Page 47 of Kraved By Krampus

“Academy?” Victoria’s eyebrows arch perfectly. “Is that what he’s calling it? A place where he keeps magical children isolated, under his control?”

“No, it’s not—” But what do I really know? I’ve only been here a few days. The memory of his terrifying form in the forest flashes through my mind. And the creature being dragged into the ground.

“Think about it, darling.” Victoria’s voice drops to a concerned whisper. “What do you actually know about him? About his true intentions?”

The worst part is, she’s right. I don’t know him, not really. Just the stories, the legends of a demon who punishes children. And yet...The way he looked at me. The gentleness in his touch. How he came for me in the forest...

“I saw how he handled that situation in your kitchen.” Victoria’s words slice through my thoughts. “Such violence, such darkness. Is that really the kind of energy you want around your work? Around you?”

My fingers trace the warm ceramic of my mug, remembering how his claws lengthened, how the shadows writhed at his command. But I also remember the way he listened to the children’s stories, how focused he was on making my fantasies come true...

“You’ve worked so hard to build your reputation as the Queen of Christmas Cheer.” Victoria’s tone drips with concern. “We wouldn’t want anything to... tarnish that image.”

I stare into my drink, watching the steam curl upward while Victoria’s words settle around me like a heavy snowfall. The café‘s warmth seems to retreat, leaving only a chill that has nothing to do with the weather.

“Light is order, structure, safety.” Victoria’s perfectly manicured nails tap against her cup. “The darkness? It corrupts everything it touches.”

But that’s not what I’ve seen.Images flash through my mind: Krampus carrying a tired child, his massive form somehow gentle. The way his eyes softened when he looked at me. The protective fury when he saved me from that creature in the forest.

“The Winter Court has maintained balance for centuries through proper channels, appropriate procedures.” Victoria smooths an invisible wrinkle from her frost-white blazer. “These dark entities? They’re chaos incarnate.”

My fingers trace the rim of my mug. The ceramic grows warmer under my touch, steam swirling in unusual patterns.Is that... me?

“Think about your readers, darling. Your brand.” Victoria leans forward, her voice honeyed with concern. “What would they think if they knew you were consorting with a demon?”

The word ‘demon’ strikes something in me. “He’s not—” I catch myself, lowering my voice. “You don’t know him.”

“Oh?” Her smile turns sharp. “And you do?”

Yes. No. Maybe.I think about the quiet moments in his library, the way he anticipated my favorite tea, how he trusted me with the magical children. The raw vulnerability in his eyes before he disappeared.

The lights in the café flicker. Victoria’s jewelry gleams with an unnatural brightness that makes my eyes hurt.Something’s not right here.

“I can protect you, Noelle.” Victoria reaches for my hand. “Sign the new contract. Let me guide you back to the light where you belong.”

The moment her fingers brush mine, a jolt of energy sparks between us. My tea cup rattles. The shadows in the corners of the café seem to deepen.

My powers.The realization hits me like a thunderbolt.They’re not just coming from being around Krampus or the children. They’re mine.

Victoria withdraws her hand, but not before I catch a glimpse of something ancient and cold in her eyes. “You feel it, don’t you? The darkness trying to take hold?”

But that’s not what I feel at all. What flows through me isn’t darkness or light—it’s something else entirely. Something that feels like midnight baking sessions and stories whispered under blankets. Like the first snow of winter and the warmth of coming home.

My mother’s voice echoes in my memory:“Sometimes the brightest lights cast the darkest shadows, my love.”

I look at Victoria again, really look at her. The pristine outfit. The too-perfect smile. The way she appeared in a magical town she shouldn’t be able to find.

“I need to go.” I push back from the table, nearly knocking over my tea. The liquid sloshes, forming strange patterns on the surface that seem to whisper warnings.

Victoria’s perfectly manicured hand reaches for me. “Noelle, darling, don’t be hasty—”

I step away from her touch. “I just remembered I have a deadline.” The lie feels clumsy on my tongue, but I keep moving. “Thank you for the tea.”

The temperature in the café plummets as I hurry toward the door. Ice crystals form on the windows, creating delicate fractals that seem to point toward the exit.Get out, get out, get out.

My fingers wrap around the door handle, and a spark of energy courses through me. The bell above chimes discordantly as I push through.

“We’ll finish our discussion soon!” Victoria’s voice follows me out, carrying an edge that makes my skin crawl.

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