Blue Dragon

bed back home at the Peak and Leo was sitting on the edge of the bed facing me. John stood just inside the door where he’d come racing in.
    Leo’s face was blank with horror. I threw myself into his arms. He hesitated for a moment, then held me and buried his face in my hair, stroking the back of my head.
    ‘Leo, I’m sorry, I’m so sorry,’ I said, gasping. ‘I was dreaming. I didn’t mean to hurt you.’ I pulled back, hands on his arms, so that I could see his face. ‘Are you okay?’
    Leo smiled slightly. ‘That’s a hell of a grip you’ve got there, sweetheart.’
    ‘Any cracked ribs?’ John said softly without moving from the doorway.
    I quickly checked Leo for injuries, and shook my head through the tears. ‘No.’
    ‘I think you’d better talk to Mr Chen,’ Leo said, releasing me and rising. ‘That was a hell of a dream.’
    I wiped my eyes. Leo turned to go out. As he passed John, John put his hand on his shoulder and they shared a look that spoke volumes. Then John released Leo’s shoulder and Leo went out.
    John came and sat on the bed, far enough away not to hurt me. ‘You dreamed you were the Serpent,’ he said, and it wasn’t a question.
    I just nodded. Then I glanced at him. ‘How did you know?’
    ‘Emma can’t do telepathy, but the Serpent obviously can,’ John said. ‘We all saw it. Simone’s in with Ah Yat, too terrified to come near you.’ He glanced down. ‘Leocame in first, and saw the snake. He went to you anyway. Then you changed and grabbed him.’
    ‘Oh my God,’ I said softly. ‘He came to me anyway, even though I was a snake?’ I shook my head with disbelief.
    John concentrated, and I heard a soft sound in the hallway outside the door. ‘Emma?’
    ‘Come in, Simone, I won’t hurt you,’ I said, full of misery.
    Simone crept in, and then her little face filled with relief when she saw it was me. She threw herself into my arms. ‘You dreamed you were a snake, Emma. You were killing your friend. It was horrible.’
    ‘I know, pet,’ I said, burying my face in her hair. ‘It was horrible for me too.’
    ‘It was just a dream,’ John said. ‘In dreams, we have no control. Emma would never hurt her friend or the baby in reality. Do you understand?’
    I clutched Simone and both of us nodded.
    Simone pulled away to smile at me. She put her little cool hand on my cheek. ‘Daddy’s right, Emma, don’t be afraid. Your snake won’t hurt anybody you love. It was just a dream.’
    John moved closer and put his arm around my shoulders and the three of us held each other.
    ‘Daddy, can I sleep in your bed tonight?’ Simone said, her voice muffled.
    ‘No,’ John said. ‘I need to sleep well and rebuild my energy. I’m sorry, sweetheart.’
    ‘I understand,’ Simone said. She glanced up at me. ‘Emma?’
    I hesitated, then decided. ‘I nearly hurt Leo while I was dreaming, sweetheart. I don’t think it would be a good idea.’
    Simone dropped her head and nodded into my chest.
    ‘Go and ask Leo,’ I whispered.
    ‘Leo says I kick too much.’
    ‘I think, tonight, he won’t care,’ John said. ‘I think he’ll be glad to have you safe there with him.’
    The Saturday after I returned from the Tiger’s palace, I sat with Leo in his office during the morning break between classes and we had a coffee. It was one of the first times since my return that we could talk in peace and privacy. School was nearly finished for the year and we were making arrangements for the holidays.
    ‘So we’ll continue the roster,’ Leo said. ‘Just not staking out the school any more, minding her at home instead.’
    ‘Works for me. She can come down to the Academy sometimes too.’
    ‘Mr Chen said that’s okay?’
    ‘He said he’d prefer her here actually. With the Masters around her, on call.’
    ‘What about Michael?’
    ‘He can go to the Western Palace for a while,’ I said. ‘I’ve made arrangements: some time with his father, some with his mother. He’ll be helping out in her shop, in between classes here at the Academy. He’s asked to do some intensive energy work and advanced Weapons during the holidays. But the first three weeks he’ll be in the West.’
    ‘I’ll miss him,’ Leo said. ‘He’s good company.’
    I nodded. I understood. I’d miss Michael as well.
    Leo’s face grew serious and he leaned over the desk to speak intensely to me. ‘Any more dreams?’
    I ran my hands through my hair. ‘No.’
    He leaned back.