Page 28 of The Tree of Spirits
Of course it wasn’t.
“A promise? To whom?” he asked.
“A friend.”
I didn’t want to get Conner in trouble for trying to do the right thing. He had admitted that he wasn’t on an official Quest.
“Friend.” Kato said the word like he was trying to make sense of it, trying to figure out what I was hiding. But thankfully he didn’t ask me any more questions about it.
We grew quiet for a while, as the train rumbled down the track. It was I who finally broke the silence.
“So, is the General always so grumpy, or is this all my fault?” I asked with a smile.
“It’s not your fault,” Kato told me. “He’s been especially on edge these past months, ever since the Rebels left the Castle. And this week was not a good one for him. The attack on theGarden, then the Tournament. And then someone tried to steal the Techno Knight’s suit from the Black Obelisk.”
“Tried to?”
“The suit wasn’t there. The General had already sent it to Daykan to look it over.”
“Who tried to steal the suit?”
“The General thinks it was the Rebels.” Kato shook his head. “But I’m not convinced. What would a bunch of former Knights who have magic want with a suit that mimics magic?”
“Well, that magic-mimicking suit allowed a human to put up a pretty substantial fight against seven Knights,” I pointed out. “So imagine what someone with real magic could do with it.”
“I suppose.”
We didn’t say anything else until we left the train at the Castle station.
“I’ll walk you home,” Kato said, staying close by my side.
He was always so chivalrous.
“Afraid someone’s going to jump out and attack me?” I teased.
“Considering what’s happened to you already this last week, that is not an entirely unlikely scenario.”
Unfortunately, he wasn’t wrong about that.
“I can take care of myself, you know,” I told him, even as a little voice inside of me screamed out,Shut up, Savannah! A totally cool Knight is walking you home! Just go with it!
“I know you can take care of yourself,” said Kato. “I’m more worried about any Watchers who try to follow you. You don’t look like you’re in the mood to take any crap from anyone right now.”
“No, I’m really not.” I sighed. I drew in a deep breath as we entered the woods, drinking in the sweet, minty scent. “It’s been a long day.”
“I can imagine. Saving that man. The Scavenger with the scruffy face.”
I looked at him. “You’re well-informed.”
“Not well-informed enough.” He flipped open his helmet, and the expression on his face was frustrated.Veryfrustrated. “You know you can trust me, right?”
“I do trust you.” I touched his arm.
He frowned. “Then why won’t you tell me what happened in the Park? Why are you keeping secrets from me?” He sounded almost hurt.
“I’m sorry, Kato.” I squeezed his arm. Or tried to, anyway. There was so much armor between us. But at least he didn’t feel the need to hide his face around me. “It’s just that…well, they aren’t my secrets to tell.”
“Aren’t they?” His voice dipped lower, hovering just above a whisper. “I know, Seven.”
