Sacrifice (34 page)

A silent foreboding enveloped the estate. It was hard to believe that thirty monks were within the manor, hunting down eight demon guards. The lush landscape that must have looked beautiful in the daylight seemed ominous now—gnarled and jagged branches of trees appeared like threatening fingers ready to grab passersby, the tall rockery around the small fish ponds like looming monsters. She shook these images from her mind and concentrated on one thing: finding Master Bei. He had remained in the same area where she had sensed him, and despite the expansive size of the estate, she was able to hone in on him.

Too soon, she stood facing an elaborate door carved with ferocious beasts. Upon closer inspection, these animals all bared sharp fangs and talons, and horns jutted from their heads. Master Bei was within these quarters, his presence so heavy and powerful it weighed against her chest like stone. She slid the door open, noiselessly, and stepped inside.

The reception hall was sparsely furnished, with two simple curved backed chairs, an oval table, and a few stools. A lantern burned low in the far corner of the rectangular chamber, casting a dim red glow that reminded her of the breach to the underworld. The air was pungent with the smell of smoke and fire, though none burned within the chamber. Master Bei was nowhere to be seen, but his presence dominated the entire room.

Sweat dampened the back of her neck as she cast her eyes about, searching every dark and hidden corner. Finding nothing, she turned her attention to another door, slightly ajar, opening into a different chamber. Sliding the panel open, she stepped through to what should be Master Bei’s bedchamber. It was empty except for a small platform bed set against the farthest wall. Rich brocaded curtains in lavender and silver draped the four corners of the bed, and it was lit by three purple lanterns strung above, softly illuminating the bed as if it were a stage.

A child lay in the bed, her hands folded across her stomach. Skybright hadn’t been able to sense the girl, and this frightened her. Perhaps she was masked by Master Bei’s presence in the chamber—but then, where was he? Could he be disguised as this child? Slowly, she walked to the bed, her senses so alert her entire being felt as if it was thrumming.

The little girl of perhaps three years was the most beautiful Skybright had ever seen, with long curling lashes sweeping rounded cheeks touched with a blush of pink. She wore a white night dress with lavender plum blossoms embroidered along its collar and sleeve edges and looked like a perfect doll. Standing near, Skybright could smell the girl’s sweet scent, reminding her of the honeyed cakes Cook used to make and Zhen Ni would have her steal by the dozen from the kitchen.

The girl’s eyes snapped open.

Skybright’s hands jerked in surprise, but she managed to keep her expression smooth.

The child’s eyes were a deep amber and seemed to glow. “Hello,” she said, watching Skybright with interest.

Not knowing what to say, Skybright replied, “I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Oh, I was not asleep.” She spoke like an educated adult, enunciating the words perfectly in a little girl’s voice. “But Mama insisted that I rest like everyone else. And she said to pretend to sleep means that I must close my eyes.”

Mama.
Could it be Zhen Ni?

“Is Mama here, little girl?”

She reached for the girl with her senses and realized she couldn’t gauge her emotions at all. Nothing radiated from her. Disturbed and propelled by a strange urgency, Skybright tried to glimpse within the child’s soul, but it was like leaping into a void. There was nothing there. No darkness, no light. Her scalp tingled, and she had to force herself not to take a step back. To show fear, Skybright intuitively knew, was to pique this creature’s interest—to reveal oneself as prey.

“My name is Blossom,” she said in that sweet voice. “But Mama calls me
petal
. She sleeps alone. I would love to be in her bedchamber instead, but Baba insists I stay in his.”

“Is your baba near, Blossom?” she asked, her voice hitching higher.

The girl stared at her with those bright, unblinking eyes. “Baba is always near.”

Blood drained from her face when Skybright felt the air gather behind her, thicken with the oppressive stench of smoke and fire. “What is this?” said a deep voice. Skybright was unable to quell her fear when she heard it, the words stretching out like thick tendrils assailing her. “Turn,” the demon said, and she obeyed.

Master Bei was a brute, with a misshapen head that barely appeared human. “With the monks crawling all over the estate, I expected their leader here, not some girl.” His glowing red eyes roved over her body, then lingered on her face. “I know you.”

Those three words gripped her heart in a vise. This close, there was no disguising Ye Guai’s scent. It was one that she could never forget—but unrestrained power and magic exuded from the demon lord now.

“I’m Skybright,” she said, curling her fists against the cool silk of her elegant dress. She took a slow step toward Ye Guai. Then three more. He simply watched her with those eyes. Ye Guai wasn’t afraid of her—why should he be? “And if we have met before, I’d remember.”

Ye Guai said nothing to correct her, although the closer she drew, the more she wondered how anyone could mistake his coarse features as human. The lumps on “Master Bei’s” brow appeared ready to sprout lethal horns.

“You have a soul, but you are not fully human,” he said, thrusting his head to one side, as if trying to unravel a puzzle. “I sense ancient demon blood in you. Has the monastery fallen so low to be led by demons?” He grimaced, his mouth pulling wide over sharp teeth. She realized he was smiling. “I was hoping to be rid of them once and for all by raiding the monastery. But they fought harder than I expected.”

Her steps were slow and careful, as if she were gliding on water, her dress barely rippling around her legs, her heavy emerald earrings not swaying.

“Why would you be on
their
side?” he asked. Then he revealed his true self. Thick horns sprouted from his forehead, deathly sharp, and his fingernails stretched into knife-like talons. His nose became even broader, muzzle-like, and he thrust it in the air, sniffing as a wild beast would. Ye Guai stretched taller, his legs elongating and thickening, and his strange ugly feet cleaved into hooves.

An ancient demon lord.

“I grow weary of my human skin,” he growled. “But we both know what it means to reveal our true selves to mortals.” He sneered, and thick saliva dripped from his protruding fangs.

She had drawn to two arm’s length away, close enough to kill any mortal and most demons. But she knew now that Ye Guai was not like most demons. He lifted a hand, talons raking the air, as if to say she’d moved close enough. When she tried to take another small step, she found that her legs had locked in place. The ancient demon had immobilized her without so much an incantation, as Abbot Wu had done months back. Her stomach cramped from that horrifying feeling of powerlessness and not being in full control of her own body.

“Show yourself true,” the demon said.

The three characters that the abbot had carved into the inside of her arm, the scars that she always tried to hide under a long sleeve, seared through her, as if someone held an actual flame to her skin. It didn’t burn as cruelly as the blue fire that Kai Sen had cast but still her eyes teared. But none of this was as awful as the twisting that was stirring deep within her, a responding hiss from her very soul. He was making her turn against her will.

Skybright fought him, teeth clenched, trying hard to control her demonic side. She was stronger now than when she had met Abbot Wu, more in control. Ye Guai’s blood-red eyes widened a fraction. He unfurled his talons, as if beckoning her, and spoke archaic words in a harsh tone; the tugging within her grew ten-fold.

Her body shook so violently that she knew if it weren’t for his magic holding her immobile, she would have collapsed to the ground.

“Baba,” Blossom’s sweet voice shot through the air like a bright butterfly. “You aren’t hurting the pretty lady, are you?”

“I do not trust her,” the demon said. “So I must kill her. You can feast after.”

“Oh, I am ever so hungry.” The little girl let out a long sigh. “But I like her—she reminds me of Mama.”

The conversation barely registered for Skybright as she fought not to turn, but in the end, the urge was too overpowering. Within a breath, she was in her serpent form, hissing low. She lunged at Ye Guai, because although she was still rooted to the spot, her long serpent length provided more range. He jumped back and let out a loud bark of surprise.

Blossom clapped behind them. “What a lovely trick! She has such pretty scales!”

“A serpent demon!” Master Bei said with genuine pleasure. “I haven’t seen one in over a thousand years. Beyond the foolish mortal folklore, I had thought your kind had ceased to exist.” His hooves clacked against the stone floor. “Such a shame I have to kill you.”

With that, a surge of wind lifted her into the air, and invisible fingers closed around her throat, squeezing her windpipe shut. She thrashed and clawed at her neck but was helpless against Master Bei’s magic. Her heart felt as if it would burst from her chest, and even as she fought for breath, the world was beginning to fade around her, graying along the edges. Before she lost consciousness, she heard Blossom say, “Mama.”

A furious, shrill scream rang through the entire chamber.
Zhen Ni.
The demon grunted, staggering forward, and in an instant, the invisible hands released Skybright. She crashed to the ground, choking, even as the blood rushed into her head and her vision returned. Zhen Ni stood behind Master Bei, Nanny Bai’s dagger plunged deep into his thick neck. The demon seemed more annoyed than hurt, and even as Zhen Ni struggled to free the dagger so she could strike again, he swatted his giant fist and knocked her aside. Zhen Ni struck the hard floor with a sick
thwack
, boneless and silent.

“Mama!” Blossom screamed.

But Zhen Ni’s sacrifice had given Skybright the opportunity she needed. Furious and stricken to see her friend hurt, she launched herself at Ye Guai, who twisted, giant fist raised, talons out. But it was too late—she was within striking distance. Even as his hand tore her shoulder, ripping through muscle and bone, Skybright sank her fangs into his muscular forearm.

He threw her aside, and she fell, bleeding out, her arm slack.

But it was done.

Ye Guai stared at the puncture marks. Twin drops of black blood erupted from the wound, and his strange face was so incredulous, mouth gaping and eyes bulging, that she laughed. Triumphant through her pain. His ember eyes locked with hers, but the flames within were already dimming, and he swayed on his hooves.

“Mama?” Blossom was bent over Zhen Ni, gently touching her cheek. “You hurt her!”

“Blossom,” the demon said, deep voice trembling. “Come. You can save Baba.”

Skybright lifted her head, dread washing over her, more powerful than the throbbing pain in her ripped shoulder. “No,” she whispered.

The child gazed at the demon with unblinking eyes. It was then that Skybright fully realized Blossom was both demon and mortal, like herself. “Why?” the girl demanded.

“Baba is hurt.” Ye Guai plunged to his knees. “Come give me a kiss.”

“You have never asked for a kiss before,” Blossom said, observing him with bright eyes.

Skybright’s skin crawled. He was taking much longer to die, but there was no doubt in her mind that he was indeed dying. And though she didn’t know how Blossom could save him, Skybright believed the girl could. And if that happened, all was lost.

Blossom took a single step toward Ye Guai when Zhen Ni’s arm shot out, gripping the girl by the wrist. “No, petal,” she said in a soft voice. “Stay here by Mama.”

“You witch!” the demon spat, but his words were slurred. He tried to lunge toward Zhen Ni and Blossom, but the little girl pulled Zhen Ni beyond his reach, so fast it was a blur. “Turning … my own … against me,” Ye Guai managed.

“How would you have her save you,
Husband
?” Zhen Ni asked, pushing herself up by her hands. “By drinking her blood? Stealing her soul?”

“I made her!” He writhed now like a worm toward Zhen Ni and the little girl. “I
gave
her her human and demonic essences.”

Skybright thrust herself up with her good arm and slithered forward. The demon’s face was turning purple, his red eyes containing the barest flicker, yet he still dragged himself forward.

“Baba’s hurt,” Blossom said, looking toward Zhen Ni.

“I know, my heart,” Zhen Ni replied. “But he would hurt you to save himself. Do you believe Mama?” The demon child turned her thoughtful, unblinking gaze from Ye Guai to Zhen Ni. “You know Mama loves you?”

Blossom nodded. “I feel it. Just like I love Mama.”

“No,” Ye Guai said, the one word deep and resonant, like it was erupting from the very heart of the underworld. “You obey me, Daughter.”

The little girl began walking toward Ye Guai, one plump hand extended. But then she glanced up and paused. Skybright had stopped over the demon’s crawling figure. She slipped the hairpin Stone had given her from her locks and stabbed Ye Guai through the base of his skull, holding it there as he bucked. She was dizzy from blood loss, her sight blurring, but she didn’t let go until he stilled. Only after the monstrous body had been motionless for a while did she straighten, trembling, the demon’s black blood smeared across her hand.

She felt his life leaving him, like smoke rising from a flame.