Page 52 of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox
She looked to Argent. “They know about the generational bond, too? Isn’t your very existence was supposed to be a secret?”
“Does it surprise you?” Disdain lent frost to his tone. “That those without one scruple lack another?”
Michael said, “Despite the repeated protests of those reavers who lived here at that time—my grandfather included—the Smytheswouldgo. And the bond required Argent to attend them.”
“So these Uppington Smythes are in on the secret.”
“Irrevocably.”
“And they kept it.”
“Closely.”
Tsumiko tried to reconcile her impressions. “Yet you don’t trust them.”
“Not at all. They weren’t keeping our secrets; they were gathering intelligence. And indulging curiosities that could only lead to problems for the Amaranthine.” Michael’s jaw tightened. “After the spring and spread of many such leaks around the world, Hisoka Twineshaft banished any threat they might pose by orchestrating the Emergence.”
“Were the Smythes trying to blackmail Aunt Eimi?”
“Nothing so heavy-handed,” Michael assured. “But the cousins’ childish plotting to trap and keep Argent recently turned to an interest in the identity of Mrs. Eimi’s successor. With your aunt’s passing, I’m quite sure they’re eager to reestablish bonds.”
“By befriending me?”
“Tsk. Their goal is not friendship. It is conquest.”
On the evening when Argent had mentioned her having her pick of the Smythe cousins, his expression had been similarly resigned. “You think I’ll receive a marriage offer?”
“Expect gaudy flirtation and empty flattery on no less than three fronts.”
“Only two,” said Michael. “Stewart planned to bring his new bride to meet Mrs. Eimi, but … well, they were too late, so their trip was cancelled. But that does still leave Boniface and Jacques, and they’ll beeagerto make a good impression.”
She slowly inclined her head. “Even so, this trip is our best option?”
“The most convenient, surely. Faraway, yet familiar. And surrounded by people who consider your secrets their own.”
“Then a marriage meeting or two is a small price to pay,” she reasoned. “All I have to do is decline their offers.”
Michael still hesitated. “Saint Midori’s is an all-girls school; you can’t have much experience dealing with the attentions of men.”
True enough, though she doubted that inexperience alone would turn her into a fool. Tsumiko peered into her mug and calmly said, “If you can’t trust me to choose a suitable husband, trust Argent to fend off any unsuitable prospects.”
Claws flexed. “If that is my mistress’s wish.”
“Please.” Tsumiko’s lips twitched at the vicious glee that mostly obscured the soft well of relief that flowed through her bond with Argent. The Smythe cousins must be truly awful.
Michael said, “You’ll be expected to marry, of course. Once the reaver community is aware of the beacon in our midst, many of our young men will apply for your consideration.”
“I won’t marry,” Tsumiko said firmly. “That would only complicate things for Argent.”
“After,” Michael assured. “Once Argent’s free, you’ll take your place in the In-between, adding your strength to our community. After all, abilities such as ours are hereditary.”
Tsumiko drowned her protest by downing the last of a drink gone tepid. There was so much about the reaver community that she didn’t understand. Michael was generous with lessons, etiquette, histories, and lore, and she found it all fascinating; but her allegiance belonged to Another. And her only earthly duty was to Argent.
Or so she thought.
As Michael rambled on, Tsumiko’s dismay multiplied. She didn’t want to become a reaver breeder, only to have her children taken once they were old enough to train. Suddenly, the culture she’d found so fascinating felt like a trap.
Argent struggled out of bed, and Gingko leapt to his side. Brushing off his son’s support and Michael’s protests, he crossed to Tsumiko’s chair and sank to his knees. “Calm down,” he growled. “Think.”
