My boyfriend is a nine-tailed fox

Chapter 30: An Attack in the Shadows

The school bell rang, signaling the end of another day. Anita hurried out of the building, the weight of her secret pressing down on her chest. She glanced around the crowded hallway, looking for Claire and Max. They had plans to work on a history project later, but something felt off.

The air seemed heavier, thick with an unnatural tension, and the usual chatter of students faded into a strange silence. Anita slowed her pace, eyes scanning the empty courtyard as she made her way toward the gates. That’s when she felt it—a cold, creeping presence behind her.

Before she could react, a sharp hiss cut through the air, followed by the sound of something shifting in the shadows. Anita spun around just in time to see a dark figure stepping out from behind a row of trees. Its form was cloaked in shadow, but even from a distance, she could sense the malevolence radiating from it.

The spirit’s eyes gleamed with a dark light as it took a step toward her, its voice a low growl. “I’ve found you at last, host of the fox bead.”

Anita’s heart pounded in her chest. She didn’t have to wait for it to move closer to know that this wasn’t an ordinary spirit. The malicious aura surrounding it was suffocating, as if the very air bent to its will. Her body froze for a split second—fear gripping her mind.

But then, a flash of movement.

Jace appeared in front of her, his body a blur as he blocked the spirit’s path. “Leave her alone.” His voice was sharp, commanding.

The spirit sneered, its form shifting like liquid darkness. “You’ve protected her long enough, fox. This time, she’ll be mine.”

Before Anita could process what was happening, the spirit lunged, tendrils of shadow reaching out like claws. Without thinking, Anita stepped back, her body instinctively moving away from the attack. But as she did, the pendant around her neck—still glowing faintly—pulled her into a state of heightened awareness.

The fox bead’s energy surged inside her, filling her with an unfamiliar power. She felt her senses sharpen, every detail around her coming into focus. The spirit’s movements slowed, its shadowy claws rippling in the air like waves.

It was as though time itself had slowed. Anita’s heart raced, but her mind was calm. She raised her hand, almost instinctively, and as if responding to her will, a burst of golden energy erupted from her fingertips.

The energy slammed into the spirit, sending it crashing backward into the trees. The force of the impact left a trail of scorched earth in its wake.

Jace’s eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly recovered, stepping forward to assess the situation. “Anita, you—”

But before he could finish his sentence, the spirit reformed, its form shifting like liquid smoke. It growled, more furious than before. “This is far from over.”

It lunged again, but this time, Anita was ready. The power within her surged, and without hesitation, she unleashed another wave of energy. The spirit screamed in agony as the golden light enveloped it, forcing it to dissipate into nothingness.

Silence followed, broken only by the sound of Anita’s ragged breathing. She stared at her hands, still glowing faintly from the burst of power.

Jace stood beside her, his expression unreadable. “That... was impressive,” he said, his voice tight. “But don’t get too comfortable. The more you use the fox bead’s energy, the harder it will be to control.”

Anita nodded, trying to steady her breath. Her mind raced—what had just happened? She had barely thought about the power, and yet she had defeated a spirit on her own. Was it really the fox bead? Or had something inside her changed?

As the last traces of shadow melted into the air, Anita turned to Jace, her voice barely a whisper. “What was that thing? And why did it come after me?”

Jace’s eyes darkened. “That wasn’t just any spirit—it was a scout, sent to find you. They’re looking for the fox bead, Anita. And now that they know where you are, they won’t stop until they have it.”

The weight of his words hit her like a punch to the gut. She was no longer just a girl with a strange artifact. She was part of something much larger, something dangerous. And now, she had no choice but to face it head-on.

“I’m not running anymore,” she said quietly, her resolve solidifying.

Jace met her gaze, his expression softening. “Good. Because neither of us are.”

The shadows around them shifted, but this time, Anita didn’t flinch. She was ready.