Page 85 of Cursed By Fate

A slow smile unfurled. “This is delicious tea, and I’m not talking about the liquid. I had no idea how much worse for them it actually was.”

“How have the last five years been for you?”

The kitsune gazed into her teacup. “Has it been five years? Time is such a strange construct. It seems like only last week you were telling me you completed the Pinto assignment.” There was an edge to her voice.

“About that—I’m sorry,” I said. If there was bad blood between us, better to know sooner rather than later.

“Are you? Or are you only sorry because you’re worried I’ll sound the alarm that you’re back in circulation.”

“I’m sorry that I lied to you, but I’m not sorry for what I did.”

Reimu dropped her gaze. “She died anyway, you know. That Pinto girl. They sent another fury in your place. Someone without your scruples.”

A lump formed in my throat. I knew deep down that would be the end result, but I also knew it couldn’t be my hand that dealt the fatal blow.

“That wasn’t divine justice,” I said, my voice flat.

“You and I don’t have the privilege of an opinion.”

“No, we didn’t have the privilege of expressing an opinion. I decided to change that.”

She whistled her admiration. “How have they not managed to track you down in five years? Gods, they must still be livid.”

“I learned a thing or two during my time as a fury. Used a few of those things to my advantage.”

“Like what?” She squinted at me. “Wait. I’m about to answer my own question. Your fate-thread is gone.”

“Not gone, only smudged.”

Reimu gazed at me in wonder. “You’re an absolute legend, Aurelia. How did you manage that?”

“I’d rather not say.”

“Fair enough.”

She hesitated. “What’s your new name?”

“I’d rather not say that either.”

“You’ve taken an enormous risk in coming to see me. You must have a very good reason.”

“I do. I met a werewolf recently with deified blood.”

“Sounds like a mediocre man with insecurity issues. Always wanted to be the big dog and now he is. What’s the damage?”

“He’s abusing the power he gained from it.”

She chortled. “Still concerned with justice wherever you go.”

“This is different.”

“Why? Are you getting paid this time?”

I didn’t want to reveal more than I already had. “I’m protecting people.” The Neighbors might be aging supernaturals, but they were still vulnerable in their own way. And I was responsible for their safety and well-being.

“How is that different from what you did for the Fates?”

“Because I get to decide who to help and how to help them. It’s called free will, Reimu.”