clawed swipe and landed a hard punch to the demon’s side, followed by a swift kick that frustrated Krampus.
My heart leaped into my throat, but I didn’t have time to process my emotions. I mirrored Liam’s movements, moving in tandem with him as we took on Krampus together. My blades flashed in the moonlight, slicing at Krampus’ arms and legs as I dodged his heavy strikes. Liam was right beside me, fluid and fierce, his punches and kicks landing with the kind of force that could only come from years of training.
Amidst the chaos, I realized just how skilled he was. His movements were precise, and his footwork was impeccable. Every hit he landed was calculated, and every block was perfectly timed. It wasn’t wild, reckless fighting—it was disciplined, deliberate. It was exactly how Max taught me.
I felt a surge of pride swell in my chest, even as I ducked another swing of Krampus’ claws. “You’ve been training hard,” I said, my voice breathless but steady as I parried a strike and slashed at Krampus’ side.
Liam glanced at me for just a moment, a flicker of determination in his eyes. “You can thank my teacher.”
“I will,” I muttered, spinning to avoid another swipe. “Right after we survive this.”
Krampus roared, his claws slashing wildly as we pressed our attack. My son was holding his own, and for the first time in this chaotic mess, I felt a sliver of hope. We could take him down. Together.
The fight raged on, snow flying around us as we pressed Krampus back step by step. He stumbled, his massive frame jerking under the force of our combined assault. My throwing stars had taken their toll, and Liam’s strikes were relentless, his movements precise and unyielding.
Krampus roared, swinging a massive, clawed hand in a wide arc. Liam ducked, but not fast enough. The edge of Krampus’ claws caught his arm, slicing through the fabric of his jacket. I froze for half a second, panic flashing through me, but as I saw him glance at the wound, I realized it was barely a scratch.
Liam didn’t even flinch, shaking it off and charging forward again. He landed another solid punch to Krampus’ ribs, and for a moment, hope flared in my chest.
And then Liam screamed.
It wasn’t a sound of pain from the scratch. It was deeper, rawer, like something tearing him apart from the inside. He grabbed his head, falling to his knees as his face twisted in agony.
“Liam!” I yelled, my heart slamming against my ribs as I lunged toward him. But Krampus let out a low, guttural laugh before I could reach him.
“Now you will receive my gift, bounty hunter,” he growled, his deep voice laced with cruel amusement. He straightened, his glowing red eyes fixed on me as a twisted grin spread across his face. He backed away slowly, his hooves crunching against the snow as if he had all the time in the world.
I froze, staring at him, my mind racing. He knew. He knew me. He knew about me. How was that possible? How did Krampus understand who I was—or what I was?
“Get away from him!” I snarled, my voice raw as I stepped in front of Liam, my blade raised.
Krampus chuckled, the sound echoing through the woods. “I’ve been watching you, Faith,” he said, his tone dripping with malice. “Your family. Your choices. Your secrets. You’re all such… fascinating creatures.”
The words sent a chill down my spine, but I didn’t move, keeping myself between him and Liam. “What did you do to him?” I demanded, my voice trembling with fury.
Krampus tilted his head, his wicked smile never faltering. “I’ve simply shared a little… insight,” he said cryptically. “The boy will understand soon enough.”
