by Breezy Jones
Krampus cut me off with a laugh. “Not like yours, my darling girl. They are quite vibrant, and so beautiful.”
I stared at his face—the exact shade of green as my own—and shook my head as the truth slowly dawned. “It’s not possible,” I whispered my voice barely audible.
“It is true, your eyes shine with the magic of Christmas. My magic.” His smile was wicked and proud all at once. “You are my daughter,” he said, taking the last step toward me. He placed a hand beneath my chin pulling my face up to his. I jerked away not wanting his hands on me.
His words ignited my anger.
“You’re no father of mine,” I spat, wrestling my arm free of my captor. I swung a punch, but it was as if I’d lost all control of my body, and I couldn’t continue the swing. My arm stayed suspended in air no matter how hard I tried to force the action.
Suddenly, the arms that had held me let go. Quietly, my werewolf imprisoner walked around me and over to Lindsey. One man took her by the hand, pulling her up into a standing position as if asking to dance. Only the anger in her face showed her true feelings.
Krampus forehead creased. “Don’t you understand?” he asked me as he perched his palm against his hip. “All of this…” He extended his other hand and swept in front of him. “Is for you, my daughter.” He spun around and then stopped, focusing back on me.
His eyes crinkled as he threw his arms wide. “My legacy, my pack, and all the magic of Christmas. A future of true balance and stability among the supernatural world. But balance wouldn’t be complete without a ruling pair. Male and female… Like father and daughter. What do you say?”
Before I could speak, Krampus frowned and dropped his arms.
“Of course, your friends here…” He looked to Ryker, eyeing him angrily. “Put that on hold. I should freeze them for eternity, but I want them to witness you taking your rightful place by my side.” He turned back to me his sudden anger gone. “No matter. Together we will finish what I have started.”
I sucked in a sharp breath, his words shocking me. “Why now? You tried to kill me at Ryker’s house, and all this time you sent people after me. Why not kill me?”
Krampus laughed. “I never intended to kill you. I was after your crystal. Your magic.”
I snorted, knowing I had no magic, but my fingers brushed along the delicate pendant around my neck and something swirled inside of me.
My eyes grew wide with the sensation that coursed through my body as if by instinct I knew it was magic. How could I have not known before?
“When you used your magic on me that night, I realized just how powerful you were,” Krampus grinned maliciously. “That’s when I knew it wasn’t enough to just have your power. I needed you by my side.”
I narrowed my eyes, gripping the crystal necklace.
“Join me Nina,” he said.
I scoffed. “I’ll never work with you! How could you even think I’d help you hurt innocent people?”
His smile was gone as he scrutinized me. “Innocent?” he declared, coming closer to me. The smell of his peppermint breath nearly suffocating from his proximity. “Werewolves and Fae bowing down to the genies hardly screams innocence. The djinn are corrupt and evil, completely disregarding the power Christmas holds.” He spat on the floor beside me. “If the genies had it their way, Christmas wouldn’t exist at all anymore.”
He sounded on the verge of a breakdown. I squinted at him. How had he fallen so far from the man Joe had told me about?
As if called, Joe’s words whispered through my mind. The burden of Kris’s magic. To have to deal with the evil in the world…in children—the future serial killers and murderers.
“Kidnapping them isn’t the answer,” I said.
“Nina,” Krampus started again. “It’s the only answer left, I need all the magic to take over Christmas and bring back our place on top of the supernatural world.” He paused for a moment. “There is so much about Christmas that you don’t understand. Let me show you what you could have with me.”
With a wave of his hand, the factory room disappeared and transformed into a glorious ballroom. The ceiling was gone allowing the snow to fall, and the moonlight cast its ethereal glow.
Krampus moved his other hand as if conducting an orchestra and music began to play. A slow beautiful melody that sounded as if it came from the air itself. He waved a finger toward Ryker, Mason, and Pops. Tendrils of crimson sparkles wrapped around them. When the red glittering light disappeared, the men were dressed in matching tuxedos. I tilted my head, noting how gorgeous Ryker looked in a suit, but his expression seemed confused as it searched mine.
At the sight of him dressed so handsomely, I almost smiled—almost forgot where I was.
More magic flowed, and I turned my attention to Lindsey. She spun around, and her casual attire transformed into the most gorgeous white gown that sparkled in the moonlight. Her captor took her by the hand and began pirouetting with her in tune to the music. Ava and Jack followed in turn, sporting their own glamorous white gowns, a stark contrast to their bright hair—piled elegantly atop their heads.
Krampus took my hand and spun me around in a circle. As I moved, the casual jeans and sweater I wore manifested into a beautiful red gown flaring from mid-thigh down into sparkling waves. I gasped, admiring the strapless piece, running my palms absently down my side. Even my shoes had changed from boots to white pumps.
My nose wrinkled, looking back at Krampus, and I snarled, “Fancy dresses and beautiful music aren’t enough to make me forget the evil in my presence.”
Krampus smiled, took my other hand, and quickly whirled me into a waltz. I wanted to scream. I tried to kick, but I wasn’t in control.
“Much better,” Krampus said in a melodic voice.
All around me, my friends danced and swirled. Each paired off as they drifted around the room as if this was completely normal. Lindsey’s face was lit up with such excitement like she was thrilled to be a part of the illusion. Ryker pressed his lips tightly together, and I knew he was struggling to break free of the compulsion Krampus wielded over him.
“Let them go,” I grated between my teeth.
“Magic is a beautiful thing, isn’t it?” he said, ignoring my demand.
I exhaled loudly. “Make it stop.”
Kris spun me in another circle, his fingers wrapped tightly around my wrist now. “All of this can be yours, you know.”
My skin tingled from his touch, the pleasure slowly spreading from my wrist to the rest of me. Magic, I realized—but try as I might, I couldn’t fight it off. Like ecstasy, the magic vibrated through my veins, turning my anger into bliss.
I tried to focus, but the tingling increased. I couldn’t think past the drug taking over my body.
I had never felt so amazing, so strong, or so beautiful. “Isn’t it the best feeling in the world?” Krampus asked, his smile suddenly warm and gentle.
How could I ever have looked at this man as a threat?
A voice called to me, distantly as if from miles away. I couldn’t make out the words and decided it wasn’t important. I ignored it.
“What is this…this feeling?” I asked.
“Magic,” he cried. The music swelled with his words, and I was lost in it.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Krampus spun me in a waltz around the ballroom floor. Both of us perfectly in sync with the other dancers. Snow fell around us in light layers, dusting the shining tiles in white powder. I smiled, closing my eyes, and let the magic wash through me.
“Rule by my side,” Krampus whispered, his voice like a song in my ear. “At your rightful place.”
“Hmm…” I hummed, running the idea through my mind. I wanted to agree with him, to envision myself as some sort of Christmas queen but something was stopping me. Something just at the edge of my mind had me questioning if I really wanted to
rule at all.
“Together, the world will be ours.” His voice was soothing, the words gliding across my skin.
“Nina!”
Someone called my name, which in my haze seemed silly to me as I searched the couples around us. We’re busy dancing. Why would someone call out to me?
“My princess, you are destined for this,” Krampus said, his eyes like green sapphires in the glow of the moon.
I knew Krampus was right.
The music clashed as we swirled, the lights like a sunset across the ballroom of dancers. Everyone perfectly in tune with the bells. A sound that had once been ominous but now only heightened my euphoria.
“I don’t understand. If you’re my father, how am I a werewolf?”
“First, you’re not a werewolf, you’re a shifter,” he said, as if that explained everything, and I smiled again. “You get that from me. We are the purest of our kind because I was the first, and now we are the only ones left in existence.”
“I don’t understand. What about the pack?” I could vaguely recall them all now. Not faces or names. The idea that they existed, however, was still buried in the depths of my mind.
“Those are watered-down versions of what we are. Shifters—with magic and the ability to become a wolf. The strength of both. All of these weres, my wolves, are the same as us. They are your pack now.” He gestured to the room as he brought us to a halt. “They were created from my blood.”
Something in his words gave me pause. I looked at him, frowned and asked, “Like your children?”
His lips smacked. “I have only one child, you.”
“Then how…”
“Magic. In the first war between djinn and Christmas, we mixed my blood and magic to create my pack.” He gestured to the weres dancing with my friends.
My pack? The idea teased at the edges of my mind. A super elite pack. How neat.
Krampus spun us in another circle, the rhythm of the music sped up, and the snow fell elegantly in the moonlight.
I caught sight of Lindsey. She glowed in her form-fitting gown that hugged her curves so gracefully. She was always lucky like that, blessed with a supermodel body. The man dancing with her was just as beautiful. Slowly through the haze, I forced my mind to piece it together.
“What is the difference?” I asked, eyeing Krampus curiously. “Between shifter and were?”
Krampus laughed, stepping back to spin me again. When we came together, he said, “A were is born with their animal inside them and can only shift into the animal given to them. You and I are the only true shifters left. Our magic chose a wolf at our birth, but we can shift into any animal we choose. However, it takes a lot of practice and strength to change into another animal.”
I giggled—the idea seemed crazy. “I could shift into a tiger if I wanted to?”
Krampus’ face beamed with wide eyes. “Anything you want.”
I laughed again before closing my eyes. I allowed the music and Krampus’ arms to guide me around the room.
I had the faintest feeling of being lost. I tried to shake it off as that voice cried out again. “Nina!” The voice sounded familiar. In my foggy mind, I thought about Ryker, but then decided he didn’t have any reason to call my name. He was probably enthralled with the dancing as well.
I opened my eyes and saw my reflection shimmering in the vibrant green pools of Krampus’ eyes. I frowned, noting the relaxed expression I wore.
It didn’t seem natural on my face somehow. But why shouldn’t it be? I couldn’t remember. How had we gotten here? And why did Ryker look so angry? My mind struggled to order my own thoughts. Something was missing, some puzzle.
I glanced over at Ryker again. He danced effortlessly with his partner and I smiled. The more I looked at him, admiring his easy posture and defined masculinity, the more something seemed off. My nerves hummed nervously and slowly my smile fell as my mind focused through the haze.
Like a bolt of lightning straight through my gut, I jumped back from Krampus’ arms. All of this—the dresses and suits, the dancing, everything—it wasn’t real.
“Stop!” I screamed, taking another step back and squeezed my eyes shut against the illusion he’d forced on me.
Krampus sighed. “You always were so stubborn.”
When I glanced up again, the room around me had disappeared. We no longer stood in an elegant ballroom but beneath the factory’s fluorescent lighting.
The music had stopped, and the snow was gone. I searched for my friends. Everyone was exactly where they had been before. Like me, they were dressed in their casual attire as if there had never been a ballgown or a suit at all. Lindsey was still immobile next to the magical werewolf still guarding her, a slack expression on her face.
Pain shot through my veins so fast I doubled over and then stumbled backward.
“What did you do to me?” I screamed, falling to the concrete floor.
“Dammit, Nina,” Krampus roared, his sharp teeth gleaming. With each word, more pain shot through me. “That’s the magic leaving your body.”
I screamed again.
“Nina!” Ryker called out to me from across the room, his voice laced with anguish as he struggled harder against his captors. The four men forced him to the ground, and my chest ached for him.
“Let him go,” I demanded.
“Join me and I’ll keep your friends alive,” Krampus said.
Spitting at his feet, I said, “Never.” I allowed myself to partially shift—claws appearing and fangs descending. Glaring and snarling at Krampus, I shouted, “You won’t win!”
With a wave of his hand, I was thrown across the room and slammed against the wall. I yelped as I hit the ground.
Pain radiated down my spine as I tried to push off the ground. Footsteps racing toward me, forced me up in time to see Lindsey. Behind her were the werewolf captors. I ran toward her, determined to reach her before they did. Just before I made it, there was a flash of red light from Krampus.
Lindsey lurched forward as the light hit her spine.
I lunged at her, using my body to soften the impact. Shoving my own pain aside, I rolled her over and cradled her in my lap. My hands shook as I wiped her blonde hair from her face. Her blue eyes stared up at me, unseeing, and my breath caught in my throat.
“No,” I croaked, stroking her hair.
“The world has to change,” Krampus declared.
I ignored him, unable to leave Lindsey.
“These ignorant werewolves. Djinn running the council.” Krampus grunted. “And vampires who don’t kill. It all has to change.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, gritting my teeth as I fought against the want to cry. Lindsey didn’t have a heartbeat. I hugged her against me, rocking back and forth, praying she’d wake up somehow. This couldn’t be happening. I’d found her only to lose her again—for good.
“Nina!”
I looked up at Ryker, and my vision blurred with the unshed tears pooling in my eyes.
“Get up,” he said, his tone harsh enough to snap me out of my grief. “You have to fight.” Gently, I laid Lindsey on the floor and stood. Ryker was right. I would grieve later. Now, it was time to stop this once and for all.
I locked my sights on Krampus who watched me with cold eyes. My fangs lengthened as my anger built inside me. My whole body burned with it. I ran at him, bracing myself for an attack—my arms and claws extended toward his chest only a few inches away.
A bolt of magic hit me. My feet flew out from under me, and I was tossed aside.
Krampus wore a twisted frown as he spoke, “If you won’t rule at my side, I’ll have to kill you.”
I glared up at him, rising to my feet slowly.
Across the room, Ryker struggled against his captors, breaking free of one of them. He wrestled with the others as Seth and Mason broke free as well. Within
minutes, the room exploded in battle. It was as if Krampus’ wolves weren’t as strong with Krampus so focused on me. I hoped I was right as I turned my attention returned to him.
He waved his hand, and I prepared for impact, as red wisps encircled me. I tensed up as the air around me thickened. My chest squeezed. An invisible pressure made it hard to breathe. My head spun.
“My own daughter refuses to see the truth…disgusting,” he ranted, ignoring the chaos around us as everyone fought. Seth and Mason stood back-to-back, fighting a group of weres while Jack and Ava had also broken free and fought hand-to-hand against two men.
The world around me hummed as I focused on staying upright.
“Enough,” I yelled, glaring at Krampus and summoning all the strength I had. He stared at me, snarling.
“You will all have to die,” he hissed, and then he shifted into a large white wolf.
I focused on the magic tingling within me, forcing it to a vibration. We both shot toward each other. I extended my claws. The need to rip him apart seethed within my blood.
The sensation of magic thrummed through my veins with each step I took. I imagined what that magic looked like and gave it a pulse that coursed through my blood. Purple light ignited around me. My chest swelled with the pride of having found my magic.
Each footfall brought me closer to Krampus as I allowed the throbbing to flow through me, to envelop me completely. My body seemed to take over like a muscle memory. The power was building inside of me. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was doing or what the outcome would be just that it was strong, and I enjoyed its strength.
As I got closer to Krampus, swirling purple tendrils leapt from me and darted toward him. His own red magic flowed from his hands. A dance between purple and red—the bolts clashing as if directed by an orchestra.
We met in the middle, both wolves now as we wrestled with sharpened claws. His teeth snapped viciously at my neck as I pushed against his weight. I ripped at his fur, raking a paw hard against his face.
He slammed me against the ground. I snapped my teeth toward his legs but his massive size wouldn’t allow me to reach. His teeth sank into my shoulder, crushing the bone. I howled out. Nearly blinded from the pain, I almost lost my focus. Purple light flickered around me.
