Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire (Love at Stake) (5 page)

Russell frowned as he finished loading the ice chest. “Why can’t people be happy for him? It took the guy eight hundred years to get some joy in his life.”

“I know.” Howard took another bite from his donut. “But the villagers are dependent on the tours that come twice a week. Busloads of people come here to see a real vampire castle and spend money in town. If rumor spreads that Zoltan isn’t really a vampire—”

“They could lose their cash cow,” Russell concluded.

Howard snorted. “You could put it that way.” He stuffed the last of his donut into his mouth. “At last month’s coven meeting, Zoltan broke the news to all the Vamps and told them they would have to vote on a new Coven Master this month.”

“Makes sense.” Russell piled some ice on top of the bottles in the chest, then closed the lid. “I’ll be on my way then.”

Howard sat up abruptly. “They’re back. That was fast.”

Zoltan materialized close to the kitchen counter with Mikhail, an old vampire friend from Russia. The sour look on Zoltan’s face brightened when he saw Russell. “I didn’t know you were coming tonight. How are you doing?”

“I’m fine.” Russell shook hands with the only Vamp he called friend. “Thank you for keeping the fridge full of synthetic blood. I know you don’t need it anymore.” He handed a Bleer to Mikhail and a regular beer to Zoltan.

“Thanks.” Zoltan’s frown returned as he wrenched the top off the bottle. “I need a drink.”

“The coven meeting was over fast,” Howard observed. “What happened?”

“Don’t ask.” Zoltan collapsed into a chair at the kitchen table and gulped down some beer.

“What’s wrong?” Howard pushed the box of donuts toward Zoltan. “Didn’t they vote for a new Coven Master?”

Zoltan shot an annoyed look at Mikhail. “The vote was unanimous.”

Mikhail scowled back. “Don’t blame me. I can’t be Coven Master of Eastern Europe. I live in Russia.”

“Close enough,” Zoltan muttered. “You could have volunteered.”

Mikhail snorted. “I have no patience for all the whining that goes on at Coven Court. I would declare everyone guilty and fine them a million euros for wasting my time.”

Zoltan sighed and reached for a donut.

“So who is the new Coven Master?” Howard asked.

Zoltan took a bite and mumbled, “They voted for me again.”

Russell scoffed. “But you’re not a vampire.”

“They don’t care!” Zoltan waved the donut in the air. “They know I could still live forever, so apparently I’m stuck with the job for all eternity!”

Howard grimaced. “They’re willing to let a non-vampire judge them at Coven Court?”

Zoltan groaned. “Lazy bastards. I should do like Mikhail said and fine them all a million euros.” He gave the Russian a wry look. “You’re not off the hook. I’ll need someone to teleport me to all the meetings.”

Mikhail grunted, then gulped down some Bleer. “Why don’t you just let me turn you back into a vampire? Don’t you miss being able to teleport?”

“I do miss that.” Zoltan nodded. “But not enough to give up the days I can have with my wife and family. And stuff like this—” He eyed the donut in his hand. “This is damned good.” He popped the rest into his mouth.

Howard sat back with a smirk. “Now you’re talking.”

Mikhail shook his head. “If we’re done for the night, I should get back to Moscow. Pam’s working—”

“I need a lift back to Tiger Town,” Zoltan interrupted him.

Mikhail gave him an annoyed look. “What am I, your taxi service?”

Zoltan shrugged. “You wouldn’t have to cart me around if you’d taken the Coven Master job.”

Mikhail groaned and drank more Bleer.

“I’ll take you.” As soon as the words were out of Russell’s mouth, he flinched. What the hell was he doing?

Even Zoltan looked surprised. “Oh. Thanks, Russell.”

“I’m out of here then.” Mikhail vanished, taking his bottle of Bleer with him.

Russell swallowed hard. He couldn’t back out now. He was going to Tiger Town. The thought of seeing Jia again made his heart beat faster.
Dammit.
What was wrong with him? It wasn’t like the princess would be happy to see him. She’d probably slap him again.

Zoltan stood. “Can you give me a few minutes? I need to grab my bag from upstairs.”

“That’s fine.” Russell picked up the loaded ice chest. “I need to take my supplies home first.”

“Home?” Howard eyed him curiously. “You’ve never mentioned a home before. Where is it?”

Shit.
Now he was saying too much. Without another word, Russell teleported back to the bat cave. Using vampire speed, he put away his new supplies. The faster he moved, the faster his heart pounded. Since it was a warm August night, he decided to leave his coat behind. He put on a clean T-shirt, then quickly washed his face, brushed his teeth, and combed his hair.

What the hell are you doing?
This wasn’t a date. He was just going to check in on Jia to see how she was faring. That was all. It was well after midnight in Tiger Town, so she was probably asleep. Or she might not even be there. She might have already escaped.

The thought of her trekking through the forest in the middle of the night made his chest tighten. He quickly teleported back to pick up Zoltan, then took him to Tiger Town. Zoltan had called his wife to let her know he was on his way, so she was waiting for him in the courtyard.

Zoltan dropped his duffel bag on the stone pavement and ran toward Neona. She laughed as he whirled her around in a circle.

Russell looked away, annoyed that after two months of marriage, the two were still acting like newlyweds. To his surprise, he spotted Rajiv at the top of the stairs that led down the riverbank. The were-tiger was focused on something in the distance.

“I thought you’d be asleep.” Russell approached him.

Rajiv turned and greeted him. “Any luck finding Han tonight?”

“No.” Russell motioned toward Zoltan. “I gave him a lift.”

“That’s good.” Rajiv turned back to gaze at the road that led south. “Someone’s coming.”

Russell narrowed his eyes. “Looks like a truck. Isn’t it late to have visitors?”

Rajiv glanced toward him with a brief smile. “We’re out in the middle of nowhere. For those of us who can’t teleport, it takes a long time to get here.”

Russell nodded and shifted his weight.

Rajiv gave him a curious look. “Was there something you needed? Did you want to talk to Jin Long?”

“No, no. I’m fine.” Russell glanced north to where the royal residences were situated. “Just wondering . . .” He shifted his weight again. “Is your cousin all right?”

“Jia?” Rajiv looked surprised. “Sure. She seemed fine at dinner.”

So she was still here. Russell’s pulse accelerated.

Rajiv studied the approaching truck to the south. “I’ll see what’s going on.” He started down the stairs to the riverbank. “So long.”

“Later.” Russell glanced again toward the houses built on the north side of the courtyard. Zoltan and Neona had already disappeared down an alleyway to their home.

He teleported to the edge of the courtyard, then moved quickly and quietly through the maze of houses. Jia’s home should be easy enough to spot. It would be the one with guards out front.

J
ia paced back and forth in her room, growing increasingly agitated. It looked like she had no choice but to go with Plan C, but just thinking about it filled her with dread. Surely there had to be another way, but she’d racked her brain all day, and this was the best she could come up with.

Her backpack was ready to go. She’d packed an extra set of clothes and the rest of her knives. A rolled-up cotton quilt was strapped to the bottom of her backpack so she could use it for catnaps. Her favorite four knives were in place, either in her boots or attached to her legs.

It was just her fear that was making her hesitate. With a growl of frustration, she whipped the knife from her right boot and hurled it at the silk banner on the wall. A hit, dead center between the man’s legs.

Damn.
Even her aim was off.
Get a hold of yourself.

All day long she’d strategized and come up with three plans. It would be easier to escape late at night after most were-tigers were asleep, so she’d waited a few hours after sunset to put her plans into action.

Plan A: telling the guards she wanted a late-night snack from the palace kitchen. She would conceal her backpack beneath a bulky cape, then, while the guards thought she was on her way to the kitchen, she would make a run for it.

A hundred yards to the north, there was a trail that wound downhill from the bluff to the riverbank. Her uncles, Rinzen and Tenzen, had a canoe stashed nearby in some bushes, since they loved to go fishing. She would take their canoe across the river and head toward the nearest of Han’s camps. Earlier in the day, she had sneaked into Rajiv’s office in the palace to study his map and take notes on all the locations of Han’s campsites.

Plan A hadn’t worked. Even though she’d assured the guards she would be right back, they had insisted on accompanying her. She’d had no choice but to go to the palace kitchen and pretend to be enjoying some almond cookies. She’d tried to tempt the guards with some strong, homemade Tiger Juice, thinking they’d be easier to handle if they were drunk, but they had refused.

An hour later, she’d tried Plan B. Just a quick trip to the outhouse, she’d assured the guards. No need to accompany her. But they had insisted.

Now she was stuck with Plan C. It was the best plan, actually, but she’d saved it for last, hoping to avoid it. Her hands had trembled as she’d unwound the bolts of red and gold embroidered silk. With the ends tied together, the two lengths of material made a rope about thirty yards long. Since the fabric was smooth and slick, she made a knot every three feet to give her a handhold and foothold.

Plan C was simple. Tie one end of the silken rope to the heavy beam that crossed her room’s ceiling. Then toss the other end out the back window so that it fell over the edge of the bluff. She would climb down the rope, then head north to her uncles’ canoe.

You can do this.
She tied a knife to the end of the silk rope, then tossed it over the heavy wooden beam that traversed the ceiling. Standing on top of a chest, she tied off the rope and returned the knife to her left boot.

Her knees wobbled as she climbed off the chest. Dammit. Only three feet off the ground, and she was shaking. How on earth would she climb down a thirty-yard rope?

She shook her head, trying to keep the memory from coming back, but it seeped into her mind, eager to torture her and paralyze her with fear. Thirteen years ago, her father had rushed her out the back door of their home and set her on a low branch of a tree. His deep voice edged with tension, he’d instructed her to climb as high as she could. She had. Like most were-tigers, she’d been adept at climbing. But she’d never imagined that high in a tree, she would see her parents and older brother captured by Master Han and slaughtered.

She clenched her fists, chasing the memory away.
You can do this.
She slipped on her backpack. The door and front window were closed and bolted. She’d placed a second chest by the back window so she could climb out. With trembling hands, she gathered up the silken rope and tossed it out the back window.

Her hands started sweating as she climbed onto the chest and sat on the windowsill. She wiped her hands on her pants, then clutched the silken rope. With a shaky breath, she eased out the window and landed on the bluff.

So far, so good. There was a narrow ledge of land here between the house and the cliff.
Don’t look down
. Her heart thundered loudly in her ears.

With the silken rope clutched tightly in her hands, she backed up slowly toward the edge of the cliff. Panic seized her, and she stifled a cry. She couldn’t let the guards hear her.

When her feet slipped off the edge, she fell till her arms snapped straight and took the weight. Unfortunately, her hands started sliding. She hissed in a breath, feeling a moment of sheer terror till her hands stopped at a knot. Her shoulders strained, and she desperately struggled to catch the rope between her feet so she could find another knot. She found one and pressed her boots on it to relieve some of the tension on her arms. Her breaths came out in pants, and sweat beaded her brow.
You can do this
.

She slid her right hand down to the next knot, then quickly grabbed it with her left hand. Her feet came loose, and she dangled from her arms again till she found the next knot with her feet.
Don’t look down
. She squeezed her eyes shut and took long, slow breaths.

“Going somewhere?” a man’s voice whispered close by.

With a squeal, Jia flinched and her hands slipped.

“Careful.” The man looped his arms around her and pulled her close.

The second she hit his rock-hard chest, she felt an instant surge of relief. Russell was back! He must have changed his mind and decided to work with her after all. And here he was rescuing her. Again!

He was hovering in the air with nothing to hold onto, but he seemed so at ease. Totally strong and confident. When he smiled at her, her heart leaped for joy.

“Russell,” she breathed.

“Yes?”

“You’ve come to help me escape?” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you! I know we’ll make a great team!”

Chapter Four

W
hat the hell?
Russell stiffened. Why did this woman always misinterpret his actions? Was she being blinded by her eagerness to succeed? No doubt she was desperate to have someone who was on her side, but why couldn’t she understand that it wasn’t him?

He tightened his grip on her.
Just a few seconds,
he thought,
let me hold her for just a few seconds
. Her face was nestled in the crook of his neck, her breath warm against his skin. His chest swelled at this proof that she was happy to see him. But she was only happy because she thought he’d come to help her.

Shit.
He was going to disappoint her again. And she would probably slap him again. After a quick glance at the open window above them, he teleported to the interior of the room, taking Jia with him.

She stumbled back as she materialized, then glanced about the room with a confused look. “Why are we here?”

“Isn’t this where you live?” He’d noticed the two guards out front before sneaking around to the back and discovering the silk rope stretched taut through the back window.

He pivoted, inspecting the small room. It was surprisingly plain for the home of a princess. There were two chests, one low table, and two square pillows to sit on. The only decoration was a screen across one end of the room, and the only color was the bright red rope she’d tied around a ceiling beam.

“We can’t stay here,” she whispered, casting a nervous glance at the door. The walls were thin, so she was probably afraid the guards would hear. With an excited grin, she grabbed his arm. “Let’s go to your secret hideout!”

He hesitated, aware that his response would wipe the hopeful look off her face. “No.”

Her smile wobbled, then returned full force. “Then we’re going straight to work, investigating Master Han’s campsites?”

“No. I’m not taking you anywhere. I only came to see how you were doing.”

Her hands slipped off his arm, falling limply at her sides as she stumbled back a few steps. Her face went pale, all expression wiped clean. Even the sparkle in her eyes turned dull and lifeless.

Russell’s chest tightened. He might as well have stabbed her. No, this was even worse. As a were-cat, she had nine lives. She would survive a stabbing. What he had done was inflict injury to her soul.

He backed away. “I shouldn’t have come. I’ll go now.”

“Wait.”

When her eyes flashed with anger, he felt a surge of relief. Her fighting spirit was still there.

She stepped toward him, her teeth gritted. “We need to talk.” She lifted her hand, and he caught her by the wrist.

“What . . . ?” She tugged at his grip, but he held fast. “Why—”

“You were going to slap me.”

She snorted. “I said
talk
. But I think I like your idea better.” She pulled her other hand back, and he nabbed that wrist, too. “What—”

He lifted her hands over her head and turned her like they were doing a country-western dance. Then, with her arms crossed, he pulled her back against his chest.

“Let me go!” She struggled to get free, but he held her closer.

“Ssh,” he whispered in her ear. “You don’t want the guards to hear.”

“Maybe I should call them in to beat the tar out of you.”

“I would just teleport away.”

“Coward.”

He drew in a hissing breath. “Princess.”

“Don’t call me princess.”

“Don’t call me coward.”

“If the shoe fits.” She stomped on his foot, but he merely winced and pulled her tighter against him.

She grew still. He closed his eyes briefly, relishing this position. He’d enjoyed it last night, too. Even with the backpack she wore, her body seemed to fit perfectly against his, smaller, but snug and sheltered, as if she were a blade and he, the sheath. He lowered his head till his nose grazed her hair, and the floral scent of her shampoo filled his senses.

A shudder ran down her body.

Was he offending her by holding her like this? He knew he should release her, but it felt so damned good.
Just a few more seconds.
“My apologies for grabbing you. I thought you were going to slap me.”

She shook her head slightly. “I was only going to point at the rope to prove how desperate I am to escape.”

“I see,” he murmured against her soft hair.

“Why won’t you take me with you?” she whispered.

“I work alone.”
And I don’t want you to get hurt
.

“But I can help you.” She turned her face to try to see him, and his mouth accidentally brushed against her brow.

He lifted his head, and she looked away. He felt her rib cage expand as she took a deep breath. Would it hurt to take her to a few of Master Han’s camps? She would be an extra set of eyes.

But she would get in the way, he argued with himself. He would get distracted, and that would put them both in danger.

He eyed the silk rope she’d made to escape. She was clever, resourceful, and brave. Excellent with knives. How could he find fault with her for wanting to succeed? Especially when her goal was the same as his?

“We want the same thing,” she whispered, echoing his own thoughts. “Please take me with you.”

He swallowed hard. It was getting damned hard to refuse her. “You could get hurt.”

“So could you. I’m willing to take the risk. I won’t be a burden to you, I promise.”

He squeezed his eyes shut.
You could be her hero.

A knock sounded at the door and he jumped back, releasing her.

“Jia?” Rajiv called from the front porch. “Are you asleep?”

Her eyes wide with horror, she lunged forward and grabbed Russell by his T-shirt. “They mustn’t find you here!”

“I’ll just go.”

“No! I still need to talk to you.”

Meaning she still wanted to convince him to take her with him. “I can—”

“Hide!” She ran over to the screen, pushed it back, and motioned for him to come.

As he approached, his gaze landed on the white banner with the figure of a man painted on it and a knife firmly embedded in his groin. “What the—”

She gasped. “My favorite knife! I almost left without it. How could I be so forgetful?”

He gave her an incredulous look. “I’m a little more concerned about your aim.”

She winced. “I was . . . distracted.”

“Remind me never to distract you.”

“Jia?” Rajiv knocked on the door again.

“Just a minute,” she called back. “I-I was asleep.” She dashed across the room and furiously pulled the rope back through the window. Loops of red and gold silk pooled onto the floor.

With a snort, Russell yanked her favorite knife from the wall, then levitated up to the beam and sliced the material free.

“Thank you!” she whispered, bundling up the fabric in her arms.

He dropped quietly to the ground and helped her gather up the rope and carry it to the small area behind the screen.

“Don’t leave!” she warned him. She dropped her backpack on the floor by his feet, kicked off her boots, then stretched the screen across the room.

He sat on the floor, surrounded by mounds of gold and red silk. It was darker here, since the screen blocked the moonlight that filtered through the open window. Even so, he spotted a thick, quilted pallet folded and stashed in the corner. Was that her bed? Then this small area had to be her bedroom. He winced, imagining Rajiv’s reaction if he caught a vampire in the princess’s bedchamber.

Jia’s soft footsteps crossed the room to the door, then Russell heard the scrape of the bolt. “Is there something wrong, Rajiv?”

Heavier footsteps entered the room, and the door closed. “Everything’s fine,” Rajiv answered. “I just wanted to give this to you.”

“What is it?” Jia asked, and Russell shifted closer to a gap in the screen. Unfortunately, all he could see was Rajiv’s back.

“Another gift from the Grand Tiger of South Korea,” Rajiv explained. “It must be very expensive, since he sent it with a courier.”

“Oh.” Jia didn’t sound overly thrilled.

“The courier told me he had a tough time getting it through customs, so it delayed his arrival here,” Rajiv continued. “The Grand Tiger insisted that you receive the gift today, so the courier begged me to bring it straight to you. Apparently, you’re supposed to receive a gift every day until your betrothed arrives.”

Betrothed
? Russell sat back. Jia was engaged? To a Grand Tiger? He closed his eyes, no longer wanting to see, and wishing he didn’t have to hear.

“They really shouldn’t go to so much trouble,” Jia murmured.

“It is a bit much,” Rajiv agreed, “but look at it this way. They’re definitely serious about the marriage. And they’re trying hard to impress you.”

“I suppose,” Jia mumbled.

A sick feeling gnawed at Russell’s gut, and he twisted his hand around a clump of red silk. What the hell had he expected? She was a princess after all. And to think he’d come so close to taking her with him into danger.

“Open it,” Rajiv urged.

There was a creaking sound of a lid being lifted, followed by Jia’s gasp.

Rajiv whistled. “That’s got to be worth a fortune. And you know what? It would look perfect with the bracelets from your mom. Let’s see.” A chest opened.

“It’s late,” Jia protested.

“Come on, I want to see you look like a princess.” There was a pause and some rustling sounds, then Rajiv said, “I wish Grandfather could see you now. I wish he could see the wedding.”

“I know.” Jia sighed. “I miss him, too.”

“You should probably make your wedding gown from all that red and gold silk they sent you yesterday,” Rajiv said. “I have a feeling that’s why they sent it.”

Russell scoffed silently as he tossed the material away. She had used an engagement present for her escape?

“I’ll let you get back to sleep now,” Rajiv said, and his footsteps crossed to the door. “See you tomorrow.”

The door shut, then Jia’s steps rushed to the door and she slid the bolt.

Russell eased to his feet and opened the screen a few feet. When Jia turned to face him, his heart stilled for a moment. Even in her plain clothes, she looked every bit a princess. The moonlight shone around her, gleaming off thick, raven-black hair, smooth, flawless skin, and large, golden cat eyes. A long necklace of gold and jade encircled her neck, and a jade pendant of a tiger nestled between her breasts. More gold and jade decorated the cufflike bracelets around her wrists.

He leaned back against the wall as his heart slumped.

She stepped toward him. “I’m sorry you had to hear that, but it doesn’t change anything.”

“You think not?” He crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re engaged. To a Grand Tiger. A wealthy one.”

“No. Not at all.” She took the necklace off and dropped it back into its box. “His son. The prince.”

Of course. No grasping old geezer for Jia. She was going to have the dashing young prince. A sliver of anger sliced at his gut.

“I haven’t agreed to it.” She shut the box.

“You’re accepting the gifts.”

She gave him an annoyed look. “He’s coming to meet me in two weeks. If I don’t like him, I’ll return the gifts and tell him to get lost.”

“You’ve never met him before?”

“No. I didn’t even know about the engagement till yesterday. Grandfather arranged it when I was ten. I’m only going along with it for now out of respect for my grandfather.”

Russell shifted his weight. “So if you like the guy, you’re going to . . . go through with it?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know. All I know is I need to find Han and kill him before the prince arrives. I have thirteen days now.”

Russell snorted. So she expected him to help her, then deliver her back here in time for her wedding. “You have no business out in the jungle fighting Han’s soldiers.”

Her eyes simmered with anger as she ripped the bracelets off her wrists. “Do you see these? They’re all I have left of my parents. I will see my family avenged. Whether you help me or not.”

“Not.”

“Wait.” She dropped the bracelets into an open trunk, then dashed toward him. “Pay no attention to my anger. It makes me say foolish things. I know very well that you are my best chance at succeeding. Please.” She grabbed his T-shirt in her fists. “Take me with you.”

He slowly pried her hands loose. “You’re a princess. A betrothed princess. I can’t put you in danger.”

“If you don’t help me, I’ll have to do it on my own, and that would be even more dangerous.”

He winced inwardly. That much was true. He gently squeezed her hands. “Stay here. You have family and a future. Enjoy your life. I’ll take care of Han, and when I’m done, I’ll bring his golden mask to you and lay it at your feet.”

She looked up at him, her eyes glistening with tears. “I know you would. I believe you, but . . . I need more.”

“I’m sorry.” He released her and teleported away.