White Tiger

blood very slowly. Watch him. If he starts to fight you, then stop. The blood of the Turtle is very powerful, and if you take it past the point of healing you could kill him.’
    I raised Leo’s head slightly and dribbled the blood into his mouth. He swallowed, and some of the blood appeared at the corners of his mouth.
    ‘Slowly,’ Mr Chen said. He wrapped the bandage around his arm.
    ‘Come on, my friend,’ Gold said, clutching Leo’s hand.
    Leo jerked as if he’d been shocked. His whole body went rigid and he gasped into the cup.
    ‘Stop,’ Mr Chen said. I pulled the cup away.
    Leo exhaled, a huge breath, but didn’t move otherwise.
    ‘How much have you used?’ Mr Chen said, kneeling behind me.
    I looked into the cup. ‘About half.’
    ‘Give him half of what’s left.’
    I dribbled the blood into his mouth, then pulled the cup away.
    Leo shuddered again, then took a deep breath and his eyes snapped open. He coughed, gagged, then looked around.
    ‘Hold, Leo,’ Gold said, his voice full of warm affection.
    Leo saw Gold and his eyes widened. ‘Simone!’ he croaked.
    ‘I’m here, Leo,’ Simone said.
    Leo sagged back. ‘Is everybody okay?’
    ‘We’re all fine, Leo,’ Mr Chen said. ‘Move back, Emma, let me see him.’ He took Leo’s hand.
    ‘No!’ Gold’s voice was urgent. ‘I can. Let me.’
    Mr Chen nodded and released Leo’s hand. Gold lowered his head and concentrated. ‘He’s healed.’ He looked up at Mr Chen, full of wonder. ‘It worked.’
    Mr Chen rocked back on his heels and sighed with relief. Simone burst into tears and threw herself into his lap. He buried his face in her hair, then glanced up at Gold. ‘Can you carry him into his room? He’ll be weak for at least twelve hours. He needs to rest.’
    Gold nodded, lowered his head and disappeared. Leo disappeared as well.
    Mr Chen flopped to sit on the floor, holding Simone in his lap. Her sobs petered out to sniffles. I put the cup on the bloodied carpet next to me.
    ‘You were remarkable,’ Mr Chen said.
    I smiled slightly and shrugged. ‘I’m just glad he’s okay.’
    ‘How did the demon get in?’
    ‘Gold let it in,’ Simone said into his chest. ‘Gold knew it.’
    Mr Chen nodded into her hair and pulled her closer. ‘Is Leo really going to be okay?’ Simone said. ‘He’ll be fine,’ Mr Chen said. ‘What about Gold?’
    ‘I’ll just let him take True Form and he can grow his arm again,’ he said. He pulled back to see her. ‘Are you okay?’
    She nodded, then sniffled. ‘Did you have fun at your party?’
    He chuckled and held her close. ‘Yes, Emma and I had a lot of fun.’ He smiled at me. ‘Simone has blood on her. She needs a bath.’ He glanced down at his bloodied sleeve. ‘We all do.’
    ‘Can you take me?’ she said into his chest.
    He gracefully rose, still holding her. His smile turned sad. ‘Goodnight, Emma. If you have trouble sleeping, tell me. I’ll fix something for you.’
    ‘I’m fine,’ I said. Then I inhaled sharply. Gold’s arm lay on the carpet next to the bloodstains. ‘How are we going to clean this up?’
    ‘Gold can fix it; it will be gone in the morning.’ He studied me closely. ‘Are you sure you’re okay?’
    I shrugged. ‘Never a dull moment in the House of Chen.’
    ‘You were completely calm through all of this. You are very cold-blooded sometimes, Emma.’
    ‘I know, all my friends say that.’ I rose. ‘You can be pretty cold-blooded yourself.’
    He shrugged. ‘I can’t help it; it’s what I am.’
    He took Simone down the hall to his room, then stopped at the door. ‘Let Monica know she can come out now.’
    ‘Okay. ‘Night, Mr Chen. Goodnight, Simone.’
    “Night, Emma. Don’t worry, Leo and Daddy will look after us.’
    ‘I know,’ I said, and went into the kitchen to find Monica.
    After I’d showered and changed I opened the door to Simone’s room to check on her. She wasn’t there.
    I slipped down the hallway to Leo’s room and tapped on the door.
    ‘Come,’ Leo said.
    He was sitting up in bed in maroon silk pyjamas. Gold sat beside the bed, apparently fully healed. Even his clothes were new. He was holding Leo’s hand and gazing into his eyes.
    I suddenly understood. ‘Oh, sorry. I’ll leave you two alone.’
    They shared a look, then laughed softly. Gold raised his hand. ‘No, no. We’re just good friends. Friends. For a long time.’ He nodded towards Leo. ‘I’m just making sure he’s okay.’
    ‘Is he?’ I