Menace of the Blond Fox

By Steve Mendoza

Katherine McAndrews has escaped the perils of New York along with her “temporary” older sister, Natasha Nikulina, and her seneschal--bodyguard, Anni Laaksonen Tovari and is now heading to the west coast; San Francisco, California to be exact, after learning that her cousin, the “mayor” of the Castro Neighborhood, Samantha Mitchell is now the new target of her rival, Lisle DePaul. After finding her cousin, thanks to an explosion off a clothing store, the inhabitants of the neighborhood (and the entire city) are now trapped within a orange-electric dome like structure, with no way to escape and which provides endless amount of wintry cold fun.

Wonderful.

To add to this hysteria, both a powerful sea witch and a Chinese sorceress have mentioned to Katherine of who, exactly, blew up the clothing store, but have kept that information under wraps since it seems that this information would be too much for Katherine to handle. Katherine already has too much to handle: a powerful royal monarch from Linkutoko has landed and has aligned herself with Lisle. Can Katherine save her cousin, stop the monarch, stop Lisle’s plan and save the city before all fear engulfs the state and the country itself?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Steve Mendoza
• Release date: Dec 26, 2015
• ISBN: 9781311577603

Steve Mendoza

My name is Steve. i am 27 years old. I hope that my stories can help those who need a smile and those who want to have a new hero. I love to write and my favorite author is Seanan McGuire (and I really hope that she also can read my work). I am trying to currently write a series of books (maybe 7) and get myself in a Barnes and Noble website. That will make me so happy. Anything else, just ask either on my facebook or linkedin.

Book preview

MENANCE

OF

THE

BLOND

FOX

(Book Three of the Katherine McAndrews series)

By: Steve Mendoza

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2015 Steve Mendoza

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Thanks also for hikaruga for drawing me a picture for use as my book cover.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

End Notes

Preview of Book Four

Prologue

The Kings Palace

High above the country of Polonium

Northern Hemisphere

Linkutoko

Two months ago

My king, said the prince. Yukikyo has escaped. I apologize for knowing this information late. This is really unprecedented.

The king gave a sigh. I know. I’m not sure how she was able to survive that onslaught, but she is gone.

The prince looked really confused. Do you think those who rebelled against her are satisfied with their results? I mean, there hasn’t been any contact from the south lately to confirm all that happened. Isn’t that supposed to be the way things work around here?

The king shook his head. No, it’s alright. They will let us know when they are ready to talk. I am sure of it.

The prince looked to be angry. You’re waiting for them to talk? I mean, the Nordics are falling apart. Those who are supposed to be our guardians are falling like flies. And yet, you do not want to see what is going on? How do you know that the messenger is lying?

The king also looked angry. Because Lady Redbush does not lie!

Lady Redbush is a human!

The king slammed the table. And so am I! Is this a problem?

The prince stepped back. But, she isn’t of Kisaragi bloodline. Not even as a human. The new Queen has ruined the tradition.

The king drunk from his goblet. I’m a king of another bloodline. My popularity has increased by ten-fold.

I understand, but the people will like you if you take down this wall, said the prince. Both sides will now be united.

The king looked a little confused. Nonsense. I haven’t heard anything from the South in trying to take the wall down.

But Lady Redbush has tried her best to resolve the conflict within these two hemispheres. She is human just like you and is trying her best to bring this world together, just like planet Earth.

Earth? Ha! There were always wars within everyone in that miserable planet.

Last time I checked, you were actually born there.

Not anymore. The king rubbed his bracelet. I have gone through the trials and tribulations that made me officially part of this planet. He rubbed his scar that went around his wrist. I am no longer human.

If you say so, said the prince. However, I am your seneschal and as your seneschal-advisor, I would strongly advise you to at least consider destroying this wall. This has affected the entire planet. Even Keino is separated. Something as large of an empire that has stretched among both hemispheres has now been separated. They are not accustomed to this at all.

The king yawned. Well, they shouldn’t have allowed Yukikyo to escape.

But, why do you blame them? You are destroying Keino from the inside.

I’m not. I’m blaming the new Queen on allowing her to escape.

And for that, the entire hemisphere should be punished? Neither of them seeing their families on the other side? All of this because the ex-Queen has escaped? All of them have to suffer? We were notified of this for a long time.

But she is from the South.

So? You know that Yukikyo has connections with you. You even tried and court her. Yet, when she is a menace to probably the entire universe, you don’t even flinch.

The king sighed. I am smarter than you think I look.

And how so? said the prince.

Well...how many are left?

The prince hesitated, but managed to keep his composure since he had a feeling he knew exactly what the king was talking about. I’m not sure, said the prince. I think like three.

Well...you could say two.

But....do you think they could have the absolute power to take her down, should she pose a threat? Queen Yukikyo is an extreme threat. They will not survive.

The king was about to speak, when a maid entered the room.

Sire, Polonium is close ahead. Do you have what you need for your meeting with the Duchess? she asked.

Yes, he said. We’ll be ready in a few.

The maid bowed and was off.

The prince gave a sigh. I don’t think Earth will be able to survive the coming of Yukikyo. There will be destruction within moments of her arrival.

Not even the new princess of Southern Linku can try and defeat her? asked the king.

The prince looked shocked. An Earthling? Surely you can’t be serious. While it is true that she possesses the Moon earrings, what frightens me is that, well, what if Yukikyo manages to get herself the fabled Sun cube? Things will turn into fire and blood in a heartbeat.

Relax, said the kind, really calm. She won’t know how to use it. Not many people know the secret to unleashing its power.

Well, what if she eventually does?

Something among the palace itself began to shake. We just landed, said the king. And I wouldn’t worry about the new princess. I’m sure she will be fine. Her being chosen as the princess should ensure her as being somewhat intelligent.

And the Sun earrings? asked the prince. What will happen to the person who earns that title and captures the earrings?

The king gave a slow turn towards the prince. He knew that the prince loved to ask questions and that the prince was a smart as he was. Yet, sometimes he became really annoyed when the prince asked too much questions. Questions that eventually worried him.

If it comes to the right person with as much malice as Harumi, then we pray for Earth.

The prince shakes his head. I just hope it doesn’t come to that.

San Francisco, California

An older teen girl, with average height and with her water bottle, was strolling down the street in what looked to be on a surfboard. No one knew what to think of what they were seeing on the street, but since the majority of the people knew who she was, they didn’t mind seeing something like that after all in the first place. She was nearing the Castro neighborhood and was coming closer to a clothing store. She didn’t mind the people in the neighborhood at all and their way of life; sometimes, she thinks of how much she could be like them one day.

Although, she knew, she wasn’t in that lifestyle.

However, she was a bit saddened. She heard of the tragedy that happened in New York around less than a month ago. She was happy that the majority of the people have survived, but still, she felt bothered in regards to those to have started the tragedy. She was a little afraid that some of those people would be coming here and try to revolt against this quiet neighborhood. Still, it didn’t bother her at all. She knew she had the strength to overcome them, but sometimes, she was nervous in regards to even her own strength.

On the way to the store, she spotted someone who she seemed somewhat familiar with in speaking terms, but hasn’t fully been accustomed to her being a friend.

Lin, says the girl. What brings you here?

Lin looks around. Surely I can say the same thing about you. It’s a rarity for you to be coming here as well, in this neighborhood.

I’m just here for some clothing. Most of my stuff doesn’t hardly fit me anymore and this is the only store that has things in my size and it is closer.

You mean the only store that is closer to you?

Well yes.

Lin gave a sigh. You’re still worried about a couple of weeks ago.

The girl drunk some more from her water bottle. Well, it could happen. I’m just worried that we aren’t prepared for it. That was remotely insane.

Nonsense, said Lin. I’m sure we will be. I’m potentially sure of it.

The girl was a little flustered. So, is that why you wanted to speak to me here?

Well, I was just getting flowers here.

Yes, yes. Are you sure you won’t get tired of your black magic anytime soon?

Lin looked at her balled up fists. She knew that she couldn’t resist that urge to show off her powers. But of course, there were humans present. I was born like this, so of course this really does not bother me, she said, her tone of voice a little upset.

It bothers me everytime you do something, she said.

Lin gave a small smile. I’m sure nothing will happen here, she said. You don’t see it, but we are prepared.

The girl sighed. You probably are right.

They bid their good-byes as the girl picks up the surfboard and heads into the store, while Lin heads in the other direction.

Upon entering the store, the girl seems to feel a little dazed, as though the room itself presented a trap just for her. She tries her best to shake it off, but manages to do so a little unsuccessfully. She splashes herself with some of the remaining contents of the water bottle, almost accidently spraying a blind woman, being accompanied by two men.

Oh I’m so sorry, said the girl. My dearest apologies.

The blind woman touches the girl’s shoulder with a smile. No problem.

The girl feels a little relieved and walks towards the other side of the store. Upon feeling light headed, she heads to the bathroom and drinks a huge amount of water from the sink. She does not mind the dirty water; she is used to it. She knows that it will cure her headache, but only for a short time. She feels a little relieved and opens the door. She is about to check out some pants, when all of a sudden she notices the blind woman from before looking as though she has lost something. She observes her for a while and something inside her mind now realizes the cause for her dizziness.

She has never felt something like this so strong. At first, she thought it was Lin, making some sort of magic spell in order to try and tease her about going into the store in the first place. But now she has spotted the reason.

A young man and two women, who were in the front of the store since she entered, now suddenly appear from a coat rack section. She looked at them in a little bit of a puzzling glance since San Francisco wasn’t that accustomed to having people wear very heavy coats. Sure, it would be cold from the winter time, but the girl knew that wearing something this heavy was a sure tell-tale sign that something was totally wrong.

Her fears of this trio were made true as she eyed a girl who had striped pigtails and was a dusty blonde. She knew this girl.

She thought the girl was dead.

She tried her best to speak to her, to try and call her, but no voice came out of her mouth.

Instead, as she went right past her, she smelled the burning of sulfur. It was coming from the front of the store where the receptionist was.

No! she thought. Not her!

She saw the blind woman escape in a hurried motion along with her two friends. The other trio that came from the coat rack disappeared. She didn’t see them go anywhere but, the girl, however, had her only way of escaping.

She ran to the bathroom and escaped from the vent...in her only unusual way.

A crowd gathered after the explosion just a few minutes after it happened. Among the crowd was the blind woman, who ran off onto the Castro neighborhood. Surely, she had a story to tell.

Lin, aware of what just happened, escaped into the Chinatown section of San Francisco, preparing for whatever that was needed in large of this new threat.

Others were on their phones.

One of those on the phone, just simply whispered onto it as it was still dialing. Please, please pick up. Please hurry.

"You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions."

James 4:2-3

"But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep."

2 Peter 2:1-3

"The only service a friend can really render is to keep up your courage by holding up to you a mirror which you can see a noble image of yourself."

G.B Shaw

Chapter One

The past year -almost, from the way my life has been going lately- has been one extreme roller coaster ride. I saved a continent, a very populous city, and in saving said populous city, saved the entire southern portion of the United States.

I guess this is what eighteen year olds do in their daily life. Sounds like a lot of work.

My name is Katherine Christine McAndrews. Lately, all I actually wanted was a year of rest, but like I just mentioned a few seconds ago, that has not been the case.

Well, where to begin. I’ll try to make my list a short as possible starting from the beginning.

Ready?

Here we go:

My best friend died, my house blew up, my sister disappeared, I almost drowned twice, I was raped, I had a bomb in my body, I fell off two planes without a parachute and with no broken bones, I survived many biblical tortures, I survived people from another planet who were trying to kill me, I survived people from this planet who were trying to kill me, I met people from that same other planet who weren’t trying to kill me, I survived the almost sinkage of Staten Island from underground, and to tie in from all of this madness I have gone through...

I found out that I am the newly crowned princess of that mentioned other planet. The other planet is called Linkutoko.

Told you it was so much work I’ve been through. And yet, I am still alive. At least the Linkutoko name is cute.

Oh great, I forgot to mention how I got the title of princess and these awesome Moon earrings...

Nah, I’m too tired. I’ll tell you a little later.

I’m here eating in a San Francisco Chinese restaurant with my new best friend and temporary adoptive older sister, Natasha Nikulina. A good thing about Natasha was that she’s rich; a member of one of the richest families in Russia, according to her of course. She didn’t want to join me in this adventure, but she reluctantly accepted to be in this journey with me.

The bad thing about Natasha that I found out, just recently, was that she can eat a lot. It wasn’t some sort of condition she was suffering from, but when I asked her to calm down a bit, she simply said, I just don’t gain weight. I didn’t know whether to believe it or not about her. She was a natural red-head, taller than me, glasses which didn’t break from anything at all, and was probably the best person I could’ve ever asked for in a friend.

Which is why, until I find my sister Jessie, I gave her the temporary older sister title.

Now, you’re also wondering what am I doing here in the West Coast all of a sudden, since I was in New York City over four months ago. I did enjoy the pretty lights, but I have a personal reason.

Remember the list of things that I mentioned earlier? One of those things on the list mentioned that I was raped.

The guy who did it, some bastard named Lisle DePaul, is here in the city.

And I think he’s after my cousin, Samantha Mitchell who is also here in the city.

How he knows that my cousin lives here, I have no idea.

How he knows anything about me, I have no idea.

Of course, thanks to the wonders of the internet, I know the reason as to why he is also here, besides my cousin of course.

Believe me, the reason is stupid.

The food here was really good. I looked over across the table from me to see Natasha scarf down another noodle bowl.

How many was that already, like three? I asked. I was already done with my portion of frog legs and rice, which were really tasty, especially with barbeque sauce. Natasha just simply stared at me, as though she didn’t know what I was ordering. I just told her, I’m positive it will be good. Sure enough, they were.

No, it was only two, she said in her defense. It was clearly a lie, but I let it slip. I love her too damn much to be arguing with her. She said that she always wanted a younger sibling and that I fitted her flyer for one.

The fact that I have blue hair really raised up her spirits about me as well.

I simply shook my head from that comment, when there was distinct chattering around the restaurant in regards to something that I could vaguely understand. We weren’t the only tourists here, but when someone speaks English too fast for you to catch up and understand, then it could be a problem. Luckily, my phone began playing a ringtone from some sort of Finnish band. Of course I didn’t understand the words, but it was a really catchy theme. Plus, just from the ringtone alone and the caller I.D, there is only one person who I call seneschal.

Which of course makes Natasha jealous.

That’s not fair that she gets to have the awesome title like that, she says to me. I knew you longer than she has.

You know she can burn you to a crisp with that comment if she was here, I said, about to answer my cell phone.

And you’ll let her do it?

Of course not.

What band is that, by the way?

Some all girl band. I answer the call. Yes, seneschal?

Her name wasn’t seneschal, but even she understood the premise of herself having that title bestowed upon her. Plus it sounded awesome.

Katherine, you better get over to the shopping district immediately, came the panicked voice of one Anni Laaksonen Tovari, probably the best trio of words to make a name with.A clothing store has exploded.

Clothing store explosion? I said a bit louder for Natasha to hear me.

I guess that’s what the commotion is about here, she said.

That’s not all. It’s a gay clothing store.

The exact moment those words left Anni’s mouth, I knew I had to leave. Give us five minutes, I told her.

Make it two. I’ll be waiting, she said and hung up. I turned to Natasha. Hurry up and pay for the food. We’re leaving I said as I was quickly getting up. You know how somewhat impatient Anni can be.

For what? The clothing store explosion? Don’t they have firefighters for that very purpose? she said, trying to be the smart-mouth one.

She earned that portion of her personality. It was a gay clothing store. I don’t think I have to tell you who would be behind that one, I said.

Can I just take a guess in that one?

Just hurry up and pay the bill.

Can’t Anni teleport here and pay it herself?

Anni Laaksonen Tovari, from what I am finally starting to understand about this Linkutoko business, had the powers of electricity and can teleport in any area within the vicinity of where she is (she said something like that). She worked in a Barnes and Noble store in New York. She now works in a Borderlands bookstore. She was one of those people as well who did not want to kill me; being her from another planet, I was remotely surprised that I have gotten myself to trust her. Anni was always the trusting type, even when that trust was tested in the most unforeseen way: against her own brother Tuomas.

She got the job done and we did help her out. Well, I can give most of the credit to Natasha; after all, she was the one who did save Anni’s life using a necklace. A golden necklace at that.

A golden necklace that features, above all things, a picture of me and my best friend Rebecca.

Who was the aforementioned dead best friend.

After all of that, Anni explained to me and Natasha the Linku business side of things, and since I knew her former princess -the one who got me the earrings in the first place because I did not know she was going to die-, she decided to tag along for the ride.

I think she can be more prepared for anything than I can ever be.

I really don’t think she would have time for that, I said to Natasha. Anni wants us to go, so then we shall go.

Okay fine, said Natasha, frustrated. We were getting off the table, when one of the clerks, a male, stopped us.

Excuse me ladies, you have not paid for your food, he said.

Oh sorry, said Natasha, pulling out her wallet. You guys take credit cards?

In silence, he snatched the card away from Natasha’s hand and went back to the front desk reception area.

I hope he hurries up. We really have to go, I said.

All awesome things take time, said Natasha.

Paying for food is awesome?

Well, when it’s good of course.

Makes sense.

The man came back in a frown. I’m sorry ma’am, but it says that this card has been deemed stolen.

Natasha just looked at him, as though she wasn’t paying attention. She took one glance at me and then back at him. I’m sorry, what?

The card is stolen ma’am. Also, there aren’t sufficient funds to process this transaction.

Huh? Excuse me? Listen buddy. See this? This is my name, she says, taking out another form of I.D from her wallet. And this name matches the name on this card. As you can see, it’s the same name. So I don’t know how you figure my card being stolen and all of that garbage. So I suggest you check again.

The man went not to the counter, but to another room in the back. The rest of the patrons in the restaurant were still bickering over whatever happened in that explosion. I just completely stared at Natasha.

Can you please explain this delay? I asked. I figured that Natasha was telling the truth about her card not getting stolen and I’ll be surprised if it is actually true that she doesn’t have any money.

I’ll kill her for that one.

The clerk came back a few minutes later with someone I assumed to be the owner of the restaurant.

We’ve looked over the card. I’m sorry, but there are not enough sufficient funds in order to cover your eating expenses here, said the person who I thought was the owner. He looked as though he was going to advance on Natasha, when I held him back.

Let me speak to my sister for two minutes please. I’m sure she’ll tell me what’s going on, I said to them. Without looking back at them, I pushed Natasha to the other side. Natty, what is going on here?

I honestly do not know, she said. Probably someone hacked onto my account. How, I have no idea.

That part made a lot of sense. It must’ve been someone overseas. Those hackers do have a way with getting through things they are not supposed to get. Still, Natasha should’ve been more responsible and checked her account before we went out to eat, and thus would’ve prevented this type of catastrophe. Instead, all she ever thought was that everything was all good.

This is why I gave a small smile while she was in panic mode; I love it when reality smacks her in the face. Still, we needed to hatch a plan to try and escape.

Hopefully -by the way the clerk and owner were looking at us- alive of course.

So what do we do? I asked her.

Without saying anything, Natasha grabbed my hand and ran through the door as we were off and running through four blocks of streets.

We’ll pay them back for the food, somehow, she said.

Wonderful, was my only reply.

Natasha was busy looking though cars, obviously in my mind which one she wanted to try and steal to make a getaway.

Why don’t we just take one of those trolleys? I asked.

Too slow, and not safe, she said.

Huh? How is it not safe?

They’ll find us easily.

Oh and you assume they won’t find us in a car?

Natasha didn’t say anything, as a blue car door was already opened. Besides, she added. We’ll get to that explosion site in no time. Unless, of course, you wanna take your chances and run over there by yourself?

As much as I wanted to really test myself and actually run a good distance, I wasn’t going to make the same mistake again of leaving Natasha alone. It has already been too hazardous to my health throughout this adventure.

Alright, you win, I said to her, as I saw one of her many skills put to good use in our escape: hot-wiring a car.

She still hasn’t taught me how to do that after all of this time hanging out together. I expected our sisterly bond to go through something as illegal as stealing a car. I guess even a bond like that has its limits.

Once she got the thing rolling, I was ready to give her directions as soon as we hit the first red light, when there were two motorcycles approaching from either side of us. They weren’t suspicious, I didn’t think, until the one that was on my right took out a baseball bat.

Natty...do something, I whispered, trying to direct my voice towards the car window to my right. Natty, from the corner of my eye, was still focused on the road. I had an odd feeling that some sort of owner of a restaurant sent these guys to make sure we did pay for the food. Or that he was some sort of relative to the owner. Either way you slice it, these guys were going to bring us back to pay for the food: bleeding or dead.

The moment the light turned green, Natasha turned to the left before the guy on the right could’ve gotten a swing off at the window. The guy on the left was caught off guard and was flipped over on his motorcycle. Getting bumped by a car was one thing if you were on a bike, but Natasha made sure that the motorcycle was destroyed beyond repair. As I looked back, I think the guy had a broken leg. This proved that Natasha wasn’t going to let anything happen to me; even if it meant giving someone a broken leg.

Oh well. Too bad.

We started to twist and turn through the lanes of traffic that congested the streets with its air and many vehicles on its road. Natasha made a hard turn to the left, which left us almost hitting an incoming car. That was scary.

Why did you go left like that? I asked, really shaky.

Aren’t we going left?

Ummm, did I say we were going left?

No. Were you supposed to?

Just then, the other motorcycle -who was supposed to knock out my side of the window a few minutes ago- came speeding towards us.

Okay, I’m going to assume that isn’t a good thing, said Natasha.

The motorcycle began to gain speed towards us.

Dang it! Go faster! I shouted.I think that motorcycle is getting closer.

Really? asked Natasha.

Yes. It says so on this mirror.

We drove past the Victorian houses and headed right onto a hill. This felt a lot more like a rollercoaster ride than a chase. I had the luck of having Natasha as my driver. I could drive, but I wasn’t that experienced at it like I wanted to be. Anni wants to learn how to drive, but she was afraid that she would become so nervous, that she would cripple the car from its electric foundation. Natasha was the only one who was qualified from our group to drive. She’s twenty-seven but drives as though she’s ten years younger.

The way she drives, I didn’t think having a seatbelt would regard me as being safe.

The motorcycle started to head to the left. Natasha, being the careful and care-free driver that she is, rammed onto the motorcycle. It didn’t have any effect on the motorcycle as it looked as though the driver took out a sword.

What in the world?! shouted Natasha. He’ll wreck our ride!

I told you to take the trolley! I shouted, getting a small headache.

There was a red light up ahead. Natasha looked back at the motorcycle and within a split-second, moved right in front of it as the driver of the bike was sent flying right above us and landing right in the middle of the street. Fortunately for him, the cars stopped as soon as he approached the street from the air.

Fortunately for him, he was wearing a helmet.

Whoa, what a fall, said Natasha, opened mouthed.

Just drive! I shouted again.

I didn’t care that it was a red light; actually I didn’t see it at all. I turned the steering wheel to the right as the car turned to a street corner that led us onto one of many streets that connected towards the large neighborhood of Chinatown.

Weirdly enough, as soon as we were right on the neighborhood, Natasha began to slow down and began acting like a normal driver again. She knew that we had to give up the car. I knew that we had to give up the car. Natasha wasn’t budging towards the door.

Natasha, out of the car, I said, unhooking the seatbelt.

Relax. Not now, she said.

We have to get out now, I said. Not later, right now.

No no, we’ll be fine. And plus, you’re supposed to be my map guide. How far are we from that clothing store explosion?

Oh, ummm, not far. Well, we were supposed to go straight, but now we can continue this path. I’ll tell you when to turn again.

Alright.

We kept driving, when we saw a group of businessmen walking down the street looking as though everything was fine.

We’ll get off of the car later, I said. Those guys look like the Triad.

Triad, huh? Should we go call the police on them?

Of course not. They’re not doing anything.

What if they are hired by Lisle?

Okay, now you are going crazy.

I was about to call Anni on my new phone when all of a sudden, Natasha turns and hits a parked car.

That’s what I get for not keeping my eye on her.

What did you do? I asked.

Now we get out, she said, opening her door and taking my hand as we headed out onto the Chinese neighborhood.

There were the usual assortment of restaurants and dress shops, but Natasha looked like she wanted to hide somewhere.

Relax Natasha, I said. I’m sure it was just some regular fender-bender. It was simply an accident.

Yeah sure. That’s what they all say.

We stopped in front of a seafood market and looked behind us.

See Natty? No one’s following us here, I said. Now can I call Anni please? She’s been waiting for us for a long time. I have to tell her that we might be there a little late.

Well hurry up! I’m not feeling comfortable around this neck of the woods.

Huh? We’re right on a fish market. Can you calm down?

The area had that harbor type smell, so I guessed that Natasha became seasick. But Natasha always jumped into any kind of body of water with me, so I ruled that out. After only a mere few seconds, there was a shout in Chinese as those with the suits pointed at us.

Good gracious, I said. Good job Natasha.

You said it was an accident, she replied.

Doesn’t matter what it is, just run!

The thing that scared me, besides of course that the street was crowded, was that Natasha wasn’t going to catch up with me. I held that away from me, and gathered enough emotion to carry Natasha’s hand through the streets of Chinatown away from the Triads because of some random car accident. We ended up on some alleyway as we entered an apartment building entranceway.

Okay, I think we’re alright here, said Natasha. I don’t think there would be someone here who would rat us out from our location to the Triads.

Oh sure they won’t, I replied sarcastically.

We might as well find a room to chill in.

What about Anni?

What about her?

Ummm, in case she needs help in something to discuss with the authorities because of the explosion?

Yeah, about that. How do you know it was Lisle who did it? It could be Florence.

I’m not sure that actually computes logically. Lisle is the one who has control over explosions.

Really? Since when did he become an expert in the world of what explodes and what doesn’t?

Nevermind alright? With my full height, I peered through the small window. I think they are gone.

So shall we advance, princess blue hair? asked Natasha. Ever since Anni told her that I was already crowned the next princess of the southern portion of Linkutoko by former princess Muchiko, Natasha has been taking that opportunity to always call me a blue-haired princess or some other definition regarding my blue hair. It is nice that she could understand how much this now meant to me, but lately, I could tell that she was jealous that I named Anni my seneschal instead of her. I had a good reason to, but of course I didn’t want to tell her what it was: the dream of her dying was still on my mind. Natasha had no reason to be jealous: Anni is my seneschal but Natasha is my sister. That’s how it will always be between us three friends.

Alright, I said, checking again, to make sure that the coast was clear. Let’s get out of here.

Cool, was Natasha’s reply.

And Natasha?

Yes?

Try not to do anything that can otherwise re-alert them to tracking us down again. It was bad enough that our assassin had a sword.

Hey, don’t blame me for all of this.

And why shouldn’t I?

Well isn’t it obvious? We’re still alive.

By extreme luck of course.

I opened the door and it looked as though we were on the rooftop of the same apartment building. There was a woman, about Natasha’s age who looked as though she was in deep meditation on a red carpet. Her hair was black and was set on a small tubed hair-straightener right on top of her head which was light brown. She was wearing a red possibly traditional Chinese dress and long black shoes. There were two hooded figures, on either side of her, grey and looking straight at us, but not making any sudden moves towards us.

See? That was your fault, said Natasha.

Me? How is it my fault? I asked.

Well, you were the one who opened the door. It’s not my fault you didn’t check your surroundings before you opened the door.

Hey, if it wasn’t for you, then we wouldn’t be on the roof alright?

Natasha stopped. I did as well as we looked at the girl, still in meditation, slowly open her eyes.

Who are you two? she asked.

Uhhh, none for nothing, but I think you were the one who brought us here, said Natasha.

Clearly, I did not. It was certainly one of you two.

Natasha looked right at me. See what your earrings did?

I walked towards her and knelt down. Sorry, if we were a little rude interrupting you, but we really must be going now.

What’s the hurry? she asked. Don’t you wanna stay for a little while?

She was now sounding a bit too creepy for my taste. It looked as though she wanted to trap us here. I knew she was the one who got us here on the roof. In a quick reaction, I stayed ready in case she wanted to snatch my earrings.

Listen, we really have to get going, I said again. We’re investigating that explosion off of that clothing store that a friend of mine told me.

I would strongly advise you not to approach that area, if you value your lives, said the Asian girl.

Ummm, don’t worry. We won’t break anything that isn’t already broken, said Natasha.

She sat up, looking visibly angry. I stepped in front of her, my hands outstretched.

If you have a problem with her comment, either make your sentence more specific or step back right now, I said.

That explosion wasn’t made by a bomb, she suddenly said.

I put my hands down.

I really don’t care what it was or what it wasn’t. Can you let us go through please? I said, this time not a question but a demand to let us escape. If you don’t, then I really don’t have a problem with jumping off this roof.

Are you serious? she asked.

Yeah, and actually telling you how it felt.

The girl looked a little pleased with herself. Natasha turned around and was about to walk away when one of the cloaked figures appeared in front of her.

Listen creep, your little Asian girlfriend said we can pass through, so if you don’t mind, said Natasha.

But I didn’t say anything, she said. In fact, since you are going to disobey me, I have no choice but to destroy you both.

The other figure appeared right in front of me as that placed Natasha and I back to back.

Any chance of your earrings conjuring up some magic for an escape plan? asked Natasha.

Relax Natty, I’m thinking of something, I said. I really wasn’t.

Natasha shrugged and tried for a punch in the face. Either he dodged it or there wasn’t really someone behind that figure as her fist landed on air.

I guess that wasn’t supposed to happen, said Natasha as she was lifted into the air by some sort of skeleton hand. I went to try and get her free when the other one continued to block my path.

The Asian girl made a small laugh. So, are you finally going to listen to me, or should I begin sucking the life force out of your friend?

I turned around to face her, once again, not getting a good visual because of the tall hooded figure.

Let her go! Now! I shouted, ready to leap on the hooded creature.

Natasha’s scream stopped me cold. I guess she didn’t listen to me.

I leaped like I promised I was going to do a few seconds ago, when it grabbed my shirt and threw me right over the roof. This time, there was nothing to hold on to as I felt myself falling.

Lucky for me, I felt someone grab me as I suddenly felt myself land right on the roof again. I guess she got tired of waiting. The figure that held Natasha suddenly collapsed onto the ground with a bolt of electricity on its back. I ran to her aid.

Enough! shouted Anni, very pissed. I’m pretty positive that she was impatient waiting for us for so long, but I hoped that from this scene that her impatience fades away. The Asian girl looked as though her respect has been lost.

Duke Tovari, she said, bowing. There has been a lot of those lately and in my life. I for one, didn’t mind that at all. If I knew you were in the area, I would’ve planned a party.

Shove it, Lin, she said. At least I knew her name. I really don’t time for some fortune cookie b.s. Leave my friends alone.

This fool, said Lin, pointing at me, disobeyed me. There is something dangerous in that clothing store.

Firstly, I was there and I did not see anything that you consider dangerous, replied Anni as I helped up Natasha. She looked okay, just a little dazed. Second, that ‘fool’ is the new princess of the Southern Hemisphere of Linku, so if I were you, I would be really careful on who are you calling a fool.

You lie Duke!

I approached her slowly and showed her the earrings.

They look like everyday moon shaped earrings, said Lin. Prove that they are the real thing.

I thought of something that can be at least simple enough to be considered as proof. I looked at Anni. Anni just remained quiet. After all, Lin said me, not her. Natasha approached me.

I got an idea for proof, but I don’t know if your earrings would work this way, she said.

Is this idea by any chance, from the Bible?

Well duh.

Okay, but I better be alive after this.

I’m sure you will be.

Natasha whispered something to me. I refused at first, but Natasha pushed me forward. I gave a sigh.

You want proof Lin? I asked. Then hold them.

I took them off and placed them on her left hand.

Yes. Then? asked Lin.

Put your arm inside your sleeve for a few seconds, then take it out.

She did as I requested. Her hand, after a few seconds, was back out and looked as though there was no more skin on it. I finally saw the inside of her hand and it was really bloody. Natasha did not tell me something like that was going to happen.

What did you do? Lin asked me holding up her boned hand.

Put it back and take it out again, I said.

In panic, she took it out and stuck it back out again. Her hand was fine.

I did not know how dangerous these earrings are, she said, handing them back to me.

You have your proof okay? I said.

Anni interjected before I was about to continue.

Leave them alone Lin, she said, now a little annoyed.

You care for your friends so much Duke. I strongly advise you and for them to not approach the explosion site.

And I said to you already: there is nothing there to be worried about.

Trust me, there is. That explosion was just the start.

Of?

Don’t you know what sort of items were in the store?

I thought back about what she was talking about. There was nothing concrete that would tell that there was something dangerous inside.

Just clothes, said Natasha.

And? There was a specific kind of reasoning as to those types of clothes. That reason is approximately six miles away from the blast site. Like I said to you earlier, it was not done by a bomb.

Anni looked as though she wanted to fight, but Natasha and I held her back.

Easy seneschal, easy, I said. I don’t think this is someone you can actually handle by yourself.

Yeah, said Natasha. These Asians are always bad news, especially the Chinese.

If you think they are rough, there is a Japanese neighborhood not far from here, said Anni.

Me and my big mouth, replied Natasha.

Anni told us that she was alright as we let her go.

Not a bomb? she asked. I think it’s you who is the one lying.

Then I have my proof in the form of a witness, said Lin.

Then tell us who this witness is, I said. I didn’t want to blurt out Samantha’s name right away. I wasn’t sure if she was actually accustomed to the strange yet interesting things that were the property of Linku.

I just wanna see how the birds looked if I were to go there one day.

Well, I’m not sure what she saw exactly, but anything Cecilie says, is truth onward. She was almost hit by the blast, said Lin.

Cecilie? You mean Cecilie Engen? asked Anni. You don’t mean Engen right?

Is there anyone else?

But, she was sent to Louisiana to try and prevent more hurricanes from coming through. She moved?

Why does that surprise you? This is the ‘city by the bay’ or so it is called by these humans. It looked like she wasn’t too fond of living right with us for some reason. Everytime she would eye me, she would always give me some sort of dirty look. After a small silence from all of us and from the other hooded figure that was still next to her -the one Anni knock down to save Natasha was still down-, I finally found out why. Muchiko wouldn’t be much of an idiot to give her earrings to this human. Am I to believe that?

See it and believe it, I said, in my best attempt to show off.

Katherine, shush, said Anni. Lin, where is she?

Where do you think Duke?

Oh, right.

Wait a second, said Natasha. If it wasn’t a bomb, then what did, whoever it was, use?

Ask Cecilie.

Anni turned to me. I’m going to teleport you two back to our makeshift apartment while I find Cecilie. Promise me you will not follow me.

Wait, I may have a few questions, maybe regarding my cousin to this Cecilie character, I said.

No Katherine. Don’t follow me alright? Just relax back at the apartment.

What’s so bad about me going there anyway?

Katherine.

Tell me. You’ve been keeping secrets from me all of this time. I do thank you for the book which I have been studying, but tell me what’s wrong.

Well, Cecilie Engen is from Norway and controls the water.

I gave an obvious swallow and a shutter flew right through my body. Ummm, okay, that’s not so bad, I said. I can deal with that. Wait, then is she in charge of....that name I can’t pronounce, even when I found it in the book...what was it again?

Anni gave a sigh. Keinotekoinen Valtameri. Didn’t we practice pronunciation a couple of days ago?

I know, but I wasn’t born nor have any Finnish roots, I said. So okay, she’s in charge.

Yes, she is in that area.

None for nothing and sorry to sound smart, but since you have electric powers, should you actually be going there in the first place? asked Natasha.

Anni just looked at her. I’ll be fine, she said. And Katherine, we’re here to find your cousin remember?

I know. I still have to find out where she is located.

Ummm, isn’t that the easy part? asked Natasha.

If I can find it.

Don’t you have the uncanny skill of finding anything anywhere?

Yes, but I feel as though... I suddenly stopped speaking to see Anni staring at her watch and looking annoyed. Fine. Take us back.

Yes please. I don’t want to deal with the Triads at the moment, said Natasha.

Triads? asked Anni.

Wait, forget that, I interrupted. Take us to the explosion site.

You’re positive? I didn’t see anyone suspicious if that is what you’re expecting when you get there, waiting for your guys all day.

Again we’re sorry. We’ll see what we can dig up, and you can tell us about the witness on your end, said Natasha. Also I realized that, is Cecilie the only witness that saw what happened?

Believe me Natasha, said Anni. I rarely trust Lin these situations. If you find more, then awesome.

Okay.

So shall we go?

One last thing, I said as I approached Lin again.

What do you want? Can’t you see I’m busy trying to protect the neighborhood here and you interrupt me?

I took a deep breath. Did you see a young teen with either blonde or brown hair with a girl who looked Canadian and another girl with braids around this area?

No, and do not ask me for help again. You don’t deserve those sacred earrings.

It looked as though she was done for the day in helping us with any more clues. I didn’t know if she actually did see Lisle or not, but I trotted back to where Anni was, waiting.

No sign of Lisle, I said.

Figures, said Anni as we were gone. I just hope I got to Samantha before Lisle did. I would feel a whole lot comfortable if she was actually okay.

If a bomb didn’t cause the explosion, then what the heck actually did?

Chapter Two

As Anni teleported us back to our makeshift apartment, -which was, weirdly enough, paid for by Anni (and which made her lie to us in saying that she was going to get us to the explosion site)-, the moment she disappeared like she always did, I ran past Natasha and out of the door. I didn’t listen to her protests of not following Anni; surprisingly, she knew I would do such a thing, but she still managed not to try and stop me.

Such an odd maneuver.

I headed out of the door and tried my best to locate an area where there would be a good view of the ocean and also would be a good location of two people from a different planet to talk privately.

That was going to be so not easy.

I thought for a second that they might be close to my location. Then as I began running to the direction of the ocean, I began to wonder why Anni would hide me from Cecilie. Was she a former criminal? Was she that dangerous? Well, I do consider anyone dangerous if they control the water like she does. If she’s the one who controls the area of that...word....that I can’t pronounce, then who knows what kind of powers, good or bad, she can unleash.

I just hope she can help me find my cousin. I just hope Lisle doesn’t find her first.

I managed to catch a taxi and told