Merry Mercenary — Michael Anderle

Santa Claus has a gun, and he's not afraid to use it. Kris Kringle isn't your typical Santa. As guardian of the North Pole and its magical Workshop, he's traded milk and cookies for tactical gear and armor-piercing rounds. When his greatest nemesis unleashes a new batch of demonic Krampus soldiers, Kris must race against time to prevent an attack that could devastate an EU summit and ruin Christmas. An even darker threat lurks beneath the surface—one that's managed to wound the very heart of the Workshop itself. With his wife Claudia and a team of elite operatives at his side, Kris must uncover the truth behind a centuries-old vendetta before it's too late. His investigation leads him to a twisted reality: someone has created a dark mirror of the Workshop, powered by forbidden magic and fueled by vengeance. The stakes have never been higher. If Kris fails, he'll lose more than just his life—he'll lose the Workshop, the elves, and everything that makes Christmas possible. Can Santa Claus unravel a centuries-old conspiracy in time to save not just Christmas, but the very magic that powers it? Or will an ancient evil finally claim its revenge and destroy everything he's sworn to protect?