“Special.”
Koichi didn’t need sight for that. “You know what I’m asking.”
The monk shook his head. “There are those who are born gifted. Those who can talk directly to the gods and summon them.”
“Some who are born cursed.” Like him. At least that was how Koichi felt most days. He’d never wanted the ability to see the things he saw.
Or hear them. Never mind be honor bound to fight them.
The monk nodded. “This boy is different.”
“How so?”
There was a light in the monk’s eyes that said he felt exactly what Koichi did. “His powers are unique in this world, and he needs to be guarded.”
Koichi bowed. “Please let me know when he awakens.”
“I will.”
And with that, Koichi headed off through the mirror toward the infirmary, to deal with the ghost that needed banishing.
The monk watched until Koichi vanished.
Only in the shimmering light did Keiko catch sight of herself before her image settled back into the visage of the old monk who’d spoken with Koichi. Satisfied that her monk form was holding, she returned to Ryuichi so that she could inspect her charge. “What happened to you, child?”
But then she knew. He’d almost been exposed.
So very close.
She’d barely made it to him before they’d discovered Ryuichi’s real identity. And Koichi...
There was a complication she hadn’t anticipated. The ronin who’d been a member of the Monban.And here she’d thought them all dead.
How had any survived?
They should have all perished with Ryuichi’s mother. They’d been valiant protectors. Noble samurai who’d sworn themselves to his mother’s cause.
“Perhaps it’s good that one still lives,” she whispered. A guardian who might protect their heir could come in handy.
If he didn’t kill the boy first.
CHAPTERSEVEN
Ryuichi heard the sound of fluttering wings. They seemed both far away and right next to him. Simultaneously.
It didn’t make sense.
Tengu?
He had that same feeling he’d had the night of his arrival to the school. As if something or someone was pulling him toward the sound.
As if someone was calling out to him.
Suddenly, Masaru rose up, cutting off his path. “Who are you?”
He stared at Masaru. “You know who I am.”
The dark spirit shook his head. “No. I don’t, and that bothers me. I thought you were demon-born. But you’re not.Whatare you?”
