The True Confessions of a Nine-Tailed Fox

Chapter 41: My New Demonic Ally

Flicker heaved another of his long-suffering sighs. It had been so long since I'd heard the sound that I actually felt a little nostalgic. The clerk certainly made for a more intellectually challenging conversational partner than anyone in the Claymouth Barony.

As I recalled who else made for a more intellectually challenging conversational partner in Heaven, my amusement died. Aurelia wasn't the only boss to whom Flicker answered who might have an interest in my doings. Cassius also worked at the Bureau of Reincarnation.

I spared a moment to imagine the ex-emperor skipping the most important banquet of the year to sneak around the office stealing seals off Glitter's desk. It was my New Year's gift to myself.

But seriously, why are you here? Did something go wrong?

Flicker heaved another weary sigh, this time minus the passive-aggressiveness. "No, nothing's wrong in Heaven. The Star of Reflected Brightness sends New Year's gifts to everyone in her service, and she didn't want you to feel left out."

His words triggered a mix of excitement and panic in me: Excitement over what sort of New Year's gifts a goddess would dole out – and panic that she'd give away our connection. I'd carved out a useful role for myself here. I was churning out activities that were guaranteed to earn me positive karma, and that was on top of what she'd promised at the end of this life. I couldn't afford to get caught, recalled, and reincarnated now.

What sort of gifts? I asked suspiciously. I don't have anywhere to keep treasures.

Next to me, the duck demon's feathers shook harder. The bandit was probably dying to raise his head so he could gawk at the jewels they handed out in Heaven.

But Flicker reproved me, "The Star of Reflected Brightness has more wisdom than that. Give her some credit. What would a turtle do with gold and gemstones?"

For some reason, Buy food for the Jeks and textbooks for Taila and pay rent for Bobo was what popped into my mind. Ridiculous.

Admire them, I retorted, erasing the thought. What else would you do with gold and gemstones?

Flicker rolled his eyes Heavenward, as if beseeching the Jade Emperor for patience. "Be that as it may, she sent you something a little more practical."

And from his sleeve, he produced a rosewood casket inlaid with mother-of-pearl and trimmed with etched bronze.

Right. Because a rosewood, mother-of-pearl, and bronze casket was precisely what a turtle needed. I supposed I could sleep in it?

Fishing around in his sleeve again, Flicker located a key, unlocked the lid, and opened it to reveal that the box was full of – leafy greens. He set it on the ground.

"A New Year's Eve meal, for your hard work. Now eat it all so nobody finds out she sent it."

With a duck demon next to me stealing glances at the precious casket, it was a little late for that. Still, I was happy to obey. Sticking my head into the casket, I took a big bite of a mustard orchid stalk. Aurelia had prepared an assortment of spoon cabbage, ivory cabbage, mustard greens, and more, all of which were out of season in the middle of winter on Earth. Mmmm, so good. So fresh and crisp.

"You liar!" Stripey erupted. "You gods-cursed liar!"

I yanked my head out of the greens. Flicker jerked, his skin pulsing with light.

"You lied to me!" raged the duck. "You've been lying to me this whole time!

Flicker pinched the bridge of his nose, massaged his temples, and shot me a look that sighed, What did you lie about now?