Thorn of the Night Blossoms by J C Kang

Author:J C Kang [Kang, J C]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonstone Press, LLC
Published: 2019-03-19T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 8

Jie took an involuntary step back as the Peony Garden guard, Shixian, approached. She tapped a message onto Lilian’s arm as she pulled her back. He’s the one from this morning.

Lilian looked down at her, brow creased. Are you sure? she mouthed.

Was she? Jie studied the tall man. It was hard to tell, since he wasn’t advancing and retreating with a repeating crossbow in hand. He walked with purpose, though he didn’t seem to have any weapons. Still, all it would take was deft sleight of hand to slip any number of poisons into Jie’s drink. And of course, there were contact toxins.

Jie took a deep breath. It wouldn’t be the first, and certainly not the last time someone tried to kill her. She still had Lilian, and…her eyes found Little Wen, the only other Black Lotus member among all the people present.

Lines of worry were etched into her pretty features. She signed, Not a house guard. Get out.

Brushing her hair behind her ears, Jie signaled with a combination of finger motions and eye expressions. I will handle. Maintain line of sight.

Shixian came closer. He had a strong jaw, and large eyes embellished by a high nose bridge and sculpted brow. Unlike most of the lechers in attendance, he was fresh, handsome. He beamed like a ray of sun stabbing through storm clouds.

Her pulse quickened against her better judgement.

He reached her and bowed. “Miss Jie.”

“Mister Shixian.” She returned his salute, deftly dodging his attempt to brush up against her.

His forehead scrunched up for a split second before he extended a hand toward the conservatory. As in the Chrysanthemum House, it lay through the archway to the other office. They passed through, crossed the hallway, and went under another arch. A cool—but not cold—breeze greeted her as they stepped into a long room lined with open windows. Empty save for a few rosewood chairs, it mirrored the veranda on the other side. Behind them, guards barred the way to any others. Lilian craned to keep an eye on them.

Well, if they wanted to kill Jie with no witnesses, they’d made a mistake: nobody would see what she could really do, either. Every muscle coiled, ready to react.

Using his body position, he corralled her out of Lilian’s line of sight.

She sidestepped his attempt to touch her ear, and started to—

“You’re a shy one, aren’t you?” His tone was playful, his grin charming.

What? She gawked at him. That wasn’t what an assassin would say. Where was he going with this? “Master Shixian, it wouldn’t do to let a man touch me.”

“But…” He pointed with that prominent jaw. “You have something in your hair.”

She reached up, then scowled. “That’s my ear!”

“You…you’re an elf!” His mouth formed a perfect circle. “Heavens, forgive me.”

“Half-elf.” Surely he’d known well before. She searched his eyes.

There was nothing but sincerity. And now, even as close as he was, there was no smell of the sesame ginger, nor any toxin from the Black Lotus’ sizeable lexicon. Maybe she’d been mistaken about the Peony Garden’s intentions.

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