Page 98 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
“It’s easiest if you think of me as an unregistered reaver.”Tenma ambled along, hands in the back pockets of his grubby jeans. “Ever sinceI graduated from New Saga, I’ve been traveling. Going different places, meetingall kinds of people, and making a lot of really ugly pots.”
Lilya laughed. “Is there something you’re good at?”
“Tending.” He offered a small shrug. “I like tending.”
She nodded. “My papka does, too.”
“I know.” Tenma favored her with a lopsided smile. “Michael-senseiwas my teacher for a while. So … what’syourclassification.”
Lilya kind of wished he hadn’t asked. “Beacon,” she sighed.
His hand strayed to her shoulder, just a light touch.“Strange. I thought the beacon must be a different sister. You give nothingaway.”
“Precautions.” She tapped his hand. “Reavers aren’t supposedto be able to sense other reavers.”
“I do a lot of things I’m not supposed to do.” Tenma liftedboth hands. “Sorry for being strange.”
Lilya decided to answer more than he’d asked. “They sealedme. That’s why you can’t find me. That’s whyno onecan find me.”
Then she told him about Radiance’s silly plan and her daywith Glint. Tenma’s steps lagged to a stop, as if walking might keep him fromlistening well. He was all smiles and nods, with questions that had herspilling out more of the story. All the way up to her discovery of Rifflet.
“Should we stop by Zisa’s and see if Sinder’s awake?” heoffered.
“It’s late.”
“He’s Amaranthine,” Tenma pointed out. “And don’t you thinkhe’ll want a look at your new friend?”
So she let him lead her to the little house beyondWaaseyaa’s.
Tapping on the door, he opened it partway and quietlycalled, “Is everyone decent?”
“By whose standards?” sang out a familiar voice. Zisaappeared, wreathed in smiles.
Kyrie skidded in his haste to reach her side. “Lilya?”
Inside, Timur was lofting crystals. In their soft light, shecould tell that Kyrie had been in bed with Sinder and Timur. Hurrying forward,her big brother quietly demanded, “Trouble?”
“Peace.” Tenma’s posture matched his words, which helped tocalm everyone. “Lilya-chan has a question for Sinder.”
The dragon grumbled something, and Mikoto left the other bedto offer his arm. Sinder shook his head and stayed on the edge of the mattress.“I’ll hold audience from here, if you don’t mind.”
Kyrie caught Lilya’s hand, pulling her around Zisa anddrawing her inside. “Damsel was hurt, but Timur is a good healer.”
Timur reached for her but pulled his hands back when Riffletlifted his head. “Sinder?” he called. “Are you seeing this?”
“Can’t be.” Sinder looked from Lilya to Rifflet with anexpression of utter bewilderment. “That’s a wind dragon.”
“Is that what he’s called?” It was nice to have a properterm.
“They’re extinct.”
Lilya knew better, and she could tell Sinder did, too. Hiswonderment only multiplied when Rifflet’s voice chimed sweetly in both theirminds.Damsel.
THIRTY-SIX
Secret Apprentice
Ginkgo had been so sure that Dad was joking when hereferred to this summer as his eldest son’s proving journey. A bad joke, atthat, given the monumental disaster that had been Argent Mettlebright’s firstforay into the wider world.
