Page 11 of Son of Shadows

But there was another layer of conflict within Ryuichi. While he still respected his former Lord Hanzō and knew he’d only attacked the tengu to protect innocent humans from harm, his old teacher assumed the worst and slaughtered the yōkai without knowing they came in peace.

Ryuichi knew what it was like to make a decision that cost others their lives. But that didn’t mean he would ever justify it, like some men do.

Masaru paused next to the tengu and looked up at him. “This better not be a trap. A dark inari doesn’t react well to such things.”

“Neither does a light one,” Keiko added. “Especially one who is loyal to her lordling and takes any attack on him personally.”

Their threats didn’t faze the tengu.

Keiko gestured for Ryuichi to select one of the horses.

Choosing a beautiful white stallion, he mounted the horse with Koichi’s help while Haruki and his shadow picked out their own animal companions. It really bothered him that Ryuichi-kage pulled himself up into the saddle with such ease.

So that’s where all my competence went . . .

Did Ryuichi-kage have to be so dang competent at everything? It’d make him feel better if the beast would at least trip once in a while.

But no, leave it to his shadow to keep all the good traits and dump the bad ones on Ryuichi.

Isn’t that backward?

Shadows were the keepers of all things bad. They were the often-ignored part of a person where they stored their worst fears and deepest, darkest secrets.

Apparently, it was also where Ryuichi stored all his competence. Pretty sure my common sense is there too.

That would explain why it was missing most of the time.

Haruki took a long, dramatic breath. Then she actually smiled—a terrifying thing for the Empress of Grim. “Thank the divine kami, we are back! I’ve missed this realm more than I’d ever imagined. Just smell that sweet, precious air!”

Ryuichi didn’t smell any difference, except maybe it was a little musty.

His shadow snorted. “I didn’t miss it. They treated me terribly when I was here last.”

Ryuichi couldn’t argue with that. Their father did try to kill him when he discovered Masaru’s deception. That’s not something you can remember fondly.

Haruki glared at his shadow. “You never showed my lord the proper respect.”

Ryuichi-kage gave her a droll stare that said he didn’t care for her censure. “He’s my father, not my lord.”

“That only makes your disrespect worse.” She took the reins and steered her horse away from Ryuichi’s shadow.

Koichi mounted a black stallion and interrupted the tension by clearing his throat. “I’m with Ryuichi-kage on this one. I most definitely didn’t enjoy my time here. I’m just glad we don’t have anyone trying to chase and kill us.”

For the moment, at least. They had just barely survived breaching the gate.

Ryuichi-kage smirked. “That being said, we do have worthy opponents to fight in this realm. I find the yōkai much better matches than humans. Humans are weak and smelly.”

“Agreed,” Haruki said.

Ryuichi moved his horse closer to Masaru. “Is it a good sign that Haruki and my shadow are in agreement?”

“No. Be afraid, boy. Be very afraid.”

Haruki began singing: “I know this is all a trap to get me back. All hail my love lord. He’s the best with a sword. He’ll fight and you’ll lose. And in my own bed, I’ll snooze.”

Masaru closed his eyes, summoning his powers. A burst of light flew up from his hands, revealing a bow and arrow that he held like a soldier. He aimed an arrow at Haruki, and she immediately stopped singing.

But Ryuichi knew two could play at that game.