Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 454(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“There’s no need to threaten her.”
“There is, Lei.”
A cold shiver ran through me.
I had to keep his lethal mind on the fact that Moni was too important to kill.
Tension gathered in my shoulders. “Father, we both know that you will not kill Moni. She is part of your big plan. Remember that.”
“There is no big plan, if I can’t make her the Mountain Mistress that she is meant to be—”
“Make her? What the fuck do you mean?”
“It would be too much to explain at this time, Lei.” He sighed. “For now, allow your uncle, my men, and me to freely leave the East without any harm, and. . .”
“And?”
“Monique will come with me.”
“No.” I tensed. “I can give you safe passage but you will need to leave Moni right here.”
“No.” He shook his head. “She will come with me—”
“To the gate. That’s it.” I sneered, wishing nothing were between us and I could kill him. “Just the gate. That’s as far as I am comfortable with.”
“Your comfort is not my concern. I am thinking of legacy, the East—”
“I don’t give a fuck about legacy or the East.” My voice rose. “Do not hurt Moni!”
“Or what?” His voice dripped with a chilling certainty. “You don’t understand, Lei. This is bigger than your desires. Bigger than both of us.”
He was wrong.
Nothing was bigger than our lives.
Nothing was worth more than Moni's safety.
I swallowed hard, forcing down the lump that had risen in my throat. The assurance in his voice shook me to my core, challenging every shred of hope I held onto. It was the voice of a sick man who believed he was still doing God’s work.
“Calm down, Lei.” My father held the blade steady against Moni's throat while his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made the air between us crackle. “Calmness is not just a virtue, it is a weapon. In the midst of chaos, it is the calm mind that will prevail, that will see the clearest path.”
Fuck all that shit. Take that knife off of her neck.
I clenched my fists.
“Do you understand, Lei?”
“Calmness?” I spat the word out like it tasted foul. “Is that what you call this? Holding a blade to her throat to get what you want?”
He smiled yet the gesture was hollow and cold. “Exactly, Lei. This is a demonstration of power, not panic.”
My heart boomed in my ears.
He continued. “By maintaining control over my emotions, I maintain control over the situation. You see, when one reacts out of fear or anger, they make mistakes. They become predictable. But when you remain calm, you command the situation.”
Now, he thinks he is training me some more to be a proper Mountain Master. Who cares about all of that? I just want Moni.
I could barely contain the rage boiling inside me. It was a perverse lesson to impart while threatening the life of someone I loved.
Yet, a part of me understood the twisted logic in his words, recognized it as a tactic he’d used countless times to manipulate his enemies.
“But what of the heart, Father?” I countered, my voice tight with emotion. “If this was my mother and a knife was against her neck. . .how calm would you be?”
The line in my father’s jaw twitched telling me all I needed to know.
He would have lost his fucking mind.
“Go,” I said. “Take your safe passage. But leave Moni. She stays here, with me.”
His gaze flickered. “I don’t trust that you will truly allow me to leave once I let go of Monique.”
Because I sure won’t let you leave. Once I have her back with me, there will never be safe anything for you. I will kill you immediately.
I formed my lips into a pleasant smile. . .as pleasant as I could fake. "Father, your lesson on calmness and control is well taken.”
“Is it?”
“But let me add this—true power also lies in trust.”
“Hmmm.”
“I will grant you safe passage, as promised. I give you my word, in front of Moni, the woman I love and would die for.”
The fear in Moni’s eyes lessoned.
I cleared my throat. “But you will leave her here. This is not just a demonstration of trust but also of my ability to see the larger picture for the good of the East."
“Very interesting.” His eyes narrowed as he assessed my words. "Trust, you say?”
“Trust.”
“But, trust is a two-edged sword, son.”
Goddamn it. Just let her go.
I kept myself calm. “How is it a two-edged sword?”
“It can defend or destroy.”
“Fine. You are correct.”
“How can I trust that once Moni is no longer my leverage, you won't simply take revenge for all that I’ve done?"
Movement sounded behind me.
Next, Chen got to my right, and Duck went to my left.
For some reason, my father’s gaze snapped to Duck and stayed there as if assessing Duck’s reaction to his holding Moni.