“If you can’t precisely identify what I am, then you can’t risk killing me.” I lift my hands to emphasize that I’m putting away my claws. “If you kill me and afterward discover that I was not wholly of the dark, then you, yourself, could be said to have succumbed to evil.”
He visibly grits his teeth, but I believe I’ve hit on the reason why he couldn’t let me fall once he saw my wings.
There’s a question in his mind about what I am.
As much as I’m certain of my own nature, I’m not about to squander this chance for a truce.
“I’ve told you why I’m here,” I say softly, taking the chance to continue. “Now I’m asking for amnesty.”
He’s already shaking his head, but I plow on.
“A month on this island,” I say. “If you object to the death of wild boars, I’ll convince the panthers to eat fish. You can post guards around the perimeter if you like, whatever it takes for you to convince your family that you’re in charge. All I ask is that you otherwise leave us alone. When it’s time for us to go, I’ll let you know, and you’ll never see us again.”
He folds his arms across his chest. “You propose that I make peace with the devil.”
Well, what a shame the keeper isn’t wearing his devil face right now or I may well be proposing literally that.
“Or we can fight,” I say with a heavy sigh to emphasize my point. “Your people will die. A war will begin. And we will never know the end of it.”
At the back of my mind is a possibility I can’t shake: that this could be the start of the bloodshed my father was so certain I’d bring about.
Of course, my father said I would start a war among dark creatures, not between the light and the dark, but it’s impossible to know what spark might light that fire.
How can I know what choices will define me?
My wings are starting to drag at my back now. Actually, they’ve been dragging at my back the whole time, but the weight is making my shoulders ache very badly.
Ryuji unfolds his arms and I try not to hold my breath.
“Why be enemies when we can be allies?” he asks, repeating what I said to him earlier. “An old god said that very same thing to me—right before he cheated me out of my favorite sword.”
“Oh.” I grimace. “So you’ve met James Vanguard?”
“Met and disliked.”
“If it helps, he seems to love that sword.”
“As did I.”
My mind whirls with a new possibility. Probably a false promise, but I’ll do anything to bring about this truce. “Perhaps I could get it back for you.”
Ryuji’s eyes light up, an eagerness in his expression that he quickly shuts down.
His expression once more blank, he lowers his hands and announces loudly, “We need tea. We will discuss terms.”
Terms. It’s a far sight better than discussing death.
As if I don’t pose any sort of threat, he steps right up to me before indicating the training hall in the distance. “We will sit together and discuss this with civility.” He gives me a challenging smile. “Assuming it’s possible for dark creatures to behave courteously.”
I fight the urge to scowl. “We will join you there.”
No doubt, he’ll place his soldiers all around the building, but the panthers can prowl around it to even up the numbers.
I’ll be glad to get off this rock and back to the beach.
With a brief, polite nod to me, Ryuji heads toward the narrow gap between Anarchy and Rumble, sliding on through it as if he barely notices them or their sharp teeth.
I glance at my family. “Uh… Looks like we’re drinking tea.”
