Falling into someone's clutches reminded Aya of the time she became Ficky's "slave" because of King Gorgeous VIII. Even though Ficky hadn't actually done anything to her, Aya's body had been embedded with slave-like commands she couldn't control. To disobey meant consequences. It was a nightmare they had endured together in the Slave City.
Now, she was facing something similar. However, the treatment from this new "master" was neither as distant nor as stiff as that of her bodyguard, Ficky.
Yuda's touch was soft—a gentleness she had never received from Ficky—and it caused her to sit frozen in a state of shock.
Is he targeting me because he knows I'm a fox? What do I do? Aya's mind raced with anxiety.
Yuda's ruby-red eyes held her captive; she couldn't move so much as a fingertip.
Internally, she was screaming, cursing, and desperately wanting to kick him as he leaned closer. In that moment of peak distress, her fox ears and tail suddenly manifested.
Yuda's aggressive advance faltered. He glanced behind her, his eyes locking onto the tail that had appeared out of nowhere.
"I didn't expect you to be a fox."
What? I thought he was after me because fox tails fetch a high price. Was I wrong? Aya wondered, her body still paralyzed by his gaze.
Yuda admitted this was the first time he had ever seen a fox-shifter in person. Unlike most beast-folk or hunters who could scent her kind, he had been genuinely unaware of her identity until now.
But if he couldn't smell her, why had his eyes turned that deep, blood-red color?
"Well, whatever. I don't care," Yuda remarked coolly. "As long as I can preserve it, you'll make the most exquisite masterpiece."
What is he talking about? Aya's heart hammered against her ribs, but the paralysis held firm.
"You know, Aya... I have to admit, your attitude really intrigues me."
Yuda stroked her cheek, and she could feel her brow furrow in a silent scowl.
"Oh? Still trying to rebel? And here I thought you said you'd do anything for this coin."
Yuda was clearly enjoying himself, which only fueled Aya's fury. She might be trapped by his power, but she forced herself to clear her mind of the dark thoughts swirling within. She tried to find a calm center amidst the storm of her emotions.
What would Ficky do if he were in my shoes? she wondered.
Knock! Knock!
As if an answer to a prayer—or a plan falling into place—someone knocked on the hotel room door.
The weight of Yuda's power vanished the moment he turned toward the door. Without wasting a second, Aya scrambled under the bed, peering out from the shadows.
"Who is it?" Yuda demanded.
"Room service. We received a complaint from this room about a broken faucet."
Yuda peeked through the eyehole before swinging the door open. "I never ordered room service. Who the hell are you?" he barked.
Suddenly, the window glass shattered with a deafening crash. Aya spun around in her hiding spot, her heart leaping into her throat. A stray shard of glass sliced into her fingertip.
"Huh?"
Yuda was sprawled near the broken window. Blood pooled around him, soaking the floor, the glass shards, and his clothes. But within seconds, the horrific wounds began to knit themselves back together, vanishing as if they had never existed.
"So, they're playing hardball," Yuda spat, glaring at the empty space where the intruder had been.
Moments later, the sound of a crowd approaching the room echoed down the hallway, causing the assailant to vanish into the night.
Yuda considered giving chase, but his gaze fell on Aya as she crawled out from under the bed. They locked eyes for a brief moment before Aya turned and bolted from the room.
She practically flew out of the hotel, her eyes searching frantically. She gripped her left shoulder, her breath coming in ragged gasps.
"Ficky's here! Was he the one disguised as the waiter? But where did he go?!"
Aya skidded to a halt, scanning every alleyway and corner. A hand suddenly clamped onto her shoulder from behind.
"Fi—!"
The name died in her throat as she realized her mistake. It was Yuda. As usual, he was wearing that same effortless smile, greeting her as if he hadn't just been bleeding out on a hotel floor.
"You again?! What do you want now!" Aya shrieked, backing away. She prepared to run before his magic could freeze her again.
"Are you afraid of me?" Yuda asked calmly.
"You bet I am! Just give me the coin back. I won't tell anyone what I saw... about whatever you are," Aya bargained, her hand outstretched.
"You can hide what you saw all you want, but that doesn't mean you know who I am. At least, not yet. And even if you keep my secrets, that doesn't mean I'll keep yours."
Yuda pointed toward the fox tail she was trying to hide beneath her long gown. Aya flinched.
"I'm not trying to waste time, but isn't a fox's identity their most guarded secret? You'll be hunted by everyone if that tail is seen."
He was right. Her tail wasn't going anywhere, and her identity was now fully exposed to him. She had no leverage, and she knew nothing of his secrets except for the strange power he possessed.
"So what? Are you going to tell everyone I'm a fox?"
"Maybe. But I won't... if you do what I ask," he crooned, reaching out to twirl a lock of her long hair around his finger. He began to stroke the top of her head, his eyes glowing with amusement as he touched her soft, furry ears.
"Stop it! Just give me the coin! We've talked enough. Why are you trying to trap me?" she snapped, slapping his hand away.
Her face flushed deep red—partly from embarrassment and partly because her ears were incredibly sensitive.
"Cute," he murmured.
The sky was shifting now, the orange glow of twilight fading into a bruising purple. A sense of forebodding washed over Aya. Fear, anxiety—all the negative emotions she had been fighting came flooding back. She wanted to be angry, but the terror was faster. Her tail began to tremble uncontrollably as she stared into Yuda's ruby eyes.
"Aya, you—"
"Don't you dare come near me! Don't flirt with me, don't touch me! I'm rejecting all your requests. Now, give me the coin!"
Aya stood her ground. She was done with his games and his conditions. She was terrified, and her tail was shaking, but she remained resolute.
She knew he would say no.
So, what now?