Birched by the Krampus

by Siggy Shade

His hot breath tickles my neck, infusing my veins with a delicious thrill. Then he wraps a calloused hand around one wrist and then the other and pulls me upright. The chains around my wrists clink as he shoves me to the floor. I fall on my hands and knees with a cry. "No one on the naughty list may enjoy the punishment, but you have defied me at every turn." When I try to raise my head, he shoves me back down with a roar. "Cease your defiance and kneel before the Krampus, or I will cast you to hell." I curl my hands into fists. There's no point in mentioning that the Council of Magic already closed that loophole. Every wizard or witch is tattooed with sigils that prevent forcible transportation across realms. But who knows if that protection will work with Krampus? Best not to test a creature who claims to be an old god. "It's not my fault," I say from between clenched teeth. "You shouldn't make the punishments so kinky." He grabs my hair again, this time to force our gazes to meet. "Explain."