Chapter 5

"I need to stay away from that shop," I mumble as I readjust the board game beneath my arm. "That man can sell air to an unsuspecting victim."

Ghost's loneliness was evident in the way he easily fell into past memories during his storytelling as well as game playing. I concluded that he left the job after being put under challenges in morality that didn't sit well. Good for him.

But now I wonder why Stitch doesn't confiscate the brain behind Milicron's AI suits. After all, isn't it the internal wares that make it a dangerous weapon? In the hands of private corporations like our law enforcement, the suits would be able to produce super soldiers that could easily oppress the citizens of Fortune City in a heartbeat.

Making my way back to my apartment, I contemplate how I should pass this gift to Zelia, the butcher's daughter. They need a way to reconnect after their tragic loss. The memory of her face as it lights up when I pass their bay reminds me that it's sometimes the underdog that can make a difference in people's lives. It's why I started hacking to begin with. Sure, hoarding money for myself was fun, but it felt better to give it to those who needed it more.

Making my way up the last flight of stairs, I open my door and lock it behind me. It's the air's crackle that gives him away, the way his magnetism pulls at me even at this distance.

"Get out of my house," I growl.

"What took you so long? Did you take the scenic route?" purrs Ryuu from a chair on the other side of the room, in the dark. Demon eyes flick in and out of the shadows, occasionally showcasing white teeth that probably stars in everyone's nightmares.

Flicking the light on, I glower at his smug grin with his head casually resting on his fist.

"Club problems must be really boring for you to stoop as low as breaking and entering dilapidated apartment buildings without security," I snark before ignoring him and placing the game board safely behind one of my kitchen cabinets.

"The problem I find here, little fox, is why you choose to live in such a place knowing the fate of Kitsunes," he rumbles behind me, making me jump. How did he get here so fast?

Twisting, I sweep my legs only to have him jump back and crouch in a defensive position, ready for my next move. It shouldn't turn me on that he puts up with me but here my heart is, somersaulting once again. "If you're here to take me out, don't tease me too long, Ry-Ry."

Ryuu slowly stands, never taking his eyes off me as he wipes away invisible dust off his suit. "Where's the fun in that? I like to keep you on your toes as much as you try to knock me off mine," he grins. "There's been news of an old rival corporation coming to play in Fortune City from overseas."

I straighten and quirk an eyebrow. "And you just so happen to get this news before everyone else?"

He grins wider, showcasing his fangs as a few of his demons meld in and out of my living room shadows. "I came to make sure you completed your task so that our deal continues to stand. I'll set up a few of my soldiers in your home to secure your apartment. Sparktec Omnicorp runs the metropolitan Neo Opus on the Eastern Lands toward the Pacific. They dominate the AI market as well as have become the leading company to provide in-home robotic servants to our enemies."

I cross my arms and lean against my kitchen counter, soaking in all the information.

"Rumor has it, they've come to our shores by request of some of the upper echelon."

I frown. "It makes sense, the bastards. Too lazy to do anything themselves and too selfish to hire living people because it means they'd have to pay decent wages."

"The meeting is next week, at the Onyx building."

My eyes whip to his. How does he collect all this information so quickly? Is Nova really that good?

"Yes, Nova is that good. That's why she works for me," he grins.

I narrow my eyes in suspicion. "Are you reading my mind?"

"I find keeping you on a knife's edge much more enjoyable. Now, be ready by five."

I rear back. "Be ready? Ready for what?"

He takes a few steps toward me and I lean back, trying to keep a distance. "We have a meeting to attend, Miss Yu-Ri."

I open and close my mouth like a fish out of water. How did he—How long has he?—

"Be ready by five." Ryuu flicks his gloved hand and the shadows begin to move to the glow of red eyes. Like the mysterious man he is, his demons cover his exit as if he, himself, disappears into the shadows.

I stare at the few lingering in my living room with distaste. "Don't move anything," I warn before quickly making myself a sandwich without offering any to them. Once sustenance is consumed, I make my way to the bedroom and close the door. Kicking off my boots, socks and top, I flop onto the bed backward, staring at the ceiling.

How did Ryuu know about my real name? And how long has he known? If he can easily pull that kind of buried information out of the blue, why does he still want this deal with me… just to be able to ask questions?

I'm left with more questions than answers but what annoys me the most is the fact that Ryuu succeeded in taking over my thoughts, when I should be thinking about Si-Jung Laska.

With an exasperated sigh, I turn to my side and grab a pillow, hugging it close to my chest.

Si-Jung and I grew up together in her father's estate. I didn't realize it at the time, blinded by the ignorance of youth, that I was purchased specifically as her pet kitsune. Old wounds tear open. Dehumanized by the older generation while Si-Jung, being ignorantly young herself, treated me like her best friend.

We grew a bond that we thought nothing could break, promising each other to be best friends forever. It was what eleven year olds did.

It was during one fateful night, when I was sneaking into the kitchen for a snack that I overheard her father's reprimands. He blamed her for leading me on, that she knew I couldn't stay because he had big plans for me once I reached my prime.

I didn't understand it. All I understood was that he shouldn't be scaring Si-Jung. When I bursted into the room with a little growl, I didn't anticipate him slapping her. I saw red. But I was no match for his size as he slapped me and tackled me into the ground.

His last spoken words have echoed in my mind, time and time again, unwelcomed.

"Since Si-Jung can't manage her gifts, I think it's time to punish her by removing them. I was going to wait another couple of years but you've tried my hand. Guess I'll be selling you sooner rather than later."

I was thrown in the back of a vehicle that night, the driver instructed to take me straight to my next owner.

He didn't anticipate the fight I had in me. Bloodied and injured, I left the rolled over vehicle where it lay and made my escape, all while guilt ate away at me over what he might do to Si-Jung after he found out I never made it to my next owner.

A little sniffle escapes as I hug my pillow closer, whispering into it. "I'm going to free you Si-Jung. I'm going to get you out of there."