I stroke at my chin. A girl killed my general—I don’t want that to get out. I’ll have to deny what the Yi Shu are reporting and denounce them as liars. But now this girl is banished and on her own. She’s vulnerable and fair game. I’m going to capture her, bring her into my lair, and make her wish she had been executed by the Yi Shu.
“Bring me my car. We’re going to the Golden Gate. I’ve got a present to collect.”
I don’t think my heart could beat any faster than it is at the moment. Is this a completely stupid idea? Am I putting myself into a dangerous situation I might not return from? I just have to hope everything works out all right. I know Jaxon is angry and upset. I knew when I decided on this course of action that he’d be unable to come with me. In spite of the love between us, he is bound to the Yi Shu for the life they’ve given him. Jaxon is still conflicted by his past even if he says it’s forgotten. He betrayed Gaozu by falling in love with me and not reporting my deception, and so he has no choice now but to remain at the side of the Yi Shu leader.
The sounds of distant cars has the hair standing up on my arms. I’ve been sitting by the Golden Gate Bridge for the last hour wondering what to do. I’ve no money and only a few belongings with me. I’m dressed as a woman in a long summer dress with my hair down. I couldn’t bear to look in the mirror I was offered before being marched out of the compound. I couldn’t stand seeing myself as a woman and witness the fight I’ve lost within me.
At least I still have my life, not that Gaozu ever intended to execute me for being a woman. It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, sneaking away to see him and tell him the truth. My public denouncement and shaming at the meeting was my idea. For my plan to work, I need to make sure everyone knows my true identity.
Looking around, I search for a place to hide. There’s little here, but an aperture in the rocky cliffs gives me a chance. Leaving my bags where they are, I try to press myself as far into the gap as possible. I know who’ll be coming for me. I’m not stupid. I have nothing to protect me now…except my honor.
Several cars pull up, and a few men get out. I can’t see their faces from where I’m hidden, but I can hear their voices, and I don’t recognize anyone.
Keep faith in his love, Lia.
Keep faith in your skills.
I’d kill for my sword, right now. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind having the use of any weapon I can get my hands on, but I’ve nothing. The scarf wrapped around my neck is the only thing I have to defend myself in a fight.
“Keep searching, I know she’s here, somewhere.”
I freeze, crouching down farther when I hear the venom in the voice.
“I want her taken alive.”
You had to do this.
It was the only way to save your family, to save Jaxon.
Sacrifices have to be made.
Why the hell did I reveal myself to Gaozu? I was an idiot. He might never have found out, but then I was putting others in danger, especially Jaxon. The Yi Shu would have gone to any lengths to protect Zhàn—I couldn’t allow that to happen. My life, no matter who I’ve killed, is not worth more than anyone else’s.
You can do it.
The voices grow louder and louder, the footsteps heavier as the men come my way. I push my lips tightly together, so not even the sound of my breath can give me away.
Someone help me.
Jaxon.
“She’s here,” someone shouts. I peek out and see a man wearing Jīn Long colors, bearing down on my hiding place. There’s only one thing left to do—run. If I can get to the water, maybe I can outswim them and reach safety. I quickly leave my hiding space and race across the open space toward the water. I don’t make it, though. A strong hand grabs my hair and swings me around. I’m pulled back and slammed painfully into a hard muscular chest. I don’t need to be told who the man staring down at me is. With flaring nostrils and the look of the devil on his face, I know this is Wang. He has me. I try desperately to struggle, to escape him, but it’s futile. I’m a rabbit caught in his trap.
“Lia Zhànshì.” My name rolls off his tongue like it’s poison to him. “I thought you’d be bigger with maybe a little more muscle. There’s nothing to you. The Yi Shu were foolish not to realize you were a girl all along.”
“And your general was a fool to think I would be an easy fight.” My mouth speaks before my brain has a chance to catch up with it.
Wang cracks his neck to the side before he pulls me closer to him, so my toes are barely touching the ground.
“I’m going to make sure you pay for that,” he says threateningly.
He throws me to the ground, and I’m immediately up and running again. But his guards surround me before I can get anywhere. Wang stands watching as I look for an escape route from the circle his men have made around me.
“You will come with me. You will do as I say. You’ll accept your punishment like the soldier you pretended to be. Even though you are a woman.”
“I’ll do nothing of the sort. You’ll have to kill me.”
“Death is an honor you don’t deserve.” Wang curls up his lip, and my stomach sinks at the intentions I see lurking behind his expression.
You can do this. Honor guides you.
“I’ll take my own life then.” I bend down and pick up a rock from the ground. “If I smash this in the right place against my nose, my death will be instant.”
Wang steps forward, the assembled group parting to make way for him.
“Death might come easy for you. But what about your family? Your father, your mother, and little sister…Lán isn’t it? She’s pretty. Come with me now, and they’ll live. Accept your fate, Lia Zhànshì.”
The stone falls from my hand. Not my sister. No, I’ll do anything to keep Wang as far away from her as possible. I’m defeated and must accept my fate.
I collapse to the ground and allow myself to be dragged to a car.
“Wait,” Wang orders.
I’m pulled up by my hair and thrown across the hood of the vehicle, so I’m face down with my body held in place. I was certain this was coming, but I’m not sure I can bear it now. I knew when they got hold of me that sex would be used as punishment. Death usually comes swift for a man in our world, but for a woman, it’s agonizingly slow and degrading. My hair is pulled back and wrapped around a man’s hand. I can’t move with the two other men on either side of me, pinning my arms to the hood, but I don’t need to turn my head to know it’s Wang behind me.
“This insipid little thing supposedly killed our great general. Her punishment should be instant death, but to be strong enough to kill our general, she must have a fighter’s spirit. Her death must be long, more drawn out, more degrading, and more sickening than the general’s. I hereby take Lia Zhànshì as my concubine. I’ll show her the very depths of my depravity.”
My skirts are pulled up as several of the guards cheer on. My underwear is ripped from my body. Bile rises into my throat. I’m going to vomit all over the hood, but it’s then my training kicks in, and I’m reminded of my vows of loyalty. A deep breath centers me as Wang violently thrusts his cock inside my unready and unwilling body. I don’t feel any pain, though. I don’t give him the screams he wants, or the pleas to stop. I give him nothing but silence and allow my mind to drift through the planes of its existence to my stolen moments with Jaxon.