My boyfriend is a nine-tailed fox

Chapter 9: Meeting Jace

Jace's golden eyes darted around the temple as though searching for unseen threats. His sharp features were tense, and the glow of his release still shimmered faintly around him. Anita stayed rooted to her spot, the pendant warm against her chest, her mind racing with a hundred questions and no answers.

“Who are you? I mean, what are you?” Anita asked, her voice breaking the silence.

Jace turned toward her, his gaze narrowing. “That’s my question for you,” he replied, his tone edged with suspicion. “You’re wearing the fox bead, yet you’re no sorcerer. What are you doing here?”

Anita hesitated, the weight of the pendant suddenly feeling heavy. “I—I didn’t mean to release you. I was just exploring for a history project, and—”

Jace snorted, cutting her off. “A history project? You stumbled onto an ancient seal by accident?” He folded his arms, clearly unimpressed. “Do you have any idea how much power you just unleashed?”

“I didn’t know!” Anita protested, heat rising to her face. “I thought this was just... an old temple. I didn’t even know you existed until five minutes ago!”

Jace tilted his head, his expression shifting from suspicion to mild curiosity. “You really don’t know, do you?”

“No,” Anita said firmly, though her legs felt ready to give out. “But I’d like some answers. Like, who are you, and why were you... locked up here?”

For a moment, Jace said nothing, his gaze fixed on her as if weighing whether she was worth his time. Finally, he sighed, running a hand through his silver hair.

“My name is Jace. I’m a gumiho—a fox spirit,” he began, his voice softer but still guarded. “A long time ago, I was bound to this place by a group of sorcerers. They wanted the fox bead, my source of power, but when they couldn’t take it from me, they sealed me instead.”

Anita’s breath caught. “The fox bead... is that what this pendant is?” she asked, touching the glowing artifact at her neck.

Jace’s eyes narrowed. “That’s not just a pendant. That’s my bead. And if you’re wearing it, that means it’s bonded to you now.”

“Bonded?” Anita repeated, alarmed.

Jace stepped closer, his gaze intense but not unkind. “The fox bead is more than just a source of power. It’s... a part of me. For you to activate it means it’s recognized you as its host.”

Anita’s heart pounded. “Host? What does that mean for me?”

Jace didn’t answer right away. He looked away, his expression unreadable. “It means you’re tied to my fate now. The bead will protect you, but it will also make you a target. There are those who will stop at nothing to take it—and by extension, you.”

Anita swallowed hard, the weight of his words sinking in. “This can’t be happening,” she muttered. “I’m just a high school student. I’m not... I’m not part of some mystical war.”

Jace let out a humorless chuckle. “Well, you are now,” he said, his tone laced with dry amusement. “Congratulations.”

“Great. Just great,” Anita muttered, pacing. “So, what happens now? Do I just give it back to you?”

Jace shook his head, his expression somber. “It’s not that simple. The bond can’t be undone—not without risking your life or mine. For now, you keep the bead, and I stay close to protect you.”

Anita stopped pacing, staring at him. “Protect me? From what?”

Jace’s gaze darkened. “From the ones who will come looking for the bead. And trust me, they’ll be here sooner than you think.”

Anita felt a shiver run down her spine. “Why should I trust you?” she asked, crossing her arms.

Jace hesitated, his sharp demeanor softening just a fraction. “Because you freed me,” he said simply. “And because, whether you like it or not, we’re in this together now.”

Anita sighed, feeling both overwhelmed and oddly reassured. “Well, Jace,” she said, trying to muster some confidence, “looks like we’ve got a lot to figure out.”

Jace smirked, his fox-like teeth flashing. “You have no idea.”