12. Sapphire Sanctum
Chapter twelve
Sapphire Sanctum
Lei
When we reached the top, my men set Monique down like a delicate blossom carried by the wind.
Good job.
I left Duck and Chen, drawn to her like a delirious moth to a blazing flame.
And when I got next to her, she looked up.
Our eyes met.
The space between us sizzled with raw emotion. There was no denying our connection.
Could she hear the frantic rhythm of my heart, mirroring her own?
Did her body hum with need like mine?
Did she finally understand?
Rowe Street Mob, Banks, and anyone else would never get in my way when it came to her.
Since their entrance into the Diamond Syndicate, Rowe Street Mob had been a thorn in my side. But now, with Monique in the picture, their menace had taken on a new, more dangerous edge.
How do I get rid of them. . .without upsetting her?
Those beautiful brown eyes shimmered in the moonlight. Her intoxicating aroma ensnared my senses, making me forget the world, our mission, everything except the allure of her presence
She parted those lips and I craved to suck on them.
Slowly, I slipped my hand against hers and tenderly took it.
Should I kiss her right now? She's mad. I'm stubborn. But we both want it.
I gently squeezed her hand and was about to pull her closer to me when Chen cleared his throat. “Lei, not only do you have an audience, you have a feast. Everyone is hungry.”
Every fiber of my being screamed to wrap Monique in my arms, to shield her from the world. But duty, that ever-present specter, gnawed at the edges of my consciousness.
Sighing, I dragged myself away from Monique's lovely view and rested my eyes on everyone in front of us.
Hundreds of eyes focused on us.
By daylight, the Sapphire Sanctum stood as a marvel, but as night draped its shroud, it morphed into a mystical realm.
The open hall pavilion unfolded before us like a dream, its intricate pillars of lapis lazuli standing tall, each one bathed in varying hues of blue—deep cobalt, brilliant sapphire, and soft cerulean, each shimmering like reflections off deep ocean waves.
On the floor lay a vast mosaic of azure tiles, inlaid with silver and turquoise.
Overhead, an elaborate chandelier of sapphire crystals hung, scattering blue light that mimicked the shades of the twilight sky.
Amidst this splendor and beneath the cascade of shimmering blue lights, a grand banquet table sprawled, covered in fine blue silk.
At one end, my throne stood, carved from blue-veined marble. Beside it was a vacant throne, equally grand. Long ago, my mother used to sit there.
My heart ached.
And a few chairs near, my sister, Yan, lounged, flanked by her men. Of course, she watched Monique and me with a curious, yet wicked smile.
What bullshit have you decided to bring to this mountain?
Meanwhile, the heavy weight of responsibilities pressed down on me. Even in this magical realm, the burdens of leadership, the legacy of my family, and the pull of my heart battled for dominance.
Chen stepped forward and signaled the small orchestra.
The elegance of the Sanctum was shattered by the opening notes of my theme song—a tune that felt more like a cage than a celebration.
I groaned in annoyance.
I'm getting rid of this song too.
Shuffling sounded as everyone rose in their seats and lowered their heads.
I gripped Monique's hand more firmly and looked down at her. “Don't be mad at me.”
She blinked. “Is that how you say sorry?”
“I don't regret what I did to Rowe Street Mob but I do regret upsetting you .”
“That's not enough, Lei.” She moved her view forward. “But we can discuss all of that later. For now, let's have a nice night.”
Out of nowhere, Chen spoke, “I concur with Monique.”
I scowled his way.
“Let us go.” Chen gestured for me to take the lead.
Can I just get one fucking minute with her?
I guided Monique forward.
As we walked, she whispered. “I had no idea this place existed on this mountain. How is it even possible?”
“My father claimed that God made it for us.”
She grinned. “What?”
I nodded. “Officially, my Father and uncles arrived here to all types of breathtaking marvels on this mountain, all crafted by God. When he saw all of the blue, he knew it was God's blessing to the Four Aces.”
“Everything was already here?”
“Apparently.”
She eyed me. “And unofficially?”
“He spent a good three years and an insane amount of money having artisans, sculptures, and craftsman putting this all together.”
She took in the space. “Your father likes a good story.”
“For him, it is all about the story.” I scanned the area, trying to see everything from her perspective.
“Whether God built this or humans, it is an amazing place.”
“Mom said that he dreamt about it then spent an entire day doing sketches of different areas on the mountain.”
We threaded our way through the sea of bowed heads and approached the banquet table.
Once we neared the thrones, I released her hand momentarily to draw hers back for her.
It was odd, but for some reason. . .I held my breath as Monique eased onto the throne.
Staring down at her, my breath caught in my throat.
She whispered, “thank you.”
In all my years, I had never seen anyone else sit there besides my mother.
Yet. . .with Monique there. . .I had this strong sense that she rightfully belonged there. The throne seemed to embrace her too.
Chen passed me. “Is something wrong, Mountain Master.”
“No.” I cleared my throat. “Everything is fine.”
I went over to my throne and sat down.
The last notes of my dreaded theme song faded into the night.
Everyone took their seats including Hu and Duck who sat by Chen.
Waiters began serving glasses of champagne in anticipation of my welcome toast.
My gaze wandered over to Yan, I caught her eyes darting to Monique in our mother's throne.
A scowl decorated her face.
Once it appeared that everyone had a glass of champagne, even at our table, my ceremony host, Xia approached. “Welcome, Mountain Master.”
I nodded.
She handed me a small microphone.
I rose and lifted my glass.
Everyone waited in hushed anticipation.
I raised the glass, “Good evening.”
Many smiled back at me.
“I wish we were here under happier circumstances, but alas, life has its own designs.”
A few people in the audience shifted uncomfortably.
“The mission we embark on this week is unlike any other,” I scanned all of their faces. “We face a challenge that cuts deeper than any wound, one that reaches into the very core of our existence here on this mountain.”
I paused, gathering my strength. “The founding Mountain Master, my father, has been tainted by a darkness that has seeped into his soul. A darkness born from heartbreak, from the immense grief of losing my mother.”
A murmur ran through the audience. I could hear faint sobs and the sight of hardened warriors wiping away tears was almost too much to bear.
“Our duty,” I continued. “Is to approach this mission with the respect and honor befitting a leader of his stature. We are not just addressing a threat. We are confronting our own history, our legacy.”
I took a deep breath, steadying myself. “I want to take this moment to express my gratitude to someone I never thought I'd share the same side with in this endeavor. My sister, Yan.”
The space went still, all eyes darting to Yan. She sat with a neutral expression, her unreadable eyes never leaving mine.
“Our journey ahead is laden with sadness and pain, but I take solace in the fact that our family, fractured as it may be, stands united in this.”
Someone cried in the audience.
I made sure to not gaze that way. “Yan, your presence by my side, your support, it means more than you know.”
A few more stifled sobs echoed in the area.
“Let us remember,” I sighed. “That this challenge will only make us stronger. Together, we will navigate this somber task and come out on the other side, united and resilient.”
With that, I handed the microphone back to Xia.
A sorrowful standing ovation came.
I held my glass up higher.
My men and women joined me.
And then, we drank the first sip together.
The champagne was sweet and bubbly but, it did little to ease the pressure in my chest.
I lowered into my throne.
Meanwhile, Yan's gaze had never left Monique. In fact, I doubted that she had even toasted with all of us.
I frowned.
The orchestra began to play a calm song, providing a soothing sound in the background.
Monique leaned in close to me. “That was. . .amazing.”
I snapped my view to her. “What was amazing?”
“The speech.”
“Oh. You liked that?”
“I did.”
“My people are used to grand stories to reason violence and missions.” My expression softened. “While I would love to rage for hours on the microphone about how my father violently murdered Chanel and Romeo, forever tainting our father-son bond, Chen thought that the whole darkness-broken heart angle would be easier for them to swallow.”
“I could see that.” Monique set her champagne glass on the table. “And did Chen write your speech?”
“No.” I shook my head. “That was just my talking.”
“So right off the dome?”
I grinned. “What?”
“You just put that speech together in your head?”
“I did.”
“I'm impressed.”
My heart warmed. “Are you now?”
“Yes.”
“Therefore, you are less upset with me due to being so impressed?”
“Not at all, but I can appreciate your way with words.” She winked, picked up the glass, and took another sip.
Suddenly, several servers, dressed in royal blue uniforms with gold sashes, gracefully emerged from a concealed entrance.
They carried large, gleaming silver platters. Delicious aromas wafted through the area.
The first server approached our table with a large dish of what looked like honey-glazed pork slices. Thin slices of red and gold edible leaves decorated the meat.
Following the first server was another, this one carrying a tray of dim sum. But these were no ordinary dim sum. Encased in a translucent blue rice wrapper, one could see a filling of lobster and black truffle.
My stomach grumbled.
I forgot that Chen and Hu had let me barely eat tonight.
Yet another server brought forth bowls of soup. One was set in front of me. The liquid was a clear broth, with an exquisite aroma of herbs and spices. Floating in the soup were delicate bird's nest strands, my mother's favorite delicacy.
Monique gazed at hers and raised her eyebrows. “Is that a. . .bird's nest or kind of like. . .noodle's formed in one?”
“It's a real bird's nest.”
“No way.”
“It is.” I nodded. “But it's not like a bluebird's nest with sticks and straws. These aren't found in trees.”
She moved her view from the soup and put it on me.
“These are edible bird’s nests that belong to the swiftlet which is a small bird usually found in Southeast Asia.”
“I've never heard of one.”
“Yeah. They live in dark caves, similar to bats.”
“O-kay.” She directed her view back to the soup. “But. . .they are not bats?”
“No. However, instead of twigs and straw for a nest, a swiftlet makes its nest from strands of its own gummy saliva.”
Monique opened her mouth in shock.
Chuckling, Duck picked up his spoon and began tasting the soup.
“So. . .the nest is. . .” She looked back at me. “It's bird spit?”
I smirked.
Chen jumped in. “It is but on a more eloquent level.”
Monique gave him a skeptical look. “Eloquent?”
“The nest is produced by the glands under its tongue. It then hardens when exposed to air.” Chen proudly gestured to his as it floated in his soup. One might have thought he spun the nest himself. “The structure is quite impressive, a tightly woven hammock-like formation, made of strong threads that can be white, yellow, or red. Then, the swiftlet secures it to the rock wall in the cave.”
To my shock, Yan spoke. “Then, a bunch of idiots climb shaky, long ladders in dark caves to steal the nests.”
Chen nodded. “Well, it is a very dangerous job, yet one should consider the beauty of—”
“Many lose their lives. Not to mention the fact that each nest is extremely expensive.” Yan pushed her bowl to the side. “Disgusting.”
A hardened expression covered my face.
Yan continued. “Swiftlets are an endangered species and the more nests that are consumed, the closer swiftlets head toward extinction. And my brother has ordered hundreds of these for our people tonight?”
Alright. . .Let the bullshit begin.
I put my focus on my sister. “A Mountain Master does not spend his time ordering soup ingredients for a feast, Yan. You would know that if you could ever sit on the throne.”
Hu paused from eating as if unsure if he may have to battle.
Duck snickered.
Chen's face went red.
Silent, Monique glanced from her to me.
Meanwhile, Yan appeared ready to explode into bloody violence.
I leaned back in my throne and raised an eyebrow at Yan. “Why are you here?”
“Did you not miss me, dear brother?”
“I did not.”
“Chanel is dead.” The words slithered from Yan's lips like poison and a grotesque smile contorted her face. “I heard she didn't have it easy.”
Every word was like a knife, each syllable crafted to twist deeper into me.
“From the whispers I caught, Father was particularly. . . inventive.” Yan sneered. “So much blood.”
One of her men whistled.
“So much so that she could write her name with it. So much.” She shook her head. “Profuse amounts and streaming, like a gutted animal in a slaughterhouse.”
I swallowed down pain.
With an air of perverse celebration, Yan raised her champagne glass high. “Here's to Chanel, and all other evil creatures led to the slaughter.”
Off in the dark sky, a crow cawed.
Yan's men, always eager to curry her favor, quickly joined her grotesque toast.
Around the table an icy silence spread that contrasted sharply with the hum of conversations of the other guests clinking of glasses and their joyous laughter.
Inside me, a demonic blizzard raged, threatening to erupt. It wasn't a poetic or noble anger. It was raw, visceral. A primordial urge to protect, to avenge.
My fingers twitched, itching for the cold grip of my blade.
I lowered my hand under the table.
Yan caught the movement and set her glass down on the table.
I unsnapped the leather binding, keeping my sword in place.
Yan lifted the side of her lip as if begging me to start the violence.
In my head, the image of striking her, drawing just a trickle of her blood in retribution, became an overpowering thought.
The noise around us dimmed.
Only the crow's cawing could be heard as I began to grip the sword's handle.
I might as well. What's one more family member's death for this week?
But then, something soft, warm, intruded upon my dark intentions.
Under the cover of the table, a gentle hand settled atop mine, halting my hand from slowly pulling out my sword.
What?
My angry gaze shifted meeting Monique's soothing eyes.
I took in a deep breath, feeling my heart rate slow down as I stared at Monique.
She was a calm presence, a grounding force in the midst of the chaos that seemed to follow me wherever I went.
The crow's cawing faded into the night sky.
I gulped.
With Monique's touch, my resolve altered.
Logic returned.
There was no point in starting a fight with Yan here, the East had enough to deal with, they did not need to know about in-fighting.
Moving my hand so that I held Monique's soft one, I lifted my view back to the table.
Hu's hands were under the table. I had no idea what he had grabbed, but it was lethal.
Duck had followed suit. His food was ignored. Fury blazed in his eyes as he watched Yan's men.
Yet, Chen—my devoted deputy—nodded at Monique and let out an exasperated breath.
I placed my view back on my sister. “Why are you here?”
Yan's eyes flickered between Monique and then me. A smile played on her lips. “I saw Father today.”
Those words knocked me off my guard. She might as well had slapped me.
More servers appeared in a parade of food and placed dishes after dishes on the table around us. Peking duck doused in blueberry hoisin sauce, steamed blue-spotted grouper sprinkled with rose gold flakes, and even more.
Yet, no one picked up their chopsticks.
All—even Monique—stared at Yan.
“He was getting all of his affairs in order.” Yan gestured for a nearby waiter to refill her glass.
The man rushed over and poured the golden, bubbly liquid. Once he finished, she took a large gulp and continued, “He gave me tons of properties, including Cloud Sea Tower. Have you ever been, dear brother ?”
“I haven't.”
“It is in the heart of Shanghai, a solid blue towering skyscraper, every floor painstakingly designed by the finest architects.”
I leaned my head to the side. “Are you happy that he gave it to you?”
“I am not.” Yan's fingers idly toyed with the stem. Her eyes, once gleaming with malice, were now clouded with a pain that seemed out of place. “I wanted Lotus Blossom too, yet, Father told me that I still could not walk through those halls. Apparently, my past actions of disloyalty to you made me unworthy of even putting my foot into our childhood home.”
“Is that why you are here?” I studied her. “You want me to grant you Lotus Blossom , after his death?”
“Grant me.” She chuckled and took another gulp. “Little brother, the day that you grant me anything is the day you bleed on the ground like Chanel.”
Under the table, Monique squeezed my hand harder as if making sure I wouldn't jump up and harm my sister.
But little did she know that she had already calmed me. Her touch was a balm to my dark soul. With her by my side, there would be no need to fight this evening.
I slipped my thumb along her palm and gestured with my other hand for everyone to eat.
Chen remained still, watching Yan.
However, Hu and Duck who were surely hungry, returned to their bird’s nest soup, slurping and munching.
I let out a long breath. “What is this?”
Yan glared at me. “Are you going to introduce me to the woman that sits on our mother's throne? The woman who now has the keys to Lotus Blossom?”
Clearly nervous, Monique picked up her glass with the other hand and took a sip.
“There's no need.” I frowned. “If you know Father gave the property to her, then you know her name and you know her place in my life.”
“Yes. Yes.” Yan chuckled. “This Monique, is to be the next Mountain Mistress.”
My frown deepened.
Monique coughed on her champagne.
Chen stirred.
Fuck? Why did she have to say that?