Page 81 of Two Thousand Blades

Huli snorted. “Trust me, I’m not too thrilled, either. I’m better as a solo.”

Xiao Dan’s expression hardened. “Moon, hard truth. You have slacked on your training for the past couple of weeks. You do not have access to your magic, and you are not a skilled fighter. Placing you with Chen would force him to split his focus so that he is looking for the sword and protecting you. Whereas Huli is fast and has ample magic at his fingertips. It is smart to combine him with Chen’s fast and aggressive magic. You will hold Chen back.”

“Shixiong!” Chen gasped.

Yet, it was Moon who stopped him. With shoulders slumped, he bowed to Xiao Dan. “Shifu is right. I would put Chen in danger.” Moon sat on the bench beside Chen, his slender shoulders slumped in defeat.

“I know you wish to fight side by side with Chen.” Xiao Dan’s voice softened, becoming so very reassuring. “If you work hard, one day you will be just as strong and skilled as the others in the clan. For now, I want you to be with Junjie and Ming Yu outside the castle grounds. You will supply a distraction if needed as well as clear an exit when the time comes.”

“I’ll do it, Shifu,” Moon agreed with a weak smile.

“Shifu…” Xiang whispered with a shudder.

“What?” Moon asked, his head whipping around to Xiang. “I’ve been accepted into the clan and Zhang Xiao Dan has agreed to be my shifu, training me to fight like you guys.” Moon tipped up his chin and puffed out his chest. “What? Don’t think I can do it?”

“No! No! That’s not it!” Xiang said, holding up his hands to ward off Moon’s defensive grumpiness.

“It’s that we have all used that term to refer to one person—Zhang Shi Lei,” Junjie answered. “We had finished with the bulk of our training when he died. Xiao Dan grew up with us. He’s always been Shixiong or Da-ge.”

“Moon is the first disciple of the tenth generation of the Sword of the Heavenly Garden Sect,” Xiao Dan announced. “I officially accepted his bows while Xiang was gone.”

A devilish grin spread across Xiang’s lips, and he pointed at Rei. “What about that one? Does that make him the second disciple of the tenth generation?”

Rei’s lips twisted in a smirk. “Not yet. While I might not have much of a conscience, what little I have won’t allow me to join your clan officially until the last of my ties are broken with the fae.”

Yichen wrapped one arm around Rei’s waist and pulled him in tight. With his other hand, he drew a finger across his throat. “We kill his sweet mother, and he is mine for all time.”

Rei sighed and fluttered his eyelashes as he laid his head against Yichen’s. “I love when you get all bloodthirsty for the death of my family.”

“Ugh,” Mei Lian groaned. “I’m usually down for all the sappy BL stuff, but you two are gross. You’re my brother and…ugh!” She added a shudder with her eyes squeezed shut, which only made Rei chortle.

Xiao Dan’s sigh was loud and very heavy. “I think we are getting off track. Are there any more issues we need to discuss with how the teams are broken up?” Huli drew in some air and Xiao Dan’s hand shot up, halting his next words. “Other than complaining about who your partner is.” Huli’s mouth snapped shut.

But Kai’s breath was stolen away by Xiang’s next words.

“Kai won’t be joining our raid on the fae castle,” Xiang announced, silencing the room.

“What are you talking about?” Kai growled as soon as he could get his brain working past his initial shock. How could Xiang not want him to accompany him on their mission to steal back his sword?

“It’s too dangerous for you to go on this mission. The queen has nearly killed you twice. What if she already has her hands on the sword when we locate her? Do you think I’ll be able to ignore your suffering while I’m trying to kill her and her guards?”

“And do you truly believe I am going to stay behind while you put yourself in danger for my sword? That I’d let you take my revenge from me?” Lightning flashed in the windows and a loud crack of thunder split the air.

From the corner of his eye, he saw Huli fully climb into Xiao Dan’s lap while Moon half hid behind Chen.

“Only Xiang would be insane enough to argue with a god,” Chen muttered.

Yet that was what made Xiang great. He didn’t think about Kai’s power. No, his mate turned completely around to face him, his face flushed and eyes sparkling. “I will not let you get so close to death ever again! This is the one way I have of keeping you safe. If we can’t get the sword from her before we can kill her, she’s going to summon you and command you to kill us. Staying here will buy you and us more time.”

“This is my sword. A thief violated my hoard. I have suffered years of humiliation. I demand retribution!” Kai shouted.

“And you’re my mate! I’m not letting you get hurt by that elf!” Xiang bellowed back in his face.

“Actually, I don’t think the sword is going to have the same power over Kai any longer,” Chen broke in, snapping both of their glares to him.

“What the hell are you talking about?” Xiang demanded.

Chen rolled his eyes and flicked a bit of ice in Xiang’s direction in irritation. Kai’s hand zipped out and caught the ice, crushing it in his fist. It wouldn’t have hurt Xiang, but no one could throw things at his mate. “What are you saying?”

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