A drizzle wet the fabric of Ravyn’s [Combat Mode] attire as she marched up the streets of Zhuli toward her mother’s estate. Her blood boiled at the thought of Yanni’s friend being partially eaten by the Defiled while Emberlynn played the fool. She balled her hands into fists, and the hair on her tail and ears stood up. Her lip twitched as Bally whispered to her.

  “Ravyn. Ravyn, stop. Listen to me.”

  “No,” she hissed.

  “I know you’re upset, but I implore you to stop and think for a moment.”

  She could barely hear him. Her thoughts were devoured by images of the estate up in flames, the soil salted, and the people evacuated in case her mother had any other malicious plans.

  “Please, Ravyn. If you go in there right now—”

  “Then what?” she snapped.

  “Who will take your side?”

  Ravyn’s march slowed. Blood mingled with rain in the palms of her hands, her nails having dug fine points into her skin. The tension in her shoulders dissipated, and her sense of reason gradually returned.

  “Take my side?” she whispered the words like a statement. Not a single soul within the estate would listen to her. They had no reason to. Emberlynn was the mistress of the household, not her. “Nobody.”

  Bally sighed, then spun his head around when a woman walked by, seemingly making a point to keep distance between her and Ravyn. “Back off, bitch, squaaaawk!” The woman hurried on her way, and the familiar leaned closer to Ravyn’s ear. “If we go in there, we need to go in with a plan.”

  Ravyn slowly nodded. “Yeah. You’re right.” The last conversation between her and Emberlynn was a tumultuous one. Surely, Emberlynn must have detected the fear in Ravyn’s voice, her tone…her body language. Try as she might, she couldn’t hide it all, and Emberlynn would have noticed the slightest change in her approach. Emberlynn must have been aware that Ravyn suspected her of the Defiled’s attacks.

  The determination left her as if swept up by the wind. She swallowed hard, and where there had initially been feelings of fury, hatred, and bottled-up words best left for a final farewell, she struggled to move. Her body began to shake, and the sudden feeling that she was being watched washed over her.

  “Ravyn. Ravyn,” Bally hissed. “Come. Let’s go somewhere else for a time.”

  “R-right. Let’s get the fuck away from here.”

  The rain worsened, and Ravyn plucked an umbrella from one of the community bins—it rained often enough in Zhuli that it was easier to share. Popping it open, she scratched the back of Bally’s neck while she looked for a corner where they could speak in private. She picked out one of the smaller districts of the village, where the lights of a few tiny shops glittered in the rainfall. She took refuge beneath a veranda and put her back against the wall, twirling the umbrella while she contemplated.

  “What do you want to do?”

  Ravyn blinked. “I don’t know,” she whispered. “My mother is quite possibly the most powerful [Arbiter] in all of Nyarlea.” She reflected on the numerous visits from the Queen’s Guard when they were in need of powerful Enchantments, though the queen had never personally made the journey. “She has decades of possible Enchantments at her disposal.”

  “Ravyn, are you suggesting she would hurt you?” Bally’s tone hinted at disbelief.

  “I’m not sure anymore.” She nudged her shoulder forward. Bally took the hint and hopped down so that he stood in front of her feet. “She’s a master manipulator, that much has never changed. But I was always certain that she would never do anything to hurt me.” She sighed and used her free hand to retrieve the garnet she found in Karaka’s home. “Thanks for stopping me.”

  Bally shook the water off of his feathers and stepped onto her foot. “Of course.”

  As Ravyn rolled the garnet between her pointer finger and thumb, she considered her options. Bally was right that going in there right now would do nothing for them. In fact, it could hurt her position and destroy any chance of bringing her mother to justice. Even if Emberlynn’s Myana was held within the stone, that wouldn’t be enough to prove that she’d done anything. Besides, Emberlynn was a sickly woman, and she would use that to her advantage.

  “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

  “I’m wondering if we made a mistake in coming here.” Rolling the garnet helped her concentrate. “I’m not sure Yanni or my mother’s word will do much of anything.” Little Myana remained in the stone, but it felt warm to the touch, like a burnt-out coal. “Even if it does get Melody and the others to agree to work with Shi Island, I worry that my mother will just see it as another business opportunity.” The anger returned and she clenched the stone in her grip. “Fuck, I hate the games she plays.”

  “What if she isn’t responsible for the Defiled?”

  Ravyn shook her head. “It’s too convenient, Bally. You don’t know her like I do. You didn’t see the way she talked to others. How she wormed her way into conversations. Thanks to her dealings, Zhuli has always been the safest place to live on San Island.” She scoffed. “She’s demented. Countless catgirls fell at her feet for a chance to work together. A woman like her is always three steps ahead.”

  “Then, if we return, they’ll likely keep a close watch on us. Assuming they haven't already.” Ball preened a feather from his wing and tossed it into the street. It landed in a small puddle, floating across the surface. “We don’t have the evidence to damn her.”

  “There has to be somebody who knows what’s going on here.”

  “Is there someone she would trust with such delicate information?”

  Ravyn shook her head. Emberlynn would never have been so foolish as to share her misdeeds with another. Anyone who worked with her to accomplish her goals would likely have done so without knowing.

  If Ravyn was going to ask someone about the possibility, she’d need to choose her words carefully. She looked at the estate.

  “There may be one person we can trust,” Ravyn said. She returned the garnet to her [Cat Pack] and pushed away from the wall.

  Ball Gag flew up to her shoulder and nuzzled his face against her cheek. “Who?”

  “Yukari.”

  Ravyn wasn’t looking forward to greeting the icy-cold catgirl again. Their prior conversation during tea time had warmed the air somewhat, but Yukari’s expressions put her on edge. There was always a chill in the air, and she had a creepy way of predicting what was going to be said before it was stated. In many ways, that trait reminded Ravyn a lot of Yukari’s mother, Sachiko. Just a lot less talkative.

  This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Sliding the santo door to the side, Ravyn entered just as Yukari turned sideways with a “Welcome in!” The tone in her voice was so uncharacteristically cheery that Ravyn almost felt bad for entering her home. Almost. Yukari’s face fell when she saw Ravyn. “Ah. You again. Were the clothes not short enough?”

  “Mou ii.” Ravyn rolled her eyes and shut the door behind her. Bally flew away and perched on a room divider. After putting her umbrella in a bin by the door, she removed her shoes and stepped forward. “Is this a bad time?”

  Yukari exhaled through her nose. “Still no manners. You must need something.”

  This fucking woman. “Yes, fine. I do. Can you please hear me out? It’s important,” Ravyn said.

  Yukari tucked her arms into the sleeves of her robe. “Very well.” She flicked her head toward the door. “Turn the sign and lock up.”

  Ravyn turned the sign outside to say ‘Closed,’ then shut the door and flipped the lock at the center. She turned around and stepped into the living room, stopping short when she heard labored breathing and wheezing upstairs.

  Yukari glanced up. “A moment.” She made her way up the stairs against the back of the room and called down, “Make yourself comfortable.”

  “As if I could ever get comfortable here,” Ravyn muttered.

  Ravyn listened to muffled footsteps and the pattering rain while she waited.

  “Have you given thought about what happens afterward?” Bally whispered.

  Ravyn crossed her arms and glanced at her familiar. “I’ll figure it out when we get there.” The truth was, she had thought about it quite a bit. If Emberlynn was usurped from her position, then that would leave two others to take her spot, and Sophia was much too young.

  “There.” Yukari’s voice broke Ravyn free of her thoughts. She pointed down a hall across from the stairs and strode forward without another word.

  Ravyn paused, then followed. As she turned the corner, she watched Yukari open the door to another room—the same one they’d used to speak during tea time—and enter. Ravyn beckoned her familiar over on her way toward the room, and the bird took flight before perching on her shoulder.

  Yukari was already seated on the floor at the far end of a table by the time Ravyn entered. She gestured to the spot opposite.

  “What is it you wish to discuss?” Yukari asked.

  Ravyn shut the door and seated herself. She wasn’t sure how to start. In fact, she wasn’t even sure how Yukari could help her. But she could think of no other person in Zhuli who might trust her. “It’s about the Defiled attack.”

  Yukari hummed, then tilted her head to one side. “What of it?”

  Ravyn bowed her head to avoid Yukari’s icy gaze. Her fingers writhed beneath the table. Speaking with her felt oddly similar to talking with her mother. Bally hopped onto the table, standing at the edge beside Ravyn. “Did you feel that it was…”

  “Strange?” Yukari finished.

  Ravyn looked up, then nodded.

  “I did,” Yukari continued. “I find it difficult to believe that such a creature lived beneath the soil of Zhuli without Mistress Emberlynn’s knowledge.”

  Ravyn’s heart pounded against her chest. A faint hope tugged at the fibers of her being. But more clarifying questions would need to be asked first. She had to be sure that Yukari could be trusted. “Why do you say that?”

  Yukari raised a brow. “You have seen the numerous garnets placed around the village, have you not?”

  Ravyn felt like she was being treated like a child, but she swallowed her pride and nodded. “Yeah. Of course. My mother has been placing those around the village since I was a kitten.”

  Garnets were a part of Zhuli as much as magic was a part of San Island. Emberlynn and the generations before spent their livelihood Enchanting the garnets and placing them around the roads to light the villagers’ way during the evening.

  “And you are aware of the warding Enchantment she places on them as well, are you not?”

  Wards? This was new information. “No,” Ravyn admitted. “What do you mean?”

  Yukari paused. “I suppose it has been some time.” A rare smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “I do not know the specifics as to how they work or what they do exactly, but the garnets are Enchanted with more than just light. They have been useful in locating escaping Encroachers and keeping the peace between residents.”

  Ravyn frowned. “When did she start adding wards?”

  “I believe it was when she fell ill. She expressed concern over the possibility that she could not defend Zhuli from Defiled attacks.”

  Ravyn and Bally exchanged glances. “I see.” A brief silence passed while she thought of another question. “So, Moth—Emberlynn fills the stones with Myana for light and Enchants them?”

  “It is not Emberlynn who fills them with Myana, but Alia, her [Wizard].”

  “How do you know?”

  Yukari’s smile widened. “You are not the only one looking into this.”

  Ravyn shook her head. Pinning the Defiled attack on her was going to be harder than she thought. Being as sickly as she was, expending Myana could prove dangerous to Emberlynn’s health. [Wizard]s, however, were exceptional when it came to the transferring of Myana from person to stone.

  Fuck! This still proves nothing!

  Emberlynn had covered her tracks. Confronting her regarding the stone Ravyn had found put Emberlynn in a perfect spot to pin the blame on Alia. Exhuming the corpse under Karaka’s home wouldn’t do any good, either. All it would prove was that the Defiled hadn’t finished its meal. Even the stone’s presence in the restaurant meant nothing. Anyone could carry a garnet on them.

  “Ravyn,” Yukari said, “speak candidly.” Seconds passed, and the tension in her shoulders evaporated. “We are friends, are we not? Or have I misunderstood our relationship?”

  Perhaps it was time to come clean. “Fine.” She drew a deep breath, then slowly released it. “I…believe my mother is responsible for the Defiled attack.”

  Yukari blinked. “Of course. So do I.”

  Ravyn cackled. She had no idea why. Maybe the stress of the situation was finally getting her to crack. “You fucking believe me?”

  “It is not you who I believe. I arrived at the same conclusion with my own findings. Besides, it is impossible to believe that such a large monster went unchecked for so long.” Yukari adjusted her posture and tucked her arms beneath her sleeves. “Unfortunately, unless you have found something more, there is nothing that points to her as the culprit.”

  Ravyn retrieved the garnet she found in Karaka’s home and placed it on the table. “I found this in Karaka’s home, but if what you’re telling me is true, then it’s useless.” Yukari picked it up and rotated it in her hand. “Saoirse’s tits, I was sure I fucking had her.”

  Yukari licked her lips. “Where…in Karaka’s home did you find this?”

  “Under the foundation. I…found Karaka’s corpse, along with that.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t tell the guards. I couldn’t risk having the information getting back to Emberlynn.”

  “A wise decision.” Yukari looked at the stone for a while. Her expression was difficult to read. While her gaze remained fixated on the stone, her mind appeared to be elsewhere. She furrowed her brow, pursed her lips, and placed the garnet on the table. “What I am about to do could change Zhuli forever.” She sighed. “I may be able to give you the evidence you need.”

  “Oh? Now who’s keeping secrets?”

  Yukari hummed. “I am an [Arbiter]. If this stone was Enchanted before, then I may be able to detect the Desire that was placed upon it. Given, I am still a fledgling—only Level 30, in fact—but discerning prior Enchantments is a base Skill of the [Arbiter].”

  Ravyn’s eyes widened. “I thought my mother was the only [Arbiter].”

  “She was. Until last month.”

  “Yukari. You could bring my mother to justice. Please tell me what Enchantment is on there.”

  The icy catgirl cocked a brow. “Are you not concerned with the idea of arresting your sickly mother?”

  “Of course I am.” Ravyn’s voice lowered, and Bally hopped over to her to nuzzle his face against her forearm. “Why the fuck would I take pleasure in destroying her name? Our name? I’ve thought about how this will change Zhuli—hell, San Island—forever.” She shook her head. “But I can’t condone this. No matter why she did this, no reason is good enough to take lives.”

  “I agree.” Yukari brushed her thumbs against the tips of her fingers while silence surrounded them. Minutes passed, and Yukari recited, “[Combat Mode].” Plates of armor dyed silver and white dressed her left arm. A [Samurai]’s breastplate covered her chest, and a mask in the visage of a white fox hid her face. She took the mask off and placed it on the table, then picked up the garnet. “I’m going to identify the Enchantment now.”

  Ravyn nodded.

  “[Unlock Potential],” Yukari said. A blue-white glow surrounded the stone. Waves of Myana pulsed off of the rock, raising the hairs on Ravyn’s skin. “The remnants of an Enchantment are still here.” She cleared her throat. “[Project Desire].” The blue-white glow faded, giving way to a pale green light that was barely visible to the eye. She hummed, then said, “[Invoke Law].” Green gave way to red, and the red faded away seconds later. The garnet began to sparkle, and tendrils of Myana reached toward Yukari. She breathed deep, then clenched her hand.

  The tendrils disappeared.

  Yukari wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead. “I was able to locate the Enchantment.”

  “And what was it?” Ravyn leaned forward with Bally.

  “...An Enchantment of Puppeteering.”

  Volume One is out now on eBook, Paperback, and Audible! , , , and are available on eBook and Paperback. Subscribe to the monthly for exclusive updates and coupons!

  Thanks for reading!

  Be sure to check out our for early access chapters, NSFW chapters, full-size artwork, and more.

  Many thanks to my Patrons!

  Berserker Tier: SkySom, [William Martin]

  S-Tier: Jack Sparrow, Flaming Moose, DiscountDan, Alex Bagster-Collins

  Saphira’s Tier: PhantomKnight, nick0, Runecaster, Lazarus G, LT_Ashpole, Elissia, GreatFireLegend, 0hawkclaw0, Cole, Sir Joe, Janna Shi Island’s Fury, Lord Taxus, Miles, Aycee, Tim W.

  Powerhalf, Mitchell Aberson, Matt[hew] D Christensen, Travis, JC Quinn, HariboHeadHunter, King Jerkera, waymogunz, Phil, Centhi, Khii, Matt[hew] Johnson, Jason Walker, Belkorin, Rodney the Paladin, ICE.Paragon, Rassarion, Smithman774, Kyle McCoy, Martin Hensel, Cameron Garfalk, blackmambauk, NekoPix, Zerum Sparklez, Joshua williams, Michelle Hundt, Dave, Emily, Skade, Rosalee, SyloSpectre, Tonk, Twelve, hanani, Shags, Ranger Frank, Wesley Gathercole, Zak Stromquist, Spencer decoteau, Jacob Moore, Alex H Cowley, Zeklor, Neko1967, KH, Bilman, VKandis, ProfessorComputerMan, Victor Bugg, Vir Honestus, Steve Tatum, Orangeuh, Brooke Grace, Hock, kenneth york, Kat, WarptheSynth, ObeseStrayCat, Aaron A, Queen Toast, Zachary, Joachim F

  Please remember to follow, favorite, and rate!

  Patreon | |