Book Six: Chapter 192

“Uh, Romeo?” Lily looked up at him with dread. “He’s about out of the Christmas spirit, if you know what I mean.”

“Make him drink some eggnog or something.” Mike pulled even harder, trying to free that ball of golden light. It shifted forward, the room filling with the sound of Christmas music. Cracks of light formed along the Krampus’ skin, and the darkness burned away like ash.

The Krampus hissed, his limbs deforming beneath him until he lifted free of the ground. He moved toward Mike like an eerie crab, grunting and cackling all the way.

“Mike!” Lily stabbed her tail into the floor, anchoring the Krampus in place. “I can’t hold him much longer!”

“Almost...got it...” His vision was going dark around the edges, the shadows punctuated by flickers of gold. He tensed up his whole body and let out a scream, forcing the dark fractal apart until the light within was able to squeeze itself free.

There was a concussive blast of energy, the force shoving Mike b