Page 13 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Lilya says tobring Fend
Smoother,faster ride
Next came a selfie that made Sinder sit up. Dark green seatsand windows with a tundra view confirmed that the sender was on a camp bus.“The reavers are coming in already?”
“In a couple more days. Glint gave permission for an earlierarrival.” Timur craned his neck to see the photo. “This room’s for them.”
The selfie showed a grinning male in a faded blue shirt thatset off his eyes. His rumple of silver hair would have sent Juuyu into fits,but Sinder was more interested in his ears. Silver fox ears perched atop hishead, marking him as a crosser. And a celebrity one, at that.
He was crammed into a seat with two children. A girl withlong brown hair had her arms wrapped around the shoulders of a boy who clung toher waist. There was no mistaking his dark red eyes. Or the spotting andscales.
“Argent’s kid?”
Timur leaned on an elbow to better share the screen.“They’re both his—Ginkgo and Kyrie. And Lilya’s one of my sisters. This istheir first camp. My being here and needing Ginkgo made it easier to get allthe assorted parental permissions.”
“I can’t believe Argent let Kyrie out of his sight.”
“He trusts Ginkgo. And me.”
“Kith partner, sigil crafter, field medic, and baby minder.”
“Ginkgo’s the baby minder. I get to play big brother.”Indicating the phone, he said, “Go ahead and let him know you’re keeping hisbed warm while I brew that tea.”
Sinder’s fingers were itching to do just that. He missedtechnology. Liked to chat. “How will he react, knowing I’ve commandeered what’sobviously meant to be a secure line?”
“He’s a fox at heart. Helikesintrigue.” Timur lacedhis next words with more of his mother’s accent. “You can be Hisoka’s spy. Hewill be Argent’s. And I will play the Russian spy. Yes?”
“Unbelievable.” Sinder couldn’t keep a straight face. “Doyou like intrigue?”
“Terrible at it, actually.” Timur whispered, “Between youand me, Fend is the brains of the operation.”
“You admit your Kith is smarter than you?” He was likingthis reaver more by the minute.
“Part of why we’re such a good team.”
Sinder’s curiosity piqued. “How do you communicate?”
Timur tapped his nose. “Whatever do you mean? Kith areintelligent, loyal, and make good pets. Everyone knows that.”
“You’re very good.”
“Not at everything.” His expression briefly closed, but hissmile was soon back, if a bit sadder. “For instance, you’re going tohatemy tea.”
SEVEN
At the Heart of Wardenclave
Sinder tapped and flicked his way through the contentsof Timur’s phone, assuring himself that all was secure before he toyed with Ginkgo.
I’m not Timur. Who am I?
Two beats. A third. Then Ginkgo responded.
Fend: the world’sfirst typing Kith.
You may rule out felines. Try again.
Friend or foe?
