Page 148 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Soothing tones had to be Waaseyaa.
And then the winds brought words. Waaseyaa said, “If youwish to climb, here are rungs.”
“If I must. Will your twin mind?”
Kyrie sat up a little straighter, startled to hear such afamiliar voice in this place.
“Allow me,” countered another person. “I have a message todeliver, and I will invite Kyrie to join you inside.”
His heart took to thudding.
“Should we run?” asked Zisa. “I have many hiding places.”
Kyrie swallowed hard and shook his head. “It will be okay.”
“Pardon me,” called a rising voice. “May I have a word,please?”
“We are here,” Kyrie replied, his voice crackling.
Gently lifting aside leaves, Hisoka Twineshaft joined themon the branch.
FIFTY-THREE
News from Home
Ginkgo drew up short on the threshold. “Lapis? I didn’tknow you’d be here.”
“I did not know myself.” Draped decorously upon a kitchenchair with Mikoto’s dog cradled to his chest and Rifflet coiled at his throat, Lapislifted a teacup in salute. “Who is your friend? And why has Kyrie marked him?”
Mikoto glanced down at himself. “Me, too?”
Lapis beckoned languidly. “Elbow. Achilles tendon. And acheeky brand upon your … back pocket.”
“Me, too.As in other sigils?” Ginkgo took Mikoto’sarm and squinted at the tiny tracer. “Who else am I going to have to frisk?”
“Timur and Fend. And Sinder, of course.”
The sigils dispelled at a touch, which was almost a shame.They were as cute as they were diabolical. “Lapis, were you sent to check onSinder?” Ginkgo could see Juuyu demanding it.
“No, no. That privilege belongs to Moon.”
“Tenma, then?”
Lapis arched his brows. “I amgreatlylooking forwardto seeing my apprentice again. But … no.”
Reeling a hand to hurry him along, Ginkgo wearily demanded,“What brings you to the heart of Wardenclave, O, illustrious one?”
“I am here in Argent’s place.”
Ginkgo’s stomach plunged. “What happened to Dad? Is he allright? Did he take off somewhere? Is Mom alone?”
Lapis set aside his tea and raised a quelling finger.“Argent is dealing with a delicate task for Hisoka’s sake. I am here in hisplace to attend Mikoto Reaver’s induction as the new headman of Wardenclave.”
Ginkgo wasn’t satisfied. Not whendelicate taskscould easily be dangerous ones. “Where. Is. Dad?”
“California.”
Okay, that was unexpected. “Why?”
