16

Dove

When I awoke, the room was empty. Kairos' fluffy blankets encased me, coaxing me back to sleep. The bright white light of my phone's screen caught my eye, resting on the mahogany end table.

Kairos: Dove, we received a contract for some vampires in Lethe. STAY AT THE ACADEMY. Be safe, back tonight.

Kairos' message was the first between us. The way he had demanded Seven to release Enko told me they looked to Kairos for leadership. His bossy nature and constant orders suddenly made more sense.

After dressing, I strapped a small knife to my ankle, concealing it under my tall combat boots. My heart rattled at the thought of being alone for the day, of some creep following me again. I'd known my Fated for less than a week, and I already couldn't stand being without them. I needed Enko's protection and comfort, Kairos' authority and power.

I watched their names on the leaderboard. The numbers would tick up as soon as a kill registered. If Kairos, Enko, and Seven were out hunting demons in the city, it wouldn't take long for their counts to increase.

Varma shouted out orders on the field while I scanned the third-years for my Fated, though I knew they wouldn't be there. Every single muscle ached as I went through the motions, wondering if my body would ever adjust to the harsh physical training at the academy. The day dragged by, each time I passed by the leaderboard, I glanced up at their names and numbers.

After classes, I sauntered to the campus shrine. The brick building rested within a loose grove of trees a quarter-mile away from the massive castle academy. A cherry blossom tree stretched its branches out over a small pond nearby.

I bowed to each of the guarding Holy Foxes before entering.

There were weapons of silver and gold and bronze and platinum, all displayed in glass cases in endless columns. Only Forgefire illuminated the room, its glow was more white than natural fire. The actual entrance to the Forge appeared unguarded, but an invisible magic wall blocked the way, only allowing tailed kitsune within its chamber near its blaze.

I continued to walk deeper into the halls, the weapons catching the light and reflecting it onto everything, making the passageways sparkle.

She called me to her, I felt her drawing me closer. The goddess.

At her stone feet, a dark figure lurked in a bow, an unnatural shadow amid the firelight glow. A small tug within drew me closer.

"Seven?"

The shadow figure moved, his shadows retreating back into himself. He wasn't shocked by my sudden appearance. He stood and gave a curt nod. He slipped around me and escaped from me like I was the scary one.

"Hey!"

His voice echoed in the chamber. "What do you want?"

"Nothing," I said quickly, jogging to catch up with him. I eyed him cautiously. "Were you worshiping?"

He picked up the pace, twisting and turning through the many hallways of the shrine. I had to jog to keep up—my sore muscles screamed at the extra work.

"I thought you guys were going to Lethe today. I didn't see you at training this morning," I said, hoping my voice sounded casual.

Seven glanced over at me, continuing his unforgiving pace. "Are you going to keep following me?"

"It's about what you said last night. I intend to be fair to all of you. We should at least try—"

Seven stopped, spinning to face me, causing me to almost slam into his chest. His red eyes glinted like fire and blood, shadow forming around him as he prepared to enter the Shadow Vale. "We? There is no we. You are a pestilent fly always buzzing around."

I stumbled backward, stammering over my words. "I just thought since we're Fated…"

"Our genetics are compatible for breeding. That's all." His words were cruel, his stature and form dangerous. His eyes dropped viciously to my neck, the same way a demon would before he was about to attack.

My insecurities pulsed, an earthquake trembling through my entire body. "Am I not good enough for you?"

"You have the other two, you don't need me." His words were simple, his demeanor so cold and collected while I was wrecked. A fire of emotion that burned out of my control, spreading and wreaking havoc on everything around me.

"Is that what this is about? You're jealous of them?" I snapped, trying to hold my ground despite the massive height difference between us.

Seven laughed coldly, stepping forward and causing me to stagger backwards. "Is two not enough? Are you really that greedy? I've known Kairos and Enko for years. You've known them for less than a week. I'm not jealous of them, I'm happy they have you. They both seem very pleased with you." He narrowed his eyes dangerously, glowering down at me. He passed by me, intentionally brushing against my shoulder, adding darkly, "Don't follow me anymore."

"None of us chose each other, Seven. But we are Fated now."

"I am bound to you by our laws, not by the goddess or fate. You must see how odd it is for someone with no fox form to have three powerful mates."

Again, his words cut me like his daggers.

Seven rolled his eyes. "Don't cry. Kairos and Enko care about you. You're better off staying away from me."

It hurt to watch him go. I choked on my tears to keep them from escaping. Pain shot through me. He didn't want me. Why the hell couldn't I let him go? Something inside me was holding on to him. Like that faint bond between us was hoping instead of shattering. I had been utterly rejected and told our sacred bond was merely genetics.

I had two others, both perfect, why did I need a third?

Because I want him.

Because he's fucking mine.

Mine.

The feral thoughts slipped into my mind out of my control.

Seven parted the students on the grassy field like a god. Or a devil. His red eyes whipped around and spotted me one last time, holding my gaze for half a second before storming off across the campus into the forest.