Page 107 of Mage of the Dragon Prince
“But you never concern yourself with the Living Realm, let alone interact with humans.” Something wasn’t adding up for Kitaro. “Why is he different for you?”
Kizoshi’s tone was airy. “He is clan, after all. This was simply a convenient opportunity to meet him finally.”
Nothing was ever so simple with his sister. “What are you not telling me?”
She tutted. “Must you be so suspicious?”
“Yes, because you always have ulterior motives. You never do anything unless there is a direct benefit for you.”
She held up her hands in surrender. “I have no ill intentions toward Vanra. He has already endeared himself to me far more than Mitsuki ever has.”
“Butwhy?” It didn’t make sense.
She stretched her arm out over the back of the couch. “Because he is remarkable.”
“In what way?”
“You have to ask?” Kizoshi arched a delicate eyebrow. “Surely, you knowsomereasons.”
“I know whatmyreasons are. The question is, what areyourreasons?”
Like she always did, she dodged the direct question. “Take care of him, Kitaro. Vanra is worth more than any treasure.”
The switch in topics confused him. “I know that more than anyone.”
“Yes, you know it, but you do notunderstandit,” Kizoshi explained with emphasis. “You will one day, though.”
His sister always spoke in mysteries and riddles. “Can you please share what specific thing you are referring to?”
She shook her head. “No, it is too soon. But I promise you will find out. There is a reason fate brought him here to our time.”
That could only mean one thing: his sister’s best friend, the reigning Fate Power, had shared secrets. “What did Sophina tell you?” Kitaro’s stomach churned with anxiety over all the ways things could go wrong.
“Only what I needed to know.”
Kitaro struggled to piece everything together. “Is that why you gave Vanra that ring?” It was an extremely unusual gift from his sister, who was not in the habit of gifting anything to anyone other than Kisano.
She shrugged. “I gave that to him because it was his.”
It was difficult not to grow frustrated. “I am the one who should give him a ring, not you.”
“You are incapable of giving him this kind of ring.”
He reminded himself to remain patient. “And exactly what kind was it?”
“One that he must never take off.” Her words sounded ominous.
It struck fear in Kitaro. “Why is that so important?”
“That ring will keep him safe,” Kizoshi promised. “I cannot say more than that. But please trust me onthis, Kitaro. If you value him, make sure he obeys and never removes it for any reason.”
Icy terror took root in Kitaro’s heart. “Is Vanra in some kind of danger?”
She hesitated before answering. “I was not lying at breakfast when I said the roads are dangerous. You will make your journey to Satsuma’s soon. Things will happen.”
The possibility that some harm could befall Vanra during their trip made it harder to breathe. Kitaro couldn’t lose the human who had become so precious to him.
“As long as Vanra wears that ring, he will be safe from anything that may happen. Remember, you are a warrior who is more than capable of defending him. And it is not as if Vanra is a normal, helpless human. He can protect himself with his powers.” She rested her hand on Kitaro’s arm. “Do not despair, dear brother. You know Sophina would never allow anything truly awful to happen to you. I would never forgive her.”
