Himari took her outside the back of the event centre. Wedged between two dumpsters, Kiera bent over and spat out some bile. She wasn’t made for fighting. A couple of deep breaths had her a lot calmer. Standing, she tried to offer a smile.
Himari asked, “You alright?” Clearly, she didn’t look like she had gathered herself. Though to be honest with herself, she wasn’t altogether gathered.
She nodded her head, and Himari said, “That was amazing fighting.”
Frowning as Kiera knew she had barely kept herself alive, let alone look like any graceful fighter. The door slammed open, and Akari came out. Looking around, she spotted them and dashed over to them. “Thank goodness.” She glanced at Himari. There were no words, but that look was an entire argument.
Himari shrugged and said, “I’ll leave.” Himari flicked a wave and sauntered out of the alleyway created at the back of the building where it sandwiched up against the neighbours.
Kiera defended the woman, “She pulled me out of there.” Kiera hadn’t even known this back door was here. Since this was an annual event for the kitsune and the Japanese, Himari must have been well aware of all the exits. Akari must have realised how shaken Kiera was as she gathered Kiera into a hug. They pulled apart when the door opened.
Haku came out. He was a lot more bloodied than she was. Gasping, she went to him, but he shook her off. “I’m fine.”
Akari added her own assurance, “Kitsune heal fast. He’ll be fine.”
Haku said, “Let’s go.”
Kiera checked her pockets. Her phone was there along with her passport. But the naginata wasn’t in its custom pocket. She pulled aside the jacket, but she couldn’t see it sticking out. Becoming frantic, she checked the other pockets in the jacket and then in her pants. She scanned the ground.
When the others just peered at her, she snapped, “It’s gone.”
“What do you mean, it’s gone,” Akari asked.
Kiera glared at her. “I mean the naginata is missing. Help me look. I must have dropped it.” Kiera got onto her knees and used the light from her phone to look under the dumpster, but she knew it was gone.
There had been so many people in the crowd when she had left. Anyone of them could have taken it. Including that witch doctor guy. He had been all over the naginata when he had come to the house.
Akari asked, “Are you sure you dropped it?”
“I’m not sure at all.”
Haku said, “Someone has taken it.”
Akari said, “Himari. She was here.”
Haku shook her head. “Why would she take it?”
“Just because she didn’t marry you and trap you doesn’t mean she’s a nice person.”
Breaking up the potential fight, Kiera said, “It could have been Manabu. He was inside.” Haku spun on his heels, and she had to skip to catch up with him. The crowds were still milling around. Now focused on the other events and shows at the festival. Kiera scanned the crowds. She spotted the mystic at a food stall. She started for him, hoping to get to him before Haku did.
Catching the wizard by his shoulder, Kiera spun him around. He hissed an insult in Japanese at her, “What do you want, human?”
“Do you have it?”
“Have what?” His confused tone had her doubting he had taken it.
“The naginata.” But her tone was more question than accusation.
He sniffed. “Lost it already?” He turned away from her. He might know more than he was telling her, but she didn’t think he had taken it.
A man with yellow-blonde hair said next to her, “He didn’t take it.”
Frowning at the stranger. “Do I know you?”
“We met at the castle though I was this big.” He demonstrated with his fingers. Leaving a gap about three inches.
Her brow knitted.
“The newt,” he offered helpfully when she didn’t seem any more enlightened.
“You’re a yokai?”
“Mmm, not from Japan.” He ran a hand through his hair, and she gathered he was pointing out the obvious lack of Japanese features.
“Where? What?”
“I’m from England. But that isn’t important. The man didn’t take it. I saw the girl take it out of your pocket as you were leaving.”
Akari said behind Kiera, “I told you.”
Kiera thanked the man and turned to Akari. “Let’s find Haku. We can see if Himari has left already.”
Chapter Eighteen
Akari looked over Kiera’s shoulder from the backseat of the car on the way to Himari’s house and said, “That one is pretty good. Not blurry at all.”
Kiera jumped in surprise. She hadn’t realised Akari was there. Kiera put her hand to her chest, but the sound of crowds gasping and cheering was still playing from the video.
Akari asked, “What? You did a good job.”
“No, it’s awful. I was stumbling all over the place.”
Akari rested her chin on her hand that was on the back of the car seat. “Only the once. Hopefully Sho won’t attack you again.”
“He lived?” She hadn’t been paying attention when the other man collected up Sho.
Akari chuckled. “Yeah, yokai are made strong. One of his friends picked him up, but he was already coming to. Haku’s guys will need a hospital stay though.” Akari put out her hand, asking for the phone. Kiera surrendered the phone and watched over Akari’s arm the events play out on the screen. The camera man had a steady hand and was lucky enough to be on the edge of the crowd so there was no random body parts obscuring the view.
Kiera cringed as she saw Sho’s blade come very close to slicing off her arm. Kiera hadn’t even been aware when it happened; she had been focused on the other attacker. She would have been dead if it hadn’t been the reach of the naginata and Sho being a little more cautious than he had been on the trail.
“I thought you wanted us to be on show,” Akari asked gently.
“Controlled. Not like this.” She winced as she saw the moment she had gone to the ground.
Akari angled the phone so she could see more of the screen. “It’s only because you are worried you were clumsy.”
Kiera growled. “Why are you so chipper about this?”
“You were right.” The clip finished so Akari handed the phone back to her.
“Right about what?” Kiera shared a conspiratorial glance with Haku who was driving.
Akari slumped back in the seat and put her seatbelt back on. “That we need some change. Or the world will churn right over the top of us.”
Kiera turned more in the seat and said to Akari, “If that change also allows you to become a doctor that is just a coincidence.”
Akari grinned. “You have it.”
“So will you pose for me?” Kiera patted her pocket where her phone nestled.
“I’m not nearly as interesting as Haku. I only have one tail. No one will be able to tell I’m kitsune.”
Kiera smiled. “Doesn’t matter.”
___
Haku insisted on speaking to Himari himself when they arrived. Kiera was thoughtful over the video clip, so she stepped back. After all, Haku knew Himari better. The house they pulled up to was on a steep hill, but that afforded it better views of the bay below them.
Himari answered the door without any concern on her face, and Kiera wondered if the magical newt guy have been lying. Himari waved them in. A large bag sat in the middle of the dining table and had a pile of folded clothes sitting next to it.
Haku walked over to the table and glanced into the suitcase as he asked, “You really did take it?”
Himari didn’t prevaricate, “Yes. Got a lot of money for it.”
Akari snorted. “Running away, I see.”
Himari glanced at Akari. “I’d thought you would understand. I want something different for myself instead of working for other’s creativity. I want to create my own life’s work, not someone else’s.”
Haku asked, “By betraying me?”
Him
ari turned her gaze to Haku. “You’ll get over it. They’ll put the little missus out of her misery, and you can go back to your life. Uncomplicated and unchanged.”
Haku frowned. “I don’t want Kiera dead.”
Himari glanced between them and asked, “You actually like the girl?”
“I love her, but that isn’t the point here. Where is the naginata?”
“Katsu paid the most though Manabu offered me a tidy sum. Not enough though to get away from all this.” She waved her arm to indicate more than just her house.
“Is that it?” Kiera asked, “You stab us in the back, wish me dead, and bon voyage?”
Himari closed the lid on the bag that was now filled and zipped it up. “I know Haku feels enough about me not to kill me and frankly, what else can you do to me that is worse than being a slave to the whims of centuries of culture?”
Himari lifted the bag off the table and walked past them to the door. She left the door open as she took the bag out to the car.
Akari asked, “What are you going to do?”
“Nothing, she is right. I can’t harm her.” Haku stormed out. Kiera didn’t think killing Himari was the answer, and it seemed the yokai’s idea of a police force was non-existent. She wondered how many other crimes were never brought to justice because of this lackadaisical attitude.
Kiera started to talk in the car, but Akari put a hand on her arm to silence her and just shook her head. With a glance at Haku, it was clear he was completely in his own head. He wouldn’t hear her even if she did talk to him.
Chapter Nineteen
Eiji, standing in the courtyard, had Kiera ducking back into the corridor. What was he doing here? He certainly didn’t look happy. She had just gone to freshen up before they planned to go to Inari for some help.
Haku’s voice drifted to her though she hadn’t seen him in the moment she had been in view of the garden. “You didn’t have to come in person.”
“You know I don’t like phones.”
Kiera wondered if she should reveal herself or walk away. She did neither as she held herself still.
“It doesn’t matter. I was hoping to have another talk with you.”
Eiji interrupted, “No one will help you.”
“I know you aren’t interested in us. But Katsu is dangerous with the naginata.”
Eiji ignored his warning and carried on, “I mean no one. I’ve spoken to them.”
“How could you do that? Katsu will kill people if we don’t get the naginata back,” Haku pleaded.
“This is a feud between your wife and the tengu.” Kiera rolled her eyes. He was naive if he thought this would remain a small spat.
“You only say that because you wish her dead.”
There was a long silence before Eiji said, “You have a duty to your people.”
“Where was that duty when my parents died?”
“When are you going to get over that?” She risked a glance and saw that Eiji had his back to her. She could just make out Haku, but he was facing in her direction. She ducked back before he could see her.
“I came to you for help. All you did was insist I marry.”
“That would have solved your problem of the girl.”
“You don’t get it.”
“Of course I don’t. That is who we are. We are different, and we need others who are like us to be able to understand us. She is not like us.”
“It doesn’t matter. She is an innocent. She doesn’t deserve any of this.”
“Will you defend her when she walks away?” She winced when she heard that as she was still planning to leave. She didn’t expect Eiji to understand though.
“When she walks, it will be with my blessing.” Warmth filled her heart at Haku’s words.
“You would sacrifice yourself.”
Haku snorted. “I wouldn’t marry Himari.”
“I can find…” Haku cut him off.
“No, Eiji. I have made my choice.”
“Fine and then so have I. You are not us while she is part of you.” With their argument almost over, she knew they might see her tucked in the corridor. She skittered backwards and stepped into one of the rooms. She left the door slightly open as Eiji passed by. Once she was sure he had left, she went to find Haku. He was still in the courtyard. Sitting on the edge of the garden looking into the fountain.
“Haku?”
He turned to her. He didn’t look upset, but she knew after an argument like that, he had to be.
She sat down next to him and said, “I heard.” She wrapped her arms around him. He was standoffish for a moment before he put his arms around her. His hand stroking her hair as if he was comforting her instead of her comforting him.
She glanced up. “Are you alright?”
“Mm, yes.” His voice distant.
“Really? He just kicked you out of your yokai club.”
“No, just the kitsune one. We haven’t really been part of that for a long time. It does mean they can’t tell Akari she can’t be a doctor anymore.” There was more to this. If being part of the kitsune meant not being free, there had to be a high payoff.
She snuggled deeper into his warmth. “Is it because of what happened when your parents died?”
He nodded. “I went to them for help. I was young though older than what Akari is now. Kitsune men don’t usually raise children alone. Eiji said he couldn’t help me unless I was willing to help myself. That is if I married, it would solve my problem. He would even arrange it for me. Himari is a cousin of his.”
Kiera wasn’t surprised by that particular revelation.
“But you didn’t get married.” It was a good thing Haku hadn’t married as Himari had turned out to be crooked and untrustworthy.
“I came to my senses. I knew if I married Himari, I would be fighting her as well as figuring out how to look after Akari. I knew Himari wouldn’t have any part in raising her even if we were married.”
She couldn’t imagine the pressure on his shoulders. “So you had to raise Akari on your own?” So much for being part of a bigger family.
“I told you. We’ve been on the out for a long time.”
“Eiji implied it was a big sacrifice for you to marry me.”
“Not even a little.” She couldn’t see, but she could hear the smile in his voice. She rubbed her cheek against his chest.
“Be honest, Haku. What does this really mean?”
“I don’t want to tell you.”
That had her glancing up at him. “Why? Is it some dirty secret?”
“Because I worry you will stay and feel trapped.” She frowned. Wondering what secret he had that would convince her to stay. She brushed her fingers over his cheek.
“It is my choice to know. If I stay, then that is still on me. But I want to know.”
He let out a breath, and she could feel it on her fingertips. “Kitsune mate for life.”
Considering that they lived for centuries, that could be an exceptionally long marriage. But then she didn’t have nearly that many years. She started to chuckle at the thought of her own mortality. He frowned at her, so she explained.
“I’m a blip. I mean you will live generations after I pass. You’ll be free from me even before Akari gets a new tail. Heck, even before you get a new tail.”
His frowned smoothed out. “Will you stay?”
“I have no idea, but this isn’t going to sway me.” She leant forward and brushed her lips over his. The temptation to take it further dragged greedy fingers over her skin, but she pulled back.
“That might,” she said lightly before she got to her feet and left the courtyard.
Chapter Twenty
Kiera felt naked without the naginata as she looked out the window at the dark streets of the city. Akari had opted to hold down the fort so she was alone in the car with Haku. He said into the silence, “Inari will know what to do.”
Kiera knew that was more hope than fact. Before she could answer, something hit the side of the c
ar. They flipped and time slowed. She wasn’t sure if it was Haku controlling time or her mind. The car hit the ground, and the roof crumpled. Glass shattered and showered them in cubes of ice.
With a screech of metal, the car bounced onto its tyres. Finally, it was still. Time went back to being normal. Water sprayed out of the fountain they had hit. She could feel the blood in her ears thumping but otherwise, everything felt distant.
The scrabble of crows’ feet on steel had her scrambling for her seatbelt. She didn’t want to be caught trapped inside the car when the tengu arrived.
She was still fumbling with the latch when the crows on the roof transformed and one by one, landed next to the car. The seatbelt finally got free. Haku groaned and moved sluggishly. He had taken the full brunt of the hit. He should be dead. She would have been.
She yelled, “Haku. the tengu.” She couldn’t get out any more. Hands reached through the broken window and dragged Haku out. Hands on her side also caught hold of her collar and shirt.
She twisted and kicked backwards. Losing their grip. She climbed over the seats and followed Haku out his window. The tengu had him on the ground. The tengu after her alternated between climbing over the carcass of the car and through like she had done. She didn’t have time to think this through.
She rushed the group holding down Haku. She bowled over the one on top of him and into one of the other men. She slammed her elbow into some flesh and bone and heard a satisfying crack of bone.
Without a weapon, she didn’t have much of a chance with the tengu. They caught her arms and dragged her to her feet. She struggled, but their grip was like steel.
Haku had managed to get to his feet when she had distracted his attackers. It was enough that he was fighting fit when the other tengu closed in. He moved faster than a man, but he wasn’t using his time power. Instead, fire rippled over his arms like it did through his tail.
Every time his hands contacted with a tengu, they caught on fire. They panicked more than she would expect from a militant people, but they were bird creatures, and fire was devastating in their bird form.
Zero Foxes Given Page 12
