Soul of the Sword (Shadow of the Fox #2) - Julie Kagawa Page 0,131

through a pair of large wooden gates, across a courtyard lined with statues and a painstakingly raked rock garden, and up the steps of the Steel Feather temple. Past the doors, the tengu set a brisk pace through long corridors and narrow hallways, and I hurried to keep up, watching the feathers on their magnificent wings flutter and ripple with every step.

Tengu. My heart beat faster at the word. According to legend, tengu were powerful yokai who possessed great knowledge and stayed far from the affairs of mortals. There were stories of men who sought the wisdom of the tengu, who faced great danger and hardship to find them and prove themselves worthy. Most did not succeed, and of the few who did, even fewer earned the tengu’s respect.

At least, that was what the stories claimed. But, if that was true, if they were so aloof, why were they the protectors of a piece of the Dragon scroll? Master Isao never really told me how the prayer came to be separated, or who had decided its fate. I hadn’t expected the Steel Feather temple to be full of an ancient race of yokai, but on reflection, I guessed that the tengu had just as much cause not to see the Dragon summoned as the humans did. After all, it was their world, too.

So, these were the keepers of the second piece of the Dragon scroll. The thought that we’d made it, that we’d finally found the Steel Feather temple, only made me sick with worry and a little regret. In another situation, another life, this would be the end of the quest. I could hand over my fragment of the scroll and be done. I would have kept my promise to Master Isao, the pieces would be safe with its real protectors and I would be free.

But…these weren’t normal times. And the quest was far from finished. Hakaimono was coming; who knew how close he was even now? My stomach roiled like a nest of snakes. Would I be ready to face the First Oni when he arrived, intent on taking the Dragon scroll? Would any of us?

“Through here, please,” said one of our tengu guides, the younger one with the feathery mane of hair, who had introduced himself as Tsume. He slid back a door and gave me a wry smile. “Do watch your step.”

A blast of cold wind hit us as the panel was opened, and my heart gave a violent lurch. Through the doors, there was no room, no hallway, or even a floor. The panels opened to the sky and a sheer, heart-stopping plunge down the side of the Dragon Spine. The moon shone in the frame, seeming to laugh at us, and the tops of the snowcapped peaks rose into the air like jagged teeth.

I could feel the amusement radiating from the tengu beside me, particularly the younger one. Forcing myself not to step away from that sheer drop, I turned to look at him.

“Ano…where exactly are we going? Foxes don’t fly very well, though we are good at falling.”

The tengu chuckled. “Our daitengu is waiting to speak to you on that peak over there,” the older one explained, and stuck a long finger through the doorway, pointing to the left. Making sure my feet stayed on solid ground, I peeked around the frame. A narrow stone staircase hugged the outer wall, winding up a ledge, where a seated figure could just be seen at the top.

“Oh, this will be fun,” Okame sighed. “Humans are great at flying. Straight down, at high speeds. Not so good on the landing, though.”

The older tengu frowned at the ronin. “Only the scroll bearer may proceed from here,” he said. “The daitengu called for her alone. The rest of you must wait until they are finished.”

I glanced back at them, wide-eyed. Daisuke gave me an encouraging smile. “This is a great honor, Yumeko-chan,” he said softly. “I am sure you will be fine.”

“Just don’t look down,” Okame added unhelpfully, and let out a yelp when Reika kicked his ankle.

“Be polite when you speak to the daitengu, Yumeko-chan,” she told me, a warning look in her eyes. “Answer all his questions. And whatever you do, don’t stare at his…” She trailed off, pointing a furtive finger at her face. I frowned in confusion, but she didn’t elaborate.

Swallowing hard, I turned back to the tiny, narrow path. Keeping my body pressed as close to the wall as I could, I started