Free The Night Parade by Kathryn Tanquary Page B

her fall clouded the air around her. The gatekeeper hit the road with a thump. Through the whirling of the dust, it stretched open its gaping mouth and smacked its lips.
    The spirits around them began to shout.
    â€œIt’s a human! A dirty human’s sneaked into the Parade!”
    â€œThe fox brought it! It’s her fault!”
    Saki struggled to her feet and burst into a run. She darted toward the forest, away from the road and the gatekeeper’s open maw. She ran through the curling tendrils of the underbrush and the prickly little plants hidden between the trees. Branches grabbed at her arms and face as she sprinted past. She tripped over a rock and stumbled to keep her balance as her eyes searched frantically for the fox. The fox would know exactly what to do. But Saki couldn’t turn back, not even to check if the gatekeeper had followed her. Her heart was beating too fast to hear anything but her own blood pounding in her ears.
    When she felt as though her heart would burst, she fell against a tree and gasped for breath. The woods around her were empty. There were no lanterns to light her path or any path at all to lead her back to the spirits. The darkness pressed around her like a heavy liquid. After so many haphazard rights and lefts in order to escape, she was completely and utterly lost. The slope in this part of the forest was so gentle, Saki couldn’t even tell which way led back down the mountain. The only thing left of her guide was the wooden geta on her feet.
    After a little while, she hugged her legs to her body as hot, desperate tears stung at her eyes.

Chapter 7
    â€œFeeling sorry for yourself?” The cool voice of the she-fox floated through the trees.
    Saki’s head shot up. Beneath a sagging bough, the fox sat prim and proper. Saki pushed off the ground and scrambled to her feet.
    â€œYou came! I was so scared you’d left me…”
    â€œI ought to have left you.” The fox’s yellow eyes narrowed, and her four tails thrashed behind her. “Now every sentry in the temple complex will be after you and after me as your accomplice. I’ve been shamed in front of everyone. Do you have any idea of the mess you’ve made?”
    Saki withered at the sharp words. Her shoulders slumped, and she twisted the hem of her nightshirt between her hands again, fighting back a second round of tears. “I’m sorry…I thought it would be enough. I did do the ritual! I just…I just…”
    â€œYou couldn’t be bothered to do it properly, or you couldn’t be bothered to tell me before I put my reputation on the line for you? These spirits think of me poorly enough without you adding fuel to their fire.”
    â€œI said I was sorry…I don’t know what else I can do…”
    â€œThere is one thing you can do.”
    Saki glanced up. She wiped the tearstains from under her eyes and straightened. “What is it? What do I do?”
    Under the shifting branches overhead, the fox’s glow shone brighter than the moon. Her gaze leveled at Saki as her whiskers gave a twitch. “Hidden somewhere on this mountain is a power that can unravel any problem, unlock any door.”
    â€œCan it lift my curse?”
    â€œNo. It holds no sway over the mysteries of life and death. But with it, you may reach the heart of the shrine where the prince dwells, and he may grant your wish.”
    â€œOkay.” Saki nodded, her determination grappling with her nerves. “How do we find it?”
    â€œ We do nothing. It is you who must undertake this task alone.”
    â€œAlone?” The blood drained from Saki’s face. Her courage wavered, a leaf against a strong wind. “Why can’t you come with me?”
    â€œI’d be chased away with a cleaver the moment she caught my scent,” said the fox. “You, on the other hand, are precisely what she’ll be looking for.”
    â€œShe? Who’s