Red Phoenix

Hong Kong some time—I’ll take you shopping, go around to see the sights, take your boys out with Simone. Would you like that? We could go to some social things, charity functions. Icould introduce you to some of the big names in the movie industry, things like that. We could have fun, and now you know about John—Lord Xuan, I mean—I can let my hair down. I can take you places that I wouldn’t take ordinary members of the family, like our Academy, where we teach kung fu.’
    ‘I haven’t really had much of a chance to talk to him,’ she said. ‘I really should get to know him better. What’s he king of?’
    ‘The entire Northern Celestial Heavens of China. He’s also the Chinese God of Martial Arts—that’s why we teach kung fu. He also has a Mountain in China that belongs to him, that used to hold the Academy before it burnt down.’ I decided not to mention the fact that he was a Wind and a Turtle without its Serpent. One thing at a time. I rose and held out my hand. ‘Come and meet him, he’s a terrific guy.’
    ‘I heard about the kung fu from Mum and Dad,’ Jennifer said as we went back outside. ‘They said it wasn’t anything too exciting.’
    ‘I didn’t show them any real stuff,’ I said.
    ‘Can you show us?’
    I laughed. ‘If you want, I sure can. And Leo has my stupid singing sword out as well, I’d better show that to Leonard.’
    ‘The sword sings?’
    I laughed even more. ‘More like it whines. It’s really annoying. Everybody hates it.’
    We went through the back door. Leonard was listening to John, rapt.
    ‘And then she told him to piss off !’ John finished with delight. ‘I don’t think anybody in a thousand years has said that to the King. You should have seen the look on his face.’
    They both turned to us as we went out. Jennifer approached John and studied him closely. He rose, tookher hand and smiled kindly down at her. ‘Are you okay? You’re all right with this? I’m sorry we didn’t tell you straightaway, but generally it’s better if people don’t know about it.’
    Jennifer looked from Leonard to John. ‘You’re really a god?’
    He nodded. ‘I really am.’ He patted her hand. ‘Sit down. I think Emma had better show Leonard the sword before he explodes with impatience.’
    ‘All right…Lord Chun?’
    ‘Xuan. But just call me John. You too, Leonard. We are all family.’
    ‘You are really most gracious,’ Leonard said.
    John grinned broadly. ‘This is a perfect opportunity. I would like to teach Emma something that can only be taught outdoors, and our apartment building in Hong Kong is too public. Can I use your yard to teach her? I’ll ensure that nobody sees her, but this is the ideal location.’
    ‘What sort of thing?’ Jennifer said.
    ‘A wushu technique,’ John said.
    ‘Kung fu. What technique?’ I said.
    ‘Wall running. Roof running. We may even have you flying for short distances.’
    ‘No way !’ I exclaimed with delight. ‘You think so?’
    ‘Flying?’ Jennifer said with wonder.
    Before we did anything, I took Simone to one side and explained. ‘You did really well, Simone, they had no idea we were any different. But my sister’s husband knows your dad, and knows who he is, so we don’t need to pretend any more.’
    Simone let out a huge sigh and her little shoulders sagged. ‘Did I do okay?’
    ‘You did really well. You did better than me.’ I crouched to hug her. ‘You’ll be fine at school, I’m sure.’
    ‘What are we going to do now? Can we go back to the house?’
    ‘Your dad wants to teach me wall running and roof running on this house, and I have to show…’ I hesitated, but what the hell. ‘…Uncle Leonard my singing sword and some other energy stuff. Do you want to show them some energy work and physical stuff as well? They’d like that.’
    ‘Emma, is it okay if I keep practising while we’re here? Pretend to be normal? I need to practise.’
    I hugged her again. ‘You are very special. That’s a great idea.’ I pulled away to smile at her. ‘Go and play on the swings.’
    Colin stayed with his father, but little Andrew went and talked to Simone. Michael rose and joined them to ensure that Simone wouldn’t be hurt.
    I returned to the table. ‘How will you stop us from being seen, John?’ Although the neighbours didn’t seem to be home, there was a chance that I’d be spotted on the wall of the house.
    ‘Gold,’ John said loudly.
    ‘My Lord?’ Gold said from somewhere in