The following morning they headed out to the scene of another murder. This one was a little more brutal; the guy did come down the chimney but he actually went upstairs and pulled dad out of bed screaming. In front of the family's son, he jerked dad up the chimney. Mom never saw the attacker because she was knocked out, but the kid said he was Santa Claus. Even ate one of the cookies left out for him.
The only commonality Sam found was the Christmas wreath hanging on the front door; it matched the one hanging on the last house. When they got back to the room, Sam immediately called Bobby to fill him in on the details.
"Thanks Bobby." Sam hung up the phone. "Well we're not dealing with the anti-Claus."
"What'd he say?"
"That we're morons."
Kayla smiled. "See? He's always so optimistic."
Sam continued. "He also said that it's probably Meadow Sweet in those wreaths. It's pretty rare, and probably the most powerful plant in Pagan lore."
"Pagan?"
"Yeah, they used it in human sacrifice. The Meadow Sweet would lure their Gods in and they would eat whatever human was closest."
"Ew."
"Why would someone use that in Christmas wreaths?"
"Most Christmas traditions are Pagan. The yule log, the tree, the red suit, it's all remnants of Pagan worship."
Kayla shook her head. "You are totally ruining Christmas."
"You're such a Grinch." Dean agreed. "What are you gonna tell me next? The Easter Bunny is Jewish?"
"I think we're probably dealing with the Pagan God of winter solstice. You know what he gives you in exchange for human sacrifice?" They looked at him. "Mild weather."
Dean glanced out the window. "Like no snow in the middle of winter, in Michigan."
"For example."
"Well if someone is setting people up for sacrifice, we need to find out who." He stood and headed for the door. "Kayla why don't you check out the internet, see if any of these local stores have them online. We'll run around town."
"Sounds good." She was kind of glad he suggested it; she had plans of her own.