Red Phoenix

to the West, Ah Wu,’ the Tiger growled. ‘He is too young for this. This is getting really heavy. He doesn’t have the experience to handle it.’
    ‘Come. Sit.’ John gestured to the comfortable fabriccovered sofas in the living room. It had been decorated in a delightfully relaxed cottage style. Large windows overlooked the quiet leafy Kensington street.
    They sat on the sofas as far apart as they could. John and I took one each. I sat next to Michael. John sat next to Bai Hu.
    ‘Now that the Demon King is out of this, Ah Bai,’ John said, ‘we will not be attacked by anything bigger than about level fifty. Emma and Leo can handle nearly up to that level alone. Michael will be there soon.’
    ‘I want to stay!’ Michael said loudly. ‘What about that fucking bastard One Two Two?’ the Tiger said.
    John stiffened and his face became fierce. ‘You mind your mouth in front of my Lady, or your tail will be in serious trouble.’
    I nearly smiled. Weren’t no ladies here, just us demon-killing bitches with swords that made dogs howl with terror.
    Bai Hu threw himself up out of the sofa, quickly went to the middle of the rug next to the coffee table, and knelt. He saluted. ‘Please accept my earnest apology, my Lady.’
    ‘Rise,’ I said wearily.
    The Tiger nodded, rose, strode over to the sofa and threw himself back onto it next to John. He flung his arm over the edge and stretched his long legs out in front of him. He grinned at me ruefully. ‘Sorry.’
    Michael had remained perfectly still during this entire exchange. All he wanted was to stay with us. He didn’t care about anything else that happened.
    ‘I will deal with the Prince in my own good time,’ John said evenly.
    Oh dear Lord. I knew exactly what he meant. No.
    John continued. ‘He can only rally small demons around him; Leo has already killed his Mother. It won’t be long before Michael is able to easily handle anything he throws at us.’
    Bai Hu leaned forward, put his elbows on his knees and spoke softly. ‘This kid is really talented, Ah Wu. I think when he reaches maturity he may be able to Transform. His mother is,’ he hesitated, ‘astonishing. A league of her own. The only one who’s ever left.’ His voice dropped. ‘I don’t want to lose this one.’
    ‘Don’t I have a say in this?’ Michael said loudly.
    ‘No!’ the Tiger shot back. ‘You do as you’re told, boy!’
    ‘Go to hell,’ Michael said.
    John and I were both hard pressed to conceal our amusement. Michael was more than a match for the Tiger.
    The Tiger went rigid with fury. He opened his mouth to let loose another tirade at Michael but John raised his hand. The Tiger subsided, still furious, and glared at Michael. Michael glared back.
    John studied Michael appraisingly. I knew what he was thinking.
    ‘Ah Bai,’ John said, ‘for the first time in I think about six hundred years I am pulling rank on you. The kid stays.’
    Bai Hu threw himself back into the sofa and flung his arm over the edge again. ‘Eight hundred years,’ he said softly. ‘I want this kid, Ah Wu. You can see the potential.’
    ‘That is why he would be better off with me,’ John said. ‘I am the best. You know that. Let me teach him. When I go, the pair of you can decide what to do. I would prefer he guard Simone. I can’t think of anybody better for the job, apart from yourself, and you don’t have the time. Tell me I don’t speak the truth.’
    The Tiger stayed very still for a long time. Then he shifted slightly. ‘One condition. He spends his time off with me. One day a week, Western Palace. He needs to learn the skills of a Horseman. I won’t have a son of mine unable to ride a horse.’
    ‘Until Lord Xuan leaves, Bai Hu, I think Michael can probably spend some of his school holidays in the West as well,’ I said. ‘How about that? Is that acceptable? Michael?’
    Bai Hu was about to say something but he thought better of it. He glowered at Michael.
    ‘ Dak han le. Can do.’ Michael’s handsome face lit up. He smiled shyly at me. ‘Thanks, Lady Emma.’
    ‘Is he old enough to go to the Celestial Plane without his mother?’ I said.
    ‘Yes.’ Bai Hu shook his hands in front of his face without moving on the sofa. ‘My Lord. My Lady. By your leave.’ He disappeared.
    I sighed and relaxed. John and I shared a look. Another disaster averted. We smiled.
    ‘My Lord,’ Michael said, ‘he said that I may be able to Transform. Did he mean that I could turn