Burning Tigress

by Jade Lee

  Everyone turned to the doorway. Everyone but Charlotte, who wasn't allowed to move her head. But she trembled at the sound. The voice was hard, the accent rough. She had seen white ship captains and knew some of the traffic they carried. Flesh-peddling was a thriving trade in the Orient.

  Ken Jin exploded off the bed. Charlotte hadn't even realized it was happening until the surgeon squealed in terror. She blinked and saw Ken Jin standing on the bed, using his superior position to grab the man's neck. Then he chopped at the surgeon's wrist and caught the knife as it fell.

  Gao Jin spun back to the bed, but before he could do more, Ken Jin threw the surgeon against the wall and raised the knife toward the eunuch who held her down. Charlotte heard the thud of a fist meeting flesh, but she couldn't see who had hit whom. Then came another thud, a squeal, and she was abruptly released. Suddenly, Ken Jin was pulling her upright, his voice urgent in her ear.

  "Are you hurt? Are you—"

  "I'm fine. Are you—"

  "Whoreson!" Gao Jin screeched, and then Charlotte was pushed back down, but this time by Ken Jin. He stepped in front of her.

  "No!" she cried, but it was too late. Brother fought brother, and it was all she could do to scramble out of the way. She would have helped if she could; she stood and faced the combatants, but within moments she saw that Ken Jin had the upper hand. His brother attacked with fury but no skill, whereas Ken Jin was precise and coldly determined.

  So she turned to face the newest threat—an angry bear of a white man who stormed into the room. He'd been delayed by the fleeing surgeon and eunuch, but now he burst into the room with a dark menace. Charlotte crouched to meet him, only marginally surprised to see Little Pearl rush in behind him. Leave it to that woman to take up sides with a flesh peddler.

  Charlotte blinked, her mind scrambling to catch up. She knew the Captain. She'd met him before...

  Beside her, Ken Jin threw his brother to the floor and dropped one knee onto the man's back. Gao Jin was defeated. Even his curses were choked off, for Ken Jen pressed his other knee into the man's throat. Then Ken Jin looked up—first to Charlotte, then to the man poised in the doorway.

  "Captain Jonas?" he said in English, his voice completely steady. "It is an honor to see you again, sir."

  Charlotte gasped as a memory finally slid into place.

  This was the Captain she'd seen at the Tigress school. The one who ran across the inner garden right after Little Pearl...

  The bear straightened and visibly relaxed. "Are you all right, Ken Jin?" He turned to scan Charlotte. "Miss Wicks?"

  Ken Jin glanced to her and waited for her nod before speaking. "We're both fine, but..." His voice trailed away as Little Pearl stepped out from behind the Captain. He hadn't been able to see her before. "What brings you here?"

  The Captain didn't answer. Instead, he stepped aside as Little Pearl slipped forward. She was obviously uncertain, though she shot an angry glance at the Captain beside her. But then she bowed deeply to Kin Jin first and then to Charlotte. "We came searching for you. Much has been said about your departure." She glanced at Charlotte. "And yours."

  "Why would you care?" snapped Charlotte. She immediately regretted her hasty words. Ken Jin obviously knew and trusted these people; she would be wise to remain silent until she understood things better. Unfortunately, she'd never been good at holding her tongue. "Gao Jin said you bought me from him."

  "That was a ruse," Captain Jonas explained quietly. "Ken Jin and I have known each other for years. I am Tan Kui Yu's business partner," he added by way of explanation. It didn't help. At the moment, Charlotte couldn't even remember who Tan Kui Yu was, but she could tell that Ken Jin was perfectly comfortable with the man, especially when the Captain walked over and casually put a heavy boot on Gao Jin's back. "So this is the eunuch brother, huh?" he said in English.

  Ken Jin straightened, which allowed Gao Jin to take his first deep breath since he'd hit the floor. Two moments later, the eunuch began cursing in Mandarin. Charlotte didn't know the words, but Little Pearl did and her cackle of laughter split the air.

  "Arrogant words," she said, "for a man with his nose in the dirt."

  That caused another round of vehement curses, until the Captain shifted his weight. When Gao Jin could no longer draw breath, his invective sputtered to silence.

  Captain Jonas smiled at Ken Jin. "I know something of your past from Kui Yu. After I received your letter and heard about your disappearance..." He shrugged. "It wasn't hard to put two and two together. If nothing else, I knew you would come here to try and settle things with your brother." He glanced down at the purpling eunuch. "So, is it settled?"

  Ken Jin didn't speak. He merely gazed down at the floor in mute misery. Charlotte knew she should stay out of it. She knew he had to decide on his own, but somehow she found herself moving anyway. Jaw firmly shut, she went to his side and touched his hand. His fingers immediately intertwined with hers. They were together, and that was enough. She trusted him to make the right decision.

  He sighed and crouched down beside his brother. "We were brothers once, and I destroyed that. I thought we might be brothers again, but you have ended all hope of that. I am sorry, Gao Jin, for what I did to you. And I also grieve for what you did to me." He straightened. "We are done now. Pursue me or mine in any way at all, and even a white gunboat could not prevent the devastation I will visit upon your head."

  At Ken Jin's cue, Captain Jonas eased his weight off Gao Jin. The eunuch lifted his head enough to spit at Ken Jin's feet. "You are a whoreson and no relative of mine."

  Ken Jin nodded. "Then we are agreed."

  It took few moments to dress and gather their belongings. Captain Jonas didn't release Gao Jin until all was ready. Then he leaned down and muttered something low into the man's ear. It was obviously a threat, because Gao Jin's quivering cheek paled to a sickly white, but Charlotte couldn't hear. Then Ken Jin, Charlotte, Little Pearl, and Captain Jonas all headed for the door. Charlotte glanced back long enough to see that Gao Jin hadn't moved. Even unrestrained, he remained on his belly in the dirt.

  "My ship is waiting," Captain Jonas said. "We'll take you back to Shanghai."

  "No!" Ken Jin said, his voice firm. "I must find a way to help the Tans." He grimaced as he looked behind him at his still-cowering brother. "But the only way into the Forbidden City is as a eunuch. And I—"

  "There is news of Shi Po," Little Pearl interrupted, but then did not say more until they were out of the guest quarters and moving through the receiving hall. "A woman came to the school. General Kang's mistress. She told us of the Tans."

  "Are they alive?" Ken Jin pressed.

  Little Pearl nodded. "Yes. And safe for now." She glanced at Charlotte. "As is the Shaolin and his white woman."

  Charlotte gasped. "Joanna? Joanna is all right?"

  Little Pearl nodded her head, though there was confusion in her expression. "They build another temple in a place called Hong Kong."

  "It's an island," said Captain Jonas. "South of Shanghai. I could take you there, if you like. Or..." He glanced significantly at Little Pearl.

  The woman shot him a glare, but the anger quickly faded. Then she turned to Charlotte and bowed with all possible formality. "I offer you a home at the Tigress school. You can study there under my direction. I..." She swallowed and glanced at Ken Jin first, the Captain second. "I was in error when we last met. I beg your forgiveness."

  Charlotte didn't know what to say. She didn't know how to take this humbled Little Pearl, especially since she didn't believe for one second that the woman was cowed. In any event, she already had her answer. He was still holding her hand even as they climbed into the Chinese carriage waiting by the front gate.

  It was a tight fit—all four of them on one seat—but they managed. And Charlotte didn't mind curling tight to the man beside her. Neither did Little Pearl, apparently, as she settled tightly against Captain Jonas.

  "Charlotte and I are to be married," Ken Jin said
before she could speak. "We will have our own home, Little Pearl. I don't know where yet, but—"

  "We can talk to Mr. Crane, Joanna's father," Charlotte put in. "Maybe he'll help—"

  "No, no!" Captain Jonas said as he gathered the reins and set the carriage moving. "That's the other reason I came to find you. It's all a mess, Ken Jin. Mr. Wicks's accounts are a disaster throughout town. I can't keep Kui Yu's holdings together if you can't keep the Wicks partnerships from falling apart. We're in this together, and I can't do it alone." His voice was tight and angry, but the rest of his body appeared completely at ease.

  Ken Jin shook his head. "I am no longer the Wickse's First Boy. My replacement—"

  "Aie-yah," cried Little Pearl. "You still do not listen! The Wickses are gone. Your replacement cashed everything he could, then fled. All your partners—" She threw up her hands. "Disaster!"

  "Gone?" Charlotte asked. "I don't understand." Captain Jonas turned the carriage onto a busier street, but she could still hear him clearly over the city noise. "Your family boarded a ship for England some days ago. They said you had dedicated yourself to the Church."

  She jerked back slightly at the news, but then Ken Jin's arms tightened and his warmth braced her. "They're gone?" she asked, her voice gratifyingly steady.

  "I'm afraid so."

  They were gone. She was abandoned. Emotions blew threw her quickly, then faded. She wasn't alone—Ken Jin remained beside her, and a memory teased her mind. "That's what he meant," she breathed.

  "What?" Ken Jin asked.

  "William. The last thing he said to me. 'Thank you for removing your shadow.'" She looked at Ken Jin, her heart beating painfully in her throat. "He's out from under my shadow now. I can't protect him and so—"

  "He can grow." Ken Jin nodded. "I remember. I heard it, too."

  "But my mother..."

  Ken Jin squeezed her hand. "They must sort out their power together."

  She smiled, and though the act hurt, it was healing as well. "So... we're both disowned now."

  He pressed his lips to hers. "No," he whispered. "We are both whole."

  "Together."

  He grinned. "And free to begin again."

  AFTERGLOW—After orgasm, hold the top and bottom of the spinal cord simultaneously to encourage cerebral spinal fluid to circulate through the spine, conducting energy throughout the central nervous system. It also increases the flow of the life force through the meridians, sending healing energy through the entire body.

  Acupressure for Lovers

  Michael Reed Gach, Ph.D.

  Chapter 19

  Feb 2, 1899

  Dear Charlotte,

  I have never been happier to be on English soil. Proper tea, cold air, and not a coolie in sight—how could I have ever left? I work daily at the orphanage with the Pastor, and your father remains in London where his actions do not touch us in the least. I have no idea what he does there, and only care that he remain away and not interfere in the running of the baronetcy. So far, the arrangement has been perfect for us both.

  I know you left the mission. I have received two letters from Father Peter, the first telling me of your departure, the second informing me of your marriage to Ken Jin. I suppose if you were to marry a Chinaman, you could have picked far worse. At least he knows how to act properly in an English home. Still, I cannot help but think we should have brought you back with us. You could have had the pick of the locals, and not a slanted eye among them. But your father insisted that China was best for you, and perhaps he was right. I understand that Ken Jin has been vital in managing the Chinese buildings your father still owns. At least I know you won't starve with him as your husband.

  I am sure you are curious about William. He is deliriously happy in England. Indeed, he has gotten married—to Nanny, of all people. Without you on the passage home, he and Nanny became the closest of companions. At her age and looks, she had no hope of a decent marriage, of course, but she is a marvel at running the papers and whatnot of the baronetcy. Your father had no interest in it, of course, so he left it to me and I left it to her. Next thing I knew, she'd bound herself for life to your brother.

  He adores her absolutely. And you know she is quite fond of him. Plus, now William has a proper outlet for his physical needs, which were becoming a bit of a problem. She seems quite content with her lot, especially since she will be a Baroness someday, and we no longer have to pay her that exorbitant wage. Indeed, they have even moved into the east wing of the manor so William could be closer to his cousins (Uncle Phillip's girls). The house is so large, we saw no reason to throw them out, and they do adore William.

  Shocking as it all seems, I believe everything is exactly how it should be, praise God and His mysterious ways. I have enclosed our address in this letter, so you may now write me and tell me how your life proceeds.

  Sincerely,

  Your loving mother

  * * *

  Charlotte put down the letter with a sigh of relief. William and Nanny? Who would have believed it? Who would have thought any of it was possible? That she and Ken Jin would return after a shipboard wedding to live in her parents' home, the one where Charlotte had resided all her days. That Ken Jin and Captain Jonas could together repair the family fortune and build a successful business out of acupuncture shops, of all things. Or that she would find a surprising interest in learning herbs—from Little Pearl.

  God did indeed work in mysterious ways.

  "Are you reading the letter again?" Ken Jin asked.

  Charlotte looked up as her husband walked into their bedroom. He looked tired and dusty from the day's work, but his smile was warm and full of promise.

  She smiled. "I still cannot believe that William and Nanny..." Her words faded as her husband claimed her lips. The letter slipped from her hand as her thoughts shifted and her body heated. It was some time later before she had the breath to speak. "I like it when you come home early."

  "I have thought of nothing else all day," he answered as he stood and stripped out of his jacket. A knock sounded on the door, and he turned to answer it. A maid stood respectfully at the door, lifting up a dinner tray. Ken Jin took it, then carefully shut the door.

  Charlotte smiled. "Dinner in our bedroom? Scandalous!"

  "A Tigress must keep up her strength. Especially when she carries a cub."

  Her hand went reflexively to her growing belly. Who knew that pregnancy could feel so delightful? She hadn't suffered any of the usual complaints, and her husband found her condition endlessly attractive, not that she'd had any difficulties in that area before.

  He pressed a hot dumpling into her mouth, and she closed her eyes to savor the sweet meat. Then she felt his hands on her shoulders and back as he gently pressed into energy points that soothed her aches.

  "How do you feel today, my wife?" He never seemed to tire of calling her that. She grinned as she stretched closer to him.

  "Well enough to practice," she responded. "Indeed, I have thought of nothing else all day."

  "Are you sure—"

  She cut off his words on a kiss. She had never been more sure of anything else in her life. They would reach Heaven tonight. Everything felt right. Even the weather was cooperating, giving them a balmy breeze that stirred the curtains and cleared the humidity from the room.

  "Very well," Ken Jin responded as his hands shifted to her breasts. "Then let us begin."

  * * *

  Angel William opened his arms and Charlotte flew into them. Beside her, Ken Jin bowed with respect. They were in the Chamber of a Thousand Swinging Lanterns again, and this time all was different. It was also exactly the same. Like before, William was whole and so wondrous, Charlotte could not take her eyes from him. But this time, Ken Jin's form was equally stunning, filled with light and strength and love.

  "William," Charlotte whispered, wishing she had the words to say more.

  "Welcome," he said with a radiant smile. "Welcome to you both."

  "Master Willi
am," Ken Jin said as he stepped forward. "I am greatly honored to be here."

  "We are pleased to have you. You may visit at any time, but perhaps you would be more comfortable inside." So saying, he turned and gestured to the side where a light began to grow and expand. Soon Charlotte saw a gateway and a palace beyond where beings of such light and beauty walked.

  "Heaven," whispered Ken Jin, awe suffusing his entire being.

  "You are welcome here," William said as they stepped through the gate. "Whenever you choose to come. And here I can answer whatever questions you may have."

  It was too much. The joy, the beauty, the truth was too much for her to handle, and Charlotte trembled before it. With her fear came weight. Her spirit grew heavy, and she began to slip away, falling back to Earth. "Help me!" she cried.

  She thought that her brother would help her. He was the celestial being, the angel of power. But when she reached out, she found Ken Jin instead. His hand held hers, his love buoyed her up.

  "Do not be afraid," Angel William said from beside her.

  "I am here," said Ken Jin.

  She took his hand and filled her soul with his love. With him beside her, she had the strength to face anything. Her spirit lightened again; then hand in hand, they followed William into Heaven.

  They wouldn't stay long. She knew that. All too soon their combined qi would falter and their spirits would tumble back to their bodies on Earth. Such was the nature of life on Earth. But they would return; she knew that as well. With a love as strong as theirs, all of Heaven and Earth was open to them.

  The End

  Page forward for exciting excerpts from Jade Lee's

  Cornered Tigress

  Tempted Tigress

  White Tigress

  Hungry Tigress

  Desperate Tigress

  Excerpt from

  Cornered Tigress

  The Way of The Tigress

  Book Five

  by