Chapter 4: Shame and Secrets

I sprawled like a corpse on a boulder in the maple grove, eyes wide open, refusing to die in peace.

Above me, the sky was that washed-out blue that comes before dawn. Thinking back over my thousand years, I’ve lived wild and free, played around plenty but never left a trace—who would’ve thought I’d trip in the gutter one day and lose my body over a lousy seed?

Grinding my teeth in hatred.

Damn hypocrite, so what if you have a relic? Next time, I’ll definitely take you down!

"Ancestor, you actually came back alive!"

The old willow spirit hobbled over, cane in hand, eyeing me up and down for a long time, then tugged his beard in confusion.

"Why do you have such a strong holy aura on you? Did you meet Pastor Caleb?"

I stayed in my corpse pose, too lazy to open my eyes, and muttered, "Yeah, fought him. Lost."

"But that’s not right. The holy aura shouldn’t be this strong—it’s coming from you."

I...

Damn old willow, always saying the wrong thing. One day I’ll strip your bark.

I kicked his old trunk, waved my hand irritably. "Go, go, go—don’t bother me. I want to sleep."

"No respect for elders, no manners! Hmph, I won’t stoop to your level."

The old trunk grumbled as he left.

A moment later, I shot upright.

Crap—where’s my waist pendant?

My precious white quartz, with a tassel braided from my own fox tail, meant for my future mate—where is it?

That damned pastor must’ve pulled it off last night and tossed it somewhere.

Us foxes are loyal to our partners—once we pick one, we never change. That waist pendant is covered in my scent. If another spirit finds it, my reputation will be ruined!

No, I have to get it back.

I scrambled up, running my fingers along my waistband and pockets in a panic, then dashed out of the grove, cursing under my breath. Losing the pendant would be a disaster, like your mom finding your stash of love letters and reading them out loud at Thanksgiving.