Trancing the Tiger (Chinese Zodiac Romance Series Book 1) (8 page)

Whoa.
Dating?

Focusing once more on the statue, she stepped beside the rabbit. Energy pulsed through her body as though she’d been shot full of adrenaline. Her senses sharpened and her breathing slowed. The world came to a stop as she reached out her hand.

The second her fingers made contact with the hard stone, a jolt electrified her body. She jerked her hand back, panting, and shot an accusatory glare at Sheng.

The intensity in his expression stopped her from calling him out on a prank. This wasn’t a joke to him. Had the stone rabbit really responded to her?

Sheng stared at her, unmoving, as if willing her to touch the statue again. It worked. She regarded the statue. Her fingers grazed the stone animal’s ears. Better prepared this time, she ignored the sudden spike in her blood.

“
Tùzi
,” she murmured the Mandarin word for
rabbit
. The energy pulse dimmed and faded. She kept stroking, palpating the statue everywhere, but the sensation didn’t recur. “It stopped.” She spun to face Sheng. “Why did it stop?”

“Why did
what
stop?” That smirk of his was beginning to irritate the hell out of her.

She scowled at him, but he headed off to the next temple.

As he swung open heavy wooden doors, a blast of floral, incense-fragranced air wafted over them. Passing by the shrine, he led her to the elevator on the far side.

Really, an elevator? “Where are you taking me?”

“Down,” he replied with a shrug.

“We didn’t have to ride that condemned lift?” Hand planted on her hip, she tilted her face to glower at him.

His eyes flashed with wicked intent. “No.”

Heat blossomed in her core, melting away her indignation. With just one sexy curve of his lips, he made her forget all sorts of things.

Like how her uncle had warned her about him.

And how bad boys weren’t meant for keeping.

***

Sheng’s concerns about Rabbit eased as they approached their destination. Kek Lok Si had once been open to the public, but the
Kongsi
had built the underground housing when they’d first established residency at the temple.

The Chosen of the Hai San
Kongsi
trained here, slept here, ate here.

This wasn’t just home, it was their sanctuary. An oasis, secreted from the world, and a place to meditate, reflect, and to seek guidance in restoring balance to the Earth.

Muffled grunting originated from the direction of the training center on their left. He led Lucy that way. Time to formally introduce her to her new family.

Kassian and Fang sparred in the far corner, but stopped as Sheng and Lucy approached. Mei was nowhere to be seen, meaning she was likely somewhere above their heads, hidden inside the foliage of the twenty-foot tropical trees forming a canopy over their lodgings.

Like the temple above, the residency below integrated modern technology with nature. Several waterfalls trickled and the jungle itself crept into their underground chambers, leaving one pondering to whom these caverns belonged…humans or nature.

Balance.
A union, not a conquest. A concept the world outside, with its dependency on technology, had forgotten.

No surprise humans had been vulnerable to a pandemic like the Red Death.

Lucy came from the epicenter of that disaster. He tilted his head to study her. She appeared so strong, so steadfast, but what had she experienced before she’d arrived here?

Mei vaulted down from the trees, interrupting his chance to question Lucy.

Tiger clawed forth, urging Sheng to greet Monkey. The youngest of his
Kongsi
, Mei always brought out his protective side. A little sister to him, Fang, and Kassian.

As she stepped into his embrace, he kissed the top of her head. Releasing her, he gripped first Kassian’s and then Fang’s hands in greeting, bumping shoulders with each man. He lingered for a moment with Fang. Rat remained unnerved from the run-in with Snake last night, so he coaxed Tiger’s energy forward to mingle with Rat’s, hoping the effect soothed his friend.

“Lucy, meet the members of the Hai San
Kongsi
.” He nudged her forward, straight into Mei’s waiting arms.

“Hello again.” Mei enveloped a rather stiff Lucy in her embrace. “I’m so glad you’re here.” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Nice to have another girl around. You have no idea.” Mischief sparked in her wide eyes. Monkey was always up to some trick. If he didn’t trust Mei with his life, no way would he permit Lucy anywhere near her.

This was his family. Hers now too. Each time they added a new member, their energies were fortified. With all of them gathered together, the others must sense this spike of power as well.

Did Lucy? She continued to deny what was inside her, but not for much longer.

Not if he had his way with her.

“Time for introductions.” Mei released Lucy and spun her around. “Lucy, meet Kassian. He’s Ox. This is Fang, our resident Rat. Don’t worry, Rat is nothing like the vermin you’re envisioning.” She laughed at her joke; Fang cast her a lethal glare.

“Glad to have you with us.” Ox’s Australian accent poured thick as he heartily shook Lucy’s hand. “You are with us, right?” He directed his question to Sheng, but Sheng jerked his chin at Lucy to answer.

“Ah…” Her hesitation vibrated off the cavernous walls as she nibbled her lower lip.

“Like that, is it? Li scare you away already?” Kassian’s lips twitched as if he tried to maintain a serious face, but it split into a grin regardless. “Just bustin’ your balls, Lucy.” He winked and leaned in to whisper. “I didn’t like him at first, either.”

Sheng stiffened, but it would be good for her to realize the others had chosen this. That she had a choice, too.

Despite the roaring will of Tiger.

Ox had been difficult to break, but the spirit was dominant too. Rabbit, by nature, was submissive. Asserting his dominance over the animal should be easier than this, but fuck, Rabbit was putting up one hell of a fight.

As Mei made the introductions, Fang held back. Rabbit and Rat were natural enemies, and Sheng didn’t expect them to get along. Work together in their cause? Hell, yeah. Even if any spark of friendship wouldn’t likely catch flame.

“Fang.” The half-Korean, half-Chinese male extended his hand, surprising even Sheng. Guess everyone found themselves more drawn in by Lucy than they’d expected.

“Lucy.”

Their contact was brief, and he detected the increase in both of their heart rates. Focusing on Fang, Sheng reached out to Rat, calming the spirit animal.
Easy, Rat. She’s not your enemy.

Fang cast him a grateful nod. He might not like the addition of Rabbit, but he understood, perhaps better than anyone, the importance of their union.

“Let’s leave the boys to mess around.” Mei clung to Lucy’s arm, dragging her to the ladder at the base of the tree hut.

“Wanna spar?” Ox regarded Sheng with far too much perception. They knew each other so well it was impossible to hide any emotions. Including anxiety. And lust. Ox had probably picked up on both coming off Sheng in spades.

Nodding, he tugged his shirt over his head, tossed it aside, and assumed a shallow standing squat, ready for offense or defense.

Fang and Kassian faced off against him. Alone, they possessed no chance of beating him. Together? Just as doubtful.

Sheng crooked his fingers, allowing them to seize the first move.

Wouldn’t be fair, otherwise.

Chapter 6

Sheng’s gesture of affection toward Mei stunned Lucy. Had she misinterpreted everything in their time together? Or maybe Sheng kept more than one lady friend.

Not happening.
Her fists clenched around a smooth wooden rung.

Before climbing the ladder, she swung a glance over her shoulder, but Sheng had joined his friends. Oddly enough, she sensed she fit in with this group already. The members of this
Kongsi
were fresh, unique, and…intriguing.

She ought to have been intimidated by Kassian’s huge size or Fang’s lethal features but, instead, she was drawn to them. All three of them appeared mixed—part Chinese—like herself.
Huh.
Chinese blood must be a requirement for membership in this association.

Mei chatted to her as they climbed the wooden ladder to the main tree hut…which hardly passed for a hut. More like a fortress. Rope bridges stretched the entire length of the ceiling, connecting the three smaller roofed platforms to the largest one in the center. While they climbed, Lucy’s focus lingered on the ground.

Sheng shrugged out of his shirt and bared his brawny chest. Broad shoulders gave way to sculpted abs. Endless ripples of muscle stretched across his hips and disappeared beneath his black pants. The tiger tat on his back fascinated her with its reverent significance.

Captivated by his sexy, athletic figure, she shivered as her lower belly clenched in pounding anticipation. She ached to lick a path down his chest, tease off his clothes and take him in her mouth. She’d fooled around with guys before and was desperate to discover if the bulge in his pants lived up to its massive promise.

Damn him for being irresistible.

She hoisted up the last rung and followed Mei inside the main hut. Instead of a bare wooden space, she encountered an elegant sitting room, complete with an armoire displaying a blue and white china tea set.

Mei directed her to sit in an antique armchair while she prepared tea. “My mom’s Malay, my dad’s Chinese. How about your parents?” Smiling brightly, she handed Lucy a teacup while she waited for an answer.

“Thanks. Ah, Dad is—was—Chinese, born here. Mom was born in England.” She choked on the words, on using past tense when referring to her parents.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

“It’s okay.” Lucy forced a smile. Grunting from below cut through the awkward silence. “What exactly is the Hai San
Kongsi
?”

“Ah.” Mei’s chocolate eyes sparked with mischief. “The Hai San Secret Society was established in the early nineteenth century. It’s one of two branches beneath the Council of Elders, who basically rule the world. Politics, business, religion. The other is the Ghee Hin
Kongsi
, whose members you met in the Gardens.” Her brows lowered and pinched together. “Snake, their unofficial Master, leads them, but a man named Delun and a woman called the Empress are their figureheads. Which is another story.” She waved off the names as she sipped her tea.

“Sheng is your
Kongsi’s
Master?”

“Yep. We lost our male figurehead a few years ago, and the Matchmaker is his female counterpart. Everything exists in a balance of hierarchy. The Jade Emperor first, then the Council of Eight Elders. Below them are the two
Kongsi
with one representative each on the Council. The Matchmaker for us and the Empress for the Ghee Hin. Next are the Masters, the Chosen, and the monks.” She grinned widely. “That’s bureaucracy for you.”

Intriguing. Lucy swallowed her tea and considered her options for conversation, but one nagging speculation occupied her mind. Setting her cup aside, she rose and peered out the window. “Are you his girlfriend?” she blurted, her cheeks heating. “Uh, I mean, are you two involved?”

Mei’s snorting laughter answered. “Absolutely not.
Ugh.
Disgusting.”

Lucy raised a hopeful brow. “Disgusting?” How? Sheng was gorgeous.

“He’s like my brother.” The girl wrinkled her nose. “Not my real brother, but we consider each other family.” She craned her neck to look past Lucy and study him. “I guess I can understand why you might be attracted to him. Sort of. Yuck.” She straightened and shook off whatever image had popped into her mind.

“He kissed you.” Yeah, and a jealous arrow had fired straight into Lucy’s chest.

Mei shrugged. “He’s a tiger.” Lucy continued to stare blankly, until Mei elaborated. “Tigers are affectionate creatures. Always kissing, nuzzling. They crave intimacy. We’re family. For him to not touch me would be sheer torture.”

“Torture?”

“Yeah. Tigers don’t fulfill their requirement for physical contact with anyone but family. Outside their pack, they don’t trust easily.”

Their pack. Sheng constantly had his hands on her. Did that make her part of his pack?

“Yep.” Mei shot her a wide grin. “Boy can’t take his eyes off you, much less his hands. Something more than brotherly affection going on, huh?” She leaned in. Guess the girl
was
desperate for a female friend.

Me too.
Although referring to Sheng as a boy seemed contradictory, like calling a shark a goldfish.

“Nothing to tell.” True, she hadn’t slept with him, hadn’t even gotten to first base. Maybe he didn’t intend anything sexual in the way he pawed at her.

“
Uh-huh.
Sure. And I’m the Empress.”

“Honest.” Lucy held up her hands. “He hasn’t even tried to kiss me.”

“
Hmm
, well he must be waiting then.”

She peered at Mei. “Waiting?”

Mei pointed at the sparring below. “Yeah, for you to accept him. Us. Yourself. I told you, he’s the Master of our
Kongsi
. The Tiger leads our spirits.”