Page 9 of Bargain with Fate
“I wouldn’t call them malicious, but they can wreak havoc and leave destruction in their wake better than any class of preschoolers you’ve ever seen.”
“Is that what the metal club is for?” I asked.
“Iron club.”
“You say rock. I say stone. Why are they here on the island? Were they summoned?” I asked.
“They are not that kind of demon.”
“So they showed up just to cause trouble?” Bernice asked.
Kaito shook his head. “Oni are harbingers. They must sense a disturbance in the ether. If they are here, it’s because something more powerful is on its way.”
His words chilled me to the bone. “Like what?”
“That I couldn’t say.”
“I’ll bet it’s nothing good,” Bernice interjected.
“Have you ever seen one up close?” I asked.
“No, thankfully,” Kaito replied. “I don’t envy those who have. My closest encounter was as a boy in Japan. On the night of Setsubun, we would throw dry beans at someone wearing an oni mask in an effort to cast him out.”
“Sounds fun.”
“Sounds like a waste of food,” Bernice muttered.
“How do we get rid of them?” I asked.
“You don’t. They decide when to come and go.”
“We can’t throw beans at them?” I asked.
“You can, but they’re only effective on the last day of the year.”
“We’re nowhere near the end of December.”
He leaned forward. “Since when is your calendar the only way to count the days?”
Damn. My ignorance was on full display. Even worse, I should know better. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
“When we know better, we do better,” he said.
Five years ago, I’d adopted that as my mantra. It seemed I was still learning.
“You’re right, though,” Kaito continued. “It isn’t the last night of the year for us either. Beans are of no use in this situation.”
And neither was I, it seemed. At least I was leaving with more information than I had when I arrived. That had to count for something.
“If you think of anything else about oni, will you call and let me know?”
“Of course. Now if you’ll excuse me, my social battery is running low. I need to go home and recharge.” Kaito swept his papers into a tote bag.
“I appreciate your help.”
“Anytime,” he said, and slipped out of the clubhouse unnoticed by the square-dancing enthusiasts.
“I have an idea,” Bernice said, as I rose to my feet. “Why not speak to Vanessa? I met her in the waiting room at Dr. Adam’s office last week, and she mentioned she’s some kind of seer. Maybe she can tell you why these oni are here.”
