20. Krampus

CHAPTER 20

KRAMPUS

T he grolgath's stench leads me through the tunnels. Putrid water splashes under my feet as I charge forward, my claws leaving deep gouges in the concrete.

"I can smell your fear!" My voice echoes off the curved walls.

A scuttling sound ahead makes my ears twitch. Got you.

The assassin's footsteps splash through ankle-deep water. Amateur. They might as well paint arrows pointing to their location.

"You made a grave mistake coming after what's mine."

Mine? When did I start thinking of Mel and her offspring as mine? No matter. The thought of them in danger makes my blood boil hotter.

The tunnel opens into a junction chamber. Perfect place for an ambush. They think I'm stupid enough to walk right into it.

I am.

"You can hide, but you'll never run far enough to escape me," I bellow into the darkness.

The acoustics make my voice bounce and reverberate. The assassin's heart rate spikes - I can hear it clearly now. They're close. Very close.

Let them think they have me exactly where they want me. I flex my claws, anticipating the satisfying crunch of grolgath bones. After I finish here, Gregor is next.

Nobody threatens my humans and lives.

A flicker of firelight catches my attention. The grolgath's trail leads right past... what's this?

Humans huddle around a burning barrel, passing small wrapped packages between them. The scent of desperation and unwashed bodies mingles with something else - joy?

"Merry Christmas, Eddie." A woman with matted grey hair hands a newspaper-wrapped bundle to a man in a tattered coat.

"Aw Martha, you shouldn't have." His weathered face breaks into a toothless grin as he unwraps a pair of wool socks.

These humans celebrate even here in the darkness? My hand brushes the wad of currency I took from Mel's pathetic ex-mate. Better use for it than his weekend plans.

"Clear out." I step into the firelight. Several gasp, but none run. They've seen worse down here. "These tunnels aren't safe tonight."

I toss the money onto a flattened cardboard box. "Find somewhere warm to sleep."

They stare at the stack of bills like it might vanish. The woman - Martha - reaches for it with trembling fingers.

"God bless you, sir. You must be an angel."

A laugh rumbles up from my chest. "Think lower. Much lower."

They gather their meager belongings and the cash, shuffling toward the tunnel exit. Good. I'd hate to have to protect them too when the real fighting starts.

Now, where was I? Ah yes. The assassin's trail leads deeper into the darkness.

The stench grows stronger. Metal rails gleam in the darkness ahead - a subway tunnel. Perfect. The assassin thinks they're clever, using public transport to mask their scent.

A distant rumble echoes through the tunnel. My quarry's heartbeat quickens. They're close.

There! A shadow moves against the wall. I launch myself forward, claws extended. The grolgath squeals as we tumble onto the tracks.

"Thought you could get away?" My fist connects with their jaw. Satisfying crunch.

The assassin fights back, but their strikes feel like love taps compared to what I've endured. I grab their throat and squeeze.

"Tell Gregor-"

A bright light floods the tunnel. The grolgath's eyes gleam with triumph. Their foot hooks behind my knee and shoves.

The train hits like a meteor. Metal screams against my hide as I bounce between cars. The world becomes a blur of lights and sparks.

My claws tear grooves in the steel but find no purchase. The wind whips my fur as the train drags me through the darkness.

Tunnel walls flash past. One. Two. Three stations. The assassin's scent grows fainter with each passing mile.

When I finally pry myself free, I've lost their trail completely. Clever little worm.

I dust myself off and check for damage. Nothing broken except my pride. And maybe that train's front end.

But now I'm far from Mel and Sam. Too far. The grolgath bought themselves some time - exactly what they wanted.

A crackle at my wrist draws my attention. The image inducer sparks and fizzles, its casing cracked from the impact. Blue fur sprouts through the failing hologram.

"No, no, don't do this to me." I tap the device but it only spits more sparks before dying completely. Perfect. Just perfect.

The assassin's scent wafts down from the platform above. I press against the tunnel wall as humans shuffle past on their way to the trains. Their startled gasps and quickened steps tell me my true form is fully visible now.

A flash of movement catches my eye. The grolgath, wearing the face of a businessman, strolls toward the exit stairs. Their disguise works flawlessly - just another human heading home after a long day at the office.

I growl low in my throat. They're getting away, and I can't follow without causing mass panic. Humans tend to scream when they see a seven-foot-tall blue demon, even if I am technically here to help them.

The assassin pauses at the top of the stairs, turning to smirk down at me. They know I'm trapped down here while they walk free among the humans. The urge to leap onto the platform and tear their smug face off nearly overwhelms me.

But Mel's voice echoes in my head: "You need to dial it back some."

She's right. Starting a brawl in a crowded subway station won't help anyone. I need another way up to street level - one that doesn't involve terrifying half the city's population.

The maintenance tunnel. If I remember the layout correctly, it should connect to the surface through a series of access hatches. I can circle around and cut the assassin off before they get too far.

I slam my fist against the wall in frustration as the grolgath disappears from view. This hunt just got a lot more complicated.

The service tunnels stretch for miles beneath the city. My claws click against concrete as I follow the maintenance signs. Every step takes me further from Mel and Sam.

What if Gregor sends more assassins? The thought makes my fur bristle. Mel's tough, but she's no match for grolgath tech. And Sam...sweet, innocent Sam who thinks this is all just a game.

Another "Authorized Personnel Only" door crumples under my fist. The scent of oil and metal grows stronger. Finally.

The repair depot sprawls before me, filled with tools and half-dismantled subway cars. Perfect. The image inducer needs a quantum phase regulator and some basic circuitry. Nothing I can't cobble together from these primitive machines.

I rip open an electrical panel and start harvesting components. The sooner I fix this device, the sooner I can get back to my humans. My humans? When did that happen?

The inducer's casing falls open with a satisfying crack. Just need to bypass the main power coupling and...

A new scent hits my nostrils. Multiple bodies moving this way. The tang of plasma weapons. The distinctive musk of...

Grolgath. At least three of them.

I duck behind a maintenance cart as footsteps echo through the depot. They're being careful, moving in formation. These aren't common thugs - they're trained hunters.

The half-repaired inducer sparks in my hands. Two more minutes and I could have finished it. Now I'll have to fight them looking like myself.

The footsteps draw closer. Red scales glint in the dim light - not grolgath at all. Vakutan. My lip curls into a snarl. The Trident Alliance's pet soldiers.

Three of them fan out, plasma rifles raised. Their leader's cybernetic eye whirs as it focuses on me. My claws itch to tear it from his skull.

"Back off." I rise to my full height, fur bristling. "I've killed better warriors than you."

"My name is Pyke." The leader lowers his weapon, scales shifting from battle-red to a more neutral orange. "And I do not want to be your enemy, mighty Krampus."

A laugh rumbles in my chest. "Funny way of showing it."

"We come with an offer from the Alliance." Pyke takes a step forward. "We know about you and the earth woman."

My growl echoes off the tunnel walls.

"Choose your next words carefully."

"The Alliance has been monitoring Gregor's activities. His actions threaten the stability of this sector." Pyke's scales ripple with earnest colors. "We propose a joint operation."

"Not interested in your politics." My claws flex. Mel and Sam's faces flash through my mind. "I just want them safe."

"That's exactly what we're offering. Protection for the humans, in exchange for your assistance eliminating Gregor's operation."

The Vakutan's cybernetic eye whirs as he studies me. Smart little lizard, playing on my protective instincts. But he's right - I can't watch Mel and Sam every second. Sooner or later, Gregor will find an opening.

"What's the catch?"

"No catch. The Alliance wants Gregor gone. You want revenge. Our goals align perfectly."

I bare my teeth. "And after?"

"You and your humans will be left in peace. The Alliance has no quarrel with Earth or its inhabitants."

My fur bristles at his presumptuous tone. "They're not 'my' humans."

"Of course not." His mandibles twitch in what passes for a Vakutan smile.

"Fine." I step closer, towering over him. "But understand this - we're not friends. You stay away from Mel and Sam. Cross that line, and I'll show you why the Empire locked me away."

"Understood." Pyke extends his hand. "Partners then?"

I ignore the gesture. "Partners. Now tell me everything you know about Gregor's operation."