Page 13 of Son of Shadows

But he refused to buy his comfort at the price of seeing others suffer. And nothing would convince him to change his position.

Especially not Ryukage.

Ryuichi made a promise to himself. When he faced his father again, he would be at his strongest. Even if he hadn’t mastered his powers, Ryuichi was committed to his principles and his determination to fix what he had broken.

He would not be swayed. He would not be tricked.

Just as Ryuichi was getting to the height of his inner pep talk, a tree reached out unexpectedly and snatched a bird from the sky.

Ryuichi gasped. “What was that?”

The tengu barely glanced at the carnage of the bird being eaten by branches. “Things in the nether realm aren’t always friendly. Stick close lest you become a meal for something that doesn’t realize it should worship you, young master.”

“Duly noted.”

Ryuichi glanced around, marveling at how surprisingly calm and peaceful it was. The winding paths and mountain peaks on the horizon reminded him of the human world. It was as if the spirit realm was created by someone holding a mirror up to Japan and duplicating it.

Could all of this be a ruse to lull him into a false sense of security?

Was there some predator watching them, right now, ready to pounce?

He swallowed hard and put a wary hand on his sword.

Glancing about, Ryuichi searched for any sign of treachery.

Nothing appeared out of the ordinary.

Which made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.

Everything usually turned to chaos when things were normal.

CHAPTER FIVE

As Ryuichi drew closer to the tengu lord’s residence, he braced himself for the worst. While he hadn’t seen any strange curiosities for the last few miles, he was on high alert. He looked over his shoulder each time the wind rustled a tree branch and twitched in his saddle whenever his horse kicked a stone on the road.

Nothing was going to get by him. Not if he was prepared.

Masaru sauntered up next to him, so they rode side by side. “Relax, kid. Not all the spirit world is like the Ryukage’s personal lair of terror. Like your world, there are different environments here too. Did you think blood, gloom, and shadow were all of it?”

Ryuichi shrugged. “Sort of.”

He figured that Masaru was tapping into his thoughts again. It was a skill Masaru had mastered, along with taking possession of Ryuichi’s body and fighting as him whenever he was attacked.

Still, he didn’t quite appreciate the yōkai kitsune being able to see through him so completely. Ryuichi was braver than he was when he first came to know Masaru, but being in his father’s realm was still scarier than he wanted to admit. He didn’t want anyone to know how deep that fear went, especially not Masaru, who enjoyed poking fun at people for their weaknesses.

“Remember, botchan: The spirit world is yours to command. Even when it’s dangerous. You’re always in charge.”

“Is that something that your kami taught you?”

Masaru’s white eyes held that irritated gleam that signaled to Ryuichi he was treading on the yōkai’s temper. But as soon as that warning came, it evaporated. “Nice try.”

As usual, Masaru had no intention of answering a question about his past. Being a mystery was how he kept an upper hand.

Ryuichi changed the subject. “Do you have a favorite place to visit in this realm?”

That cocky grin returned to his lips. “I’m partial to the Valley of Lost Souls.”

Masaru’s tone sent a chill down Ryuichi’s spine.