1Daddy Issues
“So, who are you exactly?”Brock crossed his arms over his puffed chest, making his biceps bulge as he broadcast dominance to the two Asian warriors who’d shown up saying they were here for me.
The tall one with his hair in a ponytail smirked a little, seemingly unfazed by Brock’s display of power. We were spread out on Brock’s porch after returning from the gate to the underworld. The gateway was open, seeping nasty green magic into our world, where it didn’t belong. Just as bad, on the other side of the gate, demons were preparing for war.
“I am Reo, and this is my brother, Haru. We come from a long line of kitsune guardians. It’s our honor to protect Evie and train her to use her powers against the underworld creatures.” His gaze flicked to Cass, and my bestie inflated his pink, fuzzy chest as well.
Between finding the gate and these men, my head was reeling. “Wait a second. You said my dad sent you. As in, my dad is still alive or…?” I let the question linger in the air, hoping my face wasn’t betraying the turmoil I felt inside.
Reo sighed. “Yes, he’s alive.”
My body sagged into a nearby chair. Brock rushed forward to assist me, but I lifted a hand, stopping him.
“But he was severely injured in the car accident that killed your mother,” Reo continued, looking pained. “His kitsune tails were severed.” He looked at me meaningfully, deep brown eyes clouded with regret. “When he lost his tails, he lost all of his magical abilities too,” he added when it became obvious I didn’t understand. “He’s completely paralyzed from the waist down and lives his life as a human.”
I gasped, and Brock placed a hand on my shoulder, offering his strength. My poor father… Still, I had to ask: “My whole life, he just let me think he was dead?” There was more anger than hurt in my voice, and I realized it was going to take some time to get over his betrayal.
Haru’s lips curved downward. “He’s lived in hiding, hoping not to bring any attention to you. The forces that would seek to end a kitsune’s life watched you for a while after the accident, but determined you were a magical dud. Which is exactly what your father wanted. It was the only way to keep you safe.”
Damnnn. That shit was heavy. It made sense, but still … I’d lived over twenty-five years believing both my parents were dead. That messed a girl up, big time.
“What are these forces that would seek to end a kitsune’s life?” my bestie asked, fuzzy chest still puffed.
Yes. Important question.When the shock wore off and my brain started working properly, I’d have wished I’d asked that.
Reo and Haru shared a dark look.
“The Akuma,” Haru stated ominously.
Chills broke out across my arms. Akuma meant “demon” in Japanese. I knew that much from my studies.
“The Akuma is an organization of demon overlords plotting to—”
Reo cut his brother Haru off with a squinty-eyed look at Cass. “Can we speak freely in front of everyone here?” Reo’s gaze then moved on to Molly, Sabine, and finally to Brock.
I waved his concern away. “The demon imp is my best friend. The alpha puffing out his chest at you is my baby daddy, and the girl with purple hair is my new human bounty hunter apprentice. Oh, and she’s my doctor.” I pointed to Sabine.
“I’m her alpha, not just the father of our unborn child.” Testosterone oozed from Brock’s voice. “She’s pack.”
“And I may be demon in origin, but that doesn’t make me evil!” Cass snapped.
Reo’s eyes were wide as saucers as he took a moment to compose himself. “I’m sorry, we didn’t mean to offend. This is all very sensitive information, is all.”
I nodded. “You can say anything in front of them. I trust them with my life.”
Reo eyed Brock and my belly. “You’re pregnant with the werewolf’s child?”
I sighed. “Yes, and the baby’s healthy. Now tell me about the Akuma.”
Focus.
Reo nodded. “The Akuma plan to take over Earth and make it the new underworld. They figure the weak humans will make great slaves, and the other supernaturals will be powerless to overcome their large numbers.”
What the actual fuck did he just say? Oh man, I was so not okay with that.
Molly glared at him, clearly not liking what he’d said about weak human slaves.
“How exactly would they take over Earth?” Brock asked from behind me.
