Page 100 of Two Thousand Shadows

This house had become more special to them than anyone had expected. While Xiao Dan and his clan were eager to return home, there was also some reluctance to leave their American home. There were sweet memories sprinkled among the bad.

“It might take me a few tries, but I think I might be able to move the entire house to Luoyang.”

Xiao Dan jumped at the sound of Kai’s voice. It took an extra couple of seconds for his distracted brain to register what the dragon had suggested.

“What?” Xiao Dan gasped, only to shake his head. “No. No. Why would we do that?”

“Because Shixiong has been stroking that wooden post and lost in thought for nearly a full minute,” Kai replied, sendingheat rushing into Xiao Dan’s cheeks. “Shixiong loves this house, and I want Shixiong to be happy.”

“I am happy. This property has more wonderful memories in it than I expected. Our home in Luoyang is more than big enough to accommodate our clan mates comfortably. We don’t need to add this one to it. Thank you for the offer, Kai.”

Xiao Dan made a mental note to be careful with his words around the powerful dragon. He was eager to please and could make the absurd possible.

“What will become of it after we leave?” Kai inquired.

“I had thought to sell it, but I’ve decided to keep it as a second home for our clan. I am sure that Moon and Leo will wish to return out of homesickness for the place of their birth, and the rest of the clan has expressed an interest in visiting. Aiden has kindly offered to check on the buildings and grounds from time to time for us.”

Kai grunted. “Good. Xiang likes this house, and I don’t like the idea of strangers walking these halls.”

Without another word, Kai continued on his way, leaving Xiao Dan with a bemused smile on his lips. His world was certainly more interesting now with a dragon in it.

Not to mention an elf, a fledgling vampire who could raise the dead, and two cat shifters.

Maybe the Zhang clan had stagnated for too many centuries, stuck in a familiar rut.

Those days were now long over with the new training schedules, diaper changing, bedtime stories, language lessons, and so many new personalities coming together. It was blissful chaos that Xiao Dan looked forward to every evening when he woke.

He paused in his aimless wander in front of the open doorway leading to the ancestral hall, where all the memorial tablets had been set up for their lost clan mates. A thin trickle ofsmoke curled up from the trio of incense sticks that were nearly burned down to the end. Chen had already made his evening stop to speak to Shifu.

Xiao Dan held his hands together before his chest and bowed to the tablets. “May you all be at peace. Your clan is safe and content.”

It may have taken them a century, but they were finally complete.

Xiao Dan turned from the ancestral hall, but his next step faltered as he mentally replayed that last thought. Something didn’t feel complete.

Chen had Moon, who was a mate and a shidi in need of guidance and training.

Yichen had Rei, an elf who was also adept at keeping Yichen on his toes.

Xiang had a dragon. His hands were full.

Junjie had gained a mate and a son.

Ming Yu and Mei Lian were destined to be mates if they’d stop dancing around each other and talk about their real feelings. Regardless, Xiao Dan knew better than to stick his unwanted nose into that lesbian love story.

That just left…himself.

But there was no question of who he wanted. There had only ever been one person for him. It was never the right time, or he’d feared being selfish when his clan needed him.

With everyone settled and the trek home so close, maybe it was time to claim that mischievous fox spirit as his own.

Except, where was Huli?

He’d said that he would pop by at sunset to help Xiao Dan pack up some of his belongings. That more realistically meant that Huli planned to lounge on his bed and talk while he watched Xiao Dan wrap breakables and fill boxes. Regardless, he shouldhave been there by now. Huli might be flighty, but he was always prompt when Xiao Dan promised to spend time with him.

Xiao Dan continued through the house, pausing in the kitchen to ask Junjie if he’d seen Huli that evening. The vampire lifted his eyes from the snack he was preparing for Erik to shake his head.

Odd.

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