Page 69 of Cherry Moon

Sakura twirled in the sky above our cottage, making cute rings of blossoms, really putting on show for us.

The tenshi’s blessing in full flow.

As much as I was still mad at them, I wouldn’t allow anger to win. Not anymore. It would be too exhausting, too much of a distraction. Their actions aside, the new threat did have to be met head-on.

What about the greater tide?

Later. Not now.

And anti-magic failing to keep Bony Hag’s mitts off you?

I said later!

How funny that I’d still have a hand in helping the tenshi out, though. Through Zach, but still with my fingers in the pie.

Always a fucking pleasure to shake hands with irony.

Tearing my gaze away from the window, I checked myself over once more in the bedroom mirror.

I had on a royal blue suit with a white shirt and a baby-blue tie, stylish black shoes on my feet.

I’d let my hair be free, freshly trimmed and straightened, pinned at the back with a cupcake-shaped hairgrip Riku gave me.

A mega rarity for me to have sleek locks, for sure, but I liked it.

“Looking sharp,” I told my reflection.

“I’ll say.”

Mrs. Dawson stood in the doorway.

“Oh, hi.”

“My son is looking just as good.”

I hadn’t seen him yet. “Nothing new there.”

She appreciated the praise of her spawn. “How are you, honey? May I come in?”

“Absolutely. And I’m fine. Nervous. Might need another pee.”

She chuckled as she entered the room, stylishly dressed in a mint-green dress and heels, her fascinator tilted at the perfect angle on her short, blow-dried auburn hair.

“It’s so nice to be here again,” she said. “I’m proud of you both for building this place, for always sticking together.”

My cheeks heated a little. “Thanks. Appreciate it.”

She swapped her matching clutch purse to her opposite hand. “I’m sorry things aren’t going as smoothly as they should.”

I hesitated to answer.

“If only we could convince you to move to Crispin Grove. It’s perfect for a quiet life.”

G’s mum opened a doorway for a new thought. There was me banging on about being with my family, but what about his? He lived thousands of miles away from his parents.

Man, what a selfish prick I was.

“But that’s not the world we live in,” she added. “And I’m not trying to make you feel guilty. In fact, Sam and I were thinking about moving to the UK.” She hesitated. “But after being at the safehouse. We…we’re so worried, Akira.”