Rivalry and roses

it for Jeremia

racking, and she needed answers fr

tight in her fist, heart racing li

ping down the counter as if the w

storm

the truth. About Grandpa. Ab

er froze

hed, heavy and

," her mother said carefull

the phone o

ou knew. You've alw

, her shoulders sinking, like she'd

ed to find the attic,"

hroat ti

y n

rets were never meant for you.

lled out a small, leather-bou

ndp

er he passed. I thought

r's voice

chasing you. He's connected t

breath

lo

slowly, tears br

s trained by your grandfather long before you w

s for

her started. To protect the f

r's gaze

eomgyu went off the path. He st

ed back, min

she croaked. "

s pressed into a

as your friend. He was supposed to be yo

heart s

hing but a missio

ed for her, but

ne buzz

yu: Still think you can tr

a piece the

n h

aled when Mina read

g," Mina whispered, her vo

gaze fell t

m your grandfather's enemies... I

ingers w

oes tha

he journal, revealing a sy

hat had been followin

be part o

orld was

being part of the fox's legacy shatt

ox symbol in her mot

it, Mom? What's the fox's legacy? Why has my

strength draining from her like t

a secret network called The Fox's Circle. They weren't just collectors or codebreakers-they wer

s dry. "So... tr

arded it. Moved it. Hid it from people who would abuse it. But

aze flicked to

Each generation had one-the Little Fox. The heir. The

ice cr

upposed t

pulse t

that came with it. I thought I could break the ch

down her mo

ther didn't give up. He tr

mgy

. "He raised him lik

odded, guilt

want to protect the fox's legacy. He wanted to c

ands shook as

mily. They were old allies of The Circle. Jeremiah was raised not as a player, but as your protecto

ina in the eyes, a

xt Little Fox. The

ke the air had been k

the puzzles... the messages... t

r mother

to it. Whether yo

d in her mo

idn't want you near your grandfather's secrets. I thought i

ked. "But I'm in

ed loudly on

ten

alled from outside

ase, let m

artled. "Do you want

creamed yes-but something i

nod toward the do

anting, his hair a mess,

not stopping. He wants you to quest

hat's your part in this? W

ched like she

t not to hurt you." His voice bro

embled. "How ca

out of his pocket-a

ears old. She was sitting on a swing,

e known you since we were ki

eath c

To make sure you never followed the fox's trail." His voice softened. "But I c

ked, but doubt st

you. He said the game would be more thrilling if yo

phone

sk. He broke the rul

, little fox-I'

ll remind you who

"Please. Don't shut me ou

didn't you tell me the

t if you knew I was assigned to you, you'd never tru

s voice cut

the truth. I k

efenses

rms, tears falling freely. "I d

"Then trust me now. From th

kindling in her eyes. "Th

all, broken smile.

ne buzz

x. Come find me. Let's