CHAPTER 57
Sakura
“You’re sure? It was really Kasumi?” A mix of disappointment and heartbreak colored the young guard’s voice. “Your friend, our journey, your flight—all of it?”
Sakura closed her eyes, blocking out Keenan’s response.
It appeared the enchanted pea had limits for what it would accept as her heart’s greatest desire, because she was struggling to locate her maid.
She’d tried a desire to make things right, a wish to protect her family.
Even just her anger at Kasumi’s betrayal. But nothing seemed to work.
Well, if Sakura couldn’t track Kasumi directly, she would simply have to change tactics.
The maid had something in her possession that Sakura had found with the pea before.
And with her “heart’s greatest desire” to protect Cherry and return the tinderbox to its rightful owner, the familiar glow finally rose in her mind.
“Got her,” she murmured.
The tinderbox moved. Sakura frowned and increased her pace. They could still follow if Kasumi left the castle grounds, but three armed men and a young woman in servant garb would stick out like a nail in a bin of gears.
And if Cherry’s mother was en route, Sakura didn’t want their reunion to take place in the middle of the city.
By the time they stepped outside, Keenan’s shoulders were drooping, and he was struggling to keep pace with her. She rubbed her elbow. Maybe bringing him had been a bad idea. She had Kagemori; did she really need Keenan?
A single glance at his determined face as he trudged after her told her that he would refuse to leave.
If she’d been headed for Father and Hari, maybe he wouldn’t.
But she was seeking Kasumi. It didn’t matter that he was too tired to stand; he wasn’t going to let her walk into a dangerous situation without him.
Never mind that she had two fully trained guards with higher energy levels.
“We’re getting close,” she warned her companions as they stepped deeper into the gardens. The tinderbox burned bright in her mind, but she couldn’t see anything in the collection of topiaries.
“Which way?” Oliver asked, his voice barely audible in the silent night. This late, what few torches were scattered throughout the gardens had been extinguished, leaving them with nothing but starlight and a faint sliver of moonlight to see by.
She pointed to the left. Oliver motioned for Keenan and Kagemori to stay with her while he crept forward, sword drawn but in a low ready position.
The bushes waved in a sudden downward breeze. Sakura tipped her head back, wondering what could cause such a thing.
And then her jaw dropped in horror when a dark shape swooped out of the sky.
“Kyaputen.” The dragon’s voice rumbled across the gardens as she settled onto the ground, her head turning toward Keenan. “What is the matter? Where is—”
Keenan jumped forward, waving his arms toward the sky. “Go! Leave!” he said frantically. “The tinderbox—”
Another shape flashed over their heads and back up into the air. Cherry’s mother bent down, spreading her wings in preparation for flight.
“Dragon. Tell me your name.”
A chill spread down Sakura’s spine when a golden ring lit the dragon’s eyes. “Mamoru,” the dragon hissed, twisting her sinuous neck to look toward the topiaries. “What is your command, Dorobo?” Thief.
A form separated from the shaped bushes and moved toward them. “Who was your companion for the trip, Mamoru?”
The dragon opened her mouth in a silent snarl. “A gryphon. His wind increased our speed.”
“Go fetch him.”
She crouched down and spread her wings, but she said, “He knows something is wrong. He will not come.”
“Then make him,” Kasumi ordered.
“If I do that, he will be useless to you.” Mamoru bared her fangs. “And if he is especially fierce tonight, I will be as well.”
Interesting. Sakura hadn’t realized the creatures could argue the command.
There was silence while Kasumi pondered her response. Sakura pressed a hand over the pea in her waistband, desperately considering the best course. Should they retreat? Did she stand a chance of wresting the tinderbox from her maid while two dragons looked on?
“I’m sorry, Mother,” Cherry cried, her creaky voice sounding pitiful. “I didn’t mean for you to come.”
“No, I’m sorry,” Keenan cut in. He took a step forward. “I promised to keep the tinderbox safe without knowing I was magically bound to give it away. I failed you.”
“How very touching.” Kasumi’s voice was dry. “Now, shall we get to business? I have a score to settle, and so many of the people I need are conveniently here.” She scanned their group. “But not quite all.”
The moon peeked out from behind a cloud, casting the gardens in dim light. Gathering her courage, Sakura said, “Whatever you’re planning, Kasumi, you don’t have to do this. I am truly sorry for what happened to Dai, but nothing can change the past. You can’t bring him back.”
“No, I can’t.” The maid’s voice turned cold. “But I can make you feel my pain. Mamoru!” She turned toward the dragon. “Northeast tower, second window from the northern wall on the fourth level. Bring me Prince Hatori.”