Page 23 of Me and My Christmas Familiar

He wanted to hiss and snarl and knock over the endless cups of tea they brought him. But why didn’t Lachlan bring Kit with him?

Kit was his familiar. He strengthened Lachlan’s powers. Kit should be with Lachlan to help. He was a good familiar. He was the best. Lachlan had said so many times.

But he knew why Lachlan had left to go downstairs without him. He’d been avoiding Kit all day, ducking into his siblings’ rooms, and going down into the bakery. And the few times they’d been in the same room, Lachlan was always on the opposite side.

It was obvious. Lachlan didn’t want Kit. He didn’t want a shifter as a familiar. He wanted a plain cat. And Kit wasn’t one of those anymore.

So Kit spent most of the day in the living area, talking with Lachlan’s siblings and their partners, who asked questions Kit didn’t want to answer.

All Kit wanted was Lachlan. If only Kit could remember how to transform back into a cat, then maybe it would all go back to normal.

“Perhaps we should play a game of cards.” Cas clapped his hands together.

Kit turned to Briar and Wulfric. “How can I turn back to a cat?”

Briar’s lips parted. “You don’t know how?” He looked to Wulfric, whose brows raised.

Kit shook his head. “I can’t turn back now I’m human.” He spoke to Wulfric, “You said sometimes two-formed can stay so long in one form that they can’t turn back to the other. But I turned human, and now I can’t go back to cat form. How do I go back to being a cat?”

“I’m not sure.” Wulfric leaned forward. “I’ve never heard of such a thing. Usually, shifters know on instinct how to shift forms, except in the rare circumstances I mentioned last night. It comes naturally. I’ve never heard anything about a shifter then struggling to shift back.” He lowered his voice. “I’m sorry, Kit.”

Kit’s shoulders dropped. “So am I stuck like this?”

“I didn’t say that,” Wulfric said. “Maybe you just need some time to remember. You only shifted for the first time in years yesterday.”

“I could try and find some books on the subject.” Briar glanced at the window. “Once this snow passes.”

Kit nodded, clinging to the hope like a lifeline. He had to find a way to change back. Everything depended on it.

The door opened. A flurry of snow blew in followed by Grady, the twins, Lachlan, and Uzoth.

Kit sat up straighter, gaze fixed on Lachlan.

“It’s colder than a witch’s fucking tit out there!” Jasper brushed snow from his robe.

“But we managed to unblock the chimney!” Leo hung his coat by the door.

Lachlan removed his hat and robes and hung them without saying a word. Grady closed the door. Uzoth walked and stood beside the wall. Earlier in the day, he’d flown off and checked on all the siblings who were not staying in the apartment.

Lachlan sat down, far away from Kit. He didn’t even look in Kit’s direction. He just knew where Kit was and how to not be near him.

It stung.

He yearned to go to Lachlan, to fall to his knees before him, press his face to Lachlan’s soft lap, and wrap his arms around Lachlan’s legs. He yearned to just be close to him, scent him, and feel his warmth.

Kit’s tail wrapped around himself. He gripped the frayed end. He didn’t think he used to have a tail and ears in his human form before.

“We were just talking about playing cards.” Cas got up and grabbed a pack. “Thought it might be a fun way to pass the evening.”

There were murmurs of agreement. Cas shuffled the cards deftly.

Kit didn’t know how to play cards. He didn’t want to learn. He wanted to cry and beg Lachlan to hold him. But it wouldn’t help. Lachlan didn’t want him anymore.

“I will go to bed.” Kit rose as tears welled up in his eyes.

“Are you sure?” Cas asked. “It’s still pretty early.”

“I’m tired.” Kit walked towards the bedroom. He glanced at Lachlan, whose gaze remained fixed on the cards in Cas’s hands.