“That doesn’t mean it’s a good idea!” he snapped, his voice rising. “You’re my mom. I’m not going to let you take that kind of risk.”
Aurora stepped forward, her voice cutting through the tension. “Liam, it’s the only way,” she said, her tone calm but assertive. “We’ve been chasing him all night, and it’s not working. If we want to stop him before he does any more damage, we need to draw him out.”
The others nodded reluctantly, their agreement settling over the group. Salima glanced at me, her lips pressing into a thin line. “You’re sure about this?” she asked.
“Absolutely,” I said, meeting her gaze. “I’m done playing his game. It’s time to end this.”
“And where do you plan to do this?” Nishi asked, her tone cautious.
“The petting zoo,” I said. “It’s closed for the night and far enough from the crowds that we won’t risk putting anyone else in danger. I’ll act like I’m searching for him there, and when he comes for me, we take him down.”
Liam’s fists clenched, his jaw tight as he glared at me. “I still don’t like this,” he said through gritted teeth.
“I know,” I said softly, resting a hand on his arm. “But this is the best way to stop him. I promise I’ll be okay.”
He didn’t look convinced but didn’t argue further, stepping back with a frustrated sigh. The group exchanged glances, their resolve settling into place as we prepared for the final act.
“Let’s get this over with,” I said, turning toward the direction of the petting zoo. My pulse quickened, but my resolve didn’t waver.
We moved through the crowds at an even pace, keeping our heads low and our focus sharp. The electric energy around us was almost suffocating now—the laughter, the music, the glow of the decorations—it all felt like a mockery of what we were walking into. My boots crunched softly against the frost-covered cobblestones, the distant murmur of families and couples fading into the background as we approached the darker, quieter path leading to the petting zoo.
Eve walked beside me, her locket glinting faintly in the light of the lampposts. She leaned in slightly, keeping her voice low. “Salima and I can cast wards around the animal enclosure area,” she said. “If we do it right, it’ll create a boundary. The second Krampus crosses it, he’ll be bound. He won’t be able to leave.”
I glanced at her, my pulse quickening. “That’s perfect. Do it.”
Eve nodded, already pulling a small pouch of herbs from her satchel. Salima stepped beside her, her hands brushing against the satchel, which was secured to her belt. The two of them exchanged a quick look, their silent understanding clear as they began discussing the logistics of the spell.
As we continued toward the petting zoo, I turned to therest of the group, my voice calm. “Here’s how this goes down. I’ll act as bait. I’ll be inside the enclosure, pretending to look for him. When he shows himself, Eve and Salima’s wards will trap him. Once he’s inside the boundary, we take him down.”
“Won’t he notice the wards?” Aurora asked, her tone cautious.
“Not until it’s too late,” Salima said confidently. “The spell will be subtle. Nothing flashy. He won’t feel it until he’s already crossed the line.”
“And what happens if he doesn’t take the bait?” Liam asked, his voice tight. His posture was stiff, his gaze locked on me, worry etched into every line of his face.
“He will,” I said, my voice calm but resolute. “He’s been toying with me all night. This is what he wants. To draw me out, to make it personal. He won’t be able to resist.”
Liam didn’t look convinced, but he didn’t argue, his jaw tightening as he fell silent.
Nishi frowned, glancing around as we neared the petting zoo’s entrance. “What if he tries to use someone else as a distraction again? Another kid or some random civilian?”
“We’ll have to act fast,” I said, my stomach twisting at the thought. “But the petting zoo is closed. If we’re careful, we can keep this contained.”
Eve and Salima broke off as we reached the wooden gate of the petting zoo, creeping toward an exterior enclosure to begin their work. I stayed behind with the rest of the group, my eyes scanning the darkened area beyond the gate.
“This has to work,” I murmured, more to myself than anyone else.
I scanned the petting zoo, taking in every detail of the quiet space. The exterior pens stretched out in neat rows, empty now, with their gates latched shut. The animals were inside their barns for the night, their cozy shelters markedwith wooden signs that cheerfully identified their occupants—goats, llamas, and sheep. Each barn door was closed, and a soft golden light glowing from the cracks made it clear the animals were tucked in safely for the evening.
A thick velvet cord roped off the pathway leading to the interior pens. A weathered sign dangled from it, the word “CLOSED” painted in bold red letters that matched the festive bows tied to the posts. The quiet was almost eerie, and the absence of children’s laughter and the soft bleating of animals made the space feel hollow.
I glanced toward the barns, worry gnawing at the edges of my focus. “Will the animals be okay?” I asked, turning to Eve as she and Salima returned. “I know they’re sleeping, but… Krampus wouldn’t attack them, would he?”
Eve shook her head, her gaze flicking to the barns before meeting mine. “Not right now. He ate earlier,” she said. “His focus is on punishing people, right now. Specifically, you, Faith.”
Her words were reassuring, but the knot in my chest didn’t loosen entirely. I exhaled slowly, nodding. “Still, let’s take him down quickly. I don’t want to risk it.”
Eve nodded in agreement, her hand brushing the locket around her neck. “We will. The wards will hold him, and we’ll end this before he has a chance to do any more damage.”
