Red Phoenix

‘Excellent!’
    ‘I cannot believe you are pleased,’ Leo said from the back of the car. ‘She was a goddamn snake.’
    ‘So?’ John said, glancing at Leo in the rear-view mirror.
    I turned to see Leo. He lifted his arms in front of his chest, then dropped them, still crossed, in front of him.
    ‘Some of my best friends are snakes,’ John said mildly.
    Leo stared out the window and didn’t say anything.
    ‘When we return I will accept your resignation,’ John said. ‘Feel free to pack your belongings and leave.’ Simone shrieked with horror. I went rigid with shock. ‘No!’
    Leo stiffened and dropped his arms. He put his huge hands on his knees and leaned forward. His voice was ferocious. ‘No way ! I am not leaving you! You try to fire me, I’ll camp out at the front door until you take me back in. I am your Retainer and I have vowed to serve you and Simone…’ He hesitated, then plunged on. ‘Until the day I die and there is nothing you can do about it !’
    ‘Please don’t fire Leo, Daddy,’ Simone said, her voice small. ‘I love him.’
    ‘Who have you vowed to serve, Leo?’ John said. ‘If you cannot keep your word, you are not worthy to be a Retainer.’
    Leo leaned back, his hands still on his knees. He stared out the window.
    ‘Please don’t do this to him, John,’ I said quietly. Leo studied me, his face expressionless. ‘I understand exactly how you feel, Leo, I’d feel the same way if I were you. I’m horrified myself. I do know I’d never hurt any of you, regardless of what I am. But I understand.’ I knew what I had to do. ‘When we’re home, I’ll formally release you. You can continue to serve the Dark Lord and Simone. You won’t have to have anything to do with me any more if you don’t want to. You can stay with Simone while I’m near, if it makes you feel better. Believe me,’ I looked him right in the eyes, ‘I understand.’
    Leo stared out the window again. I turned back to the front.
    ‘You are entirely undeserving,’ John growled. ‘You do not trust me.’ He gestured with one hand towards me without looking away from the road. ‘This is my Lady. I know her. She may have hidden depths, but she is still her .’ His voice became ice-cold. ‘I cannot begin to describe my disappointment. You let your prejudice overcome you. Five minutes ago you were overjoyed at the prospect of giving your life for her.’
    He glanced in the rear-view mirror. ‘Simone.’
    Simone’s voice was very small. ‘Yes, Daddy?’
    ‘Are you frightened of Emma?’
    ‘Yes, Daddy,’ Simone whispered.
    My heart twisted.
    ‘Do you think she’ll hurt you?’
    Simone hesitated. Then, ‘No, she won’t hurt me,’ she said confidently. ‘She’s Emma. ’
    ‘Then why are you frightened of her?’
    ‘Because she’s scary,’ Simone said. ‘Like your Celestial Form. I’m scared of that too.’ Simone turned to Leo. I couldn’t see her, she was directly behind me. ‘Emma won’t hurt us, she loves us.’
    I turned to Leo again. His face was still expressionless.
    ‘Here we are,’ John said. ‘Let’s go up and have a look at the Snake Lady.’
    ‘Please don’t call me that,’ I said quietly as I stepped out of the car.

CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
    K wan Yin and the Tiger were waiting for us in the living room.
    ‘I want to check on my parents before we do anything,’ I said.
    ‘That may not be a good idea,’ John said. ‘You scared them half to death. I think your mother nearly had a heart attack. Gold has her sedated.’
    ‘I want to make sure they’re okay.’
    ‘I’ll go with you,’ Ms Kwan said. ‘You may need me.’
    ‘Thanks.’
    I tapped on the door to my room and sidled in with Ms Kwan’s reassuring presence behind me. I tiptoed through my little living room into the bedroom. My mother lay on the bed, staring wide-eyed and unblinking at the ceiling. My father sat beside her, holding her hand. Gold sat on the other side next to the wall. He gave me a brief smile, and I returned it.
    My father rose and backed against the window. ‘Get out.’
    ‘Dad, it’s me. Emma. I’m sorry I scared you.’
    ‘Get out !’ my father hissed. ‘You’ve done enough damage.’ He looked from me to my mother. ‘I don’t know where the real Emma is, but as soon as Barbaracomes around we’re out of here.’ He glared at Gold. ‘I don’t know where my daughter is, but I’ll find her. I’ll have the police onto you people and we’ll find her and get her out of