Stronger Than a Bronze Dragon by Mary Fan

Author:Mary Fan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Page Street Publishing Co.
Published: 2019-05-07T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

HEIHUOSHAN

“Anlei! Hide!” Father points at the giant water pot standing outside our door.

Glimpsing a black shadow swooping down from the star-speckled sky, I scramble to obey. Fortunately the clay pot is nearly empty, and I barely cause a splash as I leap inside. Terrified, I curl myself into the tiniest ball I can.

Clanging and crackling noises ring out above. My anxious breaths echo against the pot’s clay walls. Through the opening at the top, I catch flashes of Father’s blade and the sparks flying from it. I remind myself that he’s the best fighter in Dailan and can defeat any adversary, even a Ligui shaped like a warrior.

Father staggers backward against the pot, grasping it for support. The Shadow Warrior slashes his throat, and I see every drop of blood that spills. It drips onto me, hot and sticky.

I press my hands to my mouth to contain my screams. Tears stream down my face. Father collapses sideways, vanishing from sight.

The Shadow Warrior stares down at where Father fell. His glowing eyes convey disdain. After a moment, he flies up, and I see the white crescent on his neck. It looks almost like a mocking grin.

Trembling, I try to climb out of the pot. I knock it over instead and come spilling out along with what little water was inside. The clay shatters against the cobblestones where Father lies lifeless in the street. I can’t hold it in any longer … I’m crying, I’m screaming …

“Anlei!” Tai’s voice rings in my ears.

Blinking, I find him peering down at me with concerned eyes. The small lantern of the below-deck room gives off a gentle glow that highlights the worried creases in his forehead. I must have cried out in my sleep. Cold sweat pours down my face, and my hands quiver. No matter how many times my nightmares force me to relive the night Father died, I can never get used to it.

I sit up on the narrow bed and try to appear calm for Tai. “I’m fine.” I recall the events of the past day—making our way back to the city and being relieved to overhear that Kang’s men had been ordered back to their ships until the dispute between viceroys could be resolved. Returning to our ship, which mercifully remained where we left it, and waiting for the cover of night to take off. That’s what matters: the present. “How long until we reach Heihuoshan?”

“Another half a day at least.” His expression doesn’t change. “And don’t lie to me—you’re anything but fine right now. You’re shaking.”

I tense, hoping to steady myself. “It was only a nightmare.”

“What did you see?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“It does to me.” Sighing, Tai crouches, bringing himself down to my level. “I know we haven’t known each other long, but we’ve been through a lot together and … I care about you. If something’s troubling you, I want to help.”

My heart startles at the sincerity in his tone. Gone is the usual joking Tai, the one who won’t take anything seriously.

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