Page 51 of Son of Shadows

Of all the yōkai, shinigami were the worst. The last thing any of them needed was a death god in the mix. Shinigami were dark lords who lived to play tricks and kill. Dealing with one was almost impossible.

“Is there a problem?” Inumagami asked.

Of course there was. Even the quizzical look on Yumi’s face spoke volumes.

“My lord, money will only satisfy shinigami for so long. It is a poor substitute for what they really want.”

Which were souls.

Collecting souls was what these death gods lived for.

“Is there no one else?” Ryuichi asked.

“Satoru is different. You’ll see,” Inumagami said. “He will help us for a reasonable price. No questions. I’m sure.”

Ryuichi wanted to believe that. “It’s the only way?”

“Quickest way.”

That settled it, then. They were going to do something stupid. Again. Tie their fates to a death god who would most likely steal their souls.

Lovely.

“Don’t look so dour, Kage-taro. Have faith,” Inumagami said. “I can sniff out a double cross from a mile away.”

Ryuichi looked over at Naomi, whose wide-eyed expression said she had no more faith than he did.

Neither did Masaru or Yumi.

* * *

Inumagami led Ryuichi and his friends from the palace back into the streets. While he put on a brave face and walked with confidence, he felt anxious about what was to come. The amount of trust he was placing in this strange yōkai was almost foolish.

As if sensing his uneasiness, Yumi took his hand. But Ryuichi wasn’t exactly comforted by the kind gesture. Her delicate fingers made him feel even more nervous. Bashful, even. He wasn’t used to anyone showing him compassion. Not really.

The only girl who’d ever been nice to him had been his teacher, Lord Hattori’s daughter, Takara. And he really missed her. She’d been courageous and sweet. One of the few people in his life who had stood up for him, even when it angered her father.

Sadly, she’d stayed at their school while Ryuichi and his gang of derelicts had been driven out.

In some ways, Yumi reminded him of Takara. She possessed this inner strength that Ryuichi sort of envied. Yet there was also this gentleness in her eyes that made him feel safe with her.

He gave her hand a gentle squeeze that made her blush in turn.

Afraid of getting in trouble for such an obvious show of affection, Ryuichi reluctantly let go. Besides, a warrior never let his guard down. He had to remain focused on the matter at hand, especially when there were yōkai roaming around.

It wasn’t long before Ryuichi noticed the yōkai were keeping a respectable distance from him and the rest of their clan. Apparently, they feared their lord, Inumagami, too much to cause mischief. Ryuichi tried to imagine how this adorable creature could strike fear into anyone, let alone a yōkai. But nothing made much sense in the spirit realm. At least not to him.

After winding through alleyways and over footbridges, Inumagami led them down to the docks, where several fishing boats were being unloaded. As they walked past them, Ryuichi heard the sweet, lilting tone of a reed flute. It was a beautiful sound. Beguiling. It soothed something inside Ryuichi.

They seemed to be heading toward the source of it, somewhere out on the dunes.

As they rose up over one, Ryuichi slowed as he saw the lone figure playing a haunting tune. Dressed all in black, he wore a rōningasa that completely hid his face. His features were impossible to make out. Ryuichi felt his stomach drop with worry but kept his composure. This mission was too important to give in to any fear.

“Satoru-san!” Inumagami called out to him.

The one note hung in the air for a moment before the shinigami pulled the reed flute from his lips. He didn’t say anything, not even when they surrounded him.

Lowering his head between his legs, Inumagami bowed to the shinigami.