Fox in the Quarter
Page 6
Yuki lost concentration for an instant to allow us to fall to the floor with me on top of her. I sank my fangs into her neck and promptly caught on fire from the inside out. Blood never tasted so horrible. Her thoughts entered my head, and I saw the truth of what her ancestors had done. The Nakaharas didn’t lie or exaggerate, and what I felt put fear in a vampire’s unbeating heart. Yuki had the potential to do the same because of this wicked power that seemed more of a curse.
I drew away, retracting my fangs, and the runes once again created themselves, chasing over her face and glowing. One minute I sprawled above her, and the next I was thrown by an invisible force. I reached out and grew my nails into claws to slow my progress, scratching and digging into the hard floor until I slid to a halt.
Yuki sat up like a woman possessed. Her head swiveled on her neck in my direction, and I braced for another blow. Then arms encircled her from behind, and the necklace came off to dangle in Kit’s hand.
My jaw went slack. “You could have done that sooner, fox.”
He raised the necklace and tossed it toward me. I flinched but braved catching it. Cold, dead jewelry was all I felt, and when I looked back at Yuki, I found the runes fading. Unlike with the other humans, they left no trace as if they had never been there.
9
“Onii-chan?” Yuki said.
I noticed Kit’s fingernails were ordinary at first, but now they had begun to change into claws. His solid form faded, and the man shrank and spouted fur to become the cute little fox again. Yuki bounced happily and spouted a mouthful of Japanese at him. He answered her in the same language. Nathan roused and began climbing to his feet.
“She doesn’t remember?” I asked Kit.
He glanced at Yuki and then turned to me. “No, she’s no longer awakened to the power as long as she doesn’t wear the necklace.”
The young woman said something else in their native tongue. I handed her the book I still carried with me. “Yuki, it’s okay to talk to me. I’m sorry I bit—uh—I won’t hurt you.”
The young woman took the book with obvious gratitude and ducked her head in a slight bow. Kit explained. “She doesn’t speak much English.”
“Well, when she was trying to command that I serve her, she did a pretty good imitation of an English speaker.”
“That was the power. It allows her access to all that her ancestors have learned. Someone in her past was able to speak English.”
“And you do.”
“My ability is similar to hers.”
“But you’re not cursed.”
“That’s one way of looking at it.” He sighed. “Rue, I’m sorry I lied. I wanted to protect Yuki. Even knowing who she is, I don’t want her to die.”
Nathan tried to snatch the fox, but his hand passed through him. “So instead you keep risking the whole world! You said you were with her mother and her grandmother. What, are you going to watch her get married and have a bunch of kids too, to increase the chances for it to happen?”
“No!” Habiki struggled to sit up. “Destroy the necklace, Rue. That’s the only way for her to awaken.”
I looked down at the emerald still in my hand. To think power had emanated from it just moments ago that had almost took over my will. I had broken through all the rune spells cast by the humans without even trying, but the necklace on Yuki was a different matter.
The gold and gems felt ordinary in my palm. Not even a vibration or light. Were they recharging? Habiki had said the necklace had gone to Yuki. If I moved closer, would it come to life again? I decided not to test it out. In the same room felt too near for comfort.
A glance at Kit brought no answers. He spoke with Yuki and ignored the rest of us, almost as if he was putting the fate of the necklace in my hands. Anger surged through me, and I closed my fingers around the gem. That’s when I felt it, the darkness, but subtle. Whatever was in Yuki was a curse, and I wanted to stop it.
I pressed hard on the jewel, expecting it to crumble in my fist. Nothing happened. I tugged at the chain using all of my super strength. Again, no response. The rings didn’t even strain and bend out of shape.
“Let me try,” Nathan said. He grabbed for necklace.
“No, you mustn’t,” Kit shouted.
An explosion of power and light started in the necklace as soon as it left my hold. Nathan was being dragged across the floor toward Yuki. I understood in an instant and zipped to him to take the necklace back. Right away, the power winked out.
“The necklace is indestructible,” Habiki said. “If we had known you could suppress its power, we would have used you sooner.”
“Thanks,” I muttered.
He looked from me to Yuki. “She’s not indestructible.”
Just like that I became responsible for a young woman’s life and the fate of the world. I would have quipped “all in a day’s work” if I could muster the gumption, but I decided not to.
“Kill her, Rue,” Habiki insisted.
“Aren’t you the gentleman, leaving it in my hands like that,” I snarked. “I won’t kill her.”
Kit seemed relieved. The fact that he was barely there told me he had expended all his energy, and he wouldn’t be able to stand between Yuki and me if I tried to take her life. I refused to tell any of them I couldn’t take her life.
“There are billions of people in this world,” Habiki snapped. “Think of them before one stupid little girl.”
“If you want her dead, you do it!” I said it knowing I would stand in his way.
Habiki probably had several broken bones. He wouldn’t be getting up any time soon without help. I considered asking Nathan to do it, but the words refused to form on my tongue.
“Go back to Japan, Kit,” I said, “and don’t let her leave again. I don’t want a repeat of what happened tonight. You also won’t let her get married or have children, or I will find them and kill them myself.”
The fox’s nose twitched in indignation, but he agreed. “We don’t have much of a choice, but I’m grateful to you, Rue. Thank you.”
“What about payment,” Nathan grumped.
The fox said something to Yuki, and the two of them left the room together. I walked over to Habiki and crouched at his side. “And as for you…”
“You’ve made a big mistake!” He glared at me, but I could see he was in great pain. “He wants her to kill everyone and take over the world. It’s probably what he plotted all along.”
“I don’t think so. If Kit wanted that, he wouldn’t have protected me from Yuki. He also wouldn’t have given me this necklace.” I held it up, wondering what I should do with it. There was no way I could hold it in my hand forever or wear it for that matter. Call me crazy, but I didn’t relish evil draped upon my person as an accessory.
Steps echoed in the hall, and I recognized the scents of more humans. Nathan tensed beside me. Habiki panted, holding his side. “Don’t worry. They’re not going to try anything.”
The men walked into the room, and two approached Habiki to help lift him from the floor.
“Wait.” Habiki tapped the arm of the man who held him. They spun to face me. “Rue, please, entrust us with the necklace.”
“What?” Nathan shouted.
“Hear me out. It’s our responsibility to stop the curse on it. The necklace didn’t activate until the woman was in the same room as the necklace. We know now what we have to do, and we know she exists. I’m not saying we’re going to give up.”
I heard “we’re going to find her and try to kill her,” but something told me in Japan, Kit would be a far different adversary. Maybe it was a foolish decision, but I had my own worries. I didn’t need to take on other people’s responsibilities. Wait, did I sound like Silvano just then?
So, I handed over the necklace. Unlike when I let go of it the last time, nothing happened, and Nathan and I took our leave. On the street, Nathan questioned me.
“Are you sure about giving them that thing? They could misuse it.”
“How? Yuki’s the only one who can wield it, and you saw for yourself she killed them all except for Habiki.”
Nathan pushed his hands into his pockets. “I don’t like it.”
“Well, you could take it from them and guard it.”
“No way. That evil? I sensed the way it started to get inside you.” He probably didn’t realize he had begun to growl low in his throat. I patted his arm.
“We’re okay now, Nathan.”
“How can we be okay when I didn’t get my cereal?”
“Poor pup. Maybe next time.” I looked toward the horizon but already knew my time was up. “See you tonight?”
He grinned and wiggled his eyebrows. “Yeah, come by so I can whip your butt at cards again.”
“Sure, gotta make yourself feel good some way, since you can’t in any other.”
“You’re going to pay for that, vampire,” he teased.
I chuckled and then said, “I’ll be a little late though. I’m thinking of getting a tattoo.”
He smirked. “Have fun with your ‘sister.’”
“I will.”
Soon, I was in the wind, leaving him far behind.
About the Author
Available Now: More Rue Darrow. Read Book two (a novel) in the regular Rue Darrow series with Wolf Ties. Or you can start with book one, which is Shift of Time.
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- Audrey Claire
More by Audrey Claire
Rue Darrow Series
Shift of Time
Wolf Ties
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A Libby Grace Mystery
How to Be a Ghost
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How to Kill a Ghost
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Odds and Ends
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www.authoraudreyclaire.com