“Ha!” Kat scoffed. “A giant samurai and a drenched fire mage? I won’t even have to try!”

“No,” a voice sounded from all around them. “Go check on our spider. I fear he wishes to drain my prize of her life-force. I should have never trusted that wretch! I will deal with them.”

Kat glanced between Muji and Lawrence. The failed mage could see she was disappointed that she would be deprived of the opportunity to kill them.

“Very well, mistress.”

The young witch turned and ran off, her speed quicker than that of any normal human—even that of the most skilled ninja.

Lawrence looked about.

That other witch. But where is she?

Suddenly the failed mage was distracted at the sound of something crashing on the rooftop a street behind them to the left—then a small figure in white shot through the air and out of sight, another crash resounding in the upper floors of the machiya to their right.

“Haku!”

Muji jumped into the street. “What did you say, mage?”

The huge samurai’s voice was demanding. Was that concern? No—that couldn’t be right.

He raised his blade defensively. This is not what he needed right now, but perhaps The Masked Demon would lend Lawrence a distraction against the witch of whose voice they had both just heard—the voice of Kat’s mistress, the witch who said she would deal with them.

He took two steps back. I have to help Haku.

“I asked you a question, gaijin!”

“You’re my enemy,” Lawrence replied impatiently. “What makes you think I will tell you anything you ask?”

“Do you not see we fight the same enemy?” He gestured vaguely to the side, indicating the disembodied voice moments ago.