Cloak and Dagger

 

Akira wasn’t sure if he was shaking because of adrenalin or because of the cold air pouring into their room. Glass tinkled, and someone groaned. Peeking out past Suuzu’s shoulder, he tried to see who’d invaded their supposedly impenetrable fortress.

“A little help here?”

He moved to assist, but Suuzu held him back.

“Sorry, sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you boys.”

Their intruder slowly eased to a hunched sitting position, tutting to himself as if he were in pain and favoring his left side. A hooded cloak hid his face, and the voice didn’t sound familiar. But it was a nice voice. Akira’s gut was telling him to trust this person.

“I swear, I have a good reason for bashing in like this.” A pale hand with gold-tipped claws pushed away the hood. “I wish I could explain, but then I’d be breaking rules in addition to the window. Then again, some things are obvious. Help me, Suuzu?”

Akira asked, “You know him?”

“I do not.”

The person pouted. “Only because some people are obnoxiously strict about rules and regulations.”

Okay. Claws, fangs, and ears were the trademark features, but Akira could have pegged this guy as an Amaranthine on hair alone. Crazy-long hair had been woven into a complex braid that looked more like basket-weaving than a hairstyle. And it was a weird pale yellow-green, shot through with blond streaks.

“Really? Right.” With a weary gesture, the guy said, “Will you help, Akira?”

He was halfway there when Suuzu jerked him back into his chest. The phoenix was furious. Akira could feel the emotion shaking, flaring. But the other person needed help. Why didn’t Suuzu understand?

“Suuzu?” He tilted his head, trying to see his friend’s face.

The gaze that met his flashed with emotions Akira rarely saw. But Suuzu answered calmly. “Look at your feet.”

Akira’s unprotected feet were a half-step away from the jagged remains of their skylight. Why hadn’t he noticed? “Whoa. That would have hurt.”

“Put on your shoes.” Suuzu pointed him to the entry. “And call for Sentinel.”

“Wait!” called the stranger.

So Akira stopped, turning to see what he wanted.

Suuzu stalked to Akira, lifted him bodily, and whisked to the door.

“Listen!” The green-haired Amaranthine raised his right hand and crooked his pinky. “I’m sorry, Suuzu. I wasn’t trying to hurt your nestmate. And Sentinel’s support would be welcome, but we need a healer more.”

Awkwardly pushing aside his dark cloak, he revealed the huddled form of a dark-skinned girl—young, battered, and unconscious.

Akira whispered, “That’s an Ingress Academy uniform.”

“Put on your shoes,” Suuzu repeated, setting Akira down and facing their intruder. “Is that the girl who was taken?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re a dragon.”

Akira fumbled with his shoelaces. “He’s a dragon?”

“Yes,” said Suuzu.

That sent a little thrill down his spine—part fear, part fascination. “You’re a dragon.”

“I’m a dragon.” Holding out a palm that pleaded for peace, he added, “Sinder Stonecairne, of the Icelandic Reach. It’s nice to finally meet you both.”

“How come you know our names?” Akira asked.

Suuzu added, “How did you break the barrier?”

“Your brother’s barrier came in handy.” Sinder gently eased his burden into a more comfortable position.

“This nest is warded against dragons.”

“No. It’s warded against other dragons.” Sinder made the same kind of odd fluting sound that Lapis made when he was playing with Kyrie. “I’m almost hurt he never told you. Suuzu, I’m one of the good guys. Juuyu is my partner.”
 

Sentinel Skybellow didn’t seem to care about the wreckage in their room, the barriers that prevented him from entering, or the presence of a dragon. He only had eyes for the girl—soft and sad. “Mare Withershanks is at Ingress.”

Before he could dash off, Akira asked, “What about this guy.”

“Hide him here.” With a delicate sniff, Sentinel added, “Tend his injuries.”

And he was gone.

A few moments later, a voice hailed them from overhead. Goh-sensei placed a finger on the side of his nose. “I’ll patch things up and add a little something extra. No one will notice the rough edges.”

Sinder waved wearily. “Thanks, Goh.”

“Not to worry, Sinder.”

And a sheet of plywood banged into place, covering the gaping hole overhead. Suuzu cocked his head to one side, then remarked, “It is well-warded.”

“Goh’s top notch. No drafts.” Sinder shivered dramatically. “Mind if we warm this icebox up a little?”

Akira turned toward the thermostat only to find Suuzu in the way.

The phoenix cupped his cheek and said, “You do not have to listen to him.”

“He’s cold.”

“So are you. It is a reasonable request.” Suuzu seemed to be pleading with him. “You are too easily swayed.”

“The trusting ones usually are.” Sinder made a gesture Akira recognized as an apology.

“Maybe you should explain,” Akira said.

“Dragons are dangerous,” said Suuzu.

Sinder begged to differ. “Dragons have the potential to be dangerous. We are captivating in our beauty.”

“And they take captives with their words.”

Again, Sinder countered, “Historically. Many clans have dark stories in their past that would make for bad press. But dragons have chosen peace. We are represented among the Five.”

Suuzu’s head dipped. “Granted. But your words are affecting Akira.”

“Truly a problem.” Sinder crooked his fingers encouragingly. “Come here.”

Akira started forward, only to be stopped by Suuzu’s hand at his wrist.

The dragon sighed. “Spokesperson Farroost, the people you trust most trust me. Bring him over, and I’ll help him break the habit.”

This was all very exciting and a little surreal, but Akira was pretty sure they’d gotten off track. Waving both hands, he stepped between them. “If our teachers trust him enough to leave him here, we’re good. And Sentinel said he’s injured. Shouldn’t that be our first priority?”

Suuzu’s attitude vanished. “Do you need a healer?”

“Not necessary. If you can manage the basic bandages and ointments.” He grimaced. “And tweezers.”

“And a broom,” Suuzu murmured, already out the door.

Sinder chuckled. “He’s so much like his brother, it’s scary.”

“Can you move?” Akira had noticed that the dragon hadn’t budged, even when Suuzu took the rescued girl from him to give her to Sentinel. Injuries could be a problem for Amaranthine, since they were slow to heal. “Let’s get you into a clean corner. By the heater.”

“You’re too kind.”

Akira found the rips in Sinder’s cloak, which he helped the dragon remove, exposing bruises, lacerations, and embedded glass. And six sheathed blades of various sizes. The shirt had to go, too, exposing lean muscles and milk-pale skin.

“So … are you a super-spy?”

Sinder’s pale eyebrows arched. “Two words. Elite taskforce.”

“Are you all tributes?”

“Aren’t you in the know!”

Which wasn’t an answer. Akira tried the eyebrow thing.

Chuckling, Sinder answered, “Most of us, yes. But exceptions make us exceptional.”

Before Akira could press for more information, Suuzu returned with cleaning supplies and a medical kit. Coming quickly to their side, he trilled his dismay. Passing Akira the kit, he set to work, gently extracting slivers of glass with the tips of his claws.

To distract their patient, Akira kept talking. “Are dragons one of the trickster clans?”

“No. The tricksters excel at visual deception.”

“And dragons use words?”

“It’s part of our charm,” Sinder acknowledged.

“How does it work?”

He smiled. “Touch your nose.”

Akira did.

“Touch your friend’s nose.”

Akira did that, too. Why wouldn’t he? It was a simple request.

“Kiss your friend’s nose.”

Easy enough. Akira had a vague notion that he was behaving foolishly. But the deed was already done, so why worry over it? Except Suuzu was looking rather harassed.

“You want me to keep going?” asked Sinder.

Akira was suddenly thinking clearly again, and he laughed. Sinder was teasing them. Really, he reminded Akira a little of Gingko, an incorrigible big brother who’s actually pretty cool. Only sleeker. And greener. And part of an elite taskforce.

“Good thing you’re a good guy.” Akira shook his head. “I didn’t even notice until the kiss.”

“Not bad. Some people never realize they’re being guided.” Sinder shrugged. “Prolonged exposure weakens our hold. Play my game a little longer, and you’ll be wise to serpents of any stripe.”

He turned to Suuzu. “Is that true?”

“Yes.”

While the phoenix seemed ruffled, he wasn’t angry anymore. Permission enough to get on with it. “Okay. Keep going.”

Sinder solemnly said, “Touch your nose.”

Akira did.

The commands came again in sequence, as if the last round had been a rehearsal. Akira couldn’t have been more relaxed, and could tell that Suuzu accepted the peck to his nose with more grace. But then Sinder said, “Kiss my nose.”

Akira balked. Kissing Suuzu’s nose had been enough out of character, but Sinder’s nose was on Sinder’s face. Did he really want to kiss Juuyu’s partner?

“Good. You’re trusting, but you have a highly developed sense of right and wrong. Living among foxes probably also works in your favor.”

“This is so weird.”

Suuzu was slowly applying ointment to Sinder’s injuries with a knuckle. Akira thought the row of shallow gashes looked suspiciously like claw marks. “How’d you get those?”

Sinder said, “Touch your nose.”

Akira did.

By the time Sinder released him from a lengthy round of harmless tasks, the dragon was neatly bandaged and Suuzu had all but finished the clean-up. Akira was a little fuzzy on how much time had passed. His roommate could move pretty fast, especially when something needed tidying.

“Are you even trying to resist?” Sinder asked.

He shook his head. “Everything you say just sorta makes sense.”

Suuzu murmured, “Akira already trusts you.”

“Normally, I’d be pleased.” Sinder’s faraway gaze suddenly snapped into focus. “Open the door.”

Akira was halfway there when he collided with Suuzu. The phoenix took a firm tone. “I promised we would stay behind safe boundaries.”

A light rap came, and Sinder offered a weary smile. “Open the door for Juuyu.”

Suuzu got there first. Both boys were soon clasped against Juuyu’s sides while he exclaimed over the mess and reassured himself that his chicks were unharmed. Sinder eased onto his knees and bowed until his forehead touched the floor, which brought Juuyu up short. “You are injured.”

“Hardly worth mentioning.”

And suddenly, Akira and Suuzu were standing alone by the door.

Juuyu grumbled as he fussed, thoroughly inspecting his partner’s injuries as he quizzed him in undertones. Finally, he took a seat at Sinder’s side, shoulders sinking to a disconsolate angle. “She will live,” he quietly announced to the room.

“And …?”

Juuyu shook his head. “He eluded us. Again.”

Sinder whistled a series of notes that descended sorrowfully. “Poor Boon.”