White Tiger

by Kylie Chan

  ‘Where’d you buy your nice handbag?’ Amanda said.

  ‘Boulevard Haussmann,’ I said.

  ‘Sounds German.’

  Uh-oh. ‘French. It’s in Paris.’

  Amanda turned and caught my mother’s attention. ‘Hey, Mum, she’s been to Paris!’

  My mother came and sat with us. ‘Did you go to England?’

  Uh-oh even more. ‘Yes.’

  ‘And you visited Jennifer? She didn’t mention seeing you.’

  I didn’t say anything.

  My mother sighed with exasperation. ‘I don’t know what I’m going to do with you two. Is there a reason you don’t like each other? Did you have a fight or something a long time ago?’

  I shrugged. ‘Nope. Nothing much we can do about it, I suppose.’

  ‘You should have gone to see her when you were in England.’

  I smiled ruefully. ‘I know.’

  ‘Which airline did you fly on?’ Amanda said, changing the subject.

  Thank you, Amanda. ‘It was a private jet.’ Both of them stared at me, wide-eyed.

  ‘Let me get this straight,’ Amanda said. ‘You have been on a private jet to Paris with this rich man that you work for.’

  ‘And I just about walked my feet off taking Simone sightseeing. I was working, Amanda.’

  She looked away. ‘All that and you’re paid a fortune as well.’

  ‘And I miss you terribly.’ I embraced her and that made it all better.

  My father came and sat with us. ‘Show us the kung fu then.’

  ‘What would you like to see?’

  ‘Nunchucks!’ Mark shouted.

  I showed them some different styles of kung fu, bare-handed and with weapons. I demonstrated the chucks for the boys, and they were thrilled. I showed my mother some tai chi; some Yang and some Chen style. I pointed out the differences between Northern and Southern styles of kung fu but nobody seemed to be able to tell. Finally Alan passed me my short sword and I performed a low-level kata for them.

  ‘If you were attacked, Emma, could you really defend yourself?’ Alan asked as he put the weapons back into the bag for me.

  I nearly said ‘Humans or demons?’ but managed to stop myself in time. ‘Uh, yeah, I could defend myself.’

  ‘How many guys could you take down? Without a weapon?’

  I hesitated. ‘I have no idea.’

  ‘Rough guess,’ Amanda said.

  ‘Trained in martial arts or not?’

  ‘Not trained,’ Alan said. ‘Just ordinary muggers or something. If a couple of guys tried to mug you, could you stop them?’

  I thought about it. Untrained humans were about equivalent to level ten or twelve demons. ‘Yeah.’

  ‘How many before you’d be worried?’

  Last session before we left Hong Kong, I’d taken out nine level five demons barehanded. ‘If they weren’t armed, there’d probably have to be around six of them before I’d be worried.’

  ‘So you could take down six unarmed guys?’

  I shrugged. ‘Probably.’

  ‘What if they were trained? What if they were black belts in, say, karate?’

  ‘About the same, to tell the truth. The karate they teach in the West is mostly non-contact. Most practitioners aren’t that good when it comes to serious combat.’

  ‘What belt are you? Black belt, what dan?’

  That stopped me dead. ‘Uh, we don’t have that. You’re either good or you aren’t.’ I studied him carefully; his face was innocent. ‘Why are you asking me all of this, Alan?’

  ‘Our next-door neighbour, Shane, is a black belt in karate,’ Amanda said. ‘Alan’s probably wondering if you’d be able to take him down. He keeps skiting about how good he is.’

  I glared at them. ‘I am not entertainment.’

  They shared a look.

  ‘I mean it,’ I said. ‘What I’m learning isn’t for fun. The Arts are serious, they’re for self-defence, and I won’t use them merely to put your neighbour in his place.’

  ‘You’ve changed, Emma,’ my mother said softly. I glanced at her. ‘You say that like it’s a bad thing.’ ‘I’m not sure that it isn’t.’

  ‘Elbow him in the ribs,’ I said, demonstrating. ‘Then switch hands, step back, over his back and lift his arm behind him.’ Shane fell to one knee in front of me. ‘If he doesn’t go down, you help him along with your toe behind his knee. If you twist his wrist just so,’ Shane grunted with pain, ‘sorry. If you twist his wrist a little, he can’t move his arm. His other arm can’t reach you, he’s effectively helpless.’

  Amanda performed the same move and quickly had Alan on his knees in front of her.

  ‘Ease up, sweetheart,’ he said.

  ‘Yeah, don’t lift his arm too high, you’ll break it,’ I said.

  She glanced up at me. ‘I could break his arm?’

  ‘Easily,’ I said. ‘Dislocate it at the least.’

  She released him and stepped back.

  Alan shook his head and rose. ‘I was completely unable to move.’

  ‘No, you could have moved,’ I said. ‘You could have fallen on your face on the grass. Apart from that, she had you.’

  ‘Yeah,’ Alan said. He grinned at Amanda. ‘You’re pretty good.’

  Amanda watched him silently for a moment, then smiled up at me. ‘Teach me another one.’ I laughed. ‘Sure.’

  Everybody came to see me off at the airport. Amanda noticed that I checked in at the first-class counter, but didn’t say anything.

  ‘We’re coming to visit you as soon as we’re organised,’ my father said as he hugged me. ‘I want to meet your Mr Chen, this mystery rich man who’s changed you so much.’

  I pulled back, held his arms and looked up at him. ‘I haven’t changed that much, have I?’

  ‘You’re stronger and fitter, you’re doing these martial arts, and you obviously care deeply about them,’ my father said. ‘But I want to hear the whole story when we get there.’

  ‘Me too,’ my mother said. ‘Just let me sort myself out, and then we’ll come over. I want to buy some more of those pretty things you gave me.’

  I smiled at them. ‘I’ll be happy to show you around.’ Inside I desperately willed them not to come. I didn’t want to see them in danger.

  ‘Keep in touch, sweetheart!’ my mother shouted as I went down the escalator to immigration.

  ‘Miss Donahoe, yes?’ the flight attendant said, checking the passenger list. ‘Welcome aboard.’ She raised the bottle she was holding. ‘Champagne?’ ‘No, thanks.’

  ‘As soon as we take off, I’ll provide you with the menu. Just order anything you want, any time you like.’

  ‘Thanks,’ I said, and settled into the large comfortable seat. I looked out the window at the clear blue Brisbane sky and felt a wrench. I’d miss the fresh air and the sunshine.

  But I was going home. To Simone, to Leo…and to John.

  Something really began to hurt. I’d lost two precious weeks of time with him that I’d never be able to make up.

  I leaned back and closed my eyes. He felt the same way too. And there was absolutely nothing we could do about it.

  Except enjoy what we had for the little time we had left.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Leo and Simone were waiting for me when I emerged at the arrivals gate. Simone raced to me and tackled me with a huge grin. I lifted her, hugged her, then put her down again and led her to Leo. He was subdued. ‘Hey.’

  I looked around, concerned. ‘Where’s Mr Chen? Is he okay?’

  ‘He’s fine. He’s at home in a meeting.’ Leo took the trolley from me and pushed it towards the car park. ‘Nothing but meetings since we came back. How’s your family?’

  ‘They found my weapons. Completely freaked them out.’

  ‘Trust you to goof it up,’ Leo said caustically. ‘Wouldn’t be surprised if you killed one of them by accident.’

  I stopped and stared at him. ‘That’s not like you, Leo. What’s the
matter?’

  He didn’t stop pushing the trolley. ‘My turn next.’

  I rushed to keep up with him. ‘Your turn to what?’

  ‘Now that you’re back, and it’s Chinese New Year, I have to go and visit my family.’

  ‘Is that a problem?’

  He paid the parking ticket at the Shroff Office and led us to the car. ‘You have no idea.’

  He opened the car door for me and I buckled Simone into the back. ‘Oh. Your lifestyle?’

  ‘That’s a delicate way of putting it,’ he said sarcastically.

  I nodded to Simone.

  ‘Oh,’ he said, understanding. He got in behind the steering wheel. ‘They may try to cure me.’

  ‘Cure you? There’s no cure for…’ I stopped.

  ‘He told you.’ He closed the car door.

  ‘I’m sorry if you didn’t want me to know. He just came out with it. He said you’d have about a year once he’s gone.’

  Leo started the car and eased it out of its space. ‘He has the right to tell you anything he wants to about me.’ He shook his head. ‘I did some really stupid things when I was young.’

  ‘But surely your family know there’s no cure, Leo?’

  ‘That’s not what they’re trying to cure. They don’t even know about that. No, every eligible girl in the neighbourhood will probably be waiting for me.’

  ‘Oh,’ I said softly. ‘That’s awful.’

  He stopped the car to put the ticket into the machine, then turned to me and grinned. ‘How about I take a photo of us together and tell them you’re my wife?’

  ‘How about I rip your head off and feed it to the biggest demon in the jar?’ I glared at him. ‘You are a demon that’s kidnapped the real Leo. Where did you put him?’

  ‘Don’t be silly, Emma,’ Simone said patiently. ‘That’s not a demon, that’s my Leo.’

  Leo turned to me as the boom gate opened. ‘It’s good to have you back, Emma.’

  ‘It’s good to be back.’

  The minute we entered the front door Mr Chen raced into the hall from the dining room. He came to me and stopped, then gazed intensely into my eyes. ‘Careful,’ Leo said.

  ‘No need,’ Mr Chen said. ‘Take Simone.’

  ‘Sir.’ Leo led Simone down to her room.

  His eyes didn’t leave my face. ‘Welcome back, Emma. It’s good to see you.’

  More than anything else in the world I wanted to throw myself into his arms and squeeze the life out of him. Instead I took a deep breath and smiled. ‘It’s wonderful to be back.’

  ‘When you’ve unpacked and rested, we need to talk. Let me know when you’re ready.’

  We went into the training room together and he closed the door. His face was rigid with restraint. He went to the long wall and put his hands behind his back without looking up.

  I stood in the middle of the room.

  ‘I have hesitated about taking this step,’ he said.

  I waited.

  ‘I don’t want to do this, but if we are to take the training to the next level, then it must be done.’ ‘What?’

  He looked into my eyes. ‘Here in the training room, we are master and student. But I cannot take you to the next level until the relationship is formalised.’

  ‘Formalised?’

  ‘You must swear allegiance to me, Emma. If you are to learn energy work, you must do it as a Retainer. I wish you could learn it as something more, but it can never be. So you must swear allegiance and formally become a Retainer.’

  ‘Is this something terribly complicated?’ ‘You must go down on your knees, accept me as your Lord, and swear to obey me.’ I relaxed, relieved. ‘That’s easy.’

  He fixed his eyes on mine. ‘No, Emma, I don’t think you understand. You must promise to obey me if I give you an order. Regardless of what I order you to do. Any order.’

  I hesitated. ‘Any order?’

  ‘Any order. If I order you to lie for me, or steal for me. If I order you to commit murder for me: to kill another human being, not a demon. If I order you to fall on your own sword, to kill your friends, to kill your family. You must obey me without hesitation. Even if I were to order you to bring Simone in here and remove her head.’

  I sagged slightly. This was big.

  His gaze was very intense. ‘Do you understand the full implications of what I am requiring of you, Emma Donahoe?’

  I nodded.

  His voice was gentle and full of pain. ‘Answer the question, Emma.’ ‘I understand, sir.’ He looked away.

  ‘Leo’s already done this, hasn’t he?’ He smiled slightly, then looked back at me. ‘Of course.’

  ‘It doesn’t stop him from telling you off.’

  ‘He may give advice. He may object. But if I tell him it is an order, then he will obey. Always. Immediately and without hesitation. I wish I did not have to require this of you.’

  Our eyes didn’t shift from each other.

  ‘I’m glad to be learning from you, John…Mr Chen. Sir.’

  He winced.

  ‘I’m happy to be with you and Simone. I don’t need more.’

  He took a deep breath and let it out. ‘Very well.’ He turned away and walked to the weapons rack. ‘I will give you time to consider whether you are willing to take the step. Until then, we’ll work with the sword.’

  But I didn’t need to consider anything. I trusted him completely. If he’d ordered me to let go of his hands when we were floating above the building on the Gold Coast, I’d have happily complied and fallen to my death content.

  Swearing allegiance was just a formality. I would obey him anyway. I fell to my knees.

  He collected my short sword from the rack, then turned and saw me. He froze.

  ‘I swear allegiance,’ I said. ‘I accept you as Lord. I promise to obey you.’

  And I hoped that was all there was to it.

  He stood watching me for a long time before he spoke. ‘Very well, Emma Donahoe, you may rise. I hope you understand the gravity of what you have just done.’

  ‘I do, my Lord.’ And suddenly I knew why Leo called him that.

  ‘Dismissed. Return tomorrow.’

  ‘My Lord.’ I rose without looking at him. I hesitated, then went out.

  He closed the door quietly behind me.

  Two hours later Simone’s eyes unfocused while she sat with me. ‘Why is Daddy upset, Emma?’ ‘Is he upset? I haven’t seen him.’

  ‘He’s in the training room doing sword katas over and over, and he’s been doing them for a long time. Do you know why?’

  I didn’t look at her. ‘No, darling, I have no idea.’

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Iheld Simone’s hand as we walked through the airport behind Leo and Mr Chen. Chinese New Year was always a busy time and the airport was packed with people going in both directions.

  Leo checked in, and we accompanied him to the immigration gates. He knelt to hug Simone.

  She kissed him on the cheek. ‘Say hello to your mummy for me.’

  ‘I will, sweetheart.’ He rose, hesitated, then pulled me into his arms and embraced me, surrounding me with the musky smell of his cologne. ‘Look after them for me,’ he whispered into my hair. ‘Don’t let him do anything stupid.’

  I pulled back to smile up at him. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t. I’ll look after them.’ He embraced me again, then released me.

  He turned to Mr Chen and stood rigid without looking at him for a long moment. Then he fell to one knee and saluted. He gazed up into Mr Chen’s eyes and for a fleeting second his true feelings showed.

  Mr Chen nodded.

  Leo ignored the amused looks from passing people. He rose, grabbed his bag and went into the immigration area without looking back.

  ‘I do not require looking after,’ Mr Chen growled softly as we walked back to the car.

  ‘Yes, you do, Daddy,’ Simone said. ‘You’re hopeless by yourself.’

  Mr Chen smiled and shook his head.

&
nbsp; I sat in the back of the car with Simone as Mr Chen drove us home. Chinese New Year had come in early February, and the weather was still quite cold.

  ‘Can you drive, Emma?’ Mr Chen said as he navigated the North Lantau expressway.

  ‘I have an Australian driver’s licence, but I’ve never been game to drive in Hong Kong,’ I said over the back of the seat. ‘Everybody drives so close, it’s scary.’

  ‘It’s not so bad once you’re used to it.’ He slid through the auto toll lane and moved into the right lane to pass over the Tsing Ma Bridge. ‘There is method to the madness, I assure you.’

  I didn’t say anything; I wasn’t sure where he was headed.

  ‘If you want to borrow the car over the Chinese New Year break, you can,’ he said. ‘I won’t be using it.’

  ‘You won’t be visiting anybody?’

  ‘Since I can’t travel, they’ll all come to me.’

  I inhaled sharply as I understood. ‘How many freaking gods are coming over?’

  ‘Pretty much all of them, I think.’

  I dropped my head into my hands. ‘I should have gone to visit my family. Leo’s the lucky one.’

  ‘That’s what you’re supposed to do at New Year—visit your family. For some couples in China, New Year is the only time they see each other.’

  ‘I have a friend like that. She’s in Australia, her husband’s here, and he’ll visit her at New Year and she’s quite happy with the situation.’

  ‘They’re called “astronauts”.’

  ‘Yeah. Is Monica going home to the Philippines?’

  ‘I suggested it, but she wouldn’t go. She’s arranged to spend time with her sister at her sister’s employer’s apartment on Stubbs Road. The employer won’t be there, so they’ll have the place to themselves. Some other members of the family are coming to see them. Even the sister and brother from Singapore, but I think the sister in the Middle East can’t make it.’

  ‘How many brothers and sisters does she have?’ I said, incredulous.