Me and My Christmas Familiar (An MM Monster Christmas)

Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

K it’s nose twitched. Even over the scent of baking bread, Kit smelled roasted slabs of meat cooking over an open fire. His mouth watered. He wanted to seek out the source of the food.

Using all his self-control, Kit remained where he was. He had work to do. He had to assist his witch. Kit gazed up at Lachlan.

Lachlan placed a lump of dough on a large, flat piece of metal with a long handle. He opened the oven door, and a wave of heat rushed out. Lachlan shoved the flat metal in, gave a jerky motion with his arm, and pulled the metal out. The dough was now nestled inside the oven. He repeated the action three times and then closed the overdoor.

Sweat glistened on his brow. He wiped a slender arm across it. His brown hair had been tucked behind his ears. Breathing heavily, he placed a hand on his hips and stared down at Kit. “This is hard work.” He smiled, and Kit felt the wave of affection from his witch.

Lachlan then turned to make more loaves. Kit skipped forward, rubbing himself against Lachlan’s legs as he circled him. Lachlan stumbled.

“Careful, Kit!” Lachlan laughed. “I almost tripped.”

Kit’s witch had the best laugh. He had the best smile. The best face.

Kit sat on his heels, just staring up at Lachlan. He was the strongest witch in the family, he was the kindest, he gave the best neck scratches, and he was the best witch ever.

Kit felt so full of joy and pride to be Lachlan’s familiar.

“Now where did I put those trays?” Lachlan asked, looking around.

Kit spotted the tray, stacked onto a crate. Kit pounced next to them. He shoved his nose against the tray and meowed.

Lachlan turned toward him. He laughed again.

Kit loved making Lachlan laugh; it made his insides feel all warm and soft, like when he napped by the oven.

“You’re so clever, Kit. The cleverest cat there ever was.” Lachlan gave Kit a pat and picked up the tray.

Kit’s tail swished back and forth.

I helped my witch. I am a good familiar. The best.

This was the first time they’d worked at the Christmas markets. Lachlan told him he didn’t work them often. Tonight, his brothers Jack, Cas, and Grady also worked. Jack and Cas remained at the counter, serving the line of people, whilst Grady did something in the back of the stall.

Kit liked Lachlan’s siblings. But they weren’t as great as Lachlan. But no one was as great as Lachlan.

The side door to the stall opened. “Hello!”

Kit perked up. A faun he didn’t know stepped in. He frowned. This wasn’t one of the siblings. Only the siblings should be back here in the stall.

“Hey, Tony.” Lachlan smiled and stepped toward him.

“Hello, Lachlan.” The stranger pulled Lachlan in for a hug and squeezed him tight. Too tight. “You’re looking well.”

Kit’s eyes narrowed, and his ears flicked forward, gaze focusing on this strange man’s hands on Lachlan.

Why is this faun hugging my witch?

The faun released Lachlan, but his arm remained on Lachlan’s shoulder. “You’re busy tonight.” He glanced at Cas and Jack serving.

“We are.” Lachlan laughed.

This intruder had made his witch laugh. Kit didn’t like that one bit.

Kit didn’t like the man touching Lachlan, smiling at him, or being anywhere near him. Kit’s tail twitched.

“Come outside for a second,” the evil faun said. “It’s crowded in here, and I don’t want to get in the way.”

Lachlan nodded and followed the man out.

Kit followed too.

“So what can I do for you, Tony?” Lachlan asked.

“I’m delivering this.” Tony reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a brown package.

Lachlan took it. “What is it?”

Tony took another step towards Lachlan as he handed him the brown package. He clasped Lachlan on his shoulder. “Well?—”

Kit had had enough.

Hissing, Kit darted between them, showing Tony his teeth and flattening his ears.

“Whoa!” Tony’s eyes widened. He took several steps back on his hoofed feet. “What in the world?—”

Kit prowled after Tony, still hissing. The faun stumbled.

“Kit! What’s gotten into you?” Lachlan grabbed Kit around the waist and lifted him into his arms. Kit rubbed his cheeks, lips, and chin all over Lachlan, marking his witch with his scent.

Mine.

He glared at Tony.

My witch. Not yours! I’m his familiar. You can’t have him. No one can have him!

He hissed again. Tony took another step back, eyes wide.

“It’s all right, Kit. He’s not here to hurt you.” Lachlan stroked him. “This is Tony. He’s family. He’s Ordelia’s husband. He’s just delivering something.”

Lachlan’s words penetrated the fog of Kit’s rage. Ordelia’s husband. Ordelia was Lachlan’s sister. And this was her husband. He was family.

Kit liked Ordelia. She made that special bone broth for him that would help him get healthy. Then she’d coo over Kit and tell him what a good cat he was. Kit relaxed slightly, but he kept his eyes narrowed on Tony.

“I don’t know what’s gotten into him,” Lachlan said. “He’s never done anything like that before. It’s all right, Kit,” Lachlan cooed. “Everything’s fine.”

“Anyway,” Tony said, watching Kit warily. “Ordelia said Lacy had a headache. Ordelia baked her something to help the healing process. I said I could drop it off here at the stall, as it was on my way. You can pass it on to Lacy, can’t you?”

“Of course. Thanks. And knowing Ordelia’s baking, Lacy’s headache will be gone in no time,” Lachlan said. “And ah…sorry about…”

“No problem. Night.” Tony darted off.

Kit was happy to see Tony go. But when he looked into his witch’s face, Lachlan frowned down at him. Unease slithered through his veins.

“Kit, what was that about?” Lachlan carried him back into the stall.

“What did he do?” Grady asked.

“Tony came by to deliver some of Ordelia’s baking for Lacy. Then Kit hissed at Tony and almost attacked him.”

“What?” Grady frowned. “Why?”

“I don’t know.” Lachlan stared down at Kit, perplexed. Kit rubbed his cheek and chin over Lachlan’s chest.

Mine. You are mine.

“He’s never done anything like that before.”

“That’s odd.” Grady looked around. “Anyway, you can go home. I already took the bread from the oven, and the market is starting to quieten down.”

“You sure?” Lachlan rested his hand on Kit’s back. “I don’t mind staying.”

Grady nodded. “We can handle the rest. Thanks for covering for Lacy tonight.”

“No problem. It’s nice to be able to work at the Christmas markets.” Lachlan said his goodbyes to the others and grabbed his robes and hat. He pulled them on, Kit tucked inside, only his head peeping out.

“All right. Let’s get going.”