All of them were staying behind to help rebuild the school.

They were all doing their part.

Now it was his turn to do his.

He’d leave and go to this new school.

But he’d be back. He still had a gate to seal, and they had demons on the loose.

They might have won against his father this time, but inside, he knew a bigger threat loomed.

And he’d be there to face it.

Not alone, but with his motley cohorts. His brand-new family. An unreliable big brother who was supposed to protect him in fights. An overprotective surrogate mother. A drunk uncle. The crazy aunt who hated him. And last, his shadow twin, who might actually kill him one day.

But that was family. They weren’t always perfect, but he knew they’d be there when he needed them.

And that was the best anyone could ever hope for.

GLOSSARY

chichiue: Father.

chonmage: A haircut for samurai that helps their helmets affix to their heads.

dōjō: A space designated for training.

geiko shimada: A type of haircut for noble women.

O genki desu ka: “How are you?”

Hattatori: The samurai clan entrusted with the operation of the Mahō-jō.

inari: A fox god associated with prosperity and worldly success.

Kage-Gokuri: The guardians of the natural order who must protect humanity from evil spirits.

Kage-taro: The shadow heir (another term for Ryuichi himself).

Kai-dan: A group of misfits and failures.

Kami: Japanese gods.

kamishimo, hakamashita, umanori hakama, kataginu: Traditional Japanese clothing.

kegare: A state of spiritual uncleanliness; to be shunned and avoided.

Kiai: A war cry shouted during practice and battle.

kitsune: Messengers for inari; cunning fox spirits who act as tricksters and potential guardians.

koma-inu: Lion-dogs; protectors of shrines and guardians of the gods.

kunitsukami: Japanese kami who reside on earth—unlike other kami, who reside in the heavens.

Mahō-jō: The castle of sorcery that serves as Ryuichi’s second home.

niō: Protector spirits of the Buddhist faith.

Ohayō: “Good morning.”

ōmagatoki: The hour between the setting sun and rising moon, and the time of day when the veil between the spirit world and the real world is at its weakest.

oni: The most powerful of the yōkai; red-and-blue-skinned ogres who dine on human flesh.

onna-musha: Female warriors in premodern Japan.

samurai: A Japanese warrior recognized as a noble.

sensei: A teacher and master worthy of great respect.

tengu: Birdlike yōkai who are known as master swordsmen.

ushi mairi: The specific time of day to create curses.

yōkai: A spirit.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Author photo by Liza Hippler

Sherrilyn Kenyon has had more than eighty novels on the New York Times bestseller list and has more than seventy million copies of her books in print in over one hundred countries. Her ongoing fiction series include the Dark-Hunters, The League, Deadman’s Cross, Chronicles of Nick, Eve of Destruction, Nevermore, and the Lords of Avalon.

Author photo by Gobi Photography