The Sins of the Serpent | Book 1.5 of TSOT and Prequel of TDH Trilogy

8 | The Fallen Wicked Fox Emperor's Mate

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Hirayama Sosuke

"Where are you two going?" I asked my sires, Jin and Tui, as they tiptoed towards the exit of my prison. "The point of an exile is to remain separated from the other Clans. Azusa will not be as forgiving as last time if you plan to tread on her territory." Even though I couldn't see them, I could hear the soft pitter-patter of the pads of their feet. They had shifted into their fox forms, thinking it would give them another layer of secrecy.

"With all due respect, Master, you might be indifferent about staying in such a dark and dreary place, but we prefer a life of luxury," Tui's feminine voice echoed in the enclosure.

A barrier encircled the area, allowing only certain people to enter the cave. Jin and Tui were free to come and go as they pleased because they were made from a part of my essence, but they were also not traditional kitsune who could be bound by a simple boundary incantation. The purpose of the barrier was to keep me locked away, preventing me from ever leaving. It was a lonely way to live, especially considering I was over three hundred centuries old.

As time passed, I ran out of things to do - as my blindness hindered what few things I could do. Eventually, there were no more thoughts to fill my mind. Time essentially became frozen, which is every immortal's greatest fearful realization.

"When will you learn to tell the truth, Tui? Your demonic nature is showing," I responded. Deception was a nogitsune's favorite tool and anyone else's forbidden fruit, it always seduced its way into Tui's heart and I was the one to answer for it every time.

"She never learns. You know how it is, Master. I'll be sure to give her a long lecture about why lying is horrible," Jin chimed in, as he always did.

"I know your sister is a lost cause, but I expected better from you. Tell me, where are you really going? I hope you don't plan on seeing that fortune teller again."

The fortune teller was a seer who lived in the mountains, close to where we were. Like us, she was an exiled kitsune. However, she was rejected from kitsune society because of the accusations against her. Many labeled her a charlatan, most questioned the validity of her prophetic visions.

Jin and Tui recently took interest in the fox spirit, citing her visions as the solution to our problems. But nothing could rescue me from my current situation, not unless Meihui herself would grant me clemency.

"We gave up on her ages ago. Besides, Azusa said she's found your mate," Tui said.

'My mate? I couldn't possibly have a mate. Why would Meihui allow me to experience the joys of having a mate if I was meant to be imprisoned in the labyrinth for the rest of my life? Or was this another part of my punishment for all the souls I've destroyed?' I thought. "And you believe her?"

"We would be fools not to, Master. Everyone knows the value of Lady Azusa's visions," Jin replied.

"Maybe we can get our money back from the fortune teller," Tui said. Now was hardly the time to think of money.

"And you plan to bring my mate here?" I asked.

"He's already here," Tui commented. "I have to admit, it doesn't take much to provoke the Crown Prince of Wuzhen. He's quite impulsive. And here I thought Azusa didn't have a deceitful bone in her body. She would do well if she changed tribes and became a fox demon."