by AJ Merlin
“Thanks,” I murmured, but he didn’t answer.
“Foxes still sit in the back,” Yuna reminded him, pointing to the back seat.
“That’s so mean,” he told her. “And it makes me think you don’t like me.”
“I don’t think she likes you,” I agreed with a nod.
“Tell you what.” Yuna smiled at him. “If I ever find you bleeding out, almost dead, with your tails having been cut off, I’ll let you sit in the front. Okay?”
Merric sighed loudly but opened the back door to her Porsche, sliding in with a hand still on my arm.
Yuna caught his hand, looking unimpressed.
“Pretty girls sit in the front,” she said to both of us.
“You think I’m pretty?” I smiled, going to the passenger door and opening it to slide into the front seat.
“If I didn’t think you were pretty, I wouldn’t be here,” she replied.
Well. That was probably true.
Her car smelled cleaner than mine ever had, with that new-car-scent that people craved. The interior was obviously leather, and a very soft black. Everything was immaculate, like she’d just driven it off the test lot.
“Is this your car?” I asked before I could think not to as Yuna turned the key in the ignition.
“No, George,” the cecaelia sighed. “Merric and I stole it and massacred the humans at the dealership on our way out.” When I just gazed at her, unsure if she was joking, she rolled her eyes and a very small smile played at her lips. “Of course it is. I bought it last year.”
“Good job not getting blood on it during your raid,” I complimented. “It smells new. And it’s so clean.”
What was it with my friends having very fancy cars?
With that thought, I turned to Merric, who blinked at my sudden glare. “What do you drive?”
“Why do you ask?” He replied, a question for a question, because of course he could never be easy about anything.
“Curiosity,” I replied, my ears pricked.
“I don’t have a car,” Merric shrugged. “I don’t really need one.”
My shoulders fell slightly. I’d definitely been expecting him to say he drove a Lamborghini or whatever the car had been that James Bond drove in the movies.
“Since I have a BMW 1600 GT,” he finished.
“You have a…what?” I asked politely.
“I never really liked the 1600,” Yuna remarked as she pulled out of my driveway.
“Not even in the pretty space blue?” Merric looked surprised. “I thought that would’ve been your thing.”
“Are we talking about a car?” I was very close to just looking it up on my phone, and my tail curled over my thigh.
“We’re talking about a motorcycle,” Merric explained.
“The Harley Davidson kind, or Trinity in the Matrix kind?” I wasn’t sure what the latter was actually called.
“Trinity kind,” Merric assured me. “I don’t think I look good on a Harley.”
Personally, I couldn’t picture him on a motorcycle at all. I knew part of it was that his fragile, youthful facade was so believable. Kudos to him on that.
Which brought another question to mind.
When I looked back at him again, he was prepared, and already meeting my eyes with his.
“George, if you don’t stop looking at me, I might have to think you’re attracted to me,” he said patiently.
“Sure you will,” I frowned at him, gripping my phone in my hands. “Can I ask you something?”
“A question or a favor?”
“It’d better be a question he already wants to answer,” Yuna said mildly, glancing at him in the mirror. “I’ve already told you, I don’t allow you making deals with George in my car.”
“You did?” I turned back to look at her.
“Yes. When he got in tonight, I told him there were ground rules to spending time with us.”
“Ground rules,” I repeated, unsure how to feel. I licked over my canines thoughtfully. Was it because she didn’t trust me? Maybe she felt the need to protect me?
I hated that possibility, and swallowed back a displeased growl.
It’s just the full moon, George, I reminded myself.
“Yeah, she says I get too arrogant or something,” Merric shrugged. “I don’t know, Yuna. If you look at me and you’re inspired to violence, maybe that’s a you thing, and not a me thing.”
“It’s a you thing,” the cecaelia promised, pulling out onto the interstate.
“First things first,” I interrupted. “I just wanted to ask if that’s what you actually look like,” I gestured to the kitsune.
“Why no, George. This is what the humans call a fancy disguise.”
“No shit. I meant when you’re not wearing that fancy disguise around like a shitty toupee. The white tails, the yellow eyes. Is that what you really look like?”
He stared at me. When I blinked, he was suddenly sitting there in the exact form I’d been speaking of. Dark, tousled hair, white tails that took over the entire back of the car, white ears, yellow eyes, and dark circles that made it seem like he hadn’t slept in weeks.
I wouldn’t say it, but he was attractive to me in this form. Maybe I had a thing for it, but he seemed dangerous. Like a threat or a promise waiting to wrap me up in his tails and pull me into a mirror.
Blinking, I sat a bit straighter. I’d never really let myself actualize that thought to myself, and I was a bit concerned at where that line of thinking might take me.
It was a damn good thing he wasn’t attracted to me. Otherwise, I’d probably go right along with whatever he wanted to do. Especially tonight, when he looked positively sinful lounging in the back of Yuna’s Porsche with his soft tails on display.
“This is it,” Merric spread his hands theatrically. “This is the whole package. I am so very sorry I don’t look like Cian.”
I was so a fan of the whole package.
“You don’t need to,” I said. “Unless this is your way of saying you like the way he looks?” I wiggled my brows, prompting him to snort.
“Get real. So, why are you asking?” He let one of his tails trail against my hand. I didn’t pull away from the soft, white fur.
“I just didn’t know. There isn’t a reason,” I promised. “It’s hard to tell what’s real when you don’t want me to see.” I shrugged one shoulder, ignoring the way he still looked suspicious.
“If you say so,” he said, sitting back in his seat. I noticed, but didn’t comment, on the fact that he maintained his white furred, nine-tailed form instead of switching back to the ruse.
I liked it when he didn’t hide from me.
“So. Ground rules?” I rested my chin on my hand and looked at Yuna with a half-smile. “What are they? I don’t want to break any myself.”
Yuna glanced my way. “Rule one. No making deals with foxes in my car.”
“Yeah, you’ve said that.”
“Rule two. No asking the fox Loaded questions in my car without running it by me first.”
“How am I supposed to run it by you without him hearing?” I asked.
“I second that,” Merric added, leaning between the seats. “I do have very good hearing, you know.”
“Get creative,” the sea witch replied soberly. “Because breaking my car rules means you get punished.”
My heart fluttered. ‘Getting punished’ probably had a much different meaning to me than it did to her. Goddess, I wanted her to punish me. “Don’t make promises you don’t want to keep, Yuna,” I said. “Because I might be tempted to get Merric to break a rule so I can see him get punished by your gentle mercies.” More likely, I’d be the one doing bad things to get punished. On purpose.
If she scowled any harder, I feared her mouth would get stuck like that.
Chapter 11
I couldn’t help gasping, my lips parted in surprise at the sight of Yuna’s house.
To the front of her house, on the north side, was Breakwat
er park, and off of its shore lay Lake Pontchartrain. The wet air curled around me, heavy with the smells of people and fish.
I couldn’t help but stare at the reflection of the moonlight on the water, even with the buzz of street lamps assaulting my sensitive ears.
Yuna’s white-sided boathouse sat back from the street, and the overhang allowed her to park her Porsche comfortably.
“There’s a boat slip on the other side, under where I actually live,” she explained. “That’s why it’s raised. And you know, my house is over water and all.” She gestured for us to follow and lead us up a flight of stairs that put us on the dark wood balcony we’d parked under.
Even Merric looked a little impressed.
“I think you should let me move in,” he announced, his tails brushing and curling around my bare thigh. He didn’t even glance my way, as if he didn’t notice the tingles it sent up my spine when his luxurious fur slid against my skin.
Yuna noticed. She looked at me, then pointedly at him until he smirked and pulled his tails back.
“You aren’t moving in,” she promised him. “I’d kill you before the week was out.”
“Always so rude.” He put a hand over his heart and walked past her when she pulled the heavy, dark blue door open.
“I won’t ask to move in, but I will demand sleepovers,” I told her, walking in myself.
The air in here was cool and clean. Her house smelled of gentle incense, and was very kind to my canine senses.
She came in right behind me, one hand sliding around my waist. “I’m not sure we’d be doing much sleeping,” the cecaelia remarked offhandedly, her fingertips brushing the skin of my hip and sending tingles up my spine.
I was used to her touching me in public. She’d kissed me a few times after our lunch dates and had reached out to brush my hand or arm casually, but this was very, very different. Here, under a full moon and in her house, it felt much more intimate than it ever had on our dates.
“I wouldn’t complain,” I remarked, giving her a sidelong glance that she returned.
“I’m gonna vomit,” Merric said, looking at us with a sweet smile.
“Why? I thought you wanted to watch?” I stepped forward when Yuna let go, my eyes traveling over the interior of her house.
This room was mostly open, with a kitchen and small dining area to the left, and sofas in the room closer to the glass doors and windows.
I kicked my shoes off, the cold marble against my feet a surprise. The whole floor seemed to be solid marble, with beige marble on the countertops that was only a few shades darker than that of the floor.
The furniture in the living room area looked incredibly expensive. All of it was shiny-black, the look of new leather. The tables even had black marble tops to match.
I was afraid to touch anything. Like this was a designer house I was merely touring.
“Why don’t I want to watch you two being utterly inappropriate together?” Merric repeated, blinking. His brow furrowed, the look on his face one I’d never seen before.
Almost like he didn’t know the answer himself.
When he caught me looking, his face morphed into a smirk. “Because I’m too pure,” he laughed.
Yuna eyed him as she walked by, beckoning me towards her while Merric kicked off his shoes.
“You can look around,” she said to both of us. “And nothing is going to break just by you touching it, George. So. Sit.” She pointed at the black sofa nearest her.
“Well that’s a little demanding, but okay,” I said, the command prickling at me slightly.
Though, I wasn’t sure if that prickle was insubordination or the desire for her to do more than just tell me to sit.
I went anyway, sitting on the black sofa. It was definitely leather, and I was sure my ass would be sticking to it later when I tried to get up.
Merric sat beside me while I stared up at the large fan above us. It spun lazily, the crystal dome in the middle shaking at the motion while it cast a soft light.
“Now tell me why you didn’t explain to me about the body you found last night,” Yuna demanded, pulling me out of my admiration.
“What?” I asked, my voice a yelp. “How did you…” I broke off, my head slowly turning until I could look at the kitsune.
He only smiled.
“You have got to stop following me,” I warned.
“And you have got to stop thinking you can tell me what to do.” His yellow eyes were just a little bit dangerous. “The world doesn’t revolve around you, George. I wasn’t following you. But you did show up.”
“Show up…” I blinked. “Were you there? At the house?”
He nodded.
“Were you there before me?”
“I was.”
“Are you joking?” I leaped to my feet, the leather clinging to my skin just as I’d expected.
Yuna stepped back, obviously having not expected my outburst as I whirled on Merric.
It was unfortunate for him that we were having this chat on the full moon, but I would’ve been irritated regardless.
“Were you there before that woman died?” I outright demanded, leaning close to him.
Merric settled back on the sofa. “You probably should work on that full moon moodiness you’ve got going,” he said.
Was his smile losing its humorous edge just slightly? Or was it just me?
“You could’ve saved her!” I wasn’t having it tonight. Not when my emotions were revving to go at the flip of a switch.
Merric traded a glance with Yuna and got to his feet.
The cecaelia sighed, leaning back against a side table, but gave no sign of stepping in.
“Careful, George,” the kitsune warned. “This is feeling a bit unfriendly to me.”
“Answer me,” I said quietly. “Were you there before she was dead?”
He crossed his arms over his chest lazily. “I was.”
“Then why didn’t you do something?”
“Because I won’t make any more exceptions.”
That caught me off guard. I didn’t understand his words, and they didn’t seem to answer my question. “Exceptions?” I demanded.
“I’m sure you know what the word means. You’re my one exception. I don’t make a habit of interfering.”
“But you could’ve saved-“
“Do you know what I am?”
The question was confusing. I looked at Yuna, who only watched me with interest.
“Well…yes. Of course I do. You’re a kitsune,” I answered.
“I am. Very good.” He stepped towards me, but I held my ground. We were very nearly the same height, but he didn’t need Cian’s stature to be intimidating. “But let’s be more specific. What kind of kitsune did I say I was?”
“Cian said you were a chaos fox,” I said uncertainly.
“And I told you clear as day that I am a Void kitsune,” I wasn’t sure if it was the mention of Cian, but that smile fell just a bit more, and the amusement drained from his face.
“So? I don’t understand what that has to do with you not helping her.”
“You have no right to be mad at her,” Yuna said from behind me. “When you’ve been aware all along how little she knows about what you are.”
“I would think the cecaelia who hasn’t even taken her near the water doesn’t have much room to talk,” the kitsune replied.
“Why does it matter if she takes me near the water?” I asked, confused. “I know what she is.”
They looked at each other for a few seconds, until I was afraid they might actually fight. Finally, Merric sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Oh, very well. You’re right. But put your hackles down, George, or I’ll just be too frightened to spit it out,” Merric said.
I blinked, sighing and unclenching my hands at my sides. “I don’t understand,” I agreed. “But I want to.” I would’ve been better having this conversation in the morning. “Will you please explain?”
�
�Kitsune thrive off of their element. I’ve watched a fire kitsune lay in a bonfire, and a thunder kitsune purposefully get struck by lightning. It gives us power. Chaos gives me power. Pain, strife, and everything not-nice. I’m drawn to it, like they’re drawn to their elements. If I would’ve helped her, I would’ve had nothing to feed on. It is simply not in my nature to help, you see?”
“You help me,” I disagreed.
“I make exception to you. There’s a difference.” Merric’s good humor was slowly returning. I wondered what he was like when he wasn’t playing at his constant amusement.
“Which brings us back to my question.” Yuna rounded on me. “Why didn’t you tell me when I asked?”
“Because…I don’t like dragging you guys into my problems,” I admitted, sitting back down when Merric did the same. My ruffled feathers were mostly unruffled now, and I didn’t mind the press of fur against my leg.
Succinctly I explained the night’s events to them both. “I wasn’t looking for it,” I promised when I’d wrapped up. “Not exactly. But I do need to try to help. I need to figure out what’s going on, and I’m not sure how to do that.”
They traded looks. Merric grimaced.
“Ask us next time,” Yuna pressed. “I’ll show up to help. I don’t have your nose, but I also won’t let something attack you from the shadows unseen.”
“That’s totally a dig at me,” the kitsune sighed heavily. “You can call me too,” he said after a moment’s consideration. “Honestly, I’ll probably already be there.”
“Is that why you showed up at the Loa’s home?” I asked.
He glanced quickly to me, then away. “Yeah,” he said. “Something like that.”
After that, Yuna assuaged my worry of us having an all-night battle planning session by asking what we wanted to order. Soon enough, the three of us were out on her patio, overlooking the lake with too much pizza between us.
I couldn’t help considering how different it was, compared to the time I spent with the troublesome trio. Whereas it was intense and constant teasing with Cian and the others, here it felt somewhat softer.
Even with Merric.
It wasn’t like I preferred one over the other. The five of them meant a lot to me.