"This month is hunting season for the fae," said Heiji, watching warily as the shadows began to recede. "That's what they told me, anyway. The first three weeks of July. The first week they hunt foxes. Although it seems more like they'd hunt anything with red fur."

At the mention of hunting, Tsubaki clung tighter to Heiji, who patted her hair gently. "That's why I told you to stay in the house. It's too dangerous to be out right now."

"But I wanted to go look for flowers," said Tsubaki into his jacket. Her voice was nearly a whisper.