Page 104 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“Alternatively …?”
“Invite her to stay.” Those deep red eyes were soft. “Thatwould make a nice story.”
For Mikoto, there had only ever been Lupe. But what if thethings he’d always loved most about her were actually the workings of an imp? “Butto take a wife, sight unseen?”
“It is my understanding that such contracts are commonplacein the reaver community.” Kyrie breezed on. “It is not easy for those of thesky clans to stand upon the earth, but neither is it impossible.”
“And you know the way?”
“I know the stories.” Kyrie quietly asked, “Are you sure youwant to know?”
Mikoto hugged the boy close and confessed, “I am confusedand embarrassed and uncertain of everything. But Idowant to know.”
“You are very brave.” Kyrie nodded approvingly. “Accordingto the old tales, you would give her a name. ‘Call to her, and she will hearyou. Reach for her, and she will reach back.’ But I think she already has aname. Perhaps Lupe gave it to her.”
“Lupe knows?”
“Yes, I think so. It may be what binds them.”
Mikoto had desperately wanted to believe that Lupe hadreturned for his sake. And maybe she had, in a roundabout way. But why hadn’tshe told him? He cringed inwardly. “Lupe is staying with my sister, but I havenot been back to the house since First Day.”
“Go to her,” urged Kyrie. “Ask her for the name. Only ….”
“Yes?”
The boy shyly asked, “Can I be there when you call for her?”
Notif.
When.
Mikoto liked this boy. “I want you there, my friend. I willneedyou there. You and Sinder both.”
THIRTY-EIGHT
Invisible Friend
Mikoto clasped Waaseyaa’s hand and mumbled, “I need togo home.”
“They will be missing you, I am sure.”
He couldn’t bring himself to let go. “I have beenneglectful.”
“You have been where you needed to be.” Waaseyaa slipped theend of his braid into Mikoto’s hand. “Now, Zisa and I will have a turn atmissing you.”
“I may come hurrying back,” he joked, winding and unwinding theblack braid around his fist.
Uncle smiled. “You will always be welcome.”
Because he knew it was safe to ask, Mikoto did. “Have I beenrunning away?”
Again, Waaseyaa said, “You have been where you needed tobe.”
Mikoto accepted that with a nod, released his uncle, andpocketed Noble. He turned to leave, nearly bowling over Zisa. The tree twinthrew his arms around Mikoto’s neck and whispered in his ear. “Are you runningaway now?”
“No,” he promised. Even though there was a sizeable part ofhim that didn’t want to face Lupe. “Can anyone outrun the wind?”
Zisa giggled.
