Shadow of The Fox (Shadow of the Fox #1) - Julie Kagawa Page 0,143

Horrible, offensive little man. He was quite rude to me.” She smiled faintly at Reika. “Aren’t priests supposed to be the pillars of humility and wisdom? I found him terribly wearisome and repulsive, to tell you the truth.”

The miko regarded the other woman without expression, refusing to be goaded. “Where is he?” she asked, her voice remarkably calm. Lady Satomi’s lips curled even further.

“Oh, he’s safe,” she replied, waving her fan in an offhand manner. “He is fairly close by, actually. Though I’m afraid you’ll never find him without me. Even your lurking little shinobi watching us from the shadows will not be able to uncover his location.”

I drew in a sharp breath, making Satomi turn her smile on me. “Did you think I was unaware that the Kage demonslayer had infiltrated the palace?” she purred, her voice very low. “Nothing happens in this court without my knowledge. I know he is listening to us right now, and if he strikes me down, you will never find your precious Master Jiro, and he will never complete his mission.”

“Then you’ll take us to him,” Okame said, and she raised a brow in his direction. “Right now.”

“Interesting.” Lady Satomi gazed at the ronin like she might a particularly obstinate dog. “And what, may I ask, do you think you can do to me? Attack me here, in the emperor’s garden?” She chuckled. “With the exception of Taiyo-san, who would certainly face a terrible blow to his family’s honor and reputation, the lot of you would be executed before dawn.”

“There are other ways,” Reika said. “I’m sure the emperor would be very interested to hear—”

“Oh, do be careful of what you accuse me, girl.” The woman’s voice was like silk threads that could slice open your throat. “We wouldn’t want other secrets to suddenly be revealed.” She looked in my direction, the threat in her eyes perfectly clear. “Would we?

“Besides, you didn’t let me finish,” Lady Satomi went on, her lips pulling down in a pout. “You see, I could refuse, and watch the lot of you strut and threaten like tiny male sparrows. But as amusing as that would be, I know I will be hounded for the rest of the night. If not by you, then by the Kage demonslayer, who I am sure is listening to this conversation. I do not wish to draw the ire of the Shadow Clan’s immortal daimyo, nor do I wish to watch my back every time I stroll down the halls of the palace. That would grow very tiresome.” She sighed. “So, yes, I will take you to your priest. I have no further use for the old fool, anyway. In fact, you’d be doing me a favor, taking him off my hands.” She raised an elegant white hand, indicating the sweeping landscape. “You wouldn’t mind a quick stroll across the garden, would you? It is quite lovely in the moonlight.”

Daisuke narrowed his eyes, and glanced to where the emperor and his guests had gathered at the edge of the lake. “The emperor’s concubine is not permitted to venture off alone, late at night,” he said in a voice of chilly politeness. “Especially with a group of strangers. There will be speculation, rumors at the very least. Will you not need an escort, Lady Satomi?”

“You are adorable,” Lady Satomi purred. “Such a good boy, to be concerned about staining my honor.” She tittered, making Reika’s scowl darken. “Worry not, Taiyo-san. The emperor and his guests will not miss me. They will not notice I am gone. Even if they do, tonight’s sake is especially strong—they will forget all about it tomorrow.

“So,” she continued, drawing back. “Shall we go? I assume you are eager to see if the priest is all right. Follow me, my precious ducklings. I will show you where he is.”

Warily, we followed the woman around the edge of the lake, away from the emperor and the rest of the court, heading deeper into the garden. As the shadows closed around us, I found myself scanning the bushes, searching for movement, for a ripple of darkness that didn’t quite belong. I wondered if Tatsumi was trailing us, keeping an eye on his prey as we moved through the trees, farther from the crowds and anything familiar.

I also wondered if, deep in the garden, out of sight of any guards or witnesses, she would try to kill us with blood magic. It seemed unlikely; there were four of us, six if you counted