“No. It was much busier last time I visited. I wonder if Mai is having trouble.”
“You care about her.” Lizzy put a little jealousy into the words, but he didn’t seem to notice or more likely care.
“Mai’s like a niece. I make an effort to check on her when I’m in the area so I can keep Ip up on how she’s doing. I fear my next report won’t be as good as the last one.”
“I don’t think she sees you as an uncle. I’m good at spotting that sort of thing. She’s infatuated with you.”
The door opened again and the young men returned, their feet bare, taking a table on the opposite side of the room. Their gazes all lingered on Lizzy, but she was used to it. The only thing that disappointed her was Lee’s total lack of reaction to their ogling. It seemed he didn’t feel anything for her yet. She’d have to step up her pace.
“I can’t believe Mai sees me that way. I’m old enough to be her father.”
Lizzy shook her head about the general cluelessness of men, but Mai’s return kept her from further comment. The young innkeeper placed a bowl of noodles mixed with meat and vegetables in front of each of them, a pair of chopsticks crossed over the top.
Lee took a bite and sighed. “Delicious, Mai, as always. How much you getting for a bowl these days?”
Mai waved her hand. “Your coin is no good here, Master. Eat up. I have to check on my other guests.”
Mai left them to their meal which Lee seemed to thoroughly enjoy. While they were eating two more parties arrived, a young couple and a middle-aged man on his own. Mai bustled about, taking orders before returning to the kitchen to cook.
“Does she run the whole place by herself?” Lizzy took an indifferent bite of pork. Though she could eat like a human if necessary, she didn’t particularly enjoy it.
Lee slurped the last of his broth. “She has a pair of girls that come in and clean now and then, but otherwise she does. The sad truth is there isn’t enough business from honest people to justify hiring help.”
Lizzy took one last bite and pushed the almost-full bowl away. “How do you know so much about it?”
“I told you, I helped build this place. Not just the structure, but the business. I worked here for three months, mainly to keep the local thugs from causing her trouble. I made it pretty clear what would happen if anyone gave Mai a hard time and word spread quickly. She hasn’t had any problems since I left, at least not that she mentioned.”
Lizzy chuckled. “When you have Lee Ben Lai as a guardian angel the world is a good deal less frightening. Small wonder she’s infatuated with you.”
Chapter 6
After dinner Mai led them upstairs to the guest rooms. Their doors were directly across from each other, separated by a narrow hall. Lee had offered her a polite goodnight and closed his door behind him. For someone so perceptive he could really be dense. She’d leaned in the doorway, smiling, and licked her lips. She’d done everything short of ripping her clothes off to show she was willing to sleep with him. But no, all she got was a polite nod, a cool “See you in the morning,” and the door in her face.
Lizzy lay on her hard, narrow bed and stared at the ceiling. If anyone could see her they’d find her eyes glowing in the dark. She growled deep in the back of her throat. It couldn’t be that he didn’t find her attractive, everyone found her attractive. Lust was as much a part of her nature as violence. No, the problem was he didn’t trust her.
No surprise there. How could you trust someone who walks up to you in the middle of nowhere and asks to be your apprentice? She needed to find a way to demonstrate her devotion.
Her musing was ended by a faint knock on her door. Her heart raced for a moment before she realized it wasn’t Lee on the other side. His soul force was farther away and still, indicating he’d fallen asleep. Maybe it was Mai, though what the young woman might want with her was beyond Lizzy.
She hopped out of bed, slipped her dress back on, and opened the door. The lone man from downstairs stood facing her. The single lamp from the hall cast his face in deep shadows. Perhaps he had misunderstood her profession.
“I’m not for sale.” She started to close the door.
He grabbed the door with surprising strength for such a skinny man. “I’m not in the market for a whore.” He spoke in a sibilant whisper.
Lizzy forced herself to swallow despite a suddenly dry throat. She’d heard of the minister’s chameleons, elite spies and assassins capable of blending in anywhere. They were whispered about even amongst the empire’s demon population, though Lizzy knew of no one that had met one of them, at least that they were aware of.
She pulled the door open and stepped out of his way. The spy slid inside and she closed the door behind him.
“Don’t raise a barrier. He’s more likely to sense your conjuring than hear our quiet conversation. How progresses your mission?”
“It’s only been two days. He’s agreed to let me travel with him, but it will take time to win his full trust.”
“Time is not something you have in abundance. The master is generally the most patient of men, but these are not the best of circumstances. Many in court speak against Lee Ben Lai. They seek to name him an enemy of the empire.”
Lizzy grimaced. “If the empire arrests and executes Lee the people will rise up. Those I’ve seen hold him not so much in respect, as awe. A rash act might set off another civil war.”
“The minister is aware of that and wishes you to speed things up. You must convince him to make the oath. Not just for your own sake, but for his and the whole empire’s. The minister has advised the emperor, may he rule a thousand years, that any hasty action would not be in the empire’s best interest, but he is among the minority. Most view Lee as a threat.”
Lizzy sat on the edge of the bed and held her head in her hands. What was she supposed to do? Seduction wasn’t something you could hurry up because you thought it was taking too long. It took as long as it took, not that the minister was likely to accept her excuses.
“He’s not a threat. All he wants is what’s best for the empire. The problem is Lee thinks of the empire in terms of the regular people not the nobles. Tomorrow he’s planning to have it out with Lord Kang.”
“No! No, no, no. That is exactly what can’t happen. Kang is a leading voice against Lee. If he’s attacked or threatened it will prove the point of those who’ve argued against Lee. My master can buy a little more time, but if Lee moves against Kang that will be the end of it.”
Lizzy narrowed her eyes. “Your concern seems a little more personal than it should.”
“Yes, well, if the order goes out to kill Lee, I’m the nearest agent. Frankly, I would prefer not to test myself against a legend. I doubt I would come out of it alive.”
“I have my doubts as well. I’ll do the best I can, but Lee is a man of principle. Please try and contain your shock. I wasn’t certain any of them existed either, until I met him. If he believes speaking to Kang is the only way to protect innocent people, nothing and no one will dissuade him.”
“For all our sakes, pray you’re wrong.”
Chapter 7
Since she had no need to sleep it was no trial for Lizzy to remain awake and aware all night, her senses focused on Lee’s room, alert for the first sign of him waking. She needed to move the instant he woke. If she could catch him still groggy, maybe she’d have better luck.
Lizzy grimaced at her desperation. Whatever happened she couldn’t let it show. Along with time, confidence was another essential component of a successful seduction.
The first hints of light were poking in through her window when she felt his soul force stir. Lizzy jumped out of bed, dressed, and stepped into the hall. She knocked and a few seconds later a wild-haired and blinking Lee opened up.
“What?”
“We need to talk.” Lizzy brushed past him and into his room.
He groaned and closed the door. “It won’t keep until after breakfast?”
“No. I can’t
take it anymore.” Lizzy wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.
Lee pushed her gently, but firmly, away. “You’re not the sort of woman I like.”
Lizzy smiled and started to pull off her dress. “I’m the kind of woman every man likes.”
“Not me.”
She paused, surprised at the disdain in his voice. “Why? Am I not beautiful?”
“Outwardly, certainly. Like the crimson lily, you’re lovely on the outside and poison on the inside. Just how stupid do you think I am?”
“I don’t understand.” Lizzy put a little hurt in her voice along with a quaver.
“Stop, just stop. Your tricks and your lies don’t impress me. Either tell me the truth or get out.”
He knew she was a fraud, but just how much of the rest she couldn’t guess. His cold, flat expression gave away nothing. “What do you want me to do?”
“Taking that little ring off would be a good start.” He eyed the silver ring the minister had given her.
“It’s a precious heirloom.”
Lee shook his head. “Get out.”
“Fine, damn you.” She ripped the ring off her finger and flung it across the room. “Satisfied?”
He pursed his lips. “A demon, well, I expected something like that. You may as well show me the rest.”
She’d come this far. Lizzy’s form blurred and her wings grew out her back through disguised slits in her dress. “There. I have no more secrets. Satisfied?”
He snorted. “No more secrets? I find that hard to believe. Who sent you and why?”
She folded her wings around her and sat on his bed. This might take a while. “The minister of intelligence sent me to seduce you and convince you to make the Binding Oath.”
“Sethis Yon, I should have known. Can’t those fools in the capital take a hint? I’ll never give my allegiance to such a corrupt group. I thought I made that clear to the last messenger he sent.”
“You know the minister?” She frowned. “And he sent other messengers?”
Lee laughed and his expression softened. A conjured chair appeared behind him and he sat. “I’ve never met him face to face, but he’s tried to change my mind at least once a year for the past decade. You’re certainly his most attractive effort so far.”
“So you do find me attractive.” Lizzy found herself more pleased by his admission than she should have been.
“Of course, I’m not blind after all. Beautiful or not I still don’t trust you. The fact that you work for Sethis is all the reason I need for that. Let’s find something to eat and go see Kang.”
“No! You can’t confront him. It’ll be all the excuse Kang’s faction at court will need to convince the emperor to name you an enemy. Once that happens all hell will break loose.”
“It doesn’t matter. I gave those miners my word that nothing would happen to them. I’m only going to talk.” Lee shrugged. “And maybe threaten a little.”
“There’s nothing I can do to change your mind? You could just stay in your room for the rest of the day.” Lizzy winked.
Lee sighed and stood up. “You won’t let it go, will you? Best lose the wings. We don’t want to give Mai a heart attack.”
While Lizzy shape-shifted Lee retrieved her ring from the corner of the room. When she was finished he took her hand and slipped the ring on her finger. A little shiver ran through Lizzy.
He held her hand and smiled. “It was an excellent disguise, but the ring subtly warps the flow of your soul force. I doubt most people would notice, but I was suspicious from the moment we met.”
He released her hand and she felt at a loss for a moment. Lizzy shook her head and focused. “There’s no way I can talk you out of going to Kang’s mansion?”
“I’m sorry, but it has to be done. Don’t worry, if he’s reasonable there’ll be no trouble.”
A reasonable government official? There had to be some, but she doubted Kang was one of them.
Chapter 8
Lizzy and Lee left The White Lotus after breakfast. Lee seemed to enjoy it, but everything tasted like ashes to her. She’d completely failed in her mission. The target had seen right through her and was now poised to do exactly what her employer didn’t want him to. All in all this was easily the most dismal failure in her centuries on the mortal plane.
Kang’s estate was on the western side of the city, as far as it could get from the river and still be in the vicinity. Even so the stench must have been amazing. His massive manor sprawled in the center of a two-acre fenced-in yard. Three stories tall with blue pillars framing the entrance and gold tile covering the roof, the manor was a study in excess. Statues of white marble dotted the yard. A short flight of steps led up to the main entrance.
Lee landed ten feet from the manor and looked around, frowning. Lizzy knew how he felt. There should have been guards or some sort of defense. She didn’t like it and from the surge of power to Lee’s shield he didn’t either.
“Where is everyone?” she asked.
“They’re here somewhere.” Lee looked left and right. “Something’s disguising their presence. I’ve never sensed anything like it. Some sort of aura is surrounding the whole estate. Any idea what the source might be?”
She shook her head. The energy wasn’t demonic, but it didn’t feel mortal either. It was unusual for Lizzy to encounter something novel, but this certainly qualified.
“Let’s have a look around.”
“Let’s get out of here while we can,” Lizzy countered.
Lee grinned. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that. I don’t know what happened here, but we need to make sure everyone’s okay.”
He walked up the steps and pulled the door open with invisible strands of soul force. No one leapt out at them and no hidden weapon discharged. Lizzy didn’t know if that was a good sign or a bad one. At this point she would have welcomed an attack if only to see another living person. Demons weren’t supposed to get nervous, but she couldn’t help it. The silent estate gave her chills.
She followed Lee through the door. Pale wood covered the floor and the walls were painted a soft blue-green, with pictures of ships hanging on the walls. Several small model ships decorated dark wood stands. Aside from the decorations the entry hall was empty.
Lee nudged her and pointed to one side of the door. Two sets of shoes sat in a low spot, one large and the other tiny. Someone was home, but who? “Where are the servants?”
He shook his head, reached for his sword, stopped halfway, and lowered his hand once more. “Something evil happened here, something more than Kang’s usual vileness. If you wish to leave I understand.”
“I mean to finish this. Lead on.”
Three sliding paper doors led out of the entryway. Lee went straight ahead, sliding the thin door soundlessly open. Behind it they found an empty dining room, the low table surrounded by cushions and places for two set.
Lee sniffed and glanced at Lizzy. “I smell nothing cooking.”
Lizzy heightened her senses with internal soul force. Now that Lee knew her true nature there was no need to pretend she was a normal sorcerer. “Me either. All I smell is ozone and there’s something dripping.”
The left-hand door led to an equally empty kitchen. Pans sat unused on an iron stove. A fresh daikon and several spring onions lay on the center island beside a spotless knife. No sign of the cook and odder, no sign of a struggle. What in the world had happened here?
Lee and Lizzy searched empty room after empty room and found them all clean and in perfect condition. After scouring the first floor for clues and finding nothing but more questions, they headed upstairs.
“The dripping’s getting louder and I’m picking up a hint of decay.”
Lee motioned her to go first. “Lead on.”
Lizzy followed her senses past closed doors, closets of bedding, and a bathroom with a full tub. She stopped in front of the door at the end of the hall. “There’s someone or something dead in there.”
Lee
gestured and the door slid open. Inside was a bedroom that had been turned into an abattoir. Fifteen bodies in various states of dismemberment lay on the floor and bed. A child’s corpse sprawled on a clothes chest, its head nowhere to be found. Lee drifted in, his feet six inches off the ground so he wouldn’t have to walk in the blood. Lizzy followed his lead.
They flew closer to the bed. A fat man and a pretty young woman lay side by side, their torsos split wide open and their guts spread over the top cover. Blood was dripping off the far side. That must have been what she heard.
Lee shook his head. “Kang and his wife, along with the rest of the household. While I loathed the man I didn’t wish him dead. Who could have done this?”
Lizzy thought at once of the chameleon that visited her the night before. If he had a kill team with him they could have done it, but if he did, why bother warning Lizzy to hurry along with her mission? It made no sense, but if not him then who?
A surge of ozone filled the air. Lee shoved her left and dodged right. A lightning bolt crackled through the space they’d just occupied. In the doorway stood a man in tight black clothes, his head wrapped in a black hood and mask. Dark, angry eyes stared at them. The assassin held two bare blades. Arcs of electricity jumped between the naked steel. The assassin’s soul force was nothing. All his power lay in the blades.
Lizzy hurled a blast of hellfire at him. Crackling lightning streaked out to counter the ebony flames.
The folds of his mask twisted and she knew he was smiling. Lee lunged across the room, his sword drawn. Steel flashed as the two master swordsmen fought. In her sorcerous vision Lizzy saw the sheath of soul force the insulated Lee’s sword from the assassin’s lightning.
Lee forced the assassin down the hall, using the longer reach of his blade to his advantage. The assassin countered by binding Lee’s blade and leaning, trying to force him back.
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