"What is the matter?"
"They do not have chopsticks?"
"No. Only about five percent of the school population is Asian."
"I figured with Tatsuo as the headmaster, all of you would be using chopsticks by now. No matter, I do know how to use a fork."
I sighed and unrolled mine, grabbing it and jabbing it through a clump of lettuce from my salad. Salads were for bunnies. Even ranch dressing didn't help mask the taste of healthy.
"Why do you eat it if you despise it?"
"Because it's good for me."
"Judging by the face you are making, you would not be partaking if I were not here."
"Sure, I would. Just like Roki. I live, breathe, and shit salads."
"Language, Daughter."
"Sorry, Father." I sighed and slinked down a little in my seat.
"Sit up."
"Yes, Father."
Why are you eating that which you do not like? Feast upon the flesh of lesser creatures!
Men?
That shut him up.
"What does he say?"
How my father knew I was talking to Fenrir again was a complete mystery. But, then again, he was a full Inari Fox. He could probably feel it. "That I should eat my vegetables."
"I am sure," my father answered drolly, rolling his eyes. Then he stared at me thoughtfully for a moment. With yet another sigh, he reached over and touched the side of my teacup with one finger, and the side of his with one from his other hand. The fragrant smell of tea around us dissipated, turning into something cleaner and more sterile smelling. Sake.
I cocked an eyebrow at my father. He was not one to ever condone my drinking, let alone contribute. "Thank you?"
"You have been having a rough time of it lately. I figured you could use a little reward."
Smiling in gratitude, I lifted the cup and inhaled deeply. I had the ability to make sake, but I had to mix rice with water. My father could transmute any liquid into sake. It was probably a good thing I hadn't been born with that particular power. As soon as the warm wetness touched my tongue, I rolled it around and waited for the familiar tingle that never came. It still burned, but with sweetness.
Really? You couldn't let him have this one moment? You had to turn his sake into mead?
That is a drink unfit to clean an empty barrel of mead.
My father raised his cup in gesture and took a sip. His eyes widened and he spit the drink to the floor beside him, sputtering and wiping his mouth with a napkin. "What is this?"
I sighed. This isn't going to end well. "It is mead, Father."
"You did this?"
I shook my head. "It's been over a month since I've had sake. I was looking forward to that."
"It was him," he said and stood, staring down at me and our two cups.
"Yes, Father."
"Come with me," he said sternly, turning and heading toward the exit without so much as looking back to make sure I was following him.
I gulped down my cup and then his as I passed. By the time we had left the dining hall, I had caught up to him. "Where are we going?''
He held up his hand in answer, his anger causing his foxfire to flare behind him into three swirling spheres. Another trick I had never mastered. Useful in battle, dangerous when drunk. Maybe it was a good thing I sucked at being a celestial messenger. Fenrir would probably be picking his teeth with Odin's bones if I didn't.
You are an excellent herald. Quite amusing.
Gee, thanks.
Do not mention it.
Even the god who had been asleep for thousands of years made fun of me.
My father stopped, fire flaring in his eyes as he rounded on me. "You will stop talking to him this instant!"
I opened my mouth to say, "Yes father." I swear I did. Upon all that is holy. "She is mine," came out a few dozen octaves lower than I could ever have pulled off. There was even a hint of snarl in my voice. Either I had the world’s nastiest chest cold and developed a love for talking about myself in the third person, or Fenrir was driving the Kaedemobile.
The fiery blue orbs above my father flared in the wake of his anger. "Relinquish your hold on my daughter, now!"
"And let her go back to your faded master? I do not think so."
My father blinked at me. Fenrir had been speaking through me again, but this time, using my own voice. The effect was kind of creepy.
"That wasn't me!" I held up my hands to protest my innocence.
"Yes, it was," Fenrir said with my mouth and his voice.
Stop getting me into trouble! I don't need your damn help. I get in trouble just fine on my own!
"Kaede?"
One of the twins had rounded the corner and was staring at me and my father. He looked at me in tense confusion, muscles rippling beneath his jacket, uncertain if he should protect me from the obviously Japanese man standing in front of me with fire swirling around him. A man who didn't look much older than me, but who had the grace and wisdom of kings tucked around him like a fine-tailored suit. "Hey, Rome…"
"Remy."
"That's what I said. This is my father…"
Remy relaxed and gave my father a small bow. "Hello, Mr. Tanaka."
"And you are?" My father turned from me, and his fire dwindled.
"Remy Lateran. I have the privilege of being your daughter's…" He trailed off because I was doing jumping jacks behind my father and shaking my head, mouthing the word no. "Classmate," he finished with a smile.
Thank fuck.
"Pleasure to meet you. Come, Kaede. We have much to discuss," my father answered, not taking his eyes off Remy until he walked past him.
I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed him gently on the lips as I passed, not daring to take my eyes off my father. "I'll uh…see you later Remy. Thanks for taking notes for me." I gave him a small smile and hurried to catch up with my father's long strides.
It took us nearly ten minutes to get to the headmaster's office, and my father didn't utter a single word during the entire trek. Without so much as a knock, he opened the door and ushered me into the room with a very surprised looking Tatsuo sitting behind his desk.
"What did you do?"
Yep. He's family. "Nothing, this time."
"It is not her. It is that damnable creature in her head," my father answered angrily, slamming the door shut. "We need to sever the connection between them. Their occasional conversation has turned into relentless banter."
Tatsuo looked to me for confirmation. I wanted to lie. Hell, I wanted to hide. But I didn't. "He seems kind of lonely."
"Why did you say nothing?"
"Hey, Unk. That god that used to sometimes talk to me once in a while? Yeah. He won't shut up."
You would miss me, little one…
And then it happened. There was a ghostly caress that slid across my skin, in a place he had no business touching. I gasped and shivered, and not in a good way. Do not do that! Ever. Especially in front of my father.
I know not of what you speak. His chuckle told me he was full of shit.
"Kaede?" Uncle Tatsuo had stood without my noticing. His fingers were pressed against the surface of his desk as he stared at me concernedly.
"Yes?"
"What just happened?"
"Nothing."
His eyes narrowed, but he let it go when I glanced nervously at my father. Thankfully, he was looking at his draconic friend for guidance. There were just some things that didn't need to be discussed in front of one's father. Tatsuo turned to my father. "You were right. It would seem he has become quite enamored with your daughter. As to breaking the bond, I do not know how, or if, it can be done. We should, however, not discuss it in front of his tie to the mortal realm." He turned to me. "You are dismissed. Your father and I will continue this conversation."
He gave me the out I so desperately wanted. Bless his lizard face. "Yes, Headmaster," I said respectfully and turned to my father. "Father."
I didn't run to the door, but I power-walked in de
speration. There was a cafeteria with my name on it. Maybe if I started referring to it as Kaede Hall, it would catch on, and they would have to put up a plaque or something.
They can talk all they wish. Our bond is stronger than the chains that bind me, never to be severed.
That doesn't give you permission to touch me in my no-no square, I snarled with a bit of anger. Keep your finger of god out of my tornado alley.
You do not wish to be wooed by a god? His chuckle caressed me lightly, sending shivers up my arms and down my back.
Don't woo my hooha. This is not three-thousand years ago. I'll have your ass tossed in jail for assault, and then you can explain to your cellmate how you inappropriately touched a schoolgirl.
I do not understand your words, but I can see the scenario painted in your mind. Do you think a mortal jail is a threat? Or a hairy man with a penchant for same sex trysts?
I'd been walking down the hall, lost in conversation. Everything had been going great until I slammed into a large, masculine, and familiar chest.
"Kaede!" Remy stopped me from flying back and landing ass first onto the marble floor. "Are you okay? I called your name three times."
"Yeah. Just lost in thought. Sorry." I got up on my tiptoes and kissed him squarely on the lips. He tensed, and I knew it was Rome. "Sorry for running into you, Rome." I played it off like I knew who from who and took a step back.
"You knew it was me?"
"Yes? Why?"
He gently touched his lips with two fingers and gave me a happy little smile, until he realized what he was doing, and his face contorted into resting bitch face. I wished he wouldn't do that. He was a thousand times handsomer when he smiled. "Are you hungry?"
"Are you Italian?"
The faintest hint of that dazzling smile made its way back into the corner of his mouth. "Care to eat with me?"
"Thought you'd never ask." Grabbing his arm in mine, I started pulling him toward Kaede Hall and its endless buffet.
"Kaede," Rome started but trailed off as we were walking.
"What?"
"Why did you kiss me?"
"Because I wanted to."
"And you knew it was me?"
"Of course."
He got quiet after that, but stopped me just as we were about to enter the overly crowded dining hall. "Then why did you kiss me?"
"Because I wanted to," I reiterated slowly.
"Why? Why did you want to kiss me? That is what I am asking."
"Oh. I don't know. I like you."
"You do? This isn't some game you're playing?"
"Of course not."
Liar.
Shut your face. I do like him. I just wish he was a little less grumpy.
"Because, I'm going to be honest. When you're not driving me insane, I like you, too. But I'm tired of you only showering me with affection when you mistake me for my brother. That bothers me."
Guilt warred with the hunger inside me. "Rome… I like you. A lot. How could I not? You're a bit more surly than I like, and we definitely got off on the wrong four feet, but when you're not being a grump ass, you're sweet, caring, protective, and hot as all fuck. If you like me, ask me to be your girlfriend. Quit reading so much into everything."
"I cannot help it. The alpha of the pack has to see everything from every possible angle."
"Pretty sure that is the acceptable response for danger, not dating."
"You don't think you're dangerous?" He let out a short bark of laughter and smirked at me.
"Little old me? Ain't got a dangerous bone in my body." I looked down below his belt. "Yet."
He blushed furiously red. My work was done.
"Food?"
He rolled his eyes. "You and your insatiable appetites."
"You ain't seen nothing yet."
"That's what I'm afraid of."
We filled our plates and glasses. Surprisingly, Rome carried both of our trays to the large circular table in the corner. He set them down and then took both drinks from my hands, placing them neatly beside the heaping plates of food before pulling out my chair. "My lady."
"Such a gentlewolf."
"Shhh," he said softly, winking to soften his rebuke. "Not everyone in this school is your friend."
"Me? Everybody loves me."
He patted me on my head as I sat down. "Four out of a thousand is a small percentage."
"Five. Uncle Tatsuo adores me."
"Six. Your father is here from what I heard."
"As I said. Five. But it's the five that matter most." I grinned at him and shoved some food in my mouth that wasn't green and leafy. Meaty and cheesy was so much better, and I sighed in relief.
I had just taken a bite of my second chicken leg when Remy sat his tray on the other side of me, David and Roki right after him. I sighed as a feeling of happy settled over me that had nothing to do with stuffing food down my happy little gullet. Rarely, did the five of us get to eat together, and it was almost overwhelming as I looked around the table.
"What is it, Kaede-sama?" Leave it to Roki to pick up on my mood.
Blushing, I shook my head at him. "Just happy."
"And you are only halfway done with your food." He smiled at his own joke.
"Yes, but the night still young." I did what I did best. I ate.
The food was good, the conversation was great, and the company was the best. I had just set my fork down on the edge of my plate, when I felt the first chill of fear race down my spine. There was no explanation for it, just the chill of murderous intent from behind me. Then the look of utter shock and fear as Roki stared over my shoulder. I managed to turn around just in time to see the look of hatred on Sabine's cloaked form as she slipped out of her all too familiar interdimensional pocket and drove the glowing blue dagger into my chest.
Falling backward against the table, I slid from the chair and onto the floor just as the icy grip of death clutched my heart and squeezed. Everything inside me turned to ice as the room faded to black. Rome and Remy, Hiroki and David's voices breaking my heart as they screamed my name in despair. Unfortunately, the last sound I heard was Sabine's grating cackle.
At least I got to finish my dinner.
Chapter 5
There was three feet of snow on the ground, but I didn't feel the slightest bit of chill as I crossed the worn pathway leading to the largest set of wooden doors I'd ever seen in my entire short life. They had to have been over twenty feet high. Nobody short of a giant was going to be breaking into the gleaming silver castle anytime soon. Especially me. Unfortunately, I couldn't stop my feet from propelling me toward the doors. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't stop walking.
When I drew close enough, they opened by themselves.
They didn't make a noise, either. "That's kind of creepy."
My voice was the only sound. No birds, animals, or people disturbed the silence surrounding me. Even my voice sounded muffled in my ears. I would have given my last jar of sake for the familiar hum of traffic or the sound of the students of Aesir Academy.
As soon as they crossed the threshold, my feet stopped propelling me forward like a zombie. The temperature inside was the same as outside, and I felt neither relief nor discomfort from the protection from the elements.
"Hello? Pardon the intrusion," I called out from years of habit.
"Hello, child." The feminine voice came from everywhere and nowhere. I could feel it in the walls and in my bones.
"Uh, hi?"
"Do you know where you are?"
"Not a friggin' clue."
"Do you know who I am? Do your people still sing songs of me and my home? Sessrumnir?"
"Maaaybe. Don't have it on my playlist though… What's a Sessru…mawhatcher?"
Her chuckle sent a tingling sensation through my ears and down my spine. I spun and looked up at the stone staircase that had been hidden against the back wall, leading up to the floors above. She smiled as she descended. My voice caught in my throat at her beauty.
&nb
sp; She wasn't young as far as gods went. Or at least she didn't look so to my highly trained eyes, but neither did she appear old. Regal would have been the perfect word to describe her. She wore a white gossamer dress over white doe-skin boots. A silver circlet made sure no stray strands of red hair swept from her tight braid and into her piercing blue eyes.
"Um, who are you?"
She paused a moment on the stairs and gave me a sad smile. "One of the many gods of this land. You may call me Freya."
The blood in my veins froze. The chill that I hadn't felt outside crept into my bones. I knew her all right. Uncle Tatsuo had versed me in almost every god of every religion, but he had been particularly meticulous with the Norse pantheon. I didn't understand why until I got my ass shipped off to Iceland and enrolled at Aesir Academy, named after one of the two clans of gods. Freya was Vanir, but had been given to the Aesir as part of a peace treaty. She was even married to Odin at one time.
My knees started shaking uncontrollably, and I probably would have dropped to the floor of her keep had my feet not still been rooted firmly to the floor.
"Uh, hi. I'm–"
"Kaede," she answered for me.
"Oh, right. Goddess. Derp."
"Do you know why you are here?"
I knew. Saying it out loud was a completely different animal, though. "Fenrir."
She had the Nordic word for cajones to actually laugh. I thought she was teasing me, but she shook her head and continued down the remainder of the stairs. Her hand reached out and gripped my shoulder gently as she ushered me through one of the many adjoining archways and into a small, but comfortable looking room with two opposing couches with a wooden table nestled between them. "No. Fenrir is the reason I am going to send you back."
She bade me sit on one couch and unceremoniously sat across from me, closing her beautiful eyes for a moment and listening.
"Send me back to school?"
Her eyes opened, and a look of pity flashed through them. "Yes. Would you care for something to drink?"
"When wouldn't I?"
"Pardon?"
A Tail of Two Kitties: A Reverse Harem Academy Tail (The Fox and the Hounds Book 2) Page 4