“Not just him, Danzig too.”
The world tilted as my head spun. I reached for the hood of my vehicle, desperate for some stability. “They wouldn’t. I mean…coming after me is one thing, but to abuse Magic in that way…no warlock is that corrupt.” Magic was sacred. Being able to manipulate magic was a Gaia-given blessing to witches andwarlocks. To capture magic and force it to obey our commands…it was no better than what witches had done when they’d created djinn.
I held my hands out, watching the magic weave and dance through my fingers. Warlocks tweaked magic. We guided and cajoled it; molding it into charms, spells, and potions. We worked with the magic. We did not force its actions.
“Come on, Niki. It’s late.” Hikaru touched my forearm, his fingers gentle but attention-getting.
I stared at the black envelope still clutched between his fingers. “I should open that before we head inside.”
Hikaru swatted my hand away when I reached for the envelope. “No, you shouldn’t.”
I drew back. My immediate reaction was to berate him for keeping it from me, but time with Hikaru had tempered that quick-fire response. There was a reason Hikaru kept it from me. “What is it?” I stared at the envelope, attempting to see beyond its gaudy appearance.
“Let’s just say I doubt Alistair’s as far away as you think he is.” Hikaru’s gold-green eyes focused on the envelope. His eyes dissipated, turning hazy as he concentrated on the black, embossed paper. “Let’s get behind your wards before doing anything further.”
For possibly the first time in my life, I didn’t argue. Instead, I did as told. Sliding back into my vehicle, I waited for Hikaru to settle into the passenger’s seat before starting the car and driving forward. My wards passed over us, settling my nerves and easing my soul. Glancing over at Hikaru, that ease dissipated as he continued staring at the envelope as if it held more than toxic words alone.
Hikaru was doing his best to protect me. The only question was, from what?
Twenty
Hikaru
Oh, these warlocks were tricky bastards.I could see the nasty bit of magic they’d instilled into this most recent missive. While the paper might be visibly ugly, the wax seal was the business end of the magical bomb they’d hidden inside. It was like the pin of a grenade—pop the seal and the bomb was triggered.
Danzig hadn’t planned on a kitsune being around when Niki received the envelope. Then again, even if he’d been aware of my presence, he probably wouldn’t have known that I’d be able to see the toxic magic waiting to be released.
I’ll give them this, it was a clever rouse. I doubt Niki would have thought twice about opening it. He should have, but that’s not how Niki’s mind worked. He didn’t expect such deviously underhanded methods. He wouldn’t have examined the envelope and letter within prior to opening it. He would have simply been irritated by the thought of receiving it. In his annoyance, he would have torn it open and BAM! I doubt Niki would have even known what hit him.
We pulled to a stop and Niki hit the garage door opener, easing the vehicle into its comfy home. He didn’t ask anyquestions as he got out. I could have said something but kept my silence as well. I’d already disarmed the trigger. That didn’t make me any more excited to hand this damn thing off to my warlock.
Danzig had made a grave error tonight. Niki was mine and I’d lost far too much recently to risk his safety. No one was taking him away from me. Certainly not some ancient warlock and his cronies.
“What’s wrong with it?” Niki asked when we reached the kitchen. His fingers gripped the countertop, knuckles white and clenched fingers pushing against his rings.
I laid the envelope on the countertop. “The wax seal is a trigger.”
“Trigger for what?” Niki calmly asked.
“Something nasty.” I shivered.
“And you know this how?” When I remained silent, Niki scoffed. “Come on, Hikaru. I’m not an idiot. I’ve already figured out you can somehow read magic, although I’m not certain that’s the correct terminology.”
Inhaling, I released that breath and slid my eyes closed. Niki was right. I’d already either intentionally or accidently let slip too many clues. Despite what Alistair said, Niki wasn’t a fool. If I wanted to truly protect my warlock, it was time to come clean. “I’m not certain how to explain or describe it.”
“Try.”
I took another breath. “You have to understand, I wasn’t raised with other kitsune.”
Niki’s head tilted to the side and his dark eyes narrowed with curiosity. “I don’t understand. Are kitsune generally raised together?”
My gasped laughter surprised me. “I have no idea. I…I was abandoned.” I rubbed my chest, trying to erase the ache those words created. “I don’t know why, but Inari created me and thenjust…” I didn’t know how to finish that statement. I had no idea where Inari had gone or why they’d left me. “I’d barely sprouted my first tail when Tenzen found me.”
“Sweet Gaia.” Niki reached for me, pulling me into his strong arms. “I had no idea.”
“I think only Keir knows. Or, at least he’s the only one left alive that knows. Everyone else is… They’re gone now.” I swallowed hard, fighting back the tears burning my eyes.
“I’m sorry,” Niki whispered soothingly. “Those words are rarely enough, but they are all I have.”
