Page 52 of Foxes of Legend

Enko’s team faced off against the other, six on each side. His fire blazed straight to the sword tip. I didn’t spot any Storm; my kind was always rare.

“Wait, they’re using real weapons?” Her glittery pink lips froze open into a little O.All the things we could do with those lips.

Seven taunted her, “What did you think they’d use? Foam?”

“What if he gets hurt?”

I joined Seven’s laughter. “You’re worried abouthim? He’s twice the size of anyone on the other team. He could crush them all on by himself. Besides, you heal quickly in fox form.”

A foghorn sounded and the players rushed at each other from across the stadium. Shadow disappeared and Water lobbed balls at Enko in hopes to weaken the strongest player before having to face him. Air swirled high above the stadium, a hawk circling its prey.

A Water kitsune shifted, her magic more powerful in fox form as she sprayed the oncoming team by splashing her tails in their direction. Forest green uniforms collided with the royal purple, an explosion of magic as Enko’s sword smashed against an Earth, melting the metal and slashing the chain off the flail. The spiked ball dropped to the ground, disconnecting from the magic of its user, leaving his opponent with half a nunchuck.

Dove’s hand gripped my hand instinctually, lacing her fingers with mine as she made the noises of the finest symphony orchestra. Gasping when Enko dodged, gleefully cheering when he got a strike. I would learn to play her body like a Stradivarius, where to press, lick, suck to make all the musical notes I could ever want.

She was so much happier than when we’d first met, when she was so angry and sad. Meeting her Fated mates truly brought out her sunshine. If only she knew we were the darkness of night.

31

Dove

The stadium lights lit up the arena as though it was daytime. Four of the opposing team had already fallen, referees calling them out. Only one from our team stood on the sidelines, an unforeseen blow from above by an Air fox.

Enko took out the Shadow behind him, driving an elbow into the materializing mist.

“Out!” the ref called.

One left, the Air hovered above the stadium and had been there since the beginning of the game. No wonder he had survived. But he descended as his magic depleted. The Shadow stayed out on the field, moving toward our team.

“OUT!” the ref screamed for a second time.

The Shadow wrapped around Craig, the Water man going pale as Enko and his teammates hurried over.

The inky mist materialized, revealing the blood coating its demonic lips. One of Bael’s army. Sigbin, Tier III. A throat-sucking shadow fiend with the very slight resemblance of a terrifying dog. It retreated backwards on all fours, its floppy ears hanging dismally.

No getting back into the Shadow Vale with so many watching and the bright stadium lights.

Enko’s sword stabbed the demon, fire consuming it from the inside out. It cried out and whimpered in a way that made my heart pang in sympathy. Until I looked to where Craig’s body remained motionless. Drained completely of blood. Dead.

A siren began to wail as the demon burnt to a crisp in the middle of the field. Screams rang out, echoing against the stadium walls. My heart raced as I searched through the chaos for Enko.

“Let’s go,” Kairos demanded, tightening his hold on my hand and pulling me toward the exit.

“What about Enko?”

Seven grabbed my other hand and pulled me along. “He knows what to do, Fated. And so do we—protect you before you get yourself into any trouble.”

They dragged me and I fought every step of the way, growling, “I’m not leaving without Enko.”

Seven laughed, jerking his chin up at Kairos. “Our Fated is trying to threaten us. Whatever are we going to do?”

“Maybe she needs to be carried,” Kairos threatened underhandedly, but it did encourage me to trot along with them. At least that way I had the appearance of choice.

Students ran all around us, screams hitting the back of my eardrums. Some called out for lost loved ones and friends. Without Kairos and Seven guarding me, I would have been flattened by the stampeding crowd.

We were close to the front due to the swift actions of my Fated mates, but that didn’t turn out to be a blessing. Demons trampled into view.

All were Tier IV oni, a range of colors from blue, green, red, and yellow, their mouths wide, slimey drool leaking down their chins as they imagined what we tasted like. The green one had a third-eye, meaning stronger magical abilities, much more than shapeshifting.

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