The men in question wore pants and sleeveless tunics of royal blue. Their upper arms and wrists were banded in cuffs of gold. Their chests were covered with golden armor, and their heads were crowned with slender gold circlets.
What the hell? Russell raked a hand through his hair. “Who are these guys? Do they always make such a grand entrance?”
Jia nodded. “When they want your attention, they do.”
In unison, the seven men turned their swords of fire, pointing them down to the ground. They lowered their arms, and when the tips of the blades hit the pavement, the fires extinguished.
“I must greet them.” Rajiv ran down the stairs.
Russell and Jia followed him, then Angus joined them.
The six men in line sheathed their swords while the man in front spoke. “Greetings, dear souls. I am Briathos, commander of the Epsilons, fifth unit of God Warriors.”
“I bid you welcome.” Rajiv bowed.
“We’re glad to see you again,” Angus added. “Ye’ve been a great help to us in the past.”
“What exactly did they do?” Russell whispered to Jia.
“They sent Darafer back to hell,” she whispered back.
Russell snorted. “Too bad they didn’t keep him there.”
Briathos turned his head toward Russell and gave him a curious look.
Russell raised a hand in greeting. “Hey, guys. I’m guessing you know where Han is. Tell me, and I’ll get rid of him. Then you can banish Darafer again, and we’ll be done with all the bad guys within an hour. Tiger Town will be saved, and you can go back to heaven to . . . play your harps. Everybody will be happy. What do you say?”
Briathos continued to study him, while the Epsilons behind him exchanged looks.
“Russell,” Rajiv whispered. “You don’t talk to angels like that.”
Russell scoffed. “I’m still trying to believe they’re real.” The more he looked at the so-called angels, the more detailed they appeared, but there was something off about them. They seemed to shimmer in and out of focus, as if they weren’t quite there.
Briathos turned to Angus. “Approximately two hours ago, there was a rupture in your Earth time. As always, these phenomena must be investigated. We have come to report our findings. The demon Darafer stopped time and killed a great number of birds in order to frighten the dragon shifter, Xiao Fang. We will continue to monitor Darafer’s actions. That is all.” He bowed his head. “We bid you good evening.”
“What?” Russell stepped forward. “That’s it? Aren’t you going to do something?”
Briathos arched a brow.
“Why are you carrying around those awesome weapons if you’re not going to use them?”
Briathos sighed. “There is always one like this. You remind me of Dougal Kincaid.”
“I’m Russell.”
“Yes, I know. Allow me to explain—”
“You know me?”
“Yes. In His infinite wisdom, the Heavenly Father has bestowed the gift of free will upon His children. Because of that decree, we are not allowed to interfere in the course of human events—”
“Well, I can believe that!” Russell interrupted. “ ’Cause a lot of crap has happened to me over the years, and where the hell were you?”
Briathos frowned. “We cannot interfere unless someone’s free will has been violated to the point they are forced into evil.”
“My free will was violated when Han put me into a coma for thirty-nine years. My free will was violated when I became a vampire!”
“Yes,” Briathos agreed. “But remember this, Russell Ryan Hankelburg. You did not become evil.”
Russell gulped. This angel guy seemed for real. “What about Xiao Fang? He’s being held prisoner. Isn’t that a violation of his free will?”
“The boy remains strong,” Briathos said. “He has not been forced into evil. We are watching the situation, and the second Darafer crosses the line—”
“Why do we have to wait?” Russell yelled. “Tell me where Han is, and I’ll rescue the boy.”
“All will be revealed in due course. Prepare yourself. Your time is near.”
“I’m ready now! I’ve been ready to kill Han for two years! The bastard took everything from me!”
Briathos regarded him sadly. “You still have more to lose. But even more to gain.”
“What does that mean?” Russell demanded, but Briathos and his band of angels vanished. More to lose? He glanced at Jia. God, no. He couldn’t let anything happen to her.
She stepped closer to him, her face pale. “Han put you in a coma for thirty-nine years?”
He winced. In his anger, he’d said too much.
“Jia.” Rajiv waved her over. “We must hurry with the evacuations.”
She touched Russell’s arm. “We’ll talk later, okay?” She turned and accompanied her cousin up the stairs to the palace.
Russell watched her go, his gut twisting into knots.
“ ’Twill all work out,” Angus assured him. “When Han comes with his army, ye’ll have yer chance to avenge yerself. And when the God Warriors send Darafer to hell, there will be no one left here who will want to call him back. We will finally have peace.”
“I hope so.” Russell started up the stairs. There was something still bugging him, something he’d missed. He replayed the conversation with Wu Shen in his mind. The officer had recited Han’s orders quickly and precisely. What was there to be confused about?
With a jerk, Russell came to a halt. Wu Shen had received those orders tonight. He couldn’t teleport, so he must have taken one of those trucks to see Han. When Russell had talked to Wu Shen, the sun had been set for about an hour and a half.
Russell charged up the stairs and into the palace. Rajiv and the women were taping up signs on the wooden pillars, a different sign for each of the were-tiger colonies. “Rajiv, do you have a map?”
“In my office.” Rajiv pointed to a hallway to the right. “First door.”
Russell ran into the office and spotted the big map on the wall with all of Han’s campsites marked. He located the northernmost one where he’d been earlier that night.
Within driving distance, he thought. Han was hiding close to that camp. Probably within an eighty-mile radius.
“I have you now, you bastard.”
Chapter Fifteen
For two months, I have believed that it is possible to escape Master Han. When the moon is full, perhaps this month or the next, I will shift into dragon form for the first time and gain my wings. Somehow, I will escape this underground prison, and as soon as I see the sky, I will fly away.
But last night, I saw Darafer make all the birds plummet to their deaths. What if he does the same to me? I know Master Han is dangerous and I should fear him. But I fear the demon even more.
When Lord Liao and his guards formed a circle to bring the demon back from hell, I shot fire at them to stop them. The flames burned the vampire lord and his guards, but they had no effect on Darafer at all. I have no defense against him.
In the morning, I hear the soldiers grumbling. They wait until Master Han is hidden away in his death-sleep before they dare to complain. They have orders to shovel all the dead birds into a pile so they can be burned.
I mourn for the birds and wonder if the eagles have left behind little ones. Are the eaglets in a nest, hungry and calling for parents who will never return?
My hope is waning. The only comfort I can find is the knowledge that the other dragons survived. They will live on. The remaining eggs will hatch. Queen Nima will raise them well. They will fly and breathe fire for five hundred years.
As for me, I hold on to the truths I repeat to myself every day. I am dragon. I can never surrender. Nor will I submit.
I used to think those truths would set me free. Now I fear they will cost me my life.
Breakfast and lunch trays are brought to me, but I do not eat. In desperation, I consider breathing fire upon the soldiers in order to escape. But I c
annot bring myself to harm the soldiers, who have been good to me.
After lunch, half of the soldiers prepare to leave. I hear them grumbling about a long drive to Darafer’s secret enclave, where he is growing the demon herb. They have to be there to guard Master Han during the ceremony. Tonight Darafer is changing more mortals into supersoldiers.
A spark of hope ignites inside me. Master Han and half of his soldiers will be gone tonight. Darafer will be occupied, too, at the ceremony. If I set this place on fire, the remaining soldiers will be busy putting out the flames, and I can make my escape.
I pace my room, waiting for sunset. Waiting for the man in the golden mask to leave. When my dinner tray arrives, I eat. I need my strength tonight.
Master Han knocks on my door and enters. “How are you today, son? Did you sleep well? Do you have enough to eat?”
I bow, hoping I will never hear those words again.
“Are you ready to go?”
I stiffen at his question. Does he know I plan to escape?
Master Han extends a hand toward me. “Come. I want you to attend the ceremony with me.”
Panic flares inside me, a spark of fire simmering in my belly, and I step back.
Han keeps his arm stretched out. “You didn’t think I would leave you here alone, did you? We’re family now. We will go together.”
I shake my head and retreat another step.
His extended hand curls into a fist. “Come here.”
Hot tears burn my eyes. My feet refuse to move.
With a whoosh, Master Han swoops toward me and grasps me by the arms. “Don’t think you can defy me. I’ve been good to you so far. That could change in a second.”
The spark in my belly withers away, and I bow my head. I will not escape tonight.
“That’s my boy.” Han pats me on the shoulder.
Everything goes black as he teleports me away.
When we arrive, I look around. The moon is half full. The sky is clear. The land is green. A field stretches out before us, line after line of carefully tended green bushes. Workers move between the plant rows, their shoulders slumped, their eyes devoid of life. Like me, they are trapped by a power greater than them.
A thick forest surrounds the field. I am tempted to slip away into the trees, but Han does not release his grip on me until his guards encircle us and escort us to the end of the field. Wu Shen is waiting there with about thirty soldiers. They have brought the mortal volunteers who will be changed.
A stage has been erected at the end of the field. Wu Shen’s soldiers position the mortals in a row facing the stage, then they form a line behind the mortals. They are armed with swords, and I fear they will strike any volunteer who changes his mind. Wu Shen orders the mortals to kneel.
Master Han leaves me with his guards as he inspects the mortals. “This is it?” he yells. “There are less than fifty. I need at least a hundred!”
Wu Shen bows. “My apologies, master. This was all we could gather on short notice.”
Han marches down the row of kneeling mortals, eyeing them with disdain. “Some are too old. Or too sickly to be soldiers.”
“That is why they volunteered,” Wu Shen says as he follows Han. “They want the potion that will give them superstrength so they can be healthy again.”
Han clenches his fists. “They should come for the honor of serving me!”
The mortals bow down, their foreheads touching the ground. I suspect they have been warned not to anger Master Han.
With a deafening crack of thunder and flash of lightning, Darafer suddenly appears on the stage. I have seen Darafer arrive quietly and stealthily, so I know his theatrics are designed to illicit fear. And they do.
The workers in the field run to hide in the forest. The mortal volunteers tremble with terror. Some sneak looks at the soldiers behind them. The soldiers grip the handles of their swords.
Wu Shen comes to stand beside me. He glances at Han’s guards, who are still close by, then asks, “Is this your first time to see the ceremony?”
I nod.
On the stage, Darafer waves his hand, and with another crack of thunder and bright flash, a black cauldron appears beside him.
During the crack of thunder, Wu Shen leans close and whispers, “I will try to help you.”
I look at him, surprised, but he is watching Darafer as if nothing happened. I follow his example and keep my face expressionless even though my heart is pounding.
Master Han climbs onto the stage and bows to Darafer. “Your servant, always.”
The demon gives him a twisted smile. “Together we will rule the world.” He turns to inspect the mortals. “Tonight, you will join us on our noble quest. No longer will you be mere mortals. Your strength, speed, and agility will be greater than you ever imagined. You will live longer and be superior in every way. While I will be a god among men and Master Han will be emperor, you will be kings. Are you willing?”
The mortals say yes. They are willing.
Darafer lifts his arm, and a golden chalice suddenly appears in his hand. He dips it into the cauldron. “By drinking my potion, you will be transformed. You will be so powerful that no mortal will be able to defeat you. In exchange for this gift, we require only two things. The first requirement: you will give your complete obedience to Master Han and myself. Are you willing?”
The mortals murmur yes.
“I should warn you that disobedience will be severely punished,” Darafer says, and he turns his head toward Wu Shen. “Is that not true, Officer?”
Wu Shen stiffens. His face grows pale. “Yes, my lord.”
“How is it that the Vamps and shifters know of our impending attack on the were-tiger village?” Darafer asks.
Wu Shen steps away from me. “They have been attacking our camps in order to lure Master Han out of hiding. If they are preparing for a retaliatory strike, it simply means they believe their strategy will work.”
“Is that so?” Darafer’s eyes take on a greenish glow, and I fear for Wu Shen.
I step toward him, but Wu Shen lifts a hand to stop me. With a sad look in his eyes, he shakes his head slightly.
“Did you think I wouldn’t know?” Darafer shouts. “This is what happens to those who betray me!” He shoots an arc of lightning at Wu Shen, who is instantly engulfed in flames.
I stumble back. I close my eyes to block out the sight, but I can still hear Wu Shen’s cry of agony. I can still smell the stench of burning flesh. My stomach roils, and I fall to my knees. I make wheezing sounds as I gasp for breath.
“That brings me to the second requirement,” Darafer says calmly.
I open my eyes and see that the mortals are upset and mumbling among themselves. Wu Shen’s body is no longer on fire, but it lays there black and lifeless.
“Silence!” Master Han shouts, and the mortals grow quiet. Their eyes are wide with fear.
Darafer lifts the chalice high. “Once you drink of my potion, you will become powerful. And your soul will belong to me. Are you willing?”
The mortals hesitate.
Behind them, the soldiers draw their swords.
“I am willing!” one cries and runs toward the stage. “I will serve you, my lord.”
Others rise and edge toward the stage.
I cannot bear it. There will be more soldiers who will follow the evil commands of Han and Darafer. More men who will go to hell when they die, their souls forever bound to a demon. I look at Wu Shen’s dead body, and rage ignites inside me. Fire burns in my belly and races up my chest to my throat.
No more! My thoughts scream in my head. Even if it costs my life, no more!
I spring to my feet and dash wildly toward the field of demon herb. Fire erupts from my throat, and soon the field is ablaze.
“No!” Darafer shouts, and with a wave of his arm, the fire dies out.
But it is too late. The bushes are black and dead like Wu Shen.
In an instant, Darafer is in front of me. His eyes are glowing
, his face harsh. He strikes me so hard that I fly back and land on a burned bush.
“Don’t kill him.” Han zooms toward us and yanks me up by the arm. “We need him. If a village dares to defy us, he can burn it to the ground like he did this field. He’ll be our weapon of terror.”
They expect me to kill for them. I try to pull away, but Han slaps me, then grabs me in an iron grip.
“You will suffer for this,” he growls and teleports me away.
Chapter Sixteen
“It looks deserted,” Jia said as she peered around the boulder. Russell had brought her back to the camp where he’d talked to Wu Shen the night before. “You think Han is hiding around here somewhere?”
“I’m sure of it.” Russell was crouched beside her. “I’ll check the camp out. You stay here and do your sniffing, okay?”
She nodded, and he teleported into a dark shadow beside the camp’s wooden barricade. He levitated to peer over the wall, then climbed over.
Jia closed her eyes a moment to concentrate on her sense of smell. No vampires or humans in the vicinity. Only the scent of Russell nearby. While she waited for him to return, her thoughts shifted to Tiger Town and the impending battle.
A great deal had been accomplished last night. All the women, children, and elderly had been evacuated. After the Vamps had finished teleporting the evacuees, they’d started bringing in Han’s cured ex-soldiers, who had offered to help. Over a hundred of them were now in Tiger Town. After being changed back to normal, they were no longer supersoldiers. They knew they were at a disadvantage fighting Han’s army, but they were determined to rid their homeland of Han once and for all.
Meanwhile, the call had gone out to more Vamps and shifters around the world. They would be arriving tonight. Angus MacKay hoped to gather an army of two hundred.
Russell had remained in Tiger Town to help, even though Jia had known he was anxious to get back to tracking Han. As dawn had approached, Rajiv had convinced her to spend the day in Tiger Town, partly to help with all the work and partly to keep her reputation intact. Too many were-tigers were watching. Russell had understood and, after promising to return for her this evening, he’d teleported back to the bat cave for his death-sleep.
Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire Page 16