Story:

Seira folded her hands into her sleeves and turned toward Shiki, apparently satisfied that her guests could wait while she discussed them.

“I really don’t like these two.”

Shiki’s eyes flicked toward the bound sisters. “Seira-sama—”

“Look at them. Sitting there like a queen and a princess, glaring at me without the slightest respect.”

Violet’s patience finally broke. “I am a queen!”

Her shout rang through the inner chamber.

“And the woman beside me is a princess! Untie us, you insufferable bastard!”

Kicho jerked upright beside her, the ropes pulling taut across her shoulders. “Immediately.”

Seira raised her eyebrows. “Oh. At least they speak Japanese.” She glanced at Shiki. “Rather a boring, ancient accent, though. Did we summon them out of a theatrical troupe?”

“Seira-sama, perhaps—”

“Hey.” Seira turned back toward the sisters.

“Whatever titles you had, you are presently captives in my shrine. Stop screaming, monkeys.”

For a moment, Violet was too offended to produce a sound.

Kicho managed a sharp, disbelieving breath. “Mon—”

“Now listen carefully.” Seira raised one hand. “I don’t think you are the people we intended to summon.” That interrupted them.

Her expression shifted from mockery to irritation, though neither sister seemed to find the change reassuring.

“The ritual brought you here. Unfortunately, recognizing that something has gone wrong does not immediately tell me how to reverse it.”

Violet’s eyes narrowed. “You mean you cannot send us back.”

“I mean I am thinking.” Seira’s smile returned, thin and thoroughly unhelpful. “An activity greatly assisted by silence. Could you try contributing some?”

Kicho drew breath for an answer that Shiki visibly braced herself to hear.