Page 52 of Son of Shadows

Ryuichi and his company all followed suit. Although they were close enough to make out the shinigami’s features, Ryuichi still couldn’t tell what he looked like. It was as if the shadows were keeping his identity concealed, not just his hat.

Inumagami’s servant moved forward with a small cup of sake. The divine elixir, as Koichi was so quick to point out.

The servant held it out for Satoru.

Without a word, he took the small cup and quickly drank it down.

Inumagami approached him slowly.

Satoru ignored him. Instead, he held his cup out to Ryuichi. “Drink?”

“Don’t mind if I do.” Ryuichi reached out for the cup, only to be stopped by both Yumi and Masaru.

Masaru’s grip tightened on Ryuichi’s wrist. “Never accept the shinigami’s offer to drink. Trust me.”

“Why?”

Masaru stared him down. Must be something serious, so Ryuichi quickly changed his mind. Now all he had to do was decline without offending the shinigami.

“You know, I just remembered that I’m allergic to sake. One taste and I am done for.”

“Drink?” the shinigami asked again, like he hadn’t been paying attention.

This reminded Ryuichi of far too many discussions he’d had with Koichi.

“My lord,” Inumagami said, attempting to move this along. “We need you to take us to the Ryukage. This human boy has important business to discuss with him. Can you do that?”

The shinigami cocked his head as if he didn’t understand the question.

“Will you do that?” Inumagami tried again.

Satoru nodded slowly, then returned to playing his haunting song. A few heartbeats later, a large red fisherman’s barge rose up from the sea. Water rolled off it as it dried instantly, and the white sails unfolded, revealing some tattered holes.

Ryuichi practically gasped when he saw the unexpected ride.

Without a word, Satoru pushed himself to his feet and started for the docks.

“Is this a good idea?” Ryuichi asked Masaru.

He looked at him incredulously. “Now you ask that?”

With his stomach in another knot, Ryuichi and his companions followed the shinigami to the docks, where the boat waited for them. Once Satoru reached the end of the dock, waves rolled in out of nowhere and carried Satoru onto his boat. Sadly, the water didn’t like Ryuichi and his company nearly as much. They were forced on board by more conventional means. Their feet.

As they boarded the spooky boat, the boards under Ryuichi’s feet moved. He jumped up in surprise. “What is that?”

“The boat is yōkai,” Yumi said as she stepped past him. “Be respectful, my lord.”

He’d intended to.

Inumagami sat next to Satoru. “What fee will you be charging for this?”

“You’ll owe us a favor. Each of you.”

Those words came from the boat, which had a gravelly voice, like a demon.

That wasn’t disturbing at all.

Ryuichi looked up at Masaru. “This really seems like a bad idea.”