Page 99 of Mikoto and the Reaver Village
Betrayal. Capture. Enslavement.
Looking back on all those dreadful memories, Ginkgo oftenwondered how Dad had managed to survive. Except … now that things were better,he thought he knew the answer. Argent had toughed it out because he’d had a kidto protect. All those centuries. More than a millennium. He’d dug deep and keptgoing because his son needed him to.
Maybe it was easier to see now because Ginkgo felt the sameway about Michael’s and Sansa’s kids. His first brush with a real family. Hisfirst time really belonging. They’d quietly encouraged the attachment, and he’dtaken every last one of them to his heart.
Darya, Timur, Isla, Annika, Lilya, and Vanya may have beenborn into Rilka’s hands, but she’d promptly handed them off to him. Like anhonorary uncle. Or a big brother. Not until later did he learn that it was an actualthing. Fostering.
Their kids werehisin every way that mattered.
So he understood, now, just how far a parent would go fortheir child. And that scared him more than anything. Because Kyrie was Dad’s inevery way that mattered.
The worldwide threat that the rogue represented wasintensely personal to Argent. Sure, that murderous dragon kept eluding thetrackers, but what were years compared to millennia? Argent Mettlebright knewhow to dig deep and keep going. He wouldn’t stop until he stopped Kyrie’s sire.
All without Ginkgo. Or maybe it was fairer to say, without endangeringGinkgo.
Unless this reallywasa proving journey. Maybe he’dgo home better equipped and able to help. Somehow.
Chasing Salali through the treetops, Ginkgo drummed up thecourage to ask, “Are you my mentor?”
“Up to you.” The squirrel crouched on a limb and waiteduntil Ginkgo settled beside him. “Not everyone wants this sort of thing gettingout.”
“Because I’m a crosser?”
Salali snorted.
“Is it a clan thing? Am I not supposed to learn the squirrelclan’s secrets?”
“Closer.” He tipped his hat back and grinned. “People likeyou and I don’t usually advertise the tools in our kit.”
“So I’d lose the element of surprise if folks found out I’dpicked up some seriously squirrely tricks.”
Salali offered his hand. “Traditional secrecy aside, thisisan apprenticeship. I’m willing to teach you everything I can. I’m interested inthe possibilities represented by your unique heritage.”
Ginkgo grimaced. “Guinea pig time, huh?”
“Sensitive on that score?”
“Can you blame me?”
Salali sighed. “Untuck your tail, Ginkgo Mettlebright. Tome, you represent untapped potential. I’d like to see if there are any newtricks up your sleeve. Do you want an advocate to make sure I don’t take unfairadvantage of our arrangement?”
“Is that usual?”
“Common enough, and quite useful in our case.” With a faintsmirk, he said, “I recommend Hannick Alpenglow.”
Ginkgo recognized the name. “One of the other founders? Whyhim?”
“I really couldn’t say.” Salali casually scanned theirsurroundings. “But as my apprentice, you’ll gain access to the kinds of placesI go. Which will undoubtedly please Lord Mettlebright, should youdiscretelypass along certain details.”
He wasn’t going to turn down that kind of help. “Want me tocall yousensei?”
Salali tweaked his nose, then pulled something from behindone of Ginkgo’s ears, presenting it with a wink. “Wear this at all times.”
“Is this so you can keep tabs on me?”
Salali snorted again.
A necklace. Holding it up toward the moon’s light, Ginkgo recognizedit for the treasure it was. The crystal was nearly colorless, with a faint seamof green at its heart. Slipping the heavy chain over his head, he studied thesigils etched deeply into the stone’s surface. “This is to keep me safe?”
