34

Dove

" She has been sleeping for like sixteen hours. Shouldn't we wake her up?" Enko was saying.

" I told you, she needs sleep. Magic that scares off that many demons must be draining."

"Got herself a few kills with it too."

"Don't you guys have any other hobbies?" I questioned as I sat up and crawled out of bed, heading straight for the coffee pot. Images came back to me, embarrassing images that made me want to retreat back under the covers. Kairos and Enko helping me drink and change my clothes…among other things. Seven had been there in flashes.

Enko poured the mug for me, kissing my cheek. "You should be happy our shared hobby is you, little fox. And making sure that you're completely happy."

I took a sip from the hot coffee as Seven approached the back of my chair, pulling the upper half of my back against him as he inhaled my hair deeply. If I didn't know any better, I'd think he just wanted me around to smell me. I set the mug down as he wrapped his arms around me, bringing his lips to the top of my head.

"Good morning, Fated." He stayed there for a long moment. He was doing some male scenting thing and I didn't mind because he was warm and smelled of trees.

"What's the plan for today?" Kairos asked, watching the two of us closely. Though for what reason—jealousy or lust—I could not distinguish.

Breakfast appeared in front of me, a plate piled high with eggs, bacon, sausages, pancakes, and a blueberry muffin on top.

I groaned, stuffing a bite of food in my mouth.

"The Archfox was right, I need to train," I said firmly, tearing off a piece of toast with my teeth like a rabid demon.

Enko and Kairos both sounded with an uproar of disagreements. "You need to rest. Replenish yourself and your magic."

Seven leaned forward over my shoulder. "No matter how many demons you kill, Fated, it won't take away your pain. It won't take away what happened to you. Even if you manage to kill him, it won't bring back the ones you care about."

Enko rolled his eyes at Seven. "You're one to talk."

"Once you've recovered, you can resume training. For now, the Archfox suspended all your physical classes to ensure a full recovery," Kairos said with that alpha demeanor, commanding us like we were his orderlies.

Enko muttered, "If he tries to punish her again…"

"Rhys wouldn't try anything. I almost killed him for giving her an order. I doubt he'll try anything so daring any time soon.

"He's the Archfox," I reminded them. "We have to trust him or what will be left of our kind? Demons outnumber us. And if what he says is true about more coming..."

I shoveled more food into my mouth like the words had starved me. Every bite gave me energy, and, goddess, it was delicious when my Fated cooked for me.

"Did you guys catch what the Archfox said? He called the sacred histories a myth," Kairos continued.

Seven stiffened with the words. " Maybe that's because he doesn't believe in the goddess. Wonder how long before people figure it out. He's not the best at hiding it."

"What?" I demanded, glaring at Seven.

He frowned, scrunching his eyebrows together. "I didn't say anything."

"You said he doesn't believe in the goddess," I bellowed, glancing at Kairos and Enko for backup, though they appeared as confused as Seven.

The others figured it out as I did. Enko turned to me. "You can read our minds?"

Seven shook his head, staring up at the ceiling for a moment. I had heard his thoughts. Just as I had heard Kairos' the night before.

"The Archfox doesn't believe in the goddess? How the fuck is that possible? It's literally the only requirement of the job," Kairos said to Seven.

Seven threw his hands up defensively. "Nobody is supposed to know that. You cannot tell anyone. It would cause an uprising."

"You're damn right," Enko growled. "He's a religious leader who doesn't believe in what he preaches."

"That explains why the shrine here is so neglectful of the goddess," I commented.

Enko and Kairos stood on either side of me as we ganged up on Seven, the three of us facing him down on the other side of the table.

"And just how long have you been able to hear our thoughts?" Seven stood up and gestured at me.

"Just since I shifted. I can't hear everything. And don't change the subject."

"Rhys can explain." Seven came around the table, touching my hands.

Enko shook his head. "We can't let him stay in power—"

"Seven's right," I said, causing both Kairos and Enko to turn toward me in disbelief. "At least until we talk to the Archfox."

Every word, every movement exhausted me, but I continued to push myself. I had slept all night, why was I so tired?

"Dove, our society has survived because of our belief in the goddess. If we allow this blasphemy to spread, people would give up our way, our traditions. Those traditions are what have kept the foxes alive and what holds the demons at bay."

Kairos' words were blurring, the soft morning sun filtering in through the window. The world spun as I fell backward. I giggled as I looked up at Enko, who had somehow reached me just in time to catch me before hitting the ground.

He let out a long exhale and let myself curl into his hot body.

My Fated, a godsend to rescue me. Somehow, the foxfire knew what I needed, and what they needed, too. The magic had found us, misshapen puzzle pieces, and somehow we fit perfectly. Seven's aloof danger, Enko's furious strength, and Kairos' caring control.

Despite how short of time we'd known each other, I already knew our bonds were closer than an obligation to each other. It wasn't lust. It surpassed even love. It was completeness. It was Fate. We were meant to be together, shards of a broken pot that only fit with each other.

So why did it feel like something was still missing? What was that emptiness within me, that dark shadow that hung over my heart?