Masaru knocked the teacup and vase away. “You waited too long. This one is mine.” Leaning forward, Masaru whispered in Ryuichi’s ear. “I feel your powers, little one. What you could be . . . What you will be.”

He was thoroughly confused. “Pardon?”

Masaru laughed. “I will serve you, and you’ll remember me. Always.”

That sounds absolutely terrifying.

Kasumi opened the doors, then froze as she saw the yōkai. She was clearly shocked. “Masaru?”

With an arched brow, he bowed to her. “Long time, Kasumi. How have you been?”

Sputtering, she glanced to Ryuichi before she answered. “I didn’t have a severe head injury, which is the only thing I can think of that would explain this sudden hallucination of you having chosen a student to bond with. How can this be?”

Masaru’s laughter was low, with a hint of evil.

Well, that doesn’t make me feel good either. Was this Masaru mocking him?

Or planning to torture him?

Ryuichi stepped back to watch the two of them from a safer area. His heart was going wild in his chest.

Masaru smirked. “No hallucination. I finally found someone worthy of serving.”

Kasumi’s gaze found Ryuichi again. “Why am I suddenly terrified?”

Maybe because I am? Perhaps that’s Masaru’s natural talent. Scaring people to death.

Masaru moved to stand behind him so that he could place his hands on Ryuichi’s shoulders. “Can you not feel what I do?”

An instant later, Masaru stepped into Ryuichi’s body.

Grimacing, Ryuichi couldn’t explain the strange sensation. Like a hot wave that flowed through every inch of him. He was still himself, only now he felt Masaru’s thoughts and power. It singed him without burning.

That’s it, little one. We are combined, and with my powers joined to yours . . .

There’s nothing we can’t do.

Except go to the bathroom. Ryuichi would never be able to go to the bathroom with another person inside his body. It was too gross for words.

Can you hear me? Ryuichi asked.

Masaru didn’t answer, which made him feel a little better.

No one, other than him, ever needed to know his thoughts. He got into enough trouble already. He could only imagine how much worse it would be if the yōkai had access to his most deeply held secrets.

Kasumi growled low in her throat. A sigil burned from the center of her forehead.

Exposing her teeth, she struck Ryuichi without warning in the chest, over his heart.

“Ow!” He staggered back and felt the force of her strike rip Masaru out of him.

Ryuichi exhaled in relief. Oh, thank goodness!

He rubbed at the pain in his chest while she ignored him to glare at the yōkai.

“You know the price, Masaru. Are you willing to pay it?”