Red Phoenix

I’ll come and pick them up in the car. For God’s sake, Jade, listen. This was a setup. I didn’t know they were coming. I don’t know why they’re here. A young man offered to give them a lift to their hotel. Check it out for me. See if he’s still there, and if he is what I think he is .’ I took a deep breath to pull myself together. ‘I’ll be there as soon as I can, in about an hour. I’ll drop Simone back home first, to make sure that she’s one hundred per cent safe. Stay with my parents. Understood?’
    ‘My Lady,’ Jade said.
    ‘Damn, Jade, I said they don’t know !’ I said. ‘I’m just Emma, okay?’
    ‘Sorry,’ she whispered. ‘Force of habit.’
    ‘Wait for me,’ I said, and hung up. ‘I have to take you home right now, Simone. Something’s up.’
    ‘Why are your mum and dad at the airport, Emma?’ Simone said innocently. ‘Didn’t you know they were coming?’
    ‘I don’t know,’ I said. ‘But I’d better go and find out.’
    My mobile phone rang as I was close to the airport and I answered it on the hands-free.
    ‘It’s me, Emma,’ Jade said. ‘We’re waiting for you at the cafeteria next to departures. The Western one. You were right.’
    ‘I’m on my way.’
    Jade and Gold were sharing a pot of tea with my parents in the cafeteria. Jade and Gold looked grim; my parents were bewildered. I sat down with them.
    ‘Mr Chen didn’t come?’ Gold said.
    ‘Stayed with Simone,’ I said. ‘Leo’s having the day off.’
    Jade and Gold both nodded their understanding.
    My father was furious. ‘You said you weren’t involved in anything!’
    ‘We don’t have time to discuss this right now,’ I said. ‘We have to move you back to the Peak where you’ll be safe. We can talk in the car.’ I turned to Jade and Gold. ‘Which of you is better to come with us, just in case?’
    ‘Me,’ Gold said. Jade nodded agreement.
    ‘Come on then. Jade, meet us back at the Peak.’ I stopped as I remembered. ‘In about an hour.’
    Jade nodded. ‘My…’ She stopped and smiled. ‘Sure, Emma.’
    ‘I am going to dock your pay, Jade,’ I growled.
    My mother and father both glanced sharply at me and I banged my forehead with my palm. ‘I’m going to dock my own pay as well.’
    ‘Come on, Emma,’ Gold said, ‘let’s get your parents safe.’
    Gold sat next to me in the front of the car. My parents were in the back.
    ‘They’re not impostors?’ I whispered to Gold.
    ‘Ordinary humans,’ Gold said under his breath.
    ‘Why are you guys here?’ I said more loudly. ‘I honestly didn’t know you were coming.’
    ‘You sent us a letter,’ my mother said. ‘You invited us to your graduation. You sent us the tickets. What’s going on, Emma? How could you not know?’
    My father exploded. ‘Damn it, Emma! You said you weren’t involved in anything! And here you are, not knowing we were coming and saying that we were brought here to be kidnapped. What the hell is going on?’
    ‘This is very bad,’ Gold said softly.
    ‘I just thank the heavens that I made it to them first,’ I said. ‘If my mother hadn’t called me, I hate to think what would have happened. If they had gone with that guy, it could have been the end of it.’
    My mother moaned. ‘Oh God, Emma.’
    ‘You stupid bitch !’ my father roared. ‘What the hell have you gotten yourself into?’
    I wished I could run my hands through my hair, but I was busy driving. ‘Let’s move you up to the Peak where you’re safe first,’ I said. ‘Then…’ I stopped. I decided. ‘Then I’ll tell you everything.’
    ‘No, my Lady,’ Gold whispered.
    ‘You’d damn well better,’ my father growled.
    ‘Tell Jade she doesn’t need to wait,’ I said.
    Gold concentrated. ‘Done.’
    ‘Tell Lord Xuan to be ready.’
    ‘Lord Xuan?’ my mother said weakly.
    ‘Done,’ Gold said.
    ‘Tell him what happened, Gold.’
    ‘He already knows, my Lady.’
    I had a horrible thought. ‘Gold, call Leo on his mobile. Check that he’s okay.’
    Gold pulled out his mobile phone and dialled. ‘Leo, it’s Gold. I’m just checking—is everything all right with you? No problems? Nothing…’ He hesitated. ‘Nothing out of the ordinary?’
    Gold stopped and listened as Leo spoke. Leo spoke for a long time. A very long time.
    ‘I think you should come in, my friend,’ Gold said gently. ‘Something’s up.’
    My mother moaned again.
    ‘You’re safe with us, Mum, don’t worry,’ I said.
    She made a