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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.”