Normally, that was true. He’d taken a lot of pride in causing harm to others. By projecting pain outward, it’d somehow lessened his own.
But lately he no longer felt that way, and he wasn’t sure why.
“I was doing your bidding, my lord.”
Ryukage laughed bitterly. “Then where is my son?”
Before he could answer, Haruki drew up short and hissed as she entered the room behind him. “I thought I smelled a rat. What is thatthingdoing here?”
“I summoned him, witch.”
She spat on the ground near Masaru’s feet. “I wouldn’t trust him. He’s betrayed every master he’s ever served, including yourbeloved.”
Masaru scoffed. “And you haven’t? Never mind that my mistress was your twin sister... whoyoubetrayed.”
Hissing again, she started for him, but Masaru twisted and moved from her path.
“Enough!” Ryukage blasted her against the far wall, where she landed with a loud thump and fell unceremoniously into a heap of black kimono. He turned back toward Masaru. “Speak, fox, and quickly. My patience for you grows thin.”
“Fine. You wanted the boy...” He snapped his fingers, and in front of him appeared a small, bundled, hooded form.
Ryukage gasped. In fact, every creature in the room held their breaths.
“How?” Haruki gasped.
Masaru cut a menacing glare at the pale witch who’d spent far too much time in the presence of a god who hated her. “Where there’s a will, kitsune will find a way.” He gestured toward his bundle. “You told me that you wanted your son—and here he is.”
The boy stepped forward, but Masaru pulled him back. “Not so fast. There’s the matter of my payment.”
Ryukage’s jaw hardened at his audacity. “What do you want?”
Masaru felt his tails flick and flare at the question. It had been so long since they’d made their presence known that he had almost forgotten the sensation.
They reminded him why he was here. Why he was willing to do something so foolish. So very dangerous.
“You know what I want. What you stole from me.”
Ryukage laughed. The evil sound rolled through the room like thunder, and it made Masaru want to drive his dagger through the Shadow Dragon’s heart.
If only he could.
“What does a kitsune need with honor?”
“I’m an inari, and I want my station and reputation returned to me.”
Ryukage paused, and for a moment, Masaru expected a fight. Indeed, he glanced toward Tatsu, his primary guard, waiting for Ryukage to give the order to attack.
He didn’t.
“Show me my son,” Ryukage said quietly.
Masaru removed the hood from Ryuichi’s head and showed the boy he’d gagged and blindfolded.
Ryukage drew up sharply at the sight. “He looks just like his mother.”
He did indeed. Especially when he smiled. The similarity had made it hard for Masaru at times as he recalled the sacred vow he’d broken to Haruka.
Keiko was right. He was despicable. He’d more than earned their hatred and scorn.
