Red Phoenix. Kylie Chan
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Simone.’
Charlie’s eyes were huge. ‘No. How did you stop it?’
‘We couldn’t stop it. It took Simone into its nest. Do you know what Emma did?’
Charlie glanced at me, her eyes still wide.
‘Emma went with them. Into the demon’s nest. She knew exactly what would happen to her if she went, but she went anyway. To be with Simone. To the very end.’
Charlie stared at me. ‘You willingly went into that demon’s nest?’
‘I don’t know why everybody is making such a big deal of it,’ I said. ‘Anybody would have done the same. I couldn’t let Simone go with that monster alone.’
‘The King of the Demons himself went in and tried to take them for himself,’ John said. ‘Emma negotiated with him to release them instead.’
Charlie gasped. ‘The King?’ She turned to me. ‘You faced down the King?’
‘If she hadn’t had the courage and intelligence to negotiate with him, it is quite likely that Emma would be dead, Simone would be in the Demon King’s hands, and my head would be gone,’ John finished.
Charlie studied me appraisingly for a long time. She didn’t move at all and her face was rigid with restraint. I waited, mystified, to see what she would do.
She rose, and John smiled.
I just watched her, wondering.
She carefully lowered herself to one knee before me. ‘My Lady. I pledge allegiance.’
I threw myself to my feet. ‘Will you people stop doing that!’ I banged the table with frustration. ‘John, will you please tell your staff to stop doing that. It drives me completely nuts!’
Charlie rose and threw her arms around me, tearful. ‘I’m your staff too, my Lady.’ She smiled at John with her arms still around me. ‘Congratulations, my Lord, you have chosen well.’
John put his hands out. ‘I didn’t choose her, Charlie. Fate chose us for each other.’
I gently pulled myself out of Charlie’s arms. ‘I have had absolutely enough of this.’ I gestured impatiently. ‘Go and unpack, Charlie. Have a rest and settle in. You can start helping with Simone tomorrow, if you’re not too jet-lagged.’
Charlie bowed. ‘Yes, my Lady.’
‘Dammit, will you people stop doing that!’ I shouted, and stormed out.
They laughed as I went out. They were all enjoying this far too much.
‘May I use the phone and call London, my Lord?’ Charlie said behind me. ‘I would love to tell James and my mother.’
‘Be my guest,’ John said. ‘Tell everyone you know.’
‘You all hate me!’ I yelled over my shoulder.
I checked the phone number: Leo. ‘Hello?’
‘I know it’s Sunday, my Lady, but I was wondering if you and Mr Chen would like to see the kid. I have him here at the martial arts school in Causeway Bay, and his mother’s out of town. Can I bring him up for you to meet him?’
‘John’s not here, but bring him up anyway. John’ll be back soon, he went out with Simone. What’s the kid’s name?’
‘Michael. Michael MacLaren.’
‘Bring him up.’
Just as I put the phone down the front door slammed. I went out to the hallway. John and Simone had just come in and were kicking off their shoes in the entry.
‘Leo’s bringing his student up for us to see,’ I said.
‘If they’re here before I’m out of the shower, look at him for me,’ John said.
‘You don’t need a shower every single time, Daddy,’ Simone said patiently.
‘Yes I do,’ he said, and headed past me towards his room.
‘He really hates the summer,’ Simone said. ‘He hates being all sweaty like that.’
‘He’s probably not used to it,’ I said. ‘Shen don’t get sweaty in summer.’
‘He does. He’s a Shen.’
‘He’s in human form. He’s human all the way through.’
‘He hates it.’
‘Too bad for him, he’s the one who has to wear black all the time,’ I said unsympathetically. ‘He’s a big wussy boy.’
She grinned. ‘Yeah. He’s so weak!’
I can hear both of you, John said into our ears. Simone and I giggled together.
The door opened and Leo came in, guiding Michael.
Michael was tall for a fifteen year old, about five eight, and obviously still had some growing to do. He moved with muscular grace as he kicked off his shoes, but the first thing I noticed was his hair; he had dyed it blond.
‘Michael, this is Miss Donahoe,’ Leo said pointedly.
Michael bobbed his head. ‘Ma’am.’
I nodded back. ‘Mr MacLaren. Leo’s told me good things about you. How about we go into the dining room together and talk?’
‘I’ll take Simone,’ Leo said. ‘Where’s Mr Chen?’
‘In the shower,’ Simone said. ‘Again.’
Leo grinned. He held his hand out to Simone. ‘Come on, Simone, let’s play on the Playstation while we wait for Emma and your dad.’
‘It’s your day off, Leo,’ Simone said, concerned. ‘You don’t have to work.’
‘This isn’t work, sweetheart,’ he said. He nodded to Michael. ‘You’ll be fine.’
‘Come with me, Michael.’ I opened the dining room door and took him in.
He sat at the table, carefully serious and respectful. He was obviously very nervous. His half-Chinese heritage gave him golden skin under his blond hair. His eyes were a light shade of brown, and his Eurasian features were stunningly good-looking.
I sat across from him. ‘Leo tells me that you might be suitable for an opening we have here. We’re looking for a trainee bodyguard, full-time, live-in. Could you do that?’
‘Yes, ma’am.’
I leaned back. ‘Tell me about yourself.’
He paused and looked down at his hands where he had them clasped on the table. ‘I finished third form, and I don’t want to go back to school. I want to do something with martial arts.’
‘Well, you’ve come to the right place. Why do you dye your hair blond?’
He grimaced. ‘I don’t. Sometimes I think I should dye it black or brown instead. It’s natural.’
‘You’re a natural blond?’
He nodded.
‘Well, that’s not unheard of, I suppose. I’ve seen other blond half-Chinese kids around. Have you been looking for work? Have you had any previous jobs?’
‘I wanted to work at Mr Pak’s martial arts studio when I was able to leave school, but times are tough and he can’t pay me. My mom won’t let me work for nothing, otherwise I would. I go in there and help anyway, but Mom says I have to find a real job that pays.’
I didn’t say I agreed with her. ‘Have you asked your mother about moving in here?’