Storm and Aurora made their way up the stairs towards the master bedroom.
They took positions on opposite sides of the door.
Once in position, they nodded at each other and rushed through the door.
"By the Elders!!" Exclaimed Aurora.
A naked man was tied up in the center of the room.
Numerous cuts covered his body two fingers on each hand had been severed.
The man was also castrated.
Where the Kitsune's torture was slow and patient.
Designed to keep the victim alive long enough to extract information.
This one was quick.
Made to cause the most amount of pain in a short amount of time.
Storm walked over to the man and lifted his head.
"His vocal chords had been cut. Whoever did this did not do it for information.
The man couldn't even scream for help." Explained Storm.
They looked up at the wall behind the man's desk.
'Blood for Blood' was written on the wall with the man's own blood.
"A revenge killing? Could the Kitsune be involved?" Asked Aurora.
Storm shook his head.
"Doubtful! This isn't their style! Someone else is responsible for this!" Answered Storm.
Something on the desk caught Storm's eye. It looked like a large crystal ball.
Storm walked towards the desk and as he got closer, the crystal began to glow brighter.
"Why is it glowing?" Asked Aurora.
"I think it's sensing me?" Said Storm.
"This is troubling!! An object that can detect shapeshifting creatures?!
Numerous magical creatures would be in danger if the humans mass produced this!!" Exclaimed Mimereus.
As Storm took the crystal ball, an letter on the desk with his name on it caught his eye.
Storm picked up and began reading the letter.
'Storm!! I apologize for the mess I left but I needed to act quickly.
The Kitsune in the city are all in danger!! The hunters know their identity and are no doubt on their way to Elysium!!
You need to get back to the safe house and tell the Kitsune to evacuate the city!!
My men and I will cover your escape!!
Hurry, or more lives will be lost!
We will speak when things have calmed down
Kind regards
The Shadow Prince.
"Aurora!!! We need to return to Elysium now!!!" Yelled Storm.
Aurora asked no further questions as they ran from the mansion back towards Elysium.
Storm and Aurora barged through the doors and rushed to Ciela's office.
Ciela's bodyguard Igor moved in front of her and shielded her.
"Storm! What is the meaning of this?!!" Asked Ciela.
"Your origins have been revealed!! We must get you all out of the city, Now!!"
Ciela's face paled.
"Igor!! Evacuate the humans currently staying here!!
Tell all the girls they have 30 minutes to pack whatever they can!!"
Igor grunted, then ran off to do as instructed.
"Wait for me in the main room, I must prepare our departure!" Instructed Ciela.
Storm and Aurora left the office and watched as the Kitsune rushed around the room.
Patrons were hastily pulled out of bed and rushed to the staff exit.
Some were still in undergarments and were desperately trying to hold on to their modesty by trying to conceal themselves with the bundles of clothes they held in their hands.
A few minutes later Ciela joined the dragons.
She had changed into a simple, tight fitting, white top with matching skirt, a chain mail vest protected her chest and belly was placed over her clothes.
Her shoulders and upper arms were bare but she wore a pair of soft, thin leather gloves over her hands.
A thin rapier was tied to her hip.
"What happened, Storm?"
Storm gave a quick summary of what he had seen at the mansion as well as the warning letter from the Shadow Prince.
"I'm sorry we couldn't save your agent, Ciela." Aurora said.
"Kirin.... her name was Kirin... you did what you could. This is my fault, alone.
This crystal! May I see it?" Asked Ciela.
Storm took it from his bags and handed it to Ciela.
It was glowing even brighter than Storm had seen before because of the amount of Shapeshifters nearby.
Ciela took the crystal ball with a troubled face.
"An object that can reveal our true nature?! This is a most troubling development!!
The Matriarch must be warned!" Said Ciela.
The Kitsune were all assembled in the main hall 30 minutes later.
Ciela's eyes fell on two men in the group that didn't belong there.
"I thought I said to evacuate the Patrons!!" Said Ciela
Two young Kitsune stepped forward.
"Please mistress!! We have revealed ourselves to them!!
They wish to accompany us and keep us safe!!"
Ciela looked at the two men, based on their clothes, they were from a noble family.
But not in an influential position themselves.
Most likely a third or fourth son that only had the family name to use and some minor perks of being born as noblemen.
Ciela held her head in her hands before addressing the two men.
"You are aware what this means, right?!
Your own families will disown you, and you will be branded as traitors."
The men stepped forward.
"We do Mistress Ciela !
But we wish to do this regardless of what we would lose!"
Ciela sighed.
"Fine! But be ready!
I doubt the hunters will show you anymore mercy than they would to us!"
Ciela did a quick headcount.
"Where are Morrigan and Elowen?!" Asked Ciela.
"They didn't return to Elysium last night, Mistress!!" Called one of the Kitsune.
"They might already have been captured!" Said Aurora.
"You don't know that!!
They might have just stayed the night!!" Called one of the Kitsune.
"We can't leave them to die, please mistress!" Called another.
Before Ciela could answer, she saw activity near the main entrance to the grounds.
Storm and the Kitsune stepped through the main doors and waited by the fountain.
A large squad of soldiers stepped through the main gate and marched towards them.
A single man in ornate armor and a helm with fine plumage was leading the formation.
Ciela frowned when she saw the man.
"Friend of yours?" Asked Storm.
"Baron Wilburn.
An uncouth brute, leader of the guardsmen, also one of our regular patrons. " Explained Ciela.
Ciela stepped forward to meet the men. Storm, Aurora, and Igor followed close behind.
"Baron!? I'm afraid the establishment is closed!
You and your men will have to come back some other time!" Said Ciela.
Her tone was sarcastic and with an edge that Storm hadn't heard her use before.
"We're under orders to put you all under arrest and take you in for 'questioning'."
"Questioning, is it? Like how you 'questioned' Kirin?!" Replied Ciela in a biting tone.
"Don't make this difficult!!
Will you come quietly?!
Or do I need to cut off a few of your tails before you comply?!" Threatened the Baron.
Ciela's eyes turned into their yellow foxlike appearance as she drew her rapier.
"I'd like to see you 'try'." Replied Ciela.
"ALL RIGHT MEN!! SEEMS LIKE WE'VE GOT A GOOD OLD FASHIONED 'FOX HUNT' ON OUR HANDS!!" Yelled the Baron excitedly.