Me and My Christmas Familiar (An MM Monster Christmas)

Chapter 4

CHAPTER 4

“ H ey! A cat!” one of the men yelled. “It’s the cat you were telling us about, Lachy!”

“He looks a little sickly.” The other man, an exact replica of the first, frowned. “Where’s the rest of his tail?” He stepped into the bakery, big black boots thudding towards Kit.

Blood pumping, Kit sprinted. He darted, dodging table legs as he made for the back.

“Kit!” Lachlan cried out. “They’re just my brothers. They won’t hurt you. I promise.”

Still, he kept going. He fled out into the alley, instinct pushing him onwards and away from the bakery.

But Kit didn’t go far. He paused at the end of the alley and turned back. There he saw Lachlan, searching around the bakery.

He’s looking for me .

Kit’s heart pounded. He didn’t want to leave Lachlan. Kit liked him. And he liked the warmth of the bakery.

He’d only had it for one morning, but he liked lying on the floor, listening to Lachlan talk whilst being patted intermittently.

And the words Lachlan called out echoed through his mind.

Brothers. They won’t hurt you.

Could it be true?

Kit kept watching Lachlan as he searched for him. But eventually, the man gave up and walked back into the bakery, body sagging.

Could Kit trust Lachlan’s words?

For the rest of the day, Kit hid in the alley, tucked away behind some empty, dilapidated barrels. He watched as people came and went. He saw the two identical brothers. He saw a pixie.

At one point, he glanced up. A gargoyle perched on the rooftop, gazing down. Snow rested on his shoulders, head, and wings. Kit had seen the gargoyle a few times. Although he’d often seen him in different places or slightly different positions, Kit had never seen him actually move.

Kit turned his gaze back to the bakery door, watching people come and go. Then, finally, Lachlan appeared, exiting the bakery. He hunched his shoulders, head down as he walked. No one was with him.

Kit hesitated and then stepped forward. “Meow.”

Lachlan’s head snapped up. He ran to Kit, his shoulders relaxing, and the worry on his face melted away as he smiled. “Oh, Kit! I thought you’d run away for good.” He knelt in the snow. He let out a laugh and patted Kit, running his hands all over Kit’s body.

Guilt ate at Kit. He’d not meant to hurt the human. He’d just been wary.

“My brothers would never hurt you. None of my siblings would. They are loud, and they can be chaotic. But they would never hurt you,” Lachlan said.

Kit stared into the earnest hazel eyes. He believed Lachlan. He did.

And in that moment, Kit decided to trust that Lachlan would protect him from harm.

Kit climbed into Lachlan’s lap.

Lachlan made a choked noise. He stayed frozen for several seconds, then he wrapped his arms around Kit. “Does this mean you want to be my pet?”

Kit rubbed his face against Lachlan’s chest.

“You’re so cold.” Lachlan rose, carrying Kit. “Would you like to come upstairs with me? We’ll get you nice and cosy?” Lachlan climbed the stairs. “Everyone else is still working, but I’m finished for the day, since I start the earliest.” After Lachlan opened the door, they stepped into the apartment.

Kit’s eyes darted around the dark room, but they continued to another door.

“You can sleep in my bed.” Lachlan opened the door. “It’s probably too early to sleep. But a little nap might be nice, all cuddled up.” A small room lay beyond. It held two beds, a cupboard, and a small table. “This is mine and Jack’s room. And this is my bed, which means it is your bed now.” Lachlan placed Kit down on it. Lachlan took off his robe and hat and placed them at the end of the mattress. Then he took off his shoes.

Kit jumped off the bed and prowled the room, smelling and examining the carpet, the cupboard, the other bed, and all the nooks and crannies. He could hear no noise in the apartment. Lachlan sat down on the bed, watching Kit.

After a few moments, Lachlan pulled down the sheets and lay down. “If you come here, I can pat you.”

Kit spent a few more minutes surveying the room. Then he pounced onto the bed.

Lachlan slid his hand along Kit’s fur. “And to think it was just two weeks ago when you began visiting me. And now you’re my pet!”

Kit purred and curled in close to Lachlan, relishing the feel of the heat that came from the man’s body.

“Jack will probably go out after work or hang out in the main room. He usually only comes in to sleep. And he would never hurt you!”

Kit closed his eyes, as the warmth of the room chased away the remaining cold from his bones.

I’m safe. I’m Lachlan’s pet. Lachlan is my human. He will look after me.

He must have fallen asleep, because at some point, he awoke. The door creaked open. A man stood in the doorway, carrying a lantern. Kit had seen him earlier in the day, entering and leaving the bakery. He glanced at Kit.

Kit tensed.

“It’s all right,” Lachlan murmured, stroking Kit’s back, not even opening his eyes. “It’s just Jack.”

“I see you got yourself a pet, Lachy.” Jack chuckled and placed the lantern down on the cupboard. Then he opened his coat.

Kit perked up. An iguana had been tucked away in Jack’s clothes. Murmuring soft words to the iguana, Jack placed her on a shelf above his bed. Then he got undressed and lay down in the other bed, turning off the lantern.

Kit stared at Jack in the darkness for several moments. He stared up at the large iguana. Finally, deciding all was safe, Kit closed his eyes and snuggled close to Lachlan.