“It matters,” Caleb whispered. “Think of it like the Caleb to the Malachai.”
Ah, that explained it. Takeshi had his own irritant who was missing. Good to know.
Or maybe not. It kind of scared Nick to know that there were more irritating beasts in the world than the ones he knew.
Takeshi put his hands on his hips as he surveyed their group with an expression that said he was less than pleased. “So you want me to take the Scooby crew to the future?”
Nick grinned at him. “You already did that,cher.”
“And the weight of you all practically broke my back. What in this unholy universe makes you think for one minute that I’ll do it again?”
“Because I’m cute and cuddly.”
Groaning, Takeshi rolled his eyes. “Kody? You could do so much better for a boyfriend.”
“That’s what my dad and uncle always said. But Nick’s right. He’s kudzu. The longer you hang around him, the more he grows on you.”
Takeshi passed a pained grimace toward Nick. “Please don’t grow on me.”
“I’ll try not to, but I am irresistibly delicious.”
Laughing, Takeshi shook his head. “I pity your friends and family … Anyway, I should probably take you home.”
Nick tsked. “Been there. Done that. I’m thinking we need to go further into the future.”
“I think you’re going to get me killed.” Takeshi let out a long, exasperated sigh.
In that moment, Nick saw an image in his mind of the ancient being in his samurai armor. No wonder people, gods, and demons had trembled before him.
All except his son.
His son had never taken him seriously. It was why Nick got away with what he did. In Takeshi’s mind, he reminded him of the boy he’d lost long ago.
Nick batted his lashes. “Please, Mr. Badbutt. I promise I’ll be good. I’ll eat my veggies and go to bed when you tell me to.”
“Don’t make me slap you.”
“Won’t work,” Caleb said. “Trust me. It only makes him worse.”
Takeshi arched a brow. “Personal experience?”
“Oh yeah.”
Takeshi laughed again. “Where is it you think you need to be?”
Kody stepped forward. “3266.”
Takeshi’s eyes widened as he digested her request. “BC?”
“AD.”
Several emotions went over Takeshi’s face. Confusion. Anger. Bewilderment.
He settled on disgust. “Why?”
“To stop the Cyprian Malachai,” Kody answered.
“What makes you think that’ll work?”
