by J. L. Weil
Resting a hand on the locker door, I took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I know that sounds lame, but I really am, Hannah. I’ve been a crappy friend.”
She was staring at me with hurt in her baby-blue eyes. “It’s not like you to just run off and disappear. What gives?”
I fumbled with the soul stone around my neck, needing to do something with my fingers. “I got into a fight with my dad about Devyn.”
Hannah’s lips twitched. “You have it bad. The Karina I knew wouldn’t have ever run away with a guy before. What have you done with my best friend?”
I shrugged. “Maybe I’ve changed.”
“You had Jesse and me out of our minds with worry. If I ever lost you—”
“Hey, you’re not going to lose me,” I told her, giving her a hug.
Her perfect boobs smashed against me as she tightened her arms around my waist. “Don’t ever do that to me again, or I’ll kill you myself.”
I stepped back and grinned. If Hannah was threatening, all was good. “I missed you.”
She leaned in and sniffed my hair. “I knew it. Why do you smell like you bathed in Abercrombie cologne?”
I casually tried to inhale a whiff of my hair. How had I not noticed? I smelled like Devyn. No wonder I was all purring and glowing inside. It was as if he was standing beside me. “I didn’t have time to shower this morning.”
Her eyes widened, sparking with mischief. “Oh. My. God. You spent the night with your hawt instructor, didn’t you? Don’t even try to deny it. I can see it in your eyes.”
And just like that, Hannah was back—my fun-loving, blabbering best friend. “Nothing happened. He fell asleep at my house, and my alarm didn’t go off this morning. It’s no big deal.”
“Huh. No big deal? Are you kidding? The only guy who has ever been in your room was Jesse. Oh, my God.”
“You already said that,” I mumbled, thinking it wasn’t that astonishing, but really, it had been magnificent. I wanted to repeat it like every night.
“I know. But I just had a thought. Did Jesse see him?” she asked.
“No,” I quickly replied. “At least I don’t think he did.”
“So, did you?”
My brows furrowed together. “Did I what?”
She rolled her eyes. “Get him between the sheets?”
“Hannah,” I hissed, eyes darting around to see if anyone had heard her. “I told you nothing happened.”
“I thought that might have been code for something else,” she winked, looping her arm through mine as I slammed my locker shut. We eased our way into the morning hallway traffic. “Girl, you’re so doing the walk of shame this morning. About damn time, too. I’m so jealous, it’s not even funny.”
I resisted the urge to knock her on the back of her head. There was no stopping her when she got like this.
“Who’s doing the walk of shame?” Jesse’s voice suddenly asked, as he managed to sneak up behind us.
“K, if you can believe it,” Hannah cheerily replied, beaming up at a scowling Jesse.
His purplish-gray eyes churned like a summer thunderstorm.
I wanted to wring Hannah’s pretty neck.
Buzzzzzzz.
The school bell sounded through the halls, warning us we had five minutes to get our dragging butts to class.
“You slept with the guy after what he did?” Disapproval was heavy in Jesse’s tone, and lined every inch of his face. He was disappointed in me, outraged I would forgive Devyn so easily.
“I did not sleep with him, much to Hannah’s irritation,” I snapped.
Jesse’s jaw worked. “But he was at your house last night.”
“He came over to apologize,” I fired back.
“With his tongue in her mouth,” Hannah added, not helping the situation at all.
Shaking his head Jesse turned the corner down the science hall, leaving without another word. He was pissed.
Just when I thought I was making headway, another fire popped up.
“Not talking to you was torture. I’ve got so much to tell you.” And off Hannah went as we walked down the hall, prattling about everything I missed the last few days. I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I had at least one of my friends back. That’s all that mattered. One step at a time.
Heading toward my bedroom, I stopped at my parents’ door and peeked my head inside. Mom was propped up on the bed, a stack of pillows behind her, the TV on low. She had a cup of hot tea in one hand, and her long midnight hair twisted into some kind of loopy knot I’d never been able to pull off. “Mom, can I ask you something?”
At the sound of my voice she pulled her eyes from the TV to look at me, a smile spreading on her lips. “Of course, honey.” She patted the empty spot on the bed beside her.
“Is Dad home? I asked, climbing onto the mattress.
“No, he’s at the store. Is that what you wanted to ask me?”
I shook my head. “It’s a Kitsune question.”
She set her tea down on the nightstand. “Okay, what’s on your mind?”
Fumbling with the edge of the snowy white quilt, I wrestled over the words. “I know a Kitsune’s tails have powers. I’m curious how I gain more tails.” I didn’t want to raise suspicion that anything was worrisome, but the clock was ticking and I needed help. I needed answers I didn’t have, and Mom was my only reference available—the only other Kitsune I knew of.
Her hands were folded neatly in her lap. “A Kitsune’s power doesn’t come easily. It needs to be earned.”
“But how?” I insisted, unhappy with the vague answer that didn’t help me at all.
Her brown eyes softened. “That’s the great mystery of the Kitsune. It’s different for each of us. Never the same.”
For the love of Snickerdoodles. Why did everything have to be so complex? My face fell, and I sank back against the pillows, feeling discouraged up the wazoo.
“There really is no need for you to worry about having powers, not in this world,” she cajoled.
On the contrary, it was exactly what I worried about.
“However cool it might seem,” she continued, “you could put yourself in danger if anyone found out what you can do. It’s important for your own safety to keep what you are a secret. Do you understand?”
I nodded.
“Why the sudden interest?”
I shrugged, trying to play down my eagerness. “I was curious, is all. This is all so new and different. I’m afraid I might slip up.”
A tender smile tipped her lips. “Unless you plan on going on some quest or fighting a battle, I think you’re safe. Plus, you have Devyn. He’s here to protect you, guide you even, in any situation that might arise. I’m glad he’s here. It gives me a sense of peace of mind.”
“Me, too,” I agreed. I wanted her to continue having mental freedom about my wellbeing so I bit my tongue, keeping all the perilous situations to myself.
Whether she meant to or not she had given me a clue, and it was more than I’d had five minutes ago. I needed to go on a quest? Or maybe I needed to go to the Second Moon? Obviously, getting a tail required some form of heroinism, and a heroine I was not.
I was doomed.
“Where we come from, a Kitsune is often called a witch animal because of its abilities to have multiple powers. The gifts you have are coveted by many in my world, and can be taken easily if we aren’t protected. A Kitsune’s soul is tied directly to their powers. Our ancestors locked away their powers in a soul stone for safe keeping.” She touched the necklace dangling around my neck and the stone started to glow. Mom might have been stripped of her powers, but there was still something in her my Kitsune soul responded to and recognized. “You must never lose sight of who you are. Whether you have one or nine tails isn’t as important as staying true to yourself. Your blood is royal, making you special. In the wrong hands, your power could destroy worlds.”
Or save them.
I wrinkled my nose. “It’s weird, thinking we’re royal
ty in another world.”
She got this far-off look in her eyes. “It probably seems very exciting finding out you’re a princess. If things were different, if I was able, I would have loved to show you Katsura. It’s like no place on Earth.”
“You can never go back?” I asked, a tinge of hopefulness in my voice.
She shook her head. “No. There’s nothing for me there.” Her fingers brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “I have everything I need here.”
I smiled. It felt strained on my lips. “Thanks for the talk. I needed it.”
“Me, too. Don’t forget dinner tonight. I’m looking forward to finally meeting Devyn St. Cyr.”
Well, that made one of us.
Poor Devyn. I almost felt sorry for him.
The ding of the doorbell rang throughout the house, and I didn’t know whether to run down the stairs like Chris Hemsworth was waiting behind the front door, or hide under my bed. It wasn’t the hulky Chris Hemsworth, but in my world he was equally as impressive. He definitely had the superhero-from-another-world complex that might give Thor a run for his money.
“I got it!” I yelled as I jumped the last two steps of the stairs and slid around the corner, yanking the door open. My pulse leapt regardless that I had I told myself to chill. In a sweeping glance, I took in Devyn’s appearance. His midnight hair was swept to one side, emerald eyes piercing, the dark T-shirt and faded denim perfect. He looked like the poster boy of every fantasy I’d ever had.
Maybe that was saying something, considering our bond. Had I dreamed of Devyn and never realized it was him? I knew he’d dreamed of me.
I was a little dizzy staring into his eyes. It had only been hours since I’d last seen him and yet, seeing him stand in my doorway looking too good to be real, it felt as if it had been weeks.
“Hey,” I lamely said and cringed. That’s all you can think to say? Hey? Get a grip, Karina.
Devyn stared at me, a slow grin lifting the corner of his full lips. “Sorry if I’m late.”
“I’m surprised you came at all,” I said, my heart skipping.
He took a step closer, our shoes touching. “I always keep my word.”
I had to tip my head back to meet his eyes. “It means a lot. My mom has been dying to meet you.”
“Something smells good. What’s for dinner, Kitten?”
“My dad’s world-famous spaghetti and meatballs,” I said, smiling.
His eyes sparkled. “Hopefully I leave here with all my balls intact.”
I choked. “Devyn! Shh. My parents are in the other room.” Mrs. Jones from next door had her nose stuck to her window, watching us. I pulled him inside the house and shut the door behind him before he had any second thoughts about meeting my parents.
Grinning, he slipped his hands into his front pockets. “Good thing I left Wrath and Fury at home, then.”
“You have no idea. My dad has a no-weapons-at-the-dinner-table policy.”
“Good to know.”
I led him down the hall into the kitchen, where Mom’s laughter warmed the room. She was amused over something ridiculous my dad had said. The house smelled of Italian spices, garlic, and crushed tomatoes that were simmering in a large pot. Under normal circumstances, I would have been in the kitchen sneaking a bite of bread or tasting the sauce, but I found I was so nervous I didn’t think I’d be able to stomach any food at all.
My palms were sweating as we stepped into the kitchen, both my parents glancing in my direction. “Mom. Dad. This is Devyn St. Cyr.”
Devyn offered Dad his hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you, sir.”
Dad’s smile slipped as he shook Devyn’s hand. “Finally, huh? How long have you been seeing my daughter?”
I groaned. “We’re not seeing each other. We’re just friends.”
“Jamison, let them be,” Mom said in her soft voice, standing from the table. “I’m so happy you could join us.”
There was a glint of respect in his eyes as Devyn turned to my mom. A shimmer of power trembled in the air, an electric charge that made all the little hairs on my body stand up. “Thank you for having me, Mrs. Lang.”
Mom surprised us all and engulfed Devyn in a hug. “You look so much like her.” I heard her whisper for just his ears.
Devyn nodded, and it was the first time I’d seen the Shaman choked up. He must miss his family very much, and it made me feel wretched for the way I’d acted.
I cleared my throat, praying Dad hadn’t picked up on the emotion swimming in the air.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Mom said, sitting back down at the table.
“Devyn is always hungry,” I chimed in.
“Like Jesse,” Dad added. I couldn’t help but think he had deliberately brought up Jesse. “Here, you’re on salad duty, Kit Kat.” Dad handed me a bowl of lettuce.
I shot him my ‘don’t embarrass me’ glare. I got my father wasn’t used to me bringing home guys, especially ones who looked like Devyn, but it didn’t mean he could treat them like criminals.
I started chopping the vegetables and tossing them in with the lettuce as Dad finished draining the pasta and put in a bowl. Behind me, I listened to Devyn and Mom discussing my childhood. Devyn was so comfortable with Mom. It was obvious to me she was happy to talk with someone from the Second Moon.
We sat down for dinner, the air in the room as thick as the red sauce. Dear God, someone say something. My mind was blank, so I did the only thing I could think of. Stuffed my face. I forked in a heap of lettuce.
Dad broke the silence after our plates had all been piled with food. “Tell me, Devyn, do you go to school with Karina?”
Devyn twirled a forkful of pasta on his plate. “No, I actually graduated early,” he replied, not missing a beat. He was so much better at this than me. “I’ve only been in Seaside Heights for a few months.”
“Where are you originally from?” And, so, the interrogation began.
“I grew up in the East.” It wasn’t lost on me he didn’t give a specific place in the U.S. Smart, not outright lying to my dad.
Dad slapped butter onto a warmed roll. “Do your parents still live there?”
I was sweating bullets here as Dad rapid-fired the questions, but Mom was as calm as a clam.
“My mom and little sister do.”
“And your father?” Dad prodded.
My pulse was jumping all over the place and although I was shoving food into my mouth, I didn’t taste a single bite. When would this night be over?
“He passed away.” Devyn kept his voice even, contradicting the muscle that ticked in his jaw. His father was a touchy subject.
Mom’s eyes flickered, showing traces of sadness. She must have known Devyn’s father.
Dad studied Devyn intently over his plate of spaghetti. “I’m sorry; losing a parent is difficult, especially at such a young age.”
Devyn pushed his fork into a meatball. “It is.”
“Karina has a bright future in front of her. She’s about to graduate and go off to college. We’re very proud of her, and we don’t want any distractions getting in the way,” Dad stressed, and everyone in the room knew he was implying Devyn was a distraction.
“I can assure you I have no intention of standing in Karina’s way. Just the opposite. I want to make sure she succeeds,” Devyn replied.
I don’t know how he was able to keep his cool. Another round of how-to-humiliate-my-daughter and I might make a scene of my own. I didn’t understand what it was about Devyn that had my father acting like an overprotective papa bear. This wasn’t like him, and it made me wonder if maybe Mom hadn’t done such a great job keeping what she was from him. He was definitely suspicious of Devyn, but why?
“Dad, are you done with the lecture? Devyn came here for dinner, not a speech about your expectations for my future.”
“Jamison, why don’t we refill our drinks?” Mom suggested, in an attempt to defuse the heightened tension.
Dad set his napkin on the table a
nd looked me in the eye. “Are you into drugs? Is that why you’ve been acting so strange?”
I choked on my tea, almost spitting it out all over the table.
Chapter Eleven
Drugs? Dad thought I was on drugs? Worse yet, he thought Devyn was supplying me with pep pills, study buddies, zing, or whatever else they’re called these days. That was about the extent of my drug knowledge. Other than the one time I had tried pot with Hannah and Jesse when we were fifteen, I didn’t go anywhere near the stuff. It diluted my brainpower.
My fork clattered to my plate. Dad was lucky. I wanted to throw it across the table. His behavior tonight was embarrassing. “No! I’m not taking anything, and Devyn is not a drug dealer.”
Dad raised his brows at me. “Something is going on with you, Karina, and I want to know what it is.”
I swallowed. “Nothing is going on with me, Dad. Thanks for ruining dinner.” This was turning into an epic disaster. I could feel my blood pressure rise. Shifty things happened when my emotions got out of control. Closing my hand into a tight fist, my nails dug into the skin. I focused on the pain, but it wasn’t working.
If I didn’t calm down or excuse myself from the room, things were about to get hairy.
Devyn reached under the table, slipping his fingers in between mine, and gave my hand a squeeze. I lifted my eyes from my half-eaten dinner and turned my head, meeting his.
Mom placed her hand over Dad’s. “Jamison, honey, I think I should lie down. I’m suddenly feeling tired.”
Dad instantly became concerned, as Mom knew he would, but this impromptu disruption was only temporary. Dad would eventually be looking for an answer, one I couldn’t give him. It was understandable he would associate the change in my behavior over the last month with Devyn’s presence, but he couldn’t be more wrong about the Shaman’s influence. “Sakura, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
Mom waved her hand in the air. “It’s fine. I’m sure Devyn understands the stress we’ve been under these last few months.”
