Page 79 of Son of Shadows

When they reached the inner courtyard, Ryuichi felt his breath catch in his throat. Illuminated through the opaque partition enclosing the area, they could clearly see someone’s silhouette.

Was Ryukage . . . taking a relaxing dip in the spa?

Well, at least he knew his father wouldn’t have any weapons on him in the bath.

Then again, maybe he would?

“Do you want me to come with you?” Yumi asked Ryuichi.

“That’s very nice of you to offer, but I should do this alone,” he replied.

“We’re right here if you need us,” Masaru said, patting Ryuichi on the shoulder. “But you won’t, because you are a fierce warrior.”

Steeling himself against the dread he felt, Ryuichi nodded. “Here goes nothing.”

He walked toward the door in the partition and slid it open.

The Ryukage was soaking in a hot spring. With the exception of his head, his entire body was submerged in its soothing warm waters. When his father looked at him, it was with an unmistakable grimace of annoyance.

Ryuichi almost couldn’t believe it. After all this searching, he wasn’t expecting to see his father, the most treacherous demon in the spirit world, indulging himself like this, without a care in the universe.

Was he unaware of what was happening with Orochi and the rest of the rebellion? Or had he just given up?

The Ryukage growled with displeasure. “Well, what do you want, boy? Spit it out already.”

Ryuichi slid the partition door closed, watching his friends stand together as they waited. Then he disrobed and descended into the hot springs without a word to his father. The water was boiling hot, but Ryuichi refused to let his father see him wince from the heat. He wanted to portray himself as strong and in command.

Even though that’s not how he felt in this moment.

His father sighed heavily. “Great, now you’re sitting in my sauna. Who even let you in? There’s supposed to be a guard.”

“I fought my way past him.” Ryuichi answered without blinking.

Ryukage grinned.

If Ryuichi didn’t know better, he’d think there was pride in his father’s eyes too.

“Did you kill Yamaguchi?”

“No.”

The pride was replaced by disappointment. “A shame. I thought you might discover your cunning and aggressive side after our battle. But it seems like you’re still pathetic and weak.” He let out another long-suffering sigh. “If you’re not here for a rematch, I suggest you leave. And take your little friends with you, unless you want them to meet the same fate as your schoolmates.”

Ryuichi’s cheeks flushed, and not from the temperature of the hot spring. He was furious. He stared so hard at his father that he was surprised he didn’t burn a hole through the Ryukage.

His father leaned toward him, scowling. “Don’t look at me like that. Show your father some respect.”

“You have yet to earn my respect.”

Ryukage shot up out of the water. For a second, Ryuichi thought his father might strike him.

But he didn’t. He just stepped out of the hot spring and put on a robe.

“Why did you come here? To hide?” Ryuichi’s tone was sharp, but he didn’t care about being diplomatic right now. He wanted to get right to the point.

“What business is it of yours? Aren’t happy I left? Why aren’t you out celebrating instead of bothering me?”

“Because without you, the demon king, the spirit realm won’t survive,” Ryuichi explained. “There are yōkai fighting each other to claim your throne.”