Soul of the Sword (Shadow of the Fox #2) - Julie Kagawa Page 0,140

could reach Tatsumi.

Shaking my head, I crouched down so that we were at eye level, seeing my reflection in her yellow fox gaze. “Did you really think this would work?” I asked with a conversational smile. “I’ve slaughtered armies who’ve stood in my way, little fox. I’ve killed entire temples’ worth of priests and holy men who have attempted to exorcise and seal me back in the sword. One half-grown kitsune and her motley collection of misfits isn’t much of a challenge.” Smiling, I leaned in, lowering my voice. “I told you this day would come, didn’t I?” I crooned. “I promised I would kill everyone you cared about, that everyone close to you was going to die, and I always keep my promises. Now, it’s your turn, little fox. I’m afraid you’ve lost this game. I’m going to take the scroll fragments, the Master of Demons is going to summon the Dragon and I will finally be free of this pathetic mortal shell. But this was entertaining, and I’m not completely heartless. Before you die, I’ll let you talk to Tatsumi one last time, if there is anything you want to say to him.” I sat back on my heels, giving her a little room. “So, go ahead. I know he’s listening. Do know that anything you say will haunt him forever, and I will take great pleasure in continuously reminding him of this moment, but this is the last time you’ll ever talk to him, so I wouldn’t waste it.”

The kitsune closed her eyes. “Gomen, Tatsumi,” she whispered. “Forgive me. I tried. I’m sorry we weren’t strong enough to free you.” Her eyes opened, golden and defiant, gazing up at me. “But whatever Hakaimono tells you, this isn’t your fault. I don’t regret meeting you, and if we met again under the same circumstances, I wouldn’t change anything.”

“Very touching,” I remarked. “Are you done?”

She trembled, then took a deep breath, bracing herself. “Yes.”

“Good,” I said, and drove my claws through her chest, feeling bones shatter and snap, to grab her heart. “Then I’ll be taking what’s mine,” I told both stunned onlookers, and yanked my arm back.

Blood erupted from her chest, arcing through the air in a hot stream. The fox girl gave a strangled gasp and fell sideways, striking the temple floor with a thump and a splash of crimson. Her mouth gaped, fingers twitching, before her body stilled and her golden eyes became glazed and unseeing. Blood ran down the steps from the gaping hole in her middle, coating the dais red.

From somewhere inside, there was a soundless cry of rage and horror, of hate stabbing through me like an arrow. One brief moment of pure, beautiful despair before Tatsumi’s will collapsed and he slumped in numb resignation.

Silence fell over the hall. I stood, crushing the organ in my fist, then tossed it casually to the floor. Around me, the tengu and human remains lay on the wooden planks, blood and feathers scattered everywhere. At my feet, the corpse of the kitsune girl bled out on the dais, golden eyes staring at nothing. There was a hollowness in the pit of my stomach that wasn’t mine, a mire of despair and self-loathing, as Tatsumi raged at his own helplessness and mourned his naive little fox girl. The first soul who had ever seen him as more than a weapon. The first person he had allowed himself to care for. His anguish was as beautiful as I had hoped. The demonslayer’s spirit had been truly broken. I had won.

And yet, something didn’t feel right.

Stepping over the corpse of the fox girl, I walked to the altar and snatched the Dragon scroll from its stand. The lacquered case came away easily, no final traps or hidden surprises, and I gazed at the item in my hand, curling a lip.

Such a small thing, that this entire realm loses its mind over. I shook my head. Foolish mortals. You’re never satisfied, and after all this time, you have yet to figure out that the Harbinger’s wish is never granted in the way you expect.

With a snort, I turned away from the altar, clutching my prize in a claw. That’s one piece of the Dragon scroll. Now, to find the last fragment. Where would these old birds be hiding it?

Raising my head, I surveyed the carnage-strewn chamber one more time, brow furrowing as I gazed around at the slaughter. Something still nagged at me, a sense of disquiet I couldn’t shake.