Blue Dragon

hand. ‘Come here, love, and let’s do this.’
    Wong sidled forward and held out his wrist.
    ‘Stick him deep,’ I said softly.
    ‘With pleasure,’ the King said, and plunged the blade into Wong’s wrist, then slashed it viciously across.
    Wong howled and blood gushed from his wrist. He went silent and stared at it with wonder. ‘Blood.’
    ‘Yes, my pet, you are Number One now,’ the King said. He gestured towards a table that appeared at the end of the throne. ‘There’s the brush, there’s the scroll, sign your name like a good little boy.’
    Wong went to the scroll and read it. He picked up the brush, loaded it with blood from his dripping wrist, and signed. One horizontal stroke: he was Number One.
    ‘Read it out loud,’ the King said.
    ‘I swear the Dark Lady, Emma Donahoe, will come to no harm, physical or mental, as long as she stays with me,’ Wong said dully. He glowered at the King. ‘Enough?’
    ‘I think that will do,’ the King said. ‘Do go and clean up, there’s a good boy. You are quite disgusting to look at. Then you can come back and collect your prize.’
    Wong saluted the King and disappeared.
    The King looked down at the floor. ‘Quite a lot of cleaning up to do.’ He smiled at me. ‘You’ve caused quite a mess. Look.’ He gestured. ‘The blood of my old Number One and my new Number One mingle.’ He looked me in the eye. ‘They will share similar fates.’ He sat on the throne next to me.
    ‘They’d better,’ I growled. ‘But I don’t want any honour for Wong when he goes. I want him to die like a dog.’
    ‘So do I, my sweet, so do I,’ the King said softly. He turned to the massed demons in the hall. ‘Piss off. Show’s over.’
    The demons disappeared.
    He turned back to me. ‘Tea?’
    ‘ Sow mei ,’ I said.
    ‘Very good,’ he said, and lightly clapped his hands.
    ‘Simone will be one hundred per cent safe?’ I said.
    ‘On my honour, and you know I have some,’ the King said, ‘she will be safe.’
    ‘Send the head back to Jade and Gold,’ I said. ‘We need the body whole so that Simone can claim the inheritance.’
    ‘Already done, my Lady.’
    ‘Where’s Leo?’ I said.
    ‘Court Ten,’ the King said.
    ‘He went straight there?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘No,’ I whispered.
    ‘He is arguing most ferociously not to be Raised.’
    ‘No.’
    The tea materialised on a small table between us on the throne and he poured. ‘You realise, Emma, the more he argues, the less effective his arguments will be.’
    ‘I know,’ I whispered. ‘If he strode in demanding to be Raised he’d have no chance at all.’
    ‘He is much too honest for his own good,’ the King said, raising his teacup.
    ‘He always was.’
    ‘You can go and say hello if you like,’ the King said kindly.
    ‘I’d prefer he didn’t know that I’m here,’ I said.
    ‘Perfectly understandable. Ah, here comes my new Number One son, to take his prize.’ The King put down the tea and handed me another mobile phone. ‘If he gives you any shit, just give me a call. I’ll come and land on him. You are to be kept in ease and comfort. If you aren’t held in perfect luxury, let me know.’
    I took the phone without a word.
    He looked intensely at me. ‘Emma. Remember. I have kept you safe. I have kept Simone safe. I have protected both of you. Remember that I have done this thing for you. I’m counting on you.’ He leaned back and smiled. ‘Come around and have lunch with me some time.’
    ‘If I do, will you give me updates on Simone, Leo and John?’
    ‘Of course,’ he said with a gentle smile. ‘I will give you anything that your heart desires, short of your freedom.’
    Wong reappeared before us. ‘Come on then, bitch,’ he said and howled with pain.
    ‘You will treat the Lady with respect,’ the King said casually. ‘You will provide her with comfortable apartments. You will treat her well. I will know exactly what you are doing, little Simon.’ He shifted slightly on the gold silk cushions. ‘Do not let her witness any of your more unsavoury activities. I will be watching you.’
    Wong glowered at the King then gestured towards me. ‘My Lady.’
    ‘Remember, Number One,’ the King said. ‘If you harm her at all, you will be destroyed. And if you go anywhere near the daughter of the Dark Lord, you will answer to me.’ He turned to me and his blood-coloured eyes blazed. ‘Remember.’
    We materialised in the living room of a luxurious Hong Kong