Page 103 of Beyond the Storm

King Tatsuya stepped forward and politely bowed in greeting. “A pleasure to see you again.”

“Likewise.” Shin returned the bow before motioning toward the doorway. “Please come with me.”

With Tatsuya in front, we followed the kitsune to a back room furnished with a couch, two armchairs, and a small coffee bar along the back wall. The easy lighting added to the tranquility, as did the trickle of water from a decorative fountain that was built into the opposite wall. Colorful lights followed the stream of water, alternating in shades of blue and green.

“I can prepare coffee,” Shin said as he approached the sleek wooden bar. Soft red lights glowed along the base. “Or tea if you prefer.”

“We won’t be staying long enough for that,” Lazarus said. “Tell us what you know about Lucifer so we can be on our way.”

“Be nice,”I projected into his head.

He shot me an icy look—one that instantly thawed a bit.“Stop looking so proud of yourself.”

I felt my smile widen.

Shin leaned against the bar and crossed his arms. As he looked at Lazarus, his eyes flickered from blue to a bright gold, then back again to their original shade. “Please remember where you are, angel. It’s impolite to barge into someone’s home and start making demands when they’ve already agreed to take time out of their day to help you.”

Castor tried to stifle a laugh and failed. Epically.

Lazarus only stared at the kitsune. Made no apologies but, thankfully, kept any further snide comments to himself.

“Please tell us what you know,” King Tatsuya said, sitting on the couch.

“Lucifer’s energy trail went cold at Shibuya Crossing,” Shin answered. “Not uncommon when dealing with the supernatural. Crossings are often gateways into other realms or entrances into the world behind the veil where many yokai dwell.”

“Yokai?” Raiden asked.

“Spirits,” King Tatsuya explained to him. “Like many things, they can be either good or demonic.”

Shin nodded. “While at the crossing, I picked up another scent. It was faint but definitely present. A tengu.” He looked at Raiden. “Tengu are winged yokai, many of whom are extraordinary swordsmen. Although there are tengu who live peaceful lives, harming no one, there are also those who enjoy causing mayhem and even inciting wars among humankind.”

“Which make them a perfect ally for Lucifer and his dark army,” I said. “So Lucifer met with a tengu leader, more than likely to form an alliance with their clan.”

“Dark clouds are rolling in,” Shin said as his eyes glazed over. “When they reach us, the sky will open up, and blood will rain down on the world.” He blinked and turned to me. “You must prepare yourself for a battle unlike any other. You and your brothers are all that stands between us and the darkness.”

As we left the café, Shibuya thrived around us. Lights, sounds, the flow of bodies up and down the street as people shopped, headed to restaurants, and met up with friends. We, however, were silent.

A battle unlike any other.

“Can that Shin dude, like, see into the future?” Raiden asked, hands shoved into the front pocket of his hoodie.

“In a way,” King Tatsuya responded. “Shin has the gift of sight, but he hasn’t yet mastered that gift. His visions come to him sporadically.”

Kallias glanced at a young couple walking hand in hand. “He saw the end of the world.”

[end of scene]