Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 120336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Yet, beneath the veneer of grandeur, danger slithered in every corner.
It clung to the edges of conversations, turned polite laughter brittle, and caused keen gazes to flicker toward the thrones looming at the far end of the hall. . .where I sat.
Where is she?
Rage rose within me as I barely remained at the special table on the raised platform at the end of the mosaic path.
Must I kill more? I’m more than willing.
The platform was carved into the rock itself, elevated above the other guests in such a way that it was impossible for them not to look at us.
For the first time ever, three thrones now rested here.
My throne had been carved from blue-veined marble. Its high back was cold and regal. Dragons coiled into its armrests frozen in eternal fury.
Beside me, the matching throne remained empty. This would be where Moni would sit.
Will you be playing more games tonight, Father?
Across from me and on the other side of the table, stood the new, third throne. The chair—a beast of carved obsidian—was darker than the night itself.
Must you sit in a throne this evening, Father?
Next to his throne was an empty chair reserved for Uncle Song.
While delicious trays and plates of food covered our table, no one ate.
I leaned back against my throne.
Its icy marble pressed into my spine.
My hand gripped the hilt of Soaring Precious, the blade laid across the gleaming silk of the table like a ferocious snake waiting to strike. Fresh blood clung to the blade’s edge, thick and dark, pooling into droplets that slid slowly off the steel.
Each drop landed on the table below with a soft, rhythmic tap.
I could feel everyone’s discomfort with my having the sword there. It was a ripple that swept through the table like a current.
Eyes flickered toward the bloody blade, then away just as quickly, as if prolonged staring might provoke its wrath.
I stared across the table at my father’s side. He’d invited all his retired officials to the feast.
They remained on that side, while my people were on mine.
The old and the new.
Two forces at war beneath the sapphire glow of this mountain pavilion, sitting shoulder to shoulder separated only by slivers of space but the tension between us was thick.
Aunt Min and Aunt Suzi were on my father’s side of the table. Every few seconds they glanced toward the entrance path, probably wondering when their brother would appear with Moni.
Ham, the old Incense Master, was next to Uncle Song’s empty chair, wearing ceremonial robes.
Next to him sat Jay, the old Vanguard, his suit crisp and tailored within an inch of perfection. A black tie rested against a blue silk shirt.
Jay was a weapon disguised as an aide—a man who could slip a dagger between ribs while smiling over fine wine.
He kept avoiding my gaze, probably already knowing that if my father didn’t come soon. . .he would be the next to go.
I caught his eye briefly, and his chin dipped ever so slightly in acknowledgment.
I’d already sliced the neck of my father’s old Red Pole. His name had been Guan, and I’d barely known him compared to the others.
But, my father loved him and I knew that would piss him the fuck off. Another man had rushed over to help Guan and I sliced his neck too.
I gave Jay a respectful nod.
You’ll also die, Jay, if my father keeps fucking around.
I checked my watch. “Three minutes.”
Aunt Min stirred. “L-lei. . .I understand. However. . .”
Tonight, she wore what she used to have on when she was my father’s White Paper Fan, the person in charge of managing our legitimate financial and business decisions. It was a formal silk qipao—cerulean and embroidered with faint silver peonies.
I raised my eyebrows. “However, what?”
“Leo will be here soon with Monique. There is no need to hurt anymore people tonight. We will already have to bury Guan and Jietang—”
“Don’t forget my father. We’ll be burying him too.”
Several of the people on that side stirred.
A few more of my father’s old Blue Lanterns were near rows of men clad in blue formal wear. Soldiers, gun mules, and low-ranking assassins. My father’s loyal shadows.
They’d heard me but made sure to not look my way.
Clearly, they knew what energy I was on, this evening. I’d fucking kill them all if they even glanced at me wrong.
Until Moni was by my side, everyone could taste this blade.
“Tick Tock.” I shifted my attention to my side of the table—the new blood.
My people.
The ones that had my back and were just as ready to devour everything the old had built.
It had been a long unnecessary month of chaos, and we were all fucking tired of it.
This shit ends tonight.
Chen sat to my left. Underneath his usual composed exterior, Chen’s eyes burned with quiet anticipation. He wore his finest tonight—an ink-black suit accented by a midnight blue pocket square.