I nodded. “Yeah. That’s how most of them get here. Slipping through cracks in the system, exploiting old pathways, or bribing someone to get a coin to traverse the gate. It’s not perfect down there. Nothing is.”
He studied me for a moment, his expression softening. “I want to help you,” he said, his voice breaking slightly. “Mom… I love you. I’m sorry. For what I said. For what you’ve been through. You didn’t deserve any of it.”
His words hit me like a tidal wave, washing away the fear, the doubt, and the years of keeping everything buried. Tearswelled in my eyes as I stepped closer, my throat tightening. “I should’ve explained,” I admitted, my voice shaky. “Instead of trying to use the potion to make you forget. But technically, you’re human, at least you were. And unless the potion didn’t work, or your demon genes were emerging… I was obligated to follow council law.”
Liam’s lips curved into the faintest smile, the kind I hadn’t seen in what felt like forever. “You were never much of a rule follower, though.”
I couldn’t help it—I winked at him. “I struggle with that part.”
He laughed softly, the tension in the air dissolving as he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around me. For a second, I froze, overwhelmed by the sheer weight of everything that had just happened. But then I let myself sink into the hug, my arms tightening around him as I buried my face against his shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “For all of it. The lies, the secrets. I just… I wanted to protect you.”
“I know,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “But I don’t want protection anymore. I just want the truth. No more potions. No more hiding.”
I nodded, holding him tighter, my heart full and aching at the same time. “No more potions. No more lies. I promise.”
I let myself believe in our future. I had my son back. Fully, completely. There were no more walls between us, no more secrets hanging over us like a shadow. Just us, facing whatever came next… together.
The shadows near the edge of the playground shifted, and a figure stepped forward, her presence as unwelcome as it was chilling. Dagna. Her dark cloak flowed around her like smoke, and the moonlight caught the wicked glint in her eyes. She folded her arms, a smirk curling her lips as shewatched us. “Well, isn’t this sweet,” she drawled, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “A family reunion. How touching.”
Liam instantly released me and spun around, his body tense as he stepped between me and the dark witch. “Who the hell is this?” he demanded, his voice steely, his posture ready for a fight.
My heart hammered in my chest, and I stepped up beside him, gripping his arm gently to hold him back. “She’s Dagna,” I said, my voice tight. “A dark witch who’s been terrorizing Ravenholde.”
Dagna laughed, the sound cold and mocking. “Oh, ‘terrorizing’ is such a dramatic word, Faith. I prefer… redecorating. This town needed a little chaos, don’t you think?”
Liam clenched his fists, his glare locked on her. “What do you want?”
Dagna’s smirk widened as her gaze shifted to me, ignoring Liam entirely. “I just came to see if you liked the Christmas present I sent you,” she said, her voice dripping with mock innocence.
My heart stopped for a beat, then kicked into overdrive, hammering against my ribs. “You mean…” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, “Krampus?”
Her grin stretched wider, and she tilted her head like she was savoring my realization. “Of course. I thought you’d appreciate the personal touch. He’s been such a delight to work with. A little messy, but effective.”
My chest tightened as the pieces clicked into place. Dagna had unleashed Krampus, knowing exactly what chaos he would cause and that it would land squarely in my lap. My hands curled into fists at my sides as I glared at her. “You’re insane.”
“Maybe,” she said with a shrug, her tone breezy, like we were chatting over coffee instead of discussing a literalmurder demon. “But you have to admit, it’s been entertaining.”
My pulse roared in my ears as I struggled to keep my focus. Liam was beside me, tense and ready, and I couldn’t let her provoke him. Not now. Not with everything already spiraling out of control. But the thought of her sending Krampus after us made my blood boil.
“You’re going to pay for this,” I said, my voice low, even as fury burned through me.
Dagna’s eyes gleamed with amusement. “Oh, Faith,” she said, her voice dripping with mock sympathy. “You’re always so predictable. But let’s see if you can keep up this time, hmm?”
“Why not fight me one-on-one? You always bring others into our fight.”
Dagna’s smirk widened, her eyes gleaming with malicious delight. “When I learned your son was coming to town,” she purred, her tone sickeningly sweet, “I knew I had to send something special. Something… festive.”
My stomach turned as her words hit me, my hands curling into fists at my sides. “You’ve been spying on me,” I said, my voice piercing, fury bubbling just beneath the surface.
“Of course,” Dagna replied with a shrug, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “I always watch my enemies, Faith. You never know when you might need a little leverage.”
I glared at her, my heart pounding in my chest. “No matter,” I snapped, stepping forward. “Your little Christmas present? It’s about to get wrapped up with a shiny bow and a sparkling saber.”
Liam’s voice cut through the tension, steady and firm. “Yeah,” he said, his glare locked on Dagna. “The demoncouldn’t have gotten far. And once we take care of him, we’re coming after you.”
Dagna laughed, the sound cold and cruel, echoing in the still night. “Oh, how cute,” she said mockingly, lightly clapping her hands. “Such confidence, from both of you. But do you even know why I chose Krampus? Do you know what makes him so… perfect?”
