Page 110 of Fumiko and the Finicky Nestmate
“May I see the stone at your ankle?”
Akira dropped onto the closest chair and lifted the leg on which he wore a crystal suspended on braided hair.
The ankle bracelet was part of the reason he was beholden to Boonmar-fen Elderbough. Back when Akira was still in high school, he’d traded favors with Boon. The wolf had created the necklace that Akira had given to Suuzu. One of the items on that necklace was an especially fine remnant stone, which Michael had tuned to this one Akira wore. No matter where Suuzu was in the world, he knew which direction Akira was in.
“It works both ways?” Akira asked.
“Not in equal measure. Suuzu’s stone is meant to find yours, not the other way around, but there is a faint echo.” Juuyu hummed and huffed. “They are near. Ahead of schedule.”
“What’s that in minutes?”
Juuyu checked his pocket watch. “Twenty-eight. As an estimate.”
Akira’s jitters redoubled. “I think I’ll go down by the water.”
With a soft warble of sympathy—and one last fuss over his hair—Juuyu let him go.
Although he’d been hoping the beach would calm him down, Akira found something even better. Distractions.
At the water’s edge, Mirrim was sparring with Colt, both armed with swords. It looked dangerous, but they were clearly professionals.
Meanwhile, Zuzu had gotten into her sister’s things and was painting tiny white daisies between the sigils on Magda’s body. Magda clearly didn’t mind a bit. She was pretty cool. Scary, too, but no worse than Sansa. Akira had a feeling that the crossers back home would’ve adored her. Maybe he should check with Timur, see if they could stream the battler games she’d talked about. Akira could show off his new friends, and the crossers could root for the Lost Harbor Lockets.
Diva sat on the end of the dock with Antigone and Dru, cheering on—or possibly heckling—Sinder, who’d adopted truest form to fish. That must be the plan for lunch. They’d have an even bigger crew than usual to feed.
Fumiko was sitting with Jiminy, who’d also been decorated with daisies. Akira caught a little of what he was saying and slowed to listen.
“… wouldn’t say avian instincts are complicated. And to be fair, I know more about pheasants than phoenixes.”
“That’s what Zuzu said,” Fumiko replied.
Jiminy turned to look at Zuzu. “She heard that?”
Suddenly Zuzu was kneeling at his side. “I hear everything.”
“I see! Anything said or done under a tree is known to the tree?”
With a laugh, Zuzu returned to Magda.
“Surely there are similarities,” pleaded Fumiko. “Please, tell me anything you know about avians and their romantic ideals.”
Akira edged closer.
Jiminy noticed and beckoned him over. “Akira may be some help. He’s close to a phoenix.”
“I remember. Your best friend is Juuyu’s brother.” Fumiko patted the sand at her side and murmured, “Thank you both.”
“Now, Miss Fumiko, have you, perhaps, taken a shine to a certain phoenix?” Jiminy asked lightly.
“I didn’t mean to choose. I didn’t need to.” Fumiko pushed hair behind her ear. “Usually, they send people like you. Strong reavers. And I fulfill my contract with their child.”
Akira shifted uneasily. Reaver contracts were unnerving. He received his fair share of offers, thanks to his connection to the illustrious Lady Mettlebright. Not that he’d ever looked at one. Argent simply passed them along to Sansa, who’d taken to building monthly bonfires ever since their family achieved dynasty status.
Jiminy didn’t bat an eye. “Thank you for your contribution to our community. According to the pack that adopted me, my birth family lives in similar circumstances. But it’s not my story you’re interested in. Let’s see. Generalities first?”
“Yes, please.”
He included Akira. “And you can tell us if they apply to our phoenix friend. You probably know more than anyone about this sort of thing.”
