Page 2 of Son of Shadows

But given the gleam in Koichi’s dark eyes, Ryuichi suspected there was much more to this impulsive purchase. “Go ahead, boy. Touch it.”

Ryuichi stared at him in disbelief. While he was supposed to trust his master and do as he was told, he also knew the man had a nasty tendency to toss his pupils into the fire to teach them lessons they didn’t always want to learn.

And while the black urn seemed harmless enough . . .

Ryuichi was certain this was one of those times, especially given the words inscribed on the side of the urn.

“Um, Sensei, I think it’s called the Soul-Destroying Urn of Darkness for a good reason.” He leaned in closer to double-check the letters carved into the metal, and he was definitely reading it correctly. “Handling it might not be the best idea for someone who has a soul they’d rather keep.”

Ryuichi was still healing from the enormous battle he had fought against his father, the feared demon-god Ryukage. Ryuichi had won the brutal showdown, but he was still banished from his former school for making poor choices he’d rather not remember.

Making another mistake was not the least bit appealing to him.

“Why are you hesitating?” Koichi asked.

Ryuichi paused to come up with a good answer that his master couldn’t refute, but his thoughts went to Koichi instead. He was a disheveled older man who could look like a proper gentleman—if one squinted in the dark.

Based on that, and on his ronin status, most people discounted him immediately.

But Ryuichi knew that was a terrible mistake. For all his flaws and foibles, Master Koichi was the greatest swordsman and survivalist Ryuichi had ever met.

Maybe even the greatest samurai of their age.

But the heinousness of war had left its mark on Ryuichi’s master. Not just with the scars on Koichi’s body. Those wounds had healed.

It was the scars on Koichi’s heart and soul that haunted him eternally. Ryuichi assumed that was why Koichi was a harsh taskmaster at times. He wanted to protect his pupils from a world that was intent on destroying them.

Even so, Ryuichi loved his teacher. He really did, but the truth was, some days it was harder to love Koichi than others.

This was truly one of those hard-to-love days.

“Because my instincts are telling me the consequences could be grave,” Ryuichi finally said. “The writing on the urn agrees with me.”

Koichi narrowed his dark gaze on his student. “That is fear talking, not instinct. I bought this urn as a test for you. You can’t pass unless you show courage.” He pointed at the words. “Put your hand right there and use your powers to crush it.”

Ryuichi let out a nervous laugh before he did something that was exceptionally reckless given Koichi’s volatile personality.

He walked away.

Tsking, Koichi pulled a small bottle of sake from his side and took a drink. “Coward,” he muttered.

“To see what is right and not do it is cowardice,” Ryuichi said, recalling one of his favorite Confucius quotes. Then he added his own for good measure. “Refusing to do something stupid is wise.”

Koichi rolled his eyes at him.

A glimmering cloud appeared out of thin air, announcing the arrival of Ryuichi’s protector, Masaru. Dressed in all black, but with fox-like features, he was more like a ninja than a famed kitsune yōkai.

With a clever smirk, he bowed to Ryuichi. “Is Sensei bothering you again? Want me to tear his head off?”

Ryuichi wasn’t quite sure if Masaru was joking or not. Given the yōkai’s violent temperament, it could very well have been a genuine offer. “I think Koichi would rather keep his head. Besides, I’m the one bothering him. I should be more respectful.”

The truth was, Ryuichi should show Koichi more respect. Koichi was the closest thing he’d ever had to a real father, and despite their differences, he did want to honor his teacher.

For that matter, Ryuichi had come to rely on and care for his entire motley adoptive family, who had been banished along with him. Together, they were searching for a new school where Ryuichi could hone his talents and skills. But that wouldn’t be easy, as any school would probably hold his past against him. Ryuichi was related to some rather powerful gods who had a history of performing evil deeds in this world, including tearing down Ryuichi’s former school and killing many people in the process.

Not to mention Ryuichi’s own missteps, which would always follow him—unless he set things right somehow.

Masaru noticed the urn and nudged Ryuichi. “So, what were you two doing with this thing?”