21

Dove

" All students and faculty report to the auditorium for a mandatory assembly…" The message played on repeat as everyone headed toward the designated location.

Sana stuffed her white robes over her head as she saw the other Holy Foxes in the corridor while we waited to enter the auditorium. My phone buzzed with a text message as I searched for Kairos and Enko, spotting them looking for me as well.

Sana detached herself from me, gesturing to the Holy Foxes standing with the Elder at the front of the room. Her robe was unacceptably lumpy, and I hoped the early hours and whatever the assembly was about would keep Elder Peter distracted enough to not punish her for it.

I took the seat between the guys, mumbling, "What's happening?"

"Must be about the attack," Kairos answered, his eyes on the stage. I followed his gaze, seeing he was looking at Seven, who stood at the front of the room, speaking with the asshole Rhys Varon. I guess those two were made for each other.

"Why is Seven talking to that guy?" I asked.

Enko leaned over. "You mean the Archfox?"

"The Archfox?" I repeated, horrified as I sunk deeper in my chair as he looked in my direction.

The Archfox was our king, our general. He ran our whole world, making laws, enforcing them, and writing up the contracts to kill demons, paying kitsune warriors their fee. He could have me executed for my rudeness. I should have just fetched the Elder for him. Why did I have to be so mean to him?

His Holiness didn't wear the traditional robes of the Archfox. Otherwise, I might not have made the mistake. Instead, he appeared nothing more than a human businessman. Though, now he carried the scepter of the Archfox. His eyes scanned the room as everyone quieted.

"Dove?" Kairos and Enko whispered at the same time, noticing my discomfort.

"Are you sure? I thought the Archfox was like eighty years old. He's a bit young." Funny that I had said nearly the opposite less than three hours ago.

"He took the position recently," Enko answered.

"And why is Seven talking to him?"

Before they could answer, we were forced to go silent.

The Archfox stepped forward to the microphone. "Good evening, students. As many of you are already aware, a demon penetrated our campus defenses yesterday evening and a student was attacked in the woods. I want to assure each of you that your safety is paramount here at the academy. We know that the demon that entered came in alone and that no other demons are lurking anywhere near our border."

The Archfox looked directly at me now. His eyes remained on me as he continued to talk, causing some of the students to glance back curiously, trying to find who the Archfox was watching. I couldn't focus on his words, I couldn't squirm any lower in the chair to avoid his penetrating gaze.

"Another of our esteemed shrines was pillaged and leveled last week…Contracts in Lethe will pay double…"

When the Archfox left the stage, I had hardly heard a word he'd said. Elder Peter took his place, going over a list of rules once again before dismissing us.

We walked through the hallways, heading back to the dorm, and I thought I might be in the clear.

" Dove Hawthorn, please report to the Archfox," came the secretary's voice over the speaker.

My heart stopped as I heard the message, remembering the undivided stare the Archfox had given me for nearly half his speech.

"What's going on, Dove?" Kairos asked as they followed me to the office. I shook my head, as though I could deny the deep shit I'd gotten myself into.

The secretary gestured to the door behind her, not bothering to open it for me as I stepped forward. I suppose that was fair, considering our history. My hand shook as I touched the doorknob.

Inside, the Archfox reclined in the chair, Elder Peter standing off to the side with his arms folded in front of him. The Archfox sat at his desk, the morning light piercing through the window over him, making the bronze in his hair sparkle like gold. His eyes flicked up to me, green with tiny flecks of gold, like the sun was imbuing him into a golden statue. My eyes went to the floor, not daring to look at him any more than a split second.

I dropped to the floor on my hands and knees, pressing my head to the carpet. "How may I serve you, Your Holiness?"

Kairos and Enko gave me an odd gaze, dropping into short bows themselves, but they didn't bow so deep, not getting onto their knees in front of the holiest man in our world. Then again, I guess they didn't insult the most powerful man in the country today.

The Archfox laughed, "A little perspective changes things, does it? Leave us, Peter. I must speak with the girl."

The door closed and then opened again, the three of us still bowing. I glanced to my side to see Seven enter, looking more surly than usual. His eyes flicked to mine and I prayed he wouldn't tell the Archfox I was looking anywhere other than the floor. Seven didn't bow. He merely glared at the Archfox, referring to him in a most unholy way. "What the fuck do you want with her, Rhys?"

The Archfox's voice didn't react to the impudence. "My ears perked when I heard the news of Dove."

Seven growled. "That doesn't answer my question. What do you want with my Fated?"

"You rejected me," I spat. "What business do you have calling me yours ? "

The entire room fell into silence, and I wished I could see what was going on instead of the stupid floor.

"You rejected her?" the Archfox asked, but no answer came. "You can stop bowing," the Archfox said, but as I pushed myself up from my knees, he laughed and continued, "No. Not you, Dove."

He said my name like he knew me, maybe he did. The Archfox had files on all the temples and students of any academies. Any information he wanted about any kitsune, he could get. I imagine he found out who I was soon after my impudence in the shrine.

My forehead pressed hard against the carpet; it would be indented when I was finally allowed to rise.

"You need to work with your Fated and her mates, Seven. Kitsune always have the greatest chance of survival when working together with their mates. Especially one so powerful as Dove."

Seven snorted, "Not this one, Rhys. She's more likely to get us all killed. Untrained, naive, impulsive."

"That's enough, Seven," the Archfox barked.

"You think you can order me around now, Rhys? Want me to bow and stumble all over myself trying to appease you like the others?" Seven laughed.

The Archfox ignored him. "Enko, Vince is in a coma, the healers are uncertain if he will awaken. Thankfully, you left him alive. His family has accused me of favoritism despite your reported attack on Dove. If I am to appoint the three of you to command my armies, I need you to fuck up less."

"Why don't you heal him, then?" Enko asked. "If he survives—"

"Absolutely not. You think I want him leading an army instead? I'll leave his fate to the goddess." The Archfox let out a chuckle. "You three may go. I must speak with Dove alone."

"Alone?" Kairos asked in shock, though the position of Archfox required a person of virtue and honor. He was as close to the goddess as we would ever get here on Earth.

"Go," the Archfox ordered harshly, and a few seconds later the door closed and we were alone.