Page 18 of The Krampus's First Christmas Gift

After a moment, Kali whined, sitting on her hind legs. She blinked up at Kraghol with bright amber eyes. Jasper could feel her rejection. And confusion.

But why is she confused?

Tail between her legs, Kali returned to Jasper, hopped amongst the furs, and snuggled close. She whined. Jasper stroked her soft fur, pulling her close, knowing she needed to be comforted.

Kraghol stared at Kali, brows lowered. When he realised Jasper watched him, the krampus looked away.

Did Kali feel this strange connection to Kraghol too? Like Jasper did? Because Jasper definitely felt a connection to the krampus. But if Kraghol felt it, he did not show it at all. In fact, he looked displeased to have Kali and Jasper here.

But he had brought Jasper to this cave! He’d put him on this pile of furs and started a fire. Of course, that might just be because he’d taken pity on Jasper and not wanted him to freeze to death. Now that Jasper was awake, maybe he wanted Jasper and Kali to leave him in peace. The polite thing would be to oblige the krampus.

But Jasper felt in his bones that something was happening here between them. He wanted to uncover what. So he remained exactly where he was.

Jasper did not know much about krampuses. He’d never met one in person. Really, he only knew about them because of Krampus Night. Year after year, he’d seen the krampuses descend on Anorra, terrorising people in an attempt to get them to behave.

Jasper had never been out on Krampus Night himself. Like most, he’d always been sure to get inside early. But as kids, he and Leo would stare out the window, watching the krampusesgo by, pointing, yelling, and then ducking away anytime one of them looked their way. They’d been fascinated by the krampuses as children. Obsessed even.

Based on everything he knew about krampuses, Jasper supposed he should be frightened of the krampus in front of him. But instead, his instincts told him to remain right where he was. Somehow, he knew he was safe here.

Then Jasper remembered what had occurred before he collapsed.

“Were you watching me?” Jasper asked.

“What?” The krampus’s dark-grey eyes met his.

“Someone was watching me. I chased them. Was that you? It was, wasn’t it? Why? Were you following me too?”

The krampus bared his teeth. “I don’t know what you are talking about. I just found you and brought you here.”

Jasper stared at Kraghol, not believing him. After all, he’d seen the horns and the fur. But he didn’t think calling Kraghol a liar would help.

Then Jasper realised something. He had no headache. No body ache. He breathed easily. He searched his body for any pain or niggling aches or anything. And found…nothing.

What the fuck?

For the first time since the accident, he felt…well.

He turned to the krampus, who frowned, arms crossed over his muscular chest.

“Well, thank you for taking me in and not letting me freeze outside in the snow,” Jasper said.

“It was no problem.” The golden light of the fire danced on the tips of his curled horns.

“I appreciate it all the same.”

The fire crackled. The krampus now stared at it, once again not meeting Jasper’s gaze.

“My name is Jasper, by the way. This is Kali.” Jasper stroked the fox. “We live in Anorra, in an apartment above a bakery. It is my family’s bakery actually.”

The krampus kept staring at the fire.

But Jasper thought he was listening. So he kept speaking, “Me and my siblings work there with some of their partners. My family are hearth and kitchen witches. I have a lot of siblings. Do you have much family?”

“Some.”

“And do they live nearby?”

“Yes.”