Page 25 of Foxes of Legend

Kairos cupped his hands around his mouth. “If any of you idiots have your cock out, put it away or you’ll regret it.”

Dove came into sight, looking completely too small and vulnerable compared to the rest of the sweaty occupants of the locker room.

Her hands twisted around each other, staring at the floor.

“I said I’d bring him out,” Kairos told her, but he couldn’t hide his smile.

Her chocolate eyes raised to mine. She was so soft and small and vulnerable, her big brown eyes gazing up at me. So fucking small.I need to protect her.

“I’ll give you two a minute,” Kairos said, clearing out the locker room as he went. Varma would hear about it, but he wouldn’t cause any problems for me when the first tournament was happening soon.

“I don’t know what came over me,” I told her suddenly, stepping forward instinctively. I expected her to back away in fear, but she held her ground this time.

“He won’t mess with us anymore,” she said, her hands still twisting nervously. Her throat bobbed as she gulped, “Thank you, Enko.”

I reached out, stilling her movements. She stared down at the scabbing cuts on my knuckles. Her hands were so soft and small within my calloused bloody fists. Her touch calmed me, transforming one feral instinct into another. “You never should have had to see me that way.”

I leaned forward, pressing my lips against hers, wrapping my arms around her in a way that I hoped saidI’ll never let you go. I’ll always protect you.

Our lips broke apart and our eyes locked onto each other. Goddess, I’d never get enough of that beautiful smile, the light making her eyes sparkle even in the darkness.

“Kairos told me you have a past.” I opened my mouth in betrayal, but she continued, “He didn’t tell me anything specific. I have a past too, Enko. We all do. And I’m here for you if you need anything. If you need to talk.”

But how could I tell her what I was? What I’d done? If she knew, she’d never see me the same way again. I could already see her own pain from her past behind her brown eyes, and I didn’t intend to cause her more.

It was wrong of us to keep secrets from her—not just my secrets. But she was so soft, so sweet, so innocent. How could I tell her that she was Fated to the darkest, most wicked man alive?

15

Dove

Enko and Kairos each held one of my hands on the way upstairs to the dorm. Neither said a word, but the students and some faculty jumped to the sides of the hallways as we approached. They feared the man who held my hand so gently, who had only done that to protect me.

I’d seen the flash of pain and fear in Enko’s eyes. He was not the homicidal maniac that the whispers proclaimed. And Vince was not the innocent victim.

Kairos released my hand to unlock the dormitory door, pushing it open and allowing Enko and I to enter first.

“Still no fourth bed? The Elder said it would be here today,” Kairos commented as he closed the door behind us. “I can get one for you tomorrow morning, Dove.”

I shook my head, “It’s fine, I know I’m imposing—”

“You’re not. I want you to be comfortable here.”

I opened my mouth to object, but a thought closed it.Nobody has ever cared if I’m comfortable.At the temple, we didn’t know soft beds existed outside of our straw mats. I met Kairos’ eyes. “Thank you.”

“Take Seven’s bed tonight. Since he isn’t sleeping here anyway,” Kairos said, gesturing to Seven’s bed with his black sheets and comforter.

“Where is he sleeping if not here?” I asked.

Kairos shrugged as the sides of his mouth curled upwards. Enko laughed, “In a cave with a few demons cuddling to keep him warm?”

“No, he would just find a really big one and cut it open, sleep inside of it,” Kairos argued, “If he sleeps at all, that is.”

The two laughed heartily as I watched in confusion at the inside joke shared between the two of them.

After a few moments, Kairos noticed my expression. “You want the real answer? We don’t know. I suspect he sleeps in the Shadow Vale.”

The Shadow Vale, the valley between this realm and the others. The home of lost spirits, utilized by some supernatural creatures and certain demons. Shadow foxes could hide within its darkness, use it to travel within the earthly realm unseen.

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