Page 146 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Ginkgo skidded to a halt at the same moment Sinder streakedout of cover and collided with the wolf, whose tail lifted into a relieved sway.
“Moon! What are you doing here?” exclaimed Sinder. “Scratchthat. Don’t care. You’rehere!”
“Take a deep breath,” growled the wolf. “Why are youafraid?”
“The kid’s terrifying. Got me good.” Hiding his face againstthe wolf’s chest, he mumbled, “Shit, that was freaky.”
Timur and Mikoto, astride Fend, crashed into the clearing, allthree looking harried. A handful of other battlers found their way into theopen. Shouldering their weapons, they adopted receptive postures. All eyes werefocused on the newcomer. Staring.
“Moon?” whispered Ginkgo.
“Moon-kin Ambervelte,” Salali supplied. “Radiance’s brother.He’s Kith-kin.”
“He and Sinder seem close.”
“Fancy that.”
Meanwhile, Sinder babbled on. “He’s perfect. You need to geta message to Boon. The rogue’s handed us our chance.”
Ginkgo swore.
“His own kids could be the key.”
Moon gently covered the lower half of Sinder’s face, hushinghim. But it was too late to call back his words.
Ginkgo stifled a groan when his little brother slipped outof the shadow of a tree. He probably should have called out, but Kyrie’s cooldignity silenced the entire gathering.
“I would like to know, please.” Red eyes swept every face,and his words held the faintest lilt of power. “Who is the rogue?”
FIFTY-TWO
Family and Familiar Faces
Mikoto wasn’t sure what was going on, so he lined upwith a few of the other battlers, lowered his eyes and took a receptiveposture. Awaiting orders. Presumably from Timur.
Only that’s not how it worked out.
“Come away, Kyrie.” Timur’s voice was thick with emotion.
The boy submitted without a word, lifting his arms. Timurgathered him up, speaking to him in an undertone while setting him on Fend’sback. They fled the clearing together.
Reveille arrived with a young wolf, both breathless andagitated. They singled out Salali and hurried to confer with him. When Moonbundled Sinder away, Mikoto resigned himself to a long walk home.
But then Ginkgo was right in front of him, up on tiptoe, brimmingwith urgency. “Mikoto. I know you have your own stuff going on, but can Iborrow you?”
“What do you need?”
“Long story.” He glanced around, shook his head, andmuttered, “Guess I’m your ride.”
Before Mikoto could frame a diplomatic protest, Reveille hurriedover. “Allow me?”
“You sure?” Ginkgo checked.
“I insist.” So saying, Reveille transformed, loweringhimself to his belly.
Mikoto murmured his thanks and swung up behind the half-fox.
Once Reveille settled into an easy lope, Ginkgo leaned backinto Mikoto’s chest and asked, “How much do you know about the rogue?”
