Flying Swords 25

I am definitely coming down to the wire with this. I want to give the three men time to engage with each other, have a reunion with Shanlin and then maybe some weary comfort sex, and then this one will be in the bag… so one or two chapters maybe. I do want to go back and edit to make Leander a little more sharp tongued. I think I got caught up in story and let his characterization slip a bit. I would also love it if someone Chinese could give it a read through for any cultural stupids, but I think I’m near the end.

Of course, I’m no where near the end of the overall story. There are so many threads, but I think they will require another book.

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Leander could've groaned when the officer led him back to the same small, dirty interrogation room he had been sitting in for what must've been two days. Without windows, it was hard to tell. However, he was playing at being a cooperative prisoner. So far that had earned him a lack of handcuffs and regular meals of plain rice and over cooked vegetables. Being a foreigner accused of murder on Chinese soil, it was better than he had anticipated. 

He stepped into the room and spoke before his bathroom escort could disappear, leaving him alone with a bottle of water and copious amounts of anxiety. “Do you have any word on Nie Heng? Is he going to live?”

Leander was not terribly surprised when the guard left without answering. Once the door had closed with an ominous thunk, Leander returned to the metal folding chair that had been his world for the last day or two.

Leander kept running possibilities through his mind. He could ask to speak to the American consulate and they would likely allow it, but that would bring too much attention not only to himself but also to Shanlin. If the Chinese knew there was an American child in the country illegally, one hunted by assassins willing to shoot Chinese citizens, they would toss Shanlin from the country. 

That was not going to happen. Not on Leander's watch. 

So Leander chose to sit and wait and hope that some solution would present. If Heng woke, he would have a better change of handling his own government. Until then, Leander was staying quiet.

It was ironic. In the United States, Leander had done everything to deserve prison, and yet those brain-rotted, inbred morons in the police had never caught him. And now in China where he had scrupulously avoided breaking any law, he was going to go to prison unless Heng had some plan. Hopefully he would be able to use his talents to make life in prison a little more bearable. 

With nothing better to do, Leander slumped in the uncomfortable metal folding chair and waited. Another meal of overcooked vegetables and cold rice had come and gone before the door to the interrogation room opened and a very loud presence made herself known.

“Then what would you expect of him? He is from that abominable country where those with magic are enslaved. Are you truly shocked that he would distrust a government official?”

“His distrust is not the concern. His refusal to explain the circumstances leading to three dead bodies is.”

Auntie Daiyu pushed through, leaving an official in a fancy uniform to physically stumble out of her way. “Boon Lian, what shall I do with you?”

Leander blinked at her for a moment, his brain unable to process the sight of her in all of her magical clothing and elaborate embroidery as she plopped down in the metal folding chair across from him.

She clucked at him. “Were it not for your excelling magic, I would think you were not worth the trouble you manage to create.”

“Auntie Daiyu?”

“Who else did you expect to sort this mess? Your father-in-law is coming, but as he has no ability to maintain flight, he is limited by how fast he can travel in one of those infernal automobiles.” She pronounced the last word as if it were something vile.

“Father-in-law?” Leander was confused.

She gave him an impatient look. “Yes, your father-in-law. Nie Xiaobo. The father of Nie Heng.”

Leander realized what had happened. Like Xi, he had learned Chinese by using a language pill, back when he was on Druwolf’s payroll. While the magic of pills was formidable, it was not infallible. At some point when the pills had still been processing through his system, he must have confused ‘adopted father’ for ‘father-in-law,’ leaving his brain permanently confusing the two. He knew that could be a danger when using language pills instead of learning naturally, and unfortunately there was no way to correct the error once it had settled into the brain.

“I had not wished to disturb them,” Leander said carefully. He wasn't sure what story Auntie Daiyu was weaving, but he did not want to contradict any lie she might tell.

She made a dismissive sound and glared at the police commander as if he were an inferior life form that had slimed its way into her presence. “You were no doubt fearful given your experience with law enforcement.” She made it clear that he had not improved matters. After a moment, she turned her attention back to Leander. “Your mother-in-law remains behind with her grandchild. That boy will be insufferable if you do not insist on discipline. Doting grandparents are no replacement for a parent, so we must return home.”

“Yes, Auntie Daiyu,” Leander said. He was not going to argue, but Auntie Daiyu gave him a suspicious look, as if she didn't trust his agreement.

She sat in the chair across from Leander, leaving the officer the only one standing. “Now tell this officer of questionable competence how Nie Heng ended up bleeding on the floor of a warehouse.”

Leander hesitated, not sure he should give the police information without some legal council. However, Auntie Daiyu narrowed her eyes, and he decided he was more afraid of her than the law. “The Americans were seeking something my wife left with me,” he said slowly. Referring to Tecca as his wife left him with a bitter taste in his mouth, but he didn’t want to give Chinese officials too much information..

Auntie Daiyu’s eyebrows rose. “Were they so determined to get this object back? Why?”

“I don’t understand their motives for any of this,” Leander said, although that was half a lie. He suspected Shanlin had seen something that could damage Druwolf badly, but a child should not carry the burden of doing an adult's job. The American police could either get evidence against Druwolf themselves or they could accept that people like Druwolf would always exist as long as the American government turned magic users into virtual slaves.

“Where is your wife?” the police commander asked. Leander shied away from the word ‘commander.’ He didn't know the official rank this officer held, and he did not want to create another permanent flaw in his Chinese. It was bad enough that for the rest of his life he’d have to mentally swap ‘father-in-law’ for ‘adopted father.’  He didn’t want to create more errors.

 Before Leander could answer, Auntie Daiyu spoke. “She is dead, which is why Boon Lian returned to us with his son. His grandmother was a great fool, falling in love with blue eyes and pale skin, and her son was a greater fool who knew nothing of responsibility. I am only grateful that when life became difficult and the American government intolerable, Boon Lian returned to his true family. However, this is family business, and you are not family.” She smiled at Leander. He so wished that story were true and that this was his family–his true family.

The officer turned a startled look toward Leander. He had a few features of some Asian ancestors. His eyes were a little narrower than most. His hair was the silky black so common in this country. But European features dominated his face, so he was not surprised that the officer seemed doubtful of his supposed genealogy.

“Very well. How did the Americans die?” the officer asked. He didn’t take out a notebook, which implied this interview was being recorded.

Leander looked toward Auntie Daiyu to see if he could get some clear signal on whether or not he should answer.

She rolled her eyes. “This is not America where you can keep your silence, nor is this America where you will be condemned for using magic.”

“He's a magic user?” The officer sounded alarmed.

Auntie Daiyu chuckled. “Indeed he is. Too much western blood means the magic is somewhat restricted, but it is powerful nonetheless. Family magic breeds true.”

The officer's eyes were wide as he considered Leander with something that looked frighteningly close to respect.

“The Chinese government will not target a Chinese citizen for defending himself against outsiders,” Auntie Daiyu said firmly. As far as Leander knew, he was not a Chinese citizen, but he was also beginning to suspect that Auntie Daiyu was far better at lying than he had anticipated. 

“We had a strange compulsion to turn down an alley even though in hindsight it made no sense. When we entered the warehouse, three people appeared.” Leander described the conflict, carefully editing out any of Xi’s contributions. Perhaps Auntie Daiyu would lie about his mysterious Chinese grandmother because Leander was valuable and connected to the Nie family. She would not extend that protection to Xi as well.

When he finished telling the story of using Cadell's peanut allergy to kill him, the officer had grown quite pale.

Auntie Daiyu cackled. “Great fools always believe they are more powerful than they are. Good for you.” She leaned forward and patted his arm as though congratulating him for excelling at killing.

“Now that you know what happened, will you tell me whether Nie Heng is okay?” Leander desperately wanted to know that his past hadn’t cost Heng his life, and no one was talking to him.

“Nie Heng is well into his second stage of core formation. His qi is like a boiled egg, and that makes him far more durable than someone who has not fully completed the body foundation stage,” Auntie Daiyu said. “He will be fine.”

The fear that had been gnawing at Leander's heart eased. “And Huang Min?”

Auntie Daiyu’s expression turned predatory. “She will not be fine. The Nie family has announced their intent to hire assassins. She attempted to kill their second son, which might have severed their relationship to their only grandchild and heir. They are quite wroth, especially because Heng has never been shy about his intention to commit himself to the school rather than a family. Her actions were those of a fool.”

Leander was shocked, and he expected the police officer to react to such an overt threat, but he didn’t bat an eye.  Apparently, the magical community was allowed to kill each other.  That did not make Leander feel safe. “If Min cared for Heng, why didn’t she stay in the school?” That part didn’t make sense, which made Leander suspect that he wasn’t understanding some cultural rule.

Auntie Daiyu clucked at him as if he were a particularly stupid child. Leander resented the gesture, but he couldn't deny that when it came to magical China, he felt clueless.

“Heng hopes for immortal ascension. That requires letting go of not only physical needs but emotional attachments. He never would have started a family with her. But she did not understand that. She believed that longing would bring him to her side once she left the school.”

And here Leander had thought the Chinese had avoided being poisoned by Romeo and Juliet and the weird belief that love would overcome all. “You knew?” he asked Auntie Daiyu. “You knew that she felt that way?”

She shrugged. “I knew she was a foolish young woman who longed for a handsome man. I also knew that she was never going to have the husband or the children or a place in the Nie home like she desired. But knowing all of that does not mean that I knew she would kill in pursuit of her ridiculous dream.”

“So she did kill the pill master?” While that was the most logical explanation, Leander had seen Druwolf frame enough people to distrust easy answers.

“Likely,” Auntie Daiyu said. “He was a cruel man, but not a stupid one. The moment he realized what poison had been used to try to kill you, he would have questioned her involvement. If the Nies ask their assassin to learn the truth, then we shall know. Assassins are rather well-trained at obtaining truths, but that would require an additional fee. They may simply want her dead.”

Leander blinked at the idea of the amiable Nie Xiaobo or the motherly Nie Huiling hiring an assassin to torture information out of someone. It reminded Leander that people were rarely simple creatures. No one shared their real feelings or showed their true motives, so he should not expect the Nies to be better than any other human on the planet.

“We’re leaving now,” Auntie Daiyu said. The police officer opened his mouth, likely to protest, but she stood and poked a finger in his direction, a very rude gesture which she followed up with a noise like one might make when scolding a dog. “Lian has been held for three days, and you have benefited from his impressive control over magic. Most of those with his talents would have turned magic against you. But perhaps you do not understand how gracious he has been. Tell me, what magic user can control the essence of plants and animals?”

The officer’s eyes slowly widened and he swallowed as he looked at Leander. “Pill master?” he guessed.

Auntie Daiyu cackled again. “Exactly. Had he grown up with us instead of his abominable mother and her attachment to Western beliefs and laws, he would have known his rights. Since he is unaware of the customs that govern how magical and non-magical China interact, perhaps I shall feel it necessary to demand recompense.”

The officer lost most of the color out of his face, and Leander stood and came around the table, putting a cautious hand on Auntie Daiyu’s shoulder. “Auntie, my only concern is seeing Heng and making sure that he is safe before going home. I do not want to have anything to do with non-magical China or non-magical America or even magical America. I want to go home.” As much as he appreciated her attempt to defend him, he didn’t want to be held up to some standard he couldn’t match, like the magic of a pill master.

She sighed before turning her gaze toward him. Some of the gleeful malice had faded and she gave him a weary sigh. “You're not going to allow me to have any fun, are you?”

“I have a family to get home to,” Leander said. He was terrified Shanlin was guarded by people who did not understand the power Druwolf held. This battle had been a victory, but Leander knew the war was still to be fought, and he needed to have Shanlin next to him where he could see that the boy was safe.

“Very well.” Auntie Daiyu sounded bored with all of it. “Come. Nie Heng is far enough along in his cultivation that he should have healed himself already, and if not, I do know how to heal a body.  I would be greatly amused if Nie Xiaobo drove all this way only to find that I had spirited his chicks back home before he could even get here. If I cannot take out my pettiness on the police, then I shall indulge by annoying him.”

Leander had no idea if that was part of her performance or whether she really was aggravated enough to torture others, but when she left the room, he hurried to follow her. He was not going to be the next person to annoy her. Maybe she had lied to the police about him being a pill master, but she had magical powers far beyond his own, and right now she looked angry enough to use all of them to make him miserable if he slowed her down.

He had lived this long by not annoying powerful people, and he was not going to change now.