“We have news,” J.L. began, motioning to an owl that was eating from a bowl on the stairs. “This is Queen Nima’s owl from Beyul-La. It saw Master Han and Xiao Fang last night. Han was showing the boy how the valley is destroyed and trying to convince him that the warrior women and all the dragons are dead.”
So the news had nothing to do with Jia. Russell didn’t want to acknowledge the relief that swept through him. Instead, he concentrated on what J.L. had just said. “Han is trying hard to gain the boy’s trust. That’s a good sign. It means the boy is resisting.”
Neona grimaced. “It was cruel of Han to tell Xiao Fang that all the other dragons are dead. Thank God the owl was there to tell him the truth.”
“So the dragon shifter can communicate with birds?” Russell asked.
“Yes,” Zoltan replied and motioned to a young boy. “Norjee can, too. He’s the one who gave us the information from the owl.”
“Xiao Fang said he and Han are in a new camp, one that is entirely underground,” J.L. added. “He’s going to ask the nearby birds to spread the news of his location, and hopefully, that news will eventually reach us here.”
A bird grapevine? Russell wasn’t sure it would work. It wasn’t like the birds could relay the latitude and longitude. Their directions might end up somewhat vague in translation. Still, it was worth a shot. “You say Han has gone underground?”
“Yes,” J.L. replied. “No idea where.”
“If we could just find the general area,” Rajiv said, “then my uncles could sniff him out. They can pick up a vampire’s scent from three miles away.”
“I’ll do some eavesdropping,” Russell offered. “Maybe I can figure out the location of this new camp. See you later.” After the others thanked him, he strode back through the crowd.
He was going to have to step up his game. If the Vamps and were-tigers discovered Han’s location first, they would attack, and he might miss his chance at killing Han himself. There were others equally determined to kill Han. Like Jia.
He scanned the crowd once more. Where the hell was she? He moved to the top of the stairs that led down to the riverbank. From here, he could see her house at the edge of the bluff. No rope hanging from the window. No movement on the riverbank or among the houses on the river. Everyone was behind him in the courtyard.
A movement caught his eye. To the north and barely discernible, there was a canoe crossing the river. One occupant. It had to be her. A strange spurt of pride erupted in his chest, and he smiled. Jia had done it. She’d managed her escape. Clever, courageous girl.
Foolish girl. His smile faded. How did she think she was going to find Han on her own? How could she endanger herself when she had family and a whole town who loved her? Why couldn’t she be happy playing princess? A betrothed princess.
He glanced back at Rajiv. One word and he could end Jia’s great escape. His chest tightened at the thought of disappointing her once again.
But he couldn’t let her do this. He would talk to her, convince her to go back on her own. Then she wouldn’t have to endure the humiliation of being caught and dragged home. He focused on the far side of the river, selecting a place to teleport. No doubt she would be angry when he appeared. She might even slap him.
A little pain was worth it if he could keep her safe.
The thought gave him a small shock. Why did he care what happened to her? What was this woman doing to him that she occupied his thoughts so much?
He shook his head. She’s not my problem.
Her canoe reached the shore.
“Dammit,” he muttered and teleported.
Jia was a few feet away, her back turned to him as she heaved the canoe up onto dry land. Her boots had gotten wet when she’d disembarked, and now they squished with every step she took. On her back, she had a pack with a bedroll strapped to the bottom. Her long hair was braided and swayed each time she gave the canoe a tug.
“Going somewhere?”
With a squeak, she spun around to face him. “Russell!” She pressed a hand to her chest. “Good God, you scared me.” She took a deep breath, then her eyes widened and she eased back a few steps. “Don’t you dare . . .”
He moved toward her. “What?”
She held up a hand to stop him. “Don’t come any closer. I know not to trust you now. I won’t let you teleport me back home.”
“Then get back in the canoe and paddle yourself home.”
“I will not! I’m heading west, and you won’t stop me.”
“I can—”
“No!” Her eyes simmered with anger. “I’ve come too far. So help me, if you stop me now, I will shift and rip you to pieces.”
“You can shift now?” Russell glanced up at the moon that was less than half full.
She glowered at him. “I’ll shift in two and a half weeks. And then I’ll hunt you down. You won’t be able to hide from me. I’ll track you down and—”
“Wait.” Russell held up a hand. “Can you really track a vampire by his scent?”
“Yes.” She lifted her chin. “I can track just as well as my uncles. I can do everything the men do, but they won’t let me.”
Russell winced. “I’m sure it must be frustrating—”
“You have no idea. There’s no one telling you what to do. You’re . . .” Her eyes shimmered with tears. “You’re free.”