“Hey man. You look like a sack of shit.” David cheerfully greeted me, g my hand. “Like a bulldog lig piss off a le. I’ve seen happier smiles oh row inmates.”

  “David!” Eleanasped, sdalised. “Watch yuage! And you’ve never seen a death row prisoner anyway, have you? Britain abolished the death penalty years ago.”

  “I’ve seen films.” David shrugged. “Seriously though…” he addressed me then. “I’m not kidding, you look damn sot some troubles?”

  I g Shiro and Asha, who as usual were apanyi Asha’s Tree, beside the Ring Gate that the British party had ehrough. On seeing my woeful expression, Shiro smirked, ughing meanly.

  “It’s all right Aki, you tell me, I won’t be mad. Shit, we’ll find out anyway soon enough. You are a horrible liar. Best tell me about it, before someone who gets more heated hears.”

  “We step out?” Sir Arthur said politely, showing his good, aristocratiners. “If it is a private matter.”

  “It’s… fine.” I sighed, knowing it was quite the mess. “I’m basically having women troubles. Don’t ugh…” David immediately broke into a wide grin and sniggered. “It isn’t what you think. I have a madwoman who insists she’s in love with me, and…” I expihe mess with Christina Bakker, careful to pay attention to Shiro and Asha. Both of their faces were expressionless, but Eleanor’s was grim.

  “I have to say, I have a higher opinion of you than when we first became acquainted, and… I am certainly not going to jump to clusions, having been burned a number of times. I do learn, if slowly.” Her tone was crisp, her blue eyes disapproving. “But you be rather a fool, Akio.”

  Shiro, who could take it no longer, doubled uffawing loudly, clutg at her belly. After her ughs subsided, she wiped at her bck eyes, before sn, the sound like tearing paper. “That’s hirious. You’re su… an Aki sometimes. I’d say you’re being a Yasu, but that doesn’t quite fit. My poor Aki, assaulted by a crazy woman. It’s just like that se from the Bizarre Adventure, isn’t it? Did you wash your mouth out with muddy water?”

  “I did rinse myself.” I admitted. “I was caught off-guard, okay? However much I dislike her, her information, assuming it’s true, is incredibly valuable. And… it wouldn’t sit right on my sce to have her die. I believe she should make amends.”

  “No kidding. You may be a damn pyboy, but man to man…” David echoed what Director Adam White had said, probably a usual rea to the thought of dating Christina. “…she’s got the looks, but… I’d rather date a snake. Less poisonous. And you don’t strike me as a fool. Besides…” He Shiro. “It’ll just piss off yirls.”

  “David!” Eleanor snapped again. “There are young dies present!”

  Indeed, in addition to the excited Miss Aditi, and the solemn and motherly Mrs Mary-Jahere was a new face with the British group. She looked around my sister’s or Eri’s age, with medium-length brown hair and a cute, freckled face. She was rather short, and wearing a long, robe-like dress. Seeing us all looking, she looked down and blushed, befreeting us, her eyes sparkling. “It’s an honour to meet you, Sir Hero!” At her address, I bit down on a grimace. I don’t feel like a herht now… but then, making difficult choices for the greater good always leaves me feeling dirty.

  “I’m Callie Rogers…” She introduced herself, smiling happily, before her expression ged, being downcast, and Miss Aditi patted her shoulder gently. “I… I was on the Maer team, but… I got injured. Now I know it was all a ploy because I’d never betray Princess Eleanor, but…”

  “It hurts, shortstuff.” David iserated her. “Don’t we all know it? We had our owrayers too, more’s the pity. But… that just makes your loyalty all the more worth having. I’d rather have a trustworthy hard worker, than a treacherous powerhouse, when it es to watg my back!”

  “Don’t call her shortstuff.” Eleanhed, exasperated anew. “I’ve told you to stop with the niames, David.”

  “Sure thing, Princess.” He smirked, not bag down. Miss Callie ighem and tialking to me. “I’m filling in for Mrs Smith. Not that I ever could repce you…” She waved her hands frantically, and Mrs Mary-Jane merely smiled reassuringly. “…I’m not as good as she was, but… I’ll do my best, I promise. And I was told that I simply had to e here, especially today.” She looked at me early. “… Miss Mistry really recover her powers? Truly? And if so… could Mrs Smith have her ce?” The hope and inno her eyes almost blinded me, which just made me feel worse about what was currently going on with Christina.

  “I hope so.” I said, unwilling to promise. I g Miss Aditi and gave my first genuine smile for a while. “For Mrs Mary-Jane, we ’t be certain, but… well done, Miss Aditi, you’ve certainly done enough.”

  She curtsied elegantly, though the effect was someoiled by the armour she wore over her clothes. Our fes had supplied the British a number andine, and looking at Miss Callie, I guessed we’d e one more. “I am most humbled and grateful for this opportunity. You did not have to give it, when all these Favours are so precious, and those you cherish wished for them.”

  “True.” Shiro nodded. “But… There are always other options. But speaking of women… I know you’re eager to get started, Aditi, and I ’t bme you, but… Aki, Eri’s going to take ao the woman when she finds out. I find it funny, Shaeu likely will as well, but… well, unlike our resident insane stist, I do uand humaions. There’s no way this doesn’t end badly.”

  “You find it amusing? What if a man had forcibly kissed you?” Eleanor pointed out, and Shiro and Asha exged gnces.

  “Point taken.” Shiro ceded. “But we’re already rife with double standards here. Aki’s got eleven of us, hasn’t he? And there’s no way it stays that way. But I do agree. I don’t want a bitch like that getting her cws into Aki. Fortunately, when it es to looks, I have her beat. You’re no loser either, Asha.”

  Asha agreed. “Yes, I am growing riper and more beautiful as I mature.”

  “Eri too, she do that shifting cat crap, and be anyone you wao be. Lucky.” Shiro sounded jealous for a moment. “But… it’s all her idea, and you just got stuck going along with it, right?”

  I nodded. “Of course. She’s definitely not my type, and I’m not going to say something foolish like I’ll be the oo teach her what love is. But she’s right that if she leaks too much, the Ameris will likely have her killed. And I don’t think she’s wrong that pretending to be my woman would give her prote from that, a measure, anyway.”

  “Yeah, but… we know her. I’ve only met her briefly, but I’ve figured her out. Sure, she snatched some kisses now, but… you think you carry out the charade during your trip to America?” David paused. “Speaking of the trip, your flight is booked for tomorrow m. Old man Arthur, Raidre and me, we’ll apany you before your flight, you need some time away from women, in the pany of real men. So, where was I… oh yeah? Fuck me, you’d have to be a moron not to see just how it’ll go. She’ll stantly push the boundaries, and you won’t be able to do shit, and in the end, to prove you’re not bullshitting the yanks, you’ll end up in bed with her.”

  “Sounds right to me.” Shiro nodded. “it’s cssic. So… not happening. We owe Eri that much. Besides, there’s an easier solution. You’d have thought of it if you didn’t still suck with women, Aki. It’s almost endearing, how you’ve not ged at your core. I’d hate it if you did, but… e on. She doesn’t have to be yirlfriend to e under your prote. Just make it clear you’re sheltering her, and you’ll be pissed off to no end if she disappears.”

  “True.” I nodded. “It’s like how if anyone made a move on you lot, I’d respond appropriately.” I said to the British ti.

  David guffawed at that, and Eleanor frowned, peheter is simple. Otherwise you’ll end up in more trouble that you handle. Unless you want that insane woman, and are merely using this as a pretext to force your hand?”

  “Jealous, Princess?” David said between his ughter, only for Eleanor to shoot him a withering gre.

  “Do be quiet, David. This is a serious matter. It might not seem it, but… we are allies. And that requires trust. I don’t actually believe you want that, Akio, but… tell me holy.”

  “Nope, no way.” I shook my head. “There’s a whole queue of women I’d rather romance, she’d be he bottom of the list. But…”

  “Just say you broke up.” Shiro snorted. “I may not be a man, but I’d imagihat she’d put off any boyfriend rather quickly. Sure, she looks good for a quick sexual enter or two, but living with her…”

  I was once again surprised by how crude Shiro could be at times, but David nodded, agreeing with her. “No kidding. She’s the sort who would look fantasti a bar, and then the m, when you both woke up and she started talking, you’d swear off the booze for life. Before beating a hasty retreat, o be seen again.”

  “In that case, the matter is settled. Although…” Eleanor frowned. “Do you think her data be trusted? It could be a pn to entrap you.”

  I shook my head. “No, she’s annoying and uo think like we do, but she is ily ho, I think. Sce is the pursuit aion of truth, as she says. That doesn’t mean she’s not been outmanoeuvred by her bosses, but… is it beneficial to the Ameris right now? And… I o go there arieve Egil’s body. That’s not in doubt. So…”

  “So py it by ear. We’ll all judge the information together. And try and hold Eri back when she finds out that madwoman has a thing for you. I mean, it’s not like she’s wrong.” Shiro purred, looking at Asha.

  “It is true. I find him very appealing indeed. And I shall never let go, just as a great tree spreads roots through soil and stone alike, resisting wind and rain, no matter how great the gales.” Asha agreed.

  “Yeah.” Shiro spped me on the back. “So, don’t worry. Just… be a man. You ha!” She gave me a thumbs-up, and I nodded. Yeah, I wasn’t expeg that all Christina’s dirty talk aits were actually her pathetic attempt at flirting. But now I know, I deal with it.

  “Enough with the moping.” David snorted. “Princess, how about we give him a gift, cheer him up?”

  Eleanor nodded. “Yes, we did get rather… distracted.” Maids arrived, bringing us fruity drinks and ptes of treats. Miss Callie looked especially surprised, perhaps not expeg the Boundary to be so… normal. After finishing her goblet of juice, Eleanor pulled out a ed bundle and passed it to me. “We have taken stock of what remains iower, and…” She g Miss Aditi and Mrs Mary-Jane. “…I am still grateful for your assistan this matter, and with… Sarah.” A momentary flicker of grief showed on her face, before she was once more the stoic princess. “So, as a token of our thanks, and in the hopes that you will not fet Mary-Jane… here.”

  Taking it in my hands, I uned it, my Eye shining, and I was surprised to see it was a lump of some sort of metallic ore, though it had somehow grown into the shape of a crude arrowhead, seemingly repeatedly heated and cooled, the metal shimmering with bubbles and other inclusions. Peering at it, the description surprised me.

  Cassiterite Faerie Arrow [Item Css: Powerful] [Item Type: Law]

  This strange agglomeration of metallic ore has grown into an unusual shape due to abs the tent Adherence of these Isles. Perhaps once Faeries dwelt in the mihat proffered it, or the miself is located in an area of weakness, where the Material and Astral touch each other fleetingly. It seemingly has no active use, not as a on, or as a talisman.

  “This is full of adherence?” I asked, and Raidre, who had been silent up until now, nodded.

  “Aye, it was with the treasures of the Tower. By the salt and smoke, we had no use for it, but… it reeks of the cold, dark pressure of the nds. We Selkie love the seas, the salt, the breeze. Not… not this. Yet… it tains strength.”

  “You are using such powers to fuel Aditi’s recovery, aren’t you?” Eleanor said. “I know such is precious…”

  “No kidding. He owes Tan a great deal of debt. And sure, we have the Tengoku-seki now, but… that’s only providing a trickle.” Shiro broke in. Eleanor listened patiently, before tinuing.

  “…but Aditi is more precious to me. Mary-Jane as well. That goes for all of you.” She looked out over her team fondly, seeing the proud look on Sir Arthur’s face, and ign both David’s off-colour jokes and Miss Cassie’s ad gaze. “Grandmother said that a gift that ’t be given away is no gift but a shackle. It doesn’t quite track, as these aren’t ifts, but our charges, but the point still stands, I think.” Eleanor shook her head, a slight smile on her lips. “We’ve already given away so much, and lost more to destru and theft. You might as well make use of it, Akio.”

  “Thanks. I will.” I said gratefully. Using my Eye, which was glowing brilliantly, I could observe the aspected adhererapped within, and slowly I started to manipute it, purifying it arag it from the seemingly ordinary metallic ore…

  ***

  “Yes, I’ll have this… and that.” Christina was rummaging through a bin of puter parts down one back alley of Akihabara. While Akiba was now mostly an anime and manga mecca for tourists, a lot of the old Electric Town nature of it still survived, with shops selling no end of puter parts, old maery and tools, much of it either rare, vintage, cutting-edge or any bination of the three. As Christina hummed to herself, pig out more parts, I steeled myself. Damn, she’s ruining my day. At least Eleanave me a pleasant surprise.

  Uncharitably thinking why Adam, and this Chris I hadn’t met, wanted rid of her, I waited for her to finish, paying the bill. Titan had bee behind, bemused, as Christina had told him she wao go out with her man, which had utterly fused him. I could only nod my head slowly, going with the flow, but I had refused to hold her hand, and while she mocked me for being overly shy, she didn’t press it further, likely sensing my patieh her was waning.

  “That’s everything, except for…” Her eyes darted around, and she found aore across the street. Quickly finding a braablet puter, as well as some old cables and a pair of wire strippers, she held her hand out and I gave her more money. With those safely purchased, she clutched the items to her chest and grieasingly.

  “Are you ready to be impressed? I’m quite a genius you know! Beauty and brains, the winning bination!”

  “Not modesty though…” I sighed, and she frowned.

  “What’s the matter? I’d have thought you’d be happy to be spending time with me!”

  “You think so?” I shook my head. “Look, let’s just meet this friend of yours ahings over with.”

  Christina peered at me, seemingly genuinely fused. “I don’t uand. Why has your mood ged? People are so plicated. That’s why I like maes. I know if I put the correct parts into the correct order, it’ll work as per the diagram, and if it doesn’t… each part be pulled apart aed until the problem is found.”

  “But people aren’t maes.” I pointed out. “It’s an attitude like that which has led you to it a number of… terrible… deeds. Now, I do admit, you are prepared to ehe same yourself, but…”

  “Maybe this is my fault?” She tilted her head in puzzlement alked towards the café she nning oing her acquaintance. “I’m so very o this. I never had these feelings before. It’s hard to, without a heart!” Her self-depreg ughter stung me. “But… I’m not lying. I do like you. I may not see bodily exges as something special, but I’m willing to learn to.” She giggled, toug her lips with her free hand.

  “But I… no, we’ll talk about this ter. Properly.” I ged the subject. Soon we had arrived, Christina talking the whole way in a rapid-fire effort to break the tension. On seeing a woman sitting at a table in front of the café, ed up in a long coat against the December chill, Christina waved cheerfully, relieved.

  “Scryer, long time no see!” Christina said, sitting down, being me over, and as I sloroached I ied the woman she called Scryer. She had short brown hair, aures that could best be called handsome, rather than attractive, with a stately nose and big, brown eyes, with very long shes. Her skin ale, in trast to her hair, and also her eyes, which had a keeh to them, almost as if she was looking through us. She seemed to be ihirties, perhaps, or could have been a few years younger or older.

  She tutted loudly, before expressing her disquiet. “I have a name, how many times must I tell you that, Christina?”

  “Nope, you go by a ame, like Titan. It’s no different to being a federal agent. Fake names for work.” Christina insisted. “Oh, and this is…”

  “Mr Oshiro.” Scryer said, her English crisp and with a rgely Ameri at. “I am well aware. Though rather surprised that you’d call me out, Christina. sidering what I’m here for. No, I should be surprised they let you out.” She turo me then. “I’d say it’s a pleasure to meet you, but… if you try anything, I’ll scream, and then cim amy as a diplomat. I have the proper dotation, though I came in on my oort.”

  “Do I seem so threatening?” I asked, and Scryer shrugged.

  “Your reputation precedes you.” Her words were clipped and formal. “Anyway, I’m Mariam Samuelian. Though I often go by Samuels, to blend in. You simply call me Mariam…”

  “Scryer.” Christina insisted, and Mariam shook her head.

  “I hate that stupid hough… I do admit I seek the truth of what I see. So… are you selli to earn your freedom?” She got straight to the point, and Christina shook her head in denial.

  “No way, I wouldn’t do that to you, Scryer! Thanks to you, helping give back the test subjects… uh, citizens…” She let out a little giggle, which set my teeth on edge. “…in a stable state, I’ve e to an uanding. More than that. Adam’s got to cede, after all…” She reached out with her arm to take mine. “…we’re going out!”

  I moved my arm away, leaving Christina hanging, and she smirked knowingly. “That shy boy showing again, in front of Scryer? I don’t get it, you’ve a dozen girlfriends, you should have no shame by now.”

  “It seems you ck shame, Christina. Yes, I healed those poor souls. I could do no less. The state they were in. Such cruelty. And I am not a fool, I know but for the grace of God, that could have been me. As for your boyfriend?” She made an exasperated sound. “Ters goghmen aptagem tezi! You he rough side of my hand, you truly see the world through a strange lens. Does this look like a man enamoured with you, woman?” She turo me then. “You keep a solid poker face, Mr Oshiro…”

  “Call me Akio.” I didn’t stand on ceremony. And Mariam seemed a straight talker.

  “Akio then. Yes, your expression is very ral, showing none of the annoyance or exasperation that people usually express when dealing with Christina. But… hiding feelings gives away feelings. I have always been perceptive, with good eyes. You show no lust, happiness, i… no, it is like you are f yourself to be calm. You are not her boyfriend, are you?”

  “No.” I shook my head. “Though we did py the part to protect her.”

  “That’s… hah.” Christi out a long breath. “That ’t be right. I’m … I know I like you, Akio! Nobody else has ever made me feel this way. And you want to protect me too. And you enjoyed our kisses… I know it! Those were my first. In Japan, that’s a big matter, isn’t it?” She actually looked hurt, which surprised me.

  “You kissed me! I was trying to prevent your stupid story from falling to pieces in front of the man you feared would have you disappear!” I pined. “And what’s your pn from now on? tihe charade? It won’t work. Mariam is right. I don’t like you! You hurt so many people, even earlier, you tormented Haru with your careless attitude! And more importantly… I won’t bring a woman like you into my life, when it’ll just damage the retionships I already have. Yeah, you’re attractive, and clever… but you know nothing of what really matters.”

  Christina was silent as I tinued. “So, say we meet Adam and the others, you’d want to show off. I’d be forced to kiss you again and more. No doubt you’d say something leading, arouse suspis, and then what? We have to have sex to prove we’re in love?” At her guilty silence, I shook my head. I k.

  “You may be aware, this woman, she does nothing at a leisurely pace. Be it experiments, ing her own welfare, or… it seems, having awaked to feelings of affe… she gives it her all. Food or for bad… usually for the bad, holy.” Mariam gestured to the waitress, us some drinks. “Christina, you ot foreoo love you.”

  “Look…” Her silence was unnerving me now, so I expined. “I don’t think you deserve death, and… sure, I’ve been guilty of using you for my own ends in the past, though I have paid for that. If you side with me… like you have been, then I’ll make sure you’re protected, until you’ve paid your debts to those you’ve hurt. You don’t o be my lover to e under my prote. Look, we’ll tell Adam it didn’t work out, but that I still treat you as my own.”

  “That seems reasonable.” Mariam agreed. “Christina, you are an idiot. The cleverest person I have ever known, but… in some ways, also the most foolish. Abgeh, you be an imbecile at times. And just why do you think he should love you? Your tits? God above, we are women, Christina, we all have them!”

  “I’m not a fool.” Christina pouted, though she forced a smile. “Everyohinks little miss Christina is an idiot, that I don’t uaions. Maybe I don’t. But I uand how I feel. Right now…” Her hand squeezed the air. “…I like you. Lust, love… I… it’s just all so exg. And… I’ve never felt this way before. So up and down, the lows as thrilling as the highs.”

  “It is te for first love.” Mariam said with a trace of sympathy. “You are a woman who never grew up. Your instincts are to act like a child, chasing shiny toys, and pying with them until they break. You cut yourself, bleed, fall over, bruise, and then ugh, as if nothing had happened. But not all loves are meant to be.”

  I nodded. “Sorry, but… I barely know you.”

  “You barely knew some of your fiancées either.” Christina pointed out after a long pause. “That didn’t stop you…”

  “Yeah, but I’m learning. Look… just give it up. Now you’ve awoken to romance, you’ll find plenty of guys who might i you.”

  “Will I?” She sighed, a loion, as if to expel her hopes and dreams. “Is that… your final word on the subject?”

  “I’m afraid so. I don’t love you, and… you’re not a good fit for me and my other women.” I made it clear.

  “You see, Christina? Not everything in life works out.” Mariam muttered softly.

  “Well then…” She paused, looking forlorn. “It felt thrilling when you were cold to me before, but I thought… that wasirely genuine. This… is not the sort of derision I enjoy.” She took off her gsses, peered at me, then nodded. “…so be it. I… perhaps I let myself be carried away. But… is it s to feel lust for someone, want them to be mine?”

  “Not at all.” I shook my head. “But you ’t force things.”

  “In that case… I’m going to be the ughingstock of Project Star Mirror. But then, people always ugh at me…”

  “Usually in terror, woman.” Mariam said with feeling, but Christina ignored her.

  “…I’m feeling rather hurt, and not in a fun way. And suddenly very, very jealous. I don’t… like it.” Christina pined. “I hardly fathom it. If you were an ordinary man, I could grasp it, but… you are unbound by the w, by the straints of morality… there’s no reason to turn me down. I’m not taking anything from you! It instead just seems spiteful.”

  “That’s not how it works. If that was the case, I’d have like thirty wives by now.” I shuddered at the thought, I was already stretched thin.

  “In that case… yes, I… wasn’t myself. How foolish. There’s a reason I am Christina Bakker, stist extraordinaire, seeker of the truths beyond the veil of ignorance. And I have no fear of hurting myself. While I hardly enjoy pain, some studies need… sacrifice. You said it yourself earlier, if Chemistry worked oions, disregarding that would be foolish, and uific. Yes… emotions… my emotions, your emotions…” She was grinning again, her mood as mercurial as ever, and I had a bad feeling. “It’s so elementary I am ashamed I didn’t see it. A new avenue of study bes. I will analyse and experiment and see what makes you fall for me!”

  “I…” Yeah, my bad feeling was accurate as usual. But…

  “You surely have no obje? You said we are free to like ish? I like you. You do not care for me. It’s frustrating, aggravating… but I have to accept it. But you will see I am persistent. I shall try, fail, shudder in pleasure and pain and try something else anew. Over and over. I am not a woman who gives up easily! Perhaps you will not be able to resist me for long?” She licked her lips seductively.

  “You dream.” I said mely in the end. I suppose, just as I pursued Shiro while having others in my heart, I ’t dissuade her fr to win me over. And I use that, but… Feeling somehow grubby, I ceded. “But holy, I think it’s impossible.”

  “But despite that, you don’t wao die, do you? That shows you don’t hate me.” she pointed out, and I shrugged.

  “I don’t hate you, but I certainly don’t like you.”

  Christina turo Mariam with a triumphant expression on her face. “All right then, Scryer. You’re a woman. Give me some advice? Is it my outfit? He certainly liked it when I wasn’t wearing a bra earlier…”

  “I think you should quit while you are ahead. I am not here to listen you your foolish forays into romance. You blew my cover, woman. I should report you to the brass. Though, I will also say that Akio will take your demise very poorly.”

  “He will, won’t he?” Christina’s low mood at my dismissal of her, which I was not going to call dumping her, as we hadn’t been dating, it was just a ruse, had evaporated, and she was now salivating at the thought of her experiments, and my respoo them. I… really o find her someone else to fixate on. I’m not a damn b rat in her emotional studies. Or at least a woman who advise her what not to do. I don’t want to find her lying naked in my bed or some other suonsense. “And as for your cover, we’ve amassed all the intelligence we could, anyway. There’s no need for it anymore. After all… thanks to you, I won my little gamble, and received an upgrade!” She scratched at her back through her jumper. “It itches awfully, though. But that aside… might as well expin.”

  “I would be grateful if you could. Amerid Japan might have our differences, but we’re not enemies. And what avenues you exploit might be used by the true threats.” I urged her. “I’ll also make it pin I’ll take any punishment you receive poorly too.”

  “So be it. Let me see…” Mariam gave in. After some coffee, she began. “…entering Japan is easy. Roughly twenty-five million tourists a year. Vetting them all is simply impusible. Especially as I am… I was… an ordinary woman. Not so muow, it seems.” She sighed, before tinuing. “Entering is easy. There is no simple way to see who is blessed with these powers, is there? No, not without… good eyes.” She tapped her own cheek knowingly. “When here…”

  As she talked about the first part of her infiltration, ag like a normal tourist for a while to add pusibility to her role, Christina was drinking coffee and stripping down the parts she had bought, fitting them together into some strange handheld device, and wiring it into the tablet.

  “Then, there is Shirohebizumi shri is still open to the public, as most pces of worship are in Japan.” Mariam tinued. “Of course, as a small shrine, I could only visit ohout arousing suspi. There are guards there, and while I believe I could have escaped… not everyohere was so weak.” She shuddered.

  “Yeah, we’re often there, and if you ran into Shaeu, Shiro or Hyath… ing out of that.” I agreed.

  “In any case, while I was able to see little, I did mao glimpse some of your trainees. And perceived their spiritual bodies via my eyes. From there… other shrines, such as Hikawa-Kawagoe could be visited, and as a more major shrine, several visits would pass unnoticed. I saw more there, and gathered further intelligence. I did try to infiltrate the area around this Hanafubuki Academy, but it was off-limits to all. But the more people I saw, the more ces I had to cross paths with them, learn and observe…”

  “Scryer’s quite excellent. Not as excellent as me…” Christina sang her own praises, as she was creating her device. “…but without her aid, I’d know far less about matters. That makes me think… Scryer, what you see when you look at Akio? Damn, I’m so jealous of you, if I had your eyes… care to donate? I’m not sure if a transpnt would work, but with Akio’s healing…” She was warming to the subject, and I couldn’t help but ugh. Seeing that, Christina flushed, smiling. “Falling for my ambition and charm all ain, are you?”

  “Nope, just my sis said simir things. She wants special eyes too. But trust me, I’ve experimented on myself. You aren’t the only idiot.” I told her. “It doesn’t work like that. All you end up with is a funal eye, but no magical abilities.”

  “A man after my ow… we really are two of a kind. It’s meant to be. Be still my rag heart and damp, burning loins!” Christina cackled, and Mariam groaned.

  “You should stop that if you are serious. The look on his face, it is most disgusted.” I was indeed dispying a rather grossed-out expression, not needing to hear that talking to me was getting her all hot and bothered. “But yes, I am… curious.” Mariam suddenly trated, her eyes turning into silver disks, e sparks f. I opened up my owo check what she was doing, and as azes crossed, time seemed to stop for a moment…

  Your Skill, Mystic Eye Of The Tree Of Knowledge, has increased from Rank 5 to Rank 6, breaking the first bottlene truth. Your ability to grasp knowledge beyond the bounds of the lower, disected world you find yourself in has increased signifitly, and avehat were blocked to you shall open. The weight of the Tree of Knowledge is far from light, and some wisdom harm those that know it, and some secrets are kept for a reason. You are further able to grasp the fvours and strengths of Adherend utilise it with greater efficy. Due to a resoh the Eyes Of Wise Water, you have captured its ability to perceive the wisdom within Adherence, and deeper into the material, spiritual and ???????? aspects of living beings.

  ***

  “You all right, Aki?” Shiro asked, as my face paled, my Eye bzing brilliantly, the amber deepening, now drawing on my Spirit Water as well.

  “Yeah, just… broke through to Rank six without your help…” The world around me seemed different, somehow, and as I looked at Shiro, I could see deeper into her work, to the parts where Tan joined her, and even… I recoiled as blood dribbled from my eye socket, and suddenly a surge of adherence cmped down on me, my Eye dimming. Shiro’s hair bzed crimson, and her eyes were glimmering, intense rubies.

  “Best you not peer too deeply. I find it… rather rude, Akio. I am a woman who has her dignity and privacy. But evee that… the true form of those who wield Divinity is not easy to bear. These Kami, as you call them, are mere flickering sparks and dles. I am a shining fre that will blind you, burn you away. If you wish to see my all…” She licked Shiro’s suddenly dry, cracked lips. “…best you make haste.”

  With that, Tan receded, leaving Shiro t. “Yeah, she’s impressed with your Eye, Aki. But also worried. It’s a Skill that draws on higher powers, and there are any number of dangers. But most of all, it’s just a huge strain on your Chakra work.”

  I nodded, feelier now that my Eye had been temporarily switched off. Cautiously, I let a trickle of aether into it, and it burst into life again, looking at the mostly empty Faerie Arrow. The adherehin was clearer than ever, and it tained a presence of not only the dark, sileh, but also of ons of the Fae, not cold, harmful iron, which was ao many Fae, but of bronze, and other alloyed crafts. Curious. Now I uood it better, taking it for my own, purifying it, making it an adherehat allowed me to retain the Favour of Taranis and Jumong I held, seemed far easier.

  It's an arrow. Maybe not light, but there’s the e. And as for Taranis… perhaps this straal shape, with all the bubbles, was caused by repeatedly beied by the heat from lightning and cooling afterwards. Lightning is also reted to the Fae, and Britain’s certainly a stormy isle… The slightly ged adherence was still incredibly muddy and impure, the cepts a stretd my handling equally clumsy, but it still made a noticeable differen the rate of ption. As the others chattered quietly, watg me work, unwilling to disturb me, I finished draining the item, and it suddenly lost all mystery, now looking just like a ed lump of ore, and to my Eye it just showed up as a rock.

  “All right then. I appreciate the gift, adherence is at a premium for the moment.” There’s still another Favour to extract from our South Koreaainee, but I don’t want to hold it if I help it, too wasteful. Arisu-san’s keeping him detained for now… “So let’s get down to it. You ready?” I asked Miss Aditi, who was clearly nervous, but also excited, and she clutched her bow in ched hands that were pale even with her chocote skin tones.

  “I am rather full of trepidation, but… I wish to stand at the side of my friends, and fight for Britain once again. For this… I thank you!”

  “Don’t thaoo soon. This probably won’t be fortable.” I pointed out, readying Jumong’s Favour. I passed it to Miss Aditi on a tide of aether and adherence, and it was swallowed up by her body. Adherence poured from me, fortifying her, and as she began to groan and sweat, Shiro smiled sympathetically.

  “It wasn’t so bad for me, Tan helped out, but… oh well, no pain, no gain, so they say.” She waved at one of the ratkin maids and asked them t some strong liquor for after.

  “I … bear it.” Miss Aditi said, sweat streaking her brows. After a short time that likely seemed long to her, the Favour finally settled in, and my Eye could clearly see the es. “It’s done.”

  “I see.” Miss Aditi took a deep breath, more from habit than a o breathe here. Raising one hand, she trated, and as a leaf drifted down from Asha’s tree high above, she narrowed her eyes, and a moment ter a barely visible streak of bluish-purple light pierced it, the leaf exploding into charred fragments. She then gasped, hand over her mouth, before turning to Asha and bowing apologetically. “Hhtfully reckless of me. I should not have dohat…”

  “It is but a fallen leaf. If it was my Tree, I would be most angry. As would Akio.” Asha raised an eyebrow knowingly. “I trust… you are satisfied?”

  As Miss Aditi earing up, David actually pulled her into a bearhug, lifting her up and spinning her around. “Good job, little miss Asian! Now you’re bad ready to fight alongside us big dogs.”

  “David, put her down!” Eleanor pined, and David, with a sly grin, tossed Miss Aditi to her. Eleanor caught her, gently turning to pce her down safely. Then Miss Aditi was crowded with the others of her group, all excited and expressing their well-wishes, all apart from Mrs Mary-Jane. She was smiling, yes, but it was a wistful, sad one.

  “Envious? Or havis?” I asked her, and she nodded.

  “plicated feelings. I am very happy for her, of course. To be restored, capable of truly supp our friends… that is a great thing for Miss Mistry. As for me… I have my children. I ’t afford to die in battle, but… they are so proud of me. When they met princess Eleanor, they were starstruck. I… o be a mother who protects them. If not me, then who?” She paused then, her expression impish. “They would dearly love to meet Miss Shaeu as well. Ever sihey saw her on television, all they say is you would bar-bar my way? They are quite taken with her. Though my husband…” She let out a long-suffering sigh. “He was more taken with Miss Shiro here.”

  “At least he’s got good taste. But so sorry to disappoint, I’m not up for an affair.” Shiro snorted.

  “Nor is he. Otherwise I’ll be sure to teach him a lesson…” She waved her staff with a heavy flourish, before turning to Miss Aditi now there in the crowd. “gratutions. You worked hard for this.”

  “I did. As have you.” Miss Aditi said, tears in her eyes. “I… hope you too rejoin us soon.” She turo me then, grasping my hand. “Thank you, Mr Oshiro. No, I… shall not be formal. Thank you, Akio. I will never fet your kindness, and if you are ever in need, I shall ahe call. So please… help her too.”

  “I will. Though finding a patible Favour isn’t an easy task, although…” David and Raidre had already started on the booze that the maids brought, and Sir Arthur joihem with a smile, though with a far smaller cup. Even Eleanor joined in, taking a goblet. “…since you worked hard, Aditi…” I dropped the Miss to match her new manner of address. “…if you could expin precisely your process of acing yourself that would be great. I’ve already spoken to the others, but any knowledge we gain could mean the differeween patibility or not…”

  “Yes, I uand.” She wiped at her eyes, then steeled herself. “It was quite simple. I simply tried to embody both the ability itself, and the meaning behind it. The adherence, if you would?” Seeing I uood, she tinued. “The mythology of Jumong is not plex, and so…” She went on to tell me how she used arrows to hunt creatures to cross a river, how she struck down flies in flight, and much more…

  ***

  “And done! Praise me!” Christina said, having assembled her device.

  “Yes, well done, I suppose.” I managed, and she shivered, face red, panting.

  “Oh, that’s the cold disdain I like. It isn’t as hurtful as reje, it feels like teasing!”

  “She is broken. I am loathe to bme you, as her brain is already beyond my uanding, but… she is somehow even more annoying than before.” Mariam pined. “I shall not ask you to take responsibility though, I am not heartless, and her follies are her own. Just… at least stop making her do… that. I am ashamed to be seen with her!”

  “Don’t be like that, Scryer! So, spill it, what did you see? I o know! Is Akio as wonderful on the inside as his exterior?” She held out a hand, and for a moment I thought she wanted me to hold it again, before she clicked her nails oable. “Fsh drives? Unless you want to touch me?”

  With a snort I passed her the thin strands of metal and she began to ect them, her tablet booting up. Mariam was silent for a moment, before looking grim.

  “I am never going to go against him. The wisdom of his body is deep, and his waters powerful. None I have seen before match him.” She looked at me as if I was a monster. “How did you gain such strength? How much blood is on your hands? Perhaps you are a bigger fiend than Christina here?”

  “Birds of a feather should flock together, so I remember people saying, and I certainly agree. Okay, here we go… my iy knows no bounds. Here we are…” On the s Christina dispyed some of her research, and it had a crude Chakra map overyed over male and female diagrams. “…not bad, huh? I worked out that your strength isn’t the result of these blessings. Like your ser beams… here…” She poio the s, revealing the third eye Chakra ainted in indigo. “How is a tricky matter. Care to enlighten me?” Her breathing was hot and fast, and fortunately Mariam came to my rescue.

  “Out of date, Christina. So very out of date.” Mariam poi the s. “So many lights, so many colours, so much wisdom.” She poi all the Chakras, as well as at a spot where my lunar Chakra would be. She then opened her eyes wide, looking at Christina with her silvery-e orbs. “You have it too, now. Ylow is stronger.”

  “Yes, there was o send you out spying, Scryer. All I had to do was ask nicely and Akio was more than happy to gift me the proper method.” she said proudly, dispying some other researformation. I skimmed it, most of it was… of questioility, but it would be handy to have and we could b through it in more detail ter. Christina ressing her breasts against my arm as I looked at the tablet, so I quickly shot her down.

  “I only did that because I wao know who the mole was, and I lost my wager. So don’t think I did it for you!”

  As she flushed anew, lig her lips, I turo Mariam, having an unanswered question. “You don’t know what the Charka work is called, do you? You’re not the one who told her about the Eight Moons, are you?”

  Mariam shook her head. “No, I see, but to interpret it is my task. Goddess Anahit gave me the ability to see my way to the heart of things, and to bless others with health and healing, but… there are no shortcuts to knowledge.”

  That makes me feel guilty, I’m rog the biggest shortcut there is. “Christina…” I said firmly, and she stopped her squirming. “Who’s your man or woman on the ihen?”

  “I don’t know.” She admitted unhelpfully, and under my cold gaze she rubbed her legs together. “I don’t! You bully me all you like, punish me in any number of lewd ways… and you should… all right, I’ll get to the point.” Sensing I was genuinely annoyed, she didn’t push matters further. “Only Adam, maybe Gina, would knoe have here. Holy… Adam wants to exploit me, but you heard him, he doesn’t trust me. Though Adam’s not overly trusting of anyone. Between you and me, he’s a bit of a trol freak.” She leaned in and whispered theatrically, and I had to lean away, as she attempted to lick my ear.

  “I thought you were going to stop that?” I asked, and she shrugged.

  “No, I clearly said I’d accept that you were never my boyfriend, and that you don’t like me. But I said I’d win you over, and you said I was wele to try.” She pointed out triumphantly. “I’m just testing boundaries. Very important task… speaking of…” She plugged in the fsh drive, the thin string of metal sparking a little, and the tablet dispyed a password s. “Adam’s not aer with puters than most other people. His password is likely…. Hmm, eight characters. Even he probably wouldn’t use PASSWORD… AMERICA is too short, EMPEROR is also only seveers. Hmm… INQUISITION is too long, huh… I bet it’s… IMPERIUM.” At her triumphant words, the s unlocked. “Yep, Adam’s nothing if not predictable. It’s why I’m rather worried for my safety, but you’ll protect me. Scryer tht?” She grinned, before handihe tablet, which dispyed a header stating it was the Vermillion List. With one finger she swiped the s, bringing up a familiar image, one of me. “Adam sees America as the hegemony to rule the world, especially now. But… there are obstacles. Like you. Anyway, this is a copy of Adam’s private data, so hopefully it’s a bit more plete than the version shared around Project Star Mirror. It was not easy to get.”

  Looking down at the s, I nodded.

  Akio Moonstone Oshiro. Priority Rank: Deepest Vermillion. Threat Rank: Deepest Vermillion. Projected Status: Non-Interference Reended, Possible Intelligence Leak. ce Of Recruitment: Low / Special Medium, see appendix.

  “Looks like Adam’s added a qualifier. It makes sehe Vermillion ranks were filling up. Hmm…” Christina tapped the word, and it brought up the list. Light, Medium, Dark, Darker, Deepest. “Oh, you should be proud. Adam’s definitely got you figured out. The best. Even Scryer says so. Hmm…” She tapped the s again, and suddenly her image was dispyed.

  Christina Bakker. DARPA/Project Star Mirror Lead Stist. Loyalty questionable. Possibly suborned by Akio Moonstone Oshiro. Easily seduced by knowledge that only he has access to. However, someatriotid coldly pragmatic. May be used as leverage or a sacrifice, but best deployed as bait or a bribe.

  Christina frowned. “Easily seduced? I hardly argue, I? But… Adam, that’s cold! I know he’d sacrifice me or anyone else for his goals, and America, but… I ’t help but feeling rather indignant. Now I ’t help but want to feel suborned. As for being a bribe… offer’s still open.” Her smile looked pained, but her eyes were resolute. “So, Scryer… want to see what Adam really thinks about you?”