Page 63 of Foxes of Legend

Seven frowned. “After I killed her, my rogue kitsune of a mother, I took on her magic. I could feel them, Fated. All ofthem, their energy within me. I didn’t feel like myself anymore. That’s when I changed my name.”

“Your name’s not Seven? But even the Archfox calls you Seven. And he calls everyone by their first names.” I raised my eyebrows. “Are you going to tell me?”

“It’s my surname.” Seven frowned, gazing at me curiously. “My name is Cassian Seven.”

“Cassian,” I repeated.

Seven shook his head. “Don’t call me that.”

“Is that how this happened? Your mother?” I hesitated as I leaned closer, my thumb brushing over the deep line across his face. “Your scar?”

He stiffened. “Yes, a punishment and a reminder that I’d be alone forever.”

I reached out for Seven, my palm against his chest. “You’re not alone anymore. None of us are.”

“How I treated you when we first met...I’m sorry for any pain I caused you, Fated. I didn’t think you’d find me worthy when you had other choices. I thought I was making it easier on us both by rejecting you before you could reject me.”

The pink scar going across his chin and cheek wrinkled as my thumb swiped it, rising to my toes to press my lips against it.

“You ended up with a scarred harem, Fated.”

“None so scarred as me.”

“Not all scars are visible. But I never noticed the beauty of them until I saw yours. Lightning on a sunrise. Rhys says scars give you a story. And yours is an epic.”

“Sounds like you know Rhys well?” I asked. Then sputtered, “I mean—the Archfox.”

Seven smirked. “Don’t worry, I won’t tattle on you for not using his title. He’s like a brother to me. After what happened with my family, Rhys took me in. He worked for the Council of Elders. He trained me, got me ready for the academy. Though,I’m still a fuckup because I should have graduated last year. Failed year-three Demonology and Elements.”

I shook my head. “Your focus is on something far more important than your grades in demon studies. If you can kill a demon, what does it matter if you know exactly what Tier it is, what all its special abilities are?”

We headed back through the academy as we talked. As we passed by the library, I pulled him in. I hadn’t had time to explore the massive set of books available at the school given my strenuous schedule. My fingers grazed across the spines of the books.

Seven made a sound of disgust. “You want to spend our only time offreading?”

“As opposed to extra training? Yes. Besides, we can study.”

“I’m going to be here again next year after Kairos and Enko graduate. There’s no need for you to waste your time trying to teach me.”

“Seven, as much as I want you here with me next year, I can help. What harm is some memorization? You obviously excel in Physical and Weapons.”

“Obviously, huh?” he said, leaning forward and inhaling at my neck. “You smell like the most amazing strawberries in the middle of summer.”

His lips pressed against my neck. I nervously glanced around, finding the librarian and a few students looking our way. “Seven,” I whispered desperately, “Everyone is watching.”

His teeth scraped lightly against my skin. His hot breath hit my neck as he spoke. “Let them watch.”

I let out a little moan, squeezing my eyes shut to control myself. “Seven,” I pleaded again. Leaving it up to him if that meant for him to keep going or to stop. He placed a kiss over his previous work before pulling back.

“There are things more fun than tutoring, you know.” He snagged the book from my hands and skimmed through the pages. “Fine, but I doubt a first-year can help with any of my third-year classes.”

We checked out a few books and headed back to the dorm, where Seven could dodge studying easier than blades.

We sat on the couch while I touted off types of demons and he sharpened his Shadow blades.

“There’s something else you need to know, Fated. Secrets that aren’t fair to you.”

“What kind of secrets?” I asked as the door opened.

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