Page 31 of The Wind Dancer
I slowly put the cup down, maintaining eye contact. Her cold, sharp tone told me she was an experienced agent. She decided to apply pressure, but this tactic wouldn’t work on me. I had to continue carefully, so I wouldn’t lose my upper hand.
“That I’m a master Shadow Walker now,” I said, bowing my head slightly. “Have your contacts not heard yet?”
Her eyes narrowed, but the smile never left her lips. She picked up her cup, took a small sip, and set it down gracefully. Her dark eyes studied me with cold curiosity. She lightly tapped the edge of the table, as if to the rhythm of a melody only she could hear.
“Congratulations, Feng Lao. So, you’re a master now?” Her voice was soft, but the chill remained in it. “That changes things a bit. Being a master gives you some freedom in the guild, but it doesn’t grant you protection from us. You’re still a part of my game, Feng Lao. And I don’t like it when pawns pretend to be players. Or worse, when they try to start their own game.”
I took another sip of tea, trying to stay calm. She was warning me, but I couldn’t let her take control.
“I’m not trying to start my own game,” I replied with a slight smile. “I just have a choice now. And I want to make sure I choose right.”
She grinned, but there was no warmth in her eyes.
“You think you have a choice?” She leaned forward, her voice growing quieter and more dangerous. “You’re mistaken. You’re either with me or against me. And if you choose the latter...” She paused, making it clear that this wasn’t a threat, but a promise.
I felt the tension in the air grow. I couldn’t do this all on my own, but I also couldn’t trust her. She was just too sharp.
“And if I chose a third option?” I asked, tilting my head slightly. “What if I decide to play by my own rules?”
She laughed, but there was no joy in it.
“Do you think you can create a path like a storm, sweeping everything aside? You’re naive, there is no third option. Not for you. I’ll repeat myself: you’re either with me or against me.”
I looked at her, trying to gauge how serious she was. Her eyes made it clear that she was ready to kill me if I became a threat.
“Alright,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “Give me a little bit more time to think.”
“You have until midnight. I’ll be waiting for your answer in the Garden of the Nine Gates. If you don’t show up, then I’ll take it that you’ve decided you’re against me.”
She stood up in a swift, graceful motion. She dropped a few coins on the table and headed toward the exit. I watched her walk away, feeling anger and worry battling inside me.
I only had a few hours to prepare room for negotiating, which meant that I needed to get to my mentor’s hideout...
CHAPTER 9
The cool evening air stung my face as I exited the tea house. There were fewer and fewer people out, and most of them were rushing home, avoiding trouble. Another wave would come after midnight when the night market opened, inviting a different type of crowd. Paper lanterns swayed in the light breeze, casting dancing shadows on the walls. In this city, the night led a life of its own, providing the cover of darkness to those who preferred not to deal in the light of day.
Mei Lin occupied my thoughts. People like her were dangerous, and the fact that she had the Secret Chancellery behind her made her even more so. But I wasn’t about to allow myself to be put in a collar and become an obedient dog. Knowing that Tang Fei was also from the Chancellery didn’t really help without additional information. If they were searching for the information that my mentor was gathering, then I had to find it first and decide what I should do next.
I walked slowly, appearing relaxed, but inside I felt as tense as a bowstring. My instincts, honed by years of living in the shadows, told me that I was being watched. Not just watched, but followed as well. Were they scouts? Mercenaries? Agents ofthe Secret Chancellery? I couldn’t tell right now, but I could tell that they were decent at their job.
When you realized you were being watched, the most important thing was not to give anything away, including that you knew. You also had to double-check everything. I changed my pace, made a few random turns, paused at a stall with roasted chestnuts, and tossed a coin to the merchant without taking any. I watched for those who mirrored my movements, adjusting just a fraction too late.
There were five of them, and they were very careful. They moved smoothly, at different distances, but they never lost sight of me. One was ahead of me, pretending to be a random onlooker, there to block the way in case something happened. Two followed behind me, and two more stood a little to one side, feigning indifference. But I caught them exchanging looks, the short gestures, their coordinated movements. This was a proper hunt.
My lips curled into a grin.
It seemed that someone had made a terrible mistake.
I moved into narrower streets, weaving between houses. They kept up. Judging by how coordinated they were and by the way they moved, I could tell they were trained fighters. They were in no hurry to attack, which meant they were either waiting for an opportunity or they were trying to see where I was going. Perhaps they thought that I’d lead them to something or someone. Were they looking for my mentor’s hideout?
To the Demons! I hated how many unknowns I had to deal with lately. It was time to get some answers by hunting some hunters.
I kept moving, but I was leading them now. The narrow streets of the Lower City were my domain. Arrogant fools... They really thought they could handle anyone. I felt the wind blowing through the alleys whispering to me that it would help me disappear into the shadows, and then...Then the hunters would become the prey.
As I led them deeper, I managed to get ahead, and now I listened for their footsteps behind me. They were moving more cautiously now, as they had sensed a change. They were well prepared to hunt a Shadow.
But not one trained by Feng Shen.
