“So you come from a long line of cowboys,” Jia said.
Russell nodded. “It became a tradition for the eldest son to serve in the military. My grandfather fought in World War I; my father in World War II. The pistols were handed down to each of them. Before I left for my first tour of duty in Vietnam, my father took me to my great-grandfather’s grave, and we buried the pistols there by the headstone. He told me I had to survive, no matter what, so I could come back to get them.”
“And you did,” Jia said softly.
Russell sighed. “I came back undead.”
“So you’ve been a vampire since the Vietnam War?” That had to be about forty years, Jia thought. When Russell didn’t answer, she tried another question. “Why did your father bury the pistols? He could have just waited for you to come back.”
“He had lung cancer. He wasn’t sure how long he’d be around, and he was worried . . .” Keeping his back to her, Russell shifted his weight and raked a hand through his hair. “My younger brother, Markos, was having some trouble. Drugs. My dad was afraid he’d take the pistols and sell them. They’re worth a lot of money.”
Jia stepped closer. “And your father is gone now? What about your mother?”
Russell turned toward her, his eyes no longer red. “All I have left are the damned pistols.” He shrugged like he didn’t care, but the tears in his eyes made her heart ache.
Did he have no family at all? “Is your brother gone, too?”
“Markos actually straightened out. He joined the Marines a few years after I did. Even did a tour in Vietnam.” Russell took a deep breath. “He was always trying to follow in my footsteps. I guess he did. He’s listed as MIA, just like I am.”
“I’m sorry.” So Russell was all alone. She was tempted to tell him he wasn’t alone, that she would be with him, but how could she make such a promise?
Russell shrugged. “So are you going to stop nagging me now?”
She smiled. “I’ll give you a short reprieve.”
“That’s decent of you.” He held out a hand. “Let’s get going.”
She walked up to him. “I’m sorry if I made you sad.”
“You didn’t. I plan. I strategize. I’m undead. I don’t do feelings.”
“Of course you do.”
“Not if I can help it. They’re a distraction. They make you weak.”
She huffed. “I disagree!”
“Imagine that,” he muttered dryly, taking hold of her waist.
“Feelings make you strong.” She grabbed hold of his shoulders. “I would have never managed what I’ve done if it hadn’t been for the way I feel about my parents and brother.”
“Those feelings have led you into danger. They could get you killed.”
“And you’re not trying to kill Han because of feelings?” She thumped Russell on the chest. “You don’t keep those pistols because of feelings?”
His hands tightened on her, but he remained silent.
“You have your pistols. I have my mother’s bracelets. We’re holding on to the only things left from our families.” Her eyes burned with tears. “Because we loved them.”
He closed his eyes briefly and drew in a long, shuddering breath. “Let’s go.”
“That’s all you have to say?”
“I don’t explain myself.” He teleported, taking her with him.
“Stay down.” Russell crouched behind a large boulder with Jia.
She looked around. “I don’t recall coming to this campsite before.”
“We haven’t. There’s no good cover here for spying.” He’d brought her to the northernmost camp, close to the Tibetan border. There were no trees to hide behind, just dry, barren ground with a few scattered rocks and boulders.
Since the land was unsuitable for farming, the population was sparse. With no people to control, Han rarely visited this outpost. But it had occurred to Russell that it also made a good area for him to hide in.
Peering around the boulder, Russell spotted a truck emerging from the wide gate. Another truck followed. And another.
Were they deserting the campsite? “I need a closer look.” He glanced at Jia. “Will you be all right here?”
She nodded. “Be careful.”
The concern in her eyes was hard to bear. She was killing him with all her talk about feelings. What did she expect from him? She was engaged. As soon as their mission was done, she’d marry her prince and go far away. He’d probably never see her again.
And even if he could win her heart, what did he have to offer her? A cave he didn’t own? The stuff inside the cave wasn’t his. He’d borrowed or stolen most of it. The ranch in Colorado was gone, sold years ago while he’d been stuck in a coma in a cave in Thailand. He had no home to take her to. No family. He was a penniless vampire vagabond.
He had to be honorable to Jia. Honor was about the only thing he had left.
“I’ll be right back.” He teleported into a dark, shadowy spot outside the barricade, then levitated enough to peer over the top.
The soldiers were packing up and leaving. Russell spotted the officer Wu Shen supervising. Wu Shen had helped them before. When Darafer had taken Dougal’s wife prisoner, the officer had sneaked into Tiger Town to let them know where she was. It had been his way to repay them for rescuing some of his family members who had been forced to work at Darafer’s demon herb farm. Darafer had turned them into living zombies.