Page 77 of Tsumiko and the Enslaved Fox
No sign.
Tsumiko tugged at his sleeve with fingers gone cold. “Remember what happened at Saint George’s when I asked Jacques about dragons?”
Argent growled softly and tapped the screen.
Correction. Jacques is afraid of dragons.
Ask Stewart
He is not here.
…
Look again.
They must be there.
They?
Stewart and his new wife.
Kyoko Hajime-Smythe
FORTY TWO
Change of Scenery
Despite Michael’s dire warnings, several days passed without consequence. The Smythe household kept up appearances with crackling logs, sparkling ciders, and the promise of a dinner party for a few close friends. The estate seemed in no danger of siege by anything more insidious than snowflakes.
“I don’t understand,” Tsumiko murmured.
Argent, who led her by the hand along one of the house’s upper galleries, paused before a painting and pretended to remark upon it. “If you hope for elucidation, you will need to be more specific.”
“I thought the Amaranthine were pacifists—no weapons, no wars.”
“You have seen blood on my muzzle. You bind and dress my wounds every evening.” Argent’s thin smile held no humor. “Nona would kill me if she could.”
“But she’s one of the Five. A supporter of the alliance. A proponent of peace.”
He arched a brow. “Foxes are famed for their duplicity.”
“What about dragons? Are they dangerous?”
Argent led her to the next painting, then bent to murmur, “Beware of generalizations.”
She tugged at his arm. “You just used one yourself, saying foxes are duplicitous.”
His gaze shifted, and annoyance flickered across his face. Which could only mean they’d been followed. Again.
“This way, mistress,” Argent murmured, firmly guiding her in the direction of their room.
Tsumiko cringed for his sake, for Jacques was coming that way. Their paths would cross, and they’d have to endure an hour-long array of posturing, pleas, and propositions.
Only they didn’t. Jacques strolled by without a flicker of recognition.
“What did you do?” she whispered.
“Whatever do you mean?” Argent inquired.
