Page 51 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
Sentinel grimly continued. “I will review the school’s security measures with you, along with new guidelines to ensure the safety of every student. And Boon will want a word with anyone who may have noticed Minami any time after eight o’clock yesterday evening.”
Rules were rehearsed. Restrictions added. Everyone could expect to see more Kith on campus. And Ms. Reeves went over simple statements they might use if questioned by friends and family … or if cornered by the press.
Throughout, Kimiko had a hard time sitting still. She wanted to get home, to make sure her sisters were safe. Because she had seen the silent command issued by Boonmar-fen, watched it leap from one student to the next, galvanizing the Amaranthine to a single purpose.
Guard your reavers.
TWENTY-FOUR
Lady’s Choice
Sentinel excused himself to speak with the next classroom, and Reaver Armstrong moved to the corner of the room with Cove to answer questions and allow students to interact with his Kith partner. Meanwhile, Boon circulated through the room, asking questions in low tones.
Suuzu touched Kimiko’s hand. “You are wanted,” he murmured.
She had no idea how long Eloquence had been trying to catch her attention.
His gesture was crisp, commanding.Wait for me.
Kimiko shook her head. “I can’t. My sisters ….”
Eloquence’s lips pressed into a thin line, but he inclined his head. His gaze shifted, and he said something she couldn’t hear.
“He wishes you to meet him,” Suuzu relayed. “After school. In the Kith shelter.”
Akira was paying attention now. “What’s up, Kimi?”
She could feel color creeping into her face. “I need to talk to Eloquence.”
“How long?” asked Suuzu.
“Not long.” She shifted into a consenting posture.
Suuzu’s hand was warm around hers, and his declaration was just as crisp, commanding. “When you finish, Akira and I will walk you home.”
Across the room, Eloquence inclined his head again.
In context, the gesture could indicate simple understanding … or permission. With a sudden pang of uneasiness, she hoped it was the former. Calling Eloquence Starmark a beauty and kissing his hand had been a bit much. She’d wanted to win a smile, to give him a nice memory. But she hadn’t stayed around, and she didn’t know him well enough to guess if he’d been amused or insulted or … or all the other little things she usually never worried about.
Flirting with schoolgirls was easy. A nonsense game with no consequences since she never saw them again. But there would be no avoiding Eloquence Starmark.
Did dogs understand games? Did Amaranthine even flirt? Did he think her behavior strange for a reaver? Middle school and movies had turned her into a bizarre hybrid, teetering on the borderline of acceptability as a reaver.
“You are worrying him.” Suuzu left his chair to kneel beside her. “You are worrying me.”
She caught a glimpse of taut concern before Akira came around and sat on the table, blocking Eloquence’s view of her.
Akira asked, “What’s his deal?”
Kimiko hadn’t wanted to tell anyone until she felt more confident, but maybe by confiding in Akira and Suuzu, she’d find the confidence she needed. Leaning to one side, she met Eloquence’s waiting, worried gaze. And she proved that she, too, could be crisp, commanding.All is well. No insult intended. Untuck your tail. May clear skies fill your eyes. Shake those antlers, you ruddy buck.
Bemusement stole the tension from Eloquence’s expression. The last chivvying encouragement even netted her an amused huff. And now that he was smiling, she quietly asked, “Can I tell them?”
The answer came without hesitation—at your discretion.
Akira and Suuzu readily agreed to wait until they reached the privacy of Kikusawa Shrine before Kimiko unburdened herself. They would be waiting at the gate. And she was hurrying toward the inner compound that the Kith called home.
Not many lingered in the mews and stalls. She supposed they must be patrolling the campus or helping search for Minami Li. Why would anyone kidnap a high school girl? And who would dare to do it here? Keishi was the informal headquarters of the Five, and more than any other clan, the Starmarks considered reavers their allies. Dogs and reavers—they were the In-between’s founders and foundation.
