Chapter 296
The last leg of their trip wound through the mountains, and it was three a.m. when they stopped before a gate. Hikaru hurried to open the door for them. Maeko led them inside and up a path to a long, single story house that looked like it had fallen out of a period Japanese movie. A misty fog gave the cold, dark countryside an eerie air that was complemented by the loud, echoing clink of what turned out to be a bamboo fountain.
Lights shone in a few of the windows, and Maeko stopped before a set of broad sliding doors and bowed low. "Welcome to our sanctuary."
The door slid open to reveal the cheerful face of a teen boy. His hair was short and dark and even Katelina could tell that he was still human. He introduced himself as Ryuu and welcomed them again. By the time Katelina finally got inside the entryway and slipped off her shoes, she felt more than welcomed.
Verchiel pulled on a pair of slippers and glanced around. "Is this where you hid the Heart?"