This is work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, businesses, companies, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Copyright© Yumoyori Wilson, 2018
All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
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This eBook/Paperback is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook/Paperback may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient.
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Cover Design by CoverInked Book Cover Design
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Editing by
Ms. Correct All's Editing and Proofreading Services
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Format: Gina Wynn
Contents
Acknowledgement
Blurb
Prologue
1. Time And Me Too
2. Morning Love & Appreciation
3. Break And Future Planning
4. Confrontation And Regret
5. Healing Through Caring
6. Rapid Course And War Is Near
7. Chiyochi The Mage Master And Discover Thy Power
8. Training And Bonding
9. Running From The Truth And I'm Sorry
10. Who Do I Trust? Will You Betray Me Too?
11. Who Is The Enemy And Alliance
12. Confess The Truth And Protectors
13. Free To Dance The Night Away
14. Day Off And Dual Company
15. The Power Of Nine Tails
16. Dancing On Water
17. The Battle Starts Now
18. White Eyes And The Power Of Forgiveness
19. Crimson Storm Of Homatomashi
One Thousand and One Lies - Sneak Peek
One Thousand and One Lies - Blurb
One Thousand and One Lies - Prologue
About Yumoyori Wilson
Books by Yumoyori Wilson
Acknowledgement
Thank you for purchasing FACING THE STORM.
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Thank you to all my amazing supporters for being awesome and encouraging me to write every day.
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I can’t believe I started this series on April.6th 2018 and it’s finally done. Thank you for sticking around to finish this series and I hope this final book is worth it.
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Special thanks to my inner circle and true friends who are always there to push/motivate me to be better. You know who you are, and I couldn’t be more grateful for your continuous love and support <3~
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Special thanks to my amazing Alpha Team. You continue to work marvelously together, and I couldn’t be more grateful to have you on my publishing team.
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Thank you to my amazing editor, Missy, who made this one of the smoothest releases I’ve had in my career so far. Your hard work and determination helped keep me on track. <3
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Special thanks to my amazing Mom for blessing me with the gift to write and supporting me in all aspects. I pray to continue making you proud as I strive towards success.
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Finally, I thank God for giving me the strength to achieve my goals. Without Him, I would be nothing.
Blurb
Calming the storm inside me was a challenge. Now it's time to face it.
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My name is Crimson Jiyuna, and I just revealed the truth. To think Homatomashi’s golden girl who was mourned by many, was the culprit for many years of growing chaos and crime.
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The truth of it all is a lot to handle and, for some, too much to bear. As much as I want to comfort my men, I have to deal with my own wounds that are still raw. Not to mention my growing sympathy for my ex-boyfriend who might not be as evil as I thought.
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The clock is ticking, and N.R.O. is doing everything in their power to cause calamity in Homatomashi and across the world, but I can't allow them to succeed. White Eyes is who stands in our way, and if he's left undefeated, war will be the result.
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With one crystal left for me to retrieve, and my goal to finish N.R.O. once and for all, it's time for me to wrap my wounds and aim to heal my guards for the final fight in this uprising.
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Facing this storm will be the most challenging thing I've ever done, but with my men, familiars, family, and the people of Homatomashi, it's time to reclaim the peace amongst all races and fight to become victorious.
"Crim? What's wrong?" Aki asked.
"Crimson." Itsuki repeated my name, but I focused on reading the document again.
That fucking bitch. Those words weren't enough to express the amount of anger that shot through me.
"Erica had this document...where?" I whispered, trying to keep my cool.
"In a safe, but the access code was on a piece of paper in her packed luggage."
"Where was she planning to go?" Itsuki asked.
"Switzerland," I said softly, the pieces finally coming together.
"Crimson, how do you know that?" Malachi asked.
"Um...Crim, you look pale," Haru pointed out.
I bit my lip, trying to hold off the anger inside of me. No. There has to be a mistake. She wouldn't. She couldn't! Not to them.
"Crimson? Can you read what it says?" Aki asked.
"Yes," I confirmed, blinking back tears. How could she? How dare she...?!!!
"Crimson, is this about Erica?" Haru asked softly. Urufu growled quietly, snuggling closer to me. I could feel her agony and also immense regret. A familiar who had no choice but to serve felt regret for supporting such a person, and that was only making the anger grow stronger.
"What's going on?" Quil asked.
"Crimson, what does the document say?" Yoshi asked.
"It's an official ownership document...for the N.R.O," I announced. I heard them curse but I didn't care, my eyes scanning the agreement over and over again, my hands trembling with anger.
It must be a mistake. Maybe this is a trap. It must be a trap. She couldn't be so selfish. So evil. Denial wasn't going to get me anywhere, and I knew if I didn't say the words now, I wouldn't be able to do it with a straight face.
"Erica was the leader of the N.R.O?" Malachi inquired, and I stood, walking over to the open window and hoping the cool, gentle breeze would help me to not freak out.
"Crim?" Aki queried.
I took a few calming breaths, closing my eyes. It has to be done...even if it hurts them. They need to know the truth. Nothing but the truth.
I opened my eyes as I turned around to face the guys who had stood up and were lined up before me. "Erica didn't sign this," I revealed.
"Then who did?" Malachi asked.
I stared at Aki first, noticing his confusion before his eyes went wide. "No," he whispered.
I knew Aki would be able to read me before anyone else. He'd put the puzzle pieces together just by looking at the expression on my face.
Yoshi and Haru looked at him, appearing confused and a bit afraid. The others seemed clueless, and I took a deep breath.
I outstretched my hand to present the paper to them and closed my eyes, letting my rage turn into power. Reveal the truth.
Without even knowing how to cast such a spell, my magic had revealed the words to me because of my dire need to let the guy
s understand what I saw.
I felt the magic flow from my fingertips that pinched the top of the page and coursed down the paper.
I opened my eyes to see the paper was now black and, on closer inspection, noticed the white ink that disclosed the entire contract in Japanese.
The guys gawked at the page and the room was completely silent. Urufu walked to my feet, sitting down to peer at the guys as they stood frozen in place, none of them able to speak.
I stared at their hurt expressions, deciding I'd be the bringer of bad news.
"The person who signed this...or should I say, the previous CEO and creator of Nozomi Rukenza Organization...was Storm Yuna," I declared, making sure to pronounce the words as clearly as possible.
Those words felt like a thousand pounds, weighing down the entire atmosphere that grew heavy.
Silence followed, and no one could say a word, my statement slowly processing through their minds while their eyes continued to scan the document as if it held a fault or discrepancy.
I took a calming breath, feeling a bit strange; the familiar essence of the woman who caused of all this, the true culprit of our problems. The woman my men had once loved, cherished, and would lay down their life for.
Even though my anger wanted to shove her presence away, I also wanted to hear what she had to say. To let her take over and reveal why she could have stooped so low to use these men not just for months, but years.
You lied to your country and the people who served you unconditionally. I know you cannot hurt me, so here's your chance to speak the truth. Here is your chance to say what you have to say, but I swear, I will find a way to make you wish you never dared use the men before you. I swear it.
The essence took over then, and my mind pulled back, hoping the guys would get the answers they deserved.
A smile formed on my lips and Urufu stood and moved to stand in front of the guys, a growl escaping her as her pink eyes began to glow.
"Urufu?" Malachi moved to calm her down, but I knew it wouldn't help.
She knew exactly who I was, and that Crimson was currently asleep. How I wished to take over this body. To watch as the truth tore these men apart, but alas, I had no such power.
It wouldn't matter. I'd figure out a way to get through this silly enchantment. Crimson won't become strong like me. I'd make sure of it, just to return to Erica's side.
Aki's eyes darkened, making him look quite threatening and made my smile widen even more. I could tell his Kitsune was rather upset, his tails appearing from behind him as his ears popped out without his hair being left down, which only happened when he was absolutely furious.
"Akihiro. You shouldn't stare at your past lover in such a way," I purred, tossing the piece of paper in my hand and moving to lean against the window. My back pressed against the glass while my arms lifted to cross over my chest.
"Storm." Aki practically growled my name and Urufu began to growl while Malachi had to hold her down.
Quil stepped forward, his eyes a brilliant red that portrayed his rage. "You shouldn't be able to take control of Crimson!" he snapped.
I shrugged, completely unbothered. "Ya, ya. The talisman and all that. The hag said I can only communicate with her in times of desperation and need. Right now, she allowed me to take over. Either that or her mind is a little distraught from when my sweet Erica was having her fun time."
The giggle that left me was cold and rather menacing in my opinion, but I didn't care. Crim was making such a big deal about being touched by Erica. She should have just sucked it up. Erica was rather gentle on her and yet she was sobbing away like she'd been violated by a man. Hmph. I would have enjoyed her touch. Way better than these men who've been avoiding me when I'm right here.
Malachi was glaring daggers at me while he gritted his teeth. "Bring Crim back. There's no reason for you to be here."
"Aww. Malachi, are you upset? My once sweet Lion. You really have fallen hard for Crimson to turn on me so soon."
"You never loved us!" Haru snapped.
I looked at him and sighed. "You're right. I never loved any of you."
Silence filled the room; my words were like a dagger that went through each of their hearts which pleased me even more. I wanted them to hurt like I hurt. To get a glimpse of the agony I had to bear for years.
I uncrossed my arms and turned around to stare out the window.
"Men. All of you are so selfish. You care about nothing other than power, fame, and fortune. You call yourselves guards, yet you couldn't even protect me. Now you're upset about realizing who I really am? I'm amazed it took this long." I degraded them, knowing my hateful words would add salt to their open wounds.
"What are you trying to do, Storm?" Itsuki's voice was calm and I looked over to see his blank expression which only irritated me.
"Do? I'm merely confirming the truth of what you've read," I declared innocently.
He shook his head and stepped forward, moving to stand on the other side of Urufu who was still growling. He knelt down and slowly stroked Urufu, the touch instantly calming her.
"You're doing all of this to prove a point. Degrading us with the truth to make us hate you even more. Why? There's no way you'd use us without some purpose. To pretend for so long. Why?"
"She wants us to feel disappointment like she did," Haru whispered. I watched the others look at Haru whose eyes were filled with menace. "The disappointment she always felt when she had to leave Erica to return to us, her loving men."
The others looked confused. Only Yoshi and Aki seemingly understood his words and it only pissed me off as I turned to face them.
"Don't speak of her like you know her!" I snapped, shaking my head as I clenched my fists.
"Why don't we all look at how I feel? What I went through? You're all butt hurt because I used you all? Who's still alive while I'm stuck in this body! Wasn't the time I spent being a slave to this man-made environment not enough!" I snapped.
"And what could you have possibly gone through, Storm?" Malachi questioned, sounding irritated with a hint of mockery which only angered me more. He's mocking me?! How dare he?!
"What have I gone through?" I whispered while my clenched fist trembled in anger. "You know nothing! I was born into this world with the sole purpose of being the perfect tool of power. Yet, I was regrettably a GIRL rather than a boy. A disappointment from the start, but there was no way the men of the Council would allow such power to go to waste. When children were playing, I worked to be praised and pampered. I worked my ass off for years to prove my strength, and yet, I was still belittled and treated like garbage."
I turned around and stared out the window, hiding my tears that formed in my eyes. "I never enjoyed a normal childhood. I never got to experience what family was all about. I worked to please those in power who only wanted me to help them for some selfish need."
I looked back again at them and laughed. "I couldn't even love a woman. Someone who knew exactly how I felt. We couldn't openly hold hands once we reached ten years old, and the shameful looks we'd get just for being 'too friendly' was enough to prove that our love for one another would always be a secret! How is that fair?! That I can't love out in the open when I've done SO MUCH for this country. For the shifter race!"
They were silent, and I shook my head again in utter rage. "Erica was my joy. She made me smile and laugh. She loved me and cherished my vision. She'd give me the world if she could, yet we couldn't display that love out in the open. The only way I could do that was to find a career that didn't need me to be there. To find a type of business where I could be happy and still make money without being a pawn. That job was N.R.O," I revealed.
"All N.R.O. cares about is causing chaos and destruction throughout the country. How the fuck does that benefit you?" Quil snarled.
"Chaos leads to war. Destruction leads to reconstructions and change. Such a change would implement new laws, and I would make sure equality was one of them. I'd make sure with every power and conn
ection I had, I would ensure I could walk hand in hand with Erica by my side. N.R.O was the first step of that, and I used you guys to be able to continue my good girl act."
"You did all of that...just to be able to love Erica out in the open. You were willing for shifters like us to die, be raped, and tortured, just for your happiness," Itsuki whispered.
"If that's what it took, YES! Not just my happiness. All those who want to love whoever they want! Why is it fair that women can have multiple partners, but I can't date and marry a woman?! Why does this look like rocket science to our people when other places around the world are implementing it! You look at me like I'm speaking nonsense, and not even attempting to see my perspective!" I shouted.
"That doesn't make your method right, Storm. Wanting innocent people to be killed to create a revolution so that equality is brought to Japan. That involves sacrifice and wars or violence and would only lead to more greed," Aki pointed out.
Facing the Storm Page 1
