By the Horns

by Rachael Slate

  Not for much longer, though. If the order didn’t come from above to pull her out soon, Kassian would take matters into his own hands. Screw the consequences. He was already in deep shit for crossing the Matchmaker tonight.

  He ran a hand across his jaw. He shouldn’t care about Nat hosting the Snake. After everything she’d put him through, he should leave her to her doomed fate.

  When it came to Natalie, though, he’d long ago abandoned the virtues of sound logic.

  Kassian sighed in resignation as he stuffed his feet into his shoes, careful of the bandage on his left foot, and locked his apartment. He’d clean up the glass later. Nat hadn’t heeded his advice, going above him to get what she sought, but he could still do damage control. If Snake was evil, he’d ensure the spirit didn’t swallow Nat up.

  If any of them could challenge the sly Snake and win, it was the Ox.

  ***

  Kassian arrived at the Matchmaker’s secret hideout and paused at the door. Judging from the muffled sounds inside, everyone had gathered. He lifted his hand to knock, but the door opened.

  The Matchmaker’s glittering eye peered at him through the slit. She didn’t utter a word, regarding him with a raised, thin brow.

  He swallowed hard. By stealing Nat away, he’d directly disobeyed her.

  He blew a breath and raked one hand through his hair. Who the hell knew what nasty punishment she had in mind for him? “I…ah.”

  “You’re just in time.” Her cool, authoritative voice scraped down his spine. He winced. Oh yeah, this would be bad.

  The calmer she acted, the more pissed off she really was.

  The door opened wider, and he peeked inside. Lucy and Nat faced each other. Lucy’s hands rested on Nat’s shoulders. Using her gift of Shèhúnzéi—Spirit Thief—Lucy had the ability to snatch away any of their spirit animals. She could also deposit them into any person she chose.

  It was a hell of a gift, and one they kept under utmost secrecy—hence the private digs in KL instead of the Council Chambers in Penang, Malaysia. Lucy already had enough of a target on her back, what with her uncle being one of the crazy masterminds behind the plan to overthrow the world.

  Lucy tilted her head, and the spirit of the Snake withdrew from her in a vaporous blue mist, swirling and circling around Nat before slipping inside her.

  Her knees buckled. Kassian rushed forward and scooped Nat into his arms. He scanned her face as her eyelids fluttered.

  “Nat?” he called softly, but she didn’t respond.

  “She should sleep it off.” Lucy laid a gentle hand on his arm and smoothed the hair back from Nat’s face. “It’s quite a transformation, but she’ll be fine.” The forced smile Lucy sent his way did nothing to calm the turbulence churning his gut.

  Nat hadn’t been born with the Snake. What would it be like to be given a spirit? Each of the Chosen here had been bestowed theirs by the Jade Emperor at birth. Even Delun, whose Dragon spirit had been stolen from him as a child by Lucy’s father—also a Spirit Thief. The Dragon had been passed around quite a bit. From Lucy’s father to her uncle Xiaodan, then back again when her dad had disagreed with Xiaodan’s plans to overthrow the world. Lucy’s dad had hidden the Dragon inside Lucy, who’d realized its true host was Delun.

  Lucy had given Delun back the Dragon, and now he and Tiger sought to clean up the mess Xiaodan had made.

  Technically, the spirits’ loyalties fell beneath Tiger and Dragon. But Zhao, Snake’s previous host, had stepped out of line, claiming Chicken and Boar for himself. Since Lucy snatched Snake, though, those Zhao had collected were back up for grabs. If anyone could discover their locations, that was.

  The loyalties of the Chosen were currently divided between two factions, two Kongsi. The Hai San Kongsi, of which Sheng was the leader, and the Ghee Hin Kongsi, previously led by Zhao.

  Zhao, Snake’s former host, hadn’t been born with the spirit either. Years ago, Lucy’s dad had handed it to Zhao.

  After Lucy had stolen Snake back, Zhao took off with the Empress—the Ghee Hin’s female leader on the Council of Elders—and was hiding somewhere with Mei as his prisoner.

  Since Zhao’s defection, Delun had secured leadership of the Ghee Hin, but their members were shady, and it was impossible to tell who could be trusted, and who Zhao’s scumbag moles were.

  Kassian shifted Nat in his arms. Her body had gone limp, unconscious. “Fine, my ass. If anything happens to Nat because of the Snake, I’m holding you accountable.” Glaring at Sheng, he dismissed the sympathy in his friend’s frown. He turned his back on them and carried Nat the hell out of there.

  “Report back to Kek Lok Si. She must be trained.” The Matchmaker’s words echoed into the emptiness inside his chest.

  ***

  Nat pried open her eyes. Smooth, tanned skin spanned before her vision. She inhaled and a familiar, comforting woodsy scent greeted her. Kassian.

  Wait. What?

  She peeled off the steel arm wrapped around her waist and pushed to sit, processing her surroundings. Why the hell was she in bed with Kassian? Her body thrummed with energy, bursting with vigor, like a woman who’d spent the night getting—

  Oh, no. She glanced down. Still wearing his T-shirt…and no panties. Lovely.

  She jerked her chin around to assess his state of dress. Whew. He was sound asleep and wore pants. She cleared her throat, but Kassian didn’t stir. His bare, broad chest rose and fell in a gentle rhythm. A frown marred his handsome features as though, even in sleep, he was frustrated with her.

  The events of the night before crashed back into her memory. The Snake. She hosted the Snake.

  Awesome.

  She stretched out her right arm and flipped her wrist. Yesterday, she’d witnessed Kassian cloaking his spirit animal. How hard could it be? Pressing her lips together, she squinted and focused on her hand.

  Come out, Snake. Her arm trembled from the deep concentration. She bit harder on her lip and held her breath. Scales formed on the back of her hand, sharpening into glittering gold and red plates. Like armor. She tilted her wrist and her hand disappeared. Snakes didn’t have hands.

  “Holy shit.”

  She jolted. The scales vanished. She swiveled her head to face him. “Dammit, Kassian. I was trying to concentrate.”

  Blinking, he rested back on his elbows. “Yeah. I got that.” He grinned. Half-lidded eyes, disheveled hair, and a sleepy yawn. His morning look was freakin’ sexy.

  Self-consciousness gripped her. The way they’d left things… She shuffled to the edge of the bed.

  He grasped her arm. “I’m sorry, Nat. Please understand, I’m trying to protect you.”

  She froze at the genuine sincerity in his voice. “I do understand.” She glanced at him over her shoulder. “This is my destiny. The good and the bad.”

  His greenish-brown eyes darkened. The intensity in the air sucked her lungs dry. She wet her lips, her gaze dropping to his mouth. That strong, square jaw framing firm, smooth lips. She’d had a crush on Kassian ever since she’d discovered boys. But four years her senior, he’d discovered girls a hell of a lot sooner, and she’d never entertained the idea he’d take an interest in her.

  Until that night, when he’d kissed her out of the blue, a confession on the edge of his tongue she hadn’t stuck around long enough for him to complete. He’d held back from making any declaration of love, but had he felt that way about her? Six years, she’d twisted the possibility over in her mind, yet she had no right to the answer.

  Not with how she’d hurt him.

  This close to him, the urge to nibble his bottom lip, to taste him again, overwhelmed her. She’d never forgotten how he’d made her body come to life. How sparks had lit up between them and—

  Kassian cleared his throat. Loudly.

  She whirled, cursing under her breath. The blunt reminder of his vows stabbed guilt into her. The pressure of her own overlaid them.

  “The Matchmaker wants us at Kek Lok Si as soon as possible.”
Was that a husky note in his voice?

  Kek Lok Si was the Hai San Kongsi’s main residence in Penang. Where the Chosen hung out and trained. “Oh, good. Let’s get going.” She hopped off the edge of the bed and made a break for the bathroom. Inside, she spotted her black duffle and whispered a prayer of thanks.

  After she’d showered and dressed, she emerged from her hideout in the bathroom and found Kassian sweeping up the remnants of the shattered glass.

  “Ready?” His simple question carried much more meaning than he’d ever guess.

  She offered him a bright smile. “Am I ever.”

  After piling into Kassian’s red Lamborghini Diablo—such a guy car—they drove to the island of Penang. The trip culminated four of the most awkward hours of her life. Kassian’s large body was squeezed inside the tiny red car, and his hand brushed against her thigh every time he reached for the gear shift.

  The beat of the music didn’t help. The drone of the air conditioning didn’t conceal. Every breath she sucked in was laced with the words they’d spoken…and the ones they hadn’t.

  They arrived at the temple carved into the mountainside, and Nat’s shoulders sagged in relief. She’d toured Kek Lok Si on many occasions but, today, this visit signaled the beginning of her new life.

  A few weeks. It shouldn’t take long to learn to control the spirit, and once she did, she’d be ready for her final task. If she survived being in this place with Kassian, that was.

  ***

  “Home sweet home.” Kassian parked inside the underground level of Kek Lok Si and switched off the ignition. He swallowed back the apprehension clogging his throat and snuck a glimpse at Nat. Her brows were drawn together as if she were deep in concentration. That mind of hers, always calculating.

  What he wouldn’t give to follow the direction of her thoughts. They might lend clarity to his because, as it was, he was bloody torn.

  Nat was a Chosen. Family.

  Again.

  This time, they’d be together for the rest of their lives. Their very long lives. While not quite immortal, Chosen lived an indeterminate number of centuries.

  She was a member of his family, but he didn’t have to treat her as his sister. His mind drifted to Sheng and Lucy… Sheng hosted the Tiger, Lucy the Rabbit. Both Chosen, yet they’d determined the boundaries of their relationship. Their very intimate relationship. Yep, there’d be wedding bells soon enough.

  A picture of a bride focused in his mind but, as she lifted her veil, her face belonged to Natalie. Fuck. He muttered a curse for even considering the idea of a relationship with Nat. She didn’t seek a romantic future with him. She’d made that damn clear the day she’d left him.

  Kassian didn’t intend for that future either. He’d taken vows to ensure he remained single. That no one would ever hold the power to shatter his heart again. He opened his door and strode around the car to get hers as well, but she exited before he had the chance. In silence, they headed toward the elevators and up to the third level. The Chosen would be in the training center.

  As frustrated and angry as he was with Nat, his arms still ached to hold her again. He hadn’t been able to resist last night, but she hadn’t either. Sleeping and all that. Awake, she’d never let him touch her. She shouldn’t. He had bigger concerns, like saving the world.

  The grunts and thuds of sparring greeted his ears, as familiar to this place as the jasmine incense perfuming the halls.

  “Hey, guys.” Fang met them at the gym doors.

  “Hi, I’m Nat.” She stuck out her hand.

  The Chosen of the Rat gave it a brisk shake. “Fang. Welcome.”

  “Thanks.” Nat smiled.

  Kassian jerked his chin at the gym. “The others inside?”

  Fang shrugged. “Probably.” He swung open the doors to the main gym and groaned.

  Kassian scanned inside. On the mats, Lucy straddled Sheng, their lips about to press.

  Nat bumped his shoulder and curled her fingertips around his arm to peek into the gym. Kassian stiffened at the contact while Nat stifled a laugh. “Are they usually like this?”

  “Nope.” Fang swung a grin at Nat. “Usually, they’re fucking.” He rolled his eyes at the lovers and grumbled, “I’m so outta here.”

  Nat laughed as Fang trudged back in the direction he’d come. Her chuckling drew Sheng and Lucy apart.

  Kassian advanced, scowling at the pair. “Save it for the bedroom, yeah?” He didn’t so much mind not getting laid but, bloody hell, did they have to flaunt their—very active—sex life in front of him?

  Lucy hopped off Sheng and plastered Nat with a bright smile. “You made it. I mean, of course you made it. We knew you’d be fine.” She scrunched up her nose. Lucy possessed the Rabbit, and occasionally, no filter.

  “We didn’t doubt for a second you’d come through.” Sheng rose next to his girl. He slid one hand around her waist and she leaned into him. Their intimacy seemed effortless, subconscious even.

  Kassian tore his gaze from the pair of fucking happy lovers to survey the center of the room. The spaces between these walls were empty without Mei. Even with the addition of Delun to their numbers, without Mei… Hell, he couldn’t even look up at the elaborate tree fortress Monkey treasured.

  “You up for sparring or what?” Kassian cracked his knuckles, directing his request to Sheng. After the past day, he had more than enough frustration built up.

  A familiar clack of heels halted in the doorway. Sheng smirked. “Actually, you two have a visitor.” He clasped Lucy’s hand and the two of them squeezed past him and Nat to exit the gym.

  “Matchmaker?” Nat’s voice chimed as Kassian spun to face the manipulative bitch. Why the fuck was she here? Hadn’t she already done enough?

  Despite his desire to tell her to piss off, he clamped his jaw shut. He was already on her shit list. She’d probably placed a curse on him as punishment.

  “Natalie. Kassian.” One fine brow arched as she waited their deference.

  With his hands fisted at his sides, he inclined his head. “To what do we owe this pleasure?” he grated between clenched teeth. Kassian glanced to the side, but Nat beamed as if glad to see the woman. So much for standing together.

  “I have your next assignment, Natalie.” She clutched a manila envelope in her hand. “If you’re up to it?”

  He tensed. “What about the training?”

  The Matchmaker’s sly perusal shot to him. “Oh, this is your training.” One red nail tapped the envelope. “Since you seemed concerned about Natalie’s ability to control the Snake, you are in charge of her.”

  Great. This was to be his punishment? To run around, fulfilling the Matchmaker’s grocery list of hits?

  So much fun. He couldn’t fucking wait.

  “Besides, it’s better to keep Natalie out of Penang until we can prove to the Council the Jade Emperor bestowed the Snake upon her. We wouldn’t wish for any suspicion to fall upon Lucy, hmm?”

  He raked a hand through his hair. She had a point. If any of the Council members met Nat before she’d learned to control her spirit, they’d ask one question too many. The Council had finally directed the spotlight off Lucy, and Sheng would have Kassian’s ass if he did anything to beam it on her again.

  “Here is the information on your mission.” The Matchmaker handed the envelope to Nat.

  “Thank you, Matchmaker.” She received it with both hands, broke the seal, and removed the sheet of paper.

  Curious, he inched closer and read over her shoulder.

  “It’s an address for a warehouse in Hong Kong…” She bit her lip, her skin paling.

  He frowned at her reaction, but the print on the sheet caught his attention. “Wait, isn’t that the location of the mid-point for the vaccine shipments?”

  Nat twisted to address the Matchmaker. “Is this about the vaccine you smuggle?”

  “Indeed.” Her boss lifted a shoulder. “There’s an inconsistency in our numbers. The two of you must determine where th
e errors originate.”

  Taking over for Mei, Fang oversaw the production of the Red Death vaccine here at Kek Lok Si, while he, Lucy, and Sheng handled the smuggling side. The governments of the world had become too corrupt to be trusted with dispensing the vaccine. Selling the precious vials to the highest bidders, and keeping it out of the hands of those who needed it most. His fist clenched.

  If not for their operations, the virus would continue to ravage the poor of the world.

  Viruses didn’t discriminate.

  People did.

  The lesson left a bitter taste in his mouth. He swallowed and unclenched his fist. This was the first he’d heard of any issues regarding their smuggling. “What kind of inconsistency?”

  The Matchmaker’s gaze slid to his. “We are losing shipments. They’re disappearing, somewhere between Hong Kong and India.”

  “Fu—” He coughed back the curse. Doing so once in the Matchmaker’s presence had been enough. “How long has this been going on for? Why are you just investigating now?”

  Her obsidian eyes hardened on him. “Do not question me. You take your orders and I take mine. That is all you need to know.”

  “Sorry.” He bowed his head, though the apology stung his tongue. Bloody politics.

  “As I was saying, you will travel to Hong Kong, investigate our operations there, and report back to me.”

  “What will be our cover— Oh.” Nat’s knuckles whitened as she gripped the paper.

  He whipped his head back to read the sheet. Scanning down, he found what had tripped Nat up.

  Fuck.

  Nat dumped out the envelope’s contents, and sure enough, a tiny object clinked against the tiles.

  A ring. An engagement ring, to be precise.

  He scowled at the sparkling diamond. “A couple? Why not make us brother and sister?” The Matchmaker and her damned schemes. Well, screw her. Those games might have worked on Lucy and Sheng, but they sure as hell wouldn’t on him and Nat.

  “You are off on break from college and he surprised you with a trip to Hong Kong. One night, beneath the fireworks, he proposed. How romantic.” The Matchmaker folded her hands, smugness curving her lips.