Chapter Twenty-five
It was late afternoon when Neona woke up. She glanced over at Zoltan. After climax number seven, she’d fallen fast asleep. He must have teleported home then, for his clothes were clean and his face shaven. She peeked into the box where he kept his blood bottles. Six new bottles and a half-full bottle of Living Water. While everyone was sleeping, he must have sneaked into the cave to get more Living Water to mix with his blood.
The women of Beyul-La drank only a small cup of it once a month in order to keep from aging. Zoltan was ingesting more than that every night. So far, he claimed there was no effect.
Neona looked him over. Gorgeous as always. It might take a week or more for any changes to be noticeable. Or it could be that his vampire healing abilities were erasing any changes during his death-sleep.
She dressed and hurried to the outhouse. While she was washing up in the stream, the alarm sounded. Someone was striking the old cowbell by the cave entrance.
The women rushed to the cave.
“They’re gone!” Winifred announced. “Xiao Fang and Norjee are missing.”
“What?” Nima shouted. “You were supposed to be watching them. How did you—”
“I’m sorry,” Freddie cried. “I was so tired, I dozed off.”
“Of course you were tired.” Freya came to her defense. “We were up all night.”
“They’re probably in the valley somewhere,” Neona said. “Maybe the pond where they bathed yesterday. They loved it there.”
“I’ll check.” Lydia ran upstream.
“I’ll see if the other children know anything.” Nima rushed into the cave.
Freddie leaned close to Neona and lowered her voice. “Huo and Chu won’t tell the queen anything. They’re afraid of her temper. But they confessed to me.”
Neona swallowed hard. “What did they do?”
“They were jealous that Xiao Fang and Norjee were getting so close. So they told Norjee that he wasn’t wanted here. That his own grandmother had given him away because he was a nobody.”
Neona winced.
“That was cruel,” Freya whispered.
Tashi touched her stomach. “If I have a son, I’m not giving him away.”
“They told Norjee that we keep only special children here, like the dragon shifters,” Freddie continued. “They saw him slip out while I was sleeping. Then Xiao Fang got upset and followed him.”
Lydia came back. “They’re not at the pond.”
“We’ll have to check the entire valley,” Tashi said.
Neona sighed. “I’m afraid Norjee will try to return to the only other home he knows.”
“The monastery?” Freddie made a face. “That’s thirty miles away!”
“I know. But he knows he was loved there.” Neona blinked away tears. She should have let the boy know how much she loved him. “I should have spent more time with him.”
“Don’t blame yourself,” Lydia said. “We’re at war.”
Tashi winced. “There are still fifty soldiers out there.”
Neona nodded. “We have to find the boys. Lydia and Tashi, can you check the valley? Freddie and Freya, will you come with me? I’m going to head toward the monastery.”
Freddie nodded. “There will be shifters in the next valley. We could ask for their help.”
“Yes!” Freya’s eyes lit up. “Rajiv and his friends will help us.”
The three women went into the cave to grab their bows and arrows, swords, and knives.
“Where are you going?” Nima demanded.
“I think the boys may be headed toward the monastery,” Neona explained. “We’ll bring them back.”
Nima’s eyes narrowed. “This wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t brought that boy back here.”
“That boy?” Neona’s hands clenched with a sudden surge of rage. “That boy is your grandson! This wouldn’t have happened if we hadn’t abandoned him! Or made him feel worthless!”
She strode from the cave with Freddie and Freya. At the top of the rock wall, they discovered that the rope ladder had been let down, a sure sign that the boys had left the valley.
The three women scrambled down the ladder. Neona spotted Howard in the distance and dashed toward him.
“Have you seen two boys?” she asked. “Norjee and the oldest dragon boy have run away.”
Howard winced. “We haven’t been watching the entrance to your valley. You guys are our allies. We’ve been guarding the perimeter of this valley in case any of Liao’s men come along.”
Neona sighed. No doubt Norjee was an expert at escaping. He’d done it regularly at the monastery. “Can you spare us a few shifters? We have to find the boys. I think they’re headed west, toward the Buddhist monastery.”
Howard waved some shifters over. “Rajiv, bring your men.”
Freya smiled at Rajiv as he sauntered over with two were-tigers.
“How good are you at tracking?” Howard asked.
Rajiv glanced at Freya and lifted his chin. “We’re the best.”
“Grab some weapons,” Howard told them. “And some hiking gear. You’re going with these three women. Bring them back safely with the two missing boys.”
“Two boys are missing?” Rajiv asked.
Howard nodded. “And one of them is a dragon shifter. We can’t let the enemy find him.”
An hour later, the path they had followed westward forked into two paths. The two older were-tigers divided up, one going north and the other south, while the rest waited for them to report back.
Rajiv opened his backpack and handed Freya a bottle of water. Since the other were-tigers knew only Chinese, they had all switched to that language. “Rinzen and Tenzen will figure it out. They’re the best trackers I know.”
“I can’t remember which one is which.” Freya sipped some water, then passed the bottle to her sister. “They look so much alike.”
Rajiv smiled. “They’re twins. It’s common for were-tigers.”
Freddie drank some water, then passed the bottle on to Neona. “So which one of them is the Grand Tiger?”
Rajiv winced. “That . . . well, it’s—”
“I don’t think they went this way,” Rinzen called out as he jogged back.
“Let’s check the GPS.” Rajiv pulled out his sat phone. “The southern path leads to the monastery. The boys must have gone that way.”
Tenzen came back, shaking his head. “I can’t see any sign of them.”
“Would Norjee even know which way to go?” Freya asked. “He’s never traveled from Beyul-La to the monastery before. Except when he was a baby.”
“That’s true.” Freddie motioned toward the northern path. “He could have easily taken a wrong turn.”
“You’re right,” Rajiv agreed. “He doesn’t have a GPS.”
“No, but he has something just as good.” Neona looked up at the sky. “He could be asking the birds which way to go. And what would they tell him?” Her gaze lowered to the hillside in front of them.
“They would tell him the most direct route,” Freddie said. “As the crow flies.”
Neona nodded. “You can divide up and take the paths going north and south. I’m going straight west.”
“I’ll go with you,” Tenzen said.
“I’ll take the southern route,” Freddie offered. “Rinzen can come with me.”
“Then Freya and I will go north.” Rajiv checked his watch. “If we see no sign of the boys in an hour, we’ll return here.”
After forty minutes of rocky and hilly terrain, Neona’s legs were aching. This route might be fast for a bird, but it was tough for people.
“Are we going in the right direction?” she asked Tenzen once again.
He checked his GPS. “Yes. Do you need water?” He removed his backpack and handed her a bottle.
“Thank you.” She took a sip, then screwed the cap back on. They had reached the rocky summit of a hill. Going down would be much easier.
As they scrambled downhill, she caught the sound of rushing water. There must be a stream in the valley.
They cleared the forest, and she stopped in dismay. It was more than a stream; it was a wide, rushing river.
Tenzen wiped sweat from his brow. “The path that went south probably has a bridge.”
She approached the riverbank, weaving around stones and fallen trees. A month ago, when the snows had melted, the river must have plowed through here with enough force to move large boulders and rip trees from the ground. The river was lower now, but it was still moving fast. Her nerves tensed at the thought of the boys trying to cross.
“I found something,” Tenzen called from downstream.
She rushed over. A fresh footprint by the muddy shore. A small foot. “They came this way?”
He nodded and pointed at another set of footprints.
She heaved a sigh of relief. “They’re going downstream.”
Tenzen motioned for her to follow. “They’re probably looking for a safe place to cross.”
After ten minutes, the narrow valley flattened out into a wide pasture. The river slowed down and widened till it was only a foot deep.
“There!” Tenzen pointed.
Her heart swelled. Farther downstream, Norjee and Xiao Fang were wading across the river. The water lapped against their legs.
Neona ran toward them. “Norjee! Xiao Fang!”
They stopped and looked back.
“Norjee!” She stepped into the river. “Please come with me. Come home.”
He hung his head. “Nobody wants me there.”
“I do! Lots of us want you there.” Tears filled her eyes. “I love you! Would I have come all this way to find you if I didn’t love you?”
Norjee’s chin trembled. Xiao Fang rested a hand on his shoulder.
“Come back home.” She waded toward him, then stopped with a gasp. On the far riverbank in the forest, something metallic had reflected the light from the lowering sun. Swords. There were soldiers in the forest.
Tenzen muttered a curse behind her.
“Hurry!” she shouted at the boys.
A troop of soldiers on horseback burst from the forest onto the far riverbank.
The boys ran toward her, splashing through the water. Her heart froze. How could she and the boys outrun mounted soldiers? When the boys reached her, she grabbed their hands and sprinted toward Tenzen.
“Keep running.” Tenzen handed her his backpack and drew his sword. “I’ll hold them off.”
One man against a troop? Neona glanced back as she swung his backpack over her shoulder. A dozen horsemen were charging across the river.
She dashed with the boys to the forest. Maybe she could hide them in the trees while she led the horsemen away. She looked around frantically for a tree the boys could climb.
The sound of clashing swords came from the riverbank.
She spotted a good tree. “This way.” She grabbed the boys.
Norjee’s gasp made her glance at the river. Tenzen was down. Four soldiers lay dead next to him. With a bloodied hand, he pulled a knife from his chest, then his hand fell lifeless by his side.
She swallowed hard. The poor man hadn’t had a chance. The eight remaining horsemen headed straight for the forest.
“Hurry.” She tugged at the boys, leading them toward the tree she’d selected. “I want you to hide up here.” She lifted Norjee so he could catch the lowest branch.
“I don’t want to leave you,” Norjee protested.
“I’ll be fine.” She gave Xiao Fang a boost, then dug through the backpack. The sat phone wasn’t there. Tenzen must have kept it.
She handed the backpack to Norjee. “There’s food and drink in there. Hide behind the leaves. Don’t come out till it’s safe.”
The ground beneath her feet vibrated as the horsemen charged toward her. She ran eastward. An arrow whizzed past her head, lodging in a nearby tree. She ducked behind another tree, but within seconds, she was surrounded.
“Where are the others?” a soldier demanded. The extra stripe on his sleeve made her suspect he was the leader.
“I was with one other.” She glared at him. “And you killed him.”
“He attacked us.” The leader urged his horse closer to her.
She backed up as the tip of his sword came close to grazing her chest.
“Where are the others?” he repeated. “There were two boys in the river.”
“Why are you attacking us?” she asked. “We’re just local farmers.”
He scoffed. “With swords?” He motioned to one of his men. “Take her weapons. Tie her up.”
The soldier dismounted and approached her.
She jumped back and drew her sword. “Leave me be. Go on your way, and I will leave you alone.”
The leader laughed. “Are you threatening us?” He motioned to his soldiers. “What are you waiting for?”
Six more men dismounted and stalked toward her.
She backed away, swinging her sword at them. If she could occupy all of the soldiers in her capture, they might forget about the boys. Three of the soldiers slipped around behind her. She whirled, slicing the air with her sword. They circled her, closing in.
“Very well.” She stabbed her sword into the ground. “I surrender. Take me to your master.”
One of the soldiers lunged toward her, his fist aimed for her face. She blocked the punch and kicked him in the balls. With a cry, he doubled over.
“I said I surrender,” she hissed. “I will ride with you to your master.”
Two soldiers grabbed her. They were definitely supersoldiers. She couldn’t break their grip.
“Hold her still.” The soldier she’d kicked in the balls came at her again. “Bitch!” He slapped her hard.
She kicked at him, but he jumped back and sneered. “Maybe we should have some fun with her before we take her back.”
She tensed. The sun was lowering in the sky, but it could still be an hour before sunset, when the vampires woke up.
The soldier unzipped his pants. “Hold her still.”
She gritted her teeth. She would make it through this. She had to.
A blast of fire shot from the tree where the boys were hidden. The soldier screamed as he was engulfed in flames. He ran away, screeching, then fell to the ground, where he flailed. The stench of burning flesh filled the air. His cries died down to whimpers, then he was quiet.
Neona tugged hard, but the two soldiers held her fast.
The other soldiers cautiously surrounded the tree. The fire had burned away some of the leaves, and now the two boys were visible.
The leader nudged his horse forward. “Amazing. One of them must be a dragon. Or perhaps both.” He waved his hand. “Come on down. We won’t hurt you.”
Norjee and Xiao Fang exchanged looks but didn’t budge.
The leader sighed. “They need motivation. Now.”
“Yes, sir.” One of the soldiers holding Neona pressed a knife to her throat.
“All right, boys,” the leader said. “Come down, or we slit her throat.”
Norjee and Xiao Fang climbed down.
“Tie them up,” the leader ordered. “I want to get them back before Lord Liao wakes up.”
Neona and the boys were tied up and tossed onto horses like sacks of rice. They headed back toward the river. She caught a glimpse of Tenzen lying in a pool of blood, and her eyes burned with tears. He’d died for nothing.
After a long ride, the men pulled the horses to a stop and shoved her and the boys onto the ground. With a gasp, she realized where they were. The monastery. Lord Liao and his army of fifty had taken it over.
The soldiers hauled her and the boys to their feet and marched them through the gate into the courtyard. Her stomach twisted at the sight of the two elderly monks lying in pools of blood. Norjee cried out, and Xiao Fang trembled.
She pretended to stumble so she could lower her head to their level. “Don’t say a word to them,” she whispered. “Stay strong.”
Norjee nodded with a whimper.
A soldier jerked her upright and shoved her toward the buildings on the right. Another soldier opened the first door, and they were all pushed into the small room.
It was the same room she’d visited only two nights before. She said a silent prayer for the monks. No wonder they had been so eager to send Norjee away. Hopefully, the other monks had safely evacuated before Liao’s arrival.
The soldiers untied them and left, closing the door behind them. She huddled against the far wall and gathered the two boys close to her. Their trembling bodies made her heart ache.
The door opened, and the leader sauntered inside. As he looked them over, she lowered her gaze. “So you must be one of the legendary warrior women who guards the dragons.” He scoffed. “Did you think it was a secret? How can you keep a bunch of flying dragons a secret? Did you think your meaningless threats would keep the peasants quiet?”
He hunched down in front of her so he could make eye contact. “The peasants are much more afraid of us. When we threaten death, we deliver.”
She remained quiet and squeezed the boys’ shoulders.
“Which one is the dragon?” the leader asked softly.
The boys buried their faces against her.
“There are no dragons,” she replied. “It’s a silly folktale that villagers tell to frighten their children into behaving.”
The leader’s mouth thinned as he straightened. “We saw the fire. One of those boys breathed fire.”
“That soldier was going to rape me. The gods shot fire down at him to punish him.”
The leader snorted. “Very funny.” He turned away, then suddenly drew his sword and pointed it at her chest.
She pressed back against the wall. The boys clung to her, both breathing hard.
“Which one is the dragon?” the leader shouted.
She swallowed hard.
“Not afraid to die, are you?” He sheathed his sword. “Very well. Maybe you’ll be more motivated if we put the boys in danger.”
Her heart lurched.
The leader glanced at his watch. “Lord Liao will awaken in thirty minutes. At that time, both boys will be executed.”
The boys stiffened, and she squeezed their shoulders hard.
The leader sighed. “But I’m feeling charitable tonight. I’ll let you save one of them. It will be your choice. See you in thirty minutes.” He strode from the room and shut the door.
She breathed deeply to calm her racing heart. The soldier must be assuming she would choose to save the dragon.
“Are we going to die?” Norjee whispered.
“No.” She took each boy’s hand. “We’re going to make it through this. Do you understand?” She looked at one, then the other.
“They killed the Venerable Fathers.” Norjee’s eyes filled with tears. “They want to kill us.”
“I will not let them harm you.”
Norjee pulled his hand away and stumbled to the far corner. “You can only save one. You’ll have to save Xiao Fang, because he’s special.” Norjee fell to the floor and burst into tears. “I have to die! I’m a nobody!”
“No!” Neona ran to him and pulled him to her in a tight embrace. “You are special to me, Norjee. You’re my sweet, beautiful boy. You’re the son of my beloved sister. You are the son my heart always wished for.”
Norjee clung to her, sniffling.
“I love you, Norjee.” She rubbed his back and kissed his head. “I will always love you.”
Xiao Fang squatted beside them and hugged them both.
Norjee made a sound that was a cross between a laugh and a whimper. “Xiao Fang says he loves me, too.”
“There, you see.” Neona wiped the tears from Norjee’s face. “Even the dragons know you’re special.”
Taking a deep breath, she looked around. They had thirty minutes to escape. There was one door, and no doubt it was being guarded. Her gaze landed on the window. It was covered with a decorative wooden grate.
She dashed over to it, curled her fingers through the grate, and pushed hard. It wouldn’t give. There was a heavy bar across the outside. Even if she destroyed the grate, the bar would remain solid, and it divided the window into two tiny spaces, too small to escape through.
The sky was darkening as the sun lowered on the horizon. Lord Liao would wake soon, but so would all the good vampires.
Her breath caught with a sudden thought. “Norjee, come here.”
He ran to her. “Yes, Mama?”
“You’re so special, you’re going to be the one who saves us.”
“I am?”
“You know the birds who live around here, right?”
He nodded. “They’re my friends. Especially the family of eagles.”
“Call them.” She moved the short table under the window and set Norjee on top so he was level with the windowsill. “Call the eagles. Call all your bird friends. Tell them to fly to the valley of the dragons and tell the people there that we are prisoners here at the monastery. We’re in grave danger, and they must rescue us.”
Norjee grinned. “I can do that!”
She smiled and patted his back. Xiao Fang stood next to the table and gave him an encouraging smile.
Neona watched the sky darken. Their fate would be decided now in less than thirty minutes.