Page 42 of Son of Shadows

Ryuichi wasn’t sure if he should take that as a compliment or mark against his character. “Why did you leave us behind, and why have you brought me here?” he asked Hayasaka with a steely look.

Lord Hayasaka gave him a grim smile. “It’s rather complicated.”

Masaru glared at him. “Then dumb it down for us.”

“Well,” the tengu said, clearing his throat. “I went to make a surprise bargain with one of Orochi’s oni generals. I thought maybe I could cut a deal and get him to retreat if I turned you over to them. But that blew up in my face. Apparently, Orochi already knew you were at the fortress and figured they’d destroy the place—with you in it, if necessary.”

Katsu stepped in front of Hayasaka to protect him, instinctively knowing that Masaru might kill the backstabbing tengu where he stood.

“Don’t hold it against me. I was desperate,” Hayasaka pleaded. “Besides, I saved your life.”

“Because you put me in a life-threatening situation!” Ryuichi said.

Masaru seethed with anger. “Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t end you right here.”

Katsu crossed his arms in front of his chest. “I am the only reason you need.”

Ryuichi had to admit—having someone as loyal as Katsu on your side meant that Hayasaka had some redeeming qualities. He just couldn’t think of any at the time.

“Let me make it up to you,” Hayasaka said. “I’ve brought you right to Ryukage’s door.”

“What do you mean?” Ryuichi said with suspicion.

“Wait, have you known where he is the whole time?” Masaru asked, furious.

“Sort of. It’s a long story. I wouldn’t want to bore you with it,” the tengu said.

Ryuichi sighed in frustration. “What about the others? We just can’t leave Koichi, Keiko, and Ryuichi-kage behind to be slaughtered.”

The kitsune stepped in front of him, closing her eyes and bowing. “Your friends are all safe. I can feel their energy, the vibration of their heartbeats. Except for your shadow, that is. I cannot sense him or demons.”

Ryuichi was stunned. “How?”

“I am a tenko. The most divine members of the kitsune. The ones who have set aside our wicked tendencies. My friends call me Yumi.”

“I thought tenkos were a myth.”

“We’re rare, but definitely not a myth.” She smiled at Ryuichi.

From what Ryuichi knew, tenkos were usually a thousand years old. “Why are you in the body of a girl?”

“I’m young, for a tenko. I was sent because the kami thought that you’d have an easier time accepting me than one of the older, stodgier tenkos.”

“This is all very fascinating,” Hayasaka cut in. “But time is of the essence. Orochi will find a way to reopen that gate and destroy everything in his path in the process.”

“Why should we even trust you?” Ryuichi asked.

“Because you don’t have a choice,” Katsu said.

Ryuichi glanced at Masaru, hoping to get his opinion.

“He’s right. We don’t have any other leads. Might as well see where this goes,” he said.

“What about the others?”

“We’ll reunite somehow. Maybe not all in one piece. But Koichi is . . . smart, for a drunk. And Keiko is fearless. And Haruki is . . . okay, I don’t have anything positive to say.”

“Fine. We’ll follow your lead,” Ryuichi said to Hayasaka. “As long as you vow not to do anything underhanded.”