Page 147 of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox
“Only because you have sufficient strength to contain her.” Hisoka looked around the circle. “Could any of you manage such a feat?”
“I would like to try,” declared the remaining committee member.
They turned to the spokesperson for the dragon clans. Lean and long-waisted, his style of dress was subtly different than the others. Tsumiko decided he looked like a desert-dweller with his swagged robes and pointed slippers. And he looked normal, or as normal as anyonecouldlook with blue hair. Straight and fine, it was dark as a midnight sky, a strange counterpoint to the deep brown of his skin. But the full dragon lacked Kyrie’s freckled scales and subtle ridges. Tsumiko had hoped for some hint as to whether or not her son was truly sprouting horns. Clearly, crossers displayed more animalistic features then their Amaranthine parents.
“My name is Lapis Mossberne, and I speak for the dragons.” His voice was deep and dark, and his slow smile could only be called sultry. “Lovely one, if this rascal of a fox kit cannot handle the starry grandeur of your soul, hasten to one who can appreciate your quality.”
Tsumiko wasn’t sure if she should be flattered or insulted, but she was blushing badly.
And somehow, Argent decided that the best response was to blindside them all. Withdrawing his hold, he let them feel the full force of a beacon’s brilliance.
Lapis Mossberne sank to his knees, gazing at Tsumiko with raw devastation.
Harmonious grunted and bent to grip his shoulders, hauling him backward. “Pull yourself together, Lapis.”
Although he spoke softly, Hisoka’s voice carried weight. “Enough, Argent. He is one of the Broken and cannot defend himself.”
Instantly, Tsumiko felt Argent reassert himself. Michael knelt before the stunned dragon and took his wrists. He spoke to him in an undertone, and Tsumiko noticed Spokesperson Mossberne’s heavy stone bracelets. Could they be a wardagainstreavers?
Harmonious helped the shaky dragon to his feet. Lapis was certainly in the worst shape, but the others showed subtle signs of having been affected. Hisoka’s pupils were blown wide, and Adoona-soh’s tail puffed. Harmonious kept rubbing at his forearms, as if trying to dispel gooseflesh. All avoided looking at her.
Argent arched his brows as if daring them to question his superiority. “I will thank the lot of you to refrain from propositioning my lady.”
Lapis brushed a shoulder. “Acquisition was not my goal. My caste is celibate.”
“I will say it again, fox,” said Adoona-soh. “We are here to help. Trust us.”
“And I will ask again. What do you presume to know?”
Hisoka ran his hand over the top of his head. “While I have the highest hopes for my newest protégé, she has more enthusiasm than subtlety. And a strong desire to outshine her very talented elder sister.”
Michael groaned. “Isla?”
With a faint smile, the cat said, “She is a tribute to your den, but her sudden—and very specific—interest in sigil formation was telling. I pieced together enough to grasp the import of Darya’s recent questions in class.”
“You’ve taken on Isla?” Michael was beaming despite the slip-up. “She never said. We’re honored by her apprenticeship.”
“And I count myself privileged, but back to the matter at hand.” Hisoka held Argent’s gaze. “I do not like to boast, but I have a firm grasp on sigil-craftsmanship. And Lapis understands wards, anchors, barriers, and the like. Especially those based upon blood.”
Argent’s gaze slanted toward the wolf and dog. “And those two?”
Harmonious folded his arms over his chest. “Raw power.”
“We can and will protect your lady,” said Adoona-soh.
Hisoka smiled. “On the rare occasion that theydodecide to cooperate, the earth itself trembles.”
“How …” began Argent, his voice low. “How much do you need to know?”
“Nothing more than the challenge set before us,” he replied. “Allow us to attend to your need, and then you will be free to consider my need.”
Tsumiko kept her mouth firmly shut, not wanting to influence Argent’s decision.
Finally, he bowed his head. “Let it be to me as you say.”
SIXTY THREE
All Knowing
