White Tiger

him Simone’s name.’
    ‘They all know who Simone is; they are just too scared to come after her. That one, though…’ He glanced back. ‘An ambitious prince. The worst sort. It is talented, to have killed so many of its nest mates.’
    ‘Should we go home?’
    He hesitated, then shook his head. ‘No, I don’t think Leo would have a problem with that one. Its mouth is much larger than its sword. It’s not big enough to break through the seals. It won’t be able to get in.’
    We stopped next to a railing. Nobody was nearby. ‘Why does he want your head?’
    ‘The Demon King made a very foolish promise. Any demon that brings him my head will be promoted to Number One.’
    ‘What’s so good about being Number One?’
    ‘Number One is second in precedence only to the King himself. Every demon in Hell would have to obey him. It is an extremely powerful position.’
    ‘Oh my God, every demon in Hell is after your head?’
    ‘Or Simone, to swap for it.’ ‘Or anyone you care for.’ He gazed into my eyes. ‘Yes.’ ‘He can’t hurt you, can he?’
    ‘He could remove my head, but it would not be permanent.’ He shrugged. ‘There is very little chance he is that good.’
    ‘He cuts your head off, takes it to his father and it’s not permanent ? Sounds pretty damn permanent to me.’
    ‘I would revert to my True Form.’ He saddened. ‘But then I would be gone for a very long time. You would probably not see me again.’
    ‘Well then, let’s make sure he doesn’t get your head.’
    ‘I’ve grown rather attached to it myself.’ He looked at me intently. ‘Are you sure you’re all right?’
    ‘Of course I’m all right.’ I linked my arm in his and pushed myself into him, ribbing him. ‘I’m with you.’
    During the intermission we stood next to the large windows at the back of the Convention Centre and watched the Harbour.
    We were silent, our arms still linked. ‘Would you like a drink or something?’ he said quietly.
    ‘No,’ I said, just as softly. ‘I’m happy here.’
    ‘Thanks for helping out,’ he said. He looked down at me, his eyes very dark and shining.
    ‘I don’t mind at all,’ I said. I moved closer to him. He didn’t move away. He didn’t move at all.
    The strap of my dress fell off my shoulder again, and before I could move to fix it he swept his arm over my back and slipped it into place. His hand remained on my shoulder, then dropped to wrap around my waist. I leaned into him and he held me. I rested my head on his chest and closed my eyes, relishing the feeling of him holding me. I wanted to stay there forever.
    The bell rang for the end of intermission.
    ‘Let’s just stay here like this,’ I whispered without moving.
    ‘I would love to,’ he said, his voice rumbling through his chest. ‘There is nothing I would like more. But I’m afraid they will expect me inside.’ He gently moved his arm away. ‘Come on, Emma. Things to do.’
    He pulled his hair out of its tie; it had come loose again.
    ‘Let me.’
    Before he could protest I took the tie out of his hand and moved behind him. I smoothed his hair back neatly, resisting the urge to linger as I ran my hands through the long dark strands. It wasn’t coarse as I’d expected; it was smooth and silken. It smelled fresh, like the sea. It came at least to his waist. I carefully retied it for him.
    ‘Why do you have it so long?’ I said over his shoulder. ‘Isn’t it a nuisance in battle? It keeps coming out all the time.’
    ‘It is a part of what I am,’ he said. ‘I have no control over it.’
    ‘If you braided it, it would stay put longer.’
    ‘I tried that for a while. But it comes out so quickly it’s a waste of time. I only do that when I want it to stay neat for slightly longer.’ He smiled down at me. ‘Thank you.’
    I silently chided myself. I would be thinking about how that had felt for a very long time.
    He held his arm out. We linked arms, turned together and went back into the hall.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
    W e walked back through the car park together after the concert. I was edgy; the place was deserted and our footsteps echoed eerily. Mr Chen didn’t seem bothered. The car park was below the level of the water and the sea hissed loudly as it surged against the outer walls.
    When we reached the car he stopped and took my arm. He moved me to one side, near the wall. ‘Stay there.’ He pulled off his dinner jacket and handed it to me. ‘This won’t take long.’ He