Page 63 of Reflections of Peonies
Smoke covered the floor, and I couldn’t help but notice it hadn’t taken Damen nearly as long to summon Kasai from the time he’d whistled.
A shape formed from the mass. And an instant later, it solidified into a white and gray tiger.
My heart sank. My imaginary Kiania animal formhad been so much better.
“That took like thirty seconds,” I complained. “Damen summons Kasai instantly.”
Finn flushed as his hackles rose. “Well, I’m not Damen, okay?”
“Finn’s equip time is quick for an onmyoji,” Damen said, even as his focus remained on the giant cat. She, in return, lazily stretched and began to yawn. “Kiania, you’ve some explaining to do.”
“Hello, my lord,” she purred. Her voice made my pulse race. She sat leisurely, her tail curling behind her as she cleaned her paw. “Have you missed me?”
“That’s not how I’d describe it.” Damen narrowed his eyes. “In fact, it’s quite the opposite.”
“What did it say?” Julian asked, his grip almost painful over mine.
“It said—”
“You can’t hear her?” I pulled on Julian’s hand to get his attention. He looked at me as I struggled against Titus, trying to escape.
She was so fluffy—could I pet her?
Damen focused on me, his expression becoming even more severe. “And youcan.”
“Kiania.” Finn moved to stand beside his brother, and I stopped struggling as they glared at the tiger. “Why didn’t you tell me you could talk to her? You’remyshikigami.”
“It is none of your business. The relationship between Mu and me is our own,” Kiania said. However, she’d not once opened her mouth, but her voice still rang through me as she continued to groom herself.
Maybe she’d like to be brushed?
The tiger’s eyes flickered over to me, and she added,“For the record, she’s much nicer than you.”
“What is your end game, Kiania?” Damen asked. “Why did you come back in the first place?”
She paused, her tongue still out, and when she opened her golden eyes, they flickered toward Damen. “You’re as jealous as always. However, it is our business. This matter does not require your intervention at this time.”
“What are you talking about?” Damen cut back. “In any case, you’re insanely stupid to put Mu at risk. Just once was enough. I should end you.”
“You can try, but you’ll destroy her.” Her voice was calm, but her tail twitched nervously. “Part of our contract is that if I perish, she does too. You’ve no choice but to let it be. I’ve come too far to abandon my goals.”
Both Finn and Damen paled.
“What did it say?” Julian asked again, urgency lacing his tone.
“I can’t dispose of it…yet.” Damen’s voice shook. “The contract entwines their fates.”
Julian frowned, then nodded to Finn. “Then what about him?”
I wasn’t sure what Julian was implying, although I suspected. And Kiania’s following words confirmed my thoughts. “The contract between Mu and I would remain without the boy to bear the brunt of it. I don’t think you’d like the result.”
Damen paled further and translated, “Bianca would be bonded to Kiania… alone.”
“Can’t you change the contract?” Miles piped in, finger raised. “You’ve already done it once.”
“Why would I consent to something so stupid?” Kiania replied. “This arrangement works out well for all parties. Removing Mu will kill Finn. Taking him away will kill her.”
“You’re just protecting yourself,” Damen growled.
