Chapter 8

"Strip the beds. Check the closets. I want every inch of this building searched."

Andrew Phillips's voice carried through the thin walls of the dorm, cold and commanding. Yuna sat frozen on her bed, listening to doors being kicked open, furniture being moved, girls crying in confusion and fear.

Camille paced the small room like a caged animal. "They can't just barge in here like this. This is an invasion of privacy."

"They can do whatever they want," Yuna said quietly. "They're hunters."

A sharp knock on their door made them both jump.

"Open up," a gruff voice commanded.

Camille shot Yuna a worried look before unlocking the door. Two hunters pushed inside immediately, their eyes scanning every corner. One of them was young, maybe mid twenties, with a scar running down his cheek. The other was older, heavyset, with cold gray eyes.

"Names," the scarred one demanded.

"Camille Laurentier," Camille said, her accent thicker than usual. "And this is Yuna Kanzaki."

The older hunter's eyes narrowed on Yuna. "Kanzaki. That's Japanese?"

"Half," Yuna managed, her throat dry.

"Where were you during the kitsune attack yesterday?"

"In the bathroom. I was scared, so I hid."

"For how long?"

"I don't know. Maybe thirty minutes?"

"Convenient." The hunter moved closer, and Yuna could smell the silver on him, sharp and metallic. Her skin prickled in response. "You didn't see anything? Hear anything?"

"Just screaming and the alarm."

He studied her for a long moment, then turned to his partner. "Check the room."

They tore through everything. Drawers were yanked open, clothes thrown on the floor. They checked under the beds, inside the closet, even the vents. Camille protested loudly, but they ignored her.

The scarred hunter picked up Yuna's backpack and dumped its contents on the bed. Books, pens, her phone. And scattered among them, the broken pieces of her bracelet.

He picked up one of the beads, holding it up to the light.

"What's this?"

"A bracelet," Yuna said, trying to keep her voice steady. "It broke during basketball practice."

"Looks old. Family heirloom?"

"My father gave it to me."

The hunter pocketed the bead. "We'll need to test it."

"Test it for what?" Camille demanded. "It's just a bracelet."

"Kitsunes use talismans to bind their power," the hunter said, still watching Yuna. "Old jewelry. Charms. Anything with sentimental value."

Yuna's heart hammered in her chest. "It's not a talisman. It's just a bracelet."

"Then you won't mind if we keep it for testing."

It wasn't a question.

The hunters finished their sweep and left, taking the bead with them. The moment the door closed, Yuna's legs gave out. She sank to the floor, gasping for air.

"Yuna!" Camille dropped beside her. "What's wrong? Are you having a panic attack?"

"I can't breathe," Yuna choked out. The walls felt like they were closing in. The silver had been so close. Too close.

"Okay, okay. Just breathe with me. In and out. That's it."

It took several minutes for Yuna to calm down. When she finally could breathe normally again, Camille helped her onto the bed.

"This is getting worse," Camille said, her voice tight with worry. "You're not okay, Yuna. And don't tell me you are because I can see you're not."

"I'm fine. Just stressed."

"You're not fine. You've been acting strange ever since the tournament. And now you're having panic attacks?" Camille grabbed Yuna's hands. "Please, talk to me. What's really going on?"

Yuna wanted to tell her everything. The transformation. The fear. The constant terror of being discovered. But the words stuck in her throat.

"I can't," she whispered.

"Why not?"

"Because it'll put you in danger."

Camille's eyes widened. "What does that mean?"

Before Yuna could answer, her phone buzzed. A text from Noah.

They took your bracelet piece. We need to talk. Now.

"I have to go," Yuna said, standing.

"Go where? Yuna, there are hunters everywhere. You can't just—"

"I'll be careful."

She slipped out before Camille could stop her. The hallways were chaos. Girls clustered in groups, whispering fearfully. Hunters moved through the building like sharks, their presence making everyone nervous.

Yuna kept her head down, moving quickly toward the stairs. She made it down one floor before someone grabbed her arm.

"Well, well. Look who's sneaking around."

Megan stood blocking the stairwell, her bandaged nose making her look even more vicious. Two of her friends flanked her, both wearing matching smirks.

"Get out of my way," Yuna said.

"Or what? You'll punch me again?" Megan stepped closer. "I heard the hunters searched your room. Find anything interesting?"

"I don't have time for this."

Yuna tried to push past, but Megan shoved her back hard. Yuna stumbled, catching herself on the railing.

"You're not going anywhere," Megan hissed. "You think you're special now? Because you had one good game? Because Noah Phillips is suddenly interested in you?"

"This has nothing to do with Noah."

"Doesn't it?" Megan's smile was cruel. "I saw you two at the assembly. Holding hands like some kind of couple. Do you really think he cares about you? He's probably just using you, just like Christopher did."

The words hit harder than Yuna expected. Doubt crept in, cold and insidious.

"He's the hunter's son," Megan continued. "And you're nothing. A nobody. Whatever game he's playing, you're going to lose."

"Move," Yuna said through clenched teeth.

"Make me."

Yuna felt the familiar heat rising in her chest. The anger. The power that scared her. She forced it down, swallowing hard.

"I said move."

Megan laughed. "What are you going to do? Hit me in front of all these witnesses? Go ahead. Give me a reason to get you expelled."

One of the hunters appeared at the top of the stairs. "What's going on here?"

"Nothing, sir," Megan said sweetly. "Just talking."

The hunter's eyes swept over them, suspicious. "Everyone back to their rooms. Now."

Megan shot Yuna one last triumphant look before walking away with her friends. Yuna waited until they were gone before continuing down the stairs, her hands shaking with suppressed rage.

She found Noah waiting outside the library, hidden in the shadows. He pulled her into a quiet alcove the moment he saw her.

"Are you okay?" he asked immediately. "Did they hurt you?"

"I'm fine. But they took a piece of my bracelet."

Noah cursed. "They'll test it for supernatural energy. If they find anything—"

"Will they?"

"I don't know. It depends on what kind of magic your father used to make it." Noah ran both hands through his hair, stressed. "This is bad, Yuna. If that bead tests positive, they'll know there's a connection to you."

"Then what do I do?"

"We need to get it back before they can run the test."

"How? It's probably in your father's office by now."

"Then I'll break into his office."

"Noah, no. You can't—"

"I can and I will." His expression was determined. "My father keeps all evidence in his home office before sending it to the main hunter facility. If I can get to it tonight, I can swap it with a regular bead."

"That's insane. If he catches you—"

"He won't."

"You don't know that."

Noah gripped her shoulders. "Yuna, listen to me. If they test that bead and find kitsune energy, they'll tear this campus apart looking for you. They'll test every student, and that modified charm I gave you won't be enough to hide you. This is our only option."

Yuna knew he was right, but the thought of Noah breaking into his own father's office made her sick with fear.

"Let me come with you," she said.

"Absolutely not."

"Noah—"

"You're staying here where it's safe. I'll handle this."

"Nothing about this is safe!"

They stared at each other, the tension thick between them. Finally, Noah's expression softened.

"I need you to trust me," he said quietly. "Can you do that?"

Yuna wanted to argue. Wanted to tell him this was too dangerous, too reckless. But the determination in his eyes told her he was going to do this whether she agreed or not.

"Be careful," she whispered.

"Always am."

He turned to leave, but Yuna grabbed his hand. He looked back, surprised.

"Why are you really doing this?" she asked. "And don't say it's because it's right. I need the truth."

Noah was quiet for a long moment. When he spoke, his voice was raw.

"Because the thought of them hunting you, hurting you, killing you... it makes me want to burn the whole world down." His hand tightened around hers. "I don't fully understand it yet. The bond, the pull, whatever this is between us. But I know I can't stand by and watch you die."

"Even if it means betraying your family?"

"Even then."

Yuna's chest ached. "You're going to regret this."

"Maybe." Noah's smile was sad. "But I'll regret losing you more."

He left before she could respond, disappearing into the night.

Yuna stood alone in the alcove, her heart racing. She looked down at the modified charm still clutched in her hand and wondered how much longer they could keep this secret.

A sound behind her made her spin around.

Christopher stood there, his expression unreadable.

"How long have you been standing there?" Yuna demanded.

"Long enough," Christopher said slowly. "Long enough to know you and Noah are hiding something big."