White Tiger

right hand snaked out and wrapped around Leo’s sword hand at the wrist.
    Leo dragged his hand back and tried to free it but the demon had him. It raised itself on its coils and lifted him easily.
    Leo struggled. He tried to prise the demon’s fingers loose with his left hand. His muscles bulged as he attempted to free himself. His feet hung just above the floor.
    The demon’s one-handed grip slid on Leo’s wrist so it used both hands. Its forked tongue flicked out and snapped over Leo’s face, tracing his features. He screwed his eyes up and grimaced.
    I lunged forward to attack it, but Leo was ahead of me. His free left hand flashed out, grabbed the demon’s tongue and, with a twist and a snap, pulled it out.
    The demon dropped him and screamed. It held its hands to its face, still screaming.
    Leo landed on his feet, spun and sliced the demon in half. The human part hit the floor and exploded into black demon stuff. The snake part writhed for a long time before dissipating.
    Leo took a deep shuddering breath and backed to stand in front of us again. ‘Any more?’
    Simone took a gasping breath and screamed. She collapsed over her knees into sobs. I wanted to comfort her but stayed where I was.
    ‘I’ll take that as a yes,’ Leo said. ‘Don’t move.’ ‘I’m still here,’ I said.
    ‘You’re still stupid too. Looks like the Mother blew the seals. This is a really big one, isn’t it, Simone?’
    Simone whimpered something unintelligible.
    The demon appeared in the doorway. It was of average human height. It appeared to be a perfectly ordinary Chinese human male.
    Leo hissed under his breath. It was Simon Wong.
    Wong leaned one shoulder on the doorframe and crossed his arms over his chest. ‘Hello, everybody. Been having fun with my little pets?’
    Leo shifted his grip on the sword.
    ‘Three little girls.’ Wong didn’t move from the doorframe. ‘Kissed any nice boys lately, girls? Got a new boyfriend, Leo? Still haven’t made out with the boss yet, Emma? And dear little Simone—’
    Leo swung at Wong’s head. He disappeared. The sword took a chip out of the doorframe.
    Leo backed to stand in front of me.
    Wong reappeared, leaning on the doorframe. He held the Wudang sword. ‘I have a special place in my harem for all three of you, but you will require minor surgery, Leo, before you may take your place. I will not have Entires guarding, regardless of their preference.’
    Leo swung at the demon again, and again it disappeared.
    ‘That is some piece of work,’ he said.
    ‘Freaking coward,’ I said, hoping that Wong could hear me. ‘It keeps running.’
    Wong appeared in the middle of the room. He gestured a come-on. ‘Black Lion. You first.’
    ‘Get him,’ I said softly.
    ‘Oh, don’t worry, Emma, you’re next,’ Wong said. He moved so fast he was a blur. The sword was almost invisible as it swept straight for Leo’s head.
    Leo blocked easily, swept Wong’s sword down in a parry, then twisted away to take a spinning swing at Wong’s neck. Wong ducked under it and jumped back.
    ‘You’re as good as they say you are,’ Wong said. He held back and grinned at Leo. ‘They tell stories about you, you know? You should hear what they have to say.’
    Leo swung at Wong’s head. Wong blocked it, swept Leo’s sword down, and attempted to twist it out of his hands. Leo managed to keep his grip on the sword and pulled back. He took a deep breath and readied himself again.
    Wong shifted his feet and lifted his own sword. A hint of his true nature appeared on his face. ‘You’ve improved, Leo. You’re much better than last time.’ His grin widened. ‘I mean the time before. Remember? When I got through you and grabbed little Simone’s darling mother? I had a lot of fun with her, you know. But she broke .’
    Simone sobbed once, loudly.
    Wong swung at Leo’s head again. Leo blocked the blow and the swords locked. Leo planted his feet and struggled to free the blade but Wong didn’t shift. ‘I’m better too, aren’t I? I’ve been working out.’
    It became a test of strength. They were evenly matched. Leo trembled with the effort of holding Wong’s sword away from his throat.
    Wong stiffened and his eyes turned inwards. He snapped back and grinned. ‘Close enough to kiss you, Leo. What a shame. It would have been fun to have you beneath me, but that pleasure will have to wait until next time.’
    Leo grunted with the effort of holding Wong back. His feet slipped slightly