Page 59 of Prize for the Alien Grumpus

"You're... what?" My mouth hangs open. "That's possible?"

"Very possible." His forked tongue flicks out in what might be amusement.

"Do you have..." The question feels invasive but I can't help myself. "Children?"

"Grandchildren," Pyke answers with a wink. "Some of our children are younger than our grandkids, which kind of makes family reunions weird."

Pyke pulls up a holographic display from his wrist device. The familiar shape of my office building rotates in blue light.

"This isn't just an office building. It's a fully functional starship in disguise."

"A what now?" I squint at the image. "I've worked there for over a year."

"The perfect cover." Pyke's tongue flicks out. "But if we activate the launch protocols, Gregor and his people will have no choice but to leave Earth."

"And go where exactly?"

"Back to their own time. With their cover blown, they can't stay here without drawing attention."

Krampus crosses his arms, his fur bristling. "What's stopping them from coming back?"

"The temporal displacement costs too much energy. One-way trip only." Pyke zooms in on the building's lower levels. "We just need to reach the control room here."

My finger traces the path through the hologram. "That's near my old desk. I know every security camera and guard post."

"Perfect." Krampus grins, showing those impressive teeth. "When do we start?"

"Tonight." Pyke switches off the display. "The night shift has minimal staff."

I take a deep breath. Breaking into my workplace to launch it into space - definitely not how I expected this week to go. But if it means keeping Sam safe...

"I'm in."

"Excellent." Krampus cracks his knuckles. "I've been wanting to punch Gregor in his smug face again anyway."

"No punching." Pyke's scales ripple. "This needs to be quiet and clean."

"You're no fun." Krampus pouts, but I catch the gleam in his eye. He's already planning something, I can tell.

"So we sneak in, flip some switches, and they blast off?" I ask. "Seems too easy."

"The simple plans often work best." Pyke hands me what looks like a key card. "Everything you need to know is loaded on this."

Krampus snatches the key card from my hand, examining it with those piercing eyes. "Let's get moving. Your parents' place first."

The drive feels shorter than usual, probably because my mind keeps drifting to what's coming next. My hands tremble slightly on the wheel.

"Too bad I won't get to give you your Christmas present." I glance sideways at him.

"Oh?" His ear twitches. "What kind of present?"

I shift in my seat, letting my leg brush against his thigh. "The kind that comes unwrapped."

His fur bristles, and a low rumble escapes his throat. "Is that so?"

I pull into my parents' driveway and cut the engine. Before he can move, I slide onto his lap, pressing myself against his broad chest. His arms encircle me automatically.

"Promise me something." I trace a finger along his jaw.

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