mpletely un

ts were packed together in tight rows, teachers positioned at the edges like sentries. On a raised platform a

in dark tactical gear, silver

nt

hers. The gesture sent a jolt through her chest, but she

eaning close. "You're just anot

udent. She was the monster they

efully neutral, but Yuna could feel the tension radiating from him. Protecting her went against everything he

school?" a father shouted from the crowd of parent

oice strained. "There hasn't been a kitsune sighting

ey're not!" anoth

ushing across her knuckles in silent reassurance. The contact should have calmed her. Instead,

amille materialized beside them moments later, he

whispered, her French accent

" Yuna sa

ge across her nose. When their eyes met, Megan smiled slowly

ed out, and the crowd gradually silenced. "I understand you'

eyes like chips of ice. Even without an introduction, Yuna would have known thi

ngeles region," Mr. Peterson continued. "He and his

t field seemed to hold their breath. When he sp

"Kitsunes are master manipulators. They appear human. They trick yo

t she could feel the conflict in him. Every protective instinct warring with yea

about this

intain human form indefinitely. Newly awakened ones especiall

na's pulse hamme

aze sweeping the crowd. "Strange behavior. Unexplained absen

emed to land directly on Yuna. She fro

ed, and air rushed

declared, his voice hard as steel. "A

lause. Students cheered.

and of the man who would kill her if he

applause faded. "The school will provide them. Silver disrupts a kitsune's illusio

heart s

ould be wearing them. How

close to her ear. "Don't

it out either. He was in too deep now, protecting something he was bred to destroy

, he held

g. Noah guided Yuna away from the crowd, Camille

clear. "What is happening? And Yuna, where we

na lied. "I hi

but before she could pr

oa

ther was elegant and cold, blonde hair in a perfect b

t didn't relea

ew asked, his eyes droppi

A cla

other asked with a smile

. "She was shaken up. I wa

and she felt stripped bare. Examined. Analyz

e was walking a razor's edge, and one wron

"Noah, we need to discuss your training. Wi

ng at Yuna. "Kitsunes prey on sympathy. They make you t

her. Describing

almost painfully aroun

ot be trusted. Not for a second. You see any

s,

raying everything he had been raised to believe. And his father was standin

," Andrew ordered. "We nee

be t

one last assessing lo

Yuna finally exhaled

terrifying," C

Noah sai

and she immediately misse

Yuna said. "I

rning she understood. Don't go anywhere alone.

ough Yuna's. "Come on. You

atching them, his expression conflicted. Torn betwee

. The hunter's son wa

knew it woul