Book Seven: Chapter 208

Death took a step forward and punched the witch in the face. There was a flash of golden light along with the sound of sleigh bells as Elizabeth was launched into the mountainside. The Grim Reaper chuckled and adjusted the brass knuckles on his fist. The words Christmas Cheer were engraved into the top of them.

“I borrowed these from a friend of mine,” he explained as he slipped a second one onto his other fist. “You see, I was feeling rather frustrated after being teased by the mercenaries about being harmless. It really didn’t help that they broke one of my favorite mugs. After all, I do hold a position that demands some respect. But don’t worry, they only work on people who’ve been naughty.” The Grim Reaper stepped toward the witch. “And you have been very naughty.”

Elizabeth growled and extricated herself from the rubble that had tumbled down with her. In the light of the moon, Cyrus could now see more of her scalp. The scales on her body were serrated, and on