Moonlight Virgin

by Kat Cotton

  What could I say, though? I couldn’t do a damn thing.

  Wait. I had Mai’s number because she’d sent me that photo. If nothing else, I could text her and let her know.

  Hana negotiated prices with the guy on the phone. When Mai had said she’d paid a lot of money, it’d been no joke. That was enough to buy a decent second-hand car. That group sure was popular.

  “Meet you at the information desk at the Hikarie building,” Hana said.

  I texted that information to Mai. She could do with it what she liked.

  Hana didn’t even think twice about having that conversation in front of me. But then she hadn’t seen Mai and me talking at the café, and she hadn’t been there when Mai freaked out about losing her ticket. There was no way she’d even guess I had Mai’s number. If I hadn’t asked Mai to forward that picture to me, I’d have no way of contacting her.

  Luckily, I had. If Mai got her ticket back, it’d teach that thieving fox a lesson.

  When Kisho came back, Hana stood up.

  “Got to go, sweetie,” she said, and kissed his cheek. The way her hand caressed his arm as she did that suggested they were already a couple. “Make sure you ring me tomorrow.”

  She gave me a little wave. All smiles in front of Kisho. Like, her entire personality changed.

  “She’s the kitsune,” I said when she’d gone.

  “Wow, I wasn’t expecting the kitsune to be so nice,” Kisho said. “But I thought she might’ve been. She has a fox face.”

  She had a bitch face, more like.

  “Yeah, lovely,” I said. He didn’t seem to notice the sarcasm in my voice. “This is just the first step, remember. We found her. We befriended her. Now, we have to get her trust. Or hack into her phone, at least.”

  Chapter 14 Nic: Phone Call

  “So, Clem Starr, what’s happening in Tokyo?”

  “We found the kitsune.”

  You could tell she was proud of herself, like she wanted to be congratulated for doing her job.

  My heart sank. I didn’t want to ask her or Kisho to come home, but I’d kind of hoped this case would be wrapped up sooner. If they came home because the case was over, it wouldn’t be like I’d asked for help. It’d just be them back in town. I could get Clem to take over the Northside Gang. Then it’d be demon fighter versus vampire, the natural order of things, instead of vampire versus vampire.

  “Nice work,” I told Clem. “Now what?”

  “Well, we’re going clubbing with her tomorrow.”

  “Clubbing? Is that a pivotal part of your demon-fighting arsenal?”

  “Actually, yes, it is. You’d be surprised how often. I don’t even like clubbing, but we need to make friends with her.”

  “Now, that’s definitely not something in your arsenal at all. How do you propose going about that with your lack of social skills?”

  She gave a harrumph, but she couldn’t deny that she had kind of a grating personality. I could also tell she didn’t like this kitsune because of the way she said the word. You could practically see her nose wrinkle over the phone.

  “Actually, the kitsune is all over Kisho.”

  Ha, she was jealous. That was good. That was really good. She’d want to get this case wrapped up quickly. Maybe within the week.

  I hated to admit it, but I missed having her around.

  No, I didn’t miss her at all. What was my brain thinking? Clem Starr annoyed the hell out of me. She stole my cake and complained too much and wore skimpy outfits that made me feel things that disturbed me.

  “Tasty!” Vlad called. “Pretty man, come here.”

  “Just a minute,” I called back.

  “She’s not all over me,” Kisho said. “Hana is just really friendly.”

  The kitsune definitely had her foxy claws into him. Kisho was so clueless that the kitsune could be humping his leg and he’d not realize. Clem Starr had reason to worry.

  “So, how did you find her?”

  Kisho gave a nervous laugh, and Clem coughed a little.

  “Oh, just coincidence, really.”

  There was a story there, and I’d find it out. One or both of them had done something really embarrassing, and I’d not be denied my chance to laugh at them.

  “How are things going there? Is the Demon Child behaving?” Clem asked.

  “Fine. Fine. Everything is fine. And his name is Vlad.”

  “Pretty man,” Vlad called again.

  Now that his strength had returned, he’d become more demanding. Not just with food, but with my time. He got bored so easily.

  “I’ve posted three photos and a video on our Instagram account that you haven’t liked yet. I seriously doubt you’re so busy with this fox that you don’t have time to check them out.”

  “If you need help, just let us know. We can come home, or Kisho can return while I stay here and finish this up.”

  What had I said to make her think I couldn’t handle things? Nothing. Nothing at all. Then I realized. She might as well have said straight out that she wanted Kisho away from this fox.

  “You need him. You can’t speak the language.”

  “Hana speaks English.”

  “And, what’s the plan? Are you going to wait until she’s had a few drinks at this club, then hope she spills her deepest secrets? I’m not sure that will work.”

  Clem was quiet for a moment. I bet thoughts of killing the kitsune ran through her head. If it came to that, though, they’d never get the treasure back. She needed that kitsune alive.

  I thought of telling her about the gang stirring things up here, but that might sound like I wasn’t in control. But I was. It was just that I had a lot on my plate lately.

  “You could use that famous sexual thrall of yours on her.”

  It sounded a lot like she made a vomiting noise. She really hated that kitsune.

  “Come on, I bet you’ve done a lot worse. You aren’t getting all squeamish because she’s a girl, are you? Do what you need to do to get the job done and stop being so uptight.”

  “You haven’t met her.”

  “She can’t be too bad. Kisho seems to like her.”

  Oh, yeah, that twisted the knife, but it never hurt to get Clem Starr fired up. I wondered what was going on between her and Kisho. They seemed to be talking now, which was progress. If she and Kisho were together, it’d remove all temptation for me.

  “She’s dishonest and sly.”

  “They say that about foxes.”

  “Also, Kisho hasn’t found out what the treasure is yet.”

  I didn’t know why that surprised Clem. Kisho could be like that. She needed to tell him exactly what to say, not leave things to his own initiative. I bet he’d chatted to that old man about all kinds of random shit without even asking about the treasure.

  “Preeeeeety man!”

  “I have to go,” I said. “I’ve got things to do here.”

  “Don’t let that kid twist you around his finger,” Clem said.

  As if I’d do that.

  Chapter 15 Nic: Baby Bear

  I’d put word out on the street that I needed to find Lucio, but I’d not heard a thing. I’d left Vlad at home so I could cruise around, checking my usual contacts. All for nothing.

  Vlad hated being left alone, but I had a special treat for him. Even if he couldn’t leave the house, he still needed to look nice, and I’d been clothes shopping. I couldn’t wait to show him what I’d bought. I was sure we’d feel more bonded and closer once he saw it.

  “Vlad,” I called as I raced down to the basement. “Vlad, I’ve got a treat for you.”

  He jumped down in front of me. I had no idea where he’d been. Hanging from the ceiling?

  “Tasty?”

  “Not tasty, but something nice.”

  I held up the shopping bags to show him. He didn’t even look, but then he had no idea what was in them. I set the bags down and unwrapped the tissue paper. Then I held my purchases up for him to see.

  Oh, y
eah, matching father/son t-shirts. Mine was navy blue with a bear and said “Papa Bear,” and his was sky blue with a baby bear and said “Baby Bear.” They were the most adorable things I’d ever seen. Navy blue didn’t really suit me, but I was willing to make that sacrifice so we could have the matching outfits. Once we’d tried them on, I’d take a ton of photos to post on Instagram.

  Oh, I wished I could take Vlad out of the house so the world could see us in these t-shirts. I felt sorry for everyone who was denied that privilege. We’d look so insanely good.

  “Look, Vlad.” I thrust his t-shirt toward him.

  “Not tasty.” He frowned.

  “Not tasty, but very stylish. Being stylish is important. See how it has the picture of the little bear and says ‘baby bear’? That’s you. You’re the baby bear.”

  I’d been so sure he’d feel my excitement, not just because of the bond but because he’d never had nice clothes. Since he’d moved in with me, I’d got him clothes that were cleaner than the ones he’d had. Serviceable shorts and t-shirts. Plenty good enough for wearing in the basement, but nothing you’d take pleasure in.

  He pouted. I was sure he’d feel differently when he got changed and saw us both wearing them.

  I held the t-shirt out to him. “Try it on.”

  He folded his arms. “No.”

  He’d say that, but it was stubbornness. Maybe, too, he was hungry. I should get him some food before I tried to talk sense to him. No one talked sense when they were hungry.

  “Wait a minute. I’ll get you something to eat.”

  Vlad smiled. I’d been right, he was just hungry. Poor little guy.

  I ran up the stairs and grabbed a couple of bags of blood. That should tide him over until his dinner arrived.

  “No! Tasty!”

  “Vlad, it’s not time for tasty yet. Dinner will be here soon, so this is all you can have.”

  “Tasty,” he said and stamped his foot. But he snatched one of the blood bags from me and tore it open. He sucked the blood down so fast, he must’ve been starving. He went through a dozen or so bags a day as well as the thugs the mayor supplied. His appetite was so huge, sometimes it was difficult to keep up with him.

  When he’d finished, he wanted more.

  “Not now,” I said. “It’s almost dinner time.” I held up the t-shirt again. “Come on, try it on.” I smiled.

  No one could resist my smile. I put the full force of my charm into it. I did the eye contact bonding thing. I couldn’t wait for him to try the t-shirt.

  He’d love it.

  Next, I might get matching shirts and bow ties. Maybe even cute matching hats. My heart fluttered with the thought of it. I’d never had a little brother, and I’d sure as hell never had a kid, so this was my one chance to buy cute clothes for someone. That shop had so many great things, it’d been hard to decide.

  He smiled back, then he reached for the t-shirt.

  My heart soared. I knew he’d love it. Now that he wasn’t so hungry, his fashion sense kicked in. We might not be biologically related, but we had the bond, and that made us family. I wanted to strengthen that rather than just rely on some arbitrary link. These t-shirts would be an outward sign of our connection.

  He held the t-shirt out to look at it.

  “Isn’t it cute?”

  He tried talking a bite.

  “Vlad. It’s not food. It’s clothes. Try it on.”

  He didn’t try the t-shirt on, though. He took hold of both sides. The fabric ripped. That ripping sound went straight to my heart.

  “Stop!”

  He didn’t stop. He kept at it until the t-shirt tore into two pieces. He’d ripped right through the middle of the baby bear.

  I bit my lip. I shouldn’t care so much, but I’d really wanted him to love the t-shirt. I’d really wanted us to share this one thing.

  “No, Vlad.”

  Maybe I could fix it. I could get someone to sew the two parts back together. It wasn’t ruined. He hadn’t meant to do it. He’d just got overexcited. I should’ve calmed myself before I gave it to him. Obviously, my emotional state overwhelmed him, causing him to act out.

  “Ugly baby bear.”

  He threw the two pieces to the floor and stomped on them. I tried to get them off him, but he kicked them away.

  “Not tasty. Not tasty!” he yelled as he kicked the t-shirt around the room. “Hate not tasty.”

  Then he picked up the pieces and tore them again.

  A lump rose in my throat. He hated the t-shirt. He hated it so much. How could I have been so wrong?

  I headed back upstairs. I had things to do. Important things. I’d clean up the pieces of the t-shirt later.

  Chapter 16 Clem: Hoshi no Tama

  “Hana called. She wants to meet us tonight. Her friend’s band is playing, and I said we’d go along.”

  “Fine,” I yelled from the bathroom. Had he heard me in here? I should’ve used that button on this fancy toilet that made a flushing noise to cover up butt sounds.

  After I finished up, I called him into the living area. I sat on the sofa and pulled a notebook out of my bag. Then I made a list called “Kill the Kitsune.”

  “We need to make a plan. We can’t just be all, like, let’s hang out with Hana for shits and giggles. This is a job.”

  Kisho sat down on the sofa beside me. “The main thing with kitsune is that you have to win their trust. I think just hanging out, being friends, is the best way to do that. If we can do things to help her, that would be even better.”

  Better for Hana. I’d told Kisho about her stealing Mai’s concert ticket. Being a typical guy, he just said I’d probably misunderstood things. I misunderstood nothing. Sure, there might be a tiny chance that it was all coincidence, but I didn’t really buy that shit. It was just too much of a coincidence for my liking. Poor Mai. She couldn’t even go to the cops since it’d been a scalped ticket to start with. Hopefully, she’d been able to intercept Hana’s meeting and get her ticket back.

  I got a bottle of nail polish out and started painting my nails. If we were going out tonight, I’d have to look my best.

  “She does seem very friendly,” Kisho said.

  Kisho was so naive. Any other guy I knew would have had her in bed already. But, then, considering that most of the guys I met in my line of work were incubi, that wasn’t surprising.

  His naivety scared me a little when he was around her. If he got to like her, really like her, she’d have no worries about hurting him. He’d get embroiled with her, and she’d play him like a violin.

  “She’s friendly to you. Don’t take her on face value.”

  Even though I said that, I knew I might as well be talking to the air. Face value was exactly how Kisho would take her. God, I did not want to think about Kisho taking her at all.

  “We don’t even know for sure that she is the kitsune. Even if she is a kitsune, she might not be the same one we’re hunting for.”

  I’d not thought of that. There wouldn’t be just one running around Tokyo. No, she had to be the right one.

  “She fit in with the priest’s clue. And she likes stealing stuff.”

  “Okay, assuming she’s the right one, we just have to be patient.”

  “There’s another way, and you know it.”

  He looked all sweet-faced, but he knew. He’d just never mentioned it to me.

  “We can’t.”

  “If we steal her star ball, she’s our bitch.”

  Apparently, that was a true thing, even if it sounded like something from a Pokémon cartoon. I had no idea where a kitsune kept their star ball. I shuddered to think. But we had to find it.

  There were a few other things I’d found out that Kisho had never mentioned. If you cut off their tail, they die. The older a kitsune gets, the more tails they have and you need to cut off the right one. But Hana only had one tail.

  Another thing about kitsune, they have a thing about seducing, and marrying, human men.

  But I’
d start with the star ball.

  “Hoshi no tama,” he said.

  “Huh?”

  “Star ball. That’s what it’s called. The Japanese sounds a lot less lame. Since you’ve researched this, you know what happens.”

  I shrugged. “She gets a bit pissy with us. So what? It’s not like she’s our real friend. She’s not even human. She’s just taken on a human form.” Shit, I’d smudged my right index fingernail. I’d have to clean it off and start again. “As soon as we give the treasure back to the old man and get our cash, we can get out of this country and head home. What’s she going to do to us then? It’s not like she has a passport or anything like that. She’s a fox. She’d have to be in quarantine for months before she’d even be let into the country.”

  “Kitsune are incredibly vengeful if you force them to do things.”

  “Well, we can always cut her tail off and kill her.”

  Kisho moved a little away from me.

  Yeah, well, he had no idea what a bitch she was when he wasn’t around. I had no problem with killing her. You don’t get to win all those demon-fighting awards by being squeamish about killing evil. She stole things, and she hurt people.

  “Clem, that wouldn’t be a very nice thing to do.”

  “What is she, really? I mean, that body and that face, they aren’t hers. She’s stolen them from someone else and just wears them around like recycled clothing. She’s not even a girl.”

  “What about me? Do you consider me human?” he asked.

  “Yeah, of course.”

  “And Nic?”

  “Maybe. He’s more bitch than anything.” I waved my hands, waiting for my polish to dry. “I mean, he’s not human, is he? He’s undead. But he doesn’t hurt people. Well, sometimes he hurts my feelings by not sharing cake with me and saying mean things.”

  “Clem, you should be more accepting instead of putting these labels on people.”

  I blew on my nails. “Do you actually understand what I do for a living? I’m a demon fighter. I have to put these labels on things. Supernatural creatures are evil. I kill them. Humans, I don’t kill. That’s why I earn money from it instead of being locked in the big house. If I don’t think of things in black and white, how do you think I’d operate? You and Nic are exceptions. I went way out on a limb working with you guys. I still have no idea if I’m going to be expelled from the Demon Fighters Council.”