Red Phoenix

messages?’
    ‘No, ma’am.’
    ‘Thanks.’
    I went down to my room and called April.
    ‘ Wei ?’
    ‘Hi, April, it’s Emma. I’m just checking. How are you? How’s the baby?’
    ‘Not long to go now,’ she said with satisfaction. ‘You should see me, I’m huge. I’m not going out until the baby comes, it’s too embarrassing.’
    ‘And it’s due mid-September?’ I said.
    ‘I’ve already chosen a good day.’
    ‘What?’
    ‘A good day for the baby to be born,’ she said patiently, explaining.
    ‘Oh God, April, you won’t have a caesarean just so the baby’s born on a lucky day, will you?’
    ‘Of course I will. But they won’t do it in Hong Kong any more, they’ve gotten stupid about it. They want all the babies to come naturally; the rates of caesar here were very high or something, and it made them look bad. So Aunty Kitty’s arranging something for me in China.’
    ‘Aunty Kitty? Kitty Kwok?’
    ‘Yes,’ April said. ‘You should go and visit her, Emma, she really wants to see you.’ I didn’t say anything.
    ‘September twelfth, the baby will be born. I’m going to China just before that. Aunty Kitty says the clinic is very nice. She owns it. Like a private hospital. I was worried that the baby wouldn’t have Hong Kong right of abode, but since I’m Australian and both me and Andy have right of abode, it’s okay.’
    ‘How are you feeling?’
    ‘Fine,’ she said. ‘The doctors that Aunty Kitty sends me to are very good. Give me lots of medicine, lots of tonics to keep me strong. I’m feeling really good. A bit tired sometimes, but that’s normal.’ She laughed quietly. ‘I just don’t seem to be able to eat enough food. I’m so hungry all the time!’
    Her voice dropped out, then returned. ‘I have another call,’ she said. ‘Probably Aunty Kitty, she checks me all the time, and Andy does too. Better say goodbye, I’ll talk to you later.’ She sighed. ‘I’m very happy, Emma. I hope you’re as happy as me one day.’
    ‘So do I, April.’
    But not for the same reason.

CHAPTER NINETEEN
    S imone and Michael sat in deck chairs on the open-air back of the boat and chatted about the scenery. John and I read books in the air-conditioned lounge.
    Leo sat cross-legged on the couch with us, obviously trying to meditate and failing miserably. I wondered what had happened in the past to freak him out about being on the water. But if he didn’t want to tell me, it was his choice.
    I decided to leave it and annoy John instead. ‘I thought you were planning to buy a bigger boat.’
    ‘Haven’t had time,’ John said. ‘I’m only good for a few more trips now anyway. Hardly worth it.’
    ‘Oh for God’s sake, John, don’t talk like that. Do you have to keep reminding me?’
    ‘Sorry. Feel free to go shopping for a new boat for me. You’ll have it when I’m gone.’
    ‘You’re doing it again. And don’t you dare tell me to read the Tao.’
    ‘I think you’re past that stage. Look at what the stone said.’
    I ran my hands through my hair and sighed. ‘God, but you hate me, Xuan Wu.’
    Leo snapped out of it. ‘What did the stone say?’
    We shared a look and decided to tell him. We didn’t need words. Leo was family.
    I put my book down and closed the door to the back of the boat. Simone and Michael didn’t notice. I sat next to Leo, and he uncrossed his legs with relief, then shifted over for me.
    ‘You don’t need to sit like that if it’s uncomfortable,’ I said. ‘It’s best just to be comfortable to meditate. Remind me to show you some techniques when we get back.’
    ‘Thanks, Emma.’ He stopped and looked pointedly at me, waiting.
    I sighed. ‘Exactly what did the stone say, John? I can’t remember. Most of what it says is stupid, anyway.’
    I fully expected the stone to butt in with some acerbic remark but it remained silent.
    ‘Leo,’ John said, ‘the stone said that Emma is well on the way to Immortality without my assistance to Raise her. It said there is something unusual about her, but it didn’t know what. It suggested that she is dangerous, but not to her family. It said that she was a dark heartless monster. It also said that she is a perfectly normal human being. It is absolutely infuriating.’
    Leo remained silent on the couch next to me and watched John. He didn’t look at me at all.
    ‘While we were at the Western Palace,’ John continued, ‘Emma did some things with energy that only Immortals should be able to