What if he made her forget somehow and she's clueless?
I groaned and shook my head. "Mom! Listen, I was never human. I was sealed! I don't know when it happened, but the documents state I was supposed to be a Kitsune with cherry blossom magic and stuff," I explained quickly, looking back at the stairs to make sure no one was coming.
The sounds that were coming from downstairs told me we didn't have long.
"Sealed. Sweetie, you couldn’t have been sealed. The only way that's possible if you’re sealed in...the womb..." Mother trailed off and seemed to remember something suddenly.
'Mom! The doctor! You need to remember. Why did you switch doctors?"
The doctor who treated me after the alleyway incident had been my doctor for years, Dr. Nakomi.
"Because your father wanted to. He said he didn't like Omako cause he was friends with—" Mother started, but the structure shook again and we fought to keep our balance.
I placed my hands on my mom's shoulders. "Mother! Please, you have to believe me," I begged, staring right into her eyes.
She pulled me into her arms and squeezed me tight. "I believe you. We’ll figure this out, but first, we need to find out what’s going on. However, I can't let you stay in this state," Mother announced.
"What do you mean? Are you gonna take my Kitsune and weapons away?" I asked.
She shook her head. "No, I'm going to hide it. If someone is abusing us, I can't let them see you're a shifter now, especially with that magic affinity," Mother confessed.
I looked into her eyes and knew she wanted the best for me. I nodded quickly before she placed her hand on my forehead.
"Conceal thy birthright until it is right for my child to display her power and reclaim her destiny," Mother whispered.
I felt a cool current of air wrap around me as if forming a cocoon of wind.
When she was finished, she relaxed her hand and gave me an analyzing look. "There, now to everyone you'll still be seen as human. To unleash your magic simply say your pen name," she instructed.
I blinked and gave her a stunned look. "Wait," I said, realizing she shouldn't have known what either of my pen names were.
As if she knew what I would ask, she spoke, "The new one and to answer the question I’m sure you will ask, a friend of mine purchases your work. I have a few pieces as well."
"Mom," I whispered.
She smiled back, but then I noticed the slight glint of something red at the end of the hall behind one of the statues. My eyes went wide as I realized the ball of energy was aimed at Mom.
NO!
I pushed Mother out of the way and whatever shot out hit me hard enough to send me flying and crashing into one of the statues.
I gasped and screamed, my body feeling like it was being electrocuted as I convulsed on the floor.
"CRIMSON!" I heard Mother scream as commotion sounded around us. I couldn't move and it was hard to breathe. I stared at the ceiling reminded me of a memory— Storm's memory as she was about to die.
The one thing I had been desperate to remember finally returned, and it was too late. I fought for breath and a man in black appeared in my line of vision as I struggled to keep my eyes open, fighting off the black spots that began to appear one by one.
I didn't need the man to remove his mask to see two obvious things: the large tattoo that peaked through the gap of his mask and those familiar red eyes.
The red eyes I used to wake up to that would admire my sleepy face.
The crimson jewels that would scan my body in lust before we made love.
Those ruby orbs that stared directly into my eyes and told me he didn't love me anymore.
"James," I choked and I could feel the anguish in his eyes.
He lowered to his knees and his thumb ran along my bottom lip. I saw the bright red liquid that lingered on his previously clean finger.
"I told you to stay away, Crim. Why are you so stubborn?" he whispered.
I wanted to say more, but his head lowered and his lips pressed against mine. I tried to move my head and thrash my arms and legs, trying to get away, but I couldn't move.
He pulled away and the look in his eyes struck fear in my heart as I watched him lick his stained lips; a malicious smile appeared.
"I guess I'll have to use you as bait to bring the Emperor’s son here. Very well," he declared.
I couldn't feel his arms, but the movement of my body rising up, indicated I was being lifted off the floor.
"CRIMSON!" Mother screamed and James turned to the woman who was fighting five other men at once. She blasted them with a wave of wind so strong they all fell back, giving her just enough time for her eyes to meet mine.
That was the first time I'd truly seen fear in my mother's eyes as she moved forward to stop James, but he turned around and ran straight out the second floor window with me in his arms.
My eyes glazed over at the falling sensation, reminding me of my near death experience, and I didn't fight the darkness any longer.
I'm gonna die.
AKIHIRO
I slid to a stop and sprinted down the hall as fast I could. My hair whipped in the wind and my tails coursed with power as my blade slid through the approaching masked shifters who attempted to bring me down.
They thought they were a match for me? What a joke. I was blinded by rage which drove me forward. I had to make sure she was okay. Our love was in danger and the fear that began to pool inside me told me I didn't have much time.
I reached the living room and my eyes noticed sounds of fighting coming from upstairs.
"CRIMSON!"
My body jolted forward as I pushed off the ground, using my magic to propel me through the air. The shrillness of that scream made me afraid to reach the top of stairs, but the name that rang and echoed against the walls was enough to overcome my fear. I needed to discover how bad the situation was and if Crimson was okay.
I soared up the stairs, landing at the top and turned my head to the left to see Crimson's mother fighting off a group of men. I pulled out my sword and flames emerged around the silver blade as I ran forward.
Mrs. Arashi noticed and she dropped to the ground to avoid my impending slaughter, as I pushed off the ground, bringing my arm up to prepare a flaming attack. I whipped my sword out horizontally, sending a wave of fire that cut off the heads of all five men with ease. Their bodies fell to the ground while their heads rolled off down the hall.
Mrs. Arashi rose to her feet and ran to the shattered window, looking over the ledge as if desperate to find something.
"Where's Crimson?" I demanded.
"The assassins took her! I don't know where they went!" she screamed as tears began to pool in her eyes. I cursed and nodded.
"I'll find her, Mrs. Arashi. Tell the others what's going on. Don’t worry, I’ve cleared the lower level," I reassured. She ran to me and placed her hands on my shoulders, staring into my eyes.
"Please, Akihiro. She's all I have," she cried, tears rolling down her cheeks.
I nodded, "I'll bring her home." I bowed my head. Then I ran toward the shattered window and jumped, using my wind magic to help me soar above the compound.
I noticed multiple guards fighting off cloaked assassins, some using magic like fire and lightning, while others were using their weapons in close combat.
I landed at the gate and began running down the hill, hoping to catch whomever took Crimson before they vanished completely.
My Kitsune was outraged and wanted blood. How dare someone take our Crim away? On a logical level, why would they take Crimson and not her mother, anyways? Everyone thought Crimson was just a human, so she would be no benefit to them. They had no knowledge of her sealed state. What were we missing?
I slid to a stop when I reached the street. Where...where would they go?
"HOOOT!"
I turned to my left, tilting my head in confusion at the person walking up the road. He had long black hair that blew in the passing wind as he approached me.