“Fine. You wanted the boy . . .” He snapped his fingers, and in front of him appeared a small, bundled, hooded form.

Ryukage gasped. In fact, every creature in the room held their breaths.

“How?” Haruki gasped.

Masaru cut a menacing glare at the pale witch who’d spent far too much time in the presence of a god who hated her. “Where there’s a will, kitsune will find a way.” He gestured toward his bundle. “You told me that you wanted your son—and here he is.”

The boy stepped forward, but Masaru pulled him back. “Not so fast. There’s the matter of my payment.”

Ryukage’s jaw hardened at his audacity. “What do you want?”

Masaru felt his tails flick and flare at the question. It had been so long since they’d made their presence known that he had almost forgotten the sensation.

They reminded him why he was here. Why he was willing to do something so foolish. So very dangerous.

“You know what I want. What you stole from me.”

Ryukage laughed. The evil sound rolled through the room like thunder, and it made Masaru want to drive his dagger through the Shadow Dragon’s heart.

If only he could.

“What does a kitsune need with honor?”

“I’m an inari, and I want my station and reputation returned to me.”

Ryukage paused, and for a moment, Masaru expected a fight. Indeed, he glanced toward Tatsu, his primary guard, waiting for Ryukage to give the order to attack.

He didn’t.

“Show me my son,” Ryukage said quietly.

Masaru removed the hood from Ryuichi’s head and showed the boy he’d gagged and blindfolded.

Ryukage drew up sharply at the sight. “He looks just like his mother.”

He did indeed. Especially when he smiled. The similarity had made it hard for Masaru at times as he recalled the sacred vow he’d broken to Haruka.

Keiko was right. He was despicable. He’d more than earned their hatred and scorn.

But this was a new day, and he wanted more.

Ryukage placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and bowed low to Masaru. “You may have whatever you wish.”

Good.

Bowing low to the one creature wanted dead by most everyone, Masaru inclined his head, then quickly took his leave.

He didn’t know how much time he had before his actions were discovered. But he could already feel himself growing stronger from the bargain he’d just made. The greater my standing, the stronger my powers.

Although Koichi and Keiko might yet kill him over this.

Perhaps they’d thank him. After all, he’d given the Kage what he’d wanted.

What he deserved.

Now all Masaru had to do was survive.

* * *

“Something’s not right.”

Koichi paused at Keiko’s words as she barged into his tent. “Correct. I have a kitsune in my domain, and she didn’t even bother to ask permission to enter.”