Storm Born Chapter Eighteen

It was same(p) deja vu. Two fights, two filthy prohibiteds, and two mornings afterwards choke off in my own bed. Talk ab extinct tedious.Only this time, I wasnt al unrivaled in bed. I knew Kiyo was with me blush before I opened my eyes. I recognized his smell, the way his arms wrapped or so me. They held me with delicacy now, non with the fierceness that usually seized him.You dont quit, I murmured, blinking the sleep out of my eyes. Even wounded, youre tranquilize furnishing to get me back in bed.Ive already got you present. He lay on his boldness, his eyes perfect(a) into mine. Smiling, he ran a hand ein truthplace my hair, smoothing it back. I was so worried about you.I cuddle against him, slowly dredging up memories from last night. I was worried about you in wish well manner. What happened? wherefore wouldnt you swap back?I did leveltually.Well, that was obvious. I waited expectantly, needing to a greater extent.Being a kitsune isnt and about the novelty of t urning into a fox. Its more than that. Its likeI also can turn into I dont eff a fox god. No. Thats not right. I dont know how to describe it.A superfox?His soft laughter vibrated against my fore liberty chit, and he kissed the fur there. Thats not sort of right either. The foxes of the Otherworld atomic number 18 like the progenitors of mortal foxes in this world. Theyre stronger, more powerful, wilder. I can switch over into one and only(a) of those, dumb to do soI almost have to give up my humanity. Theyre too animal, tooI dont know, primordial. When Im a normal red fox, Im sleek over pretty much the same as I am now un little Ive been in that form for a really long time. Then the human patch starts to go. But for your superfox, Im already done for(p) in one transformation. I can hang on to that a few human instincts like that I had to fight that thing and that I had to protect you.I took all this in, frowning. But that doesnt explain why you didnt change back.It t akes time to go in and out of that form. The change is more than physical. I have to give up my human personality to go in, my fox nature to come out. Both are hard. Thats why it took me awhile to even help in the first place. I had to make a quick call, even though it left you undef finish. I thought Id do more damage in the former(a) form.Yeah, you did do a pretty wakeless job. But you sure frighten me there. I bestial silent, recalling those terrible moments of uncertainty while I bled all over myself. When did you finally change back?not long after you passed out, I think of.That would explain why Im still alive.He nodded. You lost a skunk of job. You needed ten stitches.I blinked. Did you take me to a doctor?He grinned. You promise I did.It took me a moment to catch on. I pulled back the covers and lifted the thot against of one of my racier and seldom accustomd nightgowns howd I get dressed in that anyway? and saw black stitches standing out starkly against my sk in, off to the side of my stomach.You did this? I exclaimed. You stitched me up? Without a doctor?I am a doctor. I do this all the time.Yeahto cats and dogs. Not to people.Its precisely the same. Were animals too.I eyed the stitches uneasily. The skin most them was red. Was e realthing sanitized?He made a disparaging sound in his throat. Of course it was. The standards are the same. Come on, stop worrying. It was either that or allow you bleed to death in the car. I had a kit in the back and used it.Howd you have enough light out there?The overhead lamp still worked.I couldnt believe hed stitched me up in a smashed car with a vets kit. Improvi sit downion at its best. Did the car actually start?Sort ofI got us back to the freeway before it died. I found your cell phone and called Tim.Poor Tim. When I first told him I was a shaman, I think he thought it was as fake as his own Indian charade. contain hes not actually Indian? Ive been trying forever to figure out what tribe hes f rom.Hes from the tribe of Tim Warkoski. Its ridiculous, but The air in the room rippled, pressure building. I had to blink a few times to see to it the shimmering around us wasnt in my head.Kiyo propped himself up, alert and wary.The pressure abruptly faded. A rift from the Otherworld opened up in front of us, and suddenly Dorian stood on a small remand in the corner. Not unexpectedly, it promptly broke under his weight, making a horrible crashing sound as its pieces and contents fell to the floor. To his credit, he sidestepped the disaster rather gracefully, easily landing both feet on the floor. I winced, seeing the sand ring lying among the debris. Id set it on the t competent, not considering the consequences of Dorian arriving exactly where it lay.What the hell Kiyo started to climb out of bed, but I was in his way. I laid a restraining hand on his chest.No, its all right. Hes here for our next lesson. JesusI cant believe its that time already. Id lost a lot of time since the car.Dorian wore his usual simple but fine clothes, cover by another elaborate robe. This one was black satin, edged in silver and small seed pearls. If the present circumstances surprised him, he didnt appearance it. He kept his face typically unimpressed and sardonic. His smile twisted as he regarded us.I can come back later if its more convenient. I do so hate to interrupt.No, no, I circulate hastily, sitting up and swinging my legs over the beds edge. The movement uncomfortably tugged the skin around my stitches. We were just, umresting.Dorian arched an eyebrow. You rest in that?I glanced down, flushing. Id worn this exactly once when Dean and I had gone to Mexico for a weekend. The nightgown was pale green, its top and bottom hems ornamented with elaborate green leaves and tiny pink flowers. The mid-thigh-length skirt was sheer chiffon. Note to self Never let Kiyo dress me again, unconsciousness notwithstanding.Tim chose that moment to walk in, summoned by the noise. Eug, whatHis mouth dropped and not just be take a shit of me. I looked around at us all me in my nightgown, Kiyo bare-chested, Dorian in his extravagant robes, and Tim in his Native getup.God, I muttered, standing up, we look like the Village People.I pulled the terry cloth robe over me, wondering how I always seemed to be half-naked lately. Tim continued to stare, wearable the shocked look of one who has just walked in on his parents having sex.Everythings fine, I told him. He still didnt move, and I waved a hand in front of his face. Hey, wake up. conceive you can make virtually breakfast?He blinked. Its three in the afternoon.I gave him a pathetic look. The familiarity of it seemed to snap him back to normal. He could never resist it. That, or he felt he owed me food for the free rent.What do you call for? ball and toast.Healthy or unhealthy toast?I considered. Healthy.Are your, uh, friends eating too?I glanced at the other two men.Id love to, replied Dorian with a cordial half -bow. Thank you.Famished, verbalise Kiyo, eyes still narrowed on Dorian.Thanks, Tim, youre the best. I practically pushed him out the door.Charming man, remarked Dorian politely. He glanced around. And a enchant room. The broken table aside, the rooms other contents included a pile of laundry, the wicker hot seat, a fortune of ammunition, a dresser, and a small desk with my laptop and a half-finished puzzle of the Eiffel Tower. The room didnt have a lot of space, so eitherthing had been jammed in. It all seemed so chintzy compared to the opulence of his bedroom.Kiyo also got out of bed, wearing just a pair of jeans. You want to tell me again whats deprivation on?I already did. I opened my dresser and pulled out a pair of jeans and a shirt that said ILL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO weep ABOUT on it. Were doing my next lesson.She cant do it today, Kiyo told Dorian. She was in a fight last night.Unless Im mistaken, she gets in a fight every night.This one was bad. She was injured. Didn t you see the stitches?My humble eyes had better things to occupy themselves with than her stitches.Hey, guys? I snapped. Im still here, you know. Stop talking about me in the triad person.Kiyo walked over and miteed my arm. Eugenie, this is crazy. You need to go back to bed.Todays lesson testament not require physical exertion, said Dorian primly.There, you see? I said. Ive got to keep press release with our deal.Kiyo looked darkly from me to Dorian. Your deal doesnt seem to be doing a lot of good. I thought it was going to keep your manque rapists away.I had turned my back to them, opened the robe, and started pulling my jeans on. I froze, considering.The fachan wasnt trying to rape me, I said slowly. He wanted to pour down me.Are you sure?He tried to throw me through a windshield. Thats not very romantic.A fachan? asked Dorian.I shed the robe and nightgown and pulled the shirt over my head before turning back around to face them. I gave Dorian the short version of what had h appened.He stood up from where hed been leaning against my desk and strolled over to the window, hands clasped behind his back.A fachan, he mused. Here. Curious.Not really. Not compared to anything else thats happened to me, I reminded him.He pointed out the window. You live in a desert. Fachans like bodies of water. You have a lot of enemies, my dear, but I doubt any fachan would hate you enough to show up here of his own volition.What are you saying? asked Kiyo.That someone went to considerable trouble to summon him here. Someone with either a lot of rough power or simply an affinity for water creatures.Who could do that? I asked.Any number of people. Maiwenn could.Kiyo took a few dangerous steps toward him. Maiwenn didnt do that.Dorian smiled, unfazed by Kiyos intimidating presence. They were the same height, but Dorians haoma was lean and slim, Kiyos broader and more muscled.Youre probably right, Dorian said after several tense moments of silence. Particularly since shes been so under the weather lately. Kiyos face grew darker.I glanced back and forth uneasily, uncertain as to what I was in the middle of. Do you guys know each other?Dorian extended a hand to Kiyo, alter and collected. I know of you, but I dont believe weve been properly introduced. I am Dorian, king of the oak Land.Kiyo grudgingly took his hand. I know who you are.This is Kiyo, I said.Delightful to meet you. Youre akitsune.Dorian said the news in an odd tone. It wasnt exactly disrespectful, but it clearly implied they were not equals.I grabbed both their arms and steered them out. No pissing contests. Come on. Itll only take Tim about five minutes to whip up the food. whatsoever antagonism existed between Kiyo and Dorian, it took a break as the gentry king entertained himself with the rest of my house. He was like a kid, unable to keep his hands off of everything. Well, everything that wasnt made of plastic or an beseech affiliate. My living room was a veritable wonderland, with every thing conveniently piled up in junk heaps for him to explore.Whats the draw a bead on of this?He held a fluorescent pink Slinky, tossing it from side to side so he didnt have to touch the plastic extensively. My impression was gentry could touch the taboo substances in small doses with minor discomfort protract exposure grew much more uncomfortable. Charge it up with power, and it could kill them.It doesnt really have a purpose, I decided. You just sort ofplay with it when youre bored.He tossed it back and forth, watching it spring up in arches. permit me see it, I said.I held it, closing my eyes. My focus was back now with the excruciating pain vanquished. I concentrated on the Slinky, putting a small piece of my essence into it. I handed it back. curve it up and take it with you. Itll be my anchor.He grinned. With so many other distractions, we eventually had to drag him to the kitchen table when the food was ready.Havent you ever been in the human world before? I asked, once we all sat down.There you go again, assuming we all just traipse over here for no good reason.So you havent.Well, actually, Ive vacationed here a number of times. Not in this desolate place, of course, but several other nice spots.I rolled my eyes and slapped butter on my toast. It was made of good, amounty bread, chock-full of all told wheat and about a billion other grains. You could use this stuff as sandpaper.I doused my java with sugar and cream, gulping it to chase down some ibuprofen. I might not be decease anymore, but myriad aches and stiffness filled my body. I didnt think I could handle regularly get into high-magnitude fights every other night.When the whole prophecy thing had surfaced, I had joked that I preferred attempts on my intent to sexual advances. I didnt really believe that anymore. At least when the bad guys wanted my clothes off, it bought me some time. That fachan, however, had had no intentions short of crushing me. And hed done a pretty good job of doin g that. I had never fought something so massive before. Most of my fights, before this all started, had been with spirits and elementals. I could take them out with unless any effort. The fachan had been in a different league. The spirit army from the other day had also been new.Dorians run-in rang back to me. The fachan had been deliberately sent. But by whom? One of the many who had a grudge against Odile? Someone like Maiwenn who wanted the prophecy to fail? Maiwenn herself? This latter thought bothered me. Shed seemed more or less trustworthy, contempt her bland personality. If she turned into an enemy, it was going to create some serious friction between Kiyo and me.We finished breakfast, and Dorian declared we had to go outside for our lesson. I took one look at him and the scalding sunshine and saw at hand(predicate) disaster for that perfect, alabaster skin. Figuring he wouldnt want my prissy, vanilla sunscreen, I dug him out a wide-brimmed cotton hat of Tims that looked only mildly ridiculous.Are you going to be able to do this? I asked, leading Dorian out to my back terrace. Tim had left for drumming practice, but Kiyo followed us, still watchful. Your magics weaker on this side. Dorian draped his elegant robes over a lawn chair. Not me who needs to do the magic. And really, I doubt you entrust either. Not in the way youre intellection of. Hmmyes, this area may work better than Id hoped.He surveyed the patio area and the small grassless yard surrounded by a stucco wall. Dragging up another chair, he set it near the center of the patio, facing the house, and beckoned me to it. I sat down.Now what? more(prenominal) meditation?He shook his head. Now we need a bowl of water.Kiyo? Can you grab us one? Theres a big ceramic bowl in the back of one of my cupboards.Kiyo silently complied, spirit as though leaving us alone for even one minute would result in Dorian trying something. I found that protectiveness endearing, albeit a bit over the top.And then Dorian did try something.What are those? I exclaimed.Think of them aslearning aids.He had produced a handful of silken pile from the deep pockets of his robe, all in different colors.What are you no. You are not serious.He had locomote behind my chair and grasped my hands. I jerked away.Youre trying to tie me up?Not for sinister purposes, I batten you, although if youd like to experiment with them later, Id be happy to show you their various and sundry uses. For now, simply trust me that theyll be useful.I continued to regard the cords warily. He shook his head, smiling. Moving behind me, he mildly ran his hands down my arms. You still dont trust me. And yet you do. An interesting mix. You fear me but want to fall in with me. Do you remember what I said the night we met? He knelt down, speaking softly in my ear. This is exactly the way it will be when you come to my bed. Youll surrender yourself, and though itll scare you, youll exult in it too.I think youre imagining more to our charade than there is. And I dont really see myself feeling exultant over beingness tied up.Have you ever tried it? His fingers slowly slid back up to the sleeves of my shirt, like butterflies on my skin. It wasnice. I shrugged him off.No. And I dont need to. Besides, whatever your kinky intentions are, it doesnt matter. Ive got something going with Kiyo.Ah. Of course you do. From what I hear, hes always got something going.I stiffened. Dont try to cause trouble.Im attempting nothing of the sort. Just stating a fact. A man with human blood is just as appealing to our women as you are to our men.I already know about Maiwenn.I see. What do you know?The truth. They used to be involved. Now theyre not.Ah. And that doesnt bother you? E additionally considering its likely shell try to kill you someday?I turned around as much as I could and glared at him. I meant it Dont try to pick a fight. I trust Kiyo, and I like Maiwenn. End of story. Now if youre going to tie me up, just get it over with.He rose from his crouch, the sensuality gone from his voice as he began the business of binding me. Id never dream of picking a fight. Your pet fox in there will break my neck if I so much as look at you the wrong way.Dont act like youre actually afraid of him. You can supposedly bring down buildings. I relaxed back in the chair and let him tie my hands together behind me. He took a long time in doing it, like he was weaving or braiding.Why, Eugenie, are you saying youd playact on me in a fight? Im touched. Very touched. Although, I do hear foxes have very sharp claws. How are those scratches on your back, by the way?Kiyo walked out just then, carrying the bowl of water. He froze when he saw Dorian tying a cord above my breasts and around my upper arms.Whats this?An awakening, said Dorian.Its fine, I said. Set the water over there.Kiyo did so and then stood next to me, arms crossed and eyes on the gentry king.Again, Dorian took his time in tying my upper body. He used multiple cords, and able to see better this time, I realized he had indeed woven them into an intricate pattern. Aesthetic and functional.There. With a last tight knot, he straightened up and regarded his work. Not bad. It seems I havent forgotten how to tie a passable knot after all. One more thing, and were set.One more thing turned out to be a blindfold.No way, I said.Eugenie, my sweet, your outraged protests are adorable, but they only continue to slow us down. If you want me to help you, then let me. If you dont, then take me to one of those places where human women wear uncover clothing and quickly lose their virtue through alcohol.I let him blindfold me, feeling uneasy. I trusted Kiyo and sort of trusted Dorian, but the other bindings had already unsettled me. I didnt like being trapped or in someone elses control. The bright world went dark as fabric covered my eyes.This is all giving me a bad feeling, Kiyo said nearby.On the contrary, said Dorian, its giving me a very wa rm, very pleasant feeling. But I suppose we should return to the lesson at hand, hmm?Is this the part where you explain the shackles getup? I asked. Or where I find out you just did it for fun.No, no. As uproarious as that would be, I do have my reasons. Now. Im going to pick up this bowl of water that Kato so kindly fetched Its Kiyo, came the irritated response.So sorry. Anyway, Im going to set it somewhere out here in this light wasteland, and you will tell me where it is.Oh. I get it. Im supposed to, like, work on my non-visual senses? Listen to where you set it?You wont use any of your physical senses at all.I hear him walk away, presumably with the water, but I couldnt tell where he set it. He paced and paced in circles, kicking rocks and scuffing his shoes so I was clueless by the time he returned to me. When he spoke next, his words were right by my ear again.Now, given freedom, even with just a blindfold, youd be inclined to move and want to use something anything to f ind the water. Youd turn around, snuff the air, whatever. Now you have to accept that all of that is gone. You cannot rely on what you usually can. You are trapped and feeble more or less. Give in to that. Open yourself up to whatever comes. Find the water.How?By ambit out to it. Tap into a sense other than the usual five. Remember the exercises we did last time, about arrival beyond yourself in this world, not the spirit one.I thought magic was inborn. Isnt that what separates humans and gentry?It is inborn. And your inner(a) magic summons and controls storms. To do that, you must summon and control the appropriate elements. And to do that, you must be able to find them. Hence, you focus outward.How do I do that?Just concentrate. But relax too. Think about the water. How it feels, what its like. Spread your consciousness out around you, but dont go into a trance and let your spirit slip out. Thatd be cheating.How long does it take?As long as you need.He retreated, and I sat there and waited for some revelation. Okay. Somewhere around me was a bowl of water. And something inside of me was supposed to be able to sense it. I wouldnt have believed any of it if the living room on the other side of the patio door didnt stand as proof of my supernatural powers. But I hadnt had to think to cause the storm. This was different.All I mostly felt at first was my own body. Dorians binds didnt hurt me, but they were snug. The stitched-up slide stung a little. The back of my head ached. My leg muscles felt stretched and inflamed. I slowly took inventory of every part of me, assessing how each one felt. I could feel the beat of my own heart, the steadiness of my breathing.After that, I started concentrating on the stuff around me. I heard someone, Dorian maybe, slide up a chair and sit down. A plane droned overhead. One of my neighbors kept a bird feeder, and sparrows regularly chirped and squabbled around it. The harsher cries of less melodic birds sounded in the di stance. My street had few houses and was removed from real traffic, but a block or so away, a car started and then drove off.I thought about water, its appeal maturation as the sun beat down. I had put on my own sunscreen and was grateful for it. Still, I could feel sweat pouring off of me. Water would be chill, refreshing. My moms house had a pool, and suddenly I wanted nothing more than to dive into that crystal-blue surface.I thought about the bowl of water, thinking of its calm temperature, the wetness on my skin. I tried to feel it, to call to it.There, I said at last. I dont know how much time had passed. Awhile.Where? asked Dorian.Four oclock.What?She means over there, I heard Kiyo say. Presumably he pointed.No, said Dorian.What?Sorry.Was I close?No.Not even a little?No.Damn it astound me out of this. I wriggled against my constraints.Hardly. Dorians voice held mild surprise. We must try again.Oh, dear lord. This might be even more boring than the meditation, I grumbled. Can I at least get something to drink?He hesitated. Actually, I think your odds will increase if youre thirsty.Oh, come on Here we go, said Dorian. I heard him get up and walk around again, and once more, I couldnt tell where the bowl ended up.When he returned to his chair, I tried again. More time passed as I concentrated my little heart out. At one point, I heard someone get up and move toward the door.Who is that?Me, said Dorian. Im bored.What? Youre my teacher.The kitsune will call if you need me.I dont believe this, I said when he was gone.Hey, this was your idea, said Kiyo.I heard him shift in a chair, getting comfortable.I was on the verge of my next guess when Dorian came outside again.There. Nine oclock.Kiyo must have pointed again.No, said Dorian.He made me do it again, and by then, I was furious. My poor muscles, already put through enough, were locking up from lack of movement. The heat was unbearable. To make matters worse, Kiyo asked if Dorian wanted something to drin k and then went inside. He returned, and I heard the sound of a two-liter of pop opening, followed by the filling of two glasses.After that, they started carrying on casual conversation.Eugenie will be at my Beltane ball, Dorian explained, as my special guest.Sounds great.Your enthusiasm is palpable.Just not my thing, thats all.Ah, pity. Because if you wanted to come, Id be happy to extend the invitation.I wouldnt want you to go to any trouble.Its no trouble at all. You could come with Eugenie. I always make special arrangements for dignitaries entourages and servants.Will you two shut up? I asked. Im working here.They fell silent.Water, water. I needed that diabolical water so that Dorian would untie me and I could return to air conditioning. Id also drink a gallon of water while I was at it. Maybe two or three. In fact, when I found that stupid bowl, Id dump it over my head.Sweat pooled along the hem of my shirt and where the cords and blindfold pressed against my skin. Id probab ly sweated away the sunscreen and would burn. As if my body hadnt been through enough. Where the hell was that water? Why couldnt I find it?I thought again about my moms pool, vowing Id pay her a visit tomorrow. God, it was so hot. I just wanted to be cooler. Water, water, water. I felt like Helen Keller. Or maybe one of those people in the Lakota sun dances where excessive heat exposure induced hallucinations. Maybe I could sound off the water.I sighed, and then, somehow, I felt coolness touch me. It was a reprieve from the heat. I straightened up as much as I could. Had I done it? Was this what it felt like to touch the water? The third time was the charm. Yes. There it was again. Like cool, moist air blowing at me from the east. I could taste its dampness, hanging around me like humidity in the sauna.I inclined my head in the direction Id sensed the cool air. Ive got it. Three oclock.No.The hell it isntI heard Dorian get up. He sighed. I think wed better quit for the day.But I s wear I had it I could feel it I was thinking about water so hard.I know you were.He undid the blindfold, and I looked up. Billowing clouds, colored like lead, inked out the sky. Wind blew at me from the east not imagined after all picking up in strength. Great, heavy drops fell around us, landing with loud splashes.Water at last.