Red Phoenix

‘I stand by my word,’ Michael said absently.

Leo came back with the jar. I took it from him and put it in the corner of the room. ‘You guide him, I’ll get the demons out.’

‘Demons?’ Michael said.

‘Lady Emma told you everything, didn’t she?’ Leo said.

Michael nodded.

‘Well then, select a weapon.’ Leo picked Dark Heavens from the rack.

Michael’s face was full of scepticism, but he took the white katana from the rack anyway.

Leo snorted. ‘Did Lady Emma tell you to take that one?’

‘No,’ Michael said, ‘I chose it myself. Is it the wrong one?’

Leo glanced at me. ‘You know that sword’s name?’

‘Nope.’

Leo grinned broadly. ‘That sword is the freaking White Tiger.’ He gestured for Michael to stand next to him in the centre of the room. ‘Here.’

I opened the jar and the air hissed. Michael’s expression was priceless. He didn’t know whether to believe us or not, but he was beginning to worry.

‘Don’t be concerned, you are in absolutely no danger here,’ I said.

Leo readied himself. Michael did too, obviously just in case.

I threw a low-level demon onto the floor in front of the mirrors and it formed into a twenty-year-old Chinese man wearing plain slacks and a shirt.

Michael took a step back, his eyes wide.

‘What level is that, my Lady?’ Leo said.

‘Four. It’s bound right now, Michael. I can release it if you like. It will attack you if I do. Do you want me to?’

Michael took a step forward and studied the demon carefully. ‘That’s a demon?’

‘Yes.’

‘I’ve seen them before. I wondered what they were. They look like ordinary people, but they’re different somehow.’ He grimaced. ‘I thought something was wrong with me; the minute I see one I want to tear it to bits.’

‘Good God, he can spot them already,’ Leo said with awe.

‘You are a true son of the White Tiger,’ I said. ‘You will be extremely valuable to us. I’m glad you came, Michael, we can help you to realise your full potential.’

Leo turned to Michael, full of approval. ‘You’re more than an ordinary human, Michael. You’ll probably be able to do some amazing things with training from Lord Xuan. What a stroke of luck for all of us.’

Michael grinned. ‘Really?’

‘Do you want to try the demon?’ I said. ‘I can release it, and it will attack you.’

Michael hesitated, then relaxed and put the sword away. He shook his head with remorse. ‘I don’t know if I can take one. After seeing what you can do, I’m probably not up to it. I think I’ll leave it to you.’ He shrugged. ‘Sorry.’

‘I can’t tell you how proud I am of you, Michael. That was exactly the right thing to do,’ Leo said.

Michael grinned again.

‘I can’t put it back, guys. Once it’s out somebody has to take care of it. Lord Xuan’s too weak to put it back into the jar.’

‘Show him energy work,’ Leo said. ‘That will prove it beyond a doubt.’

‘I know what chi gong is,’ Michael said.

‘What?’

‘Chi, energy. Gong, work. He’s right, Leo,’ I said. ‘Michael, the chi gong you see in the park is a very low level of the real thing. Let me show you some high level chi gong — some real energy work.’

I held my hands out and generated a ball of chi about the size of a basketball.

Michael’s mouth fell open.

I moved the chi off my hand and floated it around the training room just for fun. The look on Michael’s face was absolutely precious. I called the chi back and reabsorbed it.

‘Dragon Ball,’ Michael said.

Both Leo and I laughed softly.

‘I suppose you could say that,’ I said. ‘I’ll release the demon and destroy it with chi. Stand back, Michael, and if it goes for you, don’t worry. Either just move out of the way or let us handle it. This won’t take long.’

I released the demon and it hesitated, looking from one of us to the other. Eventually it lunged towards Michael and he leapt back.

I hit the demon with a big ball of chi and it exploded, dissipating into black feathery streamers. I received the demon’s energy with my chi as it returned; what a rush.

‘Did any of that stuff hit either of you?’ I said. ‘Did any of that black stuff get you, Michael?’

‘We’re okay,’ Leo said. ‘Missed us entirely.’

‘How did you do that?’ Michael whispered.

‘Would you like to learn how to do that?’ I said. ‘There’s a good chance that you could.’

‘Hell, yeah,’ Michael said, grinning. ‘Can you do it too, Leo?’

I cut him off before he could embarrass Leo. ‘Would you like to stay and learn from the Dark Lord?’

Michael stopped and put it together in his head. ‘That really was a demon.’

I nodded.

‘You really blew it up with a ball of energy, a ball of chi.’

Leo and I both nodded. Leo began to smile.

His voice filled with wonder. ‘That was Pak Tai, God of Martial Arts.’

‘In human form, yes,’ I said. ‘You can just call him Mr Chen.’

‘My father is Bak Fu, the White Tiger God of the West.’

‘In Cantonese, yes.’

‘And that means,’ he said with disbelief, ‘that I really am half goddamn tiger.’

‘Half Shen as well,’ I said. ‘He’s more than just a tiger, he’s the West Wind. Your father’s a good friend of ours, and comes over all the time. You’ll meet him very soon, I’m sure. Don’t expect too much, though; he’s an irresponsible bastard.’

‘Lady Emma!’ Leo said, shocked. ‘I owe him my life!’

‘Look me in the eye and tell me he’s not an irresponsible bastard.’

Leo hesitated, then turned to speak to Michael. ‘He tried to run off with Lady Emma the first time he met her. He is something of a womaniser, to say the least.’

‘I believe it. My mother won’t talk about him at all. Miss Donahoe.’ Michael was clearly curious. ‘How do you fit into all of this? You’re obviously trained, but what’s your role here? I know you told me that Mr Chen has a daughter, and that Leo’s her guard, but where do you fit in? You didn’t mention yourself. Are you his wife?’

‘No,’ I said. ‘It’s complicated. I’ll tell you more later, but there’s a few things we need to do first. After I talk to your mother, that is. It would be wrong for us to take you into training without her permission; you’re too young. The first will be to swear you in. The second is to move you in. The third is to put you back in school.’

Leo nodded agreement.

‘I don’t want to go back to school, Miss Donahoe,’ Michael said. ‘I don’t think it has anything to offer me.’

‘It will be part of your job,’ I said. ‘We’ll send you to the same school as Simone, and you can keep an eye on her. You can call us if a demon turns up, and help us to handle it.’

‘Brilliant, Emma,’ Leo said softly.

‘Caught you not using the honorific,’ I shot back as quickly as I could.

‘Brilliant, my Lady,’ Leo said pointedly, and bowed very deeply.

‘Not good enough.’ I saw my chance to rub it in. ‘You will perform twenty-five level one sword katas immediately as punishment. Return the demon jar and put the weapons away. Come with me, Michael, we’ll talk about the job.’

I slapped Leo lightly on the arm as I passed him to go out.

He tried very hard not to laugh, and bowed even deeper. ‘With a great deal of pleasure, my honoured Lady.’

Michael followed me out, and glanced back at Leo with bewilderment. He had no idea what he was getting into. The demons were the least of it.

Chapter Eight

After I’d seen Michael out I went into John’s office and sat across the desk from him. He turned away from the computer and leaned on his mess. Some of the papers slid off the desk onto the floor and he ignored them.

‘Friday afternoon,’ I said. ‘But I think I need more than half a day for this lot. You’ve done exceptionally well this time.’

‘Am I free?’

‘Yep.’

He shrugged. ‘Okay. I’ll take her ice skating.’

‘In the air conditioning.’

‘I am not weak.’

‘If you wore another colour you wouldn’t be so hot.’ I leaned back and sighed.

‘Is there a problem?’

I straightened. ‘His father is totally rampant. Are you sure you want a son of the Tiger in such close proximity to your daughter? It won’t be long, you know. They grow up so fast.’

‘I know,’ he said, almost a moan of pain. ‘And I won’t be around to see it. Maybe that’s not such a bad thing. I’ve never raised a child and I’d probably mess it up badly. You’ll be better to guide her through her growing years, you’re so much wiser in the ways of humans.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous, you’re her father. She needs you more than anything.’ Then I heard what he’d said. ‘She can’t be the first child you’ve ever had, you’ve been around for centuries. You can’t expect me to believe that Simone’s your first child. Really! You think I’m stupid?’

‘I know you’re not.’ He smiled slightly. ‘She really is. She is the first human child I have fathered. The White Tiger was delighted; he’s been harassing me to have a human child for ages.’

‘Human child? What other children have you had?’ I said, then raised my hands to stop him. ‘Don’t answer that, I don’t want to know. Just tell me if I’ve ever met any of them.’

‘No.’

‘Okay, then. Anyway, back to the point. I’m not sure this is a good idea. Something will probably grow between them as she gets older. It’s inevitable. Michael will understand what she’s going through; they’ll have had similar experiences.’

‘That’s why the Tiger has been harassing me,’ he said with grim humour. ‘He’s wanted me to have a human child for a long time so that we could formally seal the union between our Houses. The minute Simone was born he tried to talk me into arranging something with one of his sons. When he finds out about Michael he’ll be thrilled.’

I glared at him. ‘Don’t you dare promise my little Simone to anybody, Xuan Wu. She will choose her own partners, and your politics will have absolutely nothing to do with it.’

He grinned. ‘Yes, my Lady. I agree with you, anyway.’ He sobered. ‘But I want you to know something. I trust you to guide her. If she chooses somebody while I’m gone, and you approve, then I won’t have a problem with it. And if it’s Michael, it’s Michael.’ He paused, thinking. ‘There’s quite an age difference, though. He’s nine years older than her.’

I collapsed over the desk, silently laughing.

‘Which is absolutely nothing,’ he said with amusement, ‘compared to the more than four thousand years between us. I see your point.’

‘I suppose I’d better call his mother then,’ I said. ‘She and I have a lot to talk about.’

‘Humph.’ He rose with fluid grace and pushed his chair back. ‘Human women comparing notes on how you survive living with male Shen.’ He spoke with mock dignity as he retied his hair. ‘I will be in the training room meditating, and I do not wish to be disturbed.’

Monica knocked, then poked her head around my bedroom door. ‘American lady, Ms MacLaren, here to see you ma’am.’

I rose. ‘Thanks, Monica. Is Simone okay?’

Monica smiled and opened the door wider for me. ‘She’s making cookies with Charlie and me.’

‘I hope she hasn’t trashed the kitchen too much.’

‘Not a problem.’ Monica hesitated, unsure. ‘The office is very bad, ma’am.’

I patted her shoulder. ‘I know. He’s taking Simone out Friday afternoon, and I’ll tidy it then. You can come in and dust before they’re back.’

She smiled with relief. ‘Thanks, ma’am.’

I leaned in to whisper. ‘It drives you crazy too?’

She nodded, still smiling.

I stopped at the entry to the living room and studied Rhonda MacLaren. She saw me and returned the look, sizing me up, and obviously wasn’t impressed; I wore my usual scruffy jeans and shirt, and my hair was a mess.

She was immaculately groomed and wore a smart navy business suit. She had her blonde hair neatly pinned back from her attractive face. No wonder the Tiger had gone for her; her intelligence and strong will shone through her beauty.

Monica brought some Chinese tea and I served. I was curious about Ms MacLaren’s history, but decided to tackle the matter at hand first. If I gained her trust then she would be more open with us. Michael hadn’t told her about John; he really was very impressive. Any other kid would have stormed home and confronted his mother. Michael had left it to me.

‘Please just call me Emma, Ms MacLaren. I know Michael’s told you he wants to come and work here live-in. But he’s very young, and I wanted to make sure it’s okay with you first.’

She sighed. ‘Just Rhonda, Emma. I appreciate you talking to me like this, and asking me first. I don’t want him to move out, but I really can’t stop him if he’s determined. And if he’s going somewhere good, it may be better than having him sit at home being miserable. He’s not doing anything right now, not going to school, no job, and he’ll get into trouble if I don’t do something. I’m in and out of Hong Kong all the time for my business, and I leave him at home alone with the domestic helper quite often. I just thank God Leo has taken him under his wing. Without Leo, I think Michael would already be in jail.’

‘You’re probably right. Michael’s very talented at martial arts, and that makes him a target for recruitment by some unsavoury groups.’

‘What are the details of Michael’s job, if he comes to work here?’

‘Let me tell you the situation.’ I leaned back, working out where to begin. I decided to tackle it head-on. ‘Leo works as bodyguard for a little girl by the name of Simone Chen. Michael will be training to replace Leo.’

Rhonda nodded.

‘Simone’s mother is dead. Simone’s father, John Chen Wu, is really Xuan Wu, Dark Lord of the North.’

She went completely still.

‘Michael would be working for the North Wind, Rhonda. We know his father is the White Tiger, the West Wind. We already told him that.’

‘You had no right to do that.’ Rhonda rose stiffly. ‘You’re probably one of them as well. I want nothing to do with you creatures any more. Don’t ever contact me or my son again, you cause nothing but misery. I’m going.’

‘Wait.’ I jumped up and put my hand on her arm. ‘I’m not a Shen. I’m just the nanny. Well, I used to be. I know what the White Tiger is like; he tried it with me too. I don’t blame you for falling for him. But Xuan Wu is completely different. He’s only ever been married to a single human woman in his whole history, and he only has one human child, and that’s Simone.’

She stared at me. ‘Is he really that different?’

‘Yes I am,’ John said from the doorway. He came in and sat on the couch, stretching his long legs in front of him. His torn black cotton pants were really starting to fall apart and I made a mental note to throw them away and send Leo shopping. ‘Monica, another tea cup!’

Monica rushed in with a tea cup for him, then disappeared back into the kitchen.

‘Sit down, Ms MacLaren,’ he said. ‘Let me tell you about myself, and what I can do for young Michael.’

After we’d explained the situation for about ten minutes, Simone came out of the kitchen with a plate of chocolate chip cookies. She served them around, then put the plate onto the coffee table and crawled into John’s lap. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. Rhonda didn’t miss that.

He concentrated.

Charlie poked her head out of the kitchen across the hall from the living room. ‘Of course you can eat them, sir, completely vegetarian. Simone made them for you.’ She smiled around at us and returned to the kitchen.

John reached around Simone to try one of the biscuits. Simone watched him carefully as he took a bite.

‘Good,’ he said through a mouthful of biscuit. He raised it to see it. ‘What’s this black stuff?’

‘Chocolate,’ Simone said. ‘Chocolate chip.’

‘Oh. I thought it was red bean. Needs milk with it, it’s very sweet,’ he said, still through the biscuit. ‘Soy milk would be good.’

‘Don’t talk with your mouth full, Daddy. That’s rude for Westerners.’

‘Okay.’

Simone leaned back to put her head on his shoulder and snuggled into him. He pulled her tight and took another bite of the biscuit.

Rhonda’s face softened.

‘Will you let Michael come and work for us, Rhonda?’ I said.

‘Let me think about it,’ she said. ‘I’m not sure I want him to follow in his father’s footsteps too much. I was hoping he would just lead a normal life, away from all of this.’

‘It’s his birthright, Rhonda,’ John said softly.

Rhonda snorted with disdain. ‘His birthright is to be completely ignored by his father, who is too busy chasing women and horses to care for his mother.’

‘The White Tiger always tells his women the situation before he takes them,’ John said. ‘You knew what you were getting into.’

Rhonda sighed. ‘I thought I was different. I thought I could change him. I thought I was so special that he wouldn’t need anybody else.’

‘You all think that,’ John said sadly. ‘Every single one of you. But the others stayed. You left.’

‘I was wasting my time. I was surprised that he let me go, but in the end I think he didn’t give a damn one way or the other. He has provided well for us, I don’t need to worry about money. It’s a sad episode of my life that I want to forget. But I did gain a wonderful son out of the whole sorry mess, and that’s made it sort of worthwhile.’

‘What are you doing with yourself now, Rhonda?’ I said.

‘I started a business with the money he gave me. I deal in antique furniture from China. It’s quite lucrative. I don’t actually need the child support money now, but it’s nice to hit him where it hurts, so I still collect. I suppose if Michael moves in with you, I’ll tell the Tiger not to worry any more.’

‘I can see where Michael gets his spirit,’ John said. ‘He is a very impressive young man. I hope you’ll let us take him on.’

‘Will you be teaching him martial arts?’

‘Yes. It will be part of his job.’

‘Another part of his job will be to go to the same school as Simone and guard her,’ I said. ‘And I will expect his grades to be good as well.’

Simone looked at me. She hadn’t known that. She didn’t say anything.

‘He shouldn’t have left school, but he’s old enough to choose for himself,’ Rhonda said. ‘If you can make him go to school, then it will be worth it. Does the Tiger ever come here?’ She turned to John. ‘You’re one of the Winds, too.’

‘He’s over here all the time, Rhonda,’ John said. ‘He’s one of my best friends. Michael will see him quite often.’

‘He doesn’t seem to have any romantic notions about his father,’ I said. ‘In fact, when he does finally see him, he may break his nose.’

‘Take a photo for me if he does, please.’ Rhonda rose. ‘Well, I think that settles it for me. Michael can move in here whenever it suits him.’

‘Sit back down, Rhonda,’ I said. ‘There’s one more thing I have to tell you, and it’s about Leo. John, take Simone out for me, will you?’

‘I’ll be right back,’ John said, and carried Simone into the kitchen. Simone didn’t protest.

Rhonda watched them leave, then turned to me. ‘Did you just order around one of the Four Winds?’

‘I just ordered around the Sovereign of the Four Winds, Ruler of the Northern Heavens, and Right Hand of the Jade Emperor Himself,’ I said. ‘It’s a long story, and sometimes even I can’t believe it. I must tell you the whole thing one day.’

Rhonda sat and shook her head. ‘What else do you want to tell me?’

‘Leo has AIDS, Rhonda. As long as he stays with John, the virus is dormant. As soon as John leaves us, the virus will become active, and Leo will probably have less than a year. That’s why we’re bringing Michael in; we’ll need a bodyguard for Simone when both Leo and John are gone. I hope that doesn’t change your attitude about Michael working here.’

‘If you’re suggesting that Leo and Michael are more than friends, you’re wrong. Michael has already had a few girlfriends.’

‘I’m not suggesting anything of the sort,’ I said. ‘I just want you to know. I want to be completely open and honest with you about this, and want you to feel that we’re not hiding anything.’

John came back in without Simone, sat and poured himself more tea. ‘Yes, young Emma here is very big on being completely open and honest.’

‘Give it a rest, old man.’

He chuckled good-naturedly.

‘I don’t think that’s a problem, Emma,’ Rhonda said. ‘Leo is terrific, and it’s a shame this had to happen to him. I suppose I have to trust you and John.’ She studied John. ‘How long do you have?’

John smiled sadly over the top of his tea cup. ‘Not more than three years. You know how hard it is for us to stay in human form. This is one of the most difficult things I have ever done.’

‘And you’re doing it for your little girl.’

He nodded.

She looked from John to me. ‘Are you two married?’

‘No, it’s a long story,’ I said. ‘It may happen one day if we’re both very lucky, but at this stage it’s not possible. It’s mostly to do with the fact that he is a Shen. And that I’m completely nuts.’

John nodded agreement and I glanced at him impatiently. He saw that I wanted to thump him and grinned.

Rhonda watched with wonder. ‘You must tell me the whole thing later. But I have to go. Michael’s waiting for me to let him know my decision.’

‘You will be welcome up here any time,’ John said. ‘Feel free to come and check on Michael whenever you please.’

I rose. Rhonda stood as well, and I showed her to the door. ‘Give me a call sometime, Rhonda. We’ll meet for lunch and share a good moan about the trials of living with male Shen.’

‘I heard that,’ John called from the living room.

‘Good,’ I said loudly without turning back. ‘It’s even worse living with a reptile. At least the Tiger has nice fur.’

‘A reptile?’

‘I’m a Turtle,’ John yelled.

‘Yes, you damn well are,’ I shouted back. I grinned at Rhonda. She didn’t seem to understand the insult.

Rhonda shook her head. ‘He really is different. You’re very lucky.’

‘I know.’

He’s here, Emma. At the door.

The doorbell rang and Monica answered it; I heard the voices.

I went out to the hallway. Leo and Michael were kicking their shoes off at the door. Michael had a duffel bag.

‘Don’t worry, ma’am, I’ll take care of him,’ Leo said. ‘I’ll show him around, introduce him to everybody, stuff like that.’

I want him to come into the training room and swear allegiance at the same time, Leo.

‘Yes, sir.’

Michael’s face went completely blank.

‘Oh, you heard him,’ I said. ‘He was on broadcast mode, everybody in the household heard him. I wish he wouldn’t do that. And he’s not supposed to be listening anyway. If he does it again he’ll be in serious trouble.’

Sorry.

‘You’re still listening.’

Ma’am.

Michael grinned, then tried to control his face.

‘Leave it with me, ma’am,’ Leo said.

‘Okay.’ I went back to my room and my thesis.

Later, there was a tap on the bedroom door.

‘Come.’

Leo poked his head around. ‘Charlie grabbed him off me and told him the whole story. Right now they’re in the kitchen and she’s trying to see if she can feed him so much he explodes.’

‘Did he swear allegiance?’

‘Yep.’

‘Did he understand what it means?’

Leo opened the door and came in. ‘Yeah. He knew. And he did it anyway. He’s a great kid.’

‘I don’t know what we’d do without you, Leo.’

‘Neither do I.’ He went out.

Chapter Nine

A few weeks later John, Gold and I sat around the dining table and studied the student lists.

‘How many do you think we need to recruit?’ I said.

‘Gold?’