Page 86 of Kimiko and the Accidental Proposal
And a sheet of plywood banged into place, covering the gaping hole overhead. Suuzu cocked his head to one side, then remarked, “It is well-warded.”
“Goh’s top notch. No drafts.” Sinder shivered dramatically. “Mind if we warm this icebox up a little?”
Akira turned toward the thermostat only to find Suuzu in the way.
The phoenix cupped his cheek and said, “You do not have to listen to him.”
“He’s cold.”
“So are you. It is a reasonable request.” Suuzu seemed to be pleading with him. “You are too easily swayed.”
“The trusting ones usually are.” Sinder made a gesture Akira recognized as an apology.
“Maybe you should explain,” Akira said.
“Dragons are dangerous,” said Suuzu.
Sinder begged to differ. “Dragons have thepotentialto be dangerous. We are captivating in our beauty.”
“And they take captives with their words.”
Again, Sinder countered, “Historically. Many clans have dark stories in their past that would make for bad press. But dragons have chosen peace. We are represented among the Five.”
Suuzu’s head dipped. “Granted. But your words are affecting Akira.”
“Truly a problem.” Sinder crooked his fingers encouragingly. “Come here.”
Akira started forward, only to be stopped by Suuzu’s hand at his wrist.
The dragon sighed. “Spokesperson Farroost, the people you trust most trust me. Bring him over, and I’ll help him break the habit.”
This was all very exciting and a little surreal, but Akira was pretty sure they’d gotten off track. Waving both hands, he stepped between them. “If our teachers trust him enough to leave him here, we’re good. And Sentinel said he’s injured. Shouldn’tthatbe our first priority?”
Suuzu’s attitude vanished. “Do you need a healer?”
“Not necessary. If you can manage the basic bandages and ointments.” He grimaced. “And tweezers.”
“And a broom,” Suuzu murmured, already out the door.
Sinder chuckled. “He’s so much like his brother, it’s scary.”
“Can you move?” Akira had noticed that the dragon hadn’t budged, even when Suuzu took the rescued girl from him to give her to Sentinel. Injuries could be a problem for Amaranthine, since they were slow to heal. “Let’s get you into a clean corner. By the heater.”
“You’re too kind.”
Akira found the rips in Sinder’s cloak, which he helped the dragon remove, exposing bruises, lacerations, and embedded glass. And six sheathed blades of various sizes. The shirt had to go, too, exposing lean muscles and milk-pale skin.
“So … are you a super-spy?”
Sinder’s pale eyebrows arched. “Two words. Elite taskforce.”
“Are you all tributes?”
“Aren’tyouin the know!”
Which wasn’t an answer. Akira tried the eyebrow thing.
Chuckling, Sinder answered, “Most of us, yes. But exceptions make us exceptional.”
