by Ann Atkins
A million different smells assailed me at once. I could smell all of the other tiny animals nearby and the plants. I also smelled the dirt as well as urine and poop from the animals—Yuck! I smelled my friends; I smelled Snowflake; I smelled everything! And suddenly, I am overcome with the urge to run.
I took off through the trees like a little golden blur. I was fast, and I loved it! As I sprang forth from the forest into the meadow, I headed straight for them, but I did not want to stop running, so I just ran in circles around them and barked.
The grass felt amazing on my bare feet—I mean paws. The wind was blowing through my thick golden fur, and I wished there was a mouse or a squirrel for me to chase. The forest, with its scurrying creatures, beckoned, but I did not answer its call. I hadn’t expected to feel this wildness or this freedom. Changing back would not be the challenge, I realized; the challenge would be wanting to.
I ran around for a while with my tiny heart racing, but eventually I lay down in the grass and began to pant. Running around in crazy circles can really take a lot out of you.
The look on all of their faces was priceless, and I really wished I could take a picture of them, but I probably didn’t need one, anyway. This was a moment I would never, ever forget!
“Is that, Allie?” Cassie asked Mason.
“The one and only,” he replied with a grin.
“Wicked!” Eric said.
But Matt—as usual—was, Matt. “Should we be worried? I’ve heard that if you see one of those things in the daytime they could be rabid.”
I immediately showed my teeth and let loose with a low, threatening growl.
“Dude! Don’t be a moron! She has sharp teeth and claws! At least, wait until she’s human shaped again before you antagonize her,” Eric warned him, but, Matt, just laughed it off.
“It’s like being growled at by a golden retriever puppy. Look at her; she’s adorable!”
“Nice save,” Mason said, when the growling stopped.
Cassie walked over to me and dropped to her knees beside me. “This is gonna sound really weird, but … Can I pet you?”
I turned my head sideways and looked at her, before crawling closer and laying my head and two front paws in her lap.
She laughed and began to rub her hand over my long fur. She was quickly joined by, Eric. Matt, hung back, not yet brave enough to come anywhere near me.
“You’re fur is so soft and thick!” Cassie said with misty eyes. “Allie, you’re beautiful.”
That’s when I pounced on her, causing her to fall backwards, and I sat on her chest and licked her face.
“Oh, Allie, gross,” she laughed as she pushed me away and wiped her wet face. “Enough kisses; I get it; you love me.”
Obviously I couldn’t talk, so I barked and wagged my tail, and everyone laughed.
Mason walked over and scooped me up in his arms, hugging me tight, before setting me back on the ground. “You did good, babe, I had no idea.”
I made a mental note to kiss him as soon as I was human again. Judging from the look of pride on his face, I was pretty sure I’d aced my test and exceeded all of his expectations. I must admit, I was pretty proud of myself as well. There are so many things that make a person who they are, and I have been afraid of who and what I am for so long, so my real victory today is learning to accept all of me, not just the parts I’m comfortable with.
I am pulled from my deep thoughts when I see that, Matt, has finally decided to approach me. He eyed me warily and slowly extended his hand to touch me. “Don’t bite me, Al.”
When his hand was inches from my head, I snarled and snapped at him, and he stumbled backwards, landing on his butt. I ran forward and pounced on him, but every time he tried to move me, I growled.
“Mason,” he whined, “make her stop!”
“C’mon, Allie, give him a break,” Mason said, taking pity on him.
If foxes could roll their eyes, I would have, but instead, I got off of him and stuck my head under his hand, finally allowing him to pet me.
“Good girl, Allie!” Matt said. Maybe I’ll stop and buy you a bone on the way home.”
I growled again, but he only laughed. He knew I wouldn’t really hurt him, so I settled down with my head in his lap as the conversation continued around me. The constant petting and the hum of voices and forest sounds made me sleepy. I’ve always enjoyed it when someone plays with my hair; apparently the fox in me does as well.
Before long all of the sounds faded, and there was blissful silence. I am still; I am peaceful; I am loved.
I am annoyed! Someone was shaking me and saying my name. The little fox hides hid face against something warm and soft, but the shaking and the voices still followed her. She opened her eyes and realized that she has fallen asleep in Matt’s lap.
“Time to get up, fleabag,” Matt said with a grin, and this time, I really did bite him, but just a nip.
“Ouch! That’s it! No Kibbles and Bits for you, missy,” he joked.
“I told you,” Cassie said, and I trained my amber-colored eyes on her. “The fastest way to wake her up is to make her mad.”
“Just as long as she isn’t mad at me,” Eric said.
“Gotta get up, Allie,” Mason said in a soothing voice that made me want to shut my eyes right back, but I didn’t. “It’s getting late, only about an hour until sunset.
I slowly stood up and walked to Eric, whose phone was lying on the ground beside him. I pushed it toward him with a paw and barked. He looked confused.
“What does she want?” he asked Mason. Automatically assuming he would know.
“I think she wants you to take her picture with your phone,” Mason answered.
“Is that it?” he asked me, and I wagged my tail.
This, of course, caused everyone to pull out their phones and take pictures of me, and after they were done, I reluctantly went back into the woods to relinquish the call of the wild.
It doesn’t take as long as before, but it’s almost twice as painful when I finally change back. I guess my insides are still sore from earlier, and unfortunately, I was still sore and achy after the transformation was complete. I pulled my clothes on as carefully as possible, but my body still screamed in protest.
I didn’t feel like this when I was the fox, but I guess she’s stronger than I am. I tried not to make a sound, but I groaned a few times anyway, and I realized I will not be able to keep it a secret. Mason, with his super vampire hearing, will have heard every groan and swear to escape my lips. He probably even knew what I was doing earlier, when I changed, but he hadn’t interfered; he always had faith in me.
He always had faith in me! That’s when I realized the real reason he hadn’t tried to teach me to shift. It wasn’t because I was too young to learn it. It wasn’t because he didn’t think I could. It was because he hadn’t wanted me to suffer, and it only made me love him more.
Love? Did I really love him? Until just this moment I hadn’t been sure, or maybe I just hadn’t wanted to admit it to myself, but deep down I had known for a long time. I wasn’t ready to broadcast it yet; I wasn’t even ready to tell him yet, but I knew, and that secret knowledge made me almost stupidly giddy.
As I walked out of the woods with a stupid grin on my face, I saw them all sitting on the blanket together. The contents of the cooler were scattered all around them and my stomach growled voraciously; it had been hours since I’d eaten.
I limped over to where they were and sat down next to Mason. He handed me a paper plate full of fried chicken, potato salad, and barbecued potato chips, and I thanked him with a kiss, before I began inhaling my food.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.
“I wanted to surprise you … and … honestly, it was kind of … a spur of the moment thing,” I said in between bites.
He smiled and kissed me on the forehead. “Of course it was.”
“Did it hurt?” Cassie asked, looking concerned. “Are you all right?”
&
nbsp; “Yeah, it was a little uncomfortable,” I said, not meeting her eyes, “and I’m a little bit sore, but I’m okay,” I finished with a bright smile that fooled everyone. Everyone but, Mason, that is. I could tell by the look on his face that he knew exactly how much I had suffered. The look in his eyes was so intense that I wanted to just sink into him. He would do anything to protect me and keep me safe, and I found that very sexy.
“I’ve never seen a golden fox before,” Eric said, and we both looked, reluctantly, away from each other.
“Neither have I,” Mason said. “She’s the first one.”
“I knew she was a freak!” Matt said gleefully, and this time, I bit him with my very human teeth. “Jeez, Al! I feel like I’m on an episode of The Walking Dead,” he complained as he rubbed his arm.
“Why am I different?” I asked, ignoring him.
“Well … when a kisune gets its ninth tail—”
“Did you just say nine tails?” Cassie asked, cutting him off.
“I only saw one,” Eric said as he showed us the photo he took of me.
“Oh!” I exclaimed. “Look how cute I am!”
“That’s beside the point,” Cassie said. “You do not have nine tails, only one. See!”
“I read something about that, but only the oldest and most powerful kitsunes have that many tails,” I said to Mason.
“You’re right. That’s why it’s so surprising.”
“But. There. Is. Only. One,” Cassie insists, enunciating each word carefully as if we are stupid.
“Appearances are deceiving, Cassie. Did you notice how thick her tail was?”
“Yes, Mason, I did … wait! Are you telling me that it was actually a bunch of smaller tails making one big ol’ fluffy one?”
He doesn’t answer, only smiles, but the smile is answer enough.
“That’s crazy!” Eric said.
“Kitsunes usually turn white or gold when they get their ninth tail, but those kitsunes are usually a few hundred years old. It’s a sign of their power, but I have never seen one as young as, Allie, with that many tails,” Mason explained to his captive audience.
“So … what does it mean?” Matt asked, serious for once.
“I don’t know, but that power is more curse than blessing. It’s why she’s hunted so relentlessly. If she practices her magic outside of a protected area, she’s practically sending out a magical GPS signal to all of the big bads out there.”
“But that’s what today was about, right?” Cassie asked worriedly.
“Yes, once she learns how to use all of her powers, no one and nothing will stand a chance against her, and they know that. That’s why they’re coming so hot and heavy right now, while she’s still vulnerable.
“What if we take some of the Unicorn’s magic horny powder to protect her?” Matt asked. “Wait, that didn’t come out right.”
“Snowflake,” I said. Everyone looks at me like I’m crazy. “What? I was tired of calling him the unicorn, so I named him!” And the look on my face dared anyone to argue with me.
At the mention of his name, which he must already know, he trotted over to me and whinnied softly, then he leaned down and blew, causing my hair to fly in all directions. Finally, he lowered both of his front legs to the ground and looked at me expectantly.
“I think he wants me to ride him,” I said.
“You should; we don’t have much longer with him,” Mason said, and my eyes filled with tears.
“Ask him for some more powder,” Matt said.
“She can’t. It doesn’t work that way. The Unicorn’s magic, like the unicorn, does not belong in this world; it will fade shortly after he’s gone. By tomorrow, it would be useless,” Mason said sadly.
I blink back the tears that threaten to fall and smile at Snowflake. “I would be honored to ride with you,” I said as I leaned forward and kissed his head; he neighed and nuzzled my cheek. And when he did that, my eyes overflowed; I couldn’t help it.
He stared at me so intently as the tears fell, and then I noticed one had fallen from his eye as well. “No, baby, don’t cry,” I said, reaching to brush it away with my fingertip. I gasped as it started to harden on my finger, and I stared in amazement at the tiny, multi-colored, teardrop shaped stone.
“Oh, Allie!” Cassie sighed. “It’s magnificent! And it changes colors just like his horn!”
I only nodded; I was too overcome with emotion to speak. It kind of reminded me of those chasing lights at Christmas, but this was fueled by magic, not electricity.
I put the stone in the pocket of my pink shirt and climbed onto his back. As he stood up, I leaned forward and whispered in his ear. “Thank you, Snowflake, I’ll cherish it always.”
He began to trot around the field, slowly at first, but it wasn’t long until he was running. My laughter mingled with the wind rushing through my ears were the only sounds I heard. The air had dried the tears on my cheeks, but my heart was overflowing.
I urgeed him to go faster, knowing that if we stopped, I’d have to say goodbye. He knew it too, and he was in no hurry to be parted from me either. But, eventually, we slowed down and Mason helped me dismount.
“It’s time,” he said, handing me another piece of paper.
I slowly unfolded it and read the words in a voice thick with tears. You crossed the veil, and it brought you here, the danger was kept at bay because you were near. A part of yourself you gave to me; now, with this spell I set you free.
The wind picked up as a window opened to another world. For a brief moment, I glimpsed the beauty from beyond. He turned to look at me, one last time, before stepping through the portal. And just like that he was gone.
We slowly packed up our stuff and got ready to leave, but the mood was pretty somber; I think we were all sad to see him go.
None of them noticed the figure that watched from the growing shadows. They didn’t know they had been followed, and that their biggest threat, they had yet to face.
Chapter Seventeen
Baku
“Hey, sleepy girl,” Mason said as I walked into my room and found him lying on my bed.
“Hey,” I replied as I self-consciously ran my fingers through my wet, tangled hair and looked down at my clothes. I was wearing my blue-checkered pajamas that were at least two sizes too big—everything else was dirty—and I was pretty sure I was getting a zit on my chin. I looked horrible!
“Are you going to bed with wet hair?” he asked.
“Yeah, I’m too tired to dry it, no matter how horrible it looks.”
“It doesn’t look horrible at all. I think you look cute,” he said with a grin.
“And I think you need your eyes checked, but thank you,” I told him as I crawled into bed and kissed him on the lips.
“So, how bad does it hurt?”
I considered playing dumb or lying to him, but I was too tired and too achy to bother. “It doesn’t feel great; I can tell ya that,” I said, laying my head on his chest.
“I could make it better if you would let me,” he whispered, stroking my wet hair.
“Blood? So you wanna make me nauseous on top of everything else?” I could feel him shaking and I looked up to see that he was laughing. “What? Are you laughing at me?”
“A vampire who is repulsed by blood, you have to admit, it is pretty funny.”
“Nothings funny right now,” I said grumpily. “How come I feel so awful?”
“Magic comes with a price. It takes a lot of energy; most practitioners wouldn’t have lasted nearly as long as you did, but everybody has their breaking point. It’s also the reason you were so hungry and ate like a horse!”
“Hey! Do not antagonize the person who has just learned how to throw fireballs!” I warned him.
“I find it very hot when you threaten me,” he said, suppressing a smile.
“Really?” I asked, biting my lip to keep from smiling.
“Oh, yeah,” he said as he pulled me against him and started kissing me sensel
ess.
“Hmmm. Hmmm.” Mason’s mom stands at the door clearing her throat, and we instantly spring apart.
“Awww, Mason, did you get lost on the way to your room again?”
“That hallway is very tricky!” he said seriously.
“Uh huh,” she replied, before turning her attention to me. “How’d it go today, Allie?”
“Great! All except for the feeling like crap part after,” I said.
“I’m sorry about that, and I am even sorrier to tell you something that I think will just make you feel worse,” she said sadly.
My stomach dropped to the floor. Why do all of my conversations end up this way? “What is it?” I asked with a resigned sigh.
“Your father will be back from his trip soon. His plane gets in tomorrow afternoon. He’s having a dinner party for all of the members of the board at the hospital … He wants you to attend.”
Of course he does! The only time he ever wants anything to do with me is when he’s using me to make himself look like a model father. It will be an evening of fake smiles, feigned affection, and unbearable boredom; I would rather gouge my eyes out!
“Allie, you don’t have to go,” Mason said, placing a protective arm around me.
“Sure I do. He’s my dad. But is it safe for me to go home yet?” I asked worriedly.
“I think it will be okay, just as long as you refrain from using magic. I’ve had wards placed around your house, but they aren’t as strong as the ones I have here, so you’ll have to be careful,” Sarah told me.
“The wards, will they keep out real-world attacks as well as dream attacks?”
“Yes, but there are creatures strong enough to break through if they sense your presence,” she explained.
“I’ll be careful,” I promised them both. “No magic!”
“Good girl,” she said to me, before turning to Mason. “I’m going to bed now; you can stay with her, but just remember, baby boy, you’re not the only one with excellent vampire hearing.” Mason rolled his eyes, she laughed, and then she was gone.
“I really love her,” I told him. “I don’t want to leave either one of you.”