The Fractured Soul

by Nicolette Andrews

  “Yes, it is!” Suzume charged once more.

  Just as she was about to reach her, Akira and Tsuki picked Kazue up, cradling her in their arms as one would a child. One of Hisato’s portals opened behind them, and they carried Kazue through it. Suzume reached, trying to follow, but it closed up before she could get through.

  Suzume’s knees gave out beneath her, and she fell to the ground. She grasped a handful of dirt and clenched it into her fist. She had been so close this time. Kazue’s taunts continued to ring in her ears. Embracing her inner flame had made her stronger, but it still hurt to attack Kazue. And when she faced Hisato next, he would have Kazue on his side. How could they defeat him without the united force of all the soul pieces? Would she, Hikaru, and Souta be enough?

  Souta. Suzume scrambled to her feet and rushed over to where Souta was lying. His expression was relaxed, as if he had fallen asleep. His chest wasn’t rising and falling. He wasn’t moving.

  No. She hadn’t.

  With a shaking hand, she reached for him. His skin was still warm. “Souta, wake up.”

  She shook him lightly, and his head lolled back and forth. Nothing about him stirred.

  Suzume stood and stumbled away. He couldn’t be dead. She had killed him. Her throat was tight as she took a shaking breath. Souta couldn’t be dead. They’d resonated so many times before. Why now?

  Hands grasped her from behind, and she spun to see Kaito.

  “Thank the eight you’re alive.” Kaito enveloped her into his embrace.

  She tangled her hands in his shirt. Never before had she been more grateful to see him. She wanted to wake up in his futon and find this was all a bad dream. Tears were pouring down her face, she couldn’t stop them from falling.

  “Are you hurt, where?” Kaito asked.

  “Souta he’s—” She choked on the words, she couldn’t admit what she had done. Would he hate her for it?

  Kaito looked to Souta’s motionless body.

  “Don’t worry, we’ll catch Kazue. I should have listened to you. I should have—”

  “No. It wasn’t Kazue.” She inhaled shakily. No more running away. She had to face what she had done. “I killed Souta.”

  32

  Ryuu arrived at the minister of religion’s home just after twilight. It was an expansive home surrounded by gardens with fruit trees, ponds bursting with koi and manicured shrubs. Standing in the garden, waiting for the servant to announce his arrival, he felt as if he had been transported back in time. Decades ago, he had all but removed himself from the politics of court life. Though he maintained connections with the most powerful families. None of them knew his real identity and therefore only saw him as a high ranking priest, with connections. It opened doors to him, but he would need more than a few open doors to remove the emperor from his throne.

  The servant came down the steps from the house. “My master is ready to greet you,” he said.

  He led Ryuu up the stairs and into the main part of the house. The sliding paper screen doors were closed, and long shadows of the minister of religions other guests could be seen through them. When Ryuu had first reached out to the minister of religion requesting a gathering, he had expected a few other powerful ministers. Judging from the number of voices coming from that room, he had invited half the council to dinner. Ryuu supposed it shouldn’t have surprised him that so many influential men at court wanted to see the emperor removed from power. An insane ruler was bad for the entirety of Akatsuki, and they must only see what the emperor was doing as madness.

  The servant opened the door, and Ryuu entered. The ministers were gathered around drinking sake and chatting pleasantly. Ryuu’s gaze skimmed over them and fixed on Izume, who was plucking at the strings of a Shamisen. Izume wouldn’t look at him. Her eyes were directed downward, the picture of a demure woman. She was good at making herself unassuming, many men had fallen for her fake innocence. But what he wanted to know was what she was doing here? The ministers he had contacted had been carefully curated because they were not in her web.

  The minister of religion stood and bowed to greet him. “Thank you for coming, we’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival.”

  Ryuu tore his gaze away from Izume and bowed to the minister of religion.

  The minister of religion gestured for Ryuu to sit beside him. As he went to his seat, he bobbed his head to greet the other ministers and high ranking government officials who’d joined them for dinner. They all watched him with hungry gazes. At court, everyone was looking to advance their place, the right connection could catapult your career. Ryuu’s quick rise to power in the white temple had led to speculation as to how he had done it. He’d heard all sorts of rumors, that he had saved the life of a minister, that he was the bastard son of the now-deceased emperor. Because they thought they could gain something from him, they desired him. But if they knew he wasn’t entirely human, they would be quick to turn on him. He’d made that mistake enough times to never make it again.

  It disgusted him to think about handing over the crown prince to their jackals. But he couldn’t allow the emperor to continue on this mad quest against the yokai either. It would only destroy Akatsuki from within and leave them vulnerable to the mainland, whose power only grew with each passing decade.

  Izume played a soft tune. A few glanced in her direction, though none seemed willing to acknowledge the emperor’s favored concubine was in their midst. Servants presented glazed fish, minced venison and sautéed vegetables, miso soup, and steaming bowls of rice. He had no appetite, but he picked up his chopsticks and pretended to eat just the same. Conversation flowed around him as he resisted the urge to look at Izume. She must know what he had come here for and was trying to stay one step ahead of him. Or she was simply here to taunt him in the same way she had flaunted her control of the emperor over him.

  “I have a question for you,” said the minister of education as he twirled his long white beard between his fingers. “What does the temple have to say about the auspicious stars in the sky?”

  Despite tonight’s intentions, the ministers were too careful to ask questions straight out. Say the wrong thing to the wrong ear, and they’d be executed for treason. The White Temple had power, and soldiers that Ryuu commanded. If he were to give his support to removing the emperor, it would give these ministers the confidence to put their own voices toward the emperor’s early retirement.

  “We are seeing a new star burning in the sky. A new age is imminent, I believe.”

  There were pleased smiles all around as they shared glasses of sake. He looked up, and Izume was looking at him, her expression was difficult to discern. Normally he could read her like a book, but tonight it was as if she were wearing a mask.

  “The empress and crown prince have been gone for quite some time, perhaps it is time they returned to the palace,” Ryuu said to the minister of religion as he refilled his glass.

  The minister of religion shifted in his seat, folding and unfolding his arms. “The empress must stay away for her health, and the crown prince is a filial son who wishes to stay with his mother.”

  Ryuu frowned. He thought they were in agreement? Why the hesitation. The empress’s family was rich and powerful, many high ranking officials were her brothers, uncles and other extended family members.

  “The emperor seems weighed down by worries as of late. With such a great burden upon him, I thought it would be time for the Crown Prince to take on some of his father’s responsibilities,” Ryuu said.

  The men around the table avoided his gaze. The music stopped, and Izume rose to stand. All those gathered turned to look at her. There was such a regal carriage to her stance that no one could escape the allure of her charms.

  “It is true the emperor’s thoughts are often troubled as of late.” She sighed heavily, her eyes downcast. “I have thought the same as Ryuu, that if only the emperor could lay down some of his burdens... But he worries about who will be fit to rule in his place. The crown prince, while a f
ilial son, is tender of heart and not suited for these troubling times. “

  The ministers all nodded their heads.

  “Yes, he was always more studious than a swordsman,” said the minister of education.

  Ryuu narrowed his eyes and watched Izume. What game was she playing here?

  “If the crown prince is not suited for the role, perhaps one of the emperor’s younger sons should rule,” suggested the minister of religion.

  There were murmurs of agreement.

  “The crown prince may not be a warrior, but more than anything, we need a leader who will lead us with wisdom. What are generals if not the sword of the kingdom?”

  “Is it truly enough, when the mainland builds ships and conquers more and more of their neighboring countries, forcing them to pay them taxes?” Izume countered.

  “The crown prince has been groomed for his position his entire life. If we were to put any of the other princes on the throne at such a delicate time, we would be even more vulnerable,” Ryuu countered.

  The minister of religion cleared his throat, and Ryuu frowned at him.

  “What about your son, Izume,” said the minister of education. “He has always excelled in his studies of past emperors, and political reasoning.”

  “And he is skilled with a blade,” added the minister of religion.

  “My son?” Izume’s hand fluttered up to her lips in mock surprise. “I’m not sure...”

  “If you were to try and put the prince on the throne, you would risk civil war. The crown prince has many who support him,” Ryuu said with a meaningful look to Izume. She might have outmaneuvered him in winning the ministers to her side, but he would not let her take the throne as well.

  Izume laughed. “I would never dream of such a thing. It is the emperor’s choice who will take the throne following him after all.”

  She thought she had the emperor wrapped around her finger. That simply exiling the empress and her sons was enough to secure her son’s throne. But this would only be the beginning. He’d seen how this played out too many times before. Power corrupted, and power in the hands of a young man who’d just barely become a man, was too dangerous to be risked. But he could also recognize when he had lost a battle.

  When dinner was finished, Ryuu excused himself and headed through the garden. It was his mistake to underestimate Izume’s abilities. Now that she was favored by the emperor, she would only become stronger. It would lead to her ruin, partnering with Hisato, risking civil war for her own ambitions. He couldn’t stand to watch her self-destruction anymore.

  “Leaving already?” Izume’s seductive tone caressed his ear.

  He spun around, putting the appropriate amount of space between them. She was overconfident to approach him in public this way.

  “The emperor’s favor is making you bold, don’t you fear the rumors?” he asked.

  Hurt flashed across her face, for the blink of an eye. If he hadn’t known her as well as he did, he might not have even noticed. Her mask was so quickly replaced.

  “Would you believe me if I told you I don’t care what they say about us?”

  “I know you too well to believe that. What do you want?”

  She took a step closer to him, and the wind carried the scent of her perfume to him. It was always his favorite, and when she left his bed, the saddest moment was when that scent faded. Because that’s how it always was with them, she wanted him when it suited her, and then left him when he was no longer convenient.

  “You broke your promise to me.”

  Was this some sort of trick, what promise had he broken?

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Drunken laughter came from the house. One of the ministers must be leaving. She looked over her shoulder, was she nervous about being caught after all?

  “You swore to protect Suzume, but you left her alone, and she nearly died,” she said, there was genuine fear in her eyes.

  Panic clenched his chest, had the neko not gotten to Suzume in time. Had she been hurt? Or was this another one of Izume’s lies, a way to get him out of the palace and out of her way to the throne.

  “You better not be lying to me,” he said.

  She slapped him hard against the face. It was unexpected. She had never struck him before.

  “Think what you like, but know this, I would do anything for my children. If you cannot keep your promise, tell me now, and I will find someone who can.” She was breathing heavily, her gaze burning in a way he’d never seen before.

  This wasn’t her usual deception. Suzume must really have been in danger. He thought Souta could protect her in his absence, he thought that he was doing something for the greater good.

  “Where is she?” asked Ryuu.

  She searched his face, and for a moment, he saw a glimpse of the woman he had loved before. “She’s with the dragon, they were seen heading to the tengu mountain where his allies are gathered.”

  A billion questions were burning in his mind. How did Izume know that? What had happened to Suzume? But those questions would have to wait.

  He turned to leave, and she grasped his arm. “Swear to me you will keep her safe.”

  “I never broke my promise to you.”

  They held for a moment, trapped in time to the people they had been before the lies and betrayal tore them apart. The voices of the party guests were getting closer, and Izume let him go and disappeared into the dark garden.

  He could chase after her, demand answers. But knowing Izume, it wouldn’t make any difference anyway. She revealed only what she wished.

  33

  Kaito burned Souta’s body. It would have been better if they’d had a ceremony, said some words. But he didn’t know what to say. After Suzume confessed to killing Souta, she hadn’t spoken a word. Her vacant eyes just stared out at the ocean. So he had taken care of the body. He touched her shoulder to let her know it was time to go, and her skin was feverish, and her eyes were glassy. He flew her back to the tengu palace. There was no other safe place for them now. The seaside palace was gone. His subjects scattered.

  Even passing through flurries of snow, Suzume sweated enough to soak her clothes. This wasn’t a normal fever, and he didn’t know how to help her. He touched down in the tengu palace and was greeted straight away by Mori and his guards.

  “She’s not well, do you have a healer? Anyone who can see to her?” Kaito asked him.

  “A human? Our healers wouldn’t know the first thing to do.” Mori shook his head.

  “Then give me a room at least,” Kaito said, biting back his impatience.

  Human bodies were so fragile, and he’d never felt more powerless than in this moment. As he held Suzume tight, he felt the power that thrummed through her. He wasn’t sure how she had killed Souta, but he knew whatever had happened in that battle had left her changed.

  Mori showed him to a private suite of rooms where he laid Suzume on a futon. She wasn’t responsive, groaning as she rolled around, muttering under her breath. He left the windows open to let the winter air graze against her skin. But what if she froze to death? Kaito paced back and forth, uncertain of what to do.

  There was a knock at the door, and he rushed to answer it. Perhaps they’d found a healer after all. He opened it to find Hikaru.

  “I heard Suzume was ill?” he said.

  Kaito showed him to her bedside. Hikaru knelt beside her, touched her forehead, and recoiled. “She’s burning up.”

  “It’s only getting worse, what should we do?” he asked.

  “We’ll have to keep her as cold as possible and hope the fever breaks on its own.”

  They gathered up snow, which they bundled in some fabric and put it around her. As soon as it touched her skin, it melted, puddling on the futon. The blankets had to be stripped and started over again. After hours of work, her fever started to go down, and her breathing returned to normal, but she still hadn’t woken.

  “What now?” Kaito asked.

&nb
sp; “We wait and hope for the best,” Hikaru said somberly.

  Rin woke to her entire body aching. Hikaru lay slumped over at her side, clutching her hand in his. When she stirred, he sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes.

  “You’re awake? How are you feeling? Do you want me to get you something to eat?”

  Her stomach growled in response, and Hikaru laughed. She was ravenous, as if she hadn’t eaten in decades.

  “Something to eat would be nice.” Rin laughed.

  “Wait right here.” He kissed her on the forehead before he disappeared through a door that connected to the sitting area. As she looked around her, familiars became more familiar, she was in the tengu compound, in the guest rooms. She reached for her neck, a small bump remained where the yuki onna’s teeth had sunk into her flesh.

  If Kaito hadn’t come when he did, she wouldn’t be here. And seeing as she was alive and in the tengu palace, they seemed to have won against the yuki onna. The tengu alliance was all but secured now. It was a relief. As soon as she was strong enough, she hoped they could return to the seaside palace.

  Hikaru returned with a tray of food and set it beside her. Rin grasped for it, inhaling it all in what felt like a few bites and was still hungry. It would take more than a few mouthfuls to replenish all the energy she’d had stolen from her by the yuki onna. But after eating, she was feeling stronger than before. She wanted to talk with Kaito and start working toward the alliance with the tengu.

  “Where is Kaito, I want to talk to him about the alliance,” Rin said.

  Hikaru’s brows furrowed. She knew that look, he wasn’t telling her something. “I don’t know if that’s possible.”

  “Why not?” Rin asked.

  Hikaru tugged at a thread on his sleeve. It must be really serious for him to be fidgeting this much.

  “Hikaru, what are you not telling me?”

  He sighed heavily and met her gaze. “Souta is dead.”

  “What? How?” She jumped to her feet and swayed; she was still too weak. Hikaru leaped up and gave her a shoulder to lean on.