Page 40 of WitchCurse

“Sounds like a trait of the kitsune,” Liam said.

“Indeed,” Nick agreed.

“Assholes,” Sebastian said. “I don’t think not wanting to enslave the people I’m bound to, makes either of us bad.”

“We are agreed, little fox,” I said. I had enough chains in my life, on my force of will, and been used as a puppet or a plaything. Never would I force that on another.

Toby looked my way, his expression turning dark, and he gripped the chair. I looked away, hoping he didn’t easily pry out the past like Nick sometimes did.

“They will need time to focus their bond, and test their strength before we start warring with the courts. Wolves against the fae isn’t much of an army. Not when most wolves struggle to control their beasts,” Wesley said.

“We must wage war then?” Liam asked.

Wesley shrugged. “They want a kitsune. They’ve been binding and draining kitsunes for millennia. Each time one dies, they seek another. If they can’t have Sebastian, Kiran will do. They are familiar with him, and know how best to bind him, even if the old methods that worked in Underhill might not be as stable in the mortal realm.”

“Good to know I’m second best,” I said.

“It’s all about control,” Wesley said. “It always has been. They will find you someone to feed on, while keeping you on the edge of starvation. A way for them to expand their courts without your rule. It worked for centuries in Underhill.”

“Magic in this world is not as easily maintained,” Liam said. “Sebastian throws off energy to the pack with every breath, while taking in more from the pack bond just the same. There has to be a balance. I’m actively recruiting to grow the pack and help diffuse the energy, and might even need to make all the packs a subset of my pack like the Volkov did, just to keep the balance. I suspect it will have to be the same way for you.”

“I must recruit werewolves?” I asked. Toby snarled, not at all happy with the idea.

“You must create some sort of balance. A way to channel energy.” Liam’s gaze became unfriendly. “But I will not tolerate you taking more of my wolves.”

Threat received. Though I had no idea how I was going to create a balance in his modern world when I barely knew how to function within it. I had been little more than a child when last I walked this realm.

“We will work on that,” Nick agreed. “Solidifying our bond and creating a balance.” He sighed. “It may be better to move us to the edge of your territory. I’ve expanded our space within the camper, and for the moment it’s holding. Strengthening our bond may increase that space? At least until he begins to starve again.”

“Will that happen?” Sebastian asked. “Can he heal some of this if we keep feeding him?” He looked over at me with an expression of worry.

“Not without removing the curses. They drain him constantly.”

“I’m studying how to remove them,” Toby added.

“We’ve discussed a few options,” Liam said. “They may or may not work.”

“Are they like my thorns?” Sebastian asked. “The curse that was put on me by Al?”

“Possibly,” Liam said. “Though it’s unlikely we’ll get the ice queen to remove them if that’s the case.”

“And even if we can, he’ll need refeeding. He’s been starved a long time,” Toby said.

“We would need an army of the fae to cycle the energy through. Are there even that many fae left? And wouldn’t they tempt your kitsune?” Nick asked.

Sebastian growled and threw himself into Liam’s lap. “I hate this. I should be more in control.”

“You are,” Liam said.

“Not when faced with fae magic.”

“You’re also an infant in fae terms,” I said. “Give yourself a hundred years to soothe the beast.”

“Kind words from the king of cynicism. Now I know hell is on our doorstep,” Liam said. “Let me see if I can get the camper moved. I’ll have wolves on guard, but keep you just on the edge of our territory to allow room for your expansion.” He sighed and stretched. “I also have a dozen or so wolves that will be coming to interview, hoping to join our pack. A good thing for us, but maybe not for Toby.”

“I’m fine,” he said. “As long as no one challenges me, the wolf is quiet.”

Biding its time, I thought, and the silence of the room meant everyone else knew too.