Undercurrents:
Heart racing, Helena wasn’t sure if her renewed energy was from the water she drank at the stream or her confrontation with Daji. She wasn’t sure how, but in her bones, Helena knew she and the nine-tail fox would meet again. The clouds passed before she even realized it, and she broke into the sunshine again.
So many times, Helena tried to help others, and it didn’t turn out for the best. A smarter person—or maybe a more cynical person—might decide it was time to stop helping, but Helena didn’t think she could do that. That would entail her admitting she was wrong, and the best course of action would be to follow her uncle’s guidance. She was sure that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon.
With increased motivation, Helena climbed the stairs swifter than she thought possib
