Page 14 of The Krampus's First Christmas Gift

He squeezed his eyes shut, wishing it wasn’t true whilst knowing it was.

Kraghol danced amongst the krampuses, soul sinking in his body. He opened his mouth and screamed from the bottom of his aching soul.

He wished his life could be different. He wished he could find a way to get away from all this. He wished he could find a way for he and Jasper to be together. But that could never be.

Chapter

Eight

Jasper let out a breath as Kali darted forward, bushy orange, black, and white tail whipping through the air.

“You like being back here in the forest, don’t you?” Jasper walked behind his fox familiar. “I guess this is your first home.”

Kali darted back and forward, kicking up snow. Jasper huffed out a laugh. At least one good thing had come from his accident. He’d found Kali. He’d have struggled without her by his side the past few months.

Being with her brought a smile to his face. He didn’t smile much these days.

He raised his gaze to the sun. Its soft light flittered through the branches. He closed his eyes, letting the weak winter sunlight fall on his cheeks. He inhaled the frigid air.

He let out a sigh as he opened his eyes. Jasper wished he could solve the puzzle of why he always felt better in the forest.

Kali sprang into the air and landed amongst a pile of snow. She rolled around in it.

“Aren’t you getting cold?” Jasper knelt beside her. But he knelt on a jagged rock that hid beneath the snow. “Aww!” he cried as he rubbed at his leg. “Fucking rock,” he muttered.

Kali pressed forward as if examining his wound.

“It’s nothing,” Jasper assured. “Worst I’ll get is a slight bruise.”

Then Kali stilled. Her gaze flicked over Jasper’s shoulder.

Jasper whipped around. Something moved, ducking behind a tree. His heart clenched.

Is there someone watching me?

Slowly he rose. Sometimes he thought he saw shadows amongst the trees. Most of the time, he thought he imagined it. But he’d definitely seen something just now. And that feeling tugged him forward.

Holding his breath, he took one step forward. Then another.

Suddenly Kali dashed towards where the shadow had disappeared. “Yelp! Yelp! Yelp!” Excitement flowed through their bond.

“Kali!” Jasper called out.

Then something dark, tall, and furry ran away from them.

Jasper’s mouth fell open. Kali sprinted after it.

“Stop!” Jasper called out, not sure if he was calling out after Kali or the creature.

Kali didn’t pause. Unsurprisingly, neither did the creature. They both just kept running.

Jasper bolted forward, joining the chase. He knocked into branches. They struck his body and face. His boots sank into the snow. He stumbled and tried not to fall over as he ran.

He couldn’t get a clear visual of the creature. It darted and wove between the trees. But it was big! And it ran on two legs. He glimpsed horns. And fur.

What is this thing? And is this who I’ve been searching for?

Jasper sprinted. His heart thudded in his ears. He panted, struggling to breathe. Still, he couldn’t stop. He had to see what this thing was. It was important! He knew it was.