New Ventures

Even a strategist like Argent couldn’t see any alternative. There was a gap in the Dichotomy Day schedule that had been left too long. Was Isla being overly optimistic when she’d left Hisoka Twineshaft’s appearance on the calendar? Did she think that would conjure him up? Or was she hoping that Argent would force him out of seclusion?

Much as he appreciated everything Isla had done for the In-between, he wished she’d made alternate arrangements sooner. Because the only person who could step in was Argent himself. And that meant he was going to miss Ginkgo’s bonding ceremony.

So be it. He would do his part. But the necessity put him in a mood.

Escaping out the nearest window, Argent considered his options and soon spied a suitable diversion. Veering toward Bon-Bon, Argent stepped across his path and announced, “You will do.”

He flinched away, then exploded, “You utter beast! Don’t do that. I know you’re lord of the bloody manor and all that, but there are basic courtesies that must be observed. Always.”

Argent allowed himself a moment of smug satisfaction. Boniface might startle easily, but he refused to quail. Indeed, there were definite signs of an underlying trust. Suuzu had secured a capable counterpart. One who was currently burdened by a chrysalis. Bon-Bon hugged the swaddled and swagged bundle to his midriff.

“I apologize.”

“You … err … really?” And with honest bewilderment, he offered a wary, “Right.”

With a roll of one wrist, Argent indicated that Boniface should continue along the path. Then he fell in step beside the man. It didn’t take long for him to speak again.

“To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“You need not pretend to enjoy my company.”

“And you don’t normally seek mine,” Boniface crisply countered. “You will do. That’s what you said. Do for what?”

“How are things with Suuzu?”

The man frowned, but he accepted the change of subject. “If you mean me, it’s too soon to tell. But Suuzu is surrounded by good people. Magarr has taken charge of the day-to-day running of the office. Honestly, I think he already dealt with most things. To be clear, Suuzu isn’t a figurehead for the avian and fabled races. Rather, Magarr is an exceptional mentor with a vested interest in Suuzu’s happiness.”

“You have also found Magarr’s guidance helpful?”

“Invaluable.”

“You may rely upon the greater experience of my staff, as well.”

“Your staff? Oh. You mean Jackie.”

“If it would make things easier, I could formalize an apprenticeship.”

“Hardly necessary.” Boniface stopped in his tracks and muttered, “Lord, don’t you start, too.”

A harmonic keening had started up.

Argent pressed his palm to the rock imp snugged against Boniface’s belly.

“Resonance, they’re all saying,” Boniface grumbled. “But you can’t expect two people who’ve never gotten on to simply … get over it and get on with it.”

“Do I need to take Jackie to task?”

“As if. He’s … he’s a tribute to your den, and you bloody well know it.” Boniface admitted, “He’s been decent enough, but we’re as good as strangers.”

“Except you’re not.”

“Very not.”

“Mmm. So what’s set this little one to singing?”

“What else? He adores his daddy.”

“He?” Argent pivoted, lifting his nose, covering his consternation. He still wasn’t used to Jacques’ missing sigils, which he’d clearly relied upon to alert him to his man’s proximity.

“I don’t really care if he turns out to be a she. Or one of the indeterminates. Just avoiding it, since he’s clearly a person. A small, noisy, needy person. With a Jackie complex.”

Argent slanted a look at Boniface. “Are you exaggerating?”

“About what? Him?” The man stood there, awkwardly patting the rock imp. “Understating, more like.”

“None of the others have mentioned anything about personality.”

“I should think it difficult to avoid. Comes with personhood.” And with resigned glance at the man catching them up, he fell silent.

Jacques slowed to a stroll before exclaiming, “Lord, here you are. Here you both are. Ah, you want acknowledgment as well? You’ll have more luck with that if you’re no longer a lump.”

Argent was startled when the chrysalis essentially whimpered.

“All right,” Jacques soothed, putting a hand against the crystal. “Uncle Jackie’s here.”

“He calls you daddy,” muttered Boniface.

Jacques’ gaze softened. “Clever boy, aligning yourself with Clan Smythe. Wait a tick. What’s he call you?”

“Not sure. It’s not a word, exactly. More of a trill. Maybe it doesn’t translate from impish?” He addressed the chrysalis again, “If you came out and found your feet, you could simply follow your daddy around like a proper toddler.”

“Assuming rock imps have precocious young.”

Argent was several varieties of stunned by this exchange. Between two men who generally referred to each other in snide tones. Yet here, in a shining lump of crystalline potential, they’d found common ground. And quite possibly a united front. He found himself asking, “What did you two do with this one?”

Jacques glanced between Argent and Boniface. “Nothing special …?”

“Definitely just bearing up under the responsibility,” confirmed Boniface.

“The others have been comparatively quiescent,” said Argent. “Even Michael’s.”

“Ours is clearly the pick of the litter,” Boniface said smugly.

“Speaking of Michael.” Jacques eyed Argent. “I take it you already know?”

“Mmm.”

Boniface shifted into a quizzical stance. Avian, of course.

Jacques responded as if it was the most natural thing in the world. “Sansa’s gone into labor, and birthings trigger his lordship’s flight instinct.”

“Why? Are you squeamish? I’d be squeamish.”

Argent opted for honesty. “I am sensitive to the mother’s stress and the accompanying strain on the child. Especially when potent souls are involved.”

Boniface pointed in the direction they’d been walking. “More distance?”

“Please.”

“Is it worse because there are twins? When I was here last, Nonny mentioned twins.”

Argent said, “So it would seem.” It was as good an excuse as any.

But then Jacques suddenly asked, “Will this small distance really make a difference? I can tell you’re … ah. Shall we say invested?”

Argent favored his man with a warning look. Really, it was unnerving how much Jacques could see. His man made a subtle sign for secrecy, and Argent could feel Jacques’ approval, which somewhat diminished Argent’s pique over being found out.

When Tsumiko had first arrived at Stately House, he’d been near death from depletion and ready for the respite. But presented with a beacon’s resources, he’d taken full advantage of her ignorance and her generosity, only to realize that the more strength he pulled into his reserves, the more he found. At first, he could only be relieved. Then greedy. Then alert enough to shore up his defenses, lest his new mistress break him.

And still he took.

Adding to his flourish.

Building his reserves.

And still there was more.

Perhaps he’d done it to please her. Maybe he’d wanted to see if it could be done. Softly. Slyly. Because Tsumiko’s first wish—her first command—had been for Michael and Sansa to become family, and Argent was inclined to protect that wish.

So he took and took.

Stealing in abundance.

Bestowing by increments.

And them none the wiser.

He’d known someone would notice eventually. That the couple Tsumiko considered kin were sharing her years. At least, that was Argent’s perspective. Because it would be unseemly for a fox to bind three lives to his own. His role was … conduit.

For her sake. And for his own. But also for Stately House.

Its future would spring from her faith and his foresight.

He doubted any would quibble over the consequences, which were largely good. The only upshot thus far had come to light during Vanya’s birth.

Invested? That was understatement.

Privy. That was closer to the truth.

Argent occasionally worried what Sansa might do once she realized their connection existed. She might take exception. He certainly would have.

Jacques redirected by asking, “Are the babies beacons?”

“Probably not this time.”

Boniface’s eyes widened. “Lord, there’s a beacon in the enclave. Isn’t that meant to be incredibly rare?”

“Has nobody mentioned?” Jacques asked. “His lordship is too subtle by far. Tsumiko is a beacon, as is Michael’s and Sansa’s daughter Lilya.”

“We’ve met. Kyrie made sure to introduce me to both his best friends.”

“Boon brought home another beacon. Dr. Elara Perrine is still operating with a seal. Much like Tsumiko, she’s had no formal training. And … I would rank Naoki at beacon-class. Not that we’ll be publicizing either doctor’s presence in our enclave.”

“Come to think … Kyrie did mention that the chauffeur was a dynasty founder. He left out the particulars, though. I suppose he was trying to make certain I was showing proper respect.”

He sounded exasperated. With himself.

“While not beacons, I am putting stock in Nonny’s prediction that these twins will wreak havoc. Already there are signs of … synergy.”

Boniface asked, “Is anyone surprised? Resonance is clearly the done thing at Stately House.”

With a short laugh, Jacques said, “Synergy or no, Sansa will have her progeny well in hand.”

True words and truer.

Argent dragged his attention to the fore and brightened at the prospect of further distraction. Quickening his pace, he accosted Suuzu and Akira and genially lied, “I do not wish to intrude …?”

Suuzu tutted dismissively, and Akira’s smile was as artless and endearing as ever. Keeping hold of Suuzu’s hand, he spoke for both of them. “We don’t mind. We were actually waiting here for Boniface.”

This was news to Argent. They were on the path that led in the general direction of Randolla’s shop, so he’d assumed Boniface intended to consult with the tailor. It was a very Smythe thing to do.

“We’ve been walking all morning,” Akira went on. “I wanted to see where the grove would be. And places with room for another tree. For my tree.

“I would be happy to show you the sites I had in mind.” Argent considered the Smythe brothers’ shoes and warned, “It would involve a great deal of walking.”

“My bit won’t take long. Wait here while I rally the powers that be.” And Boniface sauntered off.

“What’s he on about?” Jacques asked curiously.

“He asked us to meet him here,” said Akira.

Jacques peered doubtfully at the frozen marsh. “Here?”

Argent didn’t know what Bon-Bon was up to, which was mildly vexing.

The man was already returning, bustling along despite his burden, beaming as he placed an antique-looking key in Suuzu’s hand. “There you are. Best I could come up with on short notice. It’s a bit early, but Happy Christmas and all that.”

Jacques broke the sudden silence. “What does that key unlock?”

Boniface spun in place and pointed to one of the sedge’s several huts. “That one at the very edge. With the ladder. I had it added for Akira. Rustic, I know, but there’s a little stove and basic plumbing. Cabinets and shelving. A window seat. Otherwise unfurnished, but Randolla assured me that Suuzu would want to feather his own nest.”

Akira glanced up at Suuzu, who looked utterly stunned.

More tentatively now, Boniface said, “He’s laid in several bolts for you to choose from. We could go along now …? Have a look …? Non …?”

Argent decided to intervene. “You bought Suuzu a nest.”

“Arranged for,” Boniface corrected. “It’s a rental. Ready for immediate occupancy. I thought … well. Even if they keep their suite in the main house, don’t all newlyweds like a bit of privacy?”

Jacques warmly declared, “Bravo.”

Boniface flushed and cast another worried glance Suuzu’s way, only to have the young avian step closer and pull him into an embrace that Akira quickly joined. Not much was said, but Boniface grumbled about getting soppy and only doing his part.

Jacques tucked his arm through Argent’s. “Good man,” he murmured.

Argent confessed, “I hated you both. Or perhaps … I resented the hold you had over me. I was at your mercy.”

“You still are.”

“By choice,” Argent countered. “Having a choice makes all the difference.”

“About that.”

Concern jittered through the connection that contact fostered, and several tails flashed into the open before Argent could get himself in hand. He coolly asked, “What has you worried.”

“It’s … well, I came to a realization.” Jacques sighed. “Lord, don’t go snarly. It’s nothing to do with enemies at the door or portents of doom. It’s more personal. But it’s affecting the people I care about.”

Argent brought out more tails, wreathing his man in a show of support. “Tell me.”

“As you may recall, I have considerable experience when it comes to pursuits of a pleasurable nature.”

“Is that pertinent?”

Jacques nodded. “I have—shall we say—basis for comparison.”

Argent couldn’t imagine why he was mincing words. “You hardly need my advice when it comes to the needs of one’s bonded.”

“Non.” The man glanced toward Suuzu’s celebratory cluster. “I apologize for bringing up a delicate subject.”

“You’ve never minded before.”

“I’m not teasing, Argent. I wouldn’t. Not when I know how important this is. And for how many.” He lowered his voice. “Not when I know what it will mean for you. What I’ve already gone and done.”

“You have effectively established your feelings on the matter. The facts, less so.”

Jacques took a deep breath, then quietly announced, “I know what I am.”

Argent straightened. “You have realized something about Dayith’s legacy?”

“Mmm. Rather.” But instead of stating it plainly, he asked, “You know how Tenma is the answer to the Broken? It has to be due to impish meddling, either directly or somewhere in his bloodline.”

“That is the going theory.”

“My legacy is similar-ish. And devilishly apropos.”

“In what sense?”

“Look, I didn’t know. And I apologize. But … it’ll be fine.”

Argent stared blankly, trying to sift through the sudden shift of emotions. “Jackie, what is it you think you’ve done?”

“I’ll just say it.”

“I think you had better.”

“The thing of it is, Tenma is the answer to the Broken.” With an apologetic sort of smile, Jacques revealed, “And I’m the answer to the Waning.”