Page 15 of Prize for the Alien Grumpus

I jump back like I've been electrocuted, my face burning. Krampus looks equally startled, his golden eyes wide. The fearsome demon who just decimated three aliens is rendered speechless by a six-year-old's question.

The garbage disposal gives one final grinding gurgle, as if providing commentary on the situation.

CHAPTER 6

KRAMPUS

The youngling peeks out from behind her mother's legs, eyes bright with curiosity rather than fear. A proper response to my magnificence.

"Yes, youngling. I will be your father now. We will begin your training with Death Sticks first thing in the morning."

"No!" The blonde woman's shriek pierces my sensitive ears.

"But Death Sticks are the first step toward becoming a Galactic Assassin." The proper education of youth stands as paramount. These primitives know nothing of raising warriors.

"She doesn't want to be an assassin!"

The mother's face flushes an appealing shade of red. Her grip tightens on that ridiculous wooden club she tried to beat me with earlier. The memory brings a rumble of amusement to my chest.

"Yes, I do." The child bounces on her toes, pigtails swinging.

My chest swells with pride. Such enthusiasm. Such potential for mayhem. I drop to one knee, bringing myself closer to the youngling's level.

"The Gates of Hell will be lined with your victims when I'm done with you."

The mother makes a strangled sound in her throat. The child just grins wider, revealing a missing front tooth. Yes, this one will make an excellent apprentice in the arts of destruction.

"Sam, bedtime, " Melanie says "Go brush your teeth."

"But Mom! Krampus was telling me about the Death Sticks!"

"Now, young lady."

The child's bottom lip quivers. Such weakness will need to be trained out of her.

"Can Krampus at least tuck me in?" Sam asks.

"No. Bed. Now."

The youngling's shoulders slump as she trudges from the room. Such authority from my future mate. She'll make an excellent mother to our future spawn.

The blonde whirls on me, jabbing a finger into my chest.

"Listen here, you blue menace. I am not your mate. Got it? And you are not training my daughter to be an assassin!"

Her finger actually manages to dent my fur. Impressive. The fire in her eyes sets my blood aflame.

"Then perhaps we should start with front line combat instead? The Death Sticks can wait until she's mastered hand-to-hand."

"No! Earth children don't train with Death Sticks or any other kind of weapon. And for the last time, I am not going to be your mate!"

Her chest heaves with each breath. The scent of her anger fills my nostrils - spice and honey and something uniquely her. My growl of appreciation rumbles through the kitchen.

"Your resistance only makes you more appealing."

"I swear to God, I will get another hockey stick"

"Your primitive weapons cannot harm me. But you are breaking my heart," I lean closer, inhaling deeply. "You are magnificent."

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