Her gasp was reward enough. Time for the instruction to begin.
***
Lucy swallowed another gasp. The stone statue of the tiger Sheng caressed with his fingers warbled, shifting.
As if it were alive.
The second he removed his fingers, the stone became inanimate once more, but she swore the tiger had ruffled its fur. Ridiculous.
He faced her. “See anything, Lucy?”
She shook her head, more at herself than him. Why did he keep asking her that? Maybe her brain had absorbed the ideas he kept shoving in her face, and she hadn’t observed anything.
“Which one is yours?” Apparently unfazed by her denial, he tilted his head toward the two long rows of statues—a firm reminder of the world she’d stepped into. Many Chinese people believed whichever of the twelve animal years they’d been born into destined everything from their personality to whom they should marry. Growing up in a westernized environment, she’d never placed any faith in the notion that the year of her birth dictated her fate.
Her destiny rested in her own damn hands.
Still, she couldn’t deny that a tiger fit Sheng perfectly. Tigers were natural leaders, passionate lovers, and had magnetic personalities. His sign also matched his cocky confidence and smart-ass mouth.
A mouth with firm lips she’d love to nip.
Ugh. Stop focusing on his sexy mouth. Shaking her head, she studied him. She was curious how much Sheng knew about her, how deeply he’d delved into her life.
She quirked an eyebrow in challenge. “Why don’t you tell me?”
Sheng bared his teeth in a half-smile. “Go ahead, Rabbit.” He jerked his chin at the statue.
Her chest tightened. That wasn’t a lucky guess.
Lucy circled him, giving him a wide berth before approaching her Zodiac animal. The long-eared beast crouched behind the tiger. In the Chinese Zodiac, the Rabbit arrived after the Tiger. A fact Sheng no doubt enjoyed tremendously. Anything to claim the upper hand.
It also landed his birthday a year, maybe two, before hers. Unless he’d been born an entire cycle ahead of her. “How old are you?” Even squinting, she was unable to determine his age.
“Thirty-eight.” Arms crossed, he regarded her with a stoic expression until his face broke in a grin. “Gotcha. I’m twenty-six.”
Whew. Unable to hide her relief, she angled her face aside. Nothing wrong with dating a man older than her, so long as he wasn’t that much older.
Whoa. Dating?
Focusing once more on the statue, she stepped beside the rabbit. Energy pulsed through her body as though she’d been shot full of adrenaline. Her senses sharpened and her breathing slowed. The world came to a stop as she reached out her hand.
The second her fingers made contact with the hard stone, a jolt electrified her body. She jerked her hand back, panting, and shot an accusatory glare at Sheng.
The intensity in his expression stopped her from calling him out on a prank. This wasn’t a joke to him. Had the stone rabbit really responded to her?
Sheng stared at her, unmoving, as if willing her to touch the statue again. It worked. She regarded the statue. Her fingers grazed the stone animal’s ears. Better prepared this time, she ignored the sudden spike in her blood.
“Tùzi,” she murmured the Mandarin word for rabbit. The energy pulse dimmed and faded. She kept stroking, palpating the statue everywhere, but the sensation didn’t recur. “It stopped.” She spun to face Sheng. “Why did it stop?”
“Why did what stop?” That smirk of his was beginning to irritate the hell out of her.
She scowled at him, but he headed off to the next temple.
As he swung open heavy wooden doors, a blast of floral, incense-fragranced air wafted over them. Passing by the shrine, he led her to the elevator on the far side.
Really, an elevator? “Where are you taking me?”
“Down,” he replied with a shrug.
“We didn’t have to ride that condemned lift?” Hand planted on her hip, she tilted her face to glower at him.
His eyes flashed with wicked intent. “No.”
Heat blossomed in her core, melting away her indignation. With just one sexy curve of his lips, he made her forget all sorts of things.
Like how her uncle had warned her about him.
And how bad boys weren’t meant for keeping.
***
Sheng’s concerns about Rabbit eased as they approached their destination. Kek Lok Si had once been open to the public, but the Kongsi had built the underground housing when they’d first established residency at the temple.
The Chosen of the Hai San Kongsi trained here, slept here, ate here.
This wasn’t just home, it was their sanctuary. An oasis, secreted from the world, and a place to meditate, reflect, and to seek guidance in restoring balance to the Earth.
Muffled grunting originated from the direction of the training center on their left. He led Lucy that way. Time to formally introduce her to her new family.
Kassian and Fang sparred in the far corner, but stopped as Sheng and Lucy approached. Mei was nowhere to be seen, meaning she was likely somewhere above their heads, hidden inside the foliage of the twenty-foot tropical trees forming a canopy over their lodgings.
Like the temple above, the residency below integrated modern technology with nature. Several waterfalls trickled and the jungle itself crept into their underground chambers, leaving one pondering to whom these caverns belonged…humans or nature.
Balance. A union, not a conquest. A concept the world outside, with its dependency on technology, had forgotten.
No surprise humans had been vulnerable to a pandemic like the Red Death.
Lucy came from the epicenter of that disaster. He tilted his head to study her. She appeared so strong, so steadfast, but what had she experienced before she’d arrived here?
Mei vaulted down from the trees, interrupting his chance to question Lucy.
Tiger clawed forth, urging Sheng to greet Monkey. The youngest of his Kongsi, Mei always brought out his protective side. A little sister to him, Fang, and Kassian.
As she stepped into his embrace, he kissed the top of her head. Releasing her, he gripped first Kassian’s and then Fang’s hands in greeting, bumping shoulders with each man. He lingered for a moment with Fang. Rat remained unnerved from the run-in with Snake last night, so he coaxed Tiger’s energy forward to mingle with Rat’s, hoping the effect soothed his friend.
“Lucy, meet the members of the Hai San Kongsi.” He nudged her forward, straight into Mei’s waiting arms.
“Hello again.” Mei enveloped a rather stiff Lucy in her embrace. “I’m so glad you’re here.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Nice to have another girl around. You have no idea.” Mischief sparked in her wide eyes. Monkey was always up to some trick. If he didn’t trust Mei with his life, no way would he permit Lucy anywhere near her.
This was his family. Hers now too. Each time they added a new member, their energies were fortified. With all of them gathered together, the others must sense this spike of power as well.
Did Lucy? She continued to deny what was inside her, but not for much longer.
Not if he had his way with her.
“Time for introductions.” Mei released Lucy and spun her around. “Lucy, meet Kassian. He’s Ox. This is Fang, our resident Rat. Don’t worry, Rat is nothing like the vermin you’re envisioning.” She laughed at her joke; Fang cast her a lethal glare.
“Glad to have you with us.” Ox’s Australian accent poured thick as he heartily shook Lucy’s hand. “You are with us, right?” He directed his question to Sheng, but Sheng jerked his chin at Lucy to answer.
“Ah…” Her hesitation vibrated off the cavernous walls as she nibbled her lower lip.
“Like that, is it? Li scare you away already?” Kassian’s lips twitched as if he tried to maintain a serious face, but it split into a grin regardless. “Just bustin’ your balls, Lucy.” He winked and leaned in to whisper. “I did
n’t like him at first, either.”
Sheng stiffened, but it would be good for her to realize the others had chosen this. That she had a choice, too.
Despite the roaring will of Tiger.
Ox had been difficult to break, but the spirit was dominant too. Rabbit, by nature, was submissive. Asserting his dominance over the animal should be easier than this, but fuck, Rabbit was putting up one hell of a fight.
As Mei made the introductions, Fang held back. Rabbit and Rat were natural enemies, and Sheng didn’t expect them to get along. Work together in their cause? Hell, yeah. Even if any spark of friendship wouldn’t likely catch flame.
“Fang.” The half-Korean, half-Chinese male extended his hand, surprising even Sheng. Guess everyone found themselves more drawn in by Lucy than they’d expected.
“Lucy.”
Their contact was brief, and he detected the increase in both of their heart rates. Focusing on Fang, Sheng reached out to Rat, calming the spirit animal. Easy, Rat. She’s not your enemy.
Fang cast him a grateful nod. He might not like the addition of Rabbit, but he understood, perhaps better than anyone, the importance of their union.
“Let’s leave the boys to mess around.” Mei clung to Lucy’s arm, dragging her to the ladder at the base of the tree hut.
“Wanna spar?” Ox regarded Sheng with far too much perception. They knew each other so well it was impossible to hide any emotions. Including anxiety. And lust. Ox had probably picked up on both coming off Sheng in spades.
Nodding, he tugged his shirt over his head, tossed it aside, and assumed a shallow standing squat, ready for offense or defense.
Fang and Kassian faced off against him. Alone, they possessed no chance of beating him. Together? Just as doubtful.
Sheng crooked his fingers, allowing them to seize the first move.
Wouldn’t be fair, otherwise.
Sheng’s gesture of affection toward Mei stunned Lucy. Had she misinterpreted everything in their time together? Or maybe Sheng kept more than one lady friend.
Not happening. Her fists clenched around a smooth wooden rung.
Before climbing the ladder, she swung a glance over her shoulder, but Sheng had joined his friends. Oddly enough, she sensed she fit in with this group already. The members of this Kongsi were fresh, unique, and…intriguing.
She ought to have been intimidated by Kassian’s huge size or Fang’s lethal features but, instead, she was drawn to them. All three of them appeared mixed—part Chinese—like herself. Huh. Chinese blood must be a requirement for membership in this association.
Mei chatted to her as they climbed the wooden ladder to the main tree hut…which hardly passed for a hut. More like a fortress. Rope bridges stretched the entire length of the ceiling, connecting the three smaller roofed platforms to the largest one in the center. While they climbed, Lucy’s focus lingered on the ground.
Sheng shrugged out of his shirt and bared his brawny chest. Broad shoulders gave way to sculpted abs. Endless ripples of muscle stretched across his hips and disappeared beneath his black pants. The tiger tat on his back fascinated her with its reverent significance.
Captivated by his sexy, athletic figure, she shivered as her lower belly clenched in pounding anticipation. She ached to lick a path down his chest, tease off his clothes and take him in her mouth. She’d fooled around with guys before and was desperate to discover if the bulge in his pants lived up to its massive promise.
Damn him for being irresistible.
She hoisted up the last rung and followed Mei inside the main hut. Instead of a bare wooden space, she encountered an elegant sitting room, complete with an armoire displaying a blue and white china tea set.
Mei directed her to sit in an antique armchair while she prepared tea. “My mom’s Malay, my dad’s Chinese. How about your parents?” Smiling brightly, she handed Lucy a teacup while she waited for an answer.
“Thanks. Ah, Dad is—was—Chinese, born here. Mom was born in England.” She choked on the words, on using past tense when referring to her parents.
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s okay.” Lucy forced a smile. Grunting from below cut through the awkward silence. “What exactly is the Hai San Kongsi?”
“Ah.” Mei’s chocolate eyes sparked with mischief. “The Hai San Secret Society was established in the early nineteenth century. It’s one of two branches beneath the Council of Elders, who basically rule the world. Politics, business, religion. The other is the Ghee Hin Kongsi, whose members you met in the Gardens.” Her brows lowered and pinched together. “Snake, their unofficial Master, leads them, but a man named Delun and a woman called the Empress are their figureheads. Which is another story.” She waved off the names as she sipped her tea.
“Sheng is your Kongsi’s Master?”
“Yep. We lost our male figurehead a few years ago, and the Matchmaker is his female counterpart. Everything exists in a balance of hierarchy. The Jade Emperor first, then the Council of Eight Elders. Below them are the two Kongsi with one representative each on the Council. The Matchmaker for us and the Empress for the Ghee Hin. Next are the Masters, the Chosen, and the monks.” She grinned widely. “That’s bureaucracy for you.”
Intriguing. Lucy swallowed her tea and considered her options for conversation, but one nagging speculation occupied her mind. Setting her cup aside, she rose and peered out the window. “Are you his girlfriend?” she blurted, her cheeks heating. “Uh, I mean, are you two involved?”
Mei’s snorting laughter answered. “Absolutely not. Ugh. Disgusting.”
Lucy raised a hopeful brow. “Disgusting?” How? Sheng was gorgeous.
“He’s like my brother.” The girl wrinkled her nose. “Not my real brother, but we consider each other family.” She craned her neck to look past Lucy and study him. “I guess I can understand why you might be attracted to him. Sort of. Yuck.” She straightened and shook off whatever image had popped into her mind.
“He kissed you.” Yeah, and a jealous arrow had fired straight into Lucy’s chest.
Mei shrugged. “He’s a tiger.” Lucy continued to stare blankly, until Mei elaborated. “Tigers are affectionate creatures. Always kissing, nuzzling. They crave intimacy. We’re family. For him to not touch me would be sheer torture.”
“Torture?”
“Yeah. Tigers don’t fulfill their requirement for physical contact with anyone but family. Outside their pack, they don’t trust easily.”
Their pack. Sheng constantly had his hands on her. Did that make her part of his pack?
“Yep.” Mei shot her a wide grin. “Boy can’t take his eyes off you, much less his hands. Something more than brotherly affection going on, huh?” She leaned in. Guess the girl was desperate for a female friend.
Me too. Although referring to Sheng as a boy seemed contradictory, like calling a shark a goldfish.
“Nothing to tell.” True, she hadn’t slept with him, hadn’t even gotten to first base. Maybe he didn’t intend anything sexual in the way he pawed at her.
“Uh-huh. Sure. And I’m the Empress.”
“Honest.” Lucy held up her hands. “He hasn’t even tried to kiss me.”
“Hmm, well he must be waiting then.”
She peered at Mei. “Waiting?”
Mei pointed at the sparring below. “Yeah, for you to accept him. Us. Yourself. I told you, he’s the Master of our Kongsi. The Tiger leads our spirits.”
Master? Spirits?
Lucy peered over the window ledge, an icy shiver of awareness rippling down her spine. Sheng crooked his fingers at his opponents who both huffed as though out of breath, sweat glistening on their bare chests. Their right shoulders bore the same yin-yang tat as Sheng. Beneath her leather jacket, did Mei sport one too?
Sheng, on the other hand, appeared cool, like he hadn’t exerted himself in the least.
“What are they doing?” Mei whispered.
“Sheng, Fang, and Kassian are fighting. I thin
k Sheng’s winning.”
“See anything else?”
Lucy scowled, beyond frustrated everyone kept asking her that.
The three men below sparred, their strikes knocking each other so fast her eyes had trouble focusing on the individual blows.
Sheng sprang into a back flip, dodging Fang’s arm as it swiped at him. Damn, he was agile. Back on his feet, he ducked a punch from Kassian and a kick from Fang without hesitation.
He must have studied his entire life to be that good. She’d never witnessed anyone fight as well as he did. A perfect blend of strength, agility, and grace.
He seemed to prefer a forward-weighted stance, offensive, and allowing for more aggressive strikes. Although he just as effortlessly fell into a backward-weighted stance, defending himself. If she were being objective, she’d venture he was going easy on his opponents, letting them get in more blows than he handed out. Regardless, his body defaulted to a crouching position.
Tiger.
The word floated through her mind, shivering across her skin. Each of the twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac possessed positive and negative traits believed to define the personality of the people born into that specific year. It wasn’t unusual for a Chinese person to give their Zodiac animal considerable weight, even choosing occupations and relationships based upon the compatibility of their animals. Lucy’s mother had been a Sheep and her father a Horse—an ideal match. Their loving marriage was proof this belief had merit.
Tiger and Rabbit made suitable matches. Nope, don’t go there.
Did Sheng truly believe he was a tiger? What about Mei? “Which animal are you?”
“Monkey.” She smiled, holding out her hand and wiggling her fingers. “Go on. Take my hand. Tell me what you feel.” Being born in the year of the Monkey placed Mei’s age around twenty. Sheng at twenty-six. If Kassian was an Ox and Fang a Rat, that made them twenty-seven and twenty-eight.
“Um, okay.” Lucy slipped her hand into Mei’s. Warmth pulsed through her. She tugged her hand away, but Mei held firm. Lucy glanced at the woman; Mei shook her head and jerked her chin toward their hands.
As Lucy stared, the lines between them blurred. Their fingers blended together. No, wait, the air between them fuzzed, like a cloud forming around Mei’s fingers. Her mouth dropped open, and Lucy squinted harder. The image of their hands grew hazy. Why didn’t it freak Mei out, too?
Trancing the Tiger (Chinese Zodiac Romance Series Book 1) Page 6