Nightblade by Ryan Kirk Page A

I have asked, possesses at least two of these qualities. The third we can provide.”
    There was a momentary silence. Neither Takako nor her father knew what to say. The woman continued after subjecting Takako to another visual examination.
    “It is also my experience that the quicker this goes the better off everyone is. As stated before, this is a difficult day. I have here all of the papers required to be signed for our deal to be concluded. For your convenience I have made two copies, both of which we will sign. In this way, you will also have the agreement in case there are any arguments down the road.”
    The woman took out the papers as she spoke, laying them on a low table that sat between her and Takako’s father. She offered him a quill, which he took hesitantly. He looked over at his daughter one more time, and the sight of her seemed to take all the energy out of him.
    The woman spoke, her soft voice firm in the darkness, “I understand the pain you are going through. I would be much more concerned if you did not hesitate. This business is what it is, and I will make no lies to you about it. However, your daughter will receive the best care possible here. She will be well-fed and educated as well.”
    Her strong voice seemed to reassure Takako’s father, and in two quick movements he signed both the papers in front of him. The woman took the papers, turned them around, and signed them herself. She folded up one copy and gave it to Takako’s father. The other she rolled up and hid somewhere in her kimono. The woman bowed slightly and stood up. “I will take my leave now. I will give you a little while to say good-bye. Once again, I stress that it is easier both for the girl and for you if it goes more quickly but I will not rush you beyond that. Takako, once your father leaves, please remain in this room. I will return shortly to give you a quick tour of the house and then we will find you a bed so you may get some rest.”
    The woman left, her bare feet not making a sound on the polished wooden floor, and Takako’s father came over to his firstborn daughter. He wrapped her up so in an embrace that squeezed the breath out of her. He continued to hold her for a long time. Takako soon realized that her father was crying as his tears ran down into her hair.
    “Please forgive me. I know you don’t know what is happening right now, but when you do figure it out, please forgive me. I swear to you that if there was another path I would have taken it.”
    He turned around and started walking out the door. Takako thought she had never seen her father so defeated. Shouldn’t her first employment be a joyful day? Takako regained her senses long enough to rush up to him to embrace him again before he left. She didn’t know what was happening, but she did know that she wasn’t going to be seeing her father for a very long time.
     
    Moments after her father left the woman came back into the room. Even closing her eyes, Takako imagined that she could sense the woman’s presence. It was difficult to tell what type of woman she was. On the outside she continued to smile and was the perfect image of a caring woman. But Takako couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right about her. It was as if a flexible mask had been placed over a demon trying to convince the world of its goodness.
    Unfortunately Takako had no proof of her feelings. The woman was polite, and even with her father gone the woman’s attitude did not change. She continued to be kind and gentle, leaving no room to suspect any wrongdoing.
    Her reverie was interrupted by the woman. “You may call me ‘Madame.’ All the ladies do, and that is sufficient. I run this business. There is one more piece of business I need to take care of before letting you rest tonight. I need you to take off all of your clothes and lie down.”
    Takako stared ahead. “What do you mean?”
    “I need you to take off your clothes so that I may examine you. I need