A Fox's Revenge

by Brandon Varnell

  “Muuu…”

  An odd noise caught his attention. Kevin turned his head. Lilian was staring at him, her cheeks swelled up like a balloon about to burst.

  “Uh… is something wrong, Lilian?”

  “I wanna be the one sitting on your lap.”

  “I-I’m sorry.” Kevin felt oddly embarrassed by her blunt admission, or maybe it was because they hit a small bump and Iris’s bum rubbed against him. It could have been either reason, really. “You know I’m not really comfortable like this.”

  “You look pretty comfortable to me, brat,” Violet piped up. Kevin tossed her a glare.

  “Ufufufu, indeed. Seeing you holding Iris so tenderly against you as she sits on your lap is enough to make one wonder…”

  Kevin switched his glare from Violet to Kotohime.

  “… All my hate.”

  They eventually left the resort behind and entered a small off-beaten path that had no markings and no directions. Kevin looked out the carriage windows to see nothing but foliage on either side.

  “Isn’t there supposed to be some kind of barrier put in place here?” he asked suddenly, turning to Lilian. “I remember you telling me there was a barrier that made humans walk around in circles.”

  “The barrier has been taken down,” Violet said before Lilian could speak. “I’m sure you noticed how there were no humans at the resort. With the current hostilities between our clan and the Bodhisattva, we’ve ceased all our business operations on the island. Since no humans are here, we’ve temporarily taken down the seal that keeps humans out in order to strengthen the ones that protect against yōkai intrusions.”

  “Huh.” Kevin went back to staring out the window. “That makes sense.”

  He saw a shift as he observed their surroundings. The foliage grew less dense and a roadway appeared. Dirt eventually shifted into cobblestone, and they arrived at what looked like a small, Greek village taken straight from the time when Leonidas was alive.

  “Wow. When you said this place was old-fashioned, you really meant it.”

  “I told you,” Lilian said, also peering out the window. She snorted in what Kevin interpreted as disgust. “Even after nine years away, this place still hasn’t changed.”

  The village, which Kevin learned from Kotohime was called Psyxḗ, was built near the large mountain, which gave off a chilling vibe. Square buildings made of weathered stone stood on either side of the road. Small stands where men and women with fox tails and ears sold their wares were spaced between buildings. Kitsune walked to and fro, their outfits ancient and outdated. Most were still wearing togas, though a few wore slightly more modern clothing, as in, not togas but still not stuff worn by people in the 21st Century. Kevin felt like he’d somehow stepped several thousand years back in time.

  Several kitsune stopped as their carriage strode past. While many bowed, just as many pointed and began whispering. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but for whatever reason, the stares really bothered him.

  They eventually left the village. It took Kevin a moment, but he soon noticed that they were traveling up the mountain that Psyxḗ was next to. The path they took was winding and long. It reminded him of the one time he and his mother had hiked the Grand Canyon. Of course, he called it hiking, but they had actually been riding on donkeys.

  The world changed again as they entered a cavern. The sunlight was blotted out, but several fluorescent bulbs, which he soon realized were mushrooms of some kind, lit the rocky interior before them.

  “We should be arriving at the Pnév̱ma Clan’s ancestral home soon,” Lilian told him.

  Almost as if her words were prophetic, they exited the cavern and came upon a gigantic stone wall. Unlike the village, the wall looked brand new, as if it had been built just yesterday. They passed a portcullis, which opened the moment their carriage exited the cavern, and Kevin received his first glimpse of the Pnév̱ma Clan abode.

  Massive didn’t begin to cover it. His vision was filled with nine sprawling buildings built like ancient Greek architecture. Each structure had a pathway leading up to it, a beautifully laid cobblestone walkway surrounded by the loveliest of gardens. Several streams ran through the garden. There were also a number of small ponds. He didn’t recognize any of the flora, but he couldn’t deny its beauty. An array of colors like those of a rainbow assaulted his sight.

  In the center of all this was a massive building. Corinthian columns lined it on all sides, their surfaces gleaming with an unusual luster. The triangle-shaped roof was a standard of Greek architecture. He could see intricate motifs within the triangular frame; a fox with nine tails was surrounded by a variety of people with foxy appendages. All of them were bowing before the nine-tailed entity in worship.

  “Woah…”

  “Heh.” Violet smirked at him. “You humans are always so easily impressed.”

  Kevin rolled his eyes but didn’t say anything.

  The carriage rolled to a stop. The small jostling caused Iris to slide, but he had secured his arms around her waist to keep the fox-girl from falling. The doors soon opened, which he was thankful for. Sitting with a girl who wasn’t his mate on his lap made Kevin feel guilty. After making sure Iris was secure in his arms, he carefully exited the carriage with the others.

  Someone was waiting for them.

  Kevin found himself glancing at yet another woman of indescribable beauty. Her tall stature put her at least a head and shoulders above him. Her long hair shone silver in the light and was tied into numerous intricate braids. She wore a toga that resembled a dress. Its single shoulder meant he could see a good deal more than he probably should, and a slit running up one side revealed gorgeous thighs and calves. Seven beautiful silver tails swayed behind her. He also noticed, almost absently and with an air of resignation, that she, too, had really large breasts.

  Is every kitsune I meet going to have big boobs?

  The woman before them was scowling, and it took Kevin a second to realize who that look of annoyance was directed at.

  “Lilian.” She sniffed. “I see that you have gotten yourself and your no-good sister into a good deal of trouble. As always, you have proven yourself to be completely incapable of doing anything other than causing a ruckus.”

  “Daphne.” Lilian clenched her fists. They were shaking. “Don’t you have something better to do than taunt me? Like actually being useful for once?”

  “I am plenty useful.” Daphne scoffed. “You’re the one whose uselessness knows no bounds. Constantly causing trouble for our matriarch, always daydreaming. Our matriarch gave you one task, and you proved yourself to be so useless that you couldn’t even fulfil that one, simple role.”

  “I’d like to see you try mating with that brat!” Lilian bared her teeth at the woman.

  Kevin sensed an argument of epic proportions brewing. It may have had something to do with the bolts of lightning that sparked between the two, shooting from their eyes as they glared at each other. Either way, he decided that it might be time to intervene.

  “So, you’re Daphne?” He stepped in front of Lilian. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Kotohime has told me a lot about you.”

  Daphne blinked several times, as if not sure what to make of his presence. Then she looked down at Iris, who lay resting in his arms, her face buried in the crook of his neck. Kevin felt really uncomfortable when her penetrating stare met his gaze again. He wondered what she was thinking—then retracted that thought when he realized that she was probably thinking something bad about him.

  He was proven right several seconds later.

  “You must be Kevin Swift. Lilian’s mate.” Daphne sniffed as if dismissing him. “That useless human who kept us from reaching an accord with the Shénshèng Clan.”

  Kevin twitched.

  I don’t think I like this woman very much.

  Lilian didn’t either. “Don’t insult my mate, you two-bit hag!”

  “How dare you call me that!” Daphne’s glare became furious. �
�I am not a two-bit hag, you little brat! I’m—” she paused, then took a deep breath and began again. “I am not going to argue with you about this. The matriarch wishes to see you. You would do well to be on your best behavior. And could someone take Iris to Camellia’s abode?”

  “I shall take Iris-sama off your hands, Kevin-sama,” Kotohime said. Kevin frowned as he allowed the woman to take the girl from him.

  “You were having fun at my expense in the carriage, weren’t you?”

  The way Kotohime hid her smile behind the sleeve of her kimono told Kevin all he needed to know. “Ufufufu, Kevin-sama, you wound me. Do you truly believe that this humble Kotohime would leave you in charge of Iris’s wellbeing in order to watch you squirm in discomfort due to the uncomfortably erotic situation that it would cause?”

  Kevin snorted. He didn’t know what was worse: the fact that he understood Kotohime’s humor or the fact that he was beginning to appreciate it.

  With Iris off his hands, Daphne led him, Lilian, Camellia, and Kirihime into the sprawling Greek temple. Violet left them, saying something about how she needed to get back to training.

  The inside was every bit as ostentatious as the outside. White marble flooring danced with a brilliant shine from light filtering in through a series of sunroofs. Imposing columns decorated either side like giant sentinels. A glance up revealed a painted roof depicting scenes of a nine-tailed fox committing various acts; lounging, frolicking, being worshipped. This place really did seem more like a temple of worship than a person’s home.

  They were led down a flight of stairs lit only by a series of well-placed oil lamps. The hallway they soon entered reminded him of a video game he had once played, God of War, except without all the blood and body parts. He glanced at Lilian to see how she was holding up.

  She’s nervous.

  Lilian had always been an open book. Despite being a kitsune, the redhead had never been good at masking her thoughts, feelings, or intentions. It helped that he knew pretty much everything about her—the consequence of living with her for ten months.

  He reached out and grabbed her hand. Lilian appeared startled for a second, but she quickly tossed him a smile and laced their fingers together.

  The room they were eventually led to looked like a combination of throne room and temple. It was about half the size of a football field. It was also pretty much empty. The only thing of note, aside from the ridiculously giant columns and various murals on the walls, was the dais, on which an ornately decorated throne made of gold sat.

  Sitting upon that throne was a woman.

  Beautiful could hardly begin to describe her. Her silver hair fell about her head like a cascading waterfall, glittering as though it was studded with gemstones. Her skin held a pearlescent sheen that radiated an inhumanly perfect quality. Much like Daphne, she, too, wore a toga, though hers was several levels more immodest and revealed far more than it should. The nine tails behind her back writhed as if they had minds of their own. Each one was bright silver, each one seemed to glow with a power that was not of this world. There was only one thing that garnered more attention than her tails and immodest outfit.

  Make that two things.

  Those are huge.

  Kevin would see a lot of crazy ass shit in his life. Heck, he would do half of that crazy ass shit himself. However, in that moment, at that time, Kevin knew for a fact that he would never, ever, see another pair of boobs larger than the ones that woman was sporting. Gigantic didn’t even begin to cover them.

  Those pneumatic knockers look lethal. I’d better be careful not to pull a Rito Yuki on her.

  “My matriarch,” Daphne intoned in a formal voice as she knelt and bowed her head. “I have brought Camellia and her family to you, as requested.”

  So, this is the matriarch. Kevin eyed the woman. Aside from her inhuman beauty, she didn’t have much in common with Lilian.

  “Indeed, you have.” The woman’s pleasant smile bothered him, though he couldn’t explain why. “Thank you, Daphne.”

  “Of course.” Daphne stood up and walked up the dais to stand by her mother’s side. The matriarch, who Kevin knew as Delphine Pnév̱ma, glanced at those gathered below her.

  “Momma!” Camellia suddenly shouted.

  Kevin blinked. What the heck?

  Delphine’s amused smile turned surprisingly tender. It looked, honestly, a lot like a loving mother gazing at her most beloved child.

  “Camellia, dear, how have you been?”

  Camellia’s sunny grin was quite childish. “I’ve been well.”

  “Hmm.” Delphine studied her daughter for a little while longer. “You seem different than the last time we met.”

  So it isn’t just me who sees it.

  “Hawa?” Camellia tilted her head.

  “Well, maybe not so different,” Delphine muttered before gazing at Kirihime, who stiffened under the woman’s eyes. “And you, Kirihime, thank you for looking after my childish daughter.”

  While Camellia pouted, Kirihime curtsied. “M-My Lady Pnév̱ma, I am not worthy of such praise.”

  “Now, now.” Delphine’s carmine eyes held a gleam of amusement. “There is no need to be humble. I know it must have been difficult to protect someone who is so carefree. You have done an admirable job.”

  “T-thank you.”

  “I do not see Kotohime or Iris.” The fox-woman seemed disappointed. “A pity.” Her gaze then turned on Lilian, who gripped Kevin’s hand fiercely. “Lilian, I am very pleased to see you again.”

  “Granny—hurk!”

  “Muu.” Delphine pouted at Lilian, whose entire body suddenly went rigid. “Must you always refer to me by that atrocious title? I would much prefer it if you called me… Big Sister.”

  Big Sister? Kevin made a face. What the heck?

  “And I see you have brought your mate with you.”

  His and Delphine’s eyes locked.

  And in that moment, Kevin felt it.

  Power. Unending power. It was like a tide threatening to sweep him away and drown him. He’d never felt something like this before. He felt cold, like death had suddenly embraced him from behind.

  His free hand clenched into a fist, while the one holding Lilian’s hand gripped hers almost painfully. He wanted to look away from this woman, whose terrifying beauty bothered him and whose body seemed to radiate power. He wanted to, but he couldn’t. He was held in place by some unidentifiable fear that he could not describe. It consumed his very consciousness.

  And then, Delphine’s smile warmed, and the feeling of power left more quickly than it had come. Kevin’s body sagged. He took several deep breaths. It was only after doing so that he realized he had actually stopped breathing for a second. A cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

  What was that?

  “It is a pleasure to finally meet you,” Delphine said.

  Kevin shook himself from his fear. “It’s, um, nice to meet you too, I guess.”

  “Such a disrespectful tone.” Daphne sneered.

  “Now, now, my darling daughter,” Delphine chided her eldest. “You must forgive young Kevin. He is, after all, a human, and this is his first time ever meeting someone like myself. It is only natural that he would be a bit overwhelmed.”

  Kevin didn’t know if he’d just been insulted or not, and honestly, he didn’t even know if he cared.

  “Well, now,” Delphine clapped her hands, “you must be tired from your long journey. Why don’t I have someone show you to your abode?”

  The great bronze doors that they had entered suddenly opened again, and in walked the bishy who Kevin had first met before getting on the jet. Like the others, his hair was silver, bearing the same family trait as everyone in the clan except for Camellia and her daughters. He, too, wore a toga of pure white. His arms, which swung back and forth as he walked, were covered in layers of hard muscle. They looked decorative, like they were meant to be admired and not used.

  “Caleb here is currently serving as an a
ttendant,” Delphine said.

  That would explain why he’s allowed in the estate.

  “He will show you to where you will be staying,” she concluded.

  “Follow me, please,” Caleb said politely, even though it looked like someone had shoved a lemon down his throat.

  With nothing else to do, Kevin, Lilian, Kirihime, and Camellia followed the man as he led them out of the room.

  ***

  Caleb led their group to one of the many buildings that lay sprawled around the estate. There were eight buildings, not including the largest one, the temple-looking one, that sat in the ancestral home’s center. That made for a grand total of nine overall. He wondered if the number of buildings had been done on purpose, or if it was all just a happy coincidence.

  It didn’t take long for him to realize that the building they were led to was actually a house. It was built like a standard ancient Greek abode. The dwelling was shaped like a square, composed of limestone bricks and red roofing. Unlike the modern houses that he was used to, this one consisted of long hallways with doors that led into various rooms, which were centered around an open courtyard. The floor inside was also composed of stone, but resting over it was a blue rug that decorated much of the interior.

  Kotohime was waiting for them inside. She bowed when they arrived. “Camellia-sama, Lilian-sama, Kevin-sama, I am glad to see that you have arrived safely.”

  Kevin frowned. “Why wouldn’t we arrive safely?”

  “Ufufufu, no reason.” He did not like Kotohime’s laugh nor how quickly she spoke. “Now then, you and Lilian-sama should unpack. When you have put away all your belongings, please come back downstairs. Breakfast should be ready in just a bit.”

  It felt weird having breakfast when they would have normally been asleep. That was what happened when one traveled, he supposed. He was going to have major jet lag tomorrow.