Chapter 29
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
PHOENIX
“Hojo, Tanaka!” Vera calls the moment we enter her studio.
Bart and Hel are lounging in the conversation pit, playing a board game. A bottle of half-empty plum blossom wine and two glasses stand next to a deck of blue cards.
“What’s up, boss?” Hel looks over at us. When she notices Jax, she adds, “Who’s this cutie?”
Jax opens his mouth, but Vera beats him to it. “Someone we need to keep a close eye on.”
Bart looks Jax up and down with an arched brow. “I’m sure the girls could manage.”
“With pleasure,” Hel says.
Hojo and Tanaka appear from upstairs. Hojo folds her arms behind her back. “You called?”
Without saying anything Vera goes into her bedroom. A minute later, she reappears with some paper, envelopes, and a quill in hand. The girls wait obediently.
“Yes, girls. I’ll need you, Hojo, to deliver this letter to Nobleman Uringi personally.”
Vera takes a seat at the dining table and starts to write. Jax joins Bart and Hel at the conversation pit, and I go sit next to Vera. Her handwriting is just as elegant as her style.
When she’s done writing the letter, she puts it in a blush-pink envelope and hands it to Hojo. “Go to his estate and insist on waiting for him personally. However long it takes. Once he reads the letter, wait for him to write a response and only then come back.”
Hojo nods, takes the envelope and gets ready to leave. Vera starts on another letter.
“What are you doing?” I frown. “Is Nobleman Uringi going to help us get Oka Oya on our side?
“He will, but he doesn’t have to know anything about it.” Vera pauses and looks at the guys playing the board game. “Bart, you’ve got some clothes to borrow for Jax?”
“He’s a bit leaner than I am,” Bart says. “But I can bring him to our tailor and make sure they fit.”
“Perfect,” Vera says. “Can you sort that out by tomorrow’s afternoon?”
“Consider it done, boss.”
“What are we planning here?” Jax turns to Vera. “Are we having a party? A carnival party where we must dress up and pretend we’re someone else? That sounds exciting.”
“Don’t worry about it, Jaxy,” Vera says. “You’ll know when it’s time. Hel, can you make sure the bruise under Jax’s eye is covered well for tomorrow? I can’t have him going around looking like a street thug after a brawl.”
“You got it,” Hel says.
“I bet pretending to be someone else is exciting for you,” I murmur to Jax. “I would want to be someone else if I were you, too.”
Bart and Hel holler in laughter. Even a corner of Vera’s mouth twitches up.
Jax covers his eyes with the back of his palm. “Oh, Phoenix darling, why are you so cruel to me, a sensible fool, absolutely mesmerized by your beauty?”
My fists itch for violence.
“Tanaka,” Vera says once she finishes the next letter.
She places it in the envelope and hands it to the blond girl.
“Bring this to Taaslord Noire. If you say Vera sent you, his Ezkai should let you in to see him no matter what. Wait for him to read the letter and come back with his response to me immediately.”
Tanaka takes the letter. “Of course, Vera.”
I cross my arms and lean back in the chair. “Care to share your plan?”
“I told you I know the perfect gift in mind for Oka Oya,” Vera says. “Unfortunately, getting it is a complicated matter.”
“Why so?”
“We’ll need to steal it,” Vera says and jerks her chin at Jax. “That’s why we’ll need pretty boy right there.”
“Happy to be of service,” Jax chirps. He wiggles his fingers. “Stealing happens to be my expertise.”
“Go figure,” I say. “What is this gift and from whom are we going to steal it?”
“It’s a priceless family heirloom,” Vera says. “And it belongs to Nobleman Uringi.” To Jax, she says, “You said you want to help Phoenix win. That you are our ally. Well, this is your chance to earn your keep.”