Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Charlaine Harris) (Kitty Norville 2.50)

"Jesus. " Phyllis squinted at one of the screens. "There have to be forty of them. "

Weston looked, watching as the cameras switched from one view to another around the church. Santa's helpers, dozens of Santa's helpers. Wielding bats and axes and swords. They had the place surrounded.

"We need to call the police. " David's voice had gone up an octave.

Irena already had the phone in her hand. "Line's been cut. "

"Cell phones?"

"We're in a basement. No signals. "

Scott knelt before the trunk, removing the top section and revealing a cache of handguns underneath. He tossed one to Weston, along with an extra clip.

"Are guns safe to throw?"

"Safety is on. Ever used a nine millimeter before?"

"No. "

"Thumb off the safety on the side. Then pull back the top part. That's the slide, loads the bullet into the chamber. Now all you have to do is pull the trigger. Those red suits they're wearing are Kevlar, so aim for the face. "

Weston had more questions, but Scott was too busy distributing the guns.

"Place your shots carefully, people. We don't have a lot of ammo. Ryan! Can you fire a weapon?"

Ryan remained sitting, staring into space.

"Dammit, man! We need you!"

Ryan didn't move.

"Can't we escape?" Weston asked Irena.

Irena worked her slide, jacking in a round.

"That's the only door. "

"But those are steel bars. They can't get through it. "

"They'll get through. " Phyllis pointed. "See?"

Weston checked out the monitor, saw a group of Santa's storming down the stairs with a battering ram. The first CLANG! made everyone in the room jump.

"The table! Move!"

Weston helped Andy and Scott push the cafeteria table in front of the door. Then the group, except for Ryan, huddled together in the back of the room, guns pointed forward.

"I hope we live through this," Weston told Irena, "because I'd really like to ask you out. "

"I'd like that, too. "

"Living through this, or going out with me?"

"Both. "

Another CLANG! accompanied by a CREAK! which shook the table.

"Wait until you see the whites of their beards, people. "