Lycanthrope: Cover of Night

Somewhere deep in the Appalachian Mountains, the headquarters of Grexis was in a building carved into the side of the mountain that overlooked the rest of Ipsum, the town that no road lead into.

In fact, the closest to roads was a dirt path, occasionally used by rangers.

The primary route into the lycanthrope valley required four legs through the wooded mountains. The second was a sky tram with a private docking, but this was only for select humans allowed by Grexis’s permission.

Amidst the mystical town, a council meeting was being held in the room entwined with the roots of a grand tree bordering the walls. The meeting was addressed by pack leader Axel Mayleim, black market and trade overseer Hans Tristock, Grexis’s treasurer, Lucille Talar, field agent Roxanne Gwenvi, and communications and tap wiring officer Gideon Miles, and his assistant Bethany Chamberlin.

“As you all know, we’ve been given the opportunity of lifetime,” Axel spoke. “Through a strand of fortunate events, our newest field agent Roxanne Gwenvi has procured the seal of Aclarenchia by a human alliance.”

He continued.

“Just yesterday she and I made the strenuous trek to seek out our ancient wolf mother so we might have the chance to break this confinement. And with that, we’ve been given the task to learn how to withstand the corruption of Allosfaire.”

“Mother Wolf has already mentioned to seek the kitsune out for insight,” Axel continued. “This is a serious if not dire business and I would like to hear your input.”

“Do we know where the kitsune even is?” Lucille asked, addressing Miles. “I imagine you have been digging and stirring since yesterday?”

The middle-aged man cleared his throat.

“Yes indeed, I do believe we have some commotion in southwestern parts of Tokyo,” he replied.

“Do tell,” Axel invited.

“While no solar storms have been sighted, there are some very interesting behavior reports in the press of late.”

“Interesting how?” Lucille asked.

“Well, unexplained fires were started in a few streets of the business district,” he stated.

“Along those lines there were strange sightings of a very respectable businessman, Hideaki Tanaka, well. . . actually walking through the streets naked.”

Roxanne giggled.

“You think he is the victim of the work of a kitsune?”

“With these symptoms, that’s what I was thinking,” Miles answered.

“Fire bending and manipulation,” Hans agreed.

“Kitsunes usually dwell in the human world, specifically Japan. If there’s otherworld activity going on without a leak from a storm, that’s our best lead,” Bethany declared.

“Are any of the occurrences relevant to one another, you know, not just coincidences?” Lucille asked suspiciously.

“Absolutely,” Bethany answered. “The fires were actually started in several of the businessman’s chain stores. All directions have no leads and are still up as ‘unexplained accidents’.”

“If there is a connection, any ideas of where she could be hiding?” Axel questioned.

“There’s a forest bordering just outside the city limits near the businessman’s headquarters,” Hans chimed in.

Axel gave him a look but let him continue.

“A few years ago, when I was doing some eastern trading, I heard from a few locals that the forest was full of ancient shrines. The locals dared not venture near. Something about being afraid of angering the fire spirits.”

“That settles it.” Axel declared. “Roxanne?”

The young woman perked her ears up at the sound of her name. “Um yeah?”

“As our newest successful field agent, would you be up for the task?”

Roxanne was taken aback at the request. She knew she should feel honored, but taking it in left her a little uneasy.

“Um of course, only problem is well….” Roxanne replied. “As much as I’ve studied the romance languages, I can’t say I’m that well versed in Japanese. Other than a few references from Anime,” she laughed.

Lucille scoffed, as she always did when Roxanne said the wrong thing.

Axel just shook his head. “It’s not a problem. We can send a guide or translator.”

Hans was the first to offer.

“I’d be fine with accompanying her.”

“You still have to get the shipments ready in Mydohl’s Towne, remember?” Axel turned to him. “It’s next week.”

“You just had to remind me that we’d be in that shit hole ghost town, didn’t you?” Hans joked.

“What about Zaac?” Roxanne suggested.

“That human tap wirer?” Lucille studied her humorlessly.

“Why not?” Roxanne asked, trying to ignore the cold way Lucille referred to Zaac.

“He’s fluent in several languages, including Japanese. Not to mention he brought us the seal of Aclarenchia and went up against a familiar.”

“Yes, we know about him helping you during your initiation,” Lucille replied.

“My initiation was getting the porswine back into Allosfaire, which I did do by myself,” Roxanne replied, bracing herself against an old argument.

“Well…,” Gideon began ignoring the two women’s simmering disagreement. “He was the first whose interest caught the strange activity in Japan. So, I will admit he has eyes open for this case.”

Axel looked thoughtful and seemed to agree. “Sounds good. Lucille, can we spare two traveling passes?” he asked the blonde woman.

“One would have been cheaper, but if it will allow Roxanne to complete her field tasks, I’m sure I can make arrangements.”

Roxanne felt a hint of snideness in her comment.

“Don’t worry, slowly honing my skills, so maybe one day I can work my way up the ranks of paperwork,” Roxanne retorted sarcastically.

“And will first class be good enough leg room for your petite frame?” she asked mockingly, making a jibe at Roxanne’s short size.

Roxanne matched her pompous tone. “Thank you but Business will work just fine.”

Lucille fixed her with a glare as Hans’s grin seemed to beam from the corner of the room. Lucille noticed it and turned her attention to the young man.

“Wipe that smirk off your face, Hans,” she shouted at him.

That only made his grin stretch further as he tried to cover up a laugh.

“Sorry, it wasn’t at your expense, Lucy,” he replied laughing. “I just love it when two pretty women get up in arms with one another.”

Both Lucille and Roxanne rolled their eyes.

“Back on to subject,” Axel called, sounding like he had had enough.

“Lucille, have two plane seats ready in two days from D.C. to Tokyo and other expenses that they may need. Hans, get in touch with your people that can help Roxanne and Zaac get as close as they can to the shrines. After that, let’s see to the business in Mydohl’s.”

“One task at a time.”

The meeting was adjourned.

***

Two days later, Roxanne and Zaac were brushing away the leaves from a beautiful shrine in a grassy clearing. It had black woodwork and a bright red tile roofing that caught the sun’s rays like fire.

It was in the perfect place for a grand view. On one side the forested hills cradled the clearing, and on the other side a beautiful sky view overlooked the brink of the city peeping far below.

“Phew,” Roxanne admired. “This is as good a place as any for a kitsune.”

“That or a really well-off hermit.” Zaac pointed out. “After all no roads lead here.”

The two ascended up the steps to the two large oak doors decorated in fiery designs. Zaac looked at her sheepishly and grinned. “Um, knock?”

“Nah,” Roxanne shook her head and pulled the door open. “If she’s half as smart as they say, she’s probably already expecting us.”

“Caused enough commotion I suppose,” Zaac agreed, following her.

Once they were inside, the door latched and locked behind them. A look of worry showed in Zaac ’s expression.

“What was that about her expecting us?”

Roxanne twitched her nose and tried the door. Without any luck, she turned and shrugged. “Nowhere to go but forward.”

The room gleamed from ceiling to floor with polished bamboo planks. Decorating the walls were tapestries, paintings, and fans depicting various elements such as mountains, skies, seas, and fire foxes. Several suits of Samurai armor and burning lamps also adorned the room.

Roxanne noticed there were five doors. One in each corner, and at the opposite end of the room, some stairs ascended up to a carving with three emblem holders spaced out in the shape of a triangle over another door.

Roxanne and Zaac cautiously climbed the stairs ascending to the door with three holes.

“What do you make of this?” she asked.

“It looks like some kind of passageway.”

She stepped forward and tested it.

“…With three placeholders,” she said and then pulled back to study the calligraphy. “What does the writing say?”

Zaac studied the writing and then began reading in Japanese.

“English would be nice.”

“I was getting there,” he chuckled but continued reading.

“To pass, one must appease the balance of ranking.” Lowering his gaze, he read each of the writings by the key holes.

“Sly and fierce, her fire bewitches the highest. Resourceful and endowed, his class outranks the tracker. Stealthy and agile, his tactics evade the fire.”

Roxanne cocked her head. “I know this riddle.”

Zaac looked at her. “You do?”

“Yeah, it’s called kitsune-kan or “fox fist”. It’s like a form of “Rock Paper Scissors”.”

Zaac looked thoughtful. “Oh, I get it. Balance out the ranking. So, we have to fit all pieces of the puzzle to unlock the door?”

“Yep, and I’ll bet they’re spread out through the shrine.”

She turned around and exhaled while taking in the prospect of the side mission. “Do you want to stay in this hall while I look around?”

Zaac gave her a look. “After what we’ve already run into, I’ll probably be safer with you,” and then added, “Not to mention your oriental literary skills will be in need of my assistance.”

“I’m going to take lessons eventually!” Roxanne assured him.

“And cut an opportunity of working with me? I doubt you will,” he teased her.

“It’s the other way around, newbie,” she flirted.

As they passed the lamps, the flames flickered eerily.

A few sparks ruptured and the flames cast shadows that seemed to dance on the wall. Roxanne only caught a glimpse but they looked like foxes. What made it more eerie was the way the fire cast a hellish red against the samurai armor.

“I wonder if they ever had anyone in them.”

They tried the door closest to the stairs. It was locked. There was a carving of a fox head with the key hole in its gaping muzzle.

“Remember that symbol,” Zaac noted.

Outside the window was a courtyard, but there was no way of getting outside. The other two doors had the same hand print decipher on them. Roxanne tried the one in the bottom left corner of the room.

To her relief once it read her fingerprints, it unlocked.

Inside was a dimly lit, red bedroom. Similar decorations from the fox fist hall were found here, even on the lamps and armor.

“Maybe the emblems are in here,” Roxanne declared. “Help me look for them.”

The two began searching. Roxanne pulled out the drawers as Zaac looked in and under the bed. The werewolf headed to the bathroom while he noticed the newspaper sitting on a table.

“Festival of the flame was a success,” he read aloud.

“What was that?”

“The newspaper.”

Roxanne continued her search. “What about it?”

“The annual celebration revering the fox was graciously held by Hideaki Tanaka in the Forest.”

“Wasn’t that the same guy who we think got cursed by the kitsune?” Roxanne asked, coming over to examine it.

“Yeah, look at his picture. The eyes are X-ed out.” Zaac read the wording eagerly that was written by the image. “I’ll have his eyes in penance.”

“Keep reading the clipping.”

“The festival of the flame is always a grand event for food and drink, fire shows, music, and costumes. Guests are encouraged to dress in fox masks and kimonos. There seemed to be more drinking this year following a disturbance that took place near the end of the event. The reenactment of the kitsune being lured by the hunter left quite a commotion. Tanaka assures that it was only an act and that everyone enjoyed the party and left in good spirits. Surely everyone who attended the festival will be looking forward to the next year’s as the tradition grows.”

“There are more red markings.” Zaac went on reading the red scribbling. “’You can bet the fire shows will continue for there will be hell to pay’.”

“Someone vexed her well.”

“Well at least we’re in the right place.”

They continued their search as Roxanne found the ‘headsman emblem’ in the bathtub.

“Only one, huh?” she grumbled.

As they made their way to the exit, the sparks flew from the lamps and lashed out at the two.

“What the hell was that?” Zaac cried.

“Just find cover!” Roxanne called as they flew from the flames.

One of the sparks hit the bedroom door and set it aflame. The fire was unapproachably hot, though it didn’t appear as if the actual door was burning. Regardless, Roxanne and Zaac were trapped now.

When they could see what was happening, they noticed the fire taking forms of fox creatures. They were quick, agile, and sent sparks flying every way they moved. Roxanne pulled out her cross bow and shot at the fire foxes. The rounds had some effect as the sparks dispersed. It was only briefly because it would only buy them a minute or two as the ashy foxes would return to the lamp and be set ablaze once more to their coats.

“They just keep coming back,” Zaac growled. “We have to do something about that lamp.”

Roxanne scanned the room and then remembered the bathtub.

“Zaac, if I cover you do you think you could fetch some water from the bathtub?”

“I guess. Just watch my back if you would?”

Trapped, the two gradually maneuvered their way to the bathroom. It took some arrows, luck, and dodging but eventually Zaac rushed for a pitcher. Grabbing it by the handle, he hurled it at the lamp.

The coals hissed as the embers died down.

Finally, Roxanne was left with the remainders. When she made her mark, the foxes couldn’t return to the coals to reinvigorate their fiery coats. Instead, a puff of smoke left them as ordinary soot covered foxes.

They gave her one last hiss and bolted for the cracks and holes in the wall. Roxanne and Zaac were free to leave.

The two tried the door opposite the bedroom in the hall. It had a long-roofed path that bordered the garden and led to the kitchen. An array of rich odors fumigated in all directions. An assortment of meats, fruits, vegetables, and bread dishes covered almost every square surface that was being prepared. Hanging from the ceiling were dozens of spices and herbs.

The fire foxes showed their wrath here as well.

“I best keep a bottle of water handy,” Zaac grinned.

After clearing the room, the two exited down the hallway which held an entrance into the gated garden.

Roxanne tried the door but it was locked. She examined the knob which looked like a fox with a space where a ring would fit.

“I think someone is on the other side,” Zaac said, while leaning toward the door.

Roxanne pressed her ear to the wooden surface and listened.

A piece of parchment slipped underneath the door.

“Feel like taking a scavenger hunt? The door won’t open without it,” the paper read. At the bottom there was another note.

“Time is of the essence.”

There was snickering behind the door as Roxanne read it.

They both rolled their eyes.

“Seriously?” Roxanne huffed.

“She really must want us to work for her money,” Zaac sighed.

When they tried the door to the dining room it was locked. The only option was to check the garden.

The two turned around reluctantly and began to search the court yard.

Zaac called over to Roxanne as he found a sun dial placed in the center.

“Time is of the essence,” he repeated the p.s. note. He rested his hands on the side of the metal surface and noticed that the needle wasn’t positioned to display the correct time.

“Do you think this has something to do with finding the emblem?” Zaac asked.

“She said scavenger hunt. She obviously is messing with us with riddles. Let me try aligning it with the current time.”

Zaac rotated the sundial based on the hour and Roxanne rotated it based on the current minute. To their surprise, once the sun hit the correct angle, a little door opened in the base of the dial and revealed “The fox” emblem and a knocking ring.

“This should open the other door in the hall,” Roxanne said.

“She must be watching us,” Zaac noted.

“That’s comforting.”

The narrow pavilion led them back into the main room with all the suits of armor and the fox fist door. They set both emblems in place and waited to see what would happen. Nothing yet.

“Shall we try the upper left door?” Zaac asked.

“Seems a good start to me.”

They turned around and stopped short. What was once just samurai armor displayed against the wall, was now an animated figure armed to the teeth with a face hidden beneath a metal mask and helmet.

It advanced forward while brandishing a lethal sword.

“Whoa, was he here the whole time?!” Zaac cried.

“Great security on your part. We’ve only been through almost every part of her house,” Roxanne shouted over to it and taking aim.

Her arrow skidded off its armor as the figure continued towards them.

Roxanne and Zaac made a turkey run behind one of the pillars to create some distance with the ever-persistent guard.

Though he was thoroughly armed, the thick armor made him much slower than the werewolf and remnant.

Zaac stole a quick glance at its profile as they dodged his sword.

“Aim for the armpits and the knees. The joints add weaker access!” he told her.

It was hard to get a shot from the front, so Roxanne lead the guard back around a pillar and quickly circled it to get access to his back.

It was a close one, but she managed to aim for the back of his underarm. The blow caused him to stumble so Roxanne lurched forward. She grabbed her knife and drove it under its neck, forcing off the helmet, and exposing the throat.

Like the other fire foxes, this one was just animating a suit of armor. The little creature quickly stole away from her when given the chance.

“Nice going,” Zaac called.

“Have you to thank. That little tip did just the trick.”

“While studying Japanese, I learned a little about ancient culture. Their armor is basic Domaru design. Most of the mobility is in the shoulders and back of the knees. They’d have to be agile enough to brandish a spear.”

“Well it helped.”

“I just noticed something. That was only one guard, while there are still three others on display…”

As if giving heed to his words, the other three came to life. Roxanne just stared at them in horror before snapping herself out of it.

“Go back to the garden or the dining room and bar yourself in.”

Zaac just looked frantically at her.

“Now!” she told him.

He took one last glance and ran towards the door that lead back to the courtyard.

Roxanne pulled another arrow in place while applying some explosive powder to the end of the tip.

She lined a fire streak with an aerosol can and lit it while backtracking as a guard advanced toward her. As her fire snaked toward him, he simply deflected it with his spear, almost causing the flame to fly back at her which forced her to roll out of the way.

Once realizing her predicament, she decided to take her chances on the door she hadn’t checked yet. Luckily it was unlocked. It led to the outside on a boarded walkway that had a swimming area at the end.

It gave her the idea to use the water as an obstacle between them. She strung a line of tripping wire against the railing and threw it in the pool before jumping in after it. The guards didn’t dare follow her into the water. With enough persistence and maneuverability, she was able to take out all of them with a keen arrow shot to their weak points.

For the last one, she sharply tugged the tripping wire the moment he was an inch within the line. She climbed out of the pool and rammed into the back of him. The heavy armor was his undoing as Roxanne used his weight to shove him over the edge.

His flames sizzled out in the waves and a defeated fox swam out the opposite end.

“Oh, what do we have here?” Roxanne noted a shiny object amongst the crumpled armor.

She jumped in and retrieved “The Hunter” emblem.

Upon returning to the main room, she set the final emblem in its place in accordance to the riddle that went with it. The door clicked and creaked open.

Taking a deep breath, she stepped inside.

The room was filled with mirrors. Her reflection stared back at her from every angle. Then it was replaced by a small figure of a beautiful Asian woman with long black and gold hair woven through in a fiery ombre style. She was garbed in a gold and maroon kimono.

“So many reflections, but which one is the true one?”

“God dammit! I’m getting sick of this!”

“You’re the clever one,” came a dry chuckle. “Catch me if you can.”

Roxanne scanned the room impatiently and noticed that there was something different about one of the reflections.

In a certain mirror she noticed the kitsune’s tails sticking out from beneath her kimono. She took aim and shattered the glass with a single shot. Immediately the true reflection with her exposed tail reflected in a different slate of polished glass. One by one, she cornered the final mirror.

“Caught you,” Roxanne beamed.

The reflection of the kitsune smirked in return and reminded her.

“It’s just glass.”

At the order of her command, the entire room swarmed with guards. Roxanne would have fled but her only exit was cut off.

Cornered and desperate, she prepared to fire as the fire guards began to close in on her. Roxanne knew there was no way in hell she could take them all on in tight corridors so she waited for their move first.

“Enough,” the kitsune ordered. The guards listened to her words and ceased another step closer to the lycanthrope.

The kitsune revealed herself from the entranceway. “No point in killing a cornered rabbit.”

“Wrong species,” Roxanne grumbled.

“Same concept though,” she smirked and then continued in Japanese. “Stand down, she’s not a threat.”

The guards lowered their weapons and backed away so their mistress could come forward. “Well, a worthy opponent but not a threat.”

Roxanne relaxed a little. “Do you know who I am?”

The fox demon nodded. “An agent from Grexis. A young one too.”

“Then you know that your fire shows have caught the attention of my pack, correct?”

“Had you known the full story, you would understand my actions following my fury,” the kitsune grumbled irritably.

Roxanne hadn’t put away her gun just yet considering the traps the kitsune had recently set upon her.

“How about you fill me in and then I can decide whether or not to sympathize.”

“Come with me and I will tell you everything,” she offered.

“My name is Sanora Kit by the way,” the fox demon introduced herself, leading her into a library. “You may call me San if you wish.”

“Pleasure to finally get acquainted, I am Roxanne Gwenvi,” she replied. “By the way I had a human waiting with me. What’s happened to him?”

“Nothing to worry about. I’ve seen to it my servants are taking care of him,” she replied. “Speaking of which, it’s about lunch time. Would you care to partake?”

Roxanne stopped dead and stared at her wide eyed.

“What are you serving!”

Sanora laughed.

“I meant my servants are feeding him lunch. Here, I’ll show you.”

The fox woman pointed in a mirror that showed a rather baffled Zaac being waited on by a bunch of fox servants.

“Not my intention to offend, but I’ve heard rumors that kitsunes have a taste for human flesh,” Roxanne admitted.

“I’ll confirm that is not a rumor,” Sanora replied. “But don’t worry. His sort does not have the flavor we are normally drawn to. Anyway, are you hungry?”

Roxanne realized she had not eaten since early that morning on the plane. “Actually yeah, I’m starving.”

The kitsune brought out a stir fry, a pot of rice, and some orange leaves tea to wash it all down with.

“Squirrel?” Roxanne asked, smelling the stir fry.

“Ever had it?” San asked.

“It’s one of my favorites,” Roxanne admitted before greedily plucking the meat from her bowl with her chopsticks.

After the meal, Sanora had one of her servants pull up a chalice mixed with water and a few herbs. She then began stirring it with one of her tails.

“What happened exactly?” the werewolf inquired.

“Something precious was stolen from me,” she said painfully. “Stare into the chalice and you will see.”

Roxanne leaned down and her jaw dropped when she saw what seemed a memory replaying itself like a movie.

“The festival of flame is a grand tradition in these parts. Locals and tourists come to take part in it. In the past it was more of a gathering for offerings to keep the evil spirits at bay. Nowadays it’s seen as a means of celebration.”

“Hmmm, kind of like Halloween,” Roxanne pointed out.

“In some cases, yes,” Sanora agreed and then continued. “Regardless of the humans’ intentions, it seems to keep the legend of us alive.”

“But?”

“But one night those theories would prove to be too real for some. Along with tradition I would attend the festival. The mood was always pleasant and the majority of attendants are in costume, so I would be unrecognizable in furs.”

“However, as the evening wore on, the fine dining and drinks began to take a toll on me. I had been seated with a very important business man who often ran the festival. Letting down my guard after more drinks and small talk, he saw one of my tails.”

“He’s a greedy man and figured I would make a fine trophy. No matter how intoxicated, I wasn’t going without a fight. One of his guards tried snagging me around the throat, but I bit off one of his fingers. However, that bastard brought his knife on my ninth tail.”

The memory faded and Roxanne could only see her reflection staring back at her.

“That’s why you set the fires?”

“I was hoping to scare him into giving it back, but he’s a stubborn old prick. Plus, I don’t wish to put any more of my foxes in danger until I have a better hold on him.”

“Thanks for the slideshow, but what do you want me to do about it?” Roxanne asked.

“I haven’t had much luck sending my fire kits out there, so I need someone with the proper tactics.”

“I figured you were going to say that,” she grumbled. “Look, I’ll help you out, but why are you going through so much trouble over a tail? I mean you have like eight more of them.”

“I’ll explain to you once you’ve retrieved it. When you do succeed, I’ll give you something else in return.”

“Another story?”

“No this is something you and your pack will benefit from should you ever want to break the curse that keeps you here.”

***

With the busy afternoon Tokyo traffic, Roxanne was relieved that Zaac agreed to drive.

“Do you have a plan?” he asked, glancing over from beneath his sunglasses. “Besides me playing getaway?”

“Tanaka’s company professes in international trading, including rare artefacts. He offers tours in the afternoon hours. I might accidently get separated.”

“For someone that even a nine-hundred-year-old kitsune found unpredictable, you really think you can waltz up to his office and just steal back the tail?” he asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I know, I make it sound so easy.” She replied. “Which is a good thing I’m sober and I pay off the right people.”

Zaac glanced toward the passenger side and noticed several grain pastries that smelled of honey and some kind of meat in her lap.

“Odd form of bribery. Peyote?”

Roxanne laughed. “Nope. Dog treats.”

***

In the midst of the touring groups, Roxanne stole away from the tourists when their attention was directed elsewhere. With a satisfied look planted on her face, she followed the maps that led her toward the kennels on the lower floor.

The odor smelled familiar, like dogs. Roxanne knew she was getting closer.

She grew her muzzle only briefly to pick up any scents of human guards. There was only one and that would be just fine.

“CHERYL!” she called out. The guard turned around confused, probably wondering what a tourist was doing in this part.

“Cheryl!” Roxanne called again, edging on more concern in her voice.

The guard approached her. “Excuse me ma’am, you’re not supposed to be down here. Are you lost?” he asked in English that was heavily accented.

“Oh please, my daughter and I were a part of the tour. I turned around and she was gone,” Roxanne pleaded desperately. “Please, I’m so worried about her. Did you see a little girl with short black hair come down here by any chance?”

“No, I’m sorry but I haven’t seen any child come down here,” he apologized as he glanced around to assure himself.

Roxanne took that as her opportunity. With his back turned away, she swiftly kicked the back of his leg so his knees buckled and she could bring him to her level.

She threw her right arm around his neck while securing it at an inward, upward angle with her left hand.

He struggled but she secured her grip with a little werewolf strength.

“Hehe, Cheryl,” she chuckled softly as he succumbed to her sleeper hold.

She pulled on a pair of leather gloves and retrieved the security key from his chain. “Thanks,” she said as she pulled him out of plain sight and gently laid him down.

The dog’s braying of barks and snarls quickly picked up as the werewolf approached. She smiled and pulled the barley cakes from her satchel, and tossed them through the bars. The hounds sniffed first before gobbling them all down.

“Zaac, you still doing okay?” she called in her ear piece.

“Yeah, just parked by the east side. How are you holding up?” he asked.

“Just delivered the bribes. Now to Tanaka’s office.”

“Okay, keep me posted should you need any translation assistance.”

“Thanks, will do,” she replied before letting him go.

Roxanne returned to the main part of the facility and elbowed the fire alarm.

After making her way over and inspecting Tanaka’s office, she found the kitsune’s severed ninth tail displayed in a glass case above his desk.

Roxanne lifted the case but turned to see several guards enter the room with the man himself.

“What the…? How the hell did she get in here?” he badgered the guards.

“I don’t know, she must have been the one to set off the alarms.”

Tanaka turned back to Roxanne.

“What do you think you are doing with that?” he growled. “Put it down this instant, thief.”

“I don’t think you have the right to call me that when you’re the one who stole it in the first place,” she replied.

He huffed under his breath. “Get this little twat out of here.”

Roxanne leaned back against the window and noted the snarling dogs.

“Enemy afoot.”

The growling canines were held in a trance and turned their attention on their masters who held their leashes. The whole room was in turmoil of snarls and snapping jaws. Two of them hopped on the desk while the others ran out of the office with the hounds pursuing them.

Roxanne kicked the window out behind her with her heeled boot.

“Catch y’all later,” she called over her shoulder.

She quickly climbed out the window and on to a fire escape.

“Zaac, I need you now. Get the truck started!”

“Way to give me a warning!” he grumbled.

Roxanne listened for an engine as she glanced over the parking lot and saw him on the far edge. She wasted no time hurrying over.

“Did you get it?” he asked.

“Now would be a bad time to doubt myself!” she called.

“Noted, now let’s beat the traffic!”

Zaac drove over the medium and onto the highway to give them a head’s start. Behind them several sirens wailed in pursuit.

“Think Tanaka sent them?” he asked.

“I’d put my money on it. Can we get on the interstate so they don’t corner us on the street?”

“I got a better idea,” he replied. A sharp turn of the steering wheel led them into a dark alley. He turned off the ignition. “Get your head down.”

The police cars whizzed past from the view of the alley’s opening. They knew they were safe as the siren’s wail slowly died down as they cautiously climbed from their cover.

Roxanne smiled. “Lead them where you want them to go.”

“Or don’t give them any leads at all,” he winked.

“Head back to the shrine?” she asked.

“Yeah, I suppose so,” he answered, putting the truck in reverse.

They quickly returned the truck to the rental to avoid any questions as to why they were driving a suspicious vehicle. By the time they trudged back to the shrine on foot, it was dark. Just in time, because Sanora had dinner prepared for them with a warm cup of sweet saki.

“Thank you, you have done me a grand favor,” Sanora smiled. She took the tail and positioned it to the stump next to her other eight tails. With a few enchanting herbs, it mended itself and the red fur’s fire seemed to return. She wagged it with satisfaction. Zaac and Roxanne were in awe.

“That’s extraordinary,” Zaac beamed.

“Just a home recipe for mending wounds,” the kitsune replied smiling.

“Is it true that each tail is a different compartment for knowledge?” he asked.

“Yes, and the older a kitsune, the more tails she may possess,” she said and then added. “And I have been around for almost a millennium.”

“But how is that possible? I mean how can one store knowledge in a tail?” Roxanne asked.

Sanora grinned. “It’s just what makes me an exquisite creature, besides the spine is connected to the brain and a tail is just an extension of the spine. Where my brain holds basics like memory, speech, perspectives, and emotions, my tails hold specific trades and tactics.”

“What tail did Tanaka steal?” Zaac asked.

“Oh, my most valuable one. My insight,” she replied.

Zaac and Roxanne studied her. “If I concentrate and listen hard enough, I can tap in on anyone or anything in the world given the proper amount of time.”

“Like what people are thinking?” Roxanne asked. The fox demon laughed.

“Oh no Roxanne, just where certain folk are or what event has occurred. Or course I need objects relating to the matter to trigger my senses. Plenty of customers have sought me out so I have profited quite a bit.”

“Sounds like you know how to stay busy,” declared Roxanne. “San, I am grateful for your cooperation and hospitality, however Zaac and I will have to fly back soon. You said there was something you could offer us in order to help our trial?”

“You need not worry. I will give you something now.”

She lifted her kimono skirts and went to retrieve a small shiny box made of bamboo and lined with silk. Inside was a small stone slab with a case of powder.”

Zaac scooted over to read the slab. “It looks like a recipe. Barley and Honey?” he inspected.

“The recipe for the barley honey cakes,” Roxanne exclaimed.

“That’s right. You can command any animal you feed it to for a short period of time. It’s required that you give something that consists of its diet though.”

“Like the meat chunks for the dogs.”

“Yes, bake them into the cakes.” Then she added inside a small vial of blood.

“Make sure everyone in your pack drinks a few drops mixed with another recipe I prescribed.”

Roxanne made a face. “Eww, why?”

“It will heighten your senses gradually the more you take it. Zaac may have some too, he may be just a remnant but he could still benefit.”

Zaac’s eyes brightened by the fact she could tell him that.

“It’s just drinking blood. . . well I know you…” Roxanne looked rather squeamish.

“As I know you well now,” San replied curtly. “Take heed it’s dispersed evenly. I give very few of these out.”

“Thank you, Lady Sanora. This is very generous.”

“No debt goes unpaid with me,” she said satisfied, before rising from her seat. The two watched her go. “You two are welcome to stay the night and my servants will see you to your rooms.”

“You are too kind,” Zaac smiled.

“For a demon, I suppose I am,” she laughed. “And one more thing, should you have any questions you are free to come to me as customers.”

“Thanks, but do you expect products over services for your client’s payment?” Roxanne joked.

“Yes, however, questions first then I name the price. My services aren’t cheap.”

That gave Roxanne a sly idea. “How much would it cost to reveal the familiar’s secret of turning lycanthropes rabid?”

“The corpse of the familiar queen,” San replied curtly.

“Are you kidding!?” Roxanne growled. “I would have a better chance venturing to the Ravenous Woods and into the familiar’s lair, and just find the secret there!”

“Then I suggest you stick to that,” the kitsune shrugged.

Roxanne gave her a cold stare so Sanora explained further.

“I, like your wolf mother and the familiar queen herself, am bound to the laws of balance. You can be sure I’d only sell something so drastic for a price that I’m guaranteed you couldn’t afford,” she declared.

Roxanne shrugged and knew she had a point, so the fox demon continued.

“Both fortunate and unfortunately, now that you’re seeking the answer, the familiars will welcome the chance.”