By early morning the snow had turned into icy rain. An abrupt downpour, as if the heavens had decided to add to his misery.
Yiran had been walking for hours, and his legs were numb. His hooded parka protected his head, torso, and arms for the most part, but his scarf had gotten soaked, and he’d tossed it along the way. He’d grabbed a random pair of sneakers instead of waterproof boots when he left the mansion, and his wet socks squished in his shoes, the cold water freezing his toes. He wondered if he was getting hypothermia, then decided maybe he didn’t really care if he stayed alive anymore.
No one else seemed to.
He hadn’t gotten the answers he wanted, but he had heard all he needed. He’d been a fool to think, tohope, there was a more benevolent explanation for his grandfather’s actions. The old man had hated him from the start, and he’d cut Yiran off from the true nature of his spirit core and his inherent magic to protect Ash’s right to be the heir. Yiran was a burden, aweak linkto be severed when convenient.
I’ll cut the cord myself.It would save everyone else the trouble.
The sky was turning light, and he was near the Night Market. He turned the corner to a lane with a row of eateries that were still closed and found Gojo’s Café.
Yuki was standing outside, holding a large umbrella.
He came for me.Yiran had left a voice mail without any real hope of a response. He ducked under the umbrella and stared into those stormy gray eyes.
“Hello, little runaway.” Yuki gave Yiran a once-over, pausing at his soaked sneakers. His lips quirked. “I hope you brought money—I know where we can get you a great pair of boots once the shops open.”
40
Zizi
The red moon followed Zizi like a malevolent eye as he sprinted. Shadows flitted among the trees and crept up walls, and the night whispered secrets. He was close to the last flight of steps leading to the palace of the Elders when he skidded to a halt.
Two men in suits were making their way down the steps.
“Oxie and Horsie, just the jackasses I was hoping to meet,” Zizi said, taking a moment to catch his breath.
“G-good evening, Your Majesty.” Horse-Face looked down. His compatriot seemed equally jumpy. The Guardians were undoubtedly dismayed at this chance encounter with the Fourth King.
Zizi smiled dangerously. “You trashed my private chambers.”
Staring at his well-polished shoes, Horse-Face stammered, “J-just following orders, Your Majesty.”
“Following orders? The way you followed orders when you locked me up in the Obsidian Cavern and left me to rot? I thought we were friends. Drinking buddies.”
“To be fair, Your Majesty,” Horse-Face said feebly, “that was a long, long, long time ago.”
“We only drank together once,” Ox-Head chipped in with his booming voice. “And you had juice. Not sure if that counts.”
The fools had no idea Zizi was mocking them. “I guess I only have myself to blame for being so sentimental.” His expression hardened. “Where is my guest?”
“It was your Head Reaper who caused the ruckus,” Ox-Head blurted. “We were only doing our job. Your, uh,guestwas trespassing, and according to the rules, we had to track her down. All we needed was her cooperationto come with us. It wasn’t our fault that she—” Horse-Face smacked him so hard in the chest that he started coughing.
“It wasn’t your fault that shewhat?” The air in the palace courtyard grew heavy with Zizi’s wrath.
“Nothing, Your Majesty,” Ox-Head said hastily, hands raised in surrender. “We didn’t do anything to her, I swear. It wasn’t us, it was—”
Horse-Face clamped his hand over Ox-Head’s mouth. “Let’s not get into trouble withthem,” he hissed.
“You would rather be in trouble withme?” Blue fire burst from Zizi’s hands.
Shrieking, Horse-Face grabbed his comrade, and they stumbled back against the steps. They were the formidable Guardians of Hell, two of the most powerful beings in the underworld. But no one wanted to come to blows with a King, let alone a furious one.
Dulcet tones rang out across the courtyard, and the three of them stilled.
“There is no need to resort to violence.” The voice had come from within the palace, but it filled the area.
Zizi subdued his flames. “I seek an audience, Empress-Mother.”
