The Fox's God Read Online Free PDF

The bird hopped around much like a real one, free to wander under the skin.
    It possessed the ink? How is it possible?
    “Ink comes from plants. Spirits frequently find refuge in plants, since they’re less likely to object than living creatures with minds of their own. This ink, too, can be a refuge.”
    Ah, I get it! If they’re under your skin, they’re protected from the god-thing that eats spiritual energy. Or, well, as protected as your own soul is.
    “Yes. They wouldn’t let me go on alone, so I have to take them along.”
    They will be able to get out again afterwards, correct?
    “Of course. They wouldn’t like to be constrained forever.” Picking up his needle, Aito went back to prickling his skin. He’d probably need a great deal of ink to fit four familiars.
    Hmm. I wonder if Yuki would let me ride under his skin? She would never again try to body-share with Yuki, not after what had happened the first time, but this tattoo method seemed safe. She’d have to ask.
    “Spirit!” a voice roared. Hachiro charged over like a mad bear.
    I haven’t been spying on anyone, she said automatically.
    Ignoring her words, the big man thrust his hands forwards. There was a small, furry shape in them. “This creature is injured! I have heard you can perform healing!”
    Why should I?
    “I would regard it as a personal favor. Please.”
    Sanae peered at the creature. It was a flying squirrel, with grey fur and huge black eyes. What happened?
    “I accidentally knocked it out of the air,” Hachiro guiltily admitted. “I did not mean to harm it.”
    I’ll take a closer look. She tried to slip inside the critter, not entirely sure she could—ah, she could. She was in. Its mind was afire with terror, pain, and confusion.
    Shh, it’s okay, she told it, mind to mind. Let me have the pain, I need to know—Oh, ouch. She’d forgotten what pain was like, the way it could be both sharp and dull. Nothing felt out of place, no bones broken so badly they were out of alignment, but it did feel as if its entire side was a giant bruise and its head throbbed in a disorienting manner. Wait, not its. His.
    She popped out to say, I’ll try. Keep him still.
    There was hardly any energy to be found, but she found enough. She pulled it where healing was needed, around the squirrel’s head and side. When he started struggling, trying to get away from Hachiro’s hands, she assumed he was feeling better.
    She sneaked back in to be certain.
    In the corner of his own mind, so to speak, the squirrel was recovering. The confusion and pain had lifted and he mentally chattered at her in that squirrel way which always seemed to mean, “This is my territory, go away.”
    I’m leaving, I’m leaving.
    Out again. He’ll be fine.
    Hachiro beamed at her. “I will remember this kindness!” He shuffled off with the critter in hand.
    He’s a strange one, she commented to Aito.

Chapter Three
    Yuki
    G oing outside to pee in the middle of a cold night was never pleasant. When it required leaving a warm and comfortable position, it was downright painful. Regretfully detangling himself from Akakiba, Yuki slipped out as quietly as possible. The cold was incentive enough to be quick, but he was also concerned about lurking danger. His fingers darted up, double-checking he wore the charm.
    Back inside, he re-blocked the door with a handy piece of hard wood. A demon could get through walls, but any that tried to materialize in a small room with three charm-protected men who were armed with glyphed weapons would die in short order. Akakiba was such a light sleeper he could dispatch any intruder before either Yuki or Jien had time to notice anything was amiss.
    Wait. The shack’s ill-fitted door leaked enough moonlight for eyes to distinguish objects and people as distinct shadows, enough for Yuki to see Akakiba hadn’t so much as twitched at his exit and return. He was usually much more sensitive to noise than that.
    Suspicious. Crouching, Yuki poked