Leonard wasn’t very happy, but agreed anyway. I passed the phone to my father. He listened for a while.
‘How long?’ he said.
‘A
what
?’ he yelled.
‘I don’t believe it,’ he said.
He hung up. He glared at John. ‘I don’t believe it. Tell me the truth, Emma. Are the police after him?’ I gestured towards Jade without looking at her. ‘Do
it.’
‘You are sure, my Lady?’
I wasn’t in the mood to mess around. ‘Just do it, Jade.’
Jade transformed into her dragon form, her back end still on the chair and her golden claws resting on the table.
My father made a quiet strangled sound and my mother shot to her feet with a gasp.
Jade transformed back. My mother pressed further back into her chair.
My father’s face turned ashen and he glanced at John. ‘You’re a fucking
god
?’
‘Brendan!’ my mother said. Then she heard. ‘
A god
?’
John smiled slightly and nodded without speaking.
My mother glared sternly at me. ‘You are coming back to Australia with us right now.’
‘No,’ I said. ‘I have a responsibility to his daughter. And I love him.’
‘You always were the stupidest member of the family,’ my father said, glaring at me as well. ‘Look what you got yourself into.’
‘I know,’ I said. I ran my hands through my hair. ‘I am completely nuts.’
‘Why didn’t you tell us?’ my father said.
‘Would you have believed me?’ I said.
My mother and father shared a look.
‘No, probably not,’ my father said with a small smile. He leaned back. ‘Okay. So my daughter is engaged to a bloody
god
who can’t touch her and is going to disappear in a couple of years anyway. And you have these monsters or demons or whatever after you. And you have,’ he said, pointing to Jade, ‘a dragon for an accountant. Marvellous.’
‘My solicitor is a rock,’ I added with grim humour. I gestured towards Gold. ‘He’s a stone in human form. That is only the beginning of the general weirdness that surrounds this family. Wait till you meet our best friend.’
‘Christ, Emma,’ my father said quietly.
‘Well, now you’re here, let us show you around, take you to some tourist spots, and we can all attend Emma’s graduation,’ John said with satisfaction. ‘I’ve wanted to have you over to visit for a while anyway. I nearly invited you to the graduation, but thought the better of it because it may put you in too much danger.’
‘Oh shit,’ my father said softly.
‘We should send them straight back to Australia, John,’ I said. ‘It’s too dangerous.’
‘You are safer here with me,’ John said to my father.
‘Oh my God,’ I said as I understood. ‘
This
was the secret weapon. They were planning to take my parents.’
‘I would love to see the look on that little bastard’s face when he finds out that he’s failed,’ John said
evenly. ‘Quite a few junior thralls are very likely to turn up on our doorstep in the next few days.’
I had a sudden horrible thought. ‘Mum, Dad, please, tell me,’ I said. ‘Please, tell me the whole truth. Am I your natural daughter? Am I adopted?’
‘Why are you asking me this, Emma?’ my mother said sharply. ‘You think I didn’t treat you as well as your sisters? Is that it?’
‘No, that has nothing to do with it, Mum. I love you dearly. Please, just tell me. Am I adopted?’
‘No,’ my mother said fiercely. ‘You were born in ward four of Montford hospital at five o’clock in the morning, after I was in labour for seven hours. You were a perfectly normal delivery.’
‘Was there anything…’ I hesitated, ‘…
different
about me? Ever?’
‘Why are you asking this, Emma?’ my father said. ‘What’s going on?’
‘Emma thinks she’s a demon,’ John said.
Both my parents glanced sharply at me.
‘That’s not possible,’ my father said. ‘You are our daughter. Nothing at all different about you. Except for the fact,’ he gestured towards John, ‘that you’ve gone and fallen for this bastard.’
‘Snakes,’ I said.
‘What about them?’ my mother said. ‘I’m a snake.’
‘No, you’re not,’ my mother said patiently. ‘I think you need to talk to somebody if you think that you’re a snake.’
I dropped my head and ran my hands through my hair.
‘Mr and Mrs Donahoe,’ John said, ‘would you like me to show you to your room? You should stay with us while you’re here. Leo and Emma will be glad to show you around, they can take time off from their teaching and guard duties—’
‘I can’t afford time off,’ I snapped. ‘I have three energy work classes on Monday, and I’m on guard duty Tuesday and Thursday.’
‘—to take you around town and show you the sights,’ John continued, ignoring me completely. ‘And tomorrow, we’ll all go to Emma’s graduation. Her family, celebrating her achievement.’ He put his palms on the table. ‘I can’t think of anything better.’
‘Emma, take everybody out, please. I would like to speak to Mr Chen in private,’ my father said.
‘Of course,’ John said. ‘Jade, Gold, leave us.’ He stood and bowed slightly to my mother. ‘My Lady.’
My mother blushed. She was speechless. I gently led her out.
I
took my mother into my room while John talked to my father. My mother sat on the couch as Ah Yat brought their suitcase into the room.
‘I am so sorry, Mum, I should have told you,’ I said. ‘But I didn’t want you to know about it. I knew it would freak you out.’
‘What’s done is done, Emma,’ she said. ‘You actually thought you were adopted? Go and have a look in the mirror.’
‘Tell her, stone,’ I said. The stone was completely silent. ‘What?’ my mother said. I showed her the stone. ‘It talks.’ ‘Now I know for sure that you need to talk to somebody.’
‘No, she’s quite correct, Mrs Donahoe,’ the stone said. ‘But she really should talk to somebody anyway.’ My mother stiffened.
‘Maybe that’s enough general weirdness for one day,’ I said.
‘I think you’re right,’ my mother said weakly. I sat on the couch next to her and put my arm around her shoulders. ‘Jennifer’s husband has been Mr
Chen’s solicitor for many years. His law firm has acted for John for around two hundred years.’
‘I thought you were going to stop with the weirdness,’ my mother said.
‘Compared to some of the stuff that goes on around here,’ I said, ‘that’s completely normal.’
‘Where’s the little girl?’ my mother said.
‘Probably in the training room,’ I said. ‘Would you like to meet her? She’s the reason I do everything I do around here. I love her as if she were my own.’
‘What do you mean, “training room”?’
‘Oh, damn,’ I said, ‘more weirdness. You sure?’
‘I’m sure.’
‘John is God of Martial Arts. Kung fu. You know he’s been teaching me—remember I showed you some?’ My mother nodded. ‘Well, he teaches Simone as well. The training room is like a dance studio, where we do the kung fu. She’s probably in there practising.’
‘I’d like to see that,’ my mother said.
‘I’ll show you,’ I said. ‘But just before you go in, Mum, I must tell you, there are weapons in there. Don’t be too freaked, okay?’
‘Guns?’
‘No. Swords. Spears. Things like that. Guns don’t hurt demons. We don’t have anything to do with guns.’
My mother rose. ‘Let’s go and meet this little girl that you’ve thrown your whole life away for.’
I tapped on the door.
‘Come in, Emma,’ Simone called.
We went in. Simone had been working with a training sword. ‘I think I’m ready for a real one now, Emma.’ She saw my mother. ‘Hello.’
‘Hello, dear.’
‘This is my mother, Simone,’ I said.
‘Hello, Mrs Donahoe.’ Simone put her little sword back on the rack. ‘Don’t worry about all the weapons. We won’t hurt you.’ She came to my mother and held out her hand. My mother shook it gently.
‘How old are you, Simone?’ my mother said.
‘Six,’ Simone said.
‘She seems older than that, Emma,’ my mother said quietly.
‘She’s half god, Mum.’
‘I’m half Shen,’ Simone corrected me gently. ‘Daddy is a Shen.’
‘That’s what it’s called in Chinese,’ I said. ‘Get the sword back out, Simone, show my mother some moves.’
‘How about you do them with me?’ Simone said. ‘We can move through a pair set. That would be more interesting to watch. How about,’ she stopped and thought, ‘how about a level three Shaolin long sword set? That’s pretty to watch.’
‘Good idea.’ I went over to the rack and picked up my sword. I raised it to show my mother. ‘Same sword.’ She smiled and nodded. I selected the training sword and tossed it to Simone, who caught it easily.
‘Move back, Mrs Donahoe. We won’t hurt you, but you should move to the side of the room out of the way,’ Simone said.
We moved into position and saluted. My mother stood next to the wall and watched with interest.
We went through the set together. I didn’t usually do much work with Simone, and it was a satisfying feeling to work with her. She had improved a great deal. We moved in perfect harmony.
‘I think you’re ready for a real sword too,’ I said. ‘You should take mine.’
‘Oh!’ Simone said. ‘Make it sing for your mother.’ She stopped and gestured. ‘Show her.’
‘Enough weirdness for one day, pet,’ I said kindly.
‘I think Emma has a point,’ my mother said.
Simone inhaled sharply and her eyes went wide with delight. She danced over to the weapons rack and put her sword away. ‘Monica’s here!’
I quickly put my own sword away. Then I stopped. ‘Oh no,’ I said. ‘That means the Tiger’s here.’
‘Uncle Bai’s here too!’ Simone said. ‘Monica’ll cook Western food for your family, Emma.’ She suddenly went serious. ‘Daddy says to explain to your mummy about Uncle Bai first.’
‘What form’s he in, Simone?’ I said.
‘Human,’ Simone said.
‘Oh Lord,’ my mother said quietly at the side of the room.
The Tiger stayed and had dinner with us. It was complicated: my parents were served Western food, and the rest of us ate vegetarian Chinese, even Leo and Michael.
I introduced everybody as we sat.
‘Everybody, these are my parents, Brendan and Barbara Donahoe. Mum, Dad, this is most of the family.’
My parents appeared bewildered.
‘Okay,’ I said, ‘here goes.’ I gestured towards John. ‘John you know.’ I gestured towards the Tiger. ‘This is Tiger.’
‘Tiger,’ my father said, nodding. ‘Unusual name.’ ‘Not that unusual in Hong Kong,’ the Tiger said with a grin.
‘Leo you’ve met.’ Leo nodded to my parents. ‘The other bodyguard.’
‘I’m a perfectly normal human being, one of the few in the household,’ Leo lisped. ‘Pleased to meet you.’
‘Pleased to meet you too,’ my father said loudly and clearly.
Leo and I both flinched.
‘Please don’t talk to him like that, Dad,’ I said softly. ‘Leo’s not deaf.’
‘Oh,’ my father said. ‘Sorry.’
‘The Snake Mothers hurt his mouth,’ Simone said, helping. ‘He can’t talk well now.’
‘What’s a Snake Mother?’ my mother said.
Nobody said anything, not even Simone.
‘Okay,’ I said briskly. ‘Next to Leo is Michael. Trainee bodyguard.’
Michael nodded to my father then turned to me. ‘Can I go out after dinner, Emma?’
‘Who with?’ I said.
‘Na Zha,’ he said defiantly.
‘Certainly,’ John said, and I glared at him.
‘Can Na Zha take anything that Wong throws at him?’ I said.
‘Na Zha is the best person he could be with in the current circumstances,’ John said. ‘He is a better demon killer than you and Leo put together.’
My parents shared a look.
‘All right then, you can go,’ I said. ‘Take your phone…’ I cut him off before he could protest. ‘I
know
you don’t need it, but
I
do, so take your phone and be back by ten.’
‘My Lady,’ Michael said with a grin.
‘What do these demons look like?’ my father said.
‘You’ve seen them already,’ I said. ‘The guy at the airport was one.’ Ah Yat came in. ‘Here’s another.’
My parents looked around, bewildered.
‘Ah Yat here, the housekeeper, is a demon,’ I said.
Ah Yat smiled and bowed slightly. ‘I am honoured to meet you, sir, madam,’ she said. ‘Yes, I am a demon.’
‘You look like a perfectly ordinary person to me,’ my father said.
‘Oh, thank you, sir, you really are most gracious,’ Ah Yat said.
‘They can take different forms,’ I said. ‘They can take human form.’
Ah Yat took the teapots into the kitchen with her.
‘She’s a tame one, she joined us,’ I said.
‘I see,’ my father said.
‘That’s everybody,’ I said.
John and the Tiger focused on one another.
‘Oh no you don’t!’ I said. ‘Out loud!’
‘What do you mean, Emma? “Out loud”?’ my mother said softly.
‘I’ll explain later,’ I said.
‘We’re discussing what we should do, Emma,’ John said. ‘Maybe your parents shouldn’t be involved in this.’
‘We’re involved now,’ my father said. ‘I want to know what your plans are. We’re in this now. We have a right to know.’
‘He’s right, John,’ I said.
‘People have died, Brendan,’ John said softly.
‘Even more reason for us to know what you have planned,’ my father said.
‘We will not let them control us. We are not going to hide,’ John said. ‘We will go to Emma’s graduation, and we will show you around Hong Kong. After that, we will ensure that you are safe.’
‘They can stay with me,’ the Tiger said.
‘But we will eat first and discuss this later,’ John said. ‘Dinner is not the time to be discussing this. Tell me about yourselves. I want to know everything. Emma is a remarkable woman, and I’d love to know where she gets it from.’
‘Me too,’ my father growled softly.
After the plates had been taken away, Monica appeared at the door from the kitchen. ‘The Chinese helper will clean up for me, sir, ma’am,’ she said. ‘May I spend some time with Simone?’
‘I was going to ask you to take her anyway, Monica,’ I said. ‘You two go and do something together.’
Simone hopped off her chair and took Monica’s hand. ‘I bought some new toys with my birthday
lai see
money, Monica. Come and see.’
Monica nodded and smiled around the table, then let Simone gently lead her out.
Michael rose and saluted around the table. ‘My Lord, my Lady.’ He nodded to my parents. ‘Mr and Mrs Donahoe.’ He turned to me. ‘By your leave, my Lady.’
‘Off you go, Michael, but remember what I said.’
Michael patted his father on the shoulder as he went past him. ‘Dad.’
‘Three One Five,’ the Tiger growled. ‘Don’t get yourself into any trouble with that little bastard, he can be bad news when he wants to be. Don’t go near any dragons with him.’
Michael silently went out.
‘He’s your son?’ my father said.
‘One of the best,’ Bai Hu said.
‘How many children do you have?’ my mother said.
‘I have absolutely no idea,’ the Tiger said with a grin. ‘Right now, something in the region of about six hundred, six hundred and fifty—boys and girls. Couldn’t tell you the exact number, they keep dying.’
‘Dying?’ my mother said with a gasp.
‘Most of the children are mortal. The Tiger isn’t,’ I said, explaining. ‘They grow old and die. He doesn’t.’
My mother’s eyes were wide. ‘How about you?’ she asked John.
‘Simone. One. That’s it,’ John said. ‘One human child.’
‘Don’t ask,’ I said.
‘I cannot believe you let yourself get mixed up in this,’ my father said softly.
‘Me either, sometimes,’ I said.
‘She does it all for Simone,’ John said.
‘And she’s worth it,’ I said.
‘Okay.’ John put his hands on the table and addressed my parents. ‘When you came to Hong Kong, there were probably things you wanted to do. Shopping, sightseeing, things like that. Where would you like us to take you? What would you like to do? Stay for a while after the graduation. Let us show you around.’
‘Are you sure that’s a good idea?’ my mother said weakly.
‘We will protect you. You’ll be safe,’ I said.
‘I don’t think we should be out sightseeing with all of this happening,’ my mother said.
‘You are perfectly safe as long as you are with us,’ John said. ‘Please. Take the time—you are here anyway, enjoy the sights. Let us show you. We will protect you.’
‘Well, okay, if you’re sure,’ my father said. ‘I saw the tourist stuff on the way in. I wanted to have some suits made, Hong Kong is famous for that.’
‘Mr Li,’ I said.
‘Good idea,’ John said. ‘I need a new dinner suit. Get him to make it at the same time. Get a couple of new cheongsams made as well, Emma, you’re wearing those ones you bought last year to bits.’
‘What’s a cheongsam?’ my mother said.
‘Traditional-style Chinese dress,’ the Tiger said. ‘Suzie Wong.’
John stiffened and glared at the Tiger. Leo’s expression darkened but he didn’t say a word. The Tiger grinned at John. ‘Black Turtle.’ Leo silently shot to his feet.
John’s face went completely rigid. His eyes blazed. ‘Leave it for later, John, Leo,’ I growled softly. ‘He’ll keep.’
‘You are an extremely offensive little cat with a great big mouth sometimes, Ah Bai,’ John said softly, his eyes still blazing. ‘And you will mind your manners in front of my Lady and her honoured parents.’
Leo sat back down, his eyes not shifting from the Tiger.
‘What, Emma?’ my mother leaned over to whisper. ‘I get the Suzie Wong thing, but the turtle thing?’
‘I’ll explain later,’ I said. ‘Or maybe the Tiger will,’ I added pointedly.
‘Sorry, Emma,’ the Tiger said without a hint of remorse. ‘Too good a chance to miss.’
I looked the Tiger right in the eye. ‘You have offended the honour of myself and my Lord, and if my parents weren’t here I would call you out, Tiger.’
‘Damn,’ the Tiger said softly, his eyes wide with admiration.
‘I’d like to see some temples, if I could,’ my mother said, changing the subject. ‘I’d like to see more of the Hong Kong Harbour too—I’ve heard about it. Some of those handicrafts you brought back last time were wonderful, Emma, I’d like to see more. I’m very interested in Chinese culture, you can show me while we’re here. Things like that.’
‘There aren’t many temples in Hong Kong,’ the Tiger said. ‘Not many at all.’
‘That’s something people say all the time,’ I said. ‘But there are temples everywhere. You just don’t notice them because they’re part of the scenery. How many temples on the Island?’
‘None at all,’ the Tiger said with a grin. ‘There’s a couple in Kowloon, and a couple in the New Territories, that’s all.’
‘There’s the Man Mo temple in Hollywood Road, and the Tin Hau temple in Tin Hau,’ I said. ‘And that’s just the big ones.’
‘How about the Pak Tai on Kennedy Road?’ John said.
The Tiger roared with laughter. My parents were bewildered.
‘Oh my God,’ I said with a huge grin. ‘I completely forgot. I go past that all the time.’ I explained for my parents. ‘It’s a temple in Wan Chai. Very pretty. The temple is dedicated to the Dark Lord of the North, the god who can control the water and keeps the fishermen safe.’ I gestured towards John. ‘Him.’
My parents stared at John, eyes wide.
‘Hey, I’m in there too,’ the Tiger said.
‘One more crack like that last one and I’ll have you taken out,’ I said.