Mikoto and the Reaver Village (Amaranthine Saga #4) - Forthright . Page 0,73
Ginkgo.
“Never been to a camp,” he answered blandly.
“Are you making the most of the opportunity?”
Ginkgo’s ears dipped. “I’m here for the kids.”
Salali’s voice softened. “Are you implying that they’re unsafe behind my wards?”
“No.”
“Which must leave you with time on your hands,” continued the squirrel clansman.
Lilya passed another pecan to Rifflet. She knew about squirrels. One of their crossers was a gray like Salali. They were one of the trickster clans, just like foxes. Was Salali messing with Ginkgo in the same way Uncle Argent sometimes did?
“Gregor’s a toddler. He needs full-time attention.”
“Something Waaseyaa and Zisa can lavish in abundance.” Salali pushed aside his empty bowl. “Would you be interested in my guiding your summer courses?”
Ginkgo’s expression was something Lilya had never seen before.
Salali casually added, “I don’t usually bother, but I’m interested in exploring your potential. Part fox. Part reaver. That’s a heady mix.”
When Ginkgo’s gaze leapt to hers, she knew how much he wanted to say yes. And how guilty that made him feel.
“You should,” she said.
Ginkgo muttered, “That’s not why I came.”
“Are you sure?” Lilya asked. “It’s a good reason.”
His gaze jumped warily to Salali. “Did my father arrange for this?”
“No.”
Lilya pointed out, “You might learn a bunch of things Uncle Argent doesn’t know.”
Ginkgo chuckled and squirmed and finally said, “Yeah. That’d be great.”
“Come along, then.” Salali rose and moved toward the front door.
“Now?” Ginkgo scrambled to his feet, but hesitated.
Tenma cleared his throat. “I can escort Lilya-chan back.”
Ginkgo hurriedly kissed Lilya’s forehead, then Tenma’s. Seeing that Salali was already gone, Ginkgo swore, muttered hurried thanks, and sprinted away.
Lilya giggled.
Tenma smiled.
And for a little while, silence hung awkwardly between them. Lilya broke it by admitting, “I don’t remember you. Not really.”
“Did Isla never mention me?”
“Are you one of her friends?”
“Yes. We were classmates.”
Lilya saw Isla irregularly, and her older sister was usually doing important things for Hisoka-sensei or practicing her French with Uncle Jackie. “You’re Isla’s age?” she asked doubtfully.
He chuckled. “No. She skipped several grades. I’m six years older than her.”
Which might as well have been a riddle. “I’m not great with math.”
Tenma shrugged. “I’m twenty-six.”
Even older than Timur. It seemed only natural to ask, “How many children do you have?”
“Oh, I’m not married.” Tenma kept his gaze fixed on Rifflet. “With one thing and another, well … let’s just say I’m behind schedule. Shall we?”
Since his hands were full, Lilya gathered up their bowls and carried them to the kitchen. Then they left—by the door this time—and strolled up the path toward Waaseyaa’s. He spoke first this time.
“I can see the resemblance.”
“To Isla? She looks like Papka, and he’s the pretty one.” Lilya was used to being compared. Everyone did it. “Unless you meant to Timur?”
“Oh, no. Well, I suppose.” Timur searched her face. “I actually meant that you’re extremely warded.”
She lifted her wrists so that moonlight gleamed across the heavy bracelets at her wrists. Rifflet seemed to think this an invitation. Wriggling free of Tenma, he glided through the air and landed in her hands.
“Wow,” Tenma whispered. “He flew.”
“I didn’t know you could do that.” Lilya caressed the little dragon’s back. “You don’t need wings to fly?”
Rifflet peeped in a pleased way.
They continued along, and Lilya decided it was her turn to ask something. “What’s your classification?”
“I haven’t formally declared one.”
At his age? “I didn’t think you could graduate without one.”
“It’s easiest if you think of me as an unregistered reaver.” Tenma ambled along, hands in the back pockets of his grubby jeans. “Ever since I graduated from New Saga, I’ve been traveling. Going different places, meeting all kinds of people, and making a lot of really ugly pots.”
Lilya laughed. “Is there something you’re good at?”
“Tending.” He offered a small shrug. “I like tending.”
She nodded. “My papka does, too.”
“I know.” Tenma favored her with a lopsided smile. “Michael-sensei was my teacher for a while. So … what’s your classification.”
Lilya kind of wished he hadn’t asked. “Beacon,” she sighed.
His hand strayed to her shoulder, just a light touch. “Strange. I thought the beacon must be a different sister. You give nothing away.”
“Precautions.” She tapped his hand. “Reavers aren’t supposed to be able to sense other reavers.”
“I do a lot of things I’m not supposed to do.” Tenma lifted both hands. “Sorry for being strange.”
Lilya decided to answer more than he’d asked. “They sealed me. That’s why you can’t find me. That’s why no one can find me.”
Then she told him about Radiance’s silly plan and her day with Glint. Tenma’s steps lagged to a stop, as