By the Horns

by Rachael Slate

  Kassian’s jaw tightened as he shifted forward. She twisted in her seat. In the distance, a blotch of land came into view. He leaned harder on the motor. The gears chugged in protest, threatening to give out, and he eased back on the lever. The black motorboat floated into view.

  If Nat detected them, Mei and the two men could see her and Kassian.

  She closed her eyes and searched for Monkey’s presence. From what Kassian had told her, the spirit animals didn’t talk, but they did sense each other’s emotions and could send calming waves. Snake sent some to Monkey, because, right now, Ox’s vibes would be anything but soothing.

  As they approached the port, Mei’s motorboat slowed and Kassian cut the power to their motor, too. They bobbed in the ocean, waiting to follow in the direction of the other vessel.

  It veered left and disappeared amongst dozens of other watercraft near the dock.

  Kassian paused for a few minutes before proceeding. He tied off several docks from where Mei’s motorboat was moored, his sights targeted on her and her companions.

  Mei strode, flanked by the two men, toward a trio of motorcycles parked beside a warehouse. After one of the men gave her a curt nod, she stepped aside and hustled inside the open doors of the warehouse.

  The little girl’s room trick, maybe?

  Kassian pounced forward at the opportunity to catch Mei alone, but Nat held him back by pressing her palms to his chest. Mei’s guards had apparently read the handbook. They followed her and stationed themselves at the doors to the warehouse. Kassian couldn’t traipse in there unrecognized. One glance and Mei’s guards would know he hosted Ox.

  No one would identify Nat as Snake.

  He shook his head as if he’d read her thoughts. “I have to speak with her.”

  “No. If you do, you’ll get caught. Mei will be in danger. You don’t know who else is lurking around. Zhao might conjure a whole demon army.”

  She braced her hand on Kassian’s arm and stepped out of the boat. “I’ll talk to her.” She didn’t wait for his permission because he had to acknowledge the truth. Combing her fingers through her hair, she strolled toward the open warehouse. These men had never seen her before and no one would associate her with a Chosen spirit.

  Yet. She still had a few precious days or weeks of anonymity.

  One of the men jabbed the other in the side as she approached. She winked and flashed them a seductive smile. This would be a piece of cake. She might look like she’d leapt out of an airplane—wind whipped hair, salt-sprayed wet clothes—but these men only viewed her as a piece of ass.

  They gawked as she swayed her hips. Zhao ought to hire a more professional breed of thugs. These were too easily distracted. If she had the intention, she could’ve offed them with her fan in two seconds.

  Nat sashayed past the two hulking men and scanned the inside of the warehouse. Dozens of crates were scattered in piles, warnings of “flammable” and “dangerous explosives” in Chinese characters stamped on their sides. Hmm. Fireworks. Her gaze landed on a sign indicating the ladies’ room and she headed up the small steel staircase toward the restroom. The second she pushed through the door, the glowering, blue face of a Chinese golden monkey greeted her.

  “What the fuck?” Monkey uncloaked, and the young woman’s exclamation echoed, making Nat cringe.

  She reined in Snake while waving her hand for the girl to be quiet. “Quiet.” Nat tensed, listening for signs of whether the men downstairs had overheard them.

  Silence prevailed. She pressed one finger to her lips. “They followed you. We have to be quick.”

  Spirit animals sensed when another of their kind came into their vicinity. Cloaking increased the sensation. To protect their anonymity, they had to keep their animals out of this. Even though Snake begged to say hello to Monkey.

  Nat tilted her head and perused Monkey’s host. The girl was about twenty. Her long, chocolate-hued ponytail grazed her slim waist. A pair of sexy librarian glasses framed her dark eyes. Although her features were classically Chinese, she had an exotic look about her, suggesting she had some Malay in her heritage.

  Mei was a pretty, slight little thing. Big, burly Kassian would definitely feel an urge to protect her.

  Kassian didn’t get it. Slivers were damned hard to get out from under one’s skin. Nat would bet Mei had already caused a whack load of damage to Zhao’s schemes…and that Zhao had no clue about any of Mei’s handiwork.

  “Crap. Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum are such a pain in the ass.” The young woman crossed her arms over her black jumpsuit. “Tell the others to back off. My bodyguards may be dumb, but they’re also trigger happy. I have the signal, and I’ll send it when I’m good and ready.”

  “I agree. I’m here because Kassian asked me to check on you.”

  “Kassian?” Mei’s lips pursed. “They sent just you and Kassian? I thought…oh, never mind.”

  Hmm. Who did Mei presume had been sent to rescue her? “You don’t have to tell me, but Kassian was pretty worried when you dumped the vaccine.”

  “Uh.” Mei slumped. “You guys are always two steps behind. Man, it sucks.”

  Ah, here was Monkey’s inflated ego. “What does?”

  “Of course I had to give them something. Why it took the Kongsi so long to figure that out is beyond me. Just change the damn routes!” She groaned at the ceiling.

  The girl had a point. Why hadn’t they? “If the Matchmaker had this information for weeks, why is she just acting now?”

  “You’re closer to that answer than I am. Tell Fang to switch the routes to our contingency plan. He’ll know what to do. Oh, and if you ever come across a vaccine with a tinge of blue in it, stay the hell away.”

  Contingency plans? A blue vaccine? This girl was several moves ahead of everyone else.

  “I’m manufacturing a new vaccine for Zhao’s cronies.” Mei winked and Nat caught a glimpse of the mischievous Monkey.

  “Oh, hell.” She laughed. “I don’t want to know what’s in it, do I?”

  “Nope.” Mei shook her head. “That you do not. No worries. The bad guys are getting that version, but they won’t realize it for a while yet.”

  “I like the way you play, girl.” Nat smiled. Nothing pleased her more than justice. Than bad guys getting payback for hurting the innocent.

  “I think I like you for liking my style.” Mei grinned before chewing on her bottom lip. “You’re like, not even a little concerned about hosting Snake? I mean—and I say this from first-hand experience—Zhao is a crazy son of a bitch.”

  Nat lifted a shoulder and dropped it. “He doesn’t have Snake anymore. I do. I have no reason to fear him.”

  Mei pursed her lips together for a moment before she nodded. “Yeah, let’s beat those boys at their own game, right?”

  Nat chuckled. “Yep. You’re good?” She placed a hand on Mei’s shoulder, searching for any sign of distress. The woman was young, but capable. Not nearly as alone and unprotected as Kassian believed.

  “Me? Of course.” Mei laughed, and then froze.

  Nat tensed and caught the girl’s gaze.

  “Crap.” Though Nat didn’t sense whatever made Mei pale, it couldn’t be good.

  “You have to get out of here. Like, five minutes ago.” She prodded Nat toward the door, but then stopped and whipped Nat around to shove her toward the window. “Out!”

  Nat didn’t require any further coaxing. She straddled the window ledge and hopped down the two stories, landing on her feet, fingertips flexed against the ground. As she lifted her head, she caught sight of Kassian in the distance. Launching to her feet, she sprinted toward him.

  Kassian’s gut sank like a boulder tossed into the ocean. The sickly sweet taint of darkness stung his nostrils. He marched toward the warehouse, not caring how Nat had told him to hang tight.

  He’d recognize the scent of evil anywhere.

  A loud thud came from the side of the warehouse. Nat dropped out of the window and sprinted toward him like a
pack of wolves chased her.

  Make that a pack of demons.

  He jolted as if a lightning bolt had traveled down his spine and rushed toward Nat. She waved her hands and mouthed, “Run.”

  She didn’t grasp their situation. Fleeing wouldn’t help. They’d already been caught.

  He collided with Nat and swung her into his arms, shielding her from the approaching menace.

  Flanked by three of his evil minions, Zhao strode toward them.

  “Keep your mouth shut and let me do the talking.” Kassian shoved her behind him. Shit. The last time Zhao had shown his face, Lucy had stolen Snake from him. They’d tricked the bastard into kidnapping Mei and Zhao had “escaped.” Not before Kassian had glimpsed the darkness growing inside the man.

  Or half-demon, as Sheng declared he’d become.

  Mortal or immortal, human or demon, an encounter with Zhao was bad fucking news.

  “Well, well.” Zhao’s sneer passed over Kassian. “Looks like the Matchmaker’s got a new favorite bitch.”

  Kassian straightened. “Zhao, I’d say it’s a pleasure, but it’s really not.”

  “Humph.” The man smirked and adjusted the collar of his tailored, fancy gray suit. “Who do you have with you? I don’t believe we’ve met.” He tipped his head, gaze targeted over Kassian’s left shoulder.

  Nat stepped forward, but Kassian placed enough pressure on her wrist to warn her not to attempt to shuffle past him. No bloody way would that happen under his watch.

  “A little shy, is she?” Zhao snorted.

  “Okay, have a nice day.” Kassian side-stepped away from Zhao, tugging Nat behind him. His heart thundered in his chest as he angled his body to shelter her from Zhao’s power-hungry gaze.

  While they made their retreat, his shoulders tensed. It shouldn’t be this fucking easy.

  “Wait a minute, Ox.” Zhao’s menacing taunt slithered down his spine. Crap. “You’ve come this close and you don’t even care to speak with Monkey?”

  The tension eased a smidge. Zhao hadn’t perceived Snake. Yet.

  “She’s here?” He spun around, brows raised as if this news was a shock.

  “Don’t fake ignorance. It doesn’t look good on you.” Zhao snapped the fingers of one hand. The two guards emerged from the warehouse, flanking Mei.

  Kassian’s heart sped. Mei strode toward him with an air of confidence…and cockiness. He gaped, until Nat poked him in the side. Right. Whatever had passed between Nat and Mei, he’d have to take his lead from their cues. Mei didn’t play the victim…which meant she acted the role of turn-coat.

  “Mei?” He stepped forward as though to rush toward her and sweep her into his arms.

  “Hiya, Kassian.” She crossed her arms and he backed off.

  “Let her go, Zhao. She’s just a kid. She’s not of any use to you. None of us are coming after you.”

  “Well, isn’t this pathetic. You have no idea.” Zhao chuckled. “I have so many, many uses for this clever girl.”

  The implications of Zhao’s words… The sexual implications tore through Kassian. Ox stood no chance against the rage exploding through his veins.

  Zhao had waved a fucking red flag in front of Ox’s face. Kassian cloaked Ox and charged, but Zhao’s guards tackled Kassian before he got within five feet of the motherfucker, tasering him. The electric jolts splintered Ox’s cloaking. They used his moment of weakness to bind his arms behind his back and press his chest into the ground.

  Gritting his teeth, Kassian raised his head. A cunning smirk cut across Zhao’s sharp features, his gaze splitting off…toward Nat. The bastard had separated Kassian from his ward. Zhao whistled low, side-stepped around Kassian, and strolled toward Nat.

  “Don’t you fucking put your hands on—” Zhao’s goons punched and kicked him. One henchman yanked his head up by his hair and tilted his face to observe Zhao approaching Nat.

  Zhao smirked. “Why, hello, Snake.” The gleam of satisfaction in his sneer proved too much.

  Kassian wheezed, the oxygen searing his lungs as Ox prepared to give these motherfuckers a true taste of what happened when one tangled with a bull.

  ***

  Nat scoffed at this full-of-himself, slick snake-charmer. She offered him a pitying smile. “It must sting to find yourself replaced, and by someone more qualified, at that.”

  “Oo-o-h.” Zhao leered at Nat. “The Matchmaker caught a feisty one.” He slipped his hand forward. “I’m Fù Zhao.”

  She stared at his buffed nails. One thing she’d learned from her years as a spy? Never trust a man whose palms looked softer than hers.

  Others did his dirty work for him, so he had no conscience about commanding anything he wished. Pulling the trigger was a hell of a lot harder than ordering the hit.

  She blinked at his hand, but not shaking it would be a sign of weakness. She slid her fingers forward, ignoring the growling coming from Kassian’s direction. “Natalie Quan.”

  The second his skin made contact with hers, Snake cloaked her—without permission or warning. She tripped forward as the spirit rushed through her toward Zhao.

  Crap.

  Gathering every ounce of strength in her body, she ripped her hand from Zhao’s. The force sent her stumbling, and Snake’s spirit retracted into her body like she’d vacuumed it up.

  She blinked to halt the dizzying array of images assaulting her brain. As she fought them, she scanned her surroundings. Zhao adjusted his clothes. A pained grimace of dismay crossed Kassian’s face while the four men holding him down exchanged smug grins.

  Dammit. How the hell had Zhao called to the spirit? Why hadn’t Snake been under her control? Even more worrisome, what would have happened if she hadn’t been able to retrieve Snake? Would the spirit have departed her in favor of its previous host?

  Kassian stopped bucking against his guards as though waiting for the perfect opportunity. Any second, he’d break free.

  Zhao brushed the lapels of his jacket. “Well, that was interesting.” Oh no, she had to wipe the gloating off his face. “No worries, though, darling. I don’t have any use for Snake. Not anymore.”

  The ominous glint in his eyes coiled around her insides, shortening her breaths. In all her missions, she’d only ever encountered one man who’d disturbed her as much as Zhao.

  Her gaze riveted on his neck where he adjusted the collar of his shirt. Dark markings inked his skin. She squinted harder. She’d seen those before…on him. Swallowing hard, she surveyed Zhao’s expression. He regarded her with an air of confidence, menace, and…covetousness.

  “Although…” He contemplated her, inclining his head. “That doesn’t mean I don’t have uses for you. Imagine. The rules by which you’ve been tied down, I can make them disappear.” He waved his hands toward his men and Mei. “Tell her, Monkey.”

  Mei stepped forward. “It’s true. Zhao has ways around every restriction.”

  Nat played along. “Let me guess. He promised you something the Matchmaker couldn’t, so you switched sides?”

  Mei shrugged. “Monkey needs freedom. The others didn’t get it. They held me back. Prevented me from reaching my full potential.” She tossed her hair in a show of snobbery.

  Great act. Nat wouldn’t be surprised if the Matchmaker signed her up for the next Lotus boot camp. The frustrated whimper from Kassian was the cherry on top.

  “So-rry, Kassian.” Mei dismissed him with the whatever-ness of a teenager.

  Every second this conversation continued, Kassian was hurting. Time to go. “As tempting as your offer is, my loyalties lie elsewhere.”

  Zhao didn’t flinch at her refusal. Instead, he pointed at her tattoo. “There are ways out of that, too.” He raised his hand and a blue flame enveloped his arm. “Say the word and your blood vow can be extinguished.”

  Nat placed her hands on her hips. Humans couldn’t wield magic, but Zhao’s inkings proved he wasn’t quite human anymore. Still, that didn’t make him powerful. If she pushed, he might reveal the exten
t of his abilities. “If you think you’re impressing anyone with your little parlor tricks, you’re not.”

  “If you believe these are parlor tricks, let me prove otherwise.” His arm flared and condensed into a ball of bluish light at his hand. He spun and shot the beam at one of his men.

  The energy blasted straight through the guard and he fell backward to his death, a bloody, seared hole the size of a baseball in the man’s chest.

  Kassian seized the distraction, cloaked Ox, and tossed off the bodyguards like ragdolls. He lunged forward to knock Zhao off his feet, and then kept going. Nat snared Ox’s horns to hop onto its back. Ox skidded to a stop, twisting around, and bowed its head, pawing the dirt as though contemplating trampling Zhao.

  “You want to fight me, Ox? You sure about that?” Confidence rolled off Zhao in menacing waves as he rose and straightened his tie.

  “Kassian, not now.” She tugged one of Ox’s horns and, after snorting in clear contempt, the beast turned its head from its target.

  “That’s right. Run along.” Zhao’s sneer contorted into a gloating smirk. “Think on my offer, sweetheart.”

  Nat clung to Ox’s horns as she rode the beast. She glanced back, but Zhao didn’t follow them. He didn’t need to. He’d already made his points hit home. Zhao controlled Mei…or so he believed. He’d shoved his offer at Nat, hoping she’d churn it over and choose it as the better option.

  Besides, Zhao could find them if he wanted to continue trash talking. Like Mei hinted, Zhao was in deep with a bigger scheme.

  One only Mei could stop.

  ***

  Ox’s hooves pounded the pavement as Kassian directed him away from the port and toward the Matchmaker’s private office where she conducted her matchmaking services. She had to be made aware of their encounter with Zhao, pronto.

  Fuck. Their retreat stung. It had taken everything in Kassian to convince Ox not to charge Zhao. They—the Kongsi—had agreed not to engage their enemy alone. The last time, when Sheng and Lucy had fought Zhao, they’d nearly lost. So, as much as running to the Matchmaker with his tail between his legs made him feel like a pussy, it was the right decision.