by Alice Wilde
“You read some children’s stories, so what?” Roan says with annoyance.
“Please, Roan,” I say, giving him what I hope is a gentle but firm look.
“I know it sounds ridiculous, but according to the text, the only way to get rid of a shifter for good is to have another shifter kill it. So, when I boarded your ship and saw the three of you, something struck a chord deep within me.”
“Our eyes gave us away, didn’t they?” Roan says.
“To be honest, yes and no,” Luo says. “The only other time I’d seen a man with such vivid eyes was the sorcerer. But of course, I couldn’t be completely sure until I either saw you shift or managed to get you to go after the shifter…”
“Is that why you tried so hard to force me and my men to be reactionary?” I ask hesitantly. I hate the thought of anyone being cruel on purpose simply to try to get Li and Roan to shift, but it would make sense given what he’s told us so far.
“Yes,” Luo says, looking down at his hands. “I am sorry for that, and I’ll make sure anyone I’ve treated poorly over the past year is well taken care of.”
My stomach tightens at the thought of all the people he’s used, whether or not it was because he actually wanted to treat them that way.
“Wait,” Li says, “then how do you know that we’re shifters?”
“Honestly, I didn’t…until just now,” Luo says with a slight smile. “No matter what I did, none of you would show your true form. It was only after Annalise and I were dining with Gao that I realized just how far I’d fallen to offer up a woman to that beast just for my own benefit, and I hated myself for it.”
“Which is why you freed us from our cell,” Li says quietly.
“Yes. I couldn’t stop the sorcerer from hurting Annalise, but at least I could let you try. Although it seems we weren’t really needed,” Luo says, glancing toward me.
“I don’t understand why he wanted me in the first place,” I say.
“Snake shifters have a more voracious appetite than most men. They tend to enjoy inflicting inordinate amounts of pain on their victims, and they often need fresh blood to stay young…which leaves them with fewer options over time as they slowly drink each body dry. I don’t think he realized how much more difficult it would be to get what he wanted while ruling a country…or at least pretending to rule.”
I shudder at the reminder of what he’d done to me.
“It helps if the victim isn’t someone from the court,” Luo continues, “and a foreign body that no one really knows would be even less suspicious if it were to suddenly go missing.”
“Lunatic,” Roan growls.
“How has he not been caught before now?” Li asks skeptically.
Luo shifts uncomfortably before answering. “He’s been taking villagers in the night, often women. They’re returned by dawn or a few days later, drained…”
“Surely people must have complained,” Li says.
“Of course. If the women had relatives or a husband, they’d often come to implore the emperor to do something, but Gao would chalk it up to insanity and dismiss them. Only the people living within the city walls had some measure of safety, although they didn’t know it.”
We sit in silence for a long moment as we all think about what Luo has told us. I can’t help but wonder if that was what I’d seen the man in the throne room crying over the first time I’d met Gao.
“But he’s dead now,” I finally say, breaking the silence. “This…this snake shifter won’t be able to hurt anyone else, right?”
“I believe so,” Luo says, relief in his voice. “He was killed by a shifter, which fulfills the—”
“I’m not a shifter,” I clarify.
“You…you are not?” Luo asks, and he wobbles as though his legs might go out from under him. “But…but you said…”
“Roan and I are shifters,” Li says. “Annalise is not.”
Luo finally gives way and falls into a nearby chair. “Then…then that beast…that monster is still alive!”
“What do you mean?” Roan asks, suddenly moving to pull me, sheets and all, closer to him. “He’s lying dead right in front of us!”
“I think,” Li says slowly, “the snake’s spirit is still alive.”
“Yes,” Luo said, his head in his hands in despair. “From the little I do know, Annalise’s actions only caused Gao’s body to no longer be physically inhabitable. The sorcerer’s spirit has been released and is most likely returning back to his home on top of the mountain.”
“And your wife and child, are they still alive?” I ask softly.
“I haven’t been able to bring myself to go check. Not yet.”
“Okay, so what are you planning to do about Gao?” Li asks.
“Hopefully the spell over the kingdom has been broken now that he’s no longer possessing Gao’s body,” Luo says. “Otherwise, we’re going to be in a world of trouble the next time someone walks in.”
“Well, what are we waiting for?” I ask, moving to get up from the bed, only to have Roan hold me tighter.
“You’re not dressed, lass.”
I blush deeply at the realization. You’d think I’d be used to being naked or partially naked in their company by now, but I’m not.
“Just a moment,” Luo says, removing himself from the foot of the bed and striding to a large chest on the other side of the room.
He pulls out a stunning silk robe and returns to hand it to me. The fabric shimmers like water even in the dim light. It’s soft pink in color and colorfully embroidered with the most beautiful bird I’ve ever seen.
“It was my wife’s,” Luo says softly, clearing his throat as he turns to look away, but not before I notice tears in his eyes.
I feel a pang of empathy for him, but I can’t help but be reminded of the way he treated the women on the ship, let alone myself and my own companions. It’s going to take more than a few words for him to gain my trust.
Li gets up and walks a few paces away as Roan lifts the sheet to allow me to get dressed in private, blocking me from the view of everyone…or almost everyone. I hurry to wrap the robe around me, doing my best to avoid looking at Gao’s dead body, his eyes still open, but they are just a soft brown now. I can’t help but notice how kindly his face looks now, and my heart breaks for the man this once was. His loyalty cost him his life, and I can’t help but wonder what good it did anyone.
“I’m ready,” I say as I finish tying the robe closed and step closer to Roan.
“Here goes nothing,” Luo says. “Guards!”
Ten
Li
We hold our breath at the sound of footsteps hurrying toward us, and I brace myself for whatever may happen next. It appears the man who had been waiting outside the chamber disappeared at some point during the evening, leaving the room unguarded.
Several men push through the heavy curtain over the door and enter the room. They look from the body on the bed to the four of us, and then back, trying to understand the scene before them. I can hear Annalise’s heart beating faster with every passing second as we wait to see how they’ll react.
After what feels like an eternity, the head guard suddenly drops to his knee in front of Luo, and the other men follow suit. I let out a soft sigh, relieved that it appears we won’t have to fight our way out of this one.
“Forgive me, Your Imperial Highness,” the guard says in a quaking voice. “We have neglected our duty to guard your life.”
“Nonsense,” Luo says, signaling for him to rise. “Gao died defending me, but the wretched creature that did this is still alive. I need your help in ridding us of this menace.”
“Command and we shall obey,” the man says fiercely, rising to his feet.
“Pardon my intrusion,” I say hastily, hoping not to offend Luo with my manners.
“How dare you,” the guard snarls, moving in my direction, but Luo holds up his hand to stop him.
“Speak.”
“I think it may be unwise
to send your men to deal with this particular…man,” I say carefully. “If it pleases you, I suggest you allow Roan and myself to seek him out.”
Luo turns to look at me curiously. “You’d do that, even after all that’s happened?”
“If what you said is true, then it’s the only way to be sure that we get rid of him for good. Otherwise, there’s no way to know exactly what will happen to your men when they encounter him…or if your men will even return.”
“We are the best fighters in the kingdom,” the guard says coldly. “We can defeat any enemy we come across.”
“No one is doubting that,” Luo says, giving the man a stern look. “However, I think Li might be right in this case.”
The guard’s jaw tightens, but he remains quiet as we all wait for the emperor to make his decision.
“Very well, Li. You and Roan may go weed out this monster, but Annalise will stay here.”
“Your Majesty—”
“Don’t argue with me on this point,” Luo says. “It’s for her own safety, as well as my own. After everything that’s happened, I’d like to ensure that you’ll at least return to inform me of what happens…if you return at all.”
I don’t like the way he says this, but I can’t help but understand where he’s coming from with his request.
“I’ll have to discuss it with Roan and Annalise.”
“Of course,” Luo says. “Oh, and if you choose to do this for me, I can only imagine how much I’d be indebted to you…”
I catch the meaning in his tone and nod, bowing slightly at my waist before turning to Roan and Annalise.
“We need to speak,” I say, gesturing toward the other side of the room.
Annalise and Roan follow me as we step away from the emperor and his men, who have begun dealing with the dead body on the bed.
“I think we have a way to seal our alliance with the emperor,” I say.
“As if he hasn’t done enough to owe us for the rest of our lives,” Roan growls.
“I know, but I don’t think he sees it that way. He may be embarrassed by his actions, but for him, he was simply acting out of necessity.”
Roan rolls his eyes but doesn’t say anything.
“What is this way in?” Annalise asks.
“The snake shifter is still alive, and if what he says is true, then Roan and I may be the only ones who can destroy him once and for all.”
“Absolutely not,” Roan says, angrily stepping forward. “I’m not about to risk my life, let alone Annalise’s, for that man no matter what his excuse is for his earlier behavior.”
“We’d only be risking our own,” I say calmly. “Annalise would have to stay behind.”
“I don’t want to be left alone again,” Annalise says in a worried whisper.
“I know, and I’d prefer it if we didn’t have to go, but it seems like the best course of action. Besides, if Roan and I can rid the city of this monster, we’ll ensure no one else gets hurt by him again, then the emperor will have no choice but to offer his aid in our own quest.”
Annalise looks at me thoughtfully for a long second before sighing. “I know you’re right,” she says. “I hate the idea that we are still the ones who need to earn his trust. But if you think that this will help us get closer to building our own army, then you have to do it.”
“Are you sure, lass?”
“No, but I don’t see that we have much choice.”
“I have to be honest,” I interject, “I don’t know how easy this will be, or how powerful this particular shifter is. I’ve never met another shifter.”
Annalise gives me a look, and I can’t help but smile.
“I mean, besides those that Damien has caught, and those have all been at least partially human.”
“You mean this snake spirit isn’t even part human?” Roan asks in disbelief.
“Of course not. From what I’ve gathered from Luo’s story, he seems to be able to take the form of a human, but other than that, he’s as far from human as a demon spirit can be.”
“How do you know so much about snake spirits?” Annalise asks curiously.
“I don’t, this is all speculation.”
Roan and Annalise look at me warily.
“So, you want us to go find and kill some kind of spirit creature that no one really knows anything about?” Roan says sarcastically. “Sounds like a fantastic plan, I don’t see this going wrong in the slightest.”
“Perhaps you can ask to see the text Luo found on the snake spirit?” Annalise asks.
“That’s not a bad idea,” I say. “I’ll see what we can learn before we go.”
“I’m guessing I have no say in the matter?” Roan asks.
“No.”
“Fine, but if this kills us, I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of eternity,” Roan says.
“Look.”
Annalise steps closer and Roan leans over my shoulder as I point down at the dusty text.
“What is it?” they ask in unison.
“This section talks about the snake spirit in great depth, but the Chinese characters are archaic. It’s no wonder Luo had a hard time deciphering what it said.”
“And?”
“He was right about one thing, only another shifter can completely destroy him. However, it’s impossible to kill him while he’s in a human body. You can kill the body but not the spirit.”
“We already know this.”
“Yes, but look here,” I say, dragging my finger along a string of characters. “Even in his spirit form, there’s only one way for a shifter to kill him.”
“Which is?” Roan asks impatiently.
“He has to be in his original shifter form, a snake.”
“Okay, so we get him to shift and then we kill him,” Roan says flatly. “Killing a snake doesn’t sound too hard.”
“The trouble will be figuring out a way to get him to shift,” I say thoughtfully. “Remember, he’s a master trickster, and he’s going to use every trick in the book to get us to let our guard down.”
Roan snorts, but I can tell he’s trying to be brave.
“I don’t think there’s much more we can do to prepare,” I say. “We should head out as soon as day breaks.”
Roan nods in agreement.
“Roan,” Annalise says quietly, “I need to speak with you before you leave.”
My guard goes up immediately at her words. I look down at Annalise, giving her a look of warning, but she pretends not to notice.
“Of course, lass,” Roan says as he takes her hand and they go into one of the nearby bedrooms.
Eleven
Roan
I feel as though I’m falling with no way to save myself. My vision has gone dark, and my heart is lying in a thousand pieces around me.
“Roan?”
I swallow the lump in my throat and try to focus.
“Please, Roan. Say something.”
Annalise’s voice is distant, and numbness washes over me.
“I…I have to go,” I say quietly before turning and exiting the room in a daze.
I step out of the palace and into one of the gardens, turning down one of the winding paths as I try to process what Annalise has just told me.
A baby? I think to myself.
I knew something had changed, but I’d chalked it up to the strain in our relationship over Ero. I hadn’t expected this. How is it even possible?
It’s my own fault. After what happened on the ship with Ero, I should have been more vigilant…I should have been there for her. Instead, I left her unguarded and alone. It’s all my fault…Now, the woman I love is carrying someone else’s child, and the bastard isn’t even around to know.
I stop in my tracks as I suddenly realize that Damien’s gotten what we’ve been trying so hard to keep from happening. What does that mean for us? For Annalise’s people? It doesn’t seem as though anything has changed yet, but perhaps that’s just because it hasn’t reached this part of the world yet.
/>
If only we had listened to Li and stayed away from Annalise, none of this would have happened. I pushed her away when I should have held her close. I should have been there to protect her.
This is all my fault.
Li looks up from the books spread out in front of him as soon as I step into the room. I can tell from his expression that he knows I’m not myself.
“Li—”
“I know.”
“What do you mean you know?” I ask slowly, trying to keep anger from showing in my voice.
“I’m a healer. It’s nearly impossible for me not to notice when a body changes significantly.”
“She’s not even showing yet,” I say. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It wasn’t my news to tell.”
“Maybe not under normal circumstances, but this affects us all!”
Li sighs. “You’re right, but I didn’t see how telling you would actually change anything for us.”
“Our enemy has undoubtedly grown stronger, and we’re about to walk into a deathtrap. How has nothing changed for us?”
Li stares at me intensely. “Are you still going to help Annalise?” he asks flatly.
I glare at Li, rage rising within me, and then I breathe deeply, my heart softening. “Of course, I am.”
“So, there we have it. Nothing’s changed. Now, let’s try to focus on the task ahead,” Li says, turning his attention back to the books he’s been studying.
I watch him for a few seconds and then turn on my heel, striding out of the room. There’s something I have to do first.
Annalise is crying when I find her, her small body curled up on several floor cushions. A surge of pain shoots through my heart, and I chide myself for walking out on her earlier.
Walking over to her, I sit down on the floor beside her, but she doesn’t look up.
“Annalise?”
She continues to cry, and my stomach tightens with discomfort.