“… Huh.”

  “Tell me what it is with silence.”

  “…”

  “Let it be what it is … don’t put words on it,” Li instructed.

  No words.

  For a long moment, Anton felt his internal voice go silent. That’s weird, he thought as his mental voice came back. “Hey, I just stopped thinking for a few seconds.”

  Li leaned forward and smiled mischievously. “That’s the easy part.” She whirled the Shinai through a flat arc, striking Anton on the shoulder with a sizzling crack. “Now do it while I’m hitting you.”

  Anton leaped backward and swore, “What the hell?”

  Li whipped the Shinai forward again, striking him on the other shoulder.

  “Hey?” Anton shouted, struggling to avoid the next blow.

  Li moved faster than his eye could follow, striking him twice more, left and right beneath the ribs.

  Anton tried to blank his mind, but he kept thinking about what Li would do next, trying to anticipate her actions and avoid getting hit.

  Li blurred, using the Shinai to trip Anton, and he landed on his butt. Before he could rise, she pressed the Shinai against his chest, pushing him flat on his back.

  “You’re very attached to thinking, aren’t you Anton?”

  “I guess,” he conceded from the floor.

  Li nodded. “Well, let’s go with that. A thinking man’s explanation before we proceed, Okay?”

  “Sure,” Anton agreed. Anything was better than having his ass handed to him by a girl.

  Li sat down opposite Anton and explained, “Mastery of the Ramp begins with listening.”

  “Okay, I thought I was doing that.”

  “Anyone can listen with their ears, what the Ramp requires is listening with the mind.”

  “Uh huh?” Anton grunted.

  Li paused for a second and then stated, “There are four types of listening, and three transitions between them. The four types are indifferent, ordinary, silent and profound.”

  “What are the differences between them?”

  “Consider a conversation, indifferent occurs when your mind wanders away, and you hear nothing of what the other person is saying. Ordinary is when you hear the other person’s words, but you are also thinking about what you want to say, so you are not really paying attention to their words. Silent is when you just hear the other person’s words, and your own mental chatter is absent.”

  “And profound?”

  “Profound listening is when you cease to anticipate hearing anything at all.”

  “You said that there are three transitions.”

  “Yes. The first transition from indifferent to ordinary is based on orientating yourself in space, you become mindful of your present location. The second transition from ordinary to silent is based on silencing your internal mental voice.”

  “That seems to be the hard part.”

  “A lot of people mistake that internal voice as being themselves, but it is just an activity of the mind. You still remain present when it is silent. It’s actually simple, once you get used to it. The third transition from silent to profound is based on orientating yourself in time. Arresting your mind within the present moment, no future, no past, just the present. This is the key to mastering access to the Ramp. It is also the hardest part to learn.”

  “So, I stop thinking and anticipating?” Anton asked.

  “Yes,” Li answered. “It is the only path to the Ramp.”

  “How do I know what to do in a fight?”

  “A combination of training to automate your reflexes and Ramp mastery. Profound listening is the key to open the door to Ramp mastery, it is not Ramp mastery. A Ramp master’s mind accelerates so much that the perception of time speeds up. The experience is of the world slowing down. It is the accelerated mind, allied with transformed physical skills that enable us to match a vampire in combat.”

  Anton remembered the first night he’d met Gang, and how Gang had run past him in the alley as if he’d been standing still.

  “Is there a catch?”

  “Two of them,” Li answered, and started ticking off her fingers. “Firstly, when ramping, your body runs hot and the Ramp can’t be sustained for a long time. Secondly, a noisy mind will drop you straight out of the Ramp. Don’t get distracted - it will get you killed.”

  Anton nodded. “Okay.”

  “It’s been said that a Ramp master’s actions precede his thoughts,” Li observed sagely. She leaned forward and looked into Anton’s eyes. “Perhaps one day that will be true for you too. Let’s try again, this time unarmed.”

  Li put the Shinai back on the rack, turning, she attacked Anton with a flying kick. He ducked away as Li flew over him, turning, he found Li already in position, striking him with hand and foot combinations. Li expertly pulled the strikes on contact. Anton found himself becoming quite within his mind as his world shrank to the moment.

  He moved aside as Li launched a kick which he caught in a lock, twisting toward her he lowered his shoulder to catch her in a throw.

  Reversing his attack, Li swept his feet out from under him and he landed flat on his back with Li on top.

  Li’s thighs wrapped firmly around Anton’s hips. She locked his right wrist, twisting it painfully as she pushed his forearm into his throat cutting off his ability to breathe.

  Anton started to smile.

  Li’s long hair fell like a curtain around their heads. Her large brown eyes widened as her face hovered inches above his own. “Right!” She snapped. Leaping up, she commanded, “Yesterday you said you could do two hundred burpees in a set, so let’s see it - or was that the idle boast of someone who thinks too highly of himself.”

  “Okay,” Anton agreed with a grin and started doing the burpees.

  Li took the Shinai back off the rack. Positioning it in front of Anton as he was jumping up from the prone position, she instructed, “Jump over this.”

  She’s enjoying this, Anton thought, as he jumped over the Shinai. He focused on the moves. Li kept inserting the Shinai in front of him and he kept jumping over it. As the repetitions continued, she raised the bamboo higher and higher, until she was holding it straight out from her shoulder for each jump.

  With each rep Anton glanced at Li’s face. She was watching him intently. He found himself sinking into a quiet place where there was only the rhythm of the motion and Li’s eyes watching him. He lost track of time. There was just the night, the cool air laced with the perfume from Gang’s roses, and Li. Just Li, a poised, coiled presence next to him. He felt like he could do this forever, and wondered if he just might.

  “Stop,” Li directed, pulling the Shinai away. “That’s five hundred, and you’re still going like a machine.”

  “I’ve always had plenty of endurance.”

  “That was phenomenal, I think your body is adjusting to the Ramp much faster than I would expect. Time to get a drink and a shower, we’ll continue tomorrow.”

  Anton smiled. “Great, will do.”

  Stepping off the mats an image of the vampire Armitage beheading his mother came unbidden into his mind. His thoughts darkened, his smile fled, and he vowed to himself, Your time is coming closer, I will master the Ramp and I will kill you.

  * * *

  Gang logged into his laptop and checked the online bookings for the Noodle House.

  He was looking for a very specific booking with a pre-order. It would be from, ‘Mr. T Masters, a table for two, an order for the duck special, with the new special secret sauce.’ Gang had updated his website the day after Anton had arrived, and listed the new dish. It was an agreed signal to Arthur Slayne.

  The agreement was that if Gang needed to contact Arthur, he would advertise he had a new secret sauce. If the need was urgent than it would be a special secret sauce. Arthur would set the time and date for the meeting via the booking. The actual meeting would be at a predetermined site - not the Noodle House. Only Gang, Li, and Arthur knew of the arrangement.

  It was three weeks later and there was still no booking. What could have kept Arthur from seeing or acting on his message in that time?

  “What’s happened my old friend,” Gang whispered to himself. He was not one to worry unduly about anything, but he had to admit to himself he was concerned by the lack of a response from Arthur.

  Gang remembered back six months to when he’d last seen his old teacher, replaying the conversation in his mind.

  There had been a large map of South America laid out on Gang’s dining room table. There had been trouble in South America - big trouble.

  “I will be going to Brazil,” Arthur declared. “Crane has a special project in the Amazon.” He stabbed the map with a finger and traced out a large circle. “Somewhere in this region, there is a mixed team of Shadowstone operatives, molecular biologists, and support staff. In the background will be a team of praetorians providing security.”

  “What of the Order, are they doing anything?” Gang inquired.

  Arthur shook his head. “They’re doing nothing. Kain won’t lift a finger. I’m sure he’s Crane’s pet.”

  “What’s Crane’s objective? Those scientists worry me.”

  “Me too, molecular biology suggests genetic manipulation, cellular technologies, and techniques for changing the physiology of a human being or a vampire, but why the Amazon? I need to find out.”

  “Do you need my assistance? Li could hire some help and run the Noodle House while I’m away.”

  “Ha,” Arthur laughed. “You trust Li with your baby?”

  Gang grinned. “Yes, I know. As unlikely as it may seem at times, I really do trust her abilities, she is really very mature for her age.”

  Arthur took a sip of whiskey from his tumbler and shook his head. “Not this mission my old friend. Stealth all the way, I will be most effective on my own. Thanks for the offer, though. You know I appreciate it.”

  Gang frowned for a moment. His old friend had always had trouble asking for help. It was a trait that one day might get him killed.

  “Well then, good hunting,” Gang offered the traditional toast.

  “Good hunting,” Arthur replied heartily.

  Both men drained their drinks. And then Arthur had vanished into the night.

  Gang felt sick to his stomach as he came back to the present. How would he tell him of the capture of his son, and the death of Anna? At least, Anton was alive and well. Gang took a deep breath, let it go slowly, and his distress fled with it. It was time to accept what had happened and focus on what must be done.

  He smiled, the boy was whip-smart, driven to learn, absorbing information and skills like a sponge. He was progressing much faster than Gang had expected, the Ramp activation he’d put Anton through was playing a large part in that. The ongoing re-routing of the nerve and muscle bindings greatly facilitated the acquisition of physical skills. Anton was rapidly gaining speed, strength, and fighting ability. What he still lacked was control.

  Perhaps tomorrow Arthur would send his message.

  The clock ticked over to 3pm. It was time to attend an afternoon practice session with Anton and Li. Gang picked up a large jar of herbal balm, walked out of his office and down to the training deck.

  It was also time to progress from the flexible Bamboo Shinai to the Hardwood Bokken. The balm would be useful for Anton’s many bruises.

  Gang chuckled wickedly.

  * * *

  Li frowned as another couple left the restaurant without completing their meal.

  She’d let them go without asking them to pay. Apologizing profusely as she led them through the front door. Raucous laughter greeted her as she came back into the main room. The boss of the Hu Shizu, the self-styled ‘Tiger Clan,’ Mr. Wang completed one of his trademark jokes. The core of his crew sat around a large circular table covered with the remains of the Noodle House’s best dishes and finest wines.

  Mr. Wang looked around, snapped his fingers loudly and demanded, “Bring the Sake!”

  Obnoxious creep, Li thought furiously. She stepped gracefully forward with two bottles of Sake and nine shot glasses on a tray. She placed the tray on a nearby trolley, pouring the Sake into the glasses. She quickly distributed the shots around the table. Here you go, she thought. Fats, Stinker, Rats, Slinker, Ferret, Weasel, Greasy, Sleazy and Creepy - I hope you choke on it.

  The gangsters leered at her as she worked. They were all watching her every move. Tracking their avid gazes, she internally shook her head behind her polite, friendly, front of house facade. What were these guys expecting? A lap dance?

  A rough hand slid over her hip, squeezing her buttock through her red silk dress. The forced smile fled from her face and her eyes narrowed with indignation. She glanced down at the offending hand that was still gliding over the smooth curve of her bottom. She lifted her eyes and stared into the face of the hand’s owner, Mr. Wang - the head of organized crime in Chinatown.

  Hold it together, step away quietly, and don’t rip his head off, Li advised herself and stepped out of reach.

  Mr. Wang’s hand dropped back into his lap and he offered loudly, “You should come and work for me, you could earn a lot more than you make here.”

  Li whirled and glared at the crime boss for a fraction of a second. What a pimp! I would rather suck my own eyeballs out with a straw than work for a sleazebag like you. She raised a fresh smile over her seething anger and replied with a trace of feigned regret, “Mr. Wang, I’m very happy working here with my father.”

  Mr. Wang stroked his chin, his gaze lingering over every curve of her body. He observed avidly, “A beautiful young woman such as yourself could become a star in my best club.”

  Oh my God, he wants me to be a high-class whore. Li reached deep, managing a simpering titter as if she was flattered by his assessment of her ‘assets.’ “Oh Mr. Wang, I wouldn’t do anything without my father’s permission.”

  Mr. Wang laughed, and boomed his enthusiasm, “That’s it, you’re perfect, so innocent, and so honorable. My club’s patrons will go wild. I will dress you in gold - you will be a great sensation.”

  Gritting her teeth behind her smile, Li kept her feelings hidden. Silently reminding herself to maintain her cover, and keep her family’s secret. It took more will then she anticipated, but she rose to the occasion. She bowed her head submissively, taking a step backward.

  Mr. Wang’s chair scraped across the floor, his arm snaking around her waist, dragging her onto his lap.

  Li vowed to herself to get a better cover. Next time she would be an ex-navy SEAL.

  “Surely it is time for the young bird to fly the nest,” Mr. Wang purred as he looked at her with half-lidded eyes. “I could show you a life far beyond that of a waitress.”

  “Mr. Wang,” Li replied. She shook her head, her eyes wide with feigned innocence. “There is nothing you could offer beyond my life here.”

  Mr. Wang smiled avidly, pulling her close so that her breasts were crushed against his chest. His face was inches from her own. She couldn’t miss his sallow greasy skin, his stained and yellow teeth, and the pungent reek of stale tobacco smoke that enveloped them in a noxious cloud.

  “Oh, my dear. If I have nothing you desire, then I’m sure you will continue to enjoy the comforts of your home here in this - ‘Noodle House’ - for as long as it lasts.”

  A loud snigger erupted from the other end of the table. She pinpointed it was the gangster, Sleazy. The mood around the table had shifted in seconds from boorishly enjoyable to coldly threatening.

  A familiar presence appeared nearby. She looked up; it was her father.

  “Can I help,” Gang offered calmly.

  Anton stood at her father’s shoulder radiating cold fury.

  Mr. Wang pushed Li off his lap, and she stepped lightly away.

  Waving his hand through a wide arc, Mr. Wang asked, “This Noodle House, is it well insured? You never know what could happen … storm, flood - or even a fire.” He leaned back in his chair and stroked his chin. “It would be such a shame if this fine little enterprise just went up in smoke.”

  Gang chuckled. “Ah, Mr. Wang, my insurance is excellent.”

  Mr. Wang frowned, his mouth drooping sourly. “Your daughter does not want to work for me. Perhaps you could make her see sense.”

  Gang’s eyes twinkled. “Does the lightning obey the wind? She is very strong-willed. She will make up her own mind - she always does.”

  Mr. Wang smiled at Gang, but his eyes were icy cold. “Mr. Wu, you’ve been here for years with this little business, so small, I overlooked it.” He nodded at Li. “And yet tonight I find your daughter. It’s like kicking over a dull gray stone and discovering a diamond.”

  Li glanced at Anton, his face was flat and still, he was staring at Mr. Wang and something dark and terrifying lurked just behind his eyes. Uh oh. Anton shouldn’t be here right now.

  “I’m sorry Mr. Wang, but my daughter will be staying here,” Gang affirmed.

  Mr. Wang sneered. “Do you know who I am - how dare you refuse me.”

  The gangsters around the table leaned back, letting their coats fall away to reveal an array of handguns, knives and short-hafted axes.

  Gang took a breath and put a steady hand on Anton’s hip. “Mr. Wang, we don’t want any trouble.”

  Li thought furiously. Not how to deal with the lecherous ambitions of the local crime boss, but how to stop Anton exploding. His emotions were still a mess. She edged behind her father, as if trying to hide, rather than position herself to tackle Anton.

  The last remaining patrons left their seats, exiting through the front door. In moments, only Li, Gang, Anton and the gangsters were left in the main room. The rest of the staff had retreated into the back alley behind the kitchen.

  Gang and Mr. Wang stared at each other in silence for a long moment.

  “Well it would be a shame if anyone got hurt through thoughtless action,” Mr. Wang observed darkly, standing up. “I will give you both a week to think about my offer.”

  “A week won’t make any difference,” Gang declared.

  “Nor would a lifetime,” Li observed briskly.

  Mr. Wang laughed coldly. “Well we will see about that.” He turned and led his men from the restaurant without looking back.

 

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