Soul of the Sword (Shadow of the Fox #2) - Julie Kagawa Page 0,158
though you do realize I’m going to tear you and your entire little army apart for this.”
“I don’t think so.” Genno raised an arm, making my blood chill. Kamigoroshi was clutched in one pale hand, the blade throwing off a pulsing violet light. Beside me, Hakaimono tensed, and another presence brushed against me, angry and horrified as she gazed through my eyes at the Master of Demons.
Yumeko! I thought. Get out of here! Go back to your own body before it’s too late. But I couldn’t say anything without alerting the Master of Demons.
“You are a liability, Hakaimono.” Genno’s voice was thoughtful as he held up the blade, a faint smile crossing his face as he observed the weapon. “A loose end. I would be a fool to enter into a partnership with the First Oni. Even more foolish to release him upon the world with no restraints. I think it’s time for you to return to the sword, and I’ll generously free this body’s poor trapped soul, as well. I don’t need the Kage demonslayer showing up on my doorstep when I’m about to overthrow the empire.”
“Master.”
Footsteps shuffled behind Genno, and the Sasori twins appeared wearing matching smirks. Both were covered in blood, their scorpion-tail braids swaying rhythmically behind them. The spiked chains wrapped around their chest and shoulders left spatters of crimson against the stones as they strode up. Genno paused, handing the sword to Aka, and turned his full attention to the scorpion twins.
“Well?”
The yokai on the left grinned and raised her arm. Clutched in her fingers was the severed head of an ancient tengu, prominent red nose pointing like an accusing finger as it spun lazily around. From within, Yumeko gave a silent cry of horror as the yokai snickered. “Mission successful, Master,” she said. “The old crow gave us a great deal of trouble but…we found it.”
Her sister stepped forward, sank to both knees and raised a long, lacquered case in her hands to the Master of Demons.
“Excellent.” A slow, triumphant smile spread across Genno’s face as he reached out, ghostly fingers brushing the scroll. Curling his hand around the case, he raised it before him, pale eyes glowing fanatically bright. “Only one left,” he murmured. “One more piece, and the empire will be mine. Aka.”
The half-demon stepped forward and accepted the scroll from the Master of Demons with a bow before making it vanish into his robes. Genno gave a satisfied nod. “Find the other,” he told the sisters, who immediately bowed and began backing away. “It’s here somewhere. Tear this temple apart and kill every living soul until you find it.”
Gathering my strength, I surged upright, straining against the bindings holding me down. They seared into my skin, burning and agonizing, but Hakaimono added his strength to mine, and a flood of power filled me. With tiny screams, several of the chains snapped, fraying into coils of mist before vanishing on the wind, and Genno looked back, raising a brow in amused surprise.
“Hakaimono.” He shook his head. “You are as strong as the legends say. More’s the pity. You could have been a powerful asset to my new kingdom.” I struggled to my knees, gritting my teeth against the burning of the chains while trying to gather the strength I needed to break them completely. Genno observed my struggles calmly. “Still, I would never be able to trust you, and I have no interest in demons who will not bend to my will. If you are not my subject or a servant, then you are an enemy.”
“You’re a fool, Genno,” Hakaimono growled, as we fought against the chains holding us back. Almost there. Just keep him talking a few more seconds. “You do not want me as an enemy.”
“I’ll take my chances.” Genno nodded in satisfaction and drifted back. “Perhaps in another four centuries I’ll allow you to come out and play again. Though by that time, the world will be vastly different than the one you know now. Aka, if you would do the honors?”
The half-demon stepped forward and stabbed Kamigoroshi through my middle, running me through. I felt the point explode out my back, and heard someone, perhaps Yumeko, cry out in horror. Stunned, I gazed down at myself, where the glittering length of the sword was shoved halfway through my chest, just as the half-demon yanked it out again, releasing a spray of crimson that hissed through the air and spattered against the stone.