White Tiger

handle about six or eight level twenties yourself,’ Leo said. ‘Until then, I think you’re probably a major target.’
    ‘He’s right,’ Mr Chen said. ‘Don’t go out by yourself any more, at least not until you have the energy work mastered. It’s too dangerous.’
    ‘Damn,’ I said softly. ‘Will I be able to go out with Jade when she comes back?’
    ‘Absolutely. But I’m afraid you should only see your human friends if you invite them up here.’
    ‘Well, then,’ I said briskly, ‘let’s get stuck into the training, so I can defend myself if they come after me. I don’t want my social life on hold for any longer than absolutely necessary.’
    They both stared at me.
    ‘What?’
    ‘You are an extremely remarkable woman,’ Mr Chen said.
    ‘To hell with that. You are the most cold-blooded chick I’ve ever laid eyes on,’ Leo said.
    ‘You say that like being cold-blooded is a bad thing,’ Mr Chen said.
    ‘Sorry, sir.’ Leo looked sheepish.
    ‘What on earth for?’ I said.
    ‘Yes, Leo, why are you apologising?’
    Leo was obviously desperately embarrassed. Mr Chen and I shared a sly look.
    ‘Dismissed, Leo. Emma, stay.’
    Leo rose. He saluted Mr Chen, ‘Sir,’ and went out.
    As soon as he was gone Mr Chen and I collapsed over the table, laughing.
    ‘His face was priceless,’ he wheezed.
    ‘We are so bad .’
    ‘I’ve never managed to make him call me a Turtle to my face,’ he said.
    ‘Oh, a challenge,’ I said. ‘Let me work on it.’
    He stopped laughing and smiled. He opened his mouth, then closed it again.
    ‘No need to say anything, John.’ I rose and opened the door. ‘And it’s mutual.’ I went out.
    ‘What’s this—demon training?’ I asked Leo when we met outside the training room the next day.
    ‘No idea,’ Leo said, and tapped on the door.
    ‘Enter,’ Mr Chen called, and we went in together. Leo closed the door softly behind us.
    ‘Good,’ he said when he saw both of us there.
    Leo and I saluted, then waited patiently.
    Mr Chen went to the staff rack and pulled out two staves, one slightly heavier than the other. He tossed the heavier one to Leo and the lighter one to me. He gestured. ‘Leo this end. You both warmed up already?’ We nodded. ‘Good.’
    He linked his hands behind his back as Leo and I moved into position. ‘This is not a test of ability. It is a test of skill. Attack the staff, not the opponent. Leo, don’t hold back. Emma, I think you’re ready.’
    I stiffened. This was my first time sparring with Leo. I wasn’t worried, though; in fact, my immediate reaction was: yes!
    Mr Chen looked from me to Leo, his eyes burning. ‘If either of you feels it is going out of control, call immediately. If either of you is injured, it is your own fault. Now,’ He moved to the corner, leaned on the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. ‘Even though I know it’s a total waste of time, I’m giving both of you the opportunity to back out now. Call now if you don’t want to go through with this.’
    Leo and I looked at each other. Then we both grinned.
    ‘Bring it on,’ I said.
    Leo spun his staff and flicked it under his arm, putting his left hand out into a guard. I held mine in front, defence. We nodded to each other, ready.
    ‘Go,’ Mr Chen said quietly. Neither of us moved.
    Leo came for me first. He attacked with his staff straight out in front, swinging it to hit mine right in the middle. Confident. Thought he could take it in one.
    I used my staff to block his, twisted my body, and sent him lurching to the other side of the room with a quick flick, using the staff as a lever. I didn’t give him time to recover; I went in after him and tried to sweep the staff out of his hands with an upward attack. He only managed to hold onto the staff because he was stronger.
    ‘Good,’ Mr Chen said from the corner.
    I let my staff slide up Leo’s, spun and jumped back, guarding, ready for him. He put his staff out in front of him and came straight at me. Once again I used my staff as a lever, sweeping along his and trying to swipe it out of his hands. Again he managed to hold it.
    I suddenly knew that although he had the edge in strength, I had the edge in speed.
    Holy shit. I was faster than Leo, and he was one of the fastest I’d ever seen, short of Mr Chen.
    I jumped back, spun my staff with delight, snapped it under my arm and put my right hand out into a guard. Come and get me, Lion. I can take you.
    He didn’t think. He