Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 105815 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105815 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 529(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
So much of the tension that had lined his face disappeared in an instant. “Really? Will you be comfortable?”
“There’s plenty of room in Erik’s bed.” As soon as he finished speaking, he turned into the big orange and white tomcat Junjie had first met months ago. He sat at Junjie’s feet and let out a loud meow.
Junjie’s expression softened. “Thank you. If you need anything, feel free to come find me.”
Junjie led the way out of his room and across the hall to Erik’s room. He opened the door a crack, allowing Leo to slip inside. He padded over to the little boy’s bed, hopped on, and curled up in an empty spot at the foot. This way he was close enough to watch the boy without crowding him. Also, Junjie would feel at ease. Winter might have checked the property, but Leo could see those walking through the dead realm as well. He was added protection for the boy that no one else could provide.
The vampire paused beside the bed and gently rubbed Leo’s head, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Thank you so much,” he whispered before he left the room.
Yep, he was stuck now. There wasn’t a thing in the world he wouldn’t do for that Junjie.
Chapter 13
Zhang Junjie
Xiao Dan was distracted. It wasn’t hard to see when Junjie had to pull back on a thrust because it looked like his shixiong would not block it in time. Of course, they were all more than a little distracted. Xiao Dan had invited Junjie to the rear garden to spar because he’d caught him brooding about Jiang Chong.
Two nights had passed since Jiang Chong had sneaked onto their property. The witches and Kai had done what they could to layer more protection. Winter had examined the place, and Leo had even gone over the grounds. There was no sign of their vampire creator. But he would return.
“Maybe we should take a break,” Junjie suggested.
“I think that was supposed to be my line,” Xiao Dan said with a sheepish grin that slipped away almost as quickly as it formed.
“We’re distracted. No one can concentrate.”
Xiao Dan slid his sword into its sheath. “True, and it is my job to keep everyone focused. Shifu would have—”
“Shifu would be struggling too if he were in your shoes,” Junjie cut him off. “I witnessed him lost in thought during those times the emperor was being troublesome. Most of the students didn’t notice because there were so many other teachers who could step up and help.” Junjie poked Xiao Dan in the shoulder and gave him a weak smile. “You don’t have to figure things out alone.”
“Mn.” Xiao Dan nodded but didn’t return Junjie’s smile.
Junjie swallowed his sigh as he also placed his sword in its sheath. With the last of summer dwindling away, the nights had grown cooler. The fireflies were long gone, and even the chirping night insects had become quieter. The wind rustled leaves, but a new scent was creeping into the air. Autumn was waiting to sweep through the land and Junjie couldn’t wait.
Longer nights. The smell of dried leaves and apples. Cool, crisp nights and soft, heavy sweaters. Trees changing colors, painting the world with bright golden yellows, fiery reds, and brilliant oranges.
He couldn’t wait to see Erik playing in the leaves, a little knit hat covering his head. After more than two thousand autumns, this one promised to be something new.
“Erik has started saying Meimei,” Junjie recalled suddenly.
“Really?”
“Yes, except it doesn’t quite come out as Meimei. It’s more like Meimeimeimei as he toddles after her.”
Xiao Dan huffed a soft laugh, some of the tension at last sloughing off his shoulders as they wandered through the garden. “He seems to have settled into our home nicely. More than once I’ve caught him leading Chen by the hand into the library for story time.”
“He likes to help Ming Yu in the kitchen by tasting everything,” Junjie added.
Xiao Dan nodded. “He also fell asleep the other afternoon on Huli’s tails.”
Junjie’s eyes widened. “The fox didn’t mind?”
From what he’d seen, Huli had kept his distance from Erik since he’d entered the house, as if he expected Erik to chase after him and pull his tails. Or worse, steal Xiao Dan’s attention away from him.
“He’s coming around. Apparently, Erik is an excellent audience when Huli wants someone to appreciate his beauty or skills. Recently, I’ve caught him shifting back and forth from human to fox, as if he’s trying to coax Erik into doing the same thing. So far, Erik just laughs and claps at his antics.”
“I don’t know who is keeping who out of trouble there,” Junjie murmured. Leo was also spending more time with Erik, which was a good thing. The little boy needed as much exposure to shifters as possible. He needed to feel comfortable in his own skin, understand that he wasn’t alone in the world. That would not be the easiest task growing up surrounded by vampires.