Chapter 21
Twenty-One
Breaching the General’s Defences
Kissing Tony always feels like falling into a pool of sunshine. Warm and safe, he cradles me gently in his arms. The ache of want is always there, but he’s careful to never let that want break the bounds of decorum, no matter how hard I might try.
This is usually where, bound by propriety, he draws that rotted line and abandons me to my hunger. But this time he doesn’t immediately untangle himself as he normally would. This time he doesn’t move away at all.
I push myself up and run my lips along his jaw, kiss the pulse at his throat.
Long fingers stroke my stomach, slowly parting my unbuttoned shirt.
Did I do that or did he? The question fades on a gasp as his marauding hands reach the edge of my silk bra, clever fingers finding the two buttons keeping my straps in place.
With a tug, he frees me of its constraints. Cool air pebbles my skin.
‘Tony,’ I breathe, a plea, a devotion, a promise.
He trails kisses down my neck, over my bare shoulder. My skin is so sensitised his every touch feels like a brand. I want this, always.
The words aren’t premeditated, they simply slip out. ‘If you became vampire, we could do this forever,’ I whisper.
Tony flinches, pulls away. ‘What did you say?’
‘Just, wouldn’t you like to do this’ – I gesture between us – ‘forever?’
Glancing down, he gently pulls my shirt closed and shifts so he’s sitting on the bed, a buffer of cold air rushes between us.
He takes my hand, his expression sombre but determined.
‘I’m really happy you found your family, truly I am.
After the way you were treated growing up, I can imagine how much it means to you.
’ I glance down at our hands, now our only point of contact.
‘So long as the Durands treat you well, I will accept them as they are. I will honour them, give them the respect they are due as your elders and your family, all because you care for them. But, from what I’ve seen, the way they lead their lives is chaotic and cruel.
They are driven by lust and hunger. They think nothing of lying to achieve their own ends.
You know me well enough to know these are traits I find deeply abhorrent.
Jing, I need you to hear me when I say I never want to be one of them. ’
Chaotic, cruel, abhorrent. It takes a moment before I can speak.
When I do, I can’t hide the hurt. ‘How am I any different to them? I hunger for blood, I lust for you. I lie. I manipulate others. I don’t think I’m cruel, but no doubt others will. I am certainly chaotic. Am I also abhorrent to you?’
‘Of course not. I love vampire and hulijing you. All I’m saying is I don’t want to be vampire myself. Their lifestyle is not one I would choose.’
‘But—’
A knock at the door interrupts us.
‘Jing? Tony? Are you in there?’ Gigi half sings through the door. ‘My father and Big Wang have both responded. Yue Gue wants us downstairs in ten minutes to discuss next steps.’ She rattles the doorknob with a giggle.
Tony gestures for me to answer, so Gigi will think I’m in here alone. Is this not lying? Manipulating? I get to my feet and slowly turn to face Tony, letting my shirt slide off my shoulders and drop to the floor. He swallows before quickly turning his head, squeezing his eyes shut for good measure.
It’s the last bit, the way he shuts his eyes, like that will stop me from being half naked, that makes me see red. What is his hang-up? I grab his hand and put it right on my naked breast.
He makes a strangled sound and snatches his hand away.
The vampires make no apologies for their bodies or their desires. Why do we torture ourselves like this?
‘Mr Lee,’ Gigi calls through the door. ‘We’re counting on you! Make sure Jing is presentable and downstairs in ten, oh wait, nine minutes.’
He clears his throat, stammers, ‘Y-yes, of course.’
Gigi’s answering laugh trails away as her footsteps fade.
In a strained voice he says, ‘Please put on your clothes, Jing. We need to wash and change so we don’t keep the others waiting.’
‘They won’t care.’
His answer is exactly what I expect. I mouth along when he says, ‘But I will.’
Keeping his eyes averted from my nakedness, he slips out of the room without a backwards glance.
After a much-needed wash, I pull on the cornflower-blue robe they provided and knock on Tony’s door so we can head down together. No answer. The rotted coward didn’t wait for me. But, I decide to be magnanimous and head downstairs without throwing a tantrum.
They’re all sitting around the low wooden table waiting for me. Tony sits stiffly, staring at the celadon double-gourd teapot on the table. He doesn’t move or acknowledge my arrival as the others greet me. My brief interlude of zen goes up in flames.
If he’s going to give me the cold shoulder for crossing his line, I can play that game too. My temper is about to stomp me over to the empty chair on the other side of the table when I notice his ears are bright red. I look closer – and his whole face is flushed a delicate pink.
Curious, I saunter over and sit in the empty chair beside him. He still won’t look at me, but I notice his complexion is now bright red, like he’s shoved his head into a brazier. I’ve never seen him so flustered; suddenly I’m not quite so annoyed anymore.
I grab a sugared dough knot from the table and happily munch away while Yue Gui pours us each a cup of tea. ‘Please, enjoy.’
The steam from the tea wafts towards me. The aroma is familiar – a whiff of toasted pecan, a hint of peach, and the sweet crisp scent of mountain streams. I’m sure I’ve had this tea before.
Taking one of the delicate jade green cups, I inhale deeply.
The memory comes bubbling to the surface: my coming of age birthday over ten years ago.
Big Wang brought out a black cloisonné jar inlaid with crimson dragons matching his tattoos – a beautiful work of art I’d not seen before nor since.
With great care he removed the lid and showed me the tea inside.
The leaves resembled gilded pine needles.
Steeped, they unfurled into gleaming golden leaves.
The tea itself glittered when the light hit it just so.
My eyes widen at the neglected cups sitting on the table.
‘Is this Kunlun Lang Gan?’ I say.
Yue Gui nods. ‘You have an excellent nose, Lady Jing.’
Gigi glances down in surprise before lifting her steaming cup with great reverence.
‘I’ve only had this tea twice before, both times at Queen Mother of the West’s summer party.
It’s harvested once every five hundred years from her ancient Lang Gan tree.
Baba hoards his Kunlun Lang Gan like a greedy child and never shares.
’ She inhales the delicate aroma. ‘I am honoured by your generosity, Special Emissary.’
Ah Lang whistles and lowers his head in a bow. ‘Abundant gratitude for your generosity, Special Emissary Yue Gui.’
Tony inclines his head as well. ‘This is indeed an honour. Manifold gratitude for your generous hospitality.’
Yue Gui blushes, waves her hand. ‘May sherrrr. Tea is a drink to be shared. Big Wang insisted we treat you as the most noble of guests and I was happy to oblige.’ She picks up the two folded letters in front of her, and her demeanour becomes serious.
‘Now that we are refreshed, let us get to the matter at hand. We have received instructions from both the Jade Emperor and Yan Luo Wang regarding the vampires’ request for assistance.
’ The first letter bears the Celestial Seal of the Realm and the Jade Emperor’s distinctive seal, each character stylised to resemble birds with beaks, eyes and tails. She unfolds it and reads:
‘Imperial Decree
I am in receipt of Special Emissary Long Yue Gui’s report detailing:
– the hijacking and kidnapping of my daughter Lady Gi, Qian Lang, Lady Hu Xian Jing, Tony Lee, and Lord Aengus;
– the subsequent assault on my daughter Lady Gi and Qian Lang;
– the discovery of Lady Hu Xian Jing’s long-lost paternal family; and finally,
– the request by the vampires of House Durand for the realms of Tian to assist in their search for the missing vampire Romain de Durand.
The transgressions by House Durand are great and many, including the dishonourable behaviour which resulted in their expulsion and subsequent ban from all of Tian and the mortal lands under our purview.
Under normal circumstances, their request would be refused.
However, in conscience, we must consider that Romain de Durand is Lady Hu Xian Jing’s own noble father, missing for the last hundred years.
Discernible in the serendipitous meeting between Lady Hu Xian Jing and her vampire kin is the will of Tian.
We also note House Durand’s respectful submission in owning their transgressions.
Therefore, we consent to assist in the search for Romain de Durand. Venerable Yan Luo Wang shall coordinate and will be in touch with further instructions.
The ban shall also be lifted with the following conditions:
– approval to enter Tian and the mortal lands under our purview must be obtained from the Ministry of Rites prior to travel. Any approvals shall be made on a case by case basis, and may be withdrawn at our sole discretion.
– only Aliénor de Durand and Marianne de Durand may make such applications on behalf of themselves and other members and vassals of House Durand. Further, they shall act as guarantors for any other vampires included on such applications.
– any vampire visiting Tian and the mortal lands under our purview shall behave in accordance with the principles of Tian or risk instant expulsion.
We show the greatest condescension and manifest our kindly indulgence in granting their request. End Decree.’
Yue Gui folds the letter, and picks up the second one. This one carries Big Wang’s personal seal. She sips her tea, then reads:
‘Manifold gratitude for your tireless efforts in locating my cherished daughter, Lady Jing, and her friends. I have read your report. We will join the search for Lady Jing’s father.
However, sharing what we find with House Durand is conditional on full repair of any damage to the Immortal Express and all its fixtures, fittings and furnishings, return of the passengers’ luggage, as well as an oath never to interfere with our persons and belongings again.
If their luggage and belongings are damaged or unusable, please provide an allowance for Lady Jing, Tony Lee, and Lord Aengus to replace what they need.
The Jade Emperor also provides an allowance for Lady Gi and Ah Lang, though he said Lady Gi was not to replace more than the sixteen luggage trunks she brought.
In order to begin investigations, please send us the dates of Romain de Durand’s arrival and departure in the Middle Kingdom, where he travelled, and any other useful information.
It would be better if you and Ahn allowed Lady Jing and her friends to work with the vampires.
I’d prefer to keep you both off their radar.
I await your further report.’
‘The vampires will be happy,’ Ah Lang says. ‘They’ve been waiting a long time to search for their missing family.’
Yue Gui pulls a small square of folded paper, and presses it into Tony’s hands. ‘Mr Lee, this is for you.’
The seal on it is Big Wang’s. I watch Tony read it, hoping Big Wang isn’t scolding him or saying anything embarrassing.
‘What does he want?’ I say, striving to be nonchalant.
Tony folds the letter and pockets it. ‘He gave me a mission.’ Tony turns his soft brown eyes on me. ‘I’m to watch over you.’
He doesn’t look away this time so I hold his gaze, remembering the feel of his fingers on my skin. Either he can read my mind or he’s thinking the same thing, because Tony’s face flushes poppy red.
Gigi covers my eyes with her hand. ‘You and Tony clearly need more alone time.’
Yue Gui stands. ‘Our next steps are clear. We’ll send a message to House Durand, stipulating the conditions of our assistance. Feel free to explore the house and our gardens but please do not venture outside the wards for now. Lunch will be served in about an hour.’