Chapter 12

"That's a trap," Camille said immediately. "You can't go."

"What if it's really someone who can help?"

"Or it's someone trying to catch you. Yuna, this is exactly what Andrew Phillips warned about. Kitsunes are cunning. They trick people."

"But I'm a kitsune. Why would another kitsune trap me?"

"I don't know, but I don't like this."

Yuna stared at the message. Every instinct screamed danger. But what choice did she have? Christopher's fake transformation would only buy her a few hours at most. She needed answers. Needed help.

"I'm going," she said.

"Then I'm coming with you."

"The message said come alone."

"I don't care what the message said. You're not meeting some mysterious stranger by yourself."

They argued for ten more minutes before Yuna finally gave in. They would go together, but Camille would stay hidden nearby, just in case.

The old greenhouse sat at the very edge of campus, overgrown with weeds and vines. The glass panels were cracked and dirty, and the door hung crooked on its hinges.

Yuna approached slowly, every nerve on high alert. Camille ducked behind a cluster of bushes about twenty feet away, close enough to help if needed.

The greenhouse was dim inside, filled with dead plants and broken pottery. Yuna stepped carefully over debris, her hand on the silver dagger in her pocket.

"Hello?" she called out.

"You came."

The voice came from the shadows at the back. A figure stepped forward, and Yuna's breath caught.

It was Julia Peterson. Mr. Peterson's daughter. A senior at the university who Yuna barely knew.

"Julia?" Yuna said, confused. "What are you doing here?"

Julia smiled, and her eyes flashed white. Pure white, like fresh snow.

"Helping you, obviously," Julia said. "Though you're making it incredibly difficult."

"You're the one who framed Christopher."

"Framed is such an ugly word. I prefer diverted attention." Julia moved closer, and Yuna noticed the grace in her movements. Too fluid. Too perfect. "You've been causing quite the stir, little kitsune. Transforming in the middle of a tournament? Really?"

"I didn't mean to—"

"Of course you didn't. You're newly awakened. Untrained. It's honestly impressive you've survived this long."

Yuna's hand tightened on the dagger. "What are you?"

Julia's smile widened. "What do you think I am?"

"Another kitsune."

"Smart girl." Julia's form shimmered, and for just a moment, Yuna saw white fur and multiple tails before the illusion settled back into place. "I've been watching you since your transformation. Wondering if you'd figure it out on your own."

"Figure what out?"

"That you're not alone. That there are others like us still alive, hiding in plain sight." Julia circled Yuna like a predator. "The hunters think they killed all the kitsunes fifty years ago. They're wrong."

"How many?" Yuna asked. "How many are still alive?"

"Not many. A dozen, maybe. Scattered across the country, hiding behind illusions and false identities." Julia stopped circling. "But you, little fox, you're special."

"I'm not special. I'm just trying to survive."

"You're half blooded. Human and kitsune. Do you know how rare that is? How powerful?"

Yuna thought of her father's warnings. The bracelet he'd given her. The secrets he'd died protecting.

"My parents," Yuna said slowly. "Did you know them?"

Julia's expression softened slightly. "I knew of them. Your mother was one of us. Your father was human, but he loved her enough to help hide her. When the hunters came, they gave everything to save you."

Tears burned behind Yuna's eyes. "Why didn't anyone tell me? Why did they let me grow up thinking I was normal?"

"Because ignorance was protection. As long as you didn't know what you were, as long as that bracelet kept your fox spirit bound, you were safe." Julia's tone turned bitter. "And then that stupid girl broke it, and here we are."

"Can you help me?" Yuna asked desperately. "Can you teach me to control this?"

"That's why I'm here." Julia pulled something from her pocket. A bracelet, similar to the one Yuna's father had given her, but newer. "This will bind your fox spirit properly. The modified charm Noah made was clever, but it's not sustainable. You need the real thing."

Yuna stared at the bracelet. "Why are you helping me?"

"Because kitsunes take care of our own. And because..." Julia hesitated. "Because your mother asked me to, if anything ever happened to her."

"You knew my mother?"

"She was my cousin."

The revelation hit Yuna like a physical blow. Family. She had family she never knew existed.

"Put it on," Julia said, holding out the bracelet. "Before those charms burn you from the inside out."

Yuna reached for it, her hand trembling.

And then Camille screamed.

Yuna spun around to see hunters bursting from the bushes, silver weapons drawn. Andrew Phillips stood at the front, his face twisted with triumph.

"Nobody move!" he commanded. "You're both under arrest for crimes against humanity."

Julia's expression turned cold. "Well. This is unfortunate."

"Run," Yuna said.

"I don't run from hunters."

"Julia, please—"

But Julia was already transforming, her human form melting away to reveal the massive nine tailed fox beneath. White fur gleamed in the fading light, and her eyes blazed with fury.

"Get Camille out of here," Julia snarled. "Now."

The hunters opened fire.