by J. L. Weil
I smiled, shaking my head as I reached to tie a black apron around my waist. “Is Naomi in the back?”
“Yep, she’s working on the ledgers.” He scrunched his face. “Numbers give me a panic attack.”
I let out a short snort. “You should try a day in my shoes.” I checked my phone for any missed texts before slipping into my back pocket.
Becka leaned forward on the counter, facing Tristan so the front of her powder blue top drifted open. “Yeah, Tristan, you might look good in pink tennis shoes.”
“There’s nothing I don’t look good in,” he replied, winking.
Becka laughed. “I’ll attest to that.”
Ugh. Their constant flirting was going to drive me loony today. “Maybe you should have taken a cold shower,” I suggested, lifting a mocking brow.
Tristan flashed me a boyish grin. “You got a boyfriend yet, Lang?”
“Why, are you asking me out?” I asked dryly.
Becka tapped her foot, pouting.
“You’re going to graduate in a few weeks. That makes you practically legal.”
I knew what he was doing, trying to make Becka jealous, so I played along. What was the harm? “Nice. Glad to know you have standards.”
“So does that mean you’re interested?”
I tossed Tristan a wet towel. “Why don’t you clean up that mess you made?” There were coffee grounds all over the counter behind him.
No longer seeing me as a threat, Becka immediately jumped on what I had revealed. “Who’s the guy? I probably know him.”
Ha. I didn’t doubt if I was dating a guy at school, Becka would know who he was. “He isn’t in high school,” I said.
Becka’s lips twitched. “You’re into older guys?”
I pulled out the stack of paper cups from under the cupboard to replenish the stock. “He’s not older. We’re actually the same age.”
Becka drew her lip in between her teeth. “Ah, the bad boy. I can see that. It’s classic. The good girl falls for the rebel.”
I was not that cliché, was I?
Jumping right into work I greeted the next person in line, and the steady stream kept coming as the day progressed. Tristan manned the machines as I took care of the customers, and Becka twirled her pretty brown hair as she flirted with Tristan, who loved the attention.
Ding-a-ling. I glanced up as the little bell rang, seeing two guys walk into the coffee shop, and even though it sounded like the beginning of a bad joke, it wasn’t. It was just bad.
Chapter Three
I could tell by looking at the two newcomers they weren’t from this world. It wasn’t so much their outwardly appearance, but a feeling I got in the pit of my stomach. They weren’t Silvermyst, lacking the silver physical traits associated with the vile otherworldly beings, so what were they? My lack of knowledge about the Second Moon was a real disadvantage. Were they friend or foe? The most important question was whether they wanted to kill me.
There was one way to find out.
And if anything went haywire, Devyn would show up.
Butterflies buzzed through my belly, and I couldn’t decide if it was because the two guys could be potentially dangerous or the prospect of seeing Devyn.
Weaving around the counter, I called out over my shoulder, “I got this one.” If anyone was going to deal with these two, it was me.
What do they want?
Me was the obvious answer or, more accurately, my soul.
They wouldn’t openly attack me in the shop, would they?
No, because that would mean risking exposure.
At least I hoped, otherwise I could be walking in to a potentially hazardous situation.
Where is Devyn? Shouldn’t he be busting through the doors, sensing I need him? Isn’t that how this bizzaro bond we have works?
I walked up to the table in the corner they had slipped into. “Can I help you?” I asked in my sweetest tone, proud I was able to keep my voice steady.
My eyes met the topaz pair of the young man on my left. He had wavy brown hair that reached his shoulders; he shot me an I-know-what-you-are grin. The guy across from him could have been his twin, their features so identical it was eerie. I had to shake my head a moment to make sure I wasn’t seeing things. The only difference between them was the length of their hair, one long and the other short. “We’re new in town. What do you suggest?”
A one-way ticket back to where you came from. I kept the comment to myself and, instead, I made myself smile. “Our espresso cortado is the specialty for the month.” How long were they going to pretend? I didn’t want to make a scene, not in front of Tristan and Becka, but I also didn’t want these two clones in the coffee shop. How was I going to get rid of them?
“We’ll take two,” they said in unison.
My eyes yo-yoed between them. Oookay. That was weird. “Would you like them to go?” I prompted, not so subtly suggesting they leave.
“We’re actually waiting for someone,” the one to my left replied, shutting down my hope this would be a quick visit and had nothing to do with me.
“Great. I’ll have your drinks back in a moment.” I spun around, cursing under my breath as I went to punch the order into the computer.
“Someone was all too eager to jump at the chance to take the double pleasure table,” Becka said, insinuation in her tone.
“I was trying to give you and Tristan some alone time.”
The purr of the coffee grinder sounded behind us as Tristan began to prepare the espresso. I continued to cast worried glances at the duo, wondering what I was going to do next.
“Why the frown?” Tristan asked, handing me the two drink orders. “Those guys giving you a hard time?”
“No, not yet at least.” Picking up the hot paper cups, I took a deep breath and turned, stumbling over my foot. My cheeks flamed. Smooth, Karina. They’re really going to think you’re a tough Kitsune now. Tristan snickered under his breath, and I shot him a glare over my shoulder.
When I got to the table I set the drinks in front of them, and then flattened my palms, leaning forward. “Why are you here? And I want the truth before I dump this coffee all over your prized jewels.” The games were over before they began. Rewarded with twin looks of confusion, I shook my head. “Didn’t they teach American slang in the Second Moon?”
“You know who we are?”
My pulse leaped. Uh, not really. I knew they weren’t from this world, but what species? Not a clue.
“Then you know what we want,” the other prompted, taking my silence as affirmation.
Yeah, my soul—my power—my life. Take your pick. They essentially all boiled down to the same thing—me dead. “Sorry, boys, today isn’t your lucky day.” I kept my voice low, cutting the crap. What was the point? They weren’t here for the lattes or the homemade chocolate chip cookies.
Damn it, Devyn. Where are you?
My heartrate picked up tempo as my brain contemplated how to handle the situation.
Run, maybe?
But that wasn’t an option, not with the chance of Tristan or Becka getting hurt, and I couldn’t shift for the same reasons.
“How about you take a break and we step outside?” One suggested.
I snorted. “I’m not suicidal.” The charm containing my soul heated up under my shirt, a soft glow peeking through the material and catching the creepy twins’ eyes.
They licked their lips in a freakish mirror-image way. “But you also can’t fight us both off. We’ve been keeping track of your abilities. You haven’t gained any new tails.”
These weirdos had been following me? For how long? How many others were out there doing the same thing? Watching me at school, work, at home, peering through my bedroom window like peeping toms?
The bell above the door dinged again, sending a series of warm tingles tap-dancing down my spine.
Devyn.
About freaking time.
I lifted my gaze.
His bright green eyes, like th
e stems of freshly cut grass, flickered to mine. The intensity in them set off the now familiar tingling through me. Unruly dark hair fell over his forehead as he tilted his head and once again I wanted to run my fingers through it, a trace of a smirk on his lips. Devyn owned any room he walked into. He had a presence about him, dominating and formidable, the kind of guy you didn’t approach unless you wanted a problem. He also had killer abs and a bone-melting smile; both were weapons he used at his disposal, along with the two magical swords strapped at his back. I’d quickly learned they could do unbelievable things, like appear or disappear when needed.
So, he had a hot body and a cocky attitude.
Big whoop.
I wasn’t going to fall for it. I refused to fall for Devyn St. Cyr. And that was that.
Devyn slid into one of the empty chairs at the twins’ table.
I lifted my brow. Was he the one the freaky twins were waiting for? My mouth might have dropped open, before turning into a frown.
“Hey, Kitten, I thought we agreed you were going to stay out of trouble.” Devyn’s dark, husky voice did unmentionable things to my body.
I rolled my eyes. “They’ve been stalking me,” I hissed.
“No surprise. In our world, Jayden and Jaylen are phantom assassins. The question is, why haven’t they tried to make an attempt on your life yet?” Devyn pulled his gaze from me, to eye the twins.
Assassins, my brain screamed.
“The brooding, loner look doesn’t suit you, Sin Eater,” either Jaden or Jaylen said. I still didn’t know who was who.
“You know what would look good on the two of you? Matching black eyes. I can arrange that. Or I can let my companions suck the sins from your souls. Your decision.” Devyn leaned back in the chair, folding his arms, and waited for the twins to ponder over their choices.
Wrath and Fury were the companions Devyn spoke of. They were snakes, but not the kind we had in this world—they had abilities—really kickass abilities. I wasn’t fond of any kind of reptile, but there was something intriguing about Wrath and Fury, and not at all squeamish.
“I wouldn’t be so quick to take us on,” the twin I thought was Jayden warned.
Devyn arched a brow. “Oh, and why is that? Pretty sure I can kick both your asses all the way back to Thornland.”
“We don’t doubt your skills, but why make an enemy with someone who could be an ally?”
Devyn snorted, his relaxed posture telling me he thought their suggestion absurd.
I, on the other hand, didn’t.
Pulling out the last empty seat, I sat across from Devyn. His eyes watched my every move. “I’m taking my break,” I hollered, catching Tristan’s eye over the cappuccino machine. He nodded, worry lines crossing his forehead.
“Make any sudden movements, and you’ll lose a limb,” Devyn threatened. “Deliver what message you came to deliver and then leave. Nothing is going to happen to Karina, is that clear?”
There was a long pause before the twins nodded in sync. “We’ll do this your way, for now.”
Talk about a tense table.
Jaylen turned those deep topaz eyes to me. “We served your grandfather. We were part of his guard.”
“That might be true, but doesn’t mean you have any loyalty to Karina,” Devyn exclaimed. “Many believe she has no claim to the throne, regardless of who her grandfather was. How do I know you aren’t one of them?”
“Yes, there are many who believe she isn’t qualified. She has never stepped a foot into the Second Moon. Why would she fight to save it?”
Why indeed? If my mother wasn’t at risk because of the dying land, I might not give a lick about the otherworld. No reason I needed to voice that out loud though.
“I was never given the chance to feel anything about Katsura or any of the regions. Up until a few weeks ago I didn’t know any of you existed, which isn’t my fault. I think I deserve an opportunity to see the world with my own eyes, before I’m gunned down and stripped of my power.”
The twin with the shoulder-length hair frowned. “You have a difficult path laid out in front of you, Kitsune. We knew your mother. Banishing his only heir cost Ryo dearly, and was what ultimately led to his unforeseen death. We came here to see you and judge for ourselves if you pose a threat to Katsura.”
“Or if you’re its only salvation,” the other twin added.
Wow. They even finished each other’s sentences. I suppressed the shiver of creepiness that wanted to roll through me. There was something about Jayden and Jaylen that made the hairs on my arms stand up like a porcupine.
“You’re not at all what we expected.” From the flat expression on their faces, they were doubtful. “We don’t see how you could possibly save our world.”
Disappointment tinged with annoyance coursed through me. Hearing I wasn’t up to Kitsune standards was defeating. I needed to do this. It was the only way to save my mom.
“Time is slipping away, and your power is weak. Our world won’t be able to wait while your abilities develop. It could take years. We have months at most,” Jaylen informed, speeding up the clock on my hope.
“So, you came here to tell her to give up? That’s not happening,” Devyn cut in, a fierce scowl marring his face. “She shifted before her eighteenth birthday. That means something. She has strength and powerful determination. I’m not giving up on her, and it would be foolish for anyone else to underestimate Karina. You bring that message back to the Second Moon. You tell her great-uncles I am going to do everything in my power to keep her alive. It doesn’t matter how many assassins they send. I will kill them all.”
The twins and Devyn were locked in an epic stare-down. Tongue-tied, I stayed silent, my cheeks flushing from Devyn’s loyalty, as I could do nothing but feel an enormous amount of gratitude. Without him I couldn’t do this, and I would lose my mother. Having him believe in me gave me a boost of confidence, after the crushing beat-down from the twins. In a span of a few seconds, they had been able to make me feel inadequate and unqualified. It had only taken the same amount of time for Devyn to give me hope again.
What an emotionally-draining conversation.
But the fact remained I still had no idea if I could do what needed to be done.
I had to gain eight more tails, with not a clue how to do so.
And stay alive.
It was hard to not feel discouraged and disheartened.
“Your ego is still as large as Death’s Crater. It will be your downfall, Sin Eater.”
Devyn leaned forward over the table. “And you coming here will be yours,” he retorted, his lips thinning. “Now you can leave and return to Katsura, or we can take this outside. Option two would make my day.”
“This won’t be the last time you see us. Ryker is keeping a close eye on the Kitsune. For now.” Without ever touching their drinks, the twins got up and walked out the front door, and I couldn’t believe there had been no bloodshed.
“I’ll hang around until you get off work. Make sure they don’t get any funny ideas.” Devyn was watching me strangely, as if he thought I might fall apart.
I nodded and pushed to my feet, gathering the full cups of coffee. Exhaling the breath I didn’t know I’d been holding, I walked behind the counter, my hands shaking. Coffee spilled out of the little hole, toppling over my hand. “Crap,” I muttered. This was not my flipping day.
Chapter Four
“Hey, you okay?” Jesse asked as we walked down the hall to the lockers. Jesse Hart had been my neighbor and best friend, well, forever. There wasn’t a memory I didn’t have without him.
I tried to block out the scent of sweaty teenage boys, overly sweet perfumes, and the stench of teenage angst filling the air of Seaside Heights High School. My enhanced senses were in overdrive, suffocating in all the teenage drama. “Yeah, don’t I seem okay?”
A lock of sandy hair fell over his forehead. “Uh, not really. You keep looking over your shoulder as if you’re being followed or searching for someone.
”
Was I? Crap. Being paranoid sucked. “Sorry. I guess I’ve been a bit jumpy since that night.” I didn’t
want to explain what night I was referring to. Jesse knew. It was the night I shifted, but as far as my friends were concerned they got a half-ass version of those evening’s events. They knew I’d been attacked, mugged as I had told them. Of course, they were concerned about me, afraid how I was processing what had happened.
I had started taking defense classes, aka learning how to be a Kitsune with Devyn. Lying to my two best friends in the world sucked, but the truth was, not only impossible to believe, but it was dangerous for them.
Jesse frowned. “It’s not just that. You seem different lately.”
“Different how?” I was sincerely interested. Had I changed? Could my friends see the difference in me? Was it that obvious?
Jesse shrugged, his stormy eyes pulling me in. “I don’t know. Just different. Sad, I guess.”
Am I sad? One of many emotions I felt, making it hard for me to decipher through them, but gloomy was in there. I’d been unhappy since my mom got sick. “Things are complicated.”
“K, you know you can talk to me. I’ll always be here for you no matter what’s going on. That won’t change.”
I brushed my shoulder up against his. “Thanks. You’ve always been there for me, for as long as I can remember. I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“You’d probably have a lot more food in your house, and no knowledge of good movies.”
I playfully smacked him on the arm. “Hey! That’s not true. Without me, you never would have seen a single Leonardo movie.”
Jesse grinned, but it didn’t last long. “So, it has nothing to do with that guy?”
“What guy? Devyn?” I didn’t want to lie; it hurt to lie to Jesse, but if I admitted he was involved in what I was going through, Jesse would go ballistic. I didn’t need him interjecting himself into this shit storm that had become my life. The whole idea was to keep him and Hannah safe.