Page 82 of Dragon 7

Somewhere far below what I was willing to say aloud, a decision was being made in my soul.

After this war, things will change. . .

I looked out through the trees toward the fight.

Finally, I caught the Claws and Fangs in their detailed masks, holding positions at the edge of the tree line with their bodies low. They were demonic creatures crouching in the dark.

I looked for Hiro among them and couldn’t find him.

Reo grabbed my attention. “How is Nyomi?"

“She is safe.”

“Off the island?”

“In the Bamboo Garden.”

Reo frowned for the first time. “What?”

“Akiro’s men came before she could leave.”

“The Claws will not like this.”

“I don’t even like it. Which means we need to end this war fast.”

Reo checked behind me. “And Hiro? Did you decide to have him stay with her?”

“No.” I blinked. “He’s supposed to be with you.”

Reo shook his head. “We haven’t seen Hiro since you two left us.”

Goryū’s voice entered my head. He’s here. Sleeping behind this tree.

What the fuck?

I headed off.

Reo followed. “Where are you going?”

“To Hiro. My dragon-shadow is with him.”

Chapter thirteen

The Worst Sort of Ghost

Kenji

Goryū remained a few yards deeper into the forest, away from the table and gunfire.

Here, the trees closed in tight, and the canopy sealed overhead, forcing the moonlight to give up entirely.

The Silent Ones must have placed Hiro here.

Yes.

Sleeping?

Yes.