Raiku folded her arms beneath her breats. “Nonsense! If Yuki has decided that this child has some small measure of worth, then she must be quite valuable.”

“But-” Tetsuko protested, looking up from the floor.

Raiku cut her off with a sharp wave of her hand. “If you can’t prevent a child from throwing a temper tantrum, how will you prevent a man from taking what he wants without payment. I have half a mind to toss your worthless carcass out right now.”

Tetsuko slumped to the ground, embarrasment and anger reddening her cheeks further.

“Wait.” Kiri said softly.

Both women turned toward the girl they had ignored.

The young girl continued haltingly. “I’m sorry. Please don’t send her away.”

“What you want is irrelevant. The needs of the Silk Lily must come first…” Raiku trailed off, her eyes glazing over. She started to pitch forward and seemed to wake up with a start, catching herself. The “Auntie” shook her head as if to clear it. “What was I saying?”

Tetsuko and Kiri exchanged a look that of surprise.