Page 85 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
He was halfway there when Suuzu jerked him back into his chest. The phoenix was furious. Akira could feel the emotion shaking, flaring. But the other person needed help. Why didn’t Suuzu understand?
“Suuzu?” He tilted his head, trying to see his friend’s face.
The gaze that met his flashed with emotions Akira rarely saw. But Suuzu answered calmly. “Look at your feet.”
Akira’s unprotected feet were a half-step away from the jagged remains of their skylight. Why hadn’t he noticed? “Whoa. That would have hurt.”
“Put on your shoes.” Suuzu pointed him to the entry. “And call for Sentinel.”
“Wait!” called the stranger.
So Akira stopped, turning to see what he wanted.
Suuzu stalked to Akira, lifted him bodily, and whisked to the door.
“Listen!” The green-haired Amaranthine raised his right hand and crooked his pinky. “I’msorry, Suuzu. I wasn’t trying to hurt your nestmate. And Sentinel’s support would be welcome, but we need a healer more.”
Awkwardly pushing aside his dark cloak, he revealed the huddled form of a dark-skinned girl—young, battered, and unconscious.
Akira whispered, “That’s an Ingress Academy uniform.”
“Put on your shoes,” Suuzu repeated, setting Akira down and facing their intruder. “Is that the girl who was taken?”
“Yes.”
“And you’re a dragon.”
Akira fumbled with his shoelaces. “He’s a dragon?”
“Yes,” said Suuzu.
That sent a little thrill down his spine—part fear, part fascination. “You’re a dragon.”
“I’m a dragon.” Holding out a palm that pleaded for peace, he added, “Sinder Stonecairne, of the Icelandic Reach. It’s nice to finally meet you both.”
“How come you know our names?” Akira asked.
Suuzu added, “How did you break the barrier?”
“Your brother’s barrier came in handy.” Sinder gently eased his burden into a more comfortable position.
“This nest is warded against dragons.”
“No. It’s warded againstotherdragons.” Sinder made the same kind of odd fluting sound that Lapis made when he was playing with Kyrie. “I’m almost hurt he never told you. Suuzu, I’m one of the good guys. Juuyu is my partner.”
Sentinel Skybellow didn’t seem to care about the wreckage in their room, the barriers that prevented him from entering, or the presence of a dragon. He only had eyes for the girl—soft and sad. “Mare Withershanks is at Ingress.”
Before he could dash off, Akira asked, “What about this guy.”
“Hide him here.” With a delicate sniff, Sentinel added, “Tend his injuries.”
And he was gone.
A few moments later, a voice hailed them from overhead. Goh-sensei placed a finger on the side of his nose. “I’ll patch things up and add a little something extra. No one will notice the rough edges.”
Sinder waved wearily. “Thanks, Goh.”
“Not to worry, Sinder.”
