Chapter Forty: Tightened Noose:

“They are leaving in you, mistress,” Aki said. “All of them. Victoria, Hitomi, Amara, Shichiro, Daisuke, Yumiko, Kirika, Juriko…” The kitsune leaned into her mistress’ ear.

“All of my brothers and sisters,” she hissed. Haruka clicked her tongue and frowned.

“Who will you lose next?” Aki asked. “Face it, you are done for. The clan will die. What become of you then?” Haruka shoved the kitsune away.

“Shut your mouth!” the old lady hissed. Aki lifted her head.

“Can’t handle the truth?” she asked.

“Shut up!” Haruka said. “You are so noisy!”

“She’s right, you know,” a man’s voice said. The old lady froze.

“No…” Haruka slowly turned around. Daisuke stood in the doorway, smirking.

“But you’re dead!” his mother shouted.

“Yes,” Daisuke said. “I am dead.”

“But…”

“How am I here before you?” The deceased man shrugged. “Simple. I am in your mind.”

Haruka’s nostrils flared. “That’s ridiculous!”

“Is it? Just like the fact the clan is dying?”

“Shut up!”

“Why? Don’t you want to hear the truth?”

“The clan is just fine.”

“That’s not how I see it.” Daisuke closed his eyes and breathed in. “Ah, yes. Can you hear that? It’s sound of this damned curse finally breaking.”

Haruka gritted her teeth. “I will not let that happen.”

Her son raised an eyebrow. “Oh?” His feet barely made a sound as he walked over to her.

“How? You already kill Shichiro-nii and drained Nobu-nii. Face it, mother. It’s over for you. Anna-chan will see to it herself.”

Haruka tried not to laugh. “Her? She might have the Mother, but she will never take down this clan.”

Daisuke put his hand on the old lady’s head. “Did you not hear what I said? The curse will be broken. Your time is up.” Something in his eyes gave her the instinct to run away. In life, Daisuke was afraid of her. She could break him with an evil glare.

Why am I the one afraid?

“And Anna-chan isn’t alone,” Daisuke added. “Unlike you, she is loved. With that love, my beloved daughter will be your downfall.” Her son broke down laughing. Haruka gritted her teeth and growled.

“You!” the old lady barked. Haruka raised her right hand and swung forward wide open. Only… She wound up slapping air. Haruka caught her balance and let out a choked-up scream.

Aki watched the entire time. She smirked and shook her head. What’s going to happen when the final threads break and her mistress finally loses control?