Blue Dragon

I had to make sure that Simone was safe.
    ‘My, but look at her thinking. This is such fun to watch,’ Wong said.
    ‘We should sedate her again,’ Kitty said.
    ‘How much longer will it take if she’s conscious?’ Wong said.
    ‘About half an hour longer,’ Kitty said. ‘Two and a half more hours and she’s ours.’
    ‘Then let’s watch,’ Wong said, his voice full of satisfaction. ‘I want to see her try something. Come on, Emma, try something. Can you break the bonds? They’re rated at a hundred kilos, dear, I really don’t think you can.’
    That was what he thought. I could do it, but not with him there. It would be a waste of time trying to escape while he was there.
    I wondered if they had the short attention span of typical Hong Kong people. It was worth a try.
    I willed myself into a very deep trance for exactly thirty-four minutes.
    I snapped back but remained perfectly still. I tried opening my Inner Eye to see how many demons were around me, but it was gone. I couldn’t use it any more.
    I checked my chi. More than a third gone.
    I could try to remove the black stuff internally, burn it out with my own chi, but that was a thing to try only if they weren’t watching.
    I had an inspiration. I asked the stone.
    Just the humanoid. Kitty and Simon became bored and went off to have sex. He finds this incredibly arousing.
    I nearly chuckled. Then I realised that I would probably be next. I checked myself, and breathed a very quiet sigh of relief.
    That’s right. Not yet. But he certainly does have plans for you. He wants you cooperative though; he’s too frightened to try taking you before you’re fully converted. Even bound, he won’t try you.
    What?
    That’s the word they used: converted. And the humanoid is about level thirty. He doesn’t have many high-level demons left—you destroyed most of them.
    Gotcha.
    I used every ounce of speed I had. I ripped my hands free of the bonds, shot upright, spun and took its head off with both hands: snap.
    I looked around. Operating theatre.
    I ripped the IV out of my arm and nearly gagged again when I smelled its contents.
    I jumped off the bed. Only one way to go: out.
    I crept to the door, opened it and poked my head out. I asked the stone.
    Next on the right. Nobody else is around. Kitty and Wong are still busy. He can go for hours if hewants. Simone: I’m not completely sure. Let’s go and find her.
    I crept out into the hallway and listened. I really wished my Inner Eye was working. Not a sound.
    I moved stealthily up the hall to the next room, opened the door and entered. Dark.
    The stone glowed for me, a small pale green light. I used it to light the table holding my stuff. I grabbed the phone and shoved it in my pocket.
    I asked the stone.
    Your diagnosis is correct. I don’t know if you can burn the demon essence out with your chi . It doesn’t seem to be harming you, or giving them control. Your unusual nature is limiting its effectiveness. But if they manage to fill you more than half full, I fear that they will succeed.
    I went back to the door. I opened it a crack and looked through. Nothing. The hall had plain beige walls and a linoleum-tiled floor, like a hospital.
    There are demons at the entrance to the hallway, about level fifteen or twenty. Two of them.
    Easy. I crept down the hall towards the door at the end. It was double doors, like a hospital.
    No. Not a hospital. You are still underground.
    I had an inspiration.
    Sorry, Emma, I can’t call anybody. I’m underground, remember.
    I threw open the doors. There was a demon on each side. I used my speed again; I hit the right one with a spinning roundhouse kick that destroyed it completely, then dropped my kicking foot and lashed out with the other foot. Both gone.
    I had black stuff on my legs, but it wasn’t seeping through my jeans onto my skin. I should be okay. I gasped. The black stuff made a very quiet sucking sound and disappeared into me. I looked at my hands.
    The black stuff from the first demon was gone too. I checked my dan tian . Holy shit.
    By the Grandmother herself but you are in very serious trouble, Lady Emma Donahoe.
    I couldn’t help but agree. But first: Simone.
    Left.
    How far?
    I have no idea. Probably a few metres.
    I wanted to hug the wall but it would be a waste of time. If anyone came they would see me anyway. There were doors on either side of the hallway.
    Do not go into any of those rooms, Emma, the stone said. You do not want to see what is