And with that, I lunged forward, my saber gleaming in the dim light as I aimed for the shoulder of the demon who’d wreaked havoc for far too long.
With a sharp cry, I twisted my saber in my grip as I drove it through Krampus’ massive shoulder. The blade sank deep, tearing through muscle and sinew, and he roared in pain, hisglowing eyes blazing with fury. His knees buckled and he crashed to the ground with a thunderous thud, clawing at the hilt in a desperate attempt to dislodge it.
But Nishi was faster.
She was at his side in a blur of motion, her supernatural cuffs glinting in the dim light as she grabbed his arms. Her movements were swift and precise, and she had one wrist secured before Krampus could react. He snarled, twisting to fight her off, but she yanked his other arm back with supernatural strength and snapped the second cuff into place.
“No!” Krampus bellowed, his voice shaking the ground as he thrashed against the restraints. Blood dripped from his wounds, steaming against the cold ground, but it was clear his strength was failing. He struggled, his massive form heaving with effort, but there were too many of us. We closed in around him, cutting off any chance of escape.
He roared again, his voice echoing through the empty petting zoo, but it was weaker this time, tinged with desperation. “No! You can’t do this! You can’t?—”
I stepped closer, yanking my saber free from his shoulder with a sickening squelch. Blood splattered onto the ground as I stood over him, my chest heaving, my grip tight on the hilt of my blade. His glowing eyes flicked up to meet mine, and for the first time, I saw something there that almost looked like fear.
I smirked, tilting my head as I stared him down. “Merry Christmas, asshole,” I said, my voice cold and steady. “Enjoy your holiday in hell.”
Krampus let out one final, guttural scream, his massive body sagging against the weight of his defeat. The cuffs glowed slightly, their magic binding him tightly, and the fight drained from his eyes. The others stood around him, their weapons at the ready, but it was over. He wasn’t going anywhere.
I exhaled, the tension in my chest easing slightly as I took a step back, the subtle metallic tang of blood and magic still hanging in the air. We’d done it. Krampus was contained.
Now, all that was left was to send him back to where he belonged.
CHAPTER 16
Greyson’s home was like something out of a holiday dream. The dining room was warm and inviting, bathed in the soft glow of twinkling Christmas lights strung along the walls and woven through a garland draped over the mantel. The centerpiece of the table was a stunning evergreen arrangement, dotted with pinecones and red berries, the faint scent of cedar mixing with the aroma of roasted lamb and buttery mashed potatoes. It was… perfect. Almost too perfect for someone like me, who usually spent Christmas cleaning up supernatural disasters or avoiding tinsel entirely.
As we ate, I couldn’t help but admire how every detail of the night seemed meticulously thought out. Greyson always had this way of making things feel effortless and grand at the same time, and tonight was no exception. The food was delicious, the wine perfectly paired, and the company? Well, he was the best part.
“What do you want for Christmas?” he asked, leaning back in his chair with that easy smile that always made my heart skip a beat.
I laughed softly, setting down my fork. “Christmas is tomorrow, Grey. If you’re planning some last-minute shopping, you’re in for a real treat.”
He chuckled, shaking his head, then raised his hand and snapped his fingers. In an instant, a shiny new crossbow appeared on the table between us, its sleek black frame catching the light. My breath hitched as I took it in, my eyes immediately drawn to the triple-action release mechanism.
“Oh my god,” I said, reaching for it. Its weight felt perfect in my hands, balanced and sturdy. I ran my fingers over the grip, marveling at the craftsmanship. “It’s perfect.”
Greyson leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand as he watched me with amusement. “You’re the only woman I know who gets this excited about a weapon.”
I winked at him, still inspecting the crossbow. “I guarantee Nishi would love one of these, too.”
He chuckled. “Nishi isn’t mine to spoil, but I’ll pass that along to Alex. Though I doubt he’ll want me stepping on his gift-giving game.”
I gently set the crossbow on the table, but excitement still buzzed. My shifter side stirred, and I felt my eyes begin to glow. Greyson noticed immediately, his expression softening.
“You know,” he said, his voice dropping to that rich, velvety tone that always sent shivers down my spine, “I love those eyes.”
I smiled, the cougar in me purring at his words. “She’s as infatuated with you as I am.”
“That’s good,” he said, leaning closer. “Because the feeling is mutual.” He paused, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my breath catch.
“What do you want for Christmas? I haven’t exactly done my shopping either,” I asked.
Before he answered, he closed the distance between us,his lips brushing mine in a kiss that was as soft as it was electric. When he pulled back, his voice was a whisper. “Just you. Living with me.”
I nodded, my heart pounding. “I’ll move in,” I said softly. “But I want to keep my apartment. With Liam knowing about the supernatural world now, I think he’ll be spending more time here. It’ll be good to have a space for him.”
Greyson smiled, nodding thoughtfully. “Then we’ll keep it. I’d rather him visit more so you don’t miss out on any more time with him.”
He hesitated for a moment, then said, “I told Mattias about Liam. Now that your son knows about our world, Matt hopes they can spend time together.”
