Why are you surprised?The same dark voice awakens at the back of my mind.He ordered to kill Kata Nightingale to keep a secret about us.
Ri chuckles. “Jax’s tongue causes trouble often. That’s why I don’t allow him to hang around my studio for too long.”
“Maybe if I cut that tongue of yours out, you’d be more useful,” I say, glaring at him. “At least, if not more useful, less annoying.”
A dangerous smirk blooms on his lips. “I’m afraid my tongue is my most important asset. I’d rather keep it.”
I refuse to read between the lines.
“Come on, you two,” Vera says with a sigh. “We need to start working on that gift for Oka Oya.”
“Me too?” Jax asks, enthusiastically.
“He’s going with us?” I say at the same time, horrified.
Vera shakes her head as she leaves the studio. “Spirits of the gods must hate me.”
Jax and I exchange a look and follow her.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
PHOENIX
“Hojo, Tanaka!” Vera calls the moment we enter her studio.
Bart and Hel are lounging in the conversation pit, playing a board game. A bottle of half-empty plum blossom wine and two glasses stand next to a deck of blue cards.
“What’s up, boss?” Hel looks over at us. When she notices Jax, she adds, “Who’s this cutie?”
Jax opens his mouth, but Vera beats him to it. “Someone we need to keep a close eye on.”
Bart looks Jax up and down with an arched brow. “I’m sure the girls could manage.”
“With pleasure,” Hel says.
Hojo and Tanaka appear from upstairs. Hojo folds her arms behind her back. “You called?”
Without saying anything Vera goes into her bedroom. A minute later, she reappears with some paper, envelopes, and a quill in hand. The girls wait obediently.
“Yes, girls. I’ll need you, Hojo, to deliver this letter to Nobleman Uringi personally.”
Vera takes a seat at the dining table and starts to write. Jax joins Bart and Hel at the conversation pit, and I go sit next to Vera. Her handwriting is just as elegant as her style.
When she’s done writing the letter, she puts it in a blush-pink envelope and hands it to Hojo. “Go to his estate and insist on waiting for him personally. However long it takes. Once he reads the letter, wait for him to write a response and only then come back.”
Hojo nods, takes the envelope and gets ready to leave. Vera starts on another letter.
“What are you doing?” I frown. “Is Nobleman Uringi going to help us get Oka Oya on our side?
“He will, but he doesn’t have to know anything about it.” Vera pauses and looks at the guys playing the board game. “Bart, you’ve got some clothes to borrow for Jax?”
“He’s a bit leaner than I am,” Bart says. “But I can bring him to our tailor and make sure they fit.”
“Perfect,” Vera says. “Can you sort that out by tomorrow’s afternoon?”
“Consider it done, boss.”
“What are we planning here?” Jax turns to Vera. “Are we having a party? A carnival party where we must dress up and pretend we’re someone else? That sounds exciting.”
