Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Trembling fear pulsed in my veins, making me shiver.
He titled his head to the side. “Did you hear me, Monique?”
“Y-yes.”
“What did Yan say?”
Chapter eleven
Certified Snitch
Monique
My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to meet Leo’s dark gaze. “Well. . .”
An icy smile spread across his face. “My daughter plans to take the East after my death?”
“That’s what she said when she came to Mount Utopia.”
Across from us, sadness washed over Song’s face. I wished I had an idea of what he was thinking because his brother, Leo looked close to exploding.
Fuck. Should I have not said that?
The darkness in Leo’s eyes didn’t clear. “And what else did my daughter say during her little visit on Mount Utopia?”
“She said that she is taking Lotus Blossom—”
“She is unworthy of walking these halls.” Leo sneered. “Never let her inside of here. Promise me that, Monique.”
I swallowed. “Okay. I promise.”
“She plotted against Lei as Jing begged her to stop, cried even. She almost killed my son over the throne. Her brother.” Leo shook his head. “What is the throne, but a chair that I built? I will give it to whomever I choose.”
“Yan felt like she didn’t get a chance to rule—”
“She didn’t. The East is not ready for a woman to rule, not just yet.” Leo turned his view to one of the doors to a bedroom as if that played out some vision for him. “But I believe during my grandchildren’s time, this could be true. I hope to see it from heaven—my granddaughter sitting on the throne—but for now. . .I prepared Lei his entire life to sit there. What else could Lei do, but accept it?”
This shit is crazy. . .
Leo returned his view to me. “While Lei and my wife have forgiven Yan, my heart is not made that way. Yan may be allowed to be around me at times. I will give her properties because she is of my blood, and that is what a proper father does. . .but Yan cannot have my forgiveness and the things that come with it.”
I widened my eyes. “Got it.”
He spoke through clenched teeth, “What else did she say?”
Damn. I’m a certified snitch right now.
I cleared my throat. “Yan said that. . .she will simply sit during the final feast and watch with a huge smile on her face.”
Leo’s mouth twisted into a maddening grin. “Hmmm.”
“And. . .she won’t interfere with the battle, but I got the feeling that after Lei kills you, she will either fight him right there or a day later.”
“And I trust your feeling. I think you’re right. Yan may rush right onto the floor while I’m bleeding out and fight Lei while he is exhausted.” Leo met his brother’s gaze. “What do you think?”
Song frowned. “I think we should get out of the East first, before Lei kills you. All talk of Yan is unnecessary if Lei kills you today.”
Leo regarded his brother for a long moment. “I may have been a good Mountain Master, but. . .as a father. . .”
I pursed my lips.
Leo let out a long breath. “I cannot believe Yan simply returned to me with Chanel’s body acting like the dutiful and loving daughter. She knew my plan, yet plotted to ruin it all once I was gone.”
“Umm.” I quirked my brows. “You have Chanel’s body?”
“I do. That was Yan’s job.”
“You sent her to Mount Utopia to get it?”
“I did, and apparently she decided to have a chat.”
“But why have her take the body?”
“I didn’t know what Lei was doing with the corpse, and I needed him to focus on you—”
“Leo, I convinced Lei to give Chanel’s body back to the Killer Crows. It was going to happen the next morning, but then Yan took it, and Lei ended up leaving me to chase after her.”
It was Leo’s turn to blink in shock. “You convinced my son to let go of her body?”
“Well, it was a long conversation where I discussed logic and grieving but yes he agreed.”
“And surely you threatened him with possibly leaving.”
“Well. . .that too.”
Leo went back to rubbing his chin. “I planned to have the body delivered to the West after the battle.”
“I’m just getting into all of this, but I don’t think you should be the one to deliver the body. I believe Lei should give the body to Chanel’s sister himself, and explain his actions.”
Song and Leo exchanged glances.
I had no idea if it was good thinking or not.
Leo spoke, “And what else?”
“Well. . .I have already talked to Banks making sure that the South would be satisfied with that outcome.”
“All would be forgiven in the South, if Lei gives the body to Killer Crows and explains?”
“It would.”
To my surprise, Song gave me a warm smile. “I like everything you just said. . .Mountain Mistress.”
I tensed.