Page 159 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Kyrie slipped out of the shadows. “Here I am.”
“What’s up, little bro?”
“The winds woke me.” He frowned slightly. “And the stars.What are you doing to Sinder?”
“Helping him. I hope.”
Sinder warbled miserably, and Kyrie answered with a gentletrill.
Ginkgo asked, “Which form is best for wings? Because there’snot much room here.” And when Sinder didn’t answer, he pressed, “That’s whatthis is, isn’t it?”
Was it?
“You’ve been tended by a beacon for how many days? And Timurand Tenma before that. And Waaseyaa’s influence is probably in the mix.” Ginkgogave him a little shake. “This is the change every dragon awaits … works toward… right? This isgood.”
It didn’t feel good.
But Sinder couldn’t deny that yes, that’s what must behappening. And he had no idea if he was supposed to do this in truest form orspeaking form. Stories spoke of both. Did either have an advantage.
“I … I want Michaelson.”
Ginkgo nodded, turned to Kyrie, and lifted his chin towardthe village. “Fetch Timur quick.”
“I will hurry.”
Sinder barely registered his absence. Drawing himself up, hetried to remember his lore. Information was his thing. He should know thisstuff, probably did. But being in the middle of his attainment left himincoherent.
Slowly releasing his hold, Ginkgo took Sinder’s hand andtugged. Moving forward was better than staying still. Sinder locked his fingerswith the half-fox’s and was glad he wasn’t alone.
The lake. He hadn’t realized they were close to it. Starsglittered on a surface that was glassy-smooth. Only then did Sinder realize howstill the night had grown. Not a single breath of wind. Had they all followedKyrie when he left?
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.”
Ginkgo nodded. “When I came into my inheritance, I neededDad’s help. But it’s probably different for crossers. I ended up needing bothhim and Tsumiko. They struck the right balance between my human part and my foxpart. But Dad’s the one I wanted most. Say, should we have sent for Lapis?”
Sinder shook his head. He wanted Timur. Trusted him.
Rolling his shoulders, Sinder asked, “What was thisinheritance?”
“My tail. I wasn’t born with one.” He gave it a lightheartedswish.
“What happened?”
“My bones were on fire, and I could hardly sit still. I waspretty damned scared, and I couldn’t figure out how to display for Dad. But heguided me.”
Sinder asked, “How?”
“Youprobablydon’t want to know.” Ginkgo’s ears angledtoward the tree line. “They’re coming.”
Timur charged out of the shadows, Kyrie riding on his back. Windedand worried, he rushed forward, stopped short, then bowed low. “Thank you forinviting me to attend your Ascension.”
Sinder was speechless.
“Where’s Fend?” Ginkgo asked.
“Unable to attend,” Timur said shortly. “Probably for thebest. I apologize for any discomfort you’ve had to endure because of my delay.I’m here, Sinder. Right here.”
Admitting it to a Spomenka was hard. “I don’t know what todo.”
