Cards Of The Silent King-Chapter 15: Fenrir’s Inconvenient Affection

The Grey District was quiet. Too quiet. The kind of silence that happens when the rats stop running and the wind holds its breath.

Kaito stood at the end of the alley. His back against the brick. His breath misting in the cold.

The Wanderer was big. Twice the size of the others. Claws like railroad spikes. Teeth made of shattered glass. It blocked the path home.

It growled. The sound vibrated in Kaito’s chest.

Big one. Kuro noted. Do not use me. I am not a battering ram.

Kaito reached into his jacket. He bypassed the Ace. He went deeper. To the custom suit. The King of Fangs.

The card was heavy. Warm. It pulsed like a heartbeat.

Fenrir.

He threw the card. It did not fly. It landed at his feet. It exploded into light. White. Gold. Blue.

The wolf materialized.

Large. Massive. Shoulder height reaching Kaito’s waist. Fur like steel wool. Eyes burning with blue fire. Claws clicking on the pavement.

Fenrir sniffed the air. He sniffed Kaito. He sniffed the Wanderer.

PACK! Fenrir’s voice boomed. Not in Kaito’s head. In the alley. Loud. Physical. ENEMY NEAR PACK LEADER!

Quiet.

Fenrir wagged his tail. It hit a trash can. The can dented.

Sorry. Excited. It has been weeks. You only call Kuro. Kuro is boring. I am fun.

The Wanderer lunged.

Fenrir did not dodge. He met it in mid air. He caught the creature’s throat in his jaws. He shook his head. Once. Twice.

The sound of breaking static echoed. The Wanderer dissolved into ash before it hit the ground.

Fenrir spat out a handful of smoke. He turned to Kaito. His tongue lolling out. Steam rose from his fur.

Done! Good fight? Good fight. I think good fight. Fast. Efficient. Like you teach.

Kaito sheathed the card. He picked up the King of Fangs. It was hot.

Home.

Walk! Fenrir trotted to Kaito’s side. He nudged Kaito’s hand with his nose. Hard. Kaito stumbled. Pet. Need pet. Morale boost.

Kaito kept walking. He did not pet.

Fenrir trotted alongside him. He was too big for the sidewalk. He walked in the street. Cars slowed. Drivers looked. They did not see a monster. They saw a large dog. A very large dog. Supernatural masking did the work.

He is embarrassing. Kuro’s voice sounded tired. Look at him. Prancing. Like a puppy.

Strong.

Strong and stupid. There is a difference.

Fenrir heard. He growled low in his throat. A sound like grinding stones.

Kuro is jealous. Kuro wants to be wolf. But Kuro is bird. Small bird. Fragile.

I am a sovereign of shadow. I am not fragile. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Feathers break. Fur grows back.

Kaito stopped at the corner. The apartment building was visible. Lights on in the windows. Safe. Warm.

He looked at Fenrir. The wolf was still solid. Still manifest.

Dismiss.

Fenrir sat down. He planted his hind legs. He wrapped his tail around his paws. He looked up with big, wet, glowing eyes.

No.

Have to.

Tired. Fenrir rested his chin on Kaito’s foot. The weight was heavy. Warm. You are cold. Your feet are ice. I am heater. Natural heater. Biologically efficient.

Kaito tried to lift his foot. Fenrir’s head moved with it. Still resting.

Move.

No. Pack leader needs warmth. You fight too much. You sleep too little. Your scent is exhaustion and old coffee.

He is not wrong. Kuro muttered. You smell terrible.

Kaito looked down. Fenrir’s eyes were hopeful. Expectant. Like a dog waiting for a treat that never comes.

Kaito sighed. He stopped trying to lift his foot. He leaned against the wall.

Five minutes.

Thirty.

Ten.

Twenty. Compromise.

Fenrir closed his eyes. He sighed happily. A puff of warm air hit Kaito’s ankle.

This is undignified. Kuro said. You are the Card Gate. The Silent King. You have a wolf sitting on your shoe in public.

Safe.

He is a weapon.

Friend.

Fenrir’s tail thumped the pavement. Thump. Thump.

You hear that. King says friend. Not tool. Not weapon. Friend. Fenrir opened one eye. You hear that Kuro. He likes me better.

I heard nothing.

Liar. Bird hears everything.

Kaito closed his eyes. The warmth seeped through his boot. Into his bone. The ache in his legs faded. Just slightly.

Yuki Onna said he would feel sixty by twenty five. She said the cost was high.

But this cost was low. Warmth. Weight. Loyalty.

A neighbor walked past. Mrs. Sato. Old. Carrying groceries. She looked at Kaito. She looked at the giant wolf sitting on his foot.

Late night, Ashen kun.

Late.

Big dog.

Big.

Keep him close. City is dangerous.

Know.

She walked on. She did not scream. She did not run. She accepted the world as it was presented.

Fenrir watched her go. He growled softly.

She smells like cat. Three cats. In her apartment. I can hear them breathing.

Leave it.

Tempting. Just one peek. Into the bag. Maybe fish.

No fish.

Fenrir rested his head back down. He was heavy. Immovable. Like Atlas. But softer.

Kaito. Kuro’s voice dropped the sarcasm. The pattern. The cracks. Yuki Onna warned you.

Know.

This warmth. It makes you slow.

Makes me human.

Humans die.

Know.

Fenrir shifted. He tucked his nose under his tail. He was falling asleep. Standing up. Sitting down. It did not matter. He was secure.

You worry too much. Fenrir mumbled. His voice was sleepy. Kuro worries. You worry. I fight. I eat. I sleep. I protect pack. Simple.

Simple.

Yes. Why make complex. Complex is for humans. Wolves know truth.

What truth.

Fenrir opened one eye. The blue fire was dim now. Gentle.

You are not alone. Even when you are quiet. Even when you hide. We are here. In the cards. In the pocket. In the heart.

Kaito looked at the wolf. He looked at the fur. The scars on the muzzle. The loyalty in the stance.

He reached down. Slowly. He put his hand on Fenrir’s head.

Fenrir froze. Then he leaned into the touch. He pushed harder. Almost knocking Kaito over.

Finally. Took you long enough. I have been waiting since Chapter Three. Or whatever time measure you use.

Kaito scratched behind the ear. The fur was coarse. Warm. Real.

Good boy.

Fenrir’s tail went crazy. Thump. Thump. Thump. Cracks appeared in the sidewalk under the force.

Disgusting. Kuro sounded away. Fading. I am going to sleep. Wake me when the world ends.

Night.

Fenrir stood up. He stretched. His back arched. He shook his fur. Sparks flew off.

Okay. Warmth delivered. Morale boosted. You can walk now.

Stay.

Can not. Cards are home. Bed is soft. I prefer soft.

Fenrir stepped back. He began to fade. Turning into light. Into motes. Into the card in Kaito’s hand.

See you tomorrow. Bring meat. Raw. Not cooked. Fire tastes bad.

Okay.

The wolf vanished. The card fell into Kaito’s palm. It was warm. Pulsing slowly.

Kaito stood alone on the corner. The cold rushed back in. The weight on his foot was gone.

He looked at the card. He slipped it into the deck. Next to the Ace. Next to the Queen.

He walked to the building. He climbed the stairs. He unlocked the door.

Inside, he hung up his jacket. He took off his boots. His foot was still warm. The imprint of the wolf’s chin was red on his sock.

He sat on the bed. He fanned the cards.

The King of Fangs glowed brighter than the others.

You kept the note. Kuro’s voice was faint. Sleepy. The girl’s note.

Kaito touched his pocket. The paper was there. Crumpled. Warm.

Yes.

And the wolf.

Yes.

You are collecting things.

Keeping.

Why.

Kaito lay back. He looked at the ceiling. The shadows were quiet. The city was quiet.

Mine.

They are not property.

Family.

Kuro did not answer. The Ace went dark.

Kaito closed his eyes. He felt the warmth in his pocket. The warmth in his foot. The warmth in his chest.

The Hunger was waking. The cracks were spreading. The cost was rising.

But tonight, the wolf was full. The bird was sleeping. The girl was safe.

He slept.