Page 150 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“Is it trulytellingif the secret has alreadystepped out of hiding?” Gentling his tone, he added, “Argent intended to revealyour secret at midwinter.”
Ginkgo had said as much. That Kyrie was old enough to know.That Dad had wanted the responsibility. “Then why areyouhere?” Insteadof Dad. Instead of Mom. Instead of Ginkgo.
“Because it was needful.” Hisoka delighted Zisa by takingthe tree’s hand. “I am always where I need to be.”
Not exactly what he’d been asking, but also veryinteresting. How was that even possible? Finally, Kyrie said, “That must benice.”
“Not always.” Hisoka confessed, “Sometimes there are placesI would prefer to go, even though doing so might not be for the best.”
“So you did not want to be here?” Kyrie kept back the restof his thought.With me.
Flared eyebrows shot up. “Not so. I am glad to be here. And Iknow that because Iamhere, this is the most important place I can beright now. Perhaps it would be better to say that there are times when I wish Icould be in more than one place at once.”
Increasingly intrigued, Kyrie asked, “You needed to talk tome?”
“Certainly. But not solely. I am rarely in one place for onereason. For instance, we are here—at least in part—because the stars havegathered to sing.”
Perhaps hearing stars was a little bit like hearing the wind.Kyrie whispered to Zisa, “I do not hear anything. Do you?”
“Tonight,” said the tree. “There will be a chorus tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because Glint Starmark is much-loved.” Zisa stroked Kyrie’shair. “Because a promise is kept. Because a son is given.”
A son? Before Kyrie could ask for particulars, Hisoka-senseiinterrupted.
“Kyrie, I made a promise to Ever Starmark. He would not letme leave Keishi until I swore a solemn oath to find you.”
“Oh. Isthatwhy you are here?”
“Did I not mention I havemanyreasons for beingwhere I am? I am sure I did.”
Kyrie missed Ever. So much. “He is my best friend.”
“Something he made abundantly clear.” From an unassumingpouch at his waist, Hisoka withdrew a phone. Tapping lightly upon its screen,he passed it to Kyrie. It was already making the soft tones of an attemptedconnection. The name of the call’s intended recipient made Kyrie’s heart leapinto his throat—Laud Starmark.
Laud lived with Ever and Quen at Kikusawa Shrine in Keishi. Butit wasn’t Uncle Laud who answered the call.
“Kyrie? Is it you, Kyrie?”
“I am here.”
“Sensei’s good! And fast! I knew he’d do his best. IsLilya there, too?”
“She is … nearby.” Kyrie could tell she was below, but hewasn’t sure which of the buildings she was in. Looking into the tree’ssparkling eyes, he said, “I am with Zisa.”
Leaning closer, the tree cooed, “Hello.”
“I know that name from Da. Hi! Umm … so you’ll both haveto tell Lilya later, but I gotta tell you now! I’m an uncle!”
“Is that so?” Hugging the phone to his ear, Kyrie closed hiseyes, greedy for every inflection of Ever’s voice.
“For almost whole day now! Nobody knows. Da will call fora press conference in the morning. Everybody’s been waiting and wondering andguessing.”
“You most of all.”
“Yes!”
