Above the islands, the sun was setting in a spectacular display of vivid tropical colours. A fresh breeze, full of the smell of the ocean and flowers and tinged with smoke from the barbecue, brushed our hair.
‘And I’ll be locked up for ten days,’ John said ruefully, leaning on the railing.
‘Can we go out to the islands?’ Simone said, excited.
‘Yes, of course. There isn’t much beach here on the mainland, the best beaches are out there,’ the Dragon said, appearing behind us. ‘After you have settled in, we will go out. I have a boat, I will take you, Princess.’
‘Thanks, Dragon,’ Simone said.
Qing Long bowed and smiled slightly. ‘My pleasure, my Lady.’ He gestured. ‘Your rooms are prepared. Please come this way.’ He handed John a small folder. ‘Keys.’
John nodded, and immediately passed the folder to me. His hand brushed mine and I knew.
‘Leo, for God’s sake, quickly,’ I said, breathless. ‘Catch him!’
Leo moved like lightning to grab John before he hit the floor. He wrapped his arm around John’s shoulders and supported him.
‘Why didn’t you
say
, Daddy?’ Simone scolded.
‘Let’s just get him into the room,’ I said. ‘When will the Lady be here?’
‘She is here already,’ the Dragon said. ‘She is outside your room, waiting.’ He smiled at John. ‘Let’s get you up there.’
‘I’ll make it,’ John said.
‘It is most disconcerting to see you so weakened, my Lord,’ the Dragon said as he guided us along the hotel corridor. It was an outdoor breezeway, meandering through the vibrant gardens. ‘I have never seen you like this in all the time I have known you.’
John didn’t say anything.
A lift lobby was at the end of the breezeway. The Dragon made the lift doors open before we reached them.
‘Third floor,’ the Dragon said. ‘Room 301, of course. Right at the end of the top floor, overlooking the marina and the ocean. Quite a good view. Best room in the house. It’s costing me a fortune to put you up here. Usually I have a Celestial in, and they pay for it in fine Celestial jade or equivalent.’
John didn’t say anything. His face was rigid as he clutched Leo.
‘Are you okay?’ I said softly. ‘Hold on.’
The lift doors flew open. ‘This way,’ the Dragon said. He led us along the third-floor corridor, which was flanked on both sides by the dark wooden doors to the rooms. We went all the way to the end, John struggling to walk, Leo almost carrying him.
Ms Kwan waited for us outside our suite. The Dragon pushed the door open.
‘Bring him in here with me,’ Ms Kwan said to Leo. ‘Hurry.’ She rushed straight into the suite, through the large living room, and pushed open a door to the right of the enormous balcony.
Leo hoisted John and carried him in his arms like a child. Simone and I followed. Ms Kwan had gone into the master bedroom. It had an enormous king-sized bed
and a couple of comfortable wicker chairs next to the window.
‘Drop him into a chair,’ Ms Kwan said, quickly moving to close the blinds. ‘Leo, put a chair across from him for me.’
Leo obliged. John was unconscious.
‘Daddy,’ Simone said, taking John’s hand. She gently touched his face. ‘Daddy.’
‘Move away, Simone,’ Ms Kwan said, throwing herself into the empty chair and grabbing John’s hands. I pulled Simone away. Ms Kwan lowered her head, raised their joined hands palm to palm, and the silvery light of shen energy surrounded them.
‘Out,’ Ms Kwan said without moving. ‘You were just in time. Leave us.’
I took Simone’s hand and went out of the room. Leo followed us and gently closed the door.
‘He nearly didn’t make it,’ Simone said.
The Dragon waited for us in the living room of the suite. ‘Your bags are here,’ he said, gesturing towards a smiling porter. ‘Tell the demon where to put them. In about half an hour dinner will be delivered. There is a dining room next to the front door, or you may wish to eat on the balcony.’ He gestured towards a side table. ‘There is an extensive list of hotel activities on the table. We have a small cinema and bowling alley in the country club at the centre of the resort. Of course you have full use of it. The Princess,’ he said with a bow to Simone, ‘can call me if you require anything. I have informed the concierge and housekeeping that you are to be exceptionally well cared for. If you need anything, do not hesitate to call them. You have an open account at the resort shop.’ He spread his arms and his blue eyes flashed. ‘My resort is yours. Enjoy.’
I went to him and took his hands. ‘Thank you so much, Qing Long.’
The Dragon smiled and nodded. He shook my hands away gently. ‘Rest. Look around tomorrow. If you wish to go to the islands, my little boat is yours.’
He saluted Simone, then me, then swiftly turned and went out.
Simone jiggled. ‘I want to pick a room!’
‘Well then, let’s have a look,’ I said. ‘Ms Kwan will need a room, your dad already has a room, so that leaves two rooms. Looks like you and me are sharing, Simone.’
‘I’ll sleep on the sofa,’ Leo said. ‘You take a room of your own, my Lady.’
Both Simone and I laughed at that. I gave Leo a push, ribbing him. ‘Those are two-seaters, Leo—you folding yourself up to sleep? I don’t think so.’
The suite was enormous. It had a luxurious living room in the centre, with a dining room behind it, and a huge balcony with a spectacular view over the water to the islands. The room was expensively decorated in shades of maroon and cream, with generous use of exotic Borneo timber.
We looked at the remaining two bedrooms. One had two single beds, the other a queen-sized bed. Not really much choosing necessary.
‘This isn’t right, my Lady,’ Leo said as I directed the demon to put his bags in the room with the large bed. ‘You should have this room. It’s not fitting for you two to share.’
‘Simone and I are having a girls’ sleepover party,’ I said. ‘There’s a television with a video in here, and we’ll be staying up late and watching
Sailor Moon
and
Cardcaptors
. I saw videos for rent at the concierge desk.’
Simone jumped up and down and clapped her hands.
I dug Leo in the ribs with my elbow. ‘You can do it instead, if you like. I’m sure you’re a big fan of
Sailor Moon
.’
Simone’s little face was serious. ‘Do you like
Sailor Moon
, Leo? You can come and watch too, if you like. Sailor Mars is my favourite.’
‘Not Sailor Jupiter?’ I said. ‘She does martial arts.’
‘Nope,’ Simone said, her eyes sparkling. ‘Sailor Mars lives in a temple and does magic stuff. That is
so cool
. I wish I could do magic stuff like that.’
I glanced at her. She was serious.
‘I think I’ll skip it for just one night, ladies,’ Leo said, also perfectly serious. ‘Maybe another time.’
‘Okay, Leo, if we find a really good video I’ll lend it to you,’ Simone said.
Leo bowed. ‘My Lady. Now will you two go out and let me unpack? I
do not
want Lady Emma anywhere near my clothes.’
Simone dragged me out and we showed the demon where to put our bags.
W
e had breakfast on the balcony the following morning. The Dragon provided us with a vast range of tropical fruit, Western-style eggs, vegetarian congee for John, and four different types of tea. One of the demons hovered to serve until I sent it out.
John and Ms Kwan were both subdued.
‘Is ten days enough?’ I said.
They nodded silently.
‘How long will you hold the charge?’
Neither of them looked at me or said anything.
‘Okay, whatever,’ I said. ‘We’ll talk about it later.’
Ms Kwan sipped her tea. John didn’t move.
‘Emma, take Simone into the pool and around the resort today,’ John finally said, his face grim. ‘Leo, stay here with us. Stay nearby. Just for today.’
‘My Lord,’ Leo said. ‘I was about to request the day anyway.’
I glanced at Leo. He wasn’t eating. He held a cup of water.
‘Is it that bad?’ I said softly.
‘The ulcer’s come back and spread to my throat,’ he said, just as quietly. ‘It’s very painful to eat. Anything except warm water is very painful.’
John sat straighter, suddenly brisk. ‘Emma, sit next to Leo and take his hands. Let’s get the Lion eating.’
Simone moved away so that I could sit next to Leo and hold both his hands. Leo smiled slightly at me.
‘Look inside,’ John said. ‘Leo, warn her if she hurts you.’
I opened my Inner Eye onto Leo. I could see the pain and winced. It was torture for him.
‘Whoa,’ Leo said softly. ‘That feels weird.’
‘You know where the meridians are?’ John said. ‘Meredith’s taught you?’
I nodded, concentrating.
‘Find the meridian that relates to the pain he’s suffering.’
I concentrated and traced the meridians through Leo. He gasped and held my hands tighter.
‘Is she hurting you?’ John said quickly.
‘No,’ Leo said. ‘It just feels really strange.’
‘Found it,’ I said.
‘Good,’ John said. ‘Now, start this very slowly, a tiny amount at first. I will supervise.’ He came around the table, leaned on it and put his hand on Leo’s bare arm, gold on black. ‘Good. Use a very small amount of chi and block the related meridian. Use the chi like a needle, stick it into the points.’
I found the points along the meridian. I moved a tiny amount of chi into one of the points, and the point lit up.
‘Good,’ John said. ‘Move up and fill them all, with a similar amount.’
Leo appeared to me like an acupuncturist’s dummy, the meridians and points clearly highlighted through him. I moved up the meridian, gently pushing chi into the points.
‘How does that feel, Leo?’ John said.
‘Absolutely fantastic.’
John took his hand away. ‘Put a similar amount of chi in again. Double it.’
I did it again. Leo sighed with bliss. ‘Damn.’
I saw the ulcers in his mouth and throat. I moved without thinking and covered one of the ulcers with chi, just to blanket it.
‘Stop, Emma,’ Ms Kwan said from the other side of the table, her gentle voice urgent.
I halted, still with the chi over the ulcer.
‘Don’t touch her,’ Ms Kwan said before John even moved. ‘Leo, stay very still.’
We all remained absolutely motionless.
‘Move the chi into the centre, then radiate it out,’ Ms Kwan said.
‘That’s what I was about to do.’ I moved the chi into the centre of the ulcer, then made it flow outwards until it covered the ulcer. The ulcer disappeared.
‘Holy…’ Leo said, then swallowed the rest.
‘How much energy did you just use, Emma?’ Ms Kwan said.
‘Hardly any,’ I said.
‘Continue, if you wish,’ Ms Kwan said. ‘Ah Wu, move away. Let me supervise this.’
I heard them moving but didn’t turn. I concentrated on the next ulcer, moved the chi, and healed it.
‘Well done,’ Ms Kwan said next to me. ‘You may continue.’
I healed the ulcers one by one.
‘Cool,’ Simone said softly. ‘That must really have hurt, Leo.’
‘Not any more,’ Leo whispered. ‘Hurry up and finish, Emma, I’m starving.’
I laughed softly, and healed the remaining ulcer.
‘Stop,’ Ms Kwan said.
I hesitated.
‘You must be very, very careful removing your consciousness,’ Ms Kwan said. ‘Remove your awareness
from the Lion very slowly and gently, otherwise you could render him unconscious.’
I carefully removed the tendrils of my awareness from Leo. I felt his gratitude and smiled. I pulled the remaining essence out and snapped open my eyes. ‘Done.’ I focused on Leo. ‘Have something to eat.’
Leo didn’t need to be told twice. But he poured himself a huge mug of coffee first.
‘Well done, Emma,’ John said from the other side of the table. ‘That was remarkable.’
‘Can I do that to myself if I’m injured?’ I asked Ms Kwan.
‘Yes,’ she said, smiling. ‘You can do it for just about anybody, except for Ah Wu.’
‘This is the part where you tell me that only Immortals can do that,’ I said.
Neither John nor Ms Kwan said anything.
‘Can I learn that?’ Simone said.
‘When you’re bigger,’ John said. ‘You need to have very good energy control to do it. Maybe when you’re about twelve.’
‘Okay,’ Simone said, and returned to her cereal. ‘Emma can teach me.’
‘I’m sure she will,’ John said, his eyes sparkling.
‘Hurry up and finish your toast, Emma,’ Simone said. ‘I want to go down to the pool, and see the bowling place. Can we go to the islands tomorrow?’
‘Sure,’ I said. ‘Leo can stay here and rest today, and go with us to the islands tomorrow.’
‘I’m fine now,’ Leo said.
‘You still need to spend the day here near me,’ John said. ‘Go out with the ladies tomorrow.’
‘My Lord,’ Leo said, sitting down to a plate piled high with food.
‘Can I talk to you privately for a moment, Ms Kwan?’ I said.
Ms Kwan rose. ‘Come into my room.’
I followed her. They watched me go, silent.
‘Is there a problem, Emma?’ Ms Kwan said, sitting on the end of her bed.
I sat in one of the wicker chairs. ‘They don’t know about this, and Simone didn’t really understand. Simon Wong tried to control me on the plane when they attacked us.’
‘Ah Wu told me that he had no control over you,’ Ms Kwan said. ‘Trust yourself, Emma. You will never hurt them, you know that.’
‘That’s not what I’m concerned about,’ I said. ‘It’s something else.’
‘What?’ Ms Kwan said gently.
‘Wong wanted to test me. To see if he had full control. He took a mouthful of blood and commanded me to kiss him. I did. I swallowed the blood.’
‘And that was what brought out the Serpent,’ Ms Kwan said, understanding.
‘Ms Kwan,’ I said, bending forward to speak fiercely to her, ‘it was
Leo’s
blood. A big mouthful of it.’
‘I fail to see…’ Ms Kwan began, then her face went rigid. ‘I understand.’
‘Can you check me?’ I said.
‘No,’ she said. ‘I cannot do it. It is not in my nature.’
‘Do you think having the Serpent come out would somehow have cleared it?’
‘Emma.’ She sighed. ‘Emma, I have no idea. You should not have done that.’
‘Tell me about it.’ I ran my hands through my hair. ‘I didn’t even think at the time.’
‘You were probably more concerned with survival,’ she said wryly. ‘Quite understandable.’
‘You don’t know?’ I said.
She silently shook her head.
‘Okay.’ I straightened and pulled myself together. ‘Whatever. I’ll have myself tested, and won’t worry about it until then. The important thing is Simone.’
‘Either way, when Ah Wu returns, rejoined, he can heal you,’ Ms Kwan said. ‘Remember. He has promised. It will be.’
I grinned. She was right. ‘Thanks, Ms Kwan.’
She smiled and rose. ‘Go and finish your breakfast. Simone is becoming impatient. If she does not have a chance to see the whole resort very soon I think she will explode.’
The Dragon met us at the door of the suite the next morning. He looked similar to the way he had appeared when we had arrived: an ordinary, good-looking Chinese man of about thirty, wearing a pair of smart grey slacks and a silky shirt. His eyes were a milky greenish-brown under his expensive sunglasses.
‘You can’t change your eyes all the way?’ I said as we waited for Leo and Simone.
‘Too difficult to bother about,’ he said. ‘Nobody looks anyway. As long as my eyes aren’t bright blue, nobody notices.’
Simone wore her Australian solar swimmers, which were already too small for her. We would have to make a trip down to the resort shop later to buy her some new ones. Leo wore a fluorescent floral Hawaiian print, both shorts and shirt.
‘I am not taking you out looking like that,’ the Dragon said.
‘Looking like what?’ Leo lisped.
‘Flaming.’ I turned and took Simone’s hand. ‘Come on, sweetheart, let’s go and see the islands.’
Leo made a strangling noise as he followed us down the hallway.
The Dragon sighed loudly and brought up the rear.
The marina was right in front of the hotel. It was shiny new and there weren’t many boats moored there.
‘It will fill up as more people come in,’ the Dragon said. ‘The condominiums aren’t finished yet. I’m expecting wealthy Malaysians to set up holiday villas here. I have a ship’s chandlery licence but it’s not worth starting business until I have some buyers.’ He turned to me as we walked. ‘You might consider purchasing a condominium after the Dark Lord has gone. Come here for your holidays. School holidays.’
‘Yeah!’ Simone said.
‘I’ll probably be on the Mountain during the holidays,’ I said. ‘I’ll need to find someone to take me.’
‘Won’t be me,’ the Dragon said. ‘Won’t have the time.’
‘I don’t expect you to,’ I said.
‘Here it is,’ the Dragon said.
It was a fourteen metre fly bridge cruiser, the
Crystal Dragon
.
‘Is this it?’ I said. ‘It’s awfully small.’
The Dragon stared at me, astonished. He pointed to a massive fifty metre yacht moored on the other side of the marina. ‘You want to take the big one?’
‘That one won’t manoeuvre around the islands, will it?’ I said.
‘Nope. This one is better for viewing the reef.’
‘Oh well, then I suppose this’ll have to do,’ I said wearily. ‘We’re not going very far anyway.’
The Dragon turned stiffly and boarded the boat.
‘Good one, Emma,’ Leo whispered.
‘Oh, the fun is just beginning,’ I whispered back.
The sky was a brilliant crystal blue and the sea was a matching deep blue, almost purple. The breeze was
fresh and clean and a welcome relief from the pollution of Hong Kong. It was a brilliantly mild warm day.
The islands were tiny and picture perfect, each with a little head of bristling jungle hair. The Dragon pointed them out in turn as his staff drove us towards them.
‘On the right, the large one, is Palau Gaya, Gaya Island. It’s inhabited. Not much in the way of reef there. Police Beach around the other side is good, but there are better beaches on the other islands. Next to that, the small one there,’ he pointed to the island next to Gaya, ‘is Sapi. Very pretty. Some reef off the eastern end. Small but good beach. Probably too many tourists there right now, we’ll stop and see how we go.’ He turned to Simone. ‘Take care, dear, there are monkeys on that island, and the tourists have been feeding them. They can be aggressive.’
‘Cool,’ Simone said.
The Dragon pointed further to the left. ‘That’s Manukan. Bigger than Sapi. The sand isn’t as soft, but there is some rather good reef off the northern end. We’ll stop there after Sapi and you can jump off the boat and snorkel on the reef.’
‘Got enough gear for us?’ I said.
‘I’m not going in,’ Leo said.
‘Plenty,’ the Dragon said. ‘Further to the left, Mamutik, very small; and Sulug, only good for scuba. Anybody have a licence?’
Nobody replied.
‘Oh well, the Princess is too small for scuba anyway.’
‘You didn’t learn to dive, Leo?’ I said.
Leo didn’t say anything. I decided to leave it.
‘Okay then,’ the Dragon said. ‘Easy. Sapi first, then Manukan, off the reef. Then we’ll land on Manukan and have a barbecue under the trees, where we won’t be accosted by monkeys. Hold; I will inform my staff.’ He stopped and concentrated.
Simone jiggled with excitement and leaned over the edge of the boat. I grabbed her around the waist and held her.
‘I won’t fall in, don’t be silly, Emma,’ she said, impatient.
‘Just being extra careful, pet,’ I said. ‘Your dad’s not here to rescue you.’
‘Qing Long can breathe underwater too,’ Simone said. ‘He’s a dragon. Some of them have big palaces at the bottom of the sea.’
‘Does he?’
‘I don’t know,’ she said. ‘We should ask him.’
The Dragon snapped back and moved next to us. ‘All organised.’
‘I’m vegetarian,’ I said.
‘Of course you are,’ the Dragon said. ‘You are well on the way to attaining the Tao. What does the Serpent eat? I would love to see it. Can you summon it at will?’
‘Damn,’ I said softly. ‘No,’ I said loudly. ‘And as far as I know, I’ve never eaten in Serpent form.’
‘You never dream about eating babies?’ he said softly into my ear.
I went stiff and ignored him.
‘Here we are,’ he said as we approached the jetty on Sapi. He concentrated, and the boat slowed as we neared the pier.
‘Look down,’ he said.
Simone leaned over the edge of the boat and squealed. I leaned over as well and nearly squealed too.
There were thousands of brightly coloured fish in the shallow water. The water was only about three metres deep and absolutely clear, as if it wasn’t there. The fish glittered as they swam beneath the boat, all changing direction together with brilliant blue and yellow flashes.
‘You can swim with them,’ the Dragon said. ‘You can hand-feed them. They are very tame.’ He glanced
up at the island. ‘This is a marine park. Fishing is prohibited. There is a large amount of exceptional sea life here. The local people are very protective of it. Please take care you do not damage the habitat; we would be in serious trouble.’
‘Don’t worry,’ I said. ‘We’ll treat it with respect. Look whose family we are.’