Fox Fate Read Online Free PDF

met a weretiger once, and when I was growing up, there was a bear living near Superior, but we haven't heard anything from him in years. It's unclear whether he moved on or died."
    "Have you heard of other foxes?"
    "Other than the ones you've talked about, I've heard of them, but just in general terms, nothing specific. Why are you asking?"
    "I was just curious," I said. "I haven't seen another fox since I left that group when I was nineteen." I looked away before asking quietly, "Do you think I'm the last, Elisabeth?"
    "Oh honey," she said. "I'm sure there are others. They're just shy. You understand. They're not going to let me know about them, after all."
    "No, I suppose not." I paused. "I won't be long, but I want privacy. No listening at keyholes."
    She frowned but nodded. I stepped into my office, closed the door, then used my ears to track Elisabeth's progress as she moved down the hallway, close enough to come if she were needed, but not close enough to overhear what I was about to do.
    I sat down at my desk, took a breath, then pulled out my phone and called a number I hadn't called in several years. I waited for the machine to answer then said clearly, "Michaela Burns," and rattled off a series of numbers. Then I held, waiting for the machine to decide what it was going to do.
    There was a series of clicks, and then a woman said, "Ms. Burns, this is Doris." I was sure that was a fake name. "What can Lima do for you?"
    "I would like a conversation with Greg Freund. It is not an emergency, but I wish discretion."
    "Of course, Ms. Burns," said 'Doris'. She paused. "You're in luck. Mr. Freund is available. I'll patch you through."
    "Thank you, Doris," I replied.
    There were more clicks, and about a minute later, Greg picked up his phone. "Michaela."
    "Greg," I said. "How are things there?"
    "Good," he said. "You just barely caught me."
    Neither of us was interested in small talk, so I said, "Greg, I have a question for you. I don't want Lara to know I asked."
    He paused. Technically, I wasn't a client. Lara was. I'd been, briefly, an employee, but that wouldn't carry any weight. Finally he said, "I'm not sure I'm comfortable with that, Michaela."
    "I thought perhaps I could ask the question. You aren't under any obligation to answer, but I'm not going to ask if you're going to tell Lara."
    He paused again. "All right," he replied. "You may ask."
    "You once told me that you'd met werefoxes prior to meeting me," I said. "I was wondering if you knew of any other living foxes. I need you to tell me whether this is a conversation we can have and not tell Lara. I have no intention of acting on whatever you tell me without talking to her, but I don't want to bring it up if it's moot."
    "We can talk generalities," he said. "You are the only fox I have personally seen in at least fifteen years."
    I stared into space, and my voice broke as I asked my next question. "Am I the last one, Greg?"
    "Oh," he replied slowly. "Michaela, I don't know. You understand, foxes are incredibly shy and keep to themselves."
    "We have to be," I replied.
    "You are quite remarkable," he replied. "I have known of foxes that were basically kept as pets, but I've never seen one."
    "By vampires?"
    "Yes, and the last one I knew of died some time ago, but that doesn't mean there aren't others."
    "What about free groups?"
    "I cannot say this with absolutely certainty, but I am nearly positive you are the only werefox still living in the lower forty-eight states, unless there is one kept by one of the vampire kings. There are rumors of groups in Canada, but you can bet if any of those rumors proved to be true, the foxes in question either would have moved or..."
    "Been hunted."
    "Yes. I'm sorry."
    "If Lara were on this call, would you have more details?"
    "I could share the rumors in greater detail, but if you were to investigate them, I do not believe you would find any living foxes."
    "All right," I said after a moment, deflating in my chair. "Greg, what