The fox chuckled. "And you're sharp, too. I like that. Long before doomsday, we spirit foxes always sought out humans. But these days, humans are weak-hearted things, so werewolves make the best hosts. Their primal instincts make the process easier. The only problem is if they still have their wolf. That's a pain for us. We're like fire and water, incompatible." It tilted its head. "So yes, wolfless creatures are our favorites to possess."
Lethia lowered her gaze, deep in thought.
"In stories, don't fox spirits eat human hearts?" She looked up, her voice steady. "Will you eat mine?"
The fox's laughter rang out, leaving Lethia bewildered.
"I would," it mused, "but not in the literal sense. I am a spirit, I feed on spirit energy through my beads. And the strongest source is a mate bond."
"Mate bond?" she asked warily.
