“Grab one,” I order Sooah. “Any one. Put it on for her.”
Despite her size, Sooah is quick and nimble on her feet. She snatches the first mask within reach and races back to Yue, pressing the porcelain to her face. The magic takes quickly, almost instantaneous. The nine tails of the fox shrink away, as do her ears and snout and claws. Yue transforms into a little human boy. Barely five, and plenty small to carry. Sooah scoops Yue up in her arms and starts toward the exit. Wen and I aren’t far behind.
Before we manage to leave, I spot something.
The Maskmaker’s paintbrush lying forgotten on the floor. I reach for it with a wheeze. The demons are coming. I can hear them, snarling and drooling and barking. Wen realizes what I’m trying to do and huffs in exasperation.
“Now really ain’t the time, Cap’n.”
“We need it.”
With an agitated groan, Wen stoops down and picks it up in one fluid motion. Our enemies are almost upon us, the shadows they cast eclipsing our own as they grow near. We won’t be able to lose them at this rate.
In one final, desperate attempt, I kick the star god’s severed hand toward them. The demons swarm like starved vipers, feeding on the flesh of their own master. It’s the morbid distraction we need to make our escape.
35Sonam
Hunting Log #396:
We are made of sharp edges, she and I.
Perhaps that’s why I’m beginning to understand her.
We find solace in adark, quiet corner, safely hidden within the shadow of an abandoned outpost. On the surface, this building might have served as a storage unit, though it’s clear that it rarely sees any use down here in Hell.
Wen works quickly. I’m on my back against the ground, drenched in cold sweat.
“Not a sound,” Wen warns.
I bite down hard and take a deep breath. If he doesn’t snap my shoulder back into place, I won’t be much use in a fight. I don’t think I’ll ever be ready for what’s about to come, but I give Wen a tentative nod all the same. He hesitates for only a moment before yanking my arm backward, effectively shifting my limb back into its socket.
I don’t scream. Can’t. To do so would be to put us in further danger. I have no choice but to endure in agonized silence. A part of me prays for unconsciousness. At least then I wouldn’t have tobe aware of the screaming agony in every one of my nerve endings. My mind is stubborn, however. Too strong and proud to do something as merciful as faint.
I keep my eyes on Yue, who’s still fast asleep, cradled in Sooah’s arms like a babe. It’s strange to see her in the form of a boy, but perhaps it’s a testament to the Maskmaker’s undeniable artistry. Yet while I marvel, I can’t help but wonder where and when he stole this face.
The revelation that the Maskmaker is a fallen star god unsettles me greatly, but the fact that he and Yue have a history disturbs me even more. How did they come to cross paths? And when did things take a turn for the worse?
The Sun’s magic flows through your veins.
Whether from the adrenaline or the subsequent shock, my thoughts are a jumbled cacophony within my skull. There was recognition behind the Maskmaker’s cruel eyes. A burning hatred that I could smell searing into my very soul. He called me the descendant of the Legendary Archer, and for whatever reason, he could not strike me down despite having ample opportunity. If I am truly of Houyi’s bloodline, I fear it will only place a larger target on my back.
But for now, I have more pressing concerns.
“How is she?” I ask, my voice weak and small in my own ears.
I don’t know, Sooah replies with one hand.She won’t wake.
Wen helps me sit up. An intense vertigo knocks the wind from my lungs. It takes all of my strength not to keel over and wretch up the contents of my stomach. By some miracle, I manage to make it onto my feet. My sense of balance is skewed. Everything is off-kilter.
I tell myself that I’ll be fine. After all, I’m only a spare. I’m the least favorite son of His Majesty the King. Where my brothers took up philosophy, mathematics, the zither, or even the arts, Idedicated myself to the hunt. I was aware of the dangers, always knew the risks—severe maiming and death are both part of the path I’ve chosen.
Every step is a struggle, my body in shock. The only reason I’m able to move is out of the pure need for survival. I manage to kneel before Sooah and Yue, taking great care as I lift the mask off of Yue’s face. It was ill-fitting, anyway, so loose that it sat crooked. The magic melts away, revealing her head resting gingerly against Sooah’s lap. I don’t sense any distress or pain, only a deep, undisturbed slumber. Whatever spell the Maskmaker cast upon her has an impressive hold.
“Fox,” I say, a gentle whisper at first. When she doesn’t rouse, I try again. “You need to wake up.”
Her ears twitch, but her eyes remain closed. Yue’s breathing is deep and slow. I detect the faintest trace of movement beneath her eyelids. I think she can hear me, but she can’t seem to push through.
“What did that bastard do to you?” I hiss under my breath. I look to Sooah and say, “Leave her with me. Stand guard with Wen. I’ll wake her.”
