Page 15 of Me and My Christmas Familiar

Cas’s orc, Graal, had lost his rented room. So he was bunking with Cas. Lachlan’s cheeks flushed at the memory of the sounds they’d made together in Cas’s room that evening. They had yet to emerge from the room.

A lot was going on with his siblings at the moment.

And of course, Lachlan had Kit. But Kit took up no space. Leo and Jasper, his older twin brothers were also at home. But they were in their room.

“Hopefully.” Grady glanced at the window. He took a slice of bread, slathered some butter on it, and took a bite.

Kit stopped in front of Uzoth. Kit gazed up at the gargoyle’s sharp grey features and large horns. Uzoth stood by the wall, arms crossed over his muscular chest. He didn’t blink, didn’t move, just stood completely still, as if carved from stone.

Was he carved from stone?

Lachlan didn’t know much about gargoyles, and it felt rude to ask. Uzoth’s large wings remained tucked behind his back. His long midnight-black hair, the only part of him that didn’t seem stone-like, hung to his chest. Sharp fangs peeked out from behind his lips. His tail lay still on the floor.

Kit rubbed against Uzoth’s legs. Then he paused in front of him and launched up into the crook of Uzoth’s folded arms.

Lachlan tensed, sitting forward.

The gargoyle didn’t react for several seconds. Then, with minuscule movements, the gargoyle’s neck angled forward. He looked down at the cat in his arms. Kit placed his paws on Uzoth’s chest, sniffing at his mouth and nose.

Uzoth didn’t react.

After several moments, Lachlan relaxed back into his armchair slightly. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust Uzoth. He just didn’t really know what to expect from him.

“Anyway, the Christmas markets will definitely be shut tonight. Probably tomorrow.” Grady scratched at his jaw. “And the bakery might be closed tomorrow if the snow keeps going.” Grady’s gaze met Lachlan’s. “When you wake tomorrow, check the snowfall. If it looks bad, don’t bother setting up.”

“I’ll probably still go down,” Lachlan said softly. “I want the bakery to know we care and tend to them even when they aren’t providing for our customers.”

Grady nodded and glanced at Uzoth.

Lachlan’s mouth dropped open. Kit lay relaxed in the gargoyle’s arm, limbs drooping, eyes closed. The gargoyle had one hand placed on top of Kit’s head, fingers scratching.

“Anyway, best if we can all rest whilst we can’t work,” Grady said. “Eat, sleep, and get back your strength. Once the snow passes, we’ll be back at full speed for the Christmas season.”

Everyone rose. For a moment, Lachlan watched Kit in Uzoth’s arms. As if sensing Lachlan’s gaze, Kit opened his eyes. He straightened and stretched. He jumped down and came over to Lachlan.

Uzoth’s arms dropped, his neck straightened, head facing forward, expression remaining blank, as still as a statue once more.

Lachlan and Kit returned to their room.

“I’m glad Jack reached Avery’s safely.” Lachlan lit the lantern in the room and placed it on the side table. Kit padded in after.

Snow fell against the glass. Wind rattled the pane. He shivered. “It’s freezing even in here.”

He looked back to Kit, who sat, staring up at Lachlan. “Guess we should do what Grady says and get some rest whilst we can.”His lip quirked. “Be warmer in the bed too. And at least we won’t have to listen to Jack snoring if he is staying the night at Avery’s.”

Kit jumped on the bed and began pawing the sheets.

“Actually…” Lachlan darted into the main room.

CHAPTER 10

Only embers remained in the fireplace. Lachlan grabbed a large square cloth that had been stacked by the fireplace. He laid it on the floor and then, using tongs, gripped one of the large sandstone bedwarmers that lay by the embers and placed it in the cloth. He wrapped it several times and picked it up, feeling the warmth already penetrate the fabric.

Entering his room, Lachlan lifted the sheets and placed the bed warmer at the bottom. Then he undressed down to his underthings and climbed beneath the sheets. Kit crawled in, burrowing beneath the blankets and snuggling on Lachlan’s chest.

“This is cosy, isn’t it?”

Green eyes peered up at him.