Page 46 of Son of Shadows

But nothing happened. No one seemed to notice their unconventional group.

It made Ryuichi more anxious.

Peace and comfort were unknown oddities to him. He kept waiting for some yōkai to jump out and yell, “Surprise,” and then stab him for no other reason than they figured out he was human or his father’s son.

“Relax,” Lord Hayasaka assured him. “You’re in the ritziest part of town. I wouldn’t take us anywhere too dodgy. At least not without good reason. We’ll go in and out. As easy as counting your fingers.”

Given that tengu didn’t have fingers, Ryuichi was even more convinced it was another trick.

Yumi touched his arm and gestured toward a group of teacups who were clattering to their right. “They think they recognize you, my lord.”

That was even more frightening. “What do you mean?”

“They think you’re your father because of how much you look like him.”

Her words startled Ryuichi. He’d never thought about that. Maybe because he’d never seen his father as a boy, or thought about him having a childhood. “Do I?”

She nodded.

That was interesting. And it made him twice as curious. “Why would my father appear as a little boy?”

She shrugged.

“To mess with their heads,” Masaru said. “Your father likes playing mind games.”

Ryuichi had learned that for himself during what little time he’d spent with the treacherous Ryukage.

Not wanting to revisit the past, he slowed his pace as they approached a large administrative building. The curved roof glistened in the sunlight. It appeared to be gold and was a testament to vanity.

Although how an administrator could get away with golden decorations in a city of thieves, he had no idea.

Not until he saw the staked heads lining the building.

No doubt they were some of the last fools who’d tried to take some of that gold.

Walk carefully. They had harsh justice here.

And it reminded him that this was enemy territory. One wrong move and his might be the next head on the wall.

He shivered. He’d rather be handed back over to his father.

Or even the World Eater.

As they neared the large green gate, two guards eyed them warily.

Stopping in front of them, Hayasaka bowed his head respectfully. “Tell your lord that Hayasaka Saburo wants a word with him.”

The large blue oni guard arched his brow. “Lord Hayasaka? I heard about you.” He looked at Ryuichi and the others, then back to Hayasaka. “Didn’t the World Eater burn your castle down and eat all your soldiers?”

Hayasaka winced. “It seems news travels quickly.”

“Didn’t have to travel. We could see the smoke for miles. It was a huge fire.”

Those words irritated Hayasaka. “A temporary setback, I assure you.”

The guard didn’t appear as impressed as he should. Instead, he eyed Ryuichi suspiciously. “Is that a human boy?”

“Ugh, no!” Hayasaka made it sound as if a human boy would be the most disgusting thing ever imagined. “He’s a shape-shifting yōkai. Likes pretending to be human. Poor thing, really. He’s not entirely right in the head, you see. Out of mercy, I’ve made him my sandal-bearer. Nothing you should concern yourself with.”