by J. L. Weil
Flame Shift
Nine Tails Book Three
Chapter One
Water surrounded me up to my chin as iridescent bubbles floated on the surface of the tub and my toes peeked out. I lifted my hand, taking a scoop of suds and watched as the light caught a prism of colors. My mind was elsewhere, defeating the purpose of a relaxing bubble bath, but no matter how I pampered myself, it wouldn’t change my past or my future.
With only a few days left of senior year, shit was getting real.
Not that my life had been a walk in the park lately, but the closer graduation day came, the more I panicked.
What if I couldn’t do it? Survive on my own?
The reality of leaving Seaside Heights—my parents, my friends, and everything that was familiar—was setting in, and I thought I might puke.
But how else could I keep them from being used to get to me? Ultimately, I was the one being hunted. Being near me was a deadly liability, and I was unwilling to allow someone I loved to pay the price. What kind of friend and daughter would I be if I didn’t do everything in my power to protect those close to me? I couldn’t let my own fears and insecurities stop me.
Mentally, the idea seemed so much easier than actually going through with it.
I removed the drain plug, watching as the water swirled into a mini cyclone, sucking away the bubbles and the heat. Too bad it couldn’t wash away my anxieties and doubts.
I sighed. It was time to grow up.
My leaving had a purpose. I wasn’t running off with a boy for the summer. If all went according to plan, I would be able to save my mother and the Second Moon, a realm of faes, as I learned a few months ago. No pressure. I missed the days when I was a normal girl, my biggest problems being what college I would attend, or what outfit I was going to wear to school. Those were problems I could handle.
Even in a supernatural world, I wasn’t average.
What had I done in a past life to get so unlucky?
The Second Moon was a supernatural realm, and I was their princess—royal blood and all that monarchy nonsense. The downfall to holding a position of power was that someone always wanted to overthrow you—usually family, as was my case—but I didn’t know my supernatural family. And all they knew about me was that I was a means to an end: steal my soul, absorb my powers, and be crowned. That was what my grandfather’s brothers wanted.
As a Kitsune, a fox shifter, my power was in my tails. And without reaching my full potential, all nine tails, I couldn’t save Mom or the Second Moon. The more tails I had, the more powerful I became, and the more threatening to those who wanted my place on the throne. Talin and Ryker had made it their life’s goal to see a dagger jabbed through my heart.
Can’t wait for the family reunion. Should be a killer bash.
Grabbing a towel from the hook beside the tub, I stepped out and wiped the fog from the mirror. I stared at my reflection, seeing the wound on my cheek slowly fading away, but the reminder was there. The last time someone had tried to kill me. It hadn’t ended well for the Karura.
Like most of the faes I’d met from the Otherworld, they all had something extra about them, whether it was beautiful wings or silver, glittering skin. My fellow supernaturals had been less than heartwarming, with one exception.
Devyn St. Cyr.
The Shaman who was my shield, my sword, and my sworn protector, was the only thing keeping me from losing my shit. He wasn’t too hard to look at either, and he knew how to play with my heart. There was definitely something between the sexy Shaman and me, but it was complicated, as was everything in my life lately.
My eyes moved to the little round window in the bathroom. The sun was melting, spilling golds, purples, and pinks over the western sky. I felt the restlessness fading. I stood at the window, watching the sun drop, flaming over the horizon.
One more week.
I was going to try to enjoy the time I had left with my friends and family, forget all the Kitsune stuff, and try to be a normal senior.
Slathering on lotion over my skin, I rehooked the towel onto the peg and went in search of some comfy evening clothes. I figured my room would be empty as I emerged from the bathroom, not an unreasonable assumption.
Boy, was I wrong.
Smashing into something solid, I let out a yelp of surprise, and the world went topsy-turvy as we tumbled to the floor, a tangle of limbs. After the initial fear of not being alone, I immediately recognized the unique male scent and the warm tingles that radiated from where our bodies touched.
I mentally cringed.
Way to go, Karina.
Don’t ask why this kind of stuff happened to me, but I had landed on top of Devyn. Buck-ass naked. Naked! My mind screamed at me.
I wanted to die of mortification.
And his damn grin wasn’t helping.
Flipping the wet hair out of my face, I jumped to my feet, trying to cross my arms over my lady bits. Nothing helped. I was still standing in my full glory for Devyn to admire, and admire he did. The Shaman was not a gentleman.
“Well, this is a nice surprise,” he said, stretching to his full height.
My entire body erupted crimson. “Instead of being a perv, how about you throw me the blanket off my bed?”
“We should really stop meeting like this.”
I gave him a funny look.
He grinned. “Naked.”
I rolled my eyes. “Spoken like a guy. Well, for your information, I wouldn’t be naked if you had told me you were sneaking into my room tonight.”
Grabbing a white blanket from the edge of the bed, he tossed it over to me, the wickedness in his eyes gleaming. “I didn’t sneak into your room. Your mom let me in.”
Catching the super-soft material, my mouth dropped open. She let a boy into my room? Unsupervised? At almost midnight? She must be getting sicker. “What are you doing here?”
Devyn arched a brow. “You don’t remember?”
I frowned, holding the blanket over the front of me. “Clearly, or I wouldn’t have been walking around in my birthday suit.”
“Is that something you do often?”
“Every night,” I shot back.
His I’m-irresistible grin slipped as his eyes shifted to the open window that was perpendicular to the bathroom. A scowl formed.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, my muscles stiffened. Don’t tell me there was a Silvermyst out there or worse…a Karura. I deserved a bit of downtime.
His gaze was fixed on Jesse’s house.
Jesse was my neighbor and also my best friend.
Was he in trouble?
Had a gang of Silvermyst found me? Followed Devyn?
Devyn pressed a hand to my bedpost, turning back to face me. “I’m just wondering how many times your neighbor has seen you without your unmentionables.”
I choked. “Are you jealous?”
He cocked a condescending brow. “Is there a reason I should be?”
“Not that I can think of. And for your information, Jesse isn’t a Peeping Tom. He usually knocks before invading my space.”
“I’ll remember that.”
It was getting awkward standing with just a blanket covering me, and a bit drafty in the back. “Turn around.”
He folded his arms and leaned against the bedpost. “What’s the big deal? I’ve already seen you naked.”
My cheeks burned. “I’m going to put on some clothes, if you must know.”
He tilted his head to the side, the devil’s grin on his lips. “Why? I like what you’re wearing.”
“Funny. Now turn around before I break out my rape whistle,” I warned, making an air circle with my finger.
His lips twitched, as I knew they would, both of us remembering our first encounter, but he slowly gave me his back, facing the window.
Wasting no time, I fumbled with the blanket as I rummaged through the second drawer in the dresser, searching for something to throw on. I grabbed the first thing I could find, slipping into a pair o
f shorts and a tee.
My eyes met Devyn’s in the reflection of the glass window. He had been watching me. I shook my head, failing to keep the smile from curling on my lips. “You’re insufferable, do you know that?”
“Can you blame me? You threw yourself at me.”
I snorted. “I did not. Tripping into you does not constitute as ‘throwing myself at you’. Didn’t they teach chivalry in Thornland?”
He gave up the pretense of being a decent human and faced me. “Does that have anything to do with swinging a sword or breaking someone’s bones?”
I wrinkled my nose. “You’re impossible.”
Devyn chuckled. “I think we’ve already established that.”
I folded my arms. “You never told me what you’re doing here.”
His eyes were mischievous as they stared into mine, and I knew he was up to something. “Hang on. Just wait another minute,” he said.
“Okay, you’re acting strange.”
“Patience, Kitten.”
I nibbled on my lower lip, racking my brain for a reasonable explanation for Devyn’s unexpected arrival. “Can you at least give me a hint? Is it good? Bad?”
He moved to stand in front of me, a brief smile on his lips as he softly touched my cheek. “There’s no trouble, nothing for you to worry about.”
If he wasn’t here to safeguard my house, then what was he up to? My curiosity was at an all-time high. “Then you just came over to spy on me?”
He reached out and flicked the end of my nose. “If I wanted to spy on you, Kitten, you wouldn’t know I was here.”
Right. How could I forget? Devyn was also a ninja. Not really, but his skills were as superior. “You know I hate mysteries…and surprises,” I added. Devyn and I had this weird connection. It was mostly one-sided, for now, but who knows what could happen in the future. He had this ability to know everything about me. What kinds of foods I liked. My favorite color. My deathly fear of hairy spiders. The things your family and best friends know about. The difference here was that I had only met Devyn a few months ago.
And meeting him changed my life.
“Wait for it,” Devyn insisted, the spark in his eyes making me nervous.
“You’re loving this, aren’t you? Torturing me? Do you know what time it is?”
Not bothering to look at the clock or his phone, he replied, “I do. It’s 12:01 a.m.”
I glanced at him as if he’d lost his mind. Was this some kind of Second Moon ritual I didn’t know about? Was he going to howl at the moon and do a rain dance in the middle of my room?
Devyn kept his eyes glued to mine, closing the space between us and leaning his face nearer. He rubbed his cheek against mine, and I shivered. “Happy Birthday, Kitten,” he murmured.
I blinked. “What?” Why was he talking? Why weren’t his lips on mine, his tongue doing that shameless twirl inside my mouth?
Tucking my hair behind my ears, his hands splayed on either side of my face, I could drown in the glow of his bright green eyes. “You’re officially eighteen.”
I groaned. “How did you know? Never mind, dumb question.” Of course Devyn would know the precise day and time I was born. It was his birthday, as well, and like an idiot, I hadn’t gotten him anything.
Wow. Don’t I feel like an ass?
“Happy Birthday,” I said, lifting up on my toes to kiss his cheek.
“That wasn’t a birthday kiss. It was more like a birthday peck.”
I scrunched my nose. “Is that right?”
He gave me a wicked grin that made my belly flip.
Where did Devyn and I stand? Somewhere in between friends and kissing partners. “You’ve already seen me naked. I think that more than suffices.”
“Hmm. It was an image that will forever stay with me.”
I lifted my hand to playfully whack him on the shoulder, but he moved quick, catching my wrist midair. He gave one hasty yank, and I found myself pressed against him. I tilted my lips to meet his mouth, and the first taste of him made my knees weak. His fingers moved to my hips, tugging so our bodies were flush. It didn’t take more than a few seconds for an ache to build inside me. I slipped a hand into his messy, obsidian hair, and the movement caused the tips of my breasts to rub against his chest.
Holy Smoky Mountains.
I don’t know what had gotten into him, but I wasn’t going to complain. I’d been waiting two months for the Shaman to make a move, and as long as he didn’t try to apologize later for kissing me, I never wanted this night to end. Best. Birthday. Ever.
It was official. I was eighteen. Today should have been the day I got my first tail instead of two months ago, not that it mattered. Regardless when it had happened, nothing would change the fact that I was a Kitsune.
Hello, adulthood.
Next week, I graduated, embarking on yet another milestone, and then, it was bon voyage.
Goodbye, everything I had loved about my life.
Goodbye, Jesse.
Goodbye, Hannah.
Goodbye, Sugar and Spice Café.
Why was I thinking at all when Devyn was kissing me, let alone all the things making me depressed as of late? Pathetic.
Devyn, ultra-aware of everything about me, pulled back so our noses touched. “I know that look, and I won’t have it. You will not be sad on your birthday. This is the first time we’ve been able to celebrate together.”
He was right.
“What do you want to do?” he asked.
“Now?” I squeaked. It was Friday night. Scratch that. Saturday morning.
“Yes, Kitten. Let’s celebrate. Stay out all night, sneak into bars, drink coffee. Whatever you want.”
I really wasn’t in the mood to go out, but hearing the excitement in Devyn’s voice and the sparkle in his emerald eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to disappoint him. This was his birthday, too, and damn if I would be the Debbie Downer. “Why do I have to choose? This is your day, too, you know.”
“Fine. We’ll both pick. I’ll drive.”
“Give me five minutes to put something on that doesn’t look like I just woke up.”
He cocked a single brow. “What’s wrong with the unicorn and rainbow boxers?”
I shook my head. “Hannah thought she was being cute.” I shrugged. “Besides, they’re comfy. Don’t knock the unicorns. They’re a dying breed.”
“Not in the Second Moon.”
My jaw dropped, causing the smirk on his lips spread. I narrowed my gaze. “You’re screwing with me, aren’t you? There is no such thing as unicorns.”
He shrugged, dangling the keys in his hand. “Guess you’ll have to find out.”
Unicorns? That was going too far.
Quickly scouring my closet for a pair of jeans and a clean top, Devyn made himself at home on my bed as I snuck back into the bathroom to change. Three minutes later I reemerged after running a brush through my hair and spritzing a dash of perfume on my wrists. “Promise me we’re not going to get arrested,” I insisted.
Devyn only laughed and held open the window, his eyes glimmering.
Chapter Two
I was surprised when Devyn steered the car out of Seaside Heights and away from the city, and instead, drove further into what locals termed Mucktown—basically, the sticks along the waterline. I kept expecting a fleet of Silvermyst to drop out of the sky and put another massive dent in Devyn’s car, but so far there had been no sign of anything nefarious.
Besides Devyn.
I leaned forward to see where we were. “Are you lost?” I asked, seeing the tall trees and overgrown weeds that covered both sides of the road. The lack of streetlights gave a creepy, desolate vibe to the rural area.
“We’re almost there,” he insisted, but I found that hard to believe.
I fumbled with the radio, the vacant land giving me the heebie-jeebies. “Good, because I have to pee.”
“Such a classy date,” he teased, keeping his eyes on the dark road.
Was this a date? T
he label suddenly had me nervous. “There is nothing out here. How can we be almost there?”
“I have a killer sense of direction.”
His GPS skills weren’t the only thing he killed. I sunk deeper into the seat, resting my head as I watched the black shadows of trees blur by. “Another minute and I might fall asleep.”
Devyn slowed down the car and took the next right turn. I didn’t know how he saw the road. It was hidden by ogre-size plant stalks on both sides.
“You’re taking me to a corn maze?” I shook my head. “Nope. I’m pretty sure I saw this in Children of the Corn. No way am I getting out of the car.”
Devyn’s hands gripped the steering wheel as his baby bumped over the uneven terrain of the dirt road. Dust kicked up, reducing visibility. “Children of the what?” he asked.
“It’s a horror movie. Scared the panties off me when I was eleven,” I muttered.
He snorted. “You’ll be fine. And I promise, this isn’t the surprise. The place is off the grid.”
“I’ll say. Is it because they kidnap and kill kids in the fields?”
Devyn gave me a stern look. “Relax and enjoy. We’re going to have fun, remember?”
I sighed.
Another minute later, the road twined into an S before opening up. Cars were everywhere, haphazardly puzzled together in a gravel lot that sat in front of a square building.
A club?
A blue neon sign flickered over the parking lot. Supernova. “I was serious about the whole ‘nothing illegal.’ I do not want to spend my first night as an adult in jail,” I grumbled as we walked up to the entrance.
Sensing my apprehension, Devyn weaved his fingers through mine. “Have a little faith, Kitten. Let your hair down.”
“It is down. We’re never going to get in there, by the way. The law in the US requires us to be twenty-one, which we’re not,” I pointed out. A rock got caught in my shoe, and I stopped to dig it out.
“I know a guy.” Devyn whipped open the door, and a man stumbled out. Moonlight caught the side of his face, glinting off marble skin.
