The Twelve by Cindy Lin

Author:Cindy Lin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2019-04-08T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

A Grim Report

AT THE TOP OF THE Steps of Patience, Usagi pointed to the bright light bobbing in the distance. The heavy footsteps she’d first heard while walking in the Singing Bamboo were louder now, as was the tuneless humming. The light had become larger than a pinprick, approaching steadily. “Do you see?” she said. “Down there.”

Saru and Nezu squinted down the staircase, while Inu sniffed the air, searching for a scent. The Heirs had rushed from the kitchen as soon as she’d alerted them, grabbing their weapons before following Usagi through the grove that guarded the shrine. Inu frowned. “I smell a fresh kill. Whoever it is has been hunting.” He sniffed again and broke out in a smile, shouldering his bow. “I know who it is.”

The bobbing light drew closer and a squeal of joy erupted from Saru. “It’s Tupa!”

“Brother Tupa!” Nezu scurried down the stairs and threw his arms around a tall figure. Usagi strained to see past a light dancing above them, wanting a good look at the Heir to the Ram Warrior. He was a young man, sturdily built, wearing a thick cloak of sheepskin over the saffron robes of a novice monk. A bronze chain was slung about his waist, while a curved horn hung from a leather strap around his neck.

“Rat Boy!” shouted Tupa, his voice deep and rich. He and Nezu climbed the last steps together, arm in arm, while a ball of flame circled about their heads, unconfined by any lantern. Usagi stared. Saru once told her that Tupa was skilled with fire, but this was impressive. If only her sister could see this. Uma was so proud of being able to start fires. She’d always pestered Usagi and Tora to let her practice, wanting to make bigger flames, wanting to see how far she could go with her fire gift, but they’d been too afraid of drawing attention, and usually insisted against it. Usagi felt a pang of regret.

Inu and Saru greeted the Ram Heir with elated exclamations, while the ball of fire, no bigger than an orange, rose above them and hovered, spitting and crackling, throwing its bright light like a miniature sun. Usagi raised her hand to shade her eyes. Dangling from the modest pack on Tupa’s back was the carcass of a mountain hare, its white winter coat stained with blood. Inu’s nose was on the mark, as usual.

Tupa clasped Inu’s arm and pounded his back. “You’ve put on some muscle! Not a pup any longer!” He caught sight of Saru and embraced her warmly. “So good to see you, Monkey Girl.”

“Good to see you too, Brother Ram,” Saru said, her pale face aglow.

He pointed at the whiskers on Nezu’s lip. “What’s this peach fuzz? Last time I saw you, it was smooth as a stone.”

“I’m just trying to be like you,” Nezu teased, tweaking the only significant patch of hair on Tupa’s shaved head—a dark tuft of beard sprouting from his chin.

Chuckling, the Ram Heir looked at Nezu more closely.

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