Page 40 of Never Kiss a Krampus

I gathered my materials, accepting congratulations from the other members. Even Brenda seemed impressed. Then Tammy cornered me near the door.

“So,” she said, glancing at Bastian. “Is he single?”

I choked. “What?”

“Your very tall, very mysterious European friend. Is he single?”

No,I thought immediately, then hesitated. What right did I have to claim him?

“I… He’s not…” I floundered, aware of Bastian’s presence behind me. Could he hear this conversation? Of course he could. His hearing was supernaturally acute.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” Tammy winked. “If you’re not interested, maybe introduce us?”

“Tammy—”

“I am not available,” Bastian said, his voice cutting through the chatter.

Everyone went quiet.

He stepped forward, his presence commanding attention despite making no obvious threatening gestures. “I am here on business with Miss Green. Personal entanglements would be… inappropriate.”

“Oh.” Tammy deflated slightly. “That’s a shame. But if you change your mind?—”

“I will not.”

The finality in his tone left no room for argument. Tammy retreated, and I found myself ushered out of the community center with his hand at the small of my back—the heat of his palm searing through my coat.

“You didn’t have to be so harsh,” I said once we were outside.

“She was inappropriate.”

“She was just being friendly.”

“She was propositioning me.”

“She was expressing interest. There’s a difference.”

He stopped and pinned those glowing eyes, no longer even remotely human, on me. “Did you want me to consider her offer?”

“No.” The answer was immediate and instinctive. The thought of him with anyone else sent a hot, possessive surge through me. I didn’t even try to hide it, and I saw something flare in his eyes—satisfaction? Or maybe relief? “No. I just… it was a bit dramatic.”

“I am a dramatic entity.”

“I’m learning that.” We walked in silence for a block, the streetlights casting long shadows that seemed to dance around us. “So. That happened.”

“You were successful. They approved your plan.”

“I didn’t think they would. Not until you…”

“I spoke the truth.”

“You did. You were… amazing.” The word felt small, inadequate. “You saw what was wrong with the town. You weren’t afraid to say it.”

“One does not become a Krampus by being afraid of harsh truths.”

“Still. Thank you.”

“You did most of the work. The proposal was yours. I merely… clarified the stakes.” He stopped again, right in front of the darkened display window of Grinchly’s real estate office. For Sale signs were plastered across the glass, looking like cruel red scars. “Your antagonist is a more direct threat than I initially assessed.”