Nine Tails Collection 1-3: Kitsune and Shaman novel

by J. L. Weil

  I grinned. “I trust you, Hannah. Always have.” No truer words had been spoken.

  Fifty minutes later my hair and makeup was done, and I was slipping into the silky material that felt like satin on my skin. For the last hour, I hadn’t thought about being a Kitsune once, just laughed and talked with Hannah, sharing memories. It was so easy to fall back into being the old me, before life took an unexpected shift.

  Hannah was finishing the curls in her blonde hair when I emerged from the bathroom feeling very much like Cinderella. She squealed as her eyes swung to me. “I’m a freaking genius. A goddamn miracle worker.”

  I cut her a look. That was a little over the top. It wasn’t like I was a troll without foundation and mascara. I just liked simple things.

  Standing in front of my mirror, I readjusted the front of the strapless dress for the millionth time. If this was going to be my night, constantly pulling up the bosom, I didn’t care how good it looked. I couldn’t walk around worrying about whether my boobs were hanging out. The black dress clung to my bust, cinching at the waist with a silver lace belt. The material ended at the middle of my thighs. Short and sassy—like me.

  “Stop it.” Hannah scolded, seeing me hike up the top again. “You look hot, and who cares if you give a few people a free show.”

  I rolled my eyes. Hannah would think that. It helped she had boobs I would die for, but I had to admit, I kind of looked hot.

  Hannah stood behind me grinning. “I see that sparkle in your eye. You know you look good, now come on, let’s go give some idiots something to dream about tonight.”

  Dear God. Someone save me.

  “Do you ever take that necklace off?” she asked, her eyes drifting to my soul star.

  My fingers automatically lifted to the charm, comforted by the gentle hum at my touch. “It’s a family heirloom. My mom gave it to me on my sixteenth birthday. Her mom had given it to her.”

  “I get it. It has sentimental value, but would it hurt to wear something different for one night? I don’t think it would kill you. Diamonds would be perfect with that dress.”

  Ha. That’s what she thought. I could probably go a few hours without my soul star, but why risk it or chance it being taken into the wrong hands? Sura was still out there, lurking in the shadows. If she saw me without the sparkling stone, my bedroom would be the first place she would ransack. “It’s my lucky charm. You want me to get lucky tonight, don’t you?” I knew that would shut her up.

  “Fine, I won’t fight you on this. I know when to pick my battles, which is why you’re going to wear these.” She bent down and picked up a pair of black shoes with a four-inch heel and straps that went on for days.

  My mouth dropped. “I can’t wear those. Do you want me to break my neck?”

  Her expression remained stern. “You can and you will. They make that dress. And they’re come-get-me shoes.”

  “I don’t want anyone to come get me,” I argued.

  “It’s either the necklace or the shoes. You pick.”

  Argh. I plucked the strappy sandals dangling from her hands, scowling like a burly bear woken up from hibernation too soon. “If I break my neck, you’re going to have to take care of me.”

  She grabbed her satin clutch off my bed. “It will be worth it. This night is going to be unforgettable.”

  Oh, it was going to be an unforgettable night all right.

  Chapter Eleven

  Jesse was lounging on the couch with my dad as Hannah and I sauntered downstairs, mindful of our heels on the carpet. I swear my knees were going to buckle at any second. There was a game on the TV and a bowl of chips situated between them on the couch. I wasn’t sure who was going to miss whom more, Dad or Jesse. Jesse was the boy Dad never got to have. I hoped after I was gone that these little guy sessions didn’t end.

  As Hannah and I drifted around the corner, all eyes turned to us. “Whoa,” Jesse said, standing up. “You guys look great.”

  “We do, don’t we?” Hannah replied, posing in the doorway with a frisky smile on her shiny lips.

  “Yes, you do,” Dad agreed.

  I smiled. “Thanks, Dad. I won’t be home late.”

  “Stay out. Enjoy the party. You deserve a night out with your friends.”

  Just as long as it wasn’t with Devyn. He didn’t have to say it, but I knew it was what he was thinking.

  Jesse strutted over between the two of us, looking dashing in a crisp white shirt and silver tie. His sandy hair was combed back, and the flecks of purple in his eyes seemed brighter tonight. There was a faint scent of aftershave that teased my senses. Jesse smelled good, but just not as mind-muddling as Devyn. “I’ll make sure to get her home safe tonight,” he told my dad.

  “I know you will, Jesse. Have fun, you guys,” Dad called, waving from the couch as we moved into the hallway toward the front door.

  Jesse’s Jeep was parked in my driveway. Beating us to the car, he opened the passenger and backseat doors for us. Jesse would make a great boyfriend, and I couldn’t help but wonder what was taking my two best friends so long to figure out they had feelings for each other.

  “So is this like a threesome?” Jesse asked, backing the car out into the cul-de-sac.

  Hannah whacked Jesse with her clutch, her lips forming an O, before slipping into a smirk. “Don’t think this means you’re getting lucky twice. Or at the same time.”

  His gaze twinkled. “A guy can dream.”

  I kicked the back of his seat lightly. “Gross. I don’t want to know that you think about Hannah and I naked.”

  “I do,” Hannah chimed in.

  I rolled my eyes. “Let’s keep our clothes on and just have fun.”

  Hannah stuck her tongue out at me.

  Outside the Tisdale residence, cars were lining the semi-circled driveway and covering both sides of the road.

  It might have been stupid to feel nervous, but crowds did that to me, and I couldn’t help but wish Devyn were here. “Holy crap. You weren’t kidding about your parents inviting half of Seaside Heights.”

  “Nope,” Hannah replied, staring at her house from the end of the road.

  Twinkle lights were strung in all the trees in the front yard, casting whitish-yellow sparkles over the lawn as we walked up. There was a huge C-O-N-G-R-A-T-S banner stretched across the front porch. A warm, homey scent of apples and spices wafted from inside the house, making the air smell of fall in June.

  Inside Hannah’s posh home, people were everywhere, in crisp white shirts with ties and fancy party dresses that cost more than I made in a year at the café. Hannah’s parents’ world always left me conflicted.

  “Jesse. Karina,” Mrs. Tisdale called as she hurried down the two-tier staircase, her heels clapping on the wood. She wore a silver sequined dress that hugged her voluminous curves. Hannah’s mom had back. She pressed a kiss to each of my cheeks, giving Jesse the same treatment. “Look at the three of you, all grown up. It seems like just yesterday you were playing in the tree house out back.”

  “Mom,” Hannah groaned. “Do not start the embarrassing stories now. At least wait until you’ve had a few drinks.”

  Her eyes went wide. “Oh, drinks. Great idea. I need one. Can I get you guys something? Wine coolers, champagne, soda?”

  “We’ll get our own drinks, thanks, Mom,” Hannah said dryly.

  She patted the side of Hannah’s cheek. “Have fun.”

  “I swear this party is more for them than it is me,” she grumbled, pouting her glossy pink lips.

  I would agree, but Hannah didn’t need to hear how self-absorbed her parents could really be. She was more aware than any of us. “But that doesn’t mean we are going to let a party go to waste.” I tugged on her hand, pulling her down toward the kitchen.

  Hannah’s chin tipped up, the sparkle coming back into her eyes. “You’re absolutely right.”

  “Where’s lover boy?” Jesse asked with a snark I wasn’t used to hearing. His dislike for Devyn wasn’t something he hid
.

  “We’re not conjoined at the hip,” I shot back.

  “Could have fooled me,” he mumbled.

  “Will the two of you stop?” Hannah sighed, as if she was already exhausted. “This is a party, not a debate.”

  She was right. We shouldn’t be taking digs at each other. I wanted to treasure the last few memories I had with the two of them. I could play nice, if Jesse could. Guilt poked at me. “Maybe we should go get those drinks.” I know I could use one.

  “Now you’re talking.” Hannah looped her arm through Jesse’s and then mine, so she was sandwiched between us. She guided us into the kitchen, weaving around people coming and going. “The only good thing about this party, other than the booze, is that all these people are compelled to give me cash.”

  Jesse laughed. “The food is killer, too.”

  Hannah and I both rolled our eyes. Next to sex, food was high on Jesse’s priority list. Unlooping our arms, Hannah passed Jesse and I each a white plastic cup, taking one for herself.

  I stared down into the light brown liquid swirling inside. “What’s this?”

  Hannah took a quick sip. “Long Island iced tea,” she replied before spinning around and scanning the backyard.

  “Bottom’s up,” I mumbled and took a drink, only to embarrass myself by coughing. “Holy crap, that’s strong.”

  Jesse grinned, bumping my shoulder. “I forgot what a lightweight you are.”

  “Just because I don’t like the taste of piss doesn’t make me a lightweight.”

  “That’s right.” Hannah came to my defense. “It makes her smart.”

  A group of kids from our school strolled into the kitchen. “Hey, Hannah. Cool party.”

  “Thanks,” she replied with her fake smile, which she dropped the second she faced us. “Mom could have at least invited some hot guys from our school.”

  Jesse frowned. “Hello.”

  “You don’t count,” Hannah added, flashing her dimples.

  I wrinkled my nose, trying not to smile.

  We scoped out the crowd as we walked through the house from room to room, but it was too warm inside with everyone spewing so much hot air and bullshit. Seeking fresh air, we giggled and fumbled our way to the backyard, refilling our drinks on the way. A tingle skated over my spine, and I let my enhanced eyes skim over the yard, looking for a sign of trouble, but I couldn’t see anything. I did sense something. Whoever it was, they were keeping their distance.

  Sitting on the patio swing, our legs dangled over the blades of grass, an evening breeze tickling our faces. The air was scented with pine trees and the Italian food Hannah’s parents had catered. I kicked off my heels, happy to get the contraptions off my feet.

  Hannah followed suit, sighing. “Heels suck.”

  “How long have I been telling you that?” I said.

  “But they’re hot,” Jesse added.

  Hannah snorted. “Spoken like a guy who doesn’t know shit about being a girl.”

  Jesse plopped himself in the middle, making the swing glide. “What? Are you guys just going to attack my guy-card all night?”

  Hannah rolled her eyes. “Duh. Isn’t that what we always do?”

  I peeked over Jesse’s shoulder at Hannah. She was smiling up at Jesse’s face like he had been dropped down from the heavens. “He likes it.”

  The conversation stayed light and playful, and I was having fun. It had been a long time since the three of us had a night like tonight, carefree and memorable. I couldn’t have asked for two better friends.

  “I need a pee break,” I announced, setting my empty glass in the grass and heaving myself out of the swing, the green blades tickling my bare feet.

  “Use my bathroom upstairs,” Hannah suggested.

  I waved my pointer finger in the air. “Good idea. No line.”

  Hannah giggled. The Long Island iced teas were finally catching up to us. “We’ll wait here,” she said, laying her head on Jesse’s shoulder.

  “Don’t move,” I called, tiptoeing through the yard.

  “I don’t think I can.” Hannah giggled again.

  The house was even more packed than it had been a couple hours ago, if that was possible. Mrs. Tisdale was in her element and waved at me as I zigzagged through the sea of people, trotting upstairs into Hannah’s room. I shut the bathroom door behind me, checking my hair in the mirror for loose strands or leaves. In and out in five minutes, I walked back into Hannah’s dark room, not bothering to turn on a light. The pink sanction hadn’t changed in years, and I knew it as well as my own.

  A figure moved out from the corner, near Hannah’s enormous closet, startling me, and instinct kicked in. I could feel my eyes brightening as the fox surfaced within me.

  Anthony Thompson.

  God, I had hoped to never see his dickish face again.

  My stomach dropped, and a breath shuddered in my chest as I reeled the fox back in. He had no idea how close I had come to frying his ass like a piece of bacon. I was surprised that Hannah’s mom invited him, but then again, his parents probably ran in the same circle as Hannah’s.

  “Hey, Karina. I was wondering if I’d ever get you alone.” He staggered toward me, a nearly empty bottle of vodka in his hand.

  Huge red flag. “I was just going back downstairs.”

  Anthony’s hand shot out as he placed a palm to the wall, stopping me from advancing to the door. A wave of alcohol hit me, making me wince. “Not so fast. We haven’t even had a chance to talk.”

  Annoyance flared through me and I angled my head to the side. “You have a girlfriend, and my friends are waiting for me.”

  He shrugged, trailing a clumsy finger over my bare shoulder. “But she’s not here. You are.”

  I smacked his hand away. “You’re a real jerk, you know that? Felicity deserves someone ten times the guy you are.” I moved to duck under his arm, but he caught me with one of his beefy hands.

  “Is that so? I think you need to be taught a lesson.” His grasp tightened.

  He would. Jerk. “Reality check. You’re not God’s gift to women. So let me make this very clear: I can’t stand you, and I sure as hell wouldn’t let you touch me.”

  “You little bitch. Don’t play coy. Everyone at school knows that you, Hannah, and Jesse have threesomes every weekend. What’s the big deal?” He pushed me against the wall, trapping me with his body, while his hands roughly groped my waist.

  “The big deal is I don’t like you,” I hissed, raising my hands and shoving at his chest. The mule didn’t move, and anger roared in my ears. If he kept thrusting at me with his hips, I was going to set his crotch on fire.

  “I bet I can change your mind.” His voice wasn’t playful anymore and had gone cold as ice. I’d always suspected Anthony was an asshat, but a rapist? And I didn’t care how drunk he was, it wasn’t an excuse for his behavior. His fingers moved to the hem of my dress, yanking it up my thigh.

  Okay. That was it. I’d had enough. Ramming my knee upward, I hit him in the junk. “Did I change your mind?” I asked condescendingly as Anthony grunted, dropping to nurse his manhood like a baby.

  He groaned, and I’m pretty sure he called me another not-so-nice name.

  I bristled at the insult, my tongue dying to lash out. I opened my mouth, prepared to let it loose, but… Anthony’s head snapped back as if he was possessed or there was a ghost with the same objective I had—to kick his ass.

  Chapter Twelve

  “You never should have touched her,” a dark voice growled. Devyn had Anthony by a fistful of hair.

  I leaned against the wall, exhaling, the fight inside of me draining out, because Devyn was here. I was safe. “Devyn, what are you doing?” I breathed.

  “Teaching this asshole a lesson.” His voice was strong and steady, filled with the dark promise of pain.

  “I can see that.” I made a sad attempt at fixing my hair and pushing down my dress.

  His eyes darkened, and he yanked on Anthony’s head. “The way I
see it, you have two options. You can apologize for your disgusting behavior, and I will only hit you once in the face, or you can say nothing and I rearrange that face you’re so proud of. I’d choose wisely.”

  I wasn’t going to stop Devyn. Anthony deserved an ass beating and so much more. I didn’t want him to have the chance to do this to another girl. Flickers of unease trickled into his glassy eyes, but I don’t think he really understood the situation he was in or how serious Devyn was.

  “Look man, I don’t know what your problem is. We were just having some fun—”

  Devyn hit him in the face as promised. Anthony’s head snapped back, blood instantly streaming from his nose. “Wrong answer,” Devyn sang.

  “You’re fucking crazy,” Anthony bit out, his hand flying to his face.

  “I’m glad we got that cleared up. I did warn you.” Devyn lifted the back of his hand, whacking Anthony on the side of his face. The sound of flesh meeting flesh made me wince. Anthony’s eyes rolled back into his head, and he plopped unconscious to the ground.

  “He isn’t dead, is he?” I asked, peering at his body sprawled on Hannah’s pretty floor. There was going to be blood. Damn.

  Devyn shook his head. “Are you okay?”

  “I am now. Thanks. You saved me from having to go fox on him. What are we going to do with the jerk?”

  Devyn shrugged, the I-couldn’t-care-less attitude shining in his eyes. “Leave him to sober up and get a clue.”

  “We can’t,” I argued. “This is Hannah’s room. I don’t want her coming up her finding him bloody and passed out on her floor. What if he tries something with her?”

  “Then he truly is an idiot,” Devyn ground out.

  I shot him a glare.

  “Fine. I could toss him out the window,” he suggested.

  The fact that he was serious worried me. “And break his neck? No go.”

  “Then what do you suggest?”

  “Um,” I glanced around the room, looking for what, I didn’t know. The sounds of the party seeped in from under the door. “Maybe we can sneak him out into the hallway and prop him up against the wall.”