The End of Innocence: Book 3 of the Kinstone series

A few minutes later we finally arrive at her home. I pull up next to the curb and shut off the car. The three of us then get out and head inside, with everything we bought.

The door quickly opens with her mom standing there. “Welcome back you two. I do hope the both of you had a good time at the market. But I will admit, you are later than you said you would be.”

Diana looks up at her, “Lunch took a bit longer than we anticipated.”

Mrs. Elliston smiled, “Well, I’m grateful you two had a good time together. Not only that, meeting her older sister.”

I nod as Fenris and I cross over the threshold, “Yes ma’am. She surprised me with the news of her moving back to Texas.”

The woman steps behind me and closes the door, “Diana told me that she had moved away a couple years ago. So I’m guessing you must really be excited to have her back.”

I place my bags by the door, “I am. It’s been a dream of ours ever since.”

She smiles, then looking down to my bonded, who is sitting on the floor, “Well hello there handsome.”

I kneel down beside him, “I hope you don’t mind that I brought him in.”

She leans over, “Not at all.” The woman’s eyes pour over him, as if possessing the same examining gaze as her daughter. “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a dog quite like him before. What breed is he?”

I stroke his back, “A Polish Shepard. A rare breed from what I’ve been told.”

She straightens up, “I see,” turning to me, “well, since the both of you have already eaten, why don’t you go and relax for a few hours while I make dinner?”

I stand up, “If you want, I can help you.”

She smiles, “You are sweet to offer my dear, but I wouldn’t even think of it. Now go on up.”

I stare into her eyes for a moment, seeing a deep sincerity, but also something hidden behind her gaze. I give her a soft nod, “Yes ma’am.”

She smiles, “Good,” turning to Diana, “why do you don’t you take her and her dog upstairs to your room until I call for you both? The three of you can also use the upstairs living room and watch TV.”

The girl nods, “Yes Mother,” looking to me, “Come on.”

I walk with her, eyeing the pictures on the wall, many showing of Diana and her mother, but I couldn’t find a single one of her father. Maybe he was gone a lot so having the time to sit down and do a family portrait was a rarity. That or I just haven’t seen all that is there.

Her home is nice, eyes darting around, seeing the dining room to the right of the front door, and a sitting room to the left, and in the back laid the kitchen and breakfast room, with a family room before it. The house looked like it was built in the eighties, or even late-seventies, paying heed to my notion of it being plucked straight out of Tennessee.

It feels pleasant being there, like I’ve stepped back into Mommom and Grandad’s house in Knoxville. It even has the same smell. But there is an underlining feeling that something was being hidden from me. It’s buried deep, deeper than even where Ashogihaga is in the countryside. I quickly shrug it off as we round the stairs and head up.

We land on the second floor of the house, where I follow Diana into her room. It is about the size of my room in the parsonage, minus the dog pens. The walls are lined with a handful of posters depicting singers and a couple bands.

A couple bookcases line the walls, filled with books, and upon closer inspection, dealing with ancient civilizations. She must take after her dad.

A desk rests up against the wall with a computer and a couple more photos of her and her mother. One is of her as a little kid in a sailor dress, which had been buried behind a couple of other books. Against the window is a couple of large pillows and backrest.

She walks over to her desk chair and sat into it, “If he wants, Fenris can take the rug to lie on.”

I look down to him, whose ice-blue eyes stare right back into mine. He and I walk over to the window and plop down onto the floor, with him in front of me. I lean forward and drape myself over his side, stroking his soft fur. The wolf lays his head onto the floor, feeling his tail softly beating against me.

A gentle sigh leaves me, enjoying a nice quiet moment with him. Her bed sat behind her desk, and is decorated with frilly throw pillows and a few stuffed animals. I smile to myself, somehow thinking I’m back in Jenn’s room. It feels just as comfortable.

Her chair creaks as she leans back into it, pulling a leg into her chest, “Not quite as spacious as your room is it?”

My fingers bore into Fenris’ fur, scratching him softly, “Nope, if anything I really like it, reminds me of a friend of mine’s room up is St. Louis.”

She holds her leg, “So you’ve been to St. Louis?”

A smile stretches across my face, “Near the end of last July. I flew up to her for a week, which also happened to be her birthday.”

The girl peers over her onto her desk, “You have a lot of friends don’t you?”

I shifted my body so that I now was completely lying on the wolf, “I do. Most came running over to me that night on the lake. The rest well…let’s just say they were making complete fools of themselves.”

She smirks, “You seem to have it all don’t you?”

I peer up at her, “What’s that’s supposed to mean? Sure I have a huge home and lots of friends, but it’s not like I flaunt it or anything.”

A long sigh comes from her, “Sorry. It’s just been a little hard for me to make friends since we moved here. You on the other hand, have lots of them.”

My fingers rake through my bonded’s fur, “You’ve got me, and give it time. I moved around a lot too growing up, so it was difficult to make friends. A few I found to be complete jerks and chose to distance myself from after a while.”

Her gaze turns back to me, “So how did you come to live here all on your own?”

I close my eyes for a moment as her words seemingly wash over me. Fenris’ chest rises and falls with every breath. His heart thumps softly against his chest. I fight off the urge to fall asleep, which is difficult when you’re resting on a bed of really soft and comfy fur.

I’m still able maintain some form of control, given my proclivity to transform into a kitsune if I really become relaxed. My cheeks rub against his side, forgetting that I wasn’t home in my own room. I was tired, and it had been a good morning. I wanted the world to just fade away into nothing. Such thoughts drive me deeper and deeper towards sleep.

A hand gently nudge my shoulder, rousing me from presumed nap, “Hey, you awake there?”

My eyes slowly open, turning upward to see Diana kneeling in front of me. A jolt then surged through my heart as I quickly sat up, “Oh my god, I am so sorry. Did…did I fall asleep?”

She chuckles, “You dozed off for a moment or two. Your dog on the other hand is completely out.” I looked down to see Fenris sleeping peacefully on the rug.

I rub my eyes, pushing back the fatigue. “Again sorry, what was your question?”

She smirks, “Don’t worry about it. I’m sure my mother will ask you same thing during dinner. But if you really are that tired, then you can go ahead and go back to sleep. I’ll wake you up when it’s time for dinner.”

I shook my head, “I’m okay, really. I forget sometimes at how comfy l can get lying next to this guy.”

She knelt down beside him, running her fingers through his fur. His body twitches somewhat in reaction to her touch. But it wasn’t the sort of twitch most animals would have while they slept. It’s as if he didn’t like being touched by her, but didn’t want to outwardly show it. Strange how she’s now interested in petting him, given she was practically scared of him just a few days ago.

Even my shoulder had a strange “sting” or numbness to it. I couldn’t figure out what it was. I draped myself back over him, running my fingers through his fur, still feeling some of the sun’s heat radiating from it.

Diana then reaches up and turns on the TV on her dresser. The sounds of people laughing filled the room, echoing softly in my ears. “I am serious about if you want to take a nap before dinner. I know I am.”

My eyes peer up at her, “You really sure about this?”

She leans over, brushing some hair out my face, “I’m sure. Get some rest.”

My heart thumps in my chest for some reason, why do I feel a strange connection to you? My eyes slowly close once more, feeling Fenris’ soft fur calling to me back to sleep. I don’t know when I actually did drift off, only that I had. I always been way too comfortable lying on my wolf’s side, and we both know it.

I let my mind wander off, feeling it stretch out a bit. My thoughts float about, feeling myself leaping from cloud to soft cloud. Somehow I found myself back in my house in Japan.

My gaze pans around realizing that my body is now resting in my room. I could feel the ocean breeze against my cheeks, as it comes in through the open window.

The sky is dark, with countless stars twinkling in the night sky. I inched closer to the window, resting alongside it. The trees sway softly with the wind, hearing their leaves flapping in the breeze.

I don’t know if this is a memory or if I’m actually there. I peer out onto the ocean, watching as the tides roll in off in the distance.

I pan back into my room noticing that I’m alone. I couldn’t feel any other presence aside from my own. My hand reached down behind me, discovering that I’m still in my human form. I should be grateful I still possessed some control over myself.

I pull my hand back onto my thigh, wishing that if this is a dream that Yukari was here. I had a dream like this the night before I came home from Japan, as I felt the pull to come home. I think this is the opposite, in that my tired mind merely retreated here. Whatever it is, it was nice. But like with all things, it had to come to an end.

I feel my shoulder being gently nudged once more.

“Aria. It’s time to wake up dear,” I heard a voice whisper in my ear.

At first I didn’t want to leave the safety and peace of my room, only to realize that neither was I home nor in Japan.

The same jolt which roused me earlier surges through me once more. I quickly sit up, finding myself back in Diana’s room. Kneeling in front of me was her mother, baring a soft and gentle smile.

I wipe my eyes, “Guess I really fell asleep this time didn’t I?”

Her smile softens “You did, and I don’t blame you.”

I slowly sit up on the rug, hands gripping the carpeting. My heart is still pounding heavily in my chest from the embarrassment. The light outside seems to have turned to a slightly richer bluish hue, meaning the sun is beginning to set and evening is settling in.

Fenris had already been roused from his nap, apparently from my abrupt awakening. My hands softly stroke his fur, leaning over, “Sorry, Papa Wolf.”

He rises up and stretches his body, listening to sounds of his joints cracking and popping as he let out a yawn. I really embarrassed myself by falling asleep while as a guest in someone else’s house. Especially since this is my first time in their home.

Rachel is really going to scold me for this one. Well…technically I did the same thing when I visited Jenn last year. But that was different.

I stand up, feeling my body tremble slightly. Mrs. Elliston takes my hand, helping to steady myself. “Thank you Miss,” sounding sheepish.

She smiles, gripping my hand, “You’re quite welcome young lady. Now, dinner is just about ready to be served, if you feel up to it.”

I take a long deep breath and let it out, “I am Miss.”

She smiles, “Good, shall we?” I step forward, following her out of the room listening to Fenris’ paws softly walking on the carpet.

We descend the stairs to the very familiar smell of something I haven’t had in a very long time, meatloaf. But my nose twitches as second underlying smell had been mixed in with the sizzling dish.

I giggle, “You mixed sausage in with the beef didn’t you Mrs. Elliston?”

The woman looks to me as she takes her seat, “Now, how might I ask how you were able to discern that Aria?”

I giggle, taking a seat across from Diana, “My birthmother used to do that a lot. In her words ‘it gave it a bit more definition’.”

She smiles, “Well, your mother had good taste.”

Another smell permeates the table, eyeing a foil-wrapped dish. My smile grows wider, “I also can tell you made a basmati rice risotto.”

Again Mrs. Elliston looks at me in amazement, “You truly possess a keen and terrifyingly powerful nose, my dear.”

I giggle as she pulls the foil away, revealing the dish. Steam wafts from the rice, smelling of mushrooms and onions. In front of me sat a large salad bowl with a couple smaller bowls of dressing.

My smile stretches softly across, only to lessen slightly. This is strange; both of these dishes were staples of my mother. While meatloaf in of itself isn’t that uncommon of a main dish to make but adding sausage to the mix was a bit odd.

The risotto on the other hand, that didn’t become a typical side until we started doing vacancy work in Waldenberg, Arkansas. But even still, while the recipe is printed on the bags of rice we received, I highly doubt that it was very commonly made, as evidenced when I’d tell people of it.

One thing I could tell is a massive difference in smell in the dish. It was richer, heavier, giving off an aroma that you can’t compare to using canned ingredients. This was made all by hand. While totally impressed, this raises a few flags with me. Just who is this woman?

“Oh…before I forget,” says the woman. She rose from her seat and picks up a large bowl and placed it before Fenris. The wolf took a whiff of its contents, watching as his tail begins to wag in satisfaction.

She retakes her seat, “Now with that taken care of, why don’t we begin?”

I give a nod, watching as she slices into the dish, gently placing a slice onto my plate. She picks up a large spoon and dug it into the rice, and set it beside the meatloaf, finally setting the plate before me.

“Thank you,” picking up my fork and digs in. She smiles, plating herself.

The meatloaf was spicy and firm, a bit firmer than how my mom used to make it, but that taste was undeniably good. Typically, my dad and I used to either use siracha or barbeque sauce when she made meatloaf. But in this case, I didn’t want to offend my host, so I did without.

The rice is beyond heavenly. It was soft and rich, with flavors of the soups really coming to the surface. Even the taste of butter, while normally subtle, is much richer and more prominent. This really is a far cry from my mom’s cooking.

I peer over to Fenris, listening to him happily gorge himself on his meal. Granted this wolf will eat almost anything you put in front of him. Although, he still very much prefers the taste of deer over anything else.

“So tell me Aria,” chirps up Mrs. Elliston, “Diana has told me you were adopted. Might I ask how that came to be?”

I gently place my fork onto the plate, lowering my eyes, “Most of my birth family was killed in an explosion a few weeks before Christmas. I was in my apartment when I received the call. My teacher, offered to fly with me to Georgia to handle the funeral preparations. She then took me in, wanting me to be safe and have a real home again. A couple months later she adopted me.”

She leans forward, “I am sorry for your loss. But don’t you have any other family who could’ve taken you in?”

I place my hands into my lap, “I have an uncle who lives in Indiana. After the funeral, he wanted me to move up with him and his family. I told him no.”

“But he’s your only family. Surely he must’ve been looking out for your best interests. A young girl like you couldn’t possibly go on alone, especially if you still have family.”

My hands clench the hems of my shorts tightly and grit my teeth from behind pursed lips, but quietly calms, feeling my bonded’s tail stroking my calf.

I take a deep breath and look up at her, “He and I were never close, not in the slightest. So I found it hard to accept him trying to step in and act like my father. We argued bitterly until he stormed out of the church we were in.”

That argument was a terrible one, and the outcome was equally bad as I lost all of my family in the span of a week. “I spent the rest of December with my teacher and a month later was when she took me in. She adopted me a few weeks later.”

The woman leans back into her chair, “I see. Have you had any contact with him since?”

I shake my head, “No, not in over a year and a half. I haven’t seen him since either.”

She folds her arms, tapping one. I glance over to Diana, while not overtly showing it, appeared to be angry over this. Her eyes peer at me, bearing some hint of hatred. I blink softly, why are you angry with me?

Mrs. Elliston shook her head, “It is a terrible thing when family is unable to get along,” looking to me, “but I am glad to hear that you have a wonderful mother who loves you.”

I finally smile, picking up my fork again, “She’s the best.”

I then gaze around, “So…will Mr. Elliston be joining us tonight?”

She slices her fork into her meatloaf, “Sadly my husband is away on yet another trip and won’t return for at most a week. Summertime is a rather exhaustively busy season for him. I will say however that he is very much looking forward to meeting you.”

I smile, taking another bite on my meal.

Fenris lies curled up on the floor, having completely emptied his bowl. I know he’s kind of full, but more than likely will go hunting once we got home. But for the moment, he’s content.

My host peers over the side, “Your dog appears to be happy with his meal.”

I smile, softly rubbing his back with the toe of my shoe, “He is, and thank you for making some for him.”

She faintly bows her head, “It was my pleasure, my dear. He also seems rather attached to you. While you both slept, he only shifted once, and that was to cover you with his tail.”

I grin, “He does that a lot.” You should see him in his full form, with me lying curled up in his side.

“Was he a gift from your mother?”

I shake my head, “He sort of appeared one night. After I named him, he and I became pretty much inseparable. Well…unless you count my trip to Italy in which he had to stay behind.”

She leans back in her chair, “So you have been to Italy?”

I bite into another piece of meatloaf, “Yes ma’am, I was there for two weeks back in November. I had a lot of fun touring around Florence, and Rome was absolutely beyond words amazing.”

The woman taps on the table for a moment, “Many years ago my husband once traveled to Tuscany, opting to spend some time there.”

I take another bite, “I wouldn’t mind going back.” But if I have to travel anywhere, it’d be straight to Ashogihaga.

A few minutes later, Mrs. Elliston looks to me, “So tell me about this woman you call your older sister. Diana informed me that you too were rather excited to see each other this morning.”

My cheeks burn softly, “Her name is Marron and I met her years ago. We’re extremely close and it hurt when she had to move away.”

The woman takes a sip of tea, “My daughter also spoke of how she wanted you to move in with her.”

My lips curl into a soft grin, “Yes ma’am. To be honest, I felt the same. Never really told her though. But that was just a childish dream of mine.”

A faint smile forms on her lips, “I see. Well since she has returned, I suspect the two of you will be seeing each other more often.”

I twist my feet together under the table, “Yes ma’am. She has a show tonight that I wished I could’ve gone to.”

The woman scoops up another fork of rice, “A fashion designer correct?”

I nod, “Yes ma’am. She made several outfits for me,” blushing, “including a few Lolita dresses, which I wear on occasion.”

The woman nods, eating the rice, “I see…so you are into fashion as well?”

My shoulders shrug slightly, “A little. I don’t follow any set trends, well…here in America at least. I tend to prefer Japanese and Korean fashions more than anything.”

She leans in somewhat, “Interesting. Well…I imagine you must look absolutely stunning when all dressed up.”

My cheeks burn even hotter, “Th-thank you ma’am.”

I lean back into my chair, stretching my legs, feeling the muscles burning back to life. Mrs. Elliston had taken away the leftovers, setting them into the kitchen.

She peers out from behind the wall, “My dear, do you enjoy coffee or tea?”

I place my silverware onto my plate, “Whichever is available.”

She slips behind the wall and brings out a several cups, each with small puffs of steam billowing from them. “Why don’t we adjourn the living room for a moment?”

Diana, Fenris, and I rise from the table and walk over, with Diana and me claiming the couch. Fenris takes a spot beside me, lying down onto the floor. Her mother hand us each a cup, finding a chair across from us.

The steam wafts into my nose, smelling of chicory. A smile rises on my face, taking a sip of the brew. “I love Mexican coffee,” I tell her, taking another sip.

My host leans back into her chair, “I am pleased that you do. Diana here steered me towards the variety shortly before we relocated here from Chattanooga and has since become a staple between the two of us.”

I tip the cup once more, feeling the hot liquid pass my lips. Something then catches my eye, a portrait hidden behind several. I couldn’t make out what it was of, a picture of someone or maybe something else. I’m not sure without getting up. I shrug it off, instead turning my focus back onto the coffee.

I hear a buzz coming from my bag. I set the cup onto a coaster, and rise from the couch, hopping over to it. I pull out my phone and read a message from Rachel, stating that I should come home.

Normally I’d ignore it, but upon seeing that it was after 6:30 and how backed up 620 could get on a Saturday; I knew it was time to come home.

“Is everything all right my dear?”

I turn back seeing that Fenris is already sitting beside me, leash in mouth. I smile, stroking him, “My mom just texted me to come home. So I think I should go ahead and head on.”

The woman walks into the entryway, just as I start to gather up my things. “Well it was a pleasure having you over my dear. We really should do this again some time.”

I stand up, hoisting my tote bags with my bonded dropping the end of the leash into my hand.

Mrs. Elliston looks down at him, “Your dog seems to be far more intelligent than most dogs of his size. I’ve noticed how his movements don’t quite seem…normal.”

I smirk, leaning over and scratching him behind the ear, “More than you know. But can be a big doofus on the off-chance.” The wolf turns and swats my rear, making me giggle softly.

She walks over and opens the door for me, walking me out to my car. I open passenger side door, watching him hop into the backseat, closing it soon after. I walk around the driver’s side and open it, climbing in and placing my bags into the front seat.

Mrs. Elliston stands by the door, “Now, you be careful driving home young lady. We will be seeing each other again very soon, I promise you.” Her eyes twinkle gently, but…I don’t know, something felt “off”.

I quickly push the thoughts out of my mind, smiling to her and buckling myself in, “Can’t wait.”

She pulls back and closes my door. I slide my key into the ignition, starting the car. I slowly start to pull away, seeing Diana standing in the doorway waving to me. I wave back.

I had fun spending time with her. But it only makes me long for my friends from the Coven all the more.

As the car pulls onto Anderson Mill, I turn on the auto-drive, letting my hands fall into my lap. I still can’t believe that Marron is now back in Austin, this is going to be incredible news to tell Rachel once I get home. That’s if she hasn’t already been told.

I pull out my phone and text Marron, wishing her luck at her show. The phone rings with her wishing I was there, and could have gotten me into the dressing rooms so she could show off her baby sister. I feel my cheeks blushing deeply.

I can’t wait to come over to her home. Today has been absolutely amazing, my big sister is back, a chance to fulfil our dream, and the constant images of going back to conventions flood my mind. I couldn’t have asked for a better day.

I recline the backrest slightly and stare up at the ceiling. I wanted to sleep part of the way back home, walking around the market is one thing, but when you couple in the excitement I had, one couldn’t help but be tired. I roll onto my side, letting my thoughts flutter about.

A cold nose presses against my cheek. I peer up to see Fenris staring down at me. “Betting you’re just as excited as I am that Marron is finally home.”

The wolf leans in and licks my face, “It shall be good to have another person to make sure you do not act as a fool.”

I pout, “Look who’s talking, you big doofus. You were enjoying yourself today and you know it.”

He curls his lips into a grin, “It was fun. I will admit the woman was a fine cook.”

A smirk ran across my face, patting his head, “Awww, did the little puppy like being fed?”

He leans in and nips my nose with his teeth, “Perhaps I should eat you. You are young and look tasty.” I giggle, rubbing it, and rolling onto my back.

A shiver then runs up my spine as I recall Mrs. Elliston’s final words. Something about it just doesn’t feel quite right. I know I was going to see her again soon whenever I’d come to visit her. But…why were her words still ringing in my mind. They felt…ominous. And then there was their house. I knew something had been hidden from me, and I had chosen to ignore it.

I sigh, my mind and body are just plain exhausted to really think about it and I wanted to crawl into my bed. I close my eyes, praying my trip home is quick. Even a simple fifteen minute drive can be an eternity.