Page 145 of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox
“Of course. You’re more than welcome. Sansa and Michael speak of you with great fondness. And I understand you’ve been kind to Gingko.” Courtesies flowed easily. They were true enough, but she doubted they’d hold up under cross-examination. Why did he rattle her so?
“Yet I know so little about you. We must remedy that.” Hisoka tucked her arm through his. “But first, allow me to introduce you to the other members of our little cabal.”
She wondered at his choice of words. Cabals meant secrets. “Thank you, Sensei. I would be honored.”
He only escorted her a few steps before they were met by a towering figure. Broad of shoulder and rather burly, the leader of the dog clans radiated strength, confidence, and affability.
“Is she the one?” Harmonious Starmark gallantly bowed over Tsumiko’s hand and remained hunched over, grinning into her face. “You’re a quiet little thing! Interesting, don’t you think, Hisoka?”
“Don’t overwhelm the lady,” he chided.
“Might not be such a bad thing.” Copper eyes roamed the vicinity. “Best way I know to flush a fox.”
Hisoka said, “I’m equally eager to meet Gingko’s father, but we must take things as they come.”
Tsumiko didn’t miss the broad smirk the dog sent toward the upper story where Argent lurked. But he presented himself politely enough. “Lovely place you have here. Maybe later we can have a bit of a run through your patch of wilderness?” He raised his voice. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Adoona?”
An imposing female stepped forward. She was a trifle shorter than Harmonious, with a strong jaw and a thick brown braid coiled around her head. The resemblance to Naroo-soh was striking; he definitely took after his mother. And Tsumiko noted a similar fashion sense—leather, fur, beaded accessories, and bare feet.
“A challenge, Starmark?” The lady’s tail swung in tight arcs. “Are you so fond of defeat that you would embrace it here and now? Hardly the most flattering of first impression to give these good people.”
“Not every passing remark is a challenge, Elderbough.” In mellower tones, Harmonious addressed Tsumiko. “Untouched lands are not as easy to come by as they once were, so your forest stirs my instincts against my better judgment. Forgive my impulsive nature. If Anna were here, she would scold.”
This fellow didn’t come across in a threatening manner, but he had a little too much charisma for her tastes. And up close, the metallic sheen to his copper eyes was uncommonly beautiful. She floundered for an appropriate response. “Anna is your wife?”
Harmonious’s whole face lit up. “My bondmate, yes. Anna will want to meet you, my dear. Pester your fox to bring you around.” With a decided twinkle, he added, “By thefrontgate this time.”
She went cold. They knew.
And suddenly Argent was at her side.
At his low growl, the other three Amaranthine stepped back, heads bowed. Hisoka gently intervened. “Please forgive Harmonious’ odd sense of humor. He means no harm. None of us do.”
“So you say,” Argent replied, tone smooth, gaze sharp.
“May I ask your name?” Hisoka inquired.
Argent drew himself up, not that he gained much in height. He was the smallest person in the room, save Tsumiko herself. But he made his presence felt. “I am Argent Mettlebright of the winter fox clans. Welcome to Stately House; you grace our den. May you find it sufficient to your needs and abundant in comforts.”
“Well said.” To Tsumiko’s surprise, Adoona stepped forward and kissed Argent’s forehead. “I am Adoona-soh of the Elderbough pack, and I speak for the wolves. My son has been running with yours for some time. Gingko is second only to the moon in Farook-kel’s eyes.”
“You have been his second home, and for that, I am grateful.”
Her answering smile flashed with fangs, and Tsumiko found she liked her breezy confidence.
The she-wolf next bestowed a kiss on Tsumiko. “My son speaks highly of you.”
“Naroo-soh.” Oh, of course. They’d learned of her from him. “He has my regard as well.”
“You do not quite match his description. Harmonious was right. You are a quiet one.” With a pointed look at Argent, Adoona-soh added, “Too quiet.”
Argent calmly asked, “What were you expecting?”
Her tail swayed slowly, and she made a gesture for peace. “I expected nothing, but I hoped for trust. Let us help you, Kindred.”
Michael hurried over, hands upraised. “There seems to be some confusion. Gingko only told us to expect guests. Did you come with some purpose in mind?”
A diplomatic enough demand, but its essence was clear—state your business.
