Blue Dragon

give you a choice,’ John said. ‘You can either go to the Western Palace, where you will be absolutely safe, or you can go back to your own home and I will post guards there for you.’
    ‘Where’s the Western Palace?’ my mother said.
    ‘It’s the Tiger’s palace,’ I said. ‘It’s on the Celestial Plane. It’s a beautiful place with gardens and fountains in the Western Desert.’
    ‘Heaven?’ my mother said.
    ‘Sometimes called that,’ John said. ‘But not really. More like a higher level of reality. If you go there, you will be perfectly safe. But it will be quite boring for you. You won’t be able to continue with your normal lives.’
    ‘How long before we can go back home and be safe?’ my father said miserably. ‘Before all of this blows over?’
    ‘Probably between one and two years,’ John said. ‘Depending upon how quickly I can take the head off that little bastard One Two Two.’
    ‘One Two Two?’ my mother said.
    ‘The demon that came after us at the graduation,’ I said. ‘No other demon is dishonourable enough to go after people who aren’t directly involved. He’s the only one who’s that much of a scumbag.’
    ‘What do you want to do, Barbie?’ my father said, turning to my mother. ‘I think it might be better to go with this Tiger guy.’
    ‘What would you do, Emma?’ my mother said.
    ‘Frankly,’ I said, leaning back, ‘I’d like to send you all to the Western Desert until this blows over. You guys, Jen and her family, Amanda and her family, everybody. Think of it as a family vacation. The palace is really nice, you’ll like it. And Jade or Gold can take me there, so I can visit you. Or you can come down here with guards, you’ll be fine. John?’
    ‘If that is your wish, and their wish, I have no objection,’ John said. ‘I will not let this situation continue for much longer.’
    ‘We have to get Simone up to speed.’
    ‘Yes we do. Brendan, Barbara,’ John said. ‘Would you call Amanda for us and explain? Then we can begin the arrangements. I will call Leonard and see what he wants to do.’
    ‘I just want to get out of here,’ my mother whispered.
    The next afternoon we all waited in the living room: me, John and my parents.
    The other three Winds materialised with Amanda’s family. They were all unconscious. John and I rushed to help with Amanda and Alan. Zhu Que gently lowered the boys onto the couch, one on each arm.
    ‘Are they okay?’ my father said urgently. ‘It is only temporary?’
    ‘They’re fine,’ the Tiger said as he placed Amanda onto the couch next to the boys. ‘It was quite a long way and it is a very stressful experience for humans to travel like this.’
    ‘It’ll be similar for you when you’re taken to the palace,’ I said to my mother. ‘But don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt.’
    My parents hovered, concerned.
    ‘They will be fine,’ the Dragon said. ‘Phoenix, let’s go and get the others.’ He disappeared.
    ‘My Lord, my Lady,’ Zhu Que said, bowing slightly and saluting. ‘By your leave.’
    ‘Go,’ I said, nodding to her. She disappeared as well.
    Alan came around first. He sat up and rubbed his hands over his face. Then he saw Amanda and the boys, still unconscious, and staggered to them.
    ‘Don’t worry, they’re okay,’ I said, putting my hand on his shoulder to reassure him. ‘They’ll wake up soon.’
    Alan glanced up at me. Then he saw John and the Tiger. He looked around carefully. ‘We’re really in Hong Kong?’
    ‘Really,’ I said. ‘It’s all true.’
    Amanda stirred and moaned. Alan, my parents and myself all crouched around her. John and the Tiger stood behind us.
    Amanda opened her eyes and saw us. She cast around, confused, then saw the boys and with a small cry of pain struggled to sit up to check on them.
    ‘They’re fine, Amanda,’ I said softly. ‘They’re really okay. You’re all okay.’
    ‘Something was chasing us,’ Alan said. ‘The young man defended us, and then the people carrying us brought us here.’
    Gold appeared in True Form at the other side of the room with the bags. He didn’t take human form; his stone fell out of the air and landed on the carpet.
    ‘He’s injured,’ the stone in my ring said. ‘Quickly.’
    I raced to Gold. ‘Can I pick him up?’
    ‘Yes,’ the stone said. ‘Pick him up with both hands. Let’s see.’
    I gently lifted Gold and examined him, but couldn’t see anything inside him. I didn’t risk turning my