Page 67 of Foxes of Legend

“Dove is not to go anywhere near him if I have anything to say about it. Perhaps I should have her spend another hour or two kneeling to teach you a lesson. And you might like how she looks on her knees.” The Archfox flicked his eyes to me like he wanted to punish me again for Kairos’ insubordination.

“Back off, Rhys,” Seven said, stepping forward and slamming a shoulder into the Archfox as he went to the kitchen. “You make her bow to you like that again, and you’ll be bowing next.”

“I told you this would happen if you continued to disrespect me in front of the others, Seven,” the Archfox said.

“Oh no, you don’t have complete control of everyone,” Seven snapped sarcastically.

The Archfox glanced at me, and then at the other two before giving Seven an annoyed look. I got the impression that all of us were privy to a conversation we weren’t meant to hear.

“I’m not leaving Dove’s side, you can be sure of that. The Lord of Nightmares is the most evil rogue kitsune to ever exist,” Enko insisted.

“We can’t win this battle without him, Enko. As much as you hate him, you were his right-hand man. You know him better than any of us. We need his resources for what’s coming.”

Enko shook his head, holding me tightly.

The Archfox sneered. “Does this have anything to do with the fact that you vowed to never set foot near him again? Don’t you miss your old master, Enko?”

Seven spoke, “I doubt he’ll take kindly after what we’ve done, Rhys. His alliance is not worth the risk it comes with.” The Archfox passed a fat envelope to Seven, who opened it and flipped through the wad of bills. “What’s this for?”

“Well, he is a mercenary, money speaks volumes for his kind,” the Archfox muttered.

“He’s not going to take money over what he’s rightfully owed,” Kairos said seriously.

“Enko, you will go to the Lord of Nightmares. Dove, you will stay here. Seven or Kairos can stay as a guard. As your commanding officer, I’m ordering you. If you disobey, you will find out what happens to traitors.” The Archfox slammed the door hard behind him.

40

Dove

“Are you sure we should have brought her along?” Kairos asked Seven in front of me, their feet crunching on the leaves, more on the ground now than hanging on the limbs of the trees.

“We shouldn’t have,” Enko growled.

“She’d just follow us anyway. End up in more trouble. She’s safer with us.”

“You can stop talking about me like I’m not here,” I mused as I trampled through the thick layer of debris along the road.

Kairos shrugged as Seven’s black Land Rover beeped up ahead, hidden on a narrow forest path. Kairos took the front, leaving Enko and me in the back. Neither responded to my comment as we drove out the front gates into the city.

We drove through the confusing labyrinth of high-rise buildings until we ended up on the bad end of downtown, parking along the street. I wondered if I’d ever get to see the nice side of the city, if there was one.

“Stay here,” Seven said as the three of them hopped out. “And keep it locked,” he said before locking the doors and closing it.

The three of them made their way toward the vibrations of underground music. I unbuckled my seatbelt, jumping out of the car to follow after them.

At the front, two bouncers guarded the door. The three of them easily bypassed the security after a quick check.

As I approached, the security guard held out a hand to stop me. He stared at me with disinterest. “Get lost.”

“I’m with them,” I said, pointing to Seven, Kairos, and Enko before they disappeared into the crowds of people in the strobing colorful lights.

The security guard laughed skeptically. “You’re with those three? Ha! At least come up with something believable, kit. You’re not getting in here. This is a high profile bar. We’re not allowed to let riffraff in.”

“Ask them,” I said, trying to weasel my way past him. He easily shoved me back.

“I’m not going to bother high-ranking kitsune with this bullshit. If you keep it up, I’ll be forced to get physical, and I don’t want to hurt a little girl.”

I slumped my shoulders and backed off a bit, turning and taking a step in the wrong direction. And then I spun, charging forward through the small gap between the guards. I was through, I had made it, I did it—

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