Chapter 9 #2
Krampus is simply the persona that humanity created for me—a stern warning to those who find themselves on my list. It's nothing more than the name they desperately beg for mercy with, pleading on their knees as I deliver their punishments.
The celebrity status fuels my powers, giving me access to their minds and free rein over their hopes, dreams, and fears.
It’s just like how Nick’s Santa Claus persona fuels him with the joy from his loyal believers during the holiday season, giving him powers that last all year.
This is what sets Nick and me apart, elevating us above Jack, who is merely a trickster using his cold and snow as smoke and mirrors.
He might think he's a force to be reckoned with here, scaring the lesser beings, but he’s nothing more than a few warm holes for Nick and Clara to use as they please.
Regardless, he always has something up his sleeve, and if my suspicions are correct—based on the snippet of conversation I overheard—he’s here to do more than just get on his knees for his weekly fucking.
Nick holds out a second goblet, filled to the brim with deep maroon wine, a dribble sloshing over the edge.
Curling my fingers around it, I politely take it, shifting my attention to him and giving him a smile that would terrify any human—except maybe Nicolette.
My little vixen stared down her nose at this very grin and held her gaze, seeming to count every tooth on display.
“What brings you here two nights in a row, Kryx?” he asks merrily over the rim of his cup, maroon liquid dripping onto his white beard, staining the strands crimson. “While I always anticipate your arrival, this is a rare occurrence.”
I don’t miss the way Jack cocks his head to the side and narrows his brows at me.
It’s unusual for me to make an appearance at the castle two nights in a row, since I usually try to make my list and check it twice, so I don’t have to come back often.
Still, I don’t let his noticing of my behavior shake my answer, even as my heart races.
“Well, Nick,” I begin, my mouth wide in a smile similar to his.
“It is getting close to Christmas, you know? And I’m just checking to see if there are any additions to the ever-growing Naughty List that I might need to prioritize.
As much as you feed off the joy, I also know you love the chance to ruin someone’s holiday season. ”
He laughs, breaking the small bubble of tension that was hanging in the room and putting me at ease. “Oh, yes, there’s a handful of them that need to be left begging for mercy. Let me grab my list from the study and give you an update.” He grabs my shoulder, stumbling slightly as he passes.
With him gone, I’m left alone with Jack, whose gaze burns into me—frostbite personified.
“You know,” I say as my shadows tighten around me, deflecting his chill, “if you pump him with too many mistletoe berries, he won’t be able to fuck you.
” My lips curl into a wicked grin as frost creeps across the floor, trying to gather around my hooves, but my shadows keep it at bay.
“You would know, wouldn’t you?” he retorts, squaring his shoulders as he drinks from his own goblet.
The jealous little bastard always reveals his cards when it comes to Nick.
It’s comical, the idea of Nick being more than two parts of one of Lucifer’s bargains.
We have turned to dust long before I would ever fall into bed with him.
I’ve participated in his orgies for centuries, where we both have gained quite a reputation, but I’ve never let Nick take things too far, no matter how ruthlessly he tries.
However, I love seeing the vengeful little icicle steam as Nick rests a hand on my shoulder, or as his fingers brush mine in the passing of a goblet. I enjoy engaging in the constant flirting and watching as he desperately throws himself at Nick’s feet, trying to divert his attention.
Torture is my drug of choice and one I so gleefully dole out, especially to the pathetic little snowball.
“Has he ever told you what his favorite position is?” I ask coolly as I lower myself into one of the chairs already pulled out at the banquet table.
“Don’t be so brazen,” he says sharply. “It’s doggie style, with him on top.”
He watches me, his brow quirking slightly as I pick up one of the already-poured goblets and give it a tentative sniff.
I let out an approving grunt before swallowing it in one gulp, slamming the now-empty cup back onto the table.
I can’t help but smirk because even a stranger would know that about him just by looking at the fucker.
“What’s his favorite way to be dominated?” I ask, tracing my claw along the rim of the cup, collecting a drop that I bring up and let fall to my tongue.
He freezes, his eyes narrowing as my gaze flickers back to him, raising an eyebrow. “He doesn’t like to be dominated,” he retorts. His words are tight as he forces them out through his gritted teeth, his fingers curling into a fist around the stem of his cup.
Snorting a laugh, I look toward the doors just as Nick reenters, holding his list above his head and waving it like a flag. “If you say so,” I say lowly, just loud enough for Jack to hear, making his face turn even bluer with rage.
I stand, shoving the chair back and holding out my hand just as Nick slaps the list onto my palm. “I think you’ll find your victims to be fun tonight, Kryx,” he says right before he downs another goblet of wine, swaying on his feet, a hiccup pulsing past his lips.
I make a show of holding up the list with both hands, studying the names of my victims, with one jumping out at me, almost taking my breath away.
Evelyn Evergreen.
The name is written neatly at the top of the list. I glance at the parchment as Nick leans over the table, reaching for the half-empty pitcher of wine. Jack lunges forward, catching it just before it slips from his fingers. I quickly scan the list and notice Nicolette’s name is no longer there.
Thank fuck.
I glance up at Nick, letting my mouth split into a nightmarish grin, my sharp teeth flashing.
“Tonight will be one for the books,” I chuckle, my throat drying as I fold up the list and slide it into my pocket.
“Don’t wait up,” I wink, causing Nick to throw his head back and laugh, completely throwing him off balance.
He falls on his ass, his hiccupped laugh only growing louder as Jack tries to pull him back to his feet.
I use the chaos to slip away and move into the corridor, my eyes catching on someone standing silently in the shadows, their cold gaze burning into me. But I don’t look back as I dash down the hall and out into the raging storm.
The sooner I get through this wretched list and figure out how to handle the name at the very top, the sooner I can get back to my little vixen.