I think it’s one you’ll be willing to pay.”
“And what makes you think I need your assistance?”
“Because you’re not a fool. Because you know I’m far too powerful an ally, and far too dangerous an enemy, to refuse this offer. Besides…” My smile grew wider. “I think you will be very interested to hear this offer, especially considering the times.”
Genno’s brows rose. Very slightly, but it was noticeable. The specter drifted back, his shimmery form becoming even paler. “Come to my tower,” he said, folding his hands into his billowy sleeves. “I am uncomfortable speaking in the open. Nurikabe,” he said without looking at the wall monster. “Allow them to pass. I will see you shortly, Lord Hakaimono,” he continued, as his form faded slowly into nothingness. “The Yama sisters will show you the way.”
The Master of Demons vanished on the wind, leaving us alone in front of the castle gates. The nurikabe glared at me with its multiple red eyes, but with a grinding of stone against stone, the heavy slab of wall dragged itself away from the gate entrance, just enough for a body to fit through without having to squeeze.
I turned to the hag sisters. “Shall we?”
Without waiting for an answer, I stepped forward, slipping through the space between the gate and the nurikabe, and into the Master of Demon’s domain.
10
NEKO AND LUCKY FROGS
Yumeko
I blinked at Reika. “What do you mean, you can’t find them?”
The shrine maiden glared at me and lowered her voice even further, indicating I should do the same. “I mean, they’re gone,” she said again. “After we were shown our quarters, I kept having this eerie feeling that I was being watched, especially when Chu kept growling at the walls and ceiling. So I decided that I should find the others and discuss this little predicament we’ve found ourselves in. When the tea was delivered, I asked the servant where the others were staying, and when she left I stepped out to find them.”
“No one stopped you, Reika-san?” I asked in a whisper.
“Not a one. Though make no mistake, I’m certain I was being watched. Anyway, when I got to their rooms, both were empty. Taiyo-san and the baka ronin had both disappeared, and I have no idea where they are.” The shrine maiden made a frustrated, exasperated gesture. “It’s the middle of the night—who knows what trouble the ronin is getting into. We should not be separated now, not when we have something so important to accomplish. And of course, none of the servants were of any help. No one had seen them leave, or knew where they had gone.” Reika grimaced. “And they expected me to believe that, in this castle where the walls have eyes and the floors seem to be listening to your every word.” She gave me a weary look. “So I figured I’d better come find you, make sure you hadn’t up and vanished, either. Especially after talking to the daimyo. Speaking of which, what of the meeting with Lady Hanshou? Can we be certain she knows nothing about it?”
It? Oh, the scroll. “Yes, Reika-san,” I said, and the shrine maiden relaxed a little. “She doesn’t know about…erm…the thing. But I did meet Tatsumi’s sensei, who warned me that Lord Iesada might try to have us killed.”
“Nani?” Reika’s brows shot up. “Why?”
“Because…I…um, promised Lady Hanshou that we would find Tatsumi and save him from Hakaimono.”
“You did what?” The miko’s eyes bulged, momentarily forgetting to be quiet. “Merciful Jinkei, why in the name of all the sacred Kami would you promise something like that?” I took a breath to explain, but she held up her hand. “No, I don’t want to hear about it now,” she said in a whisper. “This is something we all need to be present for, Master Jiro especially. And then you can explain to us all why you made the decision to go chasing after the demonslayer instead of taking it to the temple.” She glared at me in exasperation, then let out a sigh. “This is bad. If you say Lord Iesada is working against Hanshou-sama’s wishes…I need to find Okame and Taiyo-san, before they disappear down a dark hallway and are never seen again.”
“Where should we start, Reika-san?” I asked.
She gave me a stern look. “You aren’t going anywhere. You are going to stay in this room where I don’t have to worry about where you are or what trouble you’re getting into. It will be safer than having you wander