Chapter Thirty
Dougal paced impatiently in the courtyard at Tiger Town. The were-tiger men had agreed to help them attack one of Master Han's camps, but the idea of spying didn't appeal to them. None of them wanted to be separated from their families for the months the job might require. Only Rajiv's cousin Jia had volunteered.
"Absolutely not!" Rajiv fussed at her in Chinese. "It's too dangerous."
"I'm going!" Jia ascended a step on the staircase leading to the palace so she could stand eye to eye with her cousin. "My parents were slaughtered by Master Han, so I have every right to seek revenge. Just as much as you!"
Rajiv planted his hands on his hips. "You're too young and pretty. The vampire lords will want to feed on you."
"Let them try." Jia drew a dagger from her belt.
"They're stronger than you!" Rajiv yelled. "They'll force you into being a concubine."
She turned pale.
Dougal groaned. As desperate as he was to find Leah, he couldn't allow an innocent girl to endanger herself.
"Jia," a voice called from the palace. The Grand Tiger descended the steps. "You will not go. I will."
"Grandfather, no!" Rajiv shouted.
The Grand Tiger gave him a stern look. "I will go. They will not suspect an old man who begs to be their servant."
"But Your Eminence - ," Rajiv started, but his grandfather waved him into silence.
"I grow tired of sitting on the throne all day," the Grand Tiger said. "I wish to end my days doing something useful for my people." He turned to Dougal and motioned toward Angus. "Tell your leader that I will infiltrate Master Han's camp and spy for you."
"What's going on?" Angus asked in English.
"His Eminence wants to spy for us." Dougal clenched his prosthetic hand. "This isn't going to work. It could take days to get a spy established in a camp and weeks before he could learn anything useful. We need to act now!"
"I understand yer - " Angus halted when bright lights suddenly lit up the sky. "What the hell?"
"It's a sign from the heavens!" the Grand Tiger exclaimed. He rushed down the remaining steps and knelt in the courtyard.
Rajiv rushed to his grandfather's side, and Jia took the other side, her dagger still drawn.
Dougal held a hand over his eyes as the light grew stronger and closer.
On the riverbank, were-tigers gathered, pointing at the sky.
The light divided into seven balls of fire that zoomed down to the courtyard, then hovered just inches above the stone pavement. Each fireball took on the shape of a man. Tall men, each one holding a sword extended toward the sky. Their figures flickered in the heat of the flames, then with a whooshing sound, the flames receded, rushing up their bodies and down their extended arms, till only their swords were left ablaze.
They wore pants and sleeveless tunics of royal blue. Gold bands circled their upper arms and wrists, and their chests were armored with breastplates of gleaming gold. Each one had shoulder-length hair, held back with a slender gold circlet that crossed their foreheads.
One stood in front of the other six, and when he turned his sword of fire, pointing it down to the ground, the others followed suit. They all lowered their arms, and when the tips of their swords tapped the pavement, the fires extinguished with another swoosh.
Rajiv and Jia fell to their knees beside their grandfather, and all three bowed.
Dougal leaned close and whispered in Chinese, "Does this happen here often?"
Rajiv shook his head. "Never."
"We are blessed," the Grand Tiger whispered.
Angus cleared his throat. "Welcome."
The leader gave them a curious look. "Fear not, dear souls. The Heavenly Father loves you greatly."
Dougal exchanged a look with Angus. "They must be angels."
The leader bowed his head. "You are correct. I am Briathos, commander of the Epsilons, fifth unit of the God Warriors."
A surge of hope swelled in Dougal's chest. "Then you've come to help us?"
Briathos sheathed his sword. "Our mission concerns the demon, Darafer."
"Great!" Dougal strode toward them. "Let's go. We need to rescue Leah."
Briathos held up a hand to stop him, then turned to Angus. "You will gather your forces here so we can attack."
"Right." Angus retrieved his sat phone from his sporran. "Rajiv, go wake up the shifters."
Rajiv dashed off to the guesthouses, while Angus quickly made some calls.
The Vamps teleported in, and after listening to Angus's quick explanation, they gawked at the angelic newcomers. Dougal studied them, too. The more he stared at them, the more solid they became, and the more detailed. Briathos had blue eyes and golden brown hair. The others behind him had hair ranging from blond to black.
What Dougal found strange was that if he looked away, then glanced back, their images seemed to shimmer for a few seconds before sharpening into focus once again. It was as if they were there, but not really there. He tried to recall everything Marielle had said about them. Most likely, they wouldn't kill Darafer but send him back to hell. That was fine with Dougal, as long as Leah was safe.
Connor approached him, smiling. "We'll be able to find Leah now."
Dougal nodded, then stepped toward the angels. "How is she? How is Leah?"
Briathos hesitated. The Epsilons behind him exchanged looks, then their leader finally answered, "Her guardian angel is in contact with us. She is . . . alive."
Dougal's heart stuttered. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong. "If you're able to get involved, then that means Darafer has broken a rule?"
"The decree of free will has been violated," Briathos said quietly. "A child of God has been forced into evil."
A chill swept down Dougal's spine. "Who?"
Briathos regarded him sadly. "Leah Chin."
"No!" Dougal roared. He clenched his hands and shouted his rage to the heavens. Blood rushed to his head till he thought he would explode. With another shout, he smashed his prosthetic hand into the tiger statue, demolishing its head.
"Dougal!" Connor pulled him back. "We need to stay strong."
He shoved Connor back. "He should have taken me!" The damned demon should have taken him. Not Leah. She hadn't even wanted to learn how to shoot, she'd been so fearful of hurting someone. How could she survive surrounded by evil? How could he have failed her so completely?
"Everyone, prepare yerselves," Angus ordered. "We're going into battle."
The Vamps and shifters rushed off to the nearby building where extra weapons and ammo had been stashed.
Dougal strode toward the God Warriors. "How can I save her from evil?"
Briathos sighed. "There is no cure for a demon bite."
Dougal's prosthetic hand snapped into a tight fist. "He bit her?"
"He took the shape of a black wolf and bit her. She has been infused with evil. The only way to save her is to return Darafer to hell. Then she will return to normal."
"Then let's do it!" Dougal drew his claymore. "Where is she? Take me to her now!"
Briathos regarded him calmly. "All will be revealed in due course."
"What? What the hell does that mean?"
Briathos arched a brow. "It means all will be revealed in due course."
"I want to go now, dammit!"
"Dougal," Connor whispered. "Be respectful to the angel."
"I'm going crazy!" Dougal shouted, then turned back to Briathos. "Where is she?"
"You will have your answer - "
"When?" Dougal yelled.
Briathos frowned. "Soon."
Dougal stalked away, shouting his frustration. What did soon mean to an angel? A thousand years?
The Vamps and shifters returned to the courtyard, armed to the teeth. Rajiv's cousin Jia had joined them, armed with a sword and three daggers.
Headlights glowed in the distance as a vehicle approached the village. Were-tigers gathered around the jeep as it came to a stop on the riverbank.
"Dougal, behold." Briathos motioned to the jeep. "Your answer has come. And Leah's good work has been rewarded."
The were-tigers escorted the driver of the jeep up the stairs to the courtyard.
He was dressed in black with a long, hooded robe. When he pushed the hood back, J.L. gasped.
"Wu Shen?" J.L. approached him. "What are you doing here?"
"Who is that?" Angus demanded.
"He's one of Master Han's top officers," Dougal explained.
Wu Shen gave them all a wary look. "I trust you will not kill me since I come with valuable information. I know where Dr. Leah Chin is being held."
"Why should we trust you?" J.L. asked. "You could be leading us into a trap."
Wu Shen lifted his arms. "I carry no weapons. I am at your mercy. My sister and her family were from the village that Dr. Chin saved. My niece, Yu Jie, told me how they were enslaved. I will take you to Darafer's camp."
"How many men does he have?" J.L. asked.
"Forty-five soldiers," Wu Shen replied. "Several servants. And Lord Qing is there."
Rajiv sucked in a breath. "Did you hear that, Grandfather? I will avenge my father."
"I will come with you," the Grand Tiger said.
"Me, too," Jia added.
"How far away is it?" Dougal asked in Chinese.
"About three hours by car," Wu Shen answered.
"Or three seconds if you travel with us," Briathos added, then gave Dougal a wry look. "Will that be fast enough for you?"
Leah jerked awake, her vision blurred with a red haze, and her head pounding with a constant throb of raging emotion. Hate. Hate. Hate.
Anger slithered through her veins. Fury scorched her skin, hot and relentless. She wanted death. Destruction. Suffering.
She jumped to her feet and stretched. A surge of power rippled through her muscles. She was strong. Invincible. Her heart thundered in rhythm to her pounding head.
Hate. Hate. Hate.
She glanced over at the neighboring cell, where Guang lay, his throat ripped out, his clothes drenched in blood.
And she smiled.
"That's my girl." Darafer moved from the shadow, his eyes gleaming with pride.
"Master." She recognized him at once and bowed her head. Only her master could be so beautiful. "How may I serve you?"
He unlocked the prison door. "We have much to do, you and I. Together, we will create a new race."
"Yes." She strode from the cell. She would be invincible. All-powerful.
"We will rule the world."
"Yes!" How fortunate she was that the master had chosen her. "Thank you, Master. I will do anything for you."
"Will you die for me?"
"Gladly." Her mouth twisted. "But I'd rather kill for you."
With a chuckle, he led her toward the stairs. "Let me take you to your new quarters. You will be dressed in the finest silks. And have the finest weapons. In case I wish you to kill for me."
"Yes, Master." She ascended the stairs by his side, each step reiterating the pounding rhythm in her head. Hate, hate, hate.
Dougal studied the wooden barricade that surrounded Darafer's camp. He and twenty-six Vamps and shifters had been joined by ten more were-tigers, including the Grand Tiger and his granddaughter, Jia. Briathos had brought them all here with a flick of his hand. He stood nearby with his unit of six God Warriors.
Wu Shen had said there were forty-five soldiers inside, so their forces were fairly well matched. He'd come along but had decided to remain hidden in the woods during the battle. Angus had readily agreed. This way, Wu Shen could retain his position in Master Han's army and, hopefully, help them again someday.
"We could teleport in," Angus suggested. "A surprise attack."
Dougal shook his head. "You might surprise the soldiers, but it would give Darafer and Lord Qing advance warning and they would teleport away." And maybe take Leah with them.
"Darafer must not know that we have come," Briathos said. "Once we have surrounded him with seven swords of fire, he will be trapped and unable to escape."
"Jia and I have an idea." Rajiv briefly described their plan. "J.L. said he'd do it with us."
"Your idea has merit," Briathos announced. "You may begin."
Angus gave Rajiv a wry look. "I think I've been outranked. Go ahead. We'll be ready."
Rajiv and J.L. left the cover of the trees, walking toward the camp and dragging Jia with them. She put on quite a show, cursing them and resisting, but they hauled her up to the front gate.
"What is your business here?" a soldier yelled down from the ramparts overlooking the gate.
"I wish to join Master Han's army." Rajiv motioned to J.L. "My friend wants to join, too."
The soldier snorted. "And why have you brought the girl?"
"She's a gift," J.L. explained. "So you will accept us."
Rajiv pushed Jia down onto her knees. "We heard you have a vampire lord who likes pretty young girls."
The soldier hesitated, then whispered to another soldier, who rushed off. "We will inform Lord Qing of your gift. You will wait for his reply."
"Thank you." Rajiv grabbed Jia, who attempted to scramble away.
A few minutes later, the gate opened, and Lord Qing emerged.
"No!" Jia screamed, but Rajiv and J.L. held her tight.
Lord Qing's fangs popped out, and with a hissing sound, he grabbed Jia. She kicked him hard in the groin, and as he doubled over, howling in pain, J.L. whipped a silver chain around him to prevent him from teleporting away.
"This is for killing my father!" Rajiv pulled out a dagger and stabbed Lord Qing in the heart, turning him to dust.
Soldiers ran through the gate, shouting. Jia slashed at them with her dagger. J.L. and Rajiv pulled out swords they had hidden beneath their coats. The Vamps and shifters ran forward, their swords drawn, and the battle grew loud with the clanging of metal and the screams of the wounded and dying.
Dougal and a handful of Vamps charged through the gate to fight the soldiers in the open courtyard. Briathos and his God Warriors zoomed past them toward the main building. Probably looking for Darafer, Dougal thought as he slashed his way toward the stairs that led up to the building. All he wanted was Leah. Was she inside?
He glanced up and froze. She had emerged from the building, dressed in red silk with a dagger in each hand. It wasn't the weapons that shocked him but the furious expression of hatred on her face.
Darafer stood by her side, gazing down at the battle, his mouth twisted with contempt. "These soldiers are too weak. We will create an army that is even stronger!"
Leah nodded, her eyes gleaming.
"You're going back to hell," Briathos announced, suddenly appearing at Darafer's side with his sword ablaze.
Darafer stumbled back, his face growing pale as he realized he was surrounded by God Warriors and seven swords of fire.
He pulled Leah in front of him.
"No!" Dougal ran toward the stairs. Unfortunately, he had to battle a few soldiers on the way. He quickly dispatched them to hell and reached the base of the stairs.
Darafer saw him and pushed Leah forward. "Kill him for me."
"Kill, kill," Leah repeated as she started down the stairs.
Dougal lowered his sword. Tears burned his eyes as he saw the hatred on her face. This was his fault. He'd failed to protect her.
"Kill him!" Darafer yelled. "If I have to go back to hell, then I'll make you live in hell!"
With an angry shout, Leah rushed toward Dougal.
"No!" The Grand Tiger leaped in front just as Leah's dagger struck. He stiffened with a gasp, then collapsed against Dougal.
"No!" Dougal grabbed the elderly man and eased him to the ground. Blood poured from his wound. "Why did you . . . ?"
The Grand Tiger looked up at him, gasping for air. "For true love." His eyes flickered shut.
"No!" Rajiv ran toward them.
A long, howling screech pierced the air. Dougal looked up to see Darafer stabbed through with seven swords of fire. His body wavered, then vanished.
Leah jolted and stumbled on the stairs. Her daggers fell from her hands and clattered on the stone steps. She looked down at Dougal and the Grand Tiger, and her dagger stained with blood. Her eyes widened in horror.
"What have you done?" Rajiv yelled at her.
She fell to her knees and screamed.