Page 9

Dove

Twilight dimmed, Seven and Kairos walked on either side of me. The stadium lights dazzled over the frosted grass as we took our seats in the front. Enko’s Skirmish practice ran late and he waved to us as he jogged up the steps, still wearing his uniform. He leaned over a disgruntled Seven and kissed my cheek before sitting on Seven’s other side.

It was my first Lantern ceremony and, due to the recent battle, the largest to ever be held at Foxfire Academy.

The Archfox strode to the center of the stadium, where a white podium and microphone waited in the spotlight. His eyes went directly to us and then scanned over the rest of the crowd as the students quieted. Elder Peter trotted behind him, unable to quite keep up with my Fated’s long strides.

The row of white robes stood behind Rhys and Elder Peter, and I found Sana in the middle, her expression somber and reserved, as was expected of all Holy Foxes during such a ceremony.

“The souls of our friends, our family members, our fellow students, and our kitsune brothers and sisters wait here tonight for us to honor them for their great sacrifice in the recent battle,”

Rhys began. “We all knew when we took this career path that it would not be easy. That we kitsune are the greatest force standing between the demons and the innocents of this world. We are that wall. And while we sometimes lose our brethren, we continue to stand strong.

“The unexpected attacks from our enemy tells us what is coming. That this war will not get easier. We must become stronger. Our protections around the Hellgate in Lethe have been reinforced ninefold.

“We value the protection of our students, but none of you chose this path to be safe. You chose to be warriors. Soldiers in the coming war. And tonight we will honor all those we’ve lost, and tomorrow, we will get up and train again.”

The students muttered among themselves, some shooting glares back at me. I froze and tucked myself closer to Kairos.

“What about the Disciple?”

Enko growled at the gossipers, and Kairos wrapped his arm tighter around me as if he could protect me from rumors.

Rhys raised his hands, prompting the whispers to quiet. “Yes, we have a Disciple, but Dove Hawthorn cannot fight this battle alone. She is a young kitsune, only gaining her first tail within the last few weeks.”

More whispers, these ones about what my duty was, about what the goddess intended for me.

“The goddess sending us powerful kitsune shows that she means for us to win this war,”

Rhys continued, but it did not silence the whispers growing louder. “Quiet! The Council of Elders selected me to be the Commander of this army, not a bunch of smart-mouthed students!”

That silenced everyone but Seven, who chuckled and muttered under his breath. “Some control, brother.”

“Now we are here to honor our fallen brethren, not make war plans as a collective. Your job as students is to follow orders, not give them. Please retrieve your lanterns and make your way to the lake.”

Kairos passed out a stack of paper lanterns to us as we began to make our way back out of the stadium to the field in front of the lake.

The night was calm and the lake was still. Much too early for demons to be wandering around—not that many would risk it with so many kitsune out and about, even if we were only students.

The Archfox kept his distance from us, not even glancing back at me as he led the group of students to the lake. The distance between us caused a sharp pain to my heart.

Is he ashamed of me? I meant to keep the thought to myself, but each of my Fated males heard. Rhys’ back stiffened, but he still didn’t turn.

“It’s not like that, Fated,”

Seven whispered. “We’re keeping you safe.”

I’d love to be at your side, Dove. But we don’t need to give the demons any more leverage against us. It’s bad enough that everyone knows you’re a Disciple since your transformation during the battle, Rhys’ voice whispered in my head.

The students and newly appointed guards of the academy gathered around the edge of the lake. On a normal night, we might even see a Kelpie, Tier III. The allure and beauty of those terrifying horse creatures had lured plenty of humans to their death. But not tonight.

“We shall light our lanterns, and set free the souls of those we have lost,”

Elder Peter said, while the Archfox stood next to him, his fist clenched tightly around his lantern.

The Holy Foxes held sacred candles lit by the Forgefire, dispersing among us. Sana came in front of me, bowing as she outstretched both hands, allowing us to light our lanterns.

The white glow of the flame was hotter than normal fire. The Forgefire was said to have been lit by the goddess over a thousand years ago, and it was the duty of the Elders to keep that sacred flame burning through all eternity. Without it, we could never forge our magical weapons.

“You don’t need to bow to us, Sana,”

Enko snickered, not quite aware of how much the gigantic man scared her.

“She does,”

I whispered as I lit my lantern. “Not showing respect to higher ranking kitsune will result in punishment.”

At best, a weekend polishing the floors. At worst, many hours kneeling before the goddess and praying for her forgiveness.

After all our lanterns were lit, Sana moved on to the next group of students beside us.

I stepped forward, closer to the lake, feeling the paper lantern rise from my hands as it gathered heat from the flame and a soul entered into it. I let it rise, watching as it went, taking a soul from the nearby battlefield with it. Though I had not personally lost anyone, many of the other surrounding students had. Any weakening of our army weakened all of us.

Our lanterns rose into the sky and the flickering flames reflected over the lake. More and more released, until the lanterns sparkled and smoldered like stars. The lanterns carried over the large lake until all were released and all disappeared.

The entire crowd remained in near complete silence, except for those in mourning. Their cries hurt my heart as I prayed to the goddess to never have to go through that pain myself.

After the long silence, the Archfox cleared his throat. He needed no microphone now as he spoke in a calm and steady voice. “May the goddess hold them close, comfort them, and when ready, return them to us.”

After a moment of silence, the Archfox continued, “With the war looming ever closer, the Council of Elders has ordered me to promote some students before graduation. The position of Major, fourth-in-command, Enko Pierce.”

The students applauded—me louder than anyone—as my giant mate stepped forward, bowing before the Archfox as Elder Peter handed him a silver pin.

Enko stood next to the Archfox, facing the student body. “I accept.”

“For our Lieutenant, Kairos Stryker, third-in-command,”

Rhys called out.

Kairos stepped forward, bowing and accepting his pin before standing beside Enko. “I accept.”

“And with the unfortunate loss of General Brock, I must now announce my second-in-command. Though he may be young in years, the Council of Elders has determined him to be the strongest kitsune to take the position.”

The students chattered excitedly, but one stark look from the Archfox and they silenced again before the Archfox spoke a name.

“Cassian Seven, General.”