Chapter 20 Tails of Power

The moon was high by the time Kai stepped back out into the cool night air. The conversation with Lockwood had left a bitter taste in his mouth, but a necessary one. He returned to the girls, who were sprawled across a bench under a flickering streetlamp. They looked up as he approached.

Revoli was awake now, perched on Fara’s knee, eyes wide and glinting with renewed spark.

“I feel weird,” she said softly, rubbing her side. “But good.”

“She’s healed,” Fara added, brushing the dust from her palms.

Kai’s eyes flicked to her. Something shimmered behind her—barely visible in the night. A second tail.

“You’re growing tails now?” he asked.

Fara stiffened, looking away. “It’s nothing.”

Kai didn’t push. He had seen it—light-colored, thinner than the first, barely formed but undeniably there. Another tail. She had been hiding it until now, probably hoping he wouldn’t notice. He knew that kind of quiet.

Skye rose from the bench with a grunt. She stretched slowly, arms over her head, her back popping from the movement. She walked toward Kai and stood close, golden eyes soft but tired.

“Can we rest now?” she asked quietly.

Kai glanced beyond her, up the incline of the street.

“No,” he said. “One more thing.”

The girls groaned but didn’t argue. They were tired, but they followed.

Kai led them through narrow stone paths, quiet corners of the city few people used at night. Lanterns grew scarce. Each turn took them higher into the hills. It was quiet here—no shouting, no markets, no guards patrolling. Just the steady sound of their footsteps on stone and the low buzz of insects somewhere in the grass.

Eventually, they reached a small home tucked against the wall of a terraced garden. It wasn’t large. One story. Painted in soft tones that were hard to see in the dark. The wooden shutters were closed. The steps had been recently swept. The doorknob looked new.

“Whose is that?” Skye asked, wiping her forehead with the back of her glove.

“It’s a guild house,” Revoli said. Her yellow eyes squinted at it like she was trying to place a memory. “I think only high-ranking members get them. Lockwood has one. So does Lena. But theirs are big. This one’s small… different.”

Kai turned to them, face unreadable. His voice was calm but heavy.

“Close your eyes. Hold out your hands.”

The girls hesitated. Fara’s brow furrowed. Skye’s ears twitched. Revoli’s barbed tail gave a small nervous flick.

Kai gave them a look. “Now.”

They obeyed. Slowly, reluctantly.

He reached into his pocket and pulled out three brass keys. Each was a little different—one had a chipped edge, one had a deep scratch near the top, and one had no markings at all. They were simple but solid. He placed one in each of their palms.

“Open,” he said.

They opened their eyes and stared at what he’d given them.

He didn’t offer any more explanation. Just walked to the door, unlocked it with his own key, and stepped inside.

The inside was dark. A short hallway, a main room with low furniture, and a single glowing crystal in a wall sconce. It smelled like dry wood and soap. He didn’t stay long. A moment later, he came back out and stood in the doorway.

“If you don’t come in,” he said flatly, “you’re off the team. That includes you, Revoli.”

The imp girl squeaked and clutched her key tighter. Her barbed tail curled around her leg like a reflex.

All three girls hurried up the steps.

They entered the house together. Inside, there were three small bedrooms, a kitchen with shelves, and a living room with a wide rug and a fireplace that hadn’t been used in some time. It wasn’t fancy. But it was quiet. Safe.

For the first time in their lives, they were being given a home.

And despite all the exhaustion, and all the pain, Skye smiled.

“I didn’t think you were serious,” she whispered.

Kai just grunted. “I’m always serious. Especially when I’m not.”