Blue Dragon

incredible power.’
    ‘What would be our punishment for marrying in a situation like that?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘Something like that has never occurred among us. And it’s already too late, you know that.’ He suddenly appeared wistful. ‘The White Snake was a delightful girl. A loving wife, faithful, everything a man could want. Her human husband was very lucky. What they had together was a rare and precious thing. Even after he discovered her Serpent nature, he still loved and trusted her.’
    I tried to control the bitterness in my voice. ‘And a Taoist priest convinced her husband she was evil. Just because she was a snake.’
    He smiled gently. ‘There is nothing evil about snakes. They are just cold-blooded.’
    ‘And eat babies. Alive.’
    He shrugged. ‘Young antelope are the best. Sweetest.’
    ‘But serpent Shen in human form can’t do the things that I can do,’ I said. ‘I checked.’
    ‘Is it true that you lifted Leo one-handed?’ he said softly.
    I didn’t reply.
    ‘Ah Wu is not concerned, but I have to admit that I am. That is more than Serpent nature, Emma. Do you thirst for blood? Do you have dreams?’
    I dropped my head. ‘Yes.’
    ‘Clear round for Two Eight Seven,’ the announcer said. ‘With the fastest time, Two Eight Seven is now in the lead.’
    Everybody applauded.
    ‘Do you harm any of them in your dreams?’ the Tiger said.
    ‘No.’ I glanced at him, trying to hold my emotions in. His golden face was full of sympathy. ‘One Two Two and Kitty Kwok had me for a year. They experimented on me, I know they did. The Serpent is probably a result of that. If it is, then it’s demon, it’s inside me, and they may be able to bring it out.’
    ‘Shit.’ He looked away. ‘Shit.’
    ‘I dream I’m a Mother.’
    ‘Having children is life’s greatest gift.’
    ‘I dream I’m a Snake Mother , Bai Hu.’
    His voice was almost a whisper. ‘Shit.’
    I ran my hands through my hair. ‘I vowed to Simone that I would never take my own life. I promised her.’
    He looked into my eyes. ‘You have wanted to?’
    ‘When I see what’s inside me, sometimes, yes.’
    He turned away. ‘I wouldn’t blame you.’ He sighed, his shoulders moving. Then he held his hand out. A bright glow appeared in his hand, and coalesced into a large silvery claw, gleaming on his palm. He held it towards me. ‘Take this.’
    I lifted the claw out of his hand. It was about ten centimetres long and the point was sharp. It appeared to be made of platinum.
    ‘It’s one of mine,’ he said. ‘If you feel that the dark urge is too strong, hold it in your hand and concentrate on me. I will come.’
    ‘Thank you.’
    He turned back to the arena. ‘Time to present the trophies. Will you do them the honour?’
    I checked the board. ‘Michael came second. I’d love to give him the trophy. But we’ll need to find a place to put them soon; his room is full of them.’ I glanced at the Tiger. ‘What would Xuan Wu do if you had to kill me to protect Simone?’
    ‘He is not vengeful by nature, Emma. But his grief would be punishment enough.’
    Both of us rose, smiling, to present the riders with their prizes.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
    L ouise’s face changed and she looked up at me, more serious now. Her voice softened. ‘Do you turn into a snake, Emma?’
    I hesitated.
    ‘Tell me,’ she said softly.
    I changed, and grabbed her. I quickly wrapped my coils around her. Squeeze this one. No venom; I wanted to feel her struggle. The demon in the corner and the delicious child would be next.
    ‘Emma, what are you doing? Stop it!’ Louise yelled, struggling frantically. Her arms pushed against my coils, only encouraging me to pull tighter. The feeling was fabulous.
    ‘Emma, you’re killing me, let go. Let go !’ Louise shrieked.
    If I could have grinned I would have. I checked the baby in the corner; yep, still there. If they tried to make a run for it I wasn’t worried; I’d be faster than them.
    Louise’s voice became strangely deeper, sounding more masculine. ‘Emma, you’re hurting me, ease up!’
    Something clicked inside my head. What?
    ‘Emma, let go! You’re hurting! Let go !’ Louise’s voicewas even deeper now, and her face was darker, and it wasn’t the beautiful black of asphyxiation.
    ‘Emma, you’re killing me!’
    Leo?
    Something crashed and I was struggling with Leo; I had my arms around him and held him tight. I released him and cast around: I was in my