Chapter 14

He gunned the engine and they shot forward, weaving between the SUVs before the hunters could react. Bullets sparked off the pavement behind them as they burst from the alley.

Yuna wrapped her arms around Noah's waist, pressing her face against his back. Blood from her cut hand soaked into his jacket. The wind tore at her hair as they raced through the streets at breakneck speed.

"Where are we going?" she shouted over the engine noise.

"Somewhere they won't find us!"

Noah took them through a maze of backstreets, his knowledge of the city impressive. Behind them, Camille's car stayed close, the SUVs gradually falling back, unable to keep up with the motorcycle's maneuverability.

After twenty minutes of weaving through traffic and side roads, Noah finally slowed. They were in an industrial area, all warehouses and abandoned factories. He pulled into a loading dock and killed the engine.

Camille's car screeched to a halt beside them. She jumped out, her face streaked with tears.

"Is everyone okay?" she demanded.

"Define okay," Yuna said weakly. Her hand throbbed, and she felt like she might throw up.

Noah helped her off the bike and examined her cut palm. "You used the dagger."

"Had to. I was transforming."

"That was incredibly brave and incredibly stupid." He pulled a first aid kit from under the bike seat and started wrapping her hand. "Silver poisoning can kill you if you're not careful."

"Better than transforming in front of hunters."

"Fair point."

Camille paced back and forth, running her hands through her hair. "This is really happening. We're actually fugitives now. The hunters are after us. My car is probably being traced. Oh God, my parents are going to kill me."

"Your parents are the least of our problems," Noah said grimly. He looked at Yuna. "Julia Peterson. You're sure she was a kitsune?"

"Completely sure. She transformed right in front of the hunters." Yuna's throat tightened. "She told me to run. She drew them away so we could escape."

"Then she's probably dead or captured by now."

The words hit like a punch. Julia, her mother's cousin, the only family connection she had left, was gone. Just like that.

"We need to get you somewhere safe," Noah said, finishing with her bandage. "Somewhere my father won't think to look."

"Where?" Yuna asked. "He controls every hunter in the city. He probably has the police helping by now too."

Noah was quiet for a moment, thinking. Then his expression hardened with resolve.

"I know a place. But you're not going to like it."

"At this point, I'll take anything."

"My family's lake house. Two hours north of here. My father never uses it, says it's too remote."

"That's your family's property," Camille said. "Won't that be the first place he looks?"

"No. He doesn't even remember it exists most of the time. My mother bought it years ago for weekend getaways, but we haven't been there in over a decade." Noah looked between them. "It's isolated. No neighbors for miles. Off the grid. We can hide there while we figure out what to do next."

"What about my car?" Camille asked. "If they trace it—"

"Leave it here. We'll take my bike and steal another car once we're clear of the city."

"Steal a car?" Camille's voice went up an octave. "Now we're adding grand theft auto to our list of crimes?"

"You have a better idea?"

Camille deflated. "No."

Noah's phone started ringing. He looked at the screen and his face went pale.

"It's my father."

They all stared at the phone.

"Don't answer it," Yuna said.

"If I don't, he'll know something's wrong. I always answer." Noah's jaw clenched. "Everyone be quiet."

He answered, putting it on speaker.

"Noah, where are you?" Andrew's voice was hard, demanding.

"Following up on a lead near the industrial district. Why?"

"We captured one kitsune, but another escaped with two students. A girl matching Yuna Kanzaki's description and her roommate." He Paused. "You wouldn't happen to know where Miss Kanzaki is, would you?"

Noah's eyes locked with Yuna's. "No, sir. Last I saw her was at lunch before everything happened. Why?"

"Because we have reason to believe she may be involved with the kitsunes. Possibly even one herself."

Yuna's blood turned to ice.

"That's impossible," Noah said, his voice steady despite the tension in his shoulders. "I know Yuna. She's human."

"You seem very certain of that."

"I am certain. She's scared and confused like everyone else."

"Then why did she flee with a known kitsune? Why was she meeting Julia Peterson in secret?"

"I don't know, Dad. Maybe Julia was threatening her. Maybe she was forced."

Silence on the other end. Long and heavy.

"I want you back at headquarters immediately," Andrew said finally. "We need to discuss your relationship with Miss Kanzaki."

"My relationship? There's no relationship. She's just a classmate."

"Don't lie to me, Noah. I saw you two at the assembly. Holding hands. Looking very cozy."

"We're friends. That's all."

"Friends don't risk everything to protect each other. And you've been protecting her, haven't you, son?"

Noah's hand tightened on the phone. "No, sir."

"I hope you're telling me the truth. Because if I find out you've been harboring a kitsune, if I find out you've betrayed everything this family stands for..." Andrew's voice dropped to something cold and terrifying. "There will be consequences. Do you understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Get back here. Now. That's an order."

The line went dead.

Nobody moved. Nobody breathed.

"He knows," Camille whispered.

"He suspects," Noah corrected. "There's a difference."

"Not much of one!" Camille's voice cracked. "He basically just threatened you! Your own father!"

"He's always been good at threats." Noah pocketed his phone. "It doesn't change anything. We stick to the plan."

"Noah, if you come with us, you can never go back," Yuna said. "Your father will consider you a traitor. Your whole family will disown you. Your entire life will be over."

Noah looked at her, his expression fierce and determined.

"My entire life is sitting right here on this motorcycle, bleeding and terrified. Everything else is just details."