White Tigress by Jade Lee

inhabited. And there was nothing she could do about it.
    "Do not be afraid," Ru Shan soothed. "I have promised you that it will not hurt."
    She nodded, though her heart still raced. She did not think it would hurt. Indeed, she very much feared it would not hurt. That she would like it. That she would want more and more and more, just as her Uncle Jonathan did, unable to go for a day or more without visiting his mistress. His thoughts, his body, his entire being was consumed with finding the next moment to rut. Like a beast in heat was what her aunt said, with no more refinement or culture than a pig.
    Was that what she would become?
    The very thought terrified her, and yet how could she escape?
    Meanwhile, Ru Shan was coming closer, his body large and imposing though he seemed no taller than average. "Why are you afraid?" he asked, obviously perplexed. "Why would I harm that which I have gone to great effort and expense to purify?"
    What he said made logical sense, but it did nothing to ease the panic that gnawed at Lydia's chest. She had to leave. Now. No matter what the cost.
    "Li Dee," Ru Shan continued. "I will not hurt you..."
    She could not wait any longer. It was time to escape. She forced herself to relax, to breathe calmly. It took all her effort, but she was determined. And was rewarded. As she seemed to relax, so too did Ru Shan and Fu De. They smiled at her, and Ru Shan even gestured formally to the bed, indicating that they should start.
    But midway through his bow, she bolted. She flew past Ru Shan, skirted Fu De, and tore out of the tiny flat. Or so she imagined. So she wanted and hoped and desperately wished.
    In truth, she never made it past Ru Shan. He caught her around the waist, easily lifting her off the ground. So she kicked him. She screamed, she bit, she fought, she did everything she could imagine, but he was stronger. And with the help of Fu De, she had no chance.
    Through it all, he was trying to talk to her, trying to speak. "Li Dee, I do not wish to harm you. No pain, Li Dee. No pain, I promise." He descended into Chinese, curses by the sound of it. Then, to one side, Lydia saw Fu De nod and scurry out, returning quickly with bright red silk cords.
    Seeing them sent her into a frenzy. She redoubled her efforts, managing for one brief moment to struggle out of Ru Shan's grasp. But it was only for a moment. He caught her quickly, using his entire body to position her on the bed. Then, the very next moment, he toppled her over, pushing her onto the mattress while he pressed down on top of her.
    "I do not want to bind you, Li Dee. Stop! You must stop!"
    But she did nothing of the sort. She fought like a demon.
    To no avail. All too soon, with Ru Shan's heaviness atop her and Fu De assisting from the side, her hands and feet were bound, and no matter how much she twisted or pulled, she could not escape.
    So she screamed. She bellowed and hollered and sobbed, begging for help in English, in Chinese, in any language or way she could imagine.
    At last, Ru Shan pulled a silk handkerchief from his pocket and stuffed it into her mouth. All the while he was shaking his head, visibly disturbed by her actions.
    "I have left it too long, Li Dee. I am terribly sorry. The yin has made you insane. But it will not be long. I promise. I will help you. I swear."
    "No. No," she sobbed through the silk fabric. She was shaking her head, tears flowing freely as she begged him not to continue. And she saw great sympathy in his eyes as he touched her cheek, gently wiping away her tears.
    "It is entirely my fault, Li Dee. This yin—just like the yang—too much of it leads to insanity. It must be drained off. It must." Then he reached down, adjusting her attire.
    Only now did she realize how exposed she was. In her struggles, the robe had come completely open and rucked up to just beneath her bottom. Only the silken tie remained across her belly, but beyond that, she was completely open to his gaze. His touch. His