He could see the fear in her, fear of everything. Her only escape had been the cold embrace of death, the only solace she had ever known.
It saddened him deeply. She could feel what he felt, just as he could feel what she felt. He clung to the hope that he could save her, and he had, at the cost of his own life.
He watched her intently, meeting her gaze as her amber eyes burned with anger, as if she longed to throw herself into the abyss just to see what lay on the other side. He understood her turmoil.
He needed to be honest with her, he knew she would rebel if he kept secrets. She had lived too long in chaos, discord, and suffering, being sold from place to place as she grew up.
She had known nothing but betrayal, pain, and fear. No one had ever protected her, and he knew that trusting him would not come easily.
Turning toward the window, he saw the moon shining bright. In a sudden gust, the shutters slammed closed, locking them in. As she watched him, the wind rushed through the room, filling her with panic.
"Trapped," she growled softly, her voice a low whisper of defiance.
The wind extinguished the candles, plunging the room into darkness. When the flames reignited, they burned blue.
His body shifted, transforming from human to fox, like her. His fox eyes, one glowing red with the bloodlust of a predator, the other gold like the rising sun, held nothing but gentleness, concern, and understanding.
Gold ring piercings with bells adorned his ears, chiming like a monk's staff with every movement. His tails multiplied, forming nine enormous ones, each adorned near the tip with a fox mask displaying a different expression. They looked like calligraphy brushes, poised to paint their next stroke.
Laverna's breath hitched. This power, this presence, he wasn't just any fox. He was something far beyond what she had ever encountered. Her heart pounded as she struggled to process it.
"I know you have many questions, and I will answer them. But first, I need you to calm down. Your fears are unwarranted."
His voice was gentle, soothing, yet firm. He paused, giving her a moment to absorb his words. Her ears twitched as he spoke.
'Calm down? How was she supposed to—' Before she could finish the thought, warmth spread through her, a small seed of calmness taking root. Laverna wasn't sure if it was some trick of his or merely the way he moved and spoke, but her body relaxed despite herself.
His movements were effortless, like flowing water, shifting as he fully embraced his fox form. Familiar foxen eyes watched her, his nine tails swaying.
"You... you are like me," she gasped, sitting up. The anger and fear that had clouded her mind faded.
"I haven't seen another of our kind in so long." She placed her hands in her lap, nodding softly, listening intently.
He was like her. The realization stunned her.
"I saved you because saving a life is a noble act," he said. "I would save everyone if I could, but I am only one person. I couldn't save all those people back in the Manor."
He lowered his hand as the blue flames flickered around the room, floating like wisps. Their soft glow illuminated his face, making him clearer to her. If she reached out, she would find that the flames pulsed like a heartbeat, warm, not scalding.
She watched, entranced, fingers twitching with the urge to touch the fire, to feed it until it grew. As the flames danced, she saw glimpses of memories within them, flashes of the battle, the desperation, the moment she had nearly died.
"What happened in the Manor was six days ago," he continued. "You were dying. I had to use my power to save you, by the Moon as my witness."
Foxes worshipped the Moon, knowing that gods and demons existed. They danced between the mortal and the spirit realms.
She shook her head, a knot tightening in her chest. "Six days? That can't be. It feels like yesterday."
He pointed to her abdomen, to the mark he knew was there. Yuri had told him about it.
"I had to use my life force to save you," he said. "That mark is proof of my power, but it came at a cost."
She stiffened. The weight of his words settled over her like stones. Her mouth tasted of copper. "What... cost?" she growled, sitting up straighter, hands curling into fists.
He sighed, steeling himself. He knew his next words would anger her, but he had no choice.
"I know you'll be furious, but to save you, I had to make you my Servant. That bond ties you to my life force, to my mana. Your life is mine, as mine is yours."
He watched her closely, keeping his hands raised to show he meant no threat. He saw her nails elongate. She was tapping into her wild side. He prayed she would listen to reason.
"I'm sorry. Please forgive my selfishness." He bowed deeply, his nine tails following, the fox masks bowing with him.
"You... did... what?!"
The moment the word 'Servant' left his lips, she growled. Red crept into her vision.
Her nails bit into her palms. The copper taste of blood filled her mouth. Snarling, she leapt from the bed, pressing herself against him, jabbing a finger into his chest, not enough to hurt, but enough to make her point. Her tears fell as she lashed in anger, her wishes stolen from her once again.
"How fucking dare you! You should have left me dead, you selfish fucking asshole!"
She wanted to strike him, to wrap her fingers around his throat and squeeze, to drive her fist through his chest. But her body refused to obey. No matter how much she willed it, she couldn't move against him.
Outrage burned through her veins, the heat of it scorching her skin. She turned sharply, storming toward the door. "Let... Me... Leave..."
The door was unlocked. She slipped out, fury guiding her steps. The noise of the world crashed into her senses, overwhelming her. She growled at anyone who dared look her way, keeping her gaze fixed forward, blinded by rage.
Her vision blurred. Memories surfaced, unbidden, chains, cages, the sting of whips. A life spent under others' control. And now... this?
No.
She refused.
Her steps quickened. She needed to escape, to run as far as she could. But something held her back, a force she could not see, a connection she did not understand. And it terrified her.