Page 149 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Flicking a glance at Mikoto, Lapis sighed but answered. “Thefourth of the Junzi was finally located in a private collection. Argent ispersonally overseeing its transfer to a more secure location. Once he issatisfied, he will undoubtedly drop by.”
“Oh. That’s all right, then.”
“Promising, even.”
Ginkgo rubbed at his face. “Glad you’re here. Seriously. Roughmorning. Little bro justfound out.”
Lapis’ low warble conveyed concern.
“I thought Timur was bringing him here.” Ginkgo had been sosure Kyrie was here. But he’d probably passed right under him. “He’s withZisa?”
“Taken aloft. Or so we were told.” With a confident wavetoward the ceiling, Lapis added, “Hisoka will fetch him down.”
“Hisoka-sensei’s here?” Pointless question. Dragging out achair, Ginkgo slumped into it. “Where’s Waaseyaa. And everyone else, for thatmatter.”
“Next door, I believe. There was some excitement. I wasinvited—rather pointedly—to make myself at home here.” Lapis smiled serenely.“Now, before I broach anyotherpotentially sensitive topics … who isyour friend?”
Mikoto stepped forward and offered both a bow and his palms.“Lord Mossberne, welcome to Wardenclave. It will be an honor to have you inattendance at my induction.”
Kyrie wasn’t sure how to react to Hisoka Twineshaft’sarrival. Sensei visited Stately House fairly often, but he spent most of histime in meetings with other members of the Amaranthine Council. What leisurehours he stole were passed in the company of Michael, Deece, or Jacques. Notwith the children. So while Sensei’s was a familiar face, Kyrie was used toseeing him from a distance.
“Hello, Zisa.” Hisoka stooped to look him in the eye. “I apologizefor not offering my greeting sooner.”
Given Hisoka-sensei’s history of standoffishness, the formthat greeting took surprised Kyrie.
Zisa, too. The tree touched his lips and gasped, “He kissedme!”
“He did,” agreed Kyrie.
“It is so backward.” Zisa’s delight edged his tone withlaughter. “Usually, I have to begin.”
Hisoka took a seat on the branch, feet swinging free, oneelbow propped on the nest’s edge. With traces of a smile, he quietly revealed,“I was raised in one of the eldermost groves.”
“Do you like trees?” Zisa asked hopefully.
“More than I let on,” Hisoka said in a conspiratorial tone. Thenthe spokesperson for the cat clans said, “Hello, Kyrie.”
He lowered his gaze, suddenly self-conscious about his tearstainedface.
“A friend told me you were sad,” said Hisoka. “I came asquickly as I could.”
Kyrie’s curiosity was caught. “Who told?”
“His name is Celestoria Novi, and we are old, old friends.” Hishands formed a plea for secrecy, but he went on without waiting for a response.“Childhood friends. Perhaps a little like you and Miss Lilya, since we arerarely far from one another.”
“The star?”
Hisoka inclined his head.
This was new information. And interesting enough to loosenKyrie’s tongue. “Does anyone know?”
A small headshake. “Not even your father.”
“Is your star the reason you know so much?”
“Novi is certainly part of it.” Hisoka ran a hand over thetop of his head. “However, I cannot deny that I have always been …inquisitive.”
Kyrie was impressed. And confused. “Why tell me?”
