Page 56 of Fight
"So what do we do?"I wasn't sure if there was anything we could do.
"You be careful.Watch for anyone out of place, or anything that stands out.You fight like hell if someone attacks you.I don't care if they're like you or not, you fight with everything you have.That's what you do."
Reassured, I nodded."Okay, I can do that.I can pay attention to what's around me.I can take an active role in my own safety."
"And you try not to stress about it.It wouldn't do any good anyway."
"That may be a little harder to accomplish."
"I know, but you'll manage."
"Thanks for showing up," I hugged him again."for holding my hand while I opened yet another stupid note."
"I'm glad you called.There was no telling what it would say.I'd rather take the time than be sorry later."He patted me on the back."Never hesitate to call.Where are you headed next?"
"Back to the office.Other than picking up lunch, this was my last stop."
"Good to know.You and Dev gonna come by tomorrow and work out?"He asked.
"I think so, if you don't mind."
"Not at all.I'll see you then."He turned and headed back to his truck, leaving me standing beside the car with the note in my hand.I got in the car and pulled out, not wanting to be left standing there alone.
Chapter 16
Other than the last note, things were quiet for a few days after Brandon was banished and I hoped that it meant the notes and harassment were over.But in less than a week, I started receiving calls.At first I didn't think much about them, I would answer a call and no one would be on the other end.I dismissed them as wrong numbers and hung up.But by Wednesday I was getting several calls a day, at all hours, and they were no longer silent, they'd progressed.The number the calls came from was always blocked or anonymous, so I couldn't track them.
At two a.m.Thursday morning, my PCD rang, waking me from a sound sleep.I dragged my eyes open, trying to remember where I was and where the sound was coming from.The warm chest I was snuggled up against reminded me that I was in Devon's bed.I slid away, trying not to wake him, and reached for my PCD where it laid on the night stand.I picked it up and slipped out of the bedroom, before hitting the button to answer it.
"Hello?"My voice was thick with sleep.
"You thought you could get away with it, didn't you?"Came a snarling reply.
"Get away with what?"I asked, confused.
"You know what I mean."The voice turned angry."You think you can get away with having people punished, and exiled, because you prefer an Impostor over a real Kitsune."
"Is this over Brandon?"I was finally awake enough to realize what he was talking about.
"So you do know what I'm talking about."
"I didn't 'get' Brandon punished, and I didn't 'get' him exiled."I said firmly, my patience was exhausted for this crap, especially when it woke me from a good night's sleep."He managed to do it to himself.I didn't make him do anything that the Anikitos would have issue with.He did it all on his own.Despite my asking him to stop, several times.So no, I didn't think I would get away with anything.I haven't done anything wrong."I never raised my voice, mindful of Devon sleeping in the next room."Now, if you're through with your stupid shit, I'm going back to bed."
"Back to that Imposter's bed."He snarled again."You could have a real Kitsune, but you chose that Impostor.You'll pay for that."
I was done.I disconnected the call, and turned off the ringer.Just to be safe, I left the device in the living room when I slipped back into the bedroom.
I slowly, gently, slid back into bed, trying not to wake Devon.I'd just settled in next to him, when he spoke.
"What was that all about?"
"I guess they got tired of silent calls."
"They spoke?"
"Did they ever,"
"Who was it?Could you tell?"
