“But you were stabbed. Xiao Fang told us about it.”
“The wound has healed.” She motioned to the palace. “I need to wait inside. Russell is going to teleport Master Han to the throne room. I’m supposed to help—”
“You’re going to fight Han again?” Rajiv looked aghast. “He nearly killed you before.”
“I’m stronger now—”
“He did kill you, didn’t he?” Rajiv grabbed her arm and looked closely at her eyes. “I can sense more power in you. You’re on your second life, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Dammit!” Rajiv released her and turned away to clench his fists. “Russell said he would protect you. I should clobber—”
“It’s not his fault! He was in shock. He’d just found out that Han is his brother.”
“He should have brought you here! Leah could have patched you up, and Neona could have taken away the pain. Dammit, Jia, why didn’t you do as you were told? And how could Russell just let you die? I’m going to kill—”
“He did what I asked him to! Believe me, he wanted to bring me here, but I insisted.”
Rajiv took a deep breath, then lowered his voice. “Did you mate with him?”
She lifted her chin. “Yes.”
Rajiv let out a howl of outrage so loud that half the crowd in the courtyard turned to look at them.
“We’ll talk about it later,” she said quietly.
“Did you forget that your fiancé is arriving in a week?” Rajiv hissed between gritted teeth.
“We can contact him after the battle—”
“It’s too late. He’s already left Korea. He and his entourage are sailing to Hong Kong on the royal yacht.”
Jia groaned. “Fine. I’ll reject him in person then.”
Rajiv scoffed. “You’re refusing him?”
“Yes. I’m in love with Russell.”
Rajiv gave her an incredulous look. “You’re giving up a were-tiger prince for a vampire who has nothing?”
A spurt of anger burst inside her. “He has honor and courage. And I refuse to give in to the old prejudices of our people. How many Vamps are here now, willing to risk their lives to protect our home?”
“I know very well that there are good Vamps. They’re like family to me. But many of our people, especially those in outlying colonies, have no experience with good Vamps. They equate death and destruction with vampires, and they are not going to understand. A were-tiger has never mated with a vampire before—”
“There’s a first time for everything,” Jia interrupted. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have to go to the palace to help Russell defeat his brother. How do you think he’s feeling right now?”
She turned and marched up the stairs. When she reached the top, she heard Rajiv calling for Tenzen. As she opened the door, her cousin and uncle joined her.
Rajiv held the door open for her. “We’re not going to let you do this alone.”
Her heart swelled. Rajiv was still on her side. “Thank you.” Now Master Han would have three tigers to contend with.
With a pair of binoculars, Russell scanned Han’s army on the far side of the river. He estimated about two hundred soldiers: most on foot and a few officers on horseback. No sign of Darafer, and so far, he hadn’t spotted Markos, either.
“Ye doona have to do this,” Angus muttered. “We’re prepared to fight.”
“I’m not letting another person die because of my brother.”
“Ye’re no’ alone in this. I could station some guys in the throne room.”
“Have them wait outside the door. I need to talk to Markos first. If I can convince him to surrender . . .” Russell’s voice faded with doubt.
With a sigh, Angus patted him on the back. “Have ye spotted him yet?”
“No.” Russell lowered the binoculars. The moon was almost three-quarters full and bright in the night sky. He had expected to catch the gleam of his brother’s golden mask. “When did the army arrive?”
“About two hours before sunset,” Angus replied. “Rajiv was in charge. Every time they approached the river, he ordered his men to fire at them.”
Russell glanced at the male were-tigers who were armed with rocket grenade launchers. No wonder Han’s army was staying put. The minute they attempted to cross the river, they would be easy to pick off.
He spotted a small group behind the army, all dressed in black, making them hard to see in the dark. With the binoculars, he focused on them. They were heavily armed, and the one in the middle was wearing a black Kevlar vest and a hood concealing most of his head.
Russell’s heart beat faster as he waited for a telltale gleam of gold. Look this way, Markos. Let me see your mask.
The man lifted his head to gaze at the sky. Nothing but black inside the hood.
A black mask. Of course. Russell’s chest constricted with a mixture of relief and dread. “I found him.”
“Really?” Angus asked. “Where?”
“The group in the back, all dressed in black. Han is in the middle.”
Angus narrowed his eyes. “I hope ye’re right. A surprise attack only works the first time.”
“I know.” Russell handed the binoculars to Angus while he focused on Markos. Always before, he’d seen Master Han through a dark lens of hatred, but now that his eyes were open, he saw things he’d missed before. The way Han stood, the gestures with his hands, the tilt of his head. Markos.