Chapter Twenty-one
“You brought us new clothes?” Neona asked as she studied the black vest she’d pulled from one of the tote bags.
“They’re called Kevlar vests,” Emma explained. “They’re bulletproof and provide some protection against stabs.”
“How wonderful.” Lydia grabbed one to look at it. “Then this is a modern type of armor?”
“Yes.” Emma nodded. “We are honored to be fighting by your side in our quest to defeat Lord Liao and Master Han. Please accept these vests as a token of our friendship.”
Nima, who had at first ignored the tote bags, removed a vest and admired it. “We will accept your gift. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Emma exchanged a smile with Lady Pamela.
After Zoltan had teleported Neona back to her house, she’d gathered all the women around the central fire pit to tell them that a vampire warrior woman would be arriving soon. Then he had called Emma so she could use his voice to teleport. To everyone’s surprise, she hadn’t come alone. Mikhail’s wife, Lady Pamela, had accompanied her, and they’d both been loaded down with tote bags.
Any feelings of suspicion or distrust had quickly evaporated when the women of Beyul-La had taken a look at their gifts. Luxurious bath products, cookware and dishes—it was like Christmas, Zoltan thought. But the most popular bags were the ones containing Kevlar vests.
Emma bowed her head to Nima. “If you are ready, your majesty, we can discuss business.”
“I am ready.” Nima sat in her usual place at the fire pit. Zoltan sat next to Neona and took her hand in his.
“Liao is coming this way with two hundred soldiers,” Emma began, but she was interrupted by a series of gasps.
“How many warriors are you providing?” Nima demanded.
“Around fifty,” Emma replied, then held up her hands when the women objected. “I know it sounds bad, but even though we’re outnumbered, we’ve been making good progress in our battle against Master Han. With help from the God Warriors, we dispatched the demon, Darafer, back to hell, and we’ve successfully turned a hundred of their supersoldiers back to normal.”
“Is it true what Zoltan said?” Freddie asked. “That Master Han has nine hundred soldiers?”
Emma nodded. “Yes. But with Darafer gone, Master Han can’t make any more.”
The queen huffed. “And how are we supposed to defeat Liao and his two hundred soldiers?”
“A war of attrition,” Emma replied. “Liao doesn’t know the exact location of this valley. In order to cover all of Tibet, he will have to divide his men into search parties. Our friend Russell is following them. Once we know the location of a search party, we’ll teleport in to attack. By the time Liao finds this valley, his army will be whittled down to a much more manageable size.”
The women nodded in approval.
“Your strategy is sound,” Nima announced. “We will assist you in your attacks.”
“Excellent.” Emma smiled. “Then you will not object to our men moving into the neighboring valley?”
“They may come,” Nima agreed. “But they must understand that they need to remain in the next valley. Men are not allowed here in Beyul-La.” She cast a disparaging look at Zoltan. “We made an exception for Dohna’s son.”
“And I appreciate it.” When he smiled at her, the queen’s frown deepened. He groaned inwardly. As far as he could tell, his future mother-in-law still wanted to kill him. Maybe the land deed would change her mind.
“Excuse me.” He hurried back to Neona’s house and took the folder from his duffel bag. When he returned to the fire pit, Tashi was taking Pamela to the next valley so Pamela could call in the troops.
He sat next between Neona and her mother. “Your majesty, I have a gift for you.” He handed her the folder. “This is the land deed for Beyul-La and the surrounding area. Legal proof that the land is yours.”
The queen’s eyes widened as she opened the folder.
“Thank you.” Neona squeezed his arm and smiled at him.
“Who is this?” Nima pointed at Rajiv’s name.
“He’s a friend and a Chinese citizen. I had to buy the land through him.”
The queen shut the folder, frowning. “How can we trust him? He might steal the valley from us.”
“He won’t,” Zoltan assured her. “He’s the Grand Tiger of Tiger Town. He’s on our side.”
“That’s true,” Emma added. “The were-tigers are our biggest ally against Master Han.”
“Were-tigers?” Freya’s eyes lit up. “You mean there are men who turn into tigers?”
Emma smiled. “Yes. We have a number of shifters on our side. Wolves, bears, tigers, and panthers. You needn’t be concerned about your Living Water where they’re concerned. They can all live five hundred years or more.”
Zoltan noticed how the women exchanged glances. Were they expecting to keep their were-dragons a secret?
Nima shot him an angry look. “You told her about our Living Water?”
“They’re going to risk their lives for you.” Zoltan gave her a pointed look. “They have a right to know all the secrets they are protecting.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“We understand why you keep the Living Water a secret,” Emma said. “We can’t let Liao or Han find it. They would use it to gain power over the entire planet.”
Nima nodded stiffly. “That is true.”
“I need to show you these.” Emma unzipped her backpack and removed a pistol. “I brought one for each of you.”
“We’ve never used guns before,” Freddie said.
“Don’t worry. We’ll train you.” Emma removed a box of darts from her backpack. “These are actually dart guns. And practice darts. When we attack a search party, we’ll use the real darts and shoot as many of the soldiers as possible. The darts will knock them out.”
The queen crossed her arms. “We are accustomed to bows and arrows. Or swords.”
Emma nodded. “You will have your usual weapons with you in case you need them. But remember, Han’s soldiers are super fast and strong. The minute you engage in close combat, you will be at a disadvantage.”
“We know,” Freddie muttered. “They killed five of us three weeks ago.”
“We’re determined not to lose any of you,” Emma assured her. “The best way to deal with the supersoldiers is a surprise attack, knocking them unconscious with a dart before they even know we’re there.”
“And then we kill them?” the queen asked.
Emma shook her head. “Remember how I said that we’ve changed a hundred of the soldiers back to normal? That is our goal. We’ll teleport the unconscious soldiers to our clinic in Japan or the new one we’re setting up in Tiger Town, and there we’ll be able to save them.”
“Why are we bothering to save them?” Lydia asked.
“They’re mortal,” Emma explained. “And it has always been our mission as Vamps to protect mortals. The soldiers are under Master Han’s mental control. And they’ve been changed by Darafer, the demon. Once we change them back and break Han’s control over them, they’re happy to be free.”
“If they die in battle, their souls belong to Darafer,” Zoltan added. “They’ll go straight to hell.”
The women winced.
“So we try to rescue as many as we can. It pays off in the end because the rescued soldiers usually agree to help us defeat Han. Since we’re so outnumbered, we’ll need them someday.” Emma pulled a tablet from her backpack. “Before we head to the next valley, I have one more thing to share with you. Well, with Winifred and Freya, to be precise.”
“Yes?” Freddie and Freya sat up.
“A few nights ago, Zoltan asked my husband, Angus, to search for your father,” Emma explained. When the girls’ faces lit up, she quickly added, “I’m afraid I have sad news for you. Frederic passed away about sixty years ago during a bombing raid in World War II.”
“Oh,” Freya whispered. “Poor Papa.”
Freddie sighed. “I always wondered what happened. He said he would come back.”
“I’m sorry.” Emma turned on her tablet and touched some buttons. “Angus was able to locate your younger brother, Franklin—”
“Frankie?” Freya gasped. “He’s alive?”
Freddie grinned. “How is he?”
“You can see for yourself.” Emma handed Freya the tablet. “Angus recorded this for you.”
Freddie and Freya squealed when a man’s voice emanated from the tablet.
“Oh, my God!” Freya dropped the tablet.
Freddie poked at it with a finger. “What is this thing? Is that Frankie?”
“I want to see him!” Neona scurried around the fire pit, then hunched behind the two women, looking over their shoulders.
Freddie leaned closer. “He looks so old!”
Freya looked aghast. “If we didn’t have the Living Water, we would look even older!”
Neona winced. “I helped deliver him. And I used to change his nappies.”
“Did you?” Freya glanced back at her.
Neona snorted. “I changed your nappies, too.”
“You probably remember him better than we do,” Freddie murmured. “We were so young.”
“I remember him.” Lydia scooted closer so she could see.
“He’s talking!” Freya picked up the tablet. “And we’re missing it.”
“I’ll start it over for you.” Emma reached over to touch some buttons.
The four women hunched over the tablet to watch the video. Zoltan smiled at the joy on their faces. Too bad the queen was still sitting there like a grumpy toad.
“Hi, Freddie! Hello, Freya!” Frankie’s voice began.
“Hello?” Freya whispered hesitantly.
“It’s recorded,” Emma explained. “He can’t hear you.”
“Hush.” Freddie nudged her sister.
“Angus assures me that you’ll see this,” Frankie continued. “What a thrill it was to hear that you’re still alive and well in Beyul-La. I was very sorry to hear about Mum. I suppose you heard about Papa. He died during an air raid sixty years ago. I know he promised to come back to you, and he truly meant to, but when the war started, travel was impossible, and then he didn’t survive the war.”
“He never meant to abandon us,” Freya whispered.
“I was only six when we left,” Frankie said, “but Papa always talked about Beyul-La, so I have all of his memories. I know that Freddie used to suck two of her fingers and Freya was late learning how to walk because she loved making Papa carry her everywhere.”
“That’s true,” Freddie muttered. “You were such a big baby.”
“Hush.” Freya nudged her sister.
“Papa and I talked about you all the time. It was our own secret.” Frankie sighed. “I still miss him. I always wanted to come back to see you, but I didn’t know where you are exactly. And I didn’t want to hire anyone to find you when you’re supposed to remain hidden. And then I was always busy. I’m the head gardener at a huge estate here in England. I’ve always been able to grow things.”
Freya gasped. “He has the same gift that I do!”
Another son who had inherited a gift. Zoltan glanced over at the queen, who was scowling. Did she realize the world she’d controlled for centuries was changing? Hopefully, she’d learn to trust him someday. He intended to do all he could to safeguard the valley.
“And my family keeps me busy,” Frankie continued. “I have a wife, three children, and five grandchildren.”
Freddie grinned. “We have family there.”
“Look!” Freya pointed. “He’s showing pictures of them!”
“Angus says he could teleport me back to Papa’s cabin if that’s all right with you. Vampires, can you believe it?” Frankie laughed. “Now I have another secret to keep.”
“Oh, yes!” Freya clasped her hands together.
“That would be wonderful!” Freddie gave Emma a beseeching look. “When can you bring him here?”
With a smile, Emma retrieved the tablet. “As soon as the situation is safe.”
“Thank you! Thank you!” Freddie and Freya jumped to their feet. With a grin, Neona hugged them.
Zoltan noticed the queen’s hands had clenched in silent anger. No one had asked her permission for Frankie to visit.
Emma’s phone buzzed and she answered it. “All right.” She pocketed the phone and rose to her feet, swinging her backpack over a shoulder. “Angus says they’re ready.”
Nima stood stiffly. “I will show you the way.” She frowned at Winifred. “Check on the cave before you come.”
“Yes, your majesty.” Freddie dashed toward the cave.
Emma watched her go, then gave Zoltan a questioning look. He nodded to let her know he’d explain it to her.
They followed the queen to the rock wall. When they reached the top, he noted the next valley was now bustling with people.
Freya surveyed the crowd. “Are the were-tigers here?”
Emma pointed to three men who were examining supply boxes. “The Grand Tiger and two of his companions.”
“How interesting.” Freya tossed the rope ladder over the wall.
Winifred ran to catch up with them. “Everything’s fine,” she whispered to the queen. “If they need you, they’ll send the owl. Zhan is guarding the entrance. If anyone approaches, he’ll let us know.”
Nima nodded. “Good.”
“Your majesty,” Zoltan addressed her. “You and the other women will need to get used to being teleported, so I’ll show you how easy it is.” He grabbed Neona and materialized in the valley below.
Neona waved at the other women to let them know she was okay. They waved back, then started down the rope ladder one by one. Tashi, who was already in the valley, ran to the base of the wall to hold the ladder steady.
Emma materialized beside him. “Okay. What’s in the bloody cave?”
“It’s the reason they drink the Living Water,” Zoltan whispered. “They’re staying alive for millennia so they can protect what is probably the last remaining group of were-dragons on the planet.”
Emma gasped. “Are you kidding me? Dragons?”
“Yes. Fire-breathing dragons.” He turned to Neona. “I assume they’re able to fly? Is that how you managed to get to Transylvania so quickly when my mother was in danger?”
“Yes.” Neona stepped closer. “As soon as the villagers captured your mother, she sent the news to us by an eagle. Then we rode the dragons there.”
“So it was the dragons who burned down the village?” Zoltan asked.
“Yes.” Neona sighed. “They’re extremely fast and fierce when fully mature, but now we’re at the beginning of a cycle, so they’re defenseless. We have three children and three remaining nests of eggs. We must keep them safe.”
Emma’s expression was still stunned. “You say they’re fast and fierce?”
“They destroyed my village,” Zoltan muttered.
“And they can fly incredibly fast,” Neona added. “I suppose that’s one of the reasons why we’ve always enjoyed being their guardians. You cannot imagine how exhilarating it is to soar through the sky on the back of a dragon.”
“It does sound exciting.” Emma nodded slowly. “Could it be the dragons that Liao is after? Are there rumors that he might have heard?”
Neona winced. “That is possible. The dragons are hunters by nature. We always urge them to hunt in the wild, but over the years, there have been a few occasions when they’ve stolen cows or sheep from farmers. Fortunately, they know to do that only if they’re hundreds of miles away, so that it’s hard to trace them back here.”
Emma’s eyes narrowed. “Imagine Master Han’s supersoldiers attacking villages on fire-breathing dragons. I have to let Angus know about this.” She ran off to find her husband.
Neona glanced at her mother, who was still at the top of the rock wall, waiting to climb down the rope ladder. “I’m going to have to tell her that the secret is out. She will not be happy.”
Zoltan wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “Come on, let me introduce you to some of the guys.”
He led her to the nearest group.
“Way to go, Zoltan!” Phineas waved at him. “When I heard you’d found some Amazon women, I wasn’t expecting them to be hot.”
Gregori gave Zoltan a thumbs-up. “J.L. was betting us that they would look like abominable snowwomen. Big, mean, and hairy.”
“Aye.” Dougal nudged J.L. “Ye owe me ten pounds.”
J.L. Wang didn’t respond. With his mouth dropped open, he focused on the women climbing down the rope ladder.
“J.L.?” Howard waved a hand in front of his face. “Wangster, are you still with us?”
Dougal snorted. “I think he’s smitten.”
“Oh, yeah,” Phineas agreed. “Trapped in a tractor beam of hotness. Quick!” He spun J.L. around. “We’ve got to break the connection before he’s a goner.”
Dougal opened a flask of Blissky and waved it under J.L.’s nose. “Come back to us, lad.”
J.L. blinked, then whispered, “She’s a goddess.”
Zoltan glanced back at the warrior women, wondering which one had affected J.L. “Let me introduce you to Neona, my future wife.”
She gave him a wry look. “When did I agree to that?”
The guys laughed and shook hands with her.
Howard smirked at Zoltan. “No wonder you were letting her beat the crap out of you.”
Zoltan laughed, then led Neona away so they could talk in private. “We’d better go to the monastery before practice begins.”
She nodded. “As soon as it’s safe, I want to bring Minerva’s son back here so I can be his mother.”
Zoltan took her in his arms. “Then he’ll gain a father, too.”
Her eyes gleamed with tears. “Have I told you that I love you?”
“Yes. Climax number five, I believe it was.”
She snorted. “You’re always thinking about sex.”
“And you.” He kissed her brow. “Let’s go.”