Chapter 29

I wake to the dome of a delicate sky, periwinkle fusing with the gentle blue. Morning stars peeping down. Serenaded by the sound of the murmuring winds harmonizing with the chirpy symphony sung by beaked birds.

I crawl out of the cocoon of blankets, trampling over the space where Orian laid. I come to the far left of the veranda, my hands on the wooden railing, looking out onto the verdant field. The grass is paradise-green and thigh-high to a thrush. Orian is practicing his forms, flowing from stance to stance, his arms moving as gracefully as reefs in the wind, his movements as fluid as water. Swiftly going from deep lunges to high kicking forms. Obaasan circles him with her hands folded behind her back. Passing comments, Orian adjusts to her command.

The dawn rises behind them. The sun clings to the ridge of the mountain, first light spilling over.

An hour goes before they finish. Panicky, I dart for a random blanket, tying it around my waist. Obaasan walks up the steps first, smiling at me warmly. She passes me barefoot, breezing inside. Orian follows, taut muscles beaded with shining droplets of sweat. He moves to pass me. I catch his wrist from behind, gawking at his back. Old scars struck deep across his disfigured back, looking deformed in some places, like he was burnt. I reach out to touch him. My fingers investigate, feeling the bumpy and jarring texture of his flesh beneath my own.

“What—”

He slips from my hold, walking inside wordlessly.

After Orian and I wash up and change back into our clothes. Obaasan is ready in the main room with a low-lying wooden tray stand and a teapot set atop. She invites us in and we join her on the floor. She picks up the teapot.

Whilst pouring a serving for each cup, she says, “Do you know the tale of moon and sun?”

She looks at me directly. I shake my head tentatively.

“They’re ancient lovers,” she says in a regaling tone. “Immortal beings with immortal duties, and kept apart. The moon meant to brighten night. And the sun to brighten day. Both of them give life. But there was one moment, they could be together.”

She sets down the teapot and takes her own cup, drawing a polite sip.

“The eclipse. It is where moon and sun embrace. A love so powerful it left all in the shadows.”

Orian observes her, long and unblinking. “And what is your point?”

Her eyes find mine. “That no love is impossible.”

"Obaasan!” a high-pitched voice screams. Bare feet pitter patter into the room like a scampering mouse. “Obaasan.”

A little boy stands in the doorway. He bows quickly and frantically starts pointing behind him, saying something that I cannot hear, but the fear in his tenor is universal. Obaasan and Orian bristle. He shoots up to his feet and storms out of the house with me in tow.

I emerge outside. Orian is already making his way down to the village. I run after him.

“What?” Slowing to a jog, then to a brisk walk. “What’s going on?”

My question is answered when we crest the steep slope, looking down at the three black Range Rovers parked around his bike, surrounded by men with heavy artillery. One of them opens the backseat door and Torin slides out, dressed in a typical luxury suit with sunglasses on. He instructs them before he walks up the slope by himself, unbuttoning his blazer on his way.

“What are you doing here?”

Torin stares back at him with exaggerated offense. “Hello to you too, brother. I’m well, thanks.” He takes off the brown-tinted sunglasses and puts them on his head. “And no, it did not stress me at all that the captain decided to abandon his ship without warning.”

Orian crosses his arms. “So you tracked me here?”

“Besides the fact that Greece awaits. And while you were too busy playing honeymoon. We have a situation by the name of Abdul Salam. He’s requesting an urgent meet. Flew in over a day ago. He heard you were on this side, that you were spotted in Osaka. Which is a security issue we have to talk about another time.”

“Where?”

“We’ll talk about that on the way.”

All three of us head back up to a worried Obaasan, standing at the top step. She and Torin have a reunion moment, saying hello and goodbye in the same breath. Orian gives her one last hug. Then she turns to me with open arms, smiling. I reciprocate her embrace.

“Take care of my Kenjie,” she whispers, “he’s a broken boy, but still a good boy.”

Respectfully, that is debatable.

I make my way down, ahead of them both whilst they exchange terse words behind me.

At the bottom, Orian goes for his bike.

“Miss Moor,” Torin says royally. He opens the backseat door.

For some reason, I look back at Orian as if asking for permission. He snaps a nod. I climb inside and Torin enters after me. Promptly, we’re on the road again, and moments later, Orian’s bike takes off at superluminal speeds.

Torin’s eyes assess me like he’s doing a medical checkup.

“What?”

“You alright?” Eyes still darting all over his body. “You were alone with him for over twenty-four hours. I’m just checking if the hostage is all in one piece.”

I give him a cynical look. “You think he’d take me to his home village, meeting a woman that’s practically his grandmother, just to hurt me?”

He smirks at me sardonically. “We are still talking about my brother? The same man that pried your legs apart at the upper deck.”

“Says the man that threw me on a bed with my ass up,” I say too quickly.

Fascination blooms on his face. “Oh,” he says with intrigue. “You’re defending him now?”

“Never,” I say firmly. “I’m just calling you out for being a hypocrite.”

“Which reminds me.” He reaches into his blazer pocket for his wallet, opening it up to give me a centurion black card. “Orian told me to give this to you. You still have that device he gave you?”

I nod. “What do I do with this?” I ask, holding up the card.

He puts his ankle on the opposite knee. “Buy whatever you want. Where we’re going, it will not be remotely safe for his precious Sakura. While we handle business. You go shopping.”

I nearly fling the card at him. “You say that so casually, like I’m his wife?”

“If it makes you feel better, you have more value than that.”

“Yes, I know, glorified hostage and all.” I flutter the glossy card. “You really going to give me this to go shopping?”

Frustration pinches the edges of his face. “Do you prefer cash?” he asks sarcastically. “On your spree, a detail of your own will accompany you. You’ll be safer there than with us. Who we’re meeting isn’t exactly a friend or even a mutual ally.”

“You’re not telling me something,” I deduce. “The strategic thing to do is take me back to the yacht.”

“Don’t take it to heart, darling. But I question your credibility when it comes to giving tactical advice, since your own actions got you here.”

“Spending the money of a notorious billionaire?” I retort with a sly smile. “I could think of worse alternatives.”

He replicates my smile. “So could I, Miss Moor.” Voice edged with menace.

“What’s in Greece?”

“Well, look at you,” he says with sheer scorn. “One night with the boss and it has you asking questions like I’m obliged to answer you.”

My insides recoil. “I’ll find out, anyway. Just tell me.”

“A possible lead to finding the second book. That’s where those coordinates are traced back to.”

When we arrive at the shopping center, Orian is already there, leaning against his bike. He doesn’t do anything but watch me from a distance. Torin beckons three men forward. Their weapons changed from rifles to concealable handguns. He looks back at me.

“Don’t try anything stupid.”

“Last time I tried, I got manhandled by the Yakuza. Trust me, I’ll be a lot smarter in my next attempt.”

He squints at me. “Cute. My guys will radio in when it’s time to ship out. If there is an emergency, you know who to call.”

He gives me the pin. I rotate around, walking to the entrance, my shadow escorted by three hulky ones. I glance back at Orian. He locks eyes with me before he settles back on his bike, leading the two other cars. I waltz into the mall: white with many levels, sparsely populated and colossal.

I spin around. “You guys want anything?”

They stare at me blankly.

“I’m buying,” I say, wagging my brows. “C’mon, this is your only chance to spend your boss’s money with no repercussions. Plus, I’d feel bad.”

Nothing, their faces engraved in identical stoic looks.

It appears as though they were innately configured to not exhibit any discernible human emotion.

“Well, if you’re going to tail me. You’re going to look good doing it.” I look around for a suit shop, walking forward. “What are your names?”

They don’t answer. I look back at them expectantly.

The one on the right. “Riku.”

The middle man. “Touma.”

Leftie. “Chimon.”

I bob my head at them. “Nice to meet you all.”

It takes me a while. Ignoring the stares, constant curious looks thrown my way. Eventually I find a tux tailor shop that seems to specialize in custom suits but has fits at the ready. Fortunately, the tailor speaks English.

“What can I do for you?”

“Hi.” I outstretch a hand at the gobsmacked three, looking too perplexed to say anything. “I would like fresh new suits for my dearest friends here.”

He motions them forward, estimating their measurements with just his eyes. “Anything… specific you want?”

“Ma’am,” Riku says with an objection in his throat. “We shouldn’t—”

“Nonsense,” I say to shut him up. I look at the tailor. “Anything but black, please. Oh, and matching. For the aesthetic.”

He claps his hands with a smile. Each of them take their turn, one at a time, making sure there’s at least one of them watching over me. After a transformation montage, the men are attired in crisp suits with an eye-pleasing blend of royal blue and burgundy. I tell them to discard their old suits. After paying, we leave.

I spin around to walk backwards for a few steps. I whistle at them.

“You boys look edible,” I say, making a chomping sound.

Two of them crack into a small smile.

I whirl back around. “Now, it’s my turn.”

Allured by the store of formal dresses, I walk inside to get a better look at the red-hot lace dress. A woman drifts by and offers her help. I ask for the price. I nearly turn back, but then I remember. Even though I would love to bleed Orian dry, I could buy every item in this entire mall and not even dent his bank account.

“I’ll take it.”

Her eyes skip to my new bodyguards, and she smiles.

“We have a new collection, imported from abroad.”

Giggling deliriously, I nod. “After you.”

Hopping from store to store, trying on outfits, forcing them to rate me. All four of us carry multicolored shopping bags, bursting with wrapping paper. Buying things that I know I’ll never wear. Exhilarated, but exhausted. I spin back around.

“You guys hungry?” My gaze travels to the upper levels. “I think it’s time for a lunch break. I’d kill for a burger. What do you feel? I’m not picky, but preferably nothing with fish for today.”

I face forward. Alarm tears a breath from my lungs.

I slow down, my eyes fastening on the Hispanic man with his back toward me. A marking of a fang-baring viper coiled around a human skull, tattooed on the back of his bald head. Sangre y hueso. Blood and Bone cartel. Gaza’s thugs.

I glance back to see if Riku and the other two have noticed, but they’re already informing someone in their earpieces. My eyes fly to another idling by, pretending to be on a phone call, and another tattooed-face one grips my gaze.

I pull out the device. Calling the only number on the list.

“What’s wrong?”

“Gaza.”

Riku moves to walk ahead of me. Chimon at my flank. Touma behind me.

“Listen to me,” he says heatedly. “Use the back entrance. There’s an alleyway that leads out to the street markets. The phone has a tracking chip. I’ll find you.”

I hang up.

Chimon clears his throat. “Reinforcements are on route, just calmly make your way to the exit.”

One of them steals my gaze. He grins at me, his tongue slithering out of his mouth like a snake, his thumb drawing a line across his throat.