She ran her hand along the blade of his shadow sword, leaving a trail of blood in its wake. “It is real, child. Now put the sword down.”

He stared at the stark red against the shadowy black, mesmerized by it. It seemed familiar and strange at the same time. Like déjà vu.

The blood faded into the sword as if the blade was feasting on it.

His breathing ragged, Ryuichi turned his frown from her to Masaru. “I don’t understand.”

The expression on Masaru’s face as he returned to his usual form said he understood what was happening to Ryuichi. “He’s the Kage-taro, isn’t he?”

Keiko nodded as she looked at Masaru over her shoulder. “And if you breathe a word of this, so help me . . . it will be your last.”

Ryuichi lowered the sword. “We’re still in my dream.”

“We are.” Keiko took the weapon from his hand and let it evaporate back into the shadows. “And I need you to wake up, now, before those seeking you find you in this realm, where you’re weakest.”

Masaru laughed. “Where he’s weakest? This is where he rules everything. Everyone.”

“But they can sense him here, and they will come for him. He’s not ready to fight.”

“Then he better get ready.” Masaru raked a scathing glare over Ryuichi. “Have you any idea how many creatures are after you?”

“No one wants me.”

“Everyone wants you.” Masaru quirked a grin. “You’re the greatest prize in the land.”

Keiko turned toward him. “Don’t even think it. You chose him, and now you are honor bound to help your charge. To protect him with your life. Ironic, isn’t it?”

Masaru scoffed. “When does an abandoned scoundrel have honor?”

“When he’s being watched by an inari.” She tapped the center of her chest to emphasize those words. “You’ve bound yourself to our lord, and now his fate is yours. I will hold you to that with everything I have.”

Masaru cursed. “That’s unfortunate, isn’t it? To fail twice in one lifetime with the same prodigy?”

Keiko’s eyes narrowed. “You might have failed me, but you will not fail him. Not this time.”

“You’re a fool.”

Ryuichi rubbed his aching head. “I’m so confused.”

“Don’t be.” Keiko leaned in to give him a comforting hug. “It’s simple. As your mother lay dying, she handed you off to my master and begged him to see you hidden away from your father’s grasp. To make sure that no one used your powers for evil. That you grew up away from”—she cast a pointed stare toward Masaru—“those who would corrupt you. It’s been my task to make sure that you were never harmed.”

She’d certainly failed at that. If memory served—and it did—he’d been harmed every day of his life. Kicked by everyone around him.