14. Krampus

CHAPTER 14

KRAMPUS

T he couch springs creak under my weight as I toss and turn. Three AM. The house creaks and settles around me, but that's not what keeps me awake.

Something gnaws at my consciousness. Not hunger - though I could eat. No, something deeper.

"Ho ho ho," drifts from the TV I left on mute. Another Christmas special. Another reminder.

I tap my datapad, searching Earth's historical records. "Krampus...folklore...punisher of the wicked..." The entries grow sparse after the 1800s.

"Santa's helper? A footnote?" My claws dig into the leather armrest. "I am no one's sidekick."

The sound of Sam turning over in her sleep drifts down from upstairs. Such a pure soul. Unlike some...

My search shifts to local records. Thomas Redding. Address. Employment.

The datapad screen flickers as financial reports scroll past my eyes. Redding Pharmaceuticals. Revenue up 3000% this quarter. My claws tap against the screen, bringing up patient testimonials.

"...can't afford my daughter's medicine anymore..."

"...have to choose between food and staying alive..."

"...second mortgage on the house..."

The metal frame of the couch groans as I rise. The image inducer clicks on my wrist, masking my true form.

The night air carries the scent of pine and snow as I track Tom's address. His mansion sprawls across perfectly manicured grounds. Security cameras sweep the perimeter. Child's play.

The front door opens with a gentle tap of my claw. The alarm system chirps once before I jam its signal.

Marble floors echo under my feet as I prowl through the penthouse. The place reeks of money and privilege. My claws itch to tear it all down.

A door creaks. Light spills into the hallway.

"Tommy? Is that you?"

A woman in red lace sashays toward me. The secretary. The one who helped destroy Mel's family. My lip curls back, exposing fangs.

"Oh my god." She giggles. "That costume is amazing. The fur looks so real."

Her hand reaches out to stroke my chest. I suppress a growl.

"You should have told me you were into furry play, babe. Though blue isn't really your color."

Play along. Don't harm her. She's just another victim of Tom's manipulation.

"Come here." I gesture with one claw.

She practically skips over, trailing perfume that burns my nose.

"These handcuffs are part of the game?" She dangles them from one finger.

I take them, careful not to scratch her with my claws. "Of course."

"Kinky." She turns, offering her wrists. "Do your worst, big boy."

The cuffs click shut. She doesn't resist when I guide her to sit.

"The gag too? You're full of surprises tonight."

Once she's secured, I pat her head.

"Stay quiet. I'll be right back."

"Mmph!" She wiggles, clearly thinking this is all foreplay.

Now for Tom. The real monster in this house.

The master bedroom door swings open silently. Tom sprawls across silk sheets, mouth hanging open in a snore. The mattress must have cost more than most humans make in a year.

Perfect.

My chains rattle as I leap onto the bed. The nettles in my hand strike true across his bare chest.

Tom's eyes snap open. His scream pierces the night.

"Please! Don't kill me! Take whatever you want!"

"Thomas Redding." My voice rumbles deep in my chest. "You have been very naughty this year."

"What? I don't understand!"

Another strike of the nettles makes him yelp.

"Price gouging life-saving medicine? Destroying families with your greed?" My fangs gleam in the moonlight. "That's on Santa's naughty list."

"I'll do anything! Please!"

"Reduce your medicine prices to their original cost. Never raise them again." I lean close, letting him see my true form. "Or I'll be back."

"Yes! Yes, I promise! First thing tomorrow!"

A sharp, acrid smell hits my nostrils. I glance down at the spreading dark patch on his sheets.

"Pathetic. Even my pet goldfish was better house-trained."

I leave him trembling in his soiled bed. Some humans have no dignity.

The walk home through fresh snow clears my head. Teaching Tom a lesson felt good. Like old times.

A faint sound catches my ear. Not mechanical. Not human. Something small, desperate.

My nose twitches. There - under the porch steps. A tiny heartbeat, growing weaker by the second.

I crouch down, peering into the darkness. Two golden eyes reflect back at me.

"Come here, little one."

A pathetic mewl answers. The kitten shrinks further back, but I catch its scent now. Fear. Cold. Hunger.

My claws scrape against wood as I reach in. The kitten hisses - more of a squeak really.

"Brave little warrior, aren't you?"

Gentle now. I scoop up the trembling ball of fur. So small it fits in my palm. Black and white patches, matted with ice.

The kitten tries to bite me. Its teeth can't penetrate my hide.

Inside, I cradle it close to my chest. My fur will warm it faster than any blanket.

Tiny footsteps patter down the stairs. Sam appears in her unicorn pajamas, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

"What's that noise?"

The kitten answers with another plaintive mew.

Mel follows close behind, wielding a baseball bat. She lowers it when she sees me.

"I heard crying outside," I lie smoothly. "Found this one freezing under the porch."

The kitten peers out from my fur. Sam's face lights up.

"A kitty! Can we keep him, Mom? Please?"

Mel opens her mouth to refuse, but the kitten chooses that moment to sneeze. Even I have to admit it's adorable.

"Please?" Sam clasps her hands together. "I'll take care of him, I promise!"

I crouch down to Sam's eye level, careful not to loom over her. The kitten squirms in my palm.

"Taking care of another life is a huge responsibility. Are you ready for that?"

"Yes! I'll feed him and play with him and love him forever!"

"That includes cleaning his litter box."

"I don't care. I'll do anything." Sam bounces on her toes, eyes locked on the tiny creature.

"Well..." I glance up at Mel. "It's your mother's decision."

Mel's arms cross over her chest. The corner of her mouth twitches. "Okay."

Sam's squeal of delight makes my ears ring. She scoops the kitten from my hand with surprising gentleness.

"I'm going to name him Rudolph!"

The kitten stretches in Sam's lap, his purr rumbling like a tiny engine. His golden eyes close in contentment as she strokes his fur.

Sam's footsteps fade upstairs, the kitten cradled in her arms. But something in Mel's scent changes. A tang of salt. Distress.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Mel turns away, but her shoulders tremble.

I reach for her arm, careful with my claws. "Tell me."

"I..." Her voice cracks. "This is stupid. I shouldn't..."

"Mel."

She faces me, eyes glistening. "I'm falling for you. And it terrifies me."

My heart thunders against my ribs. Words stick in my throat.

"You're kind to Sam. You protect us. You even found her a kitten." Mel wipes her eyes. "But I've been here before. With Tom."

"I'm nothing like that waste of oxygen." I assert.

"No, you're not. You're better. Which makes it worse." Her fingers twist together. "Tom left me for someone younger, prettier. And you... you'll live for centuries. There will always be a newer model."

The tears spill over now. Each one feels like acid burning my skin.

I want to tell her she's wrong. That I'd rather tear out my own heart than hurt her like Tom did. But my throat closes up.

All I can do is pull her close as she cries against my chest.

My claws stroke through her hair, careful not to snag. The scent of her tears burns my nose worse than any weapon could.

"Look at me." I tilt her chin up with one finger. "In three hundred years, I've never met anyone like you."

"Right. A crazy woman who attacked you with a baseball bat."

"A warrior who faced down an unknown creature to protect her child." My thumb brushes away a tear. "Do you know how rare that kind of courage is?"

Her eyes search mine. "But-"

"No. Listen." I cup her face in my hands. "You raised Sam alone. You work hard. You keep going no matter what life throws at you. That strength... that fire... there can never be a replacement for that."

"I'm just...ordinary."

"You freed me from cryo-sleep. You gave me a home. A family." My voice roughens. "Nothing ordinary about that."

Her hands cover mine, so small against my massive claws. "You'll get bored. Everyone does."

"I've lived centuries. Traveled galaxies. Nothing holds my attention for long." I press my forehead to hers. "Except you. You fascinate me more each day."

"How can you be sure?"

"Because I choose you. Today. Tomorrow. For as long as you'll have me." I breathe in her scent. "I'm not going anywhere, Mel. Not unless you tell me to leave."

She leans into me, her heartbeat steadying against my chest. "Promise?"

"On my honor as a warrior. On everything I am." My arms tighten around her. "I promise."