Dark_Serpent

17




After the police’s questions and the statements and photos, we walked back to Franklin’s house. The van was where we’d left it, and Paul was sitting in the front with his legs hanging outside, smoking a cigarette. He quickly extinguished it when he saw us coming. Franklin, dressed in overalls and a fluorescent visibility vest, was filling in the earth of Ben’s grave, helped by a couple of men in similar outfits.

‘Are you sure this is all right?’ Franklin asked when he saw us.

‘He’d been living on the Mountain for more than a year. No next of kin,’ John said. ‘When they move onto the Mountain it’s explained.’

‘All right then,’ Franklin said, and nodded to the men with him. ‘This is Vlad and Boris.’

The two men nodded to us, then stared at John.

‘This your boss, the big god?’ one of them asked, in a strong London accent. ‘Are these others vampires too?’

‘What?’ I said.

Franklin visibly cringed. ‘I had to tell them. They were about to call the police on me.’

‘Yeah, he had this constant stream of underage girls — sometimes two or three at a time — visiting him in his damn house,’ the workman said. ‘Now, I’m a dad, and I won’t put up with that, so us two,’ he glanced at the other man, who nodded, ‘we went to sort him out. When we got inside the house, the girls were laughing and he was serving them, would you believe it, f*cking tea and biscuits in his demon form, no less. So he had some explaining to do.’

‘Craziest thing I ever saw,’ the other one said. He sounded Eastern European. He grinned with mischief. ‘We got our own sparkly vampire here, all right.’

‘Oh, shut up,’ Franklin said. ‘We shouldn’t be joking at a time like this. Look at the little girl’s face. You all head back to your house and take it easy.’

‘Come and look at this,’ Leo shouted to us. He’d gone over to look at the apparatus that the demons had been putting together outside Franklin’s house.

‘Yes, my Lord, you need to see this,’ Franklin said.

It was a powerful spotlight, at least sixty centimetres across. Leo pushed it to the side to reveal a corpse that looked exactly like Franklin’s human form.

‘Is that a clone, a demon copy, or something else entirely?’ I said.

‘Copy. I can’t get a good feel of its size or type. I suspect that may be because of its Western origins,’ John said. He glanced from the copy to Franklin. ‘I can’t even tell that it’s not the real thing.’

Franklin raised his hands. ‘I’m the real me, believe me, my Lord. They were going to destroy me with this big light and replace me. I just thank the Heavens you arrived a few days early.’

‘We didn’t,’ John said. ‘We just lied to everybody about when we’d be here.’

‘That saved my life,’ Franklin said.

John’s expression was grim. He put his hand out. ‘Franklin.’

‘My Lord.’ Franklin didn’t hesitate; he went straight to John and took his hand.

John concentrated for a moment, then nodded. ‘You are nearly there, my friend. Well done.’

Franklin sighed with relief. ‘Even I was worried for a moment.’

‘What do we do with this?’ I said, indicating the demon corpse. I glanced around. ‘All the others disintegrated.’

John put a hand out over the dead demon and it exploded in a silent blast of demon essence.

‘Let’s go home,’ he said, then turned to speak to Franklin. ‘Pack your belongings; you’re coming to stay with us. Leo, stay here and bring him when he’s ready.’

‘There’s no need to ruin your seals. I’ll be fine here,’ Franklin said.

John dropped his head and glowered at Franklin. ‘You will come to the house.’ He obviously thought of something. ‘And you will bring your workmates tomorrow afternoon. They deserve our thanks for putting up with this.’

Franklin’s eyes widened. ‘Don’t wipe their memories, my Lord. I’ve really enjoyed having friends I can share my true nature with.’

‘Bring them around tomorrow afternoon,’ John repeated.

‘My Lord,’ Franklin said, resigned.

John examined the van. The front fender was severely dented, enough to hit the tyre if we tried to drive it. John grabbed it and pulled it off.

‘Whoa,’ Paul said softly. ‘How much can you lift, if you don’t mind me asking, sir?’

‘In this form I can only bench press eleven hundred kilograms; it’s very weak,’ John said, tossing the fender into the back of the van. ‘Sometimes I wish we still had Michael around. Having someone who can manipulate metal and electricity would be very useful, and he was a loyal member of the household.’

Simone burst into tears and climbed into the van.

‘What did I say?’ John said.

‘Michael’s still something of a sore point,’ I said. ‘But more than that, she just saw two people die in front of her. We’ve kept her sheltered from the very worst of it, and she just had it right in her face. And then you had to go and remind her that Michael’s gone.’

‘She’s still not pining over him, is she?’

‘You tell her to get over it and I will call you out,’ I said, jabbing my index finger at him. ‘Leave her alone.’

He shrugged. ‘Let’s go to the house and settle everyone in. She’s jetlagged as well, that doesn’t help.’

We got into the van, shut the doors and Paul started the engine.

‘Not an auspicious start to your visit,’ he said. ‘I’ve never seen anything like that before. Does it happen often?’

‘Fortunately, no,’ I said. ‘You’re taking it very well. I’m impressed.’

‘Thank you, Emma. I think it’s largely due to the training you’ve given us — I was more excited than scared.’ He made a soft sound of amusement. ‘I think I’m disappointed that I didn’t have a chance to contribute. It’s a shame you can’t teach us any more.’

‘How far along are they?’ John said.

‘Couldn’t take down a level one with a weapon,’ I said. ‘Extremely basic.’

‘Good, we’ll leave it there.’ He spoke to Paul. ‘You’re safer not knowing anything at all.’

‘Emma said they may not respect that any more; that we might be targets even if we’re not trained,’ Paul said.

John was silent for a long moment. ‘Damn, Emma, you have a point. Four thousand years of Chinese civilisation and it has come to this.’

‘Where we are right now, Chinese civilisation has nothing to do with anything,’ I said.

‘That’s what concerns me.’

‘Park on the street here, and wait a moment,’ John said when we reached the house. He turned back to Simone. ‘Come and watch what I do.’

They both got out of the van. John went up to the house, took Simone’s hand and put his other hand against the wall. The entire house flared with a brilliant white flash that passed so quickly it was like lightning, accompanied by a deafening snap.

John turned around and indicated that Paul could take the van down into the basement garage. Inside, John went to his vintage sports car and brushed one hand over the top of the door.

‘Did you drive it?’ he asked me.

‘Every time we were here,’ I said. ‘I took it down to Kent to explore the country lanes. It’s gorgeous there.’

‘I know.’

He went to the corner of the garage, where his motorbike sat under a dust sheet. He uncovered it and crouched to look at the engine.

‘Why is this piece of junk in here?’ Simone said. ‘Emma wouldn’t let me throw it away.’

‘That, young lady, is a 1972 Ducati racing bike, one of only eight in the world,’ Paul said from behind us. ‘It’s worth more than the house.’

‘I won it in a bet,’ John said, tinkering with the engine. ‘Prince someone-or-other … married a movie star. He bet the bike that I couldn’t outride him on my Honda.’

‘You cheated?’ Simone said.

John rose and turned to her. ‘Of course not.’ He dropped his voice. ‘He was carrying some extra weight, and I could hear that the bike wasn’t tuned properly. What he didn’t know was that my Honda was a racing bike as well. Mr Honda had asked me to bring it over to try it out on the European roads to see how it went before they joined the endurance circuit. Neither of the bikes were road legal.’

He nodded towards the stairs. ‘We need to help with the bags. You didn’t have to bring every single item of clothing you own, Simone; surely you have a full wardrobe here? I know I do.’

We each grabbed two or three bags and lugged them up the stairs. Simone levitated the couple that were remaining and they floated up the stairs behind us. When we reached the lobby, John put the bags down and went to the hall table, where Peta had laid out all the current business matters that required his attention.

Peta rushed out from the kitchen, wearing a navy skirt suit. She was taller than Paul, slender and bony, with blonde hair tied into a waist-length braid.

She hugged Simone and me. ‘Welcome back, Emma.’ She patted Simone on the shoulder. ‘Paul’s made scones if you’re hungry.’

‘You didn’t burn them, did you?’ Paul said.

‘Just took them out of the oven,’ Peta said innocently. ‘They’re only slightly scorched.’

‘I knew I should have made you drive,’ Paul grumbled, heading into the kitchen.

Peta stood in front of John and made a clumsy curtsy. ‘Uh … welcome home, my Lord. I’ve put all the documents out here on the table; I hope that’s acceptable.’

John studied the papers without looking at her. ‘Yes, most acceptable.’

‘That’s his way of saying thanks and good job,’ I said, and added in a stage whisper, ‘You’ll get used to him being rude. It’s part of the whole god bullshit thing.’

‘What she said,’ John said, unfazed. Then he looked at Peta and smiled, changing his expression from intimidating to warm and kind. ‘Emma’s told me you do a good job, and that’s good enough for me.’ He turned back to the papers. ‘Dismissed.’

‘That’s his way of saying thanks and he doesn’t need you any more,’ I said.

John glared at me. ‘I am speaking in English, aren’t I?’

‘No,’ Simone said. ‘You’re speaking in Rude To The Staff.’

He shrugged. ‘I’m a god. It’s allowed.’

‘We’ll see about that,’ I said. I kissed Peta on the cheek. ‘Everything’s sorted now. It’s good to see you again.’

Paul came out of the kitchen. ‘Next time you’ll be the one to drive the boss around. Those scones are ruined, I’ll have to make a new batch. Do you want some of the wrecked ones anyway, Simone?’

‘No, thanks,’ Simone said. ‘I never sleep on airplanes and that flight was awful. I nearly got out and walked, and then all this happened. I need a nap, but keep the scones warm for me, okay?’

‘Deal,’ Paul said.

‘Do you need a hand with your stuff?’ Peta said, gesturing towards the bags.

‘No need, but you might like to come up with me, I have gifts for you guys,’ Simone said. She took her bags up the stairs, Peta accompanying her. ‘We have two more coming — Leo and Franklin. We were attacked in the cemetery.’

‘Are you all okay?’ Peta said.

‘No, it was awful,’ Simone said, and her voice cracked. ‘I’ll tell you about it upstairs.’

Paul watched them go. ‘Poor kid. Wait a minute — how much can Simone bench press?’

‘’Bout the same,’ John said, flipping through the documents. ‘I swear Gold has the worst handwriting of any Shen on any Plane.’

‘Only after you,’ I said.

‘Conceded,’ John said. He glanced at Paul. ‘Bring a pot of Earl Grey and a bowl of noodles to my study. I take it Leo is in the room next to Simone’s?’

‘Master Leo and Prince Martin usually share that one,’ Paul said.

John nodded. ‘Of course. This time it’s just Leo.’

‘What about Franklin?’ I said.

He was studying the documents again and answered without looking up. ‘He’s going in the basement.’

‘The hell he is.’

He still didn’t look up. ‘I’ve known Franklin several hundred years longer than you have. He needs to go in the basement.’

‘You can’t do this to him. Franklin’s been a Retainer of the House for centuries. This is wrong.’

John dropped the documents, came to me and put his hands on my shoulders, gazing into my eyes. ‘I don’t want to do it, but it must be done. And Franklin would not sleep anywhere else even if you ordered him.’ He turned to Paul, still with his hands on my shoulders. ‘Prepare the basement … room … for him, then give me the keys.’

‘So that’s what it’s for,’ Paul said with wonder. ‘The first time I saw it, it scared me to death. Now I’m kind of glad it’s there.’

‘I’m not,’ I said, and took my bags upstairs. ‘I’m having a nap too. If I’m not awake in a couple of hours, wake me.’

‘How much can she bench press?’ Paul asked John.

‘She’s very ordinary. Best she can lift is about two hundred and fifty kilograms,’ John said.

‘Five hundred pounds?’ Paul said, astonished.

‘Very ordinary.’

After we’d all woken up, Leo and I left John going over the documents with Peta and took Simone for a walk down to Hyde Park. The minute we passed through the gates, Simone took off, running between the trees like a small child, chasing the squirrels.

‘One day she’ll catch one and she won’t know what to do with it,’ I said as we strolled under the trees and watched her.

‘I’d like to see that,’ Leo said, his voice hoarse with emotion.

‘Are you okay?’ I said.

‘More than okay. Here we are.’ He raised his hands slightly. ‘I can’t believe we made it.’

‘Not out of the woods yet,’ I said, indicating Simone. Then: ‘Holy shit, that’s a demon.’

It was in the form of a small boy of about ten years, and racing towards her from behind so she hadn’t seen it. We ran to cut it off. The demon got to her before we did, but it didn’t attack; it fell face down on the grass behind her. Simone jumped, turned and stared down at it. Leo summoned his sword, the Black Lion, and stood over the demon, but Simone put her hand on his arm to stop him.

‘Protect me, I am yours,’ the child said to Simone.

‘Trick,’ I said.

‘Let’s see if it can take the Pill,’ Leo said. ‘Stand up for her to complete the process,’ he ordered the demon.

It rose and stood in front of Simone. Leo cut it in half at waist height, and it exploded into demon essence.

‘Geez, Leo, you could have given me some warning,’ Simone said. ‘I’m covered in demon essence — I need to change my clothes. I’ll meet you back at the house.’

She disappeared.

‘Maybe Western demons turn differently and can obey more than one person?’ Leo said as we walked back to the house.

‘I don’t really think that’s possible,’ I said. ‘A demon that turns gives itself to an individual and obeys them only.’

Another small boy ran towards us. We readied ourselves, then relaxed when he came closer and we realised he was human.

‘I trust that nobody can see your sword,’ I said to Leo, watching as the boy’s mother caught up with him and scolded him for running away.

She looked up at us and her face filled with concern. She grabbed the child and hurried away.

‘Ah, dammit,’ Leo said, and dismissed the sword. ‘Wonderful. She’ll tell the first policeman she sees and they’ll be looking for us.’

‘They’ll never find us in the crowd,’ I said. ‘She can’t possibly give an accurate enough description of the two of us; we’re completely inconspicuous.’

‘We should have brought Martin, then we’d be totally invisible,’ Leo said. He put his hands in his pockets and kicked at the autumn leaves.

I linked my arm in his. ‘Buy him something special while you’re here. You can look forward to seeing his face when you give it to him.’

Leo stopped for a moment, then raised his face to the red-orange trees and breathed deeply. ‘That’s an excellent idea.’ He started walking again, dragging me by the arm. ‘Come on, let’s grab some cash and go shopping.’

‘I didn’t mean right now!’ I said as he pulled me back towards the house.

John and Peta were in the study with Simone, and they called us in before Leo could drag me away to the shops.

‘Just need your thoughts on the plan,’ John said to me. ‘And your information on where these big houses are.’

They had a large map of northwest Wales spread out on the desk and I moved closer to see it.

‘Daddy says flying would be a waste of time. The airport’s so far away we could drive there faster,’ Simone said. ‘How primitive is that?’

‘You’ve never lived anywhere except Hong Kong,’ I said. ‘In some places driving is more efficient.’

‘Maybe I should do a gap year and spend some time outside Hong Kong,’ she said.

‘What’s a gap year?’ John said.

‘Never mind, we’re discussing this.’ I pointed at the map, then looked around for a marker pen and drew a circle around a landmark. ‘This is the manor that belonged to the lord of the island of Anglesey, here next to the ocean.’ I circled another area. ‘And there’s another big house up here, near the beaches.’

Simone shivered. ‘Beaches in a cold place like this.’

‘Many people can’t afford to spend their holidays in luxury resorts,’ John said, eyeing her sharply. ‘Maybe you should spend a year between high school and university trying to survive and travel on your own income.’

‘That’s what a gap year is,’ Simone said, amused. ‘Are those the only two big houses?’

I shrugged. ‘Seem to be.’

‘We will pay them a small, quiet visit,’ John said. He studied the map, then pointed. ‘It says this is a castle?’

‘Ruined, ’ I said. ‘I did some research on that one: it’s uninhabitable. All that remains is the shell of the stone walls; the roof’s gone.’

‘We will go there anyway.’ He rolled the map up. ‘We’ll leave the day after tomorrow; I’ll drive us up in the van. It’s a shame we’ve lost Ben and Tom …’

Simone dropped her head and gasped.

‘People die, Simone,’ he said, ‘even though we do our best to defend them.’

‘I know,’ she said, her voice thick. ‘I just really liked Tom.’

‘How much?’ he said sharply.

She looked up to glare at him. ‘Well, I wasn’t madly in love with him, if that’s what you’re thinking,’ she said defiantly, ‘but I really liked talking to him. We had a lot in common.’ She wiped her eyes. ‘He died, and he was only a year older than me.’

‘You have the opportunity to learn the secrets of Immortality, See Mun, take it,’ John said, his tone gentle. ‘Learn from me.’

‘And watch people around me die for the rest of my long existence?’ she said sadly. ‘Maybe I don’t want that.’

‘Of course you do,’ he said, slipping a rubber band around the map. ‘Peta, would you want Immortality?’

‘Only if Paul achieved it as well,’ Peta said without hesitation.

‘See?’ Simone said.

Leo tapped on the open door. ‘Are you all done? Because I want to borrow Emma.’

‘Go with them and help Leo buy something for your brother,’ John said to Simone.

He focused on her for a moment and she concentrated back, then nodded.

‘Not allowed,’ I said. ‘Talk out loud.’

‘I just asked her to keep an eye on you, Emma,’ John said. ‘And you please keep an eye on her. I have paperwork to attend to — Leonard is coming to sort out the deeds with me.’ He nodded to Leo. ‘Lion.’

‘My Lord,’ Leo said, then grinned at us. ‘Put some walking shoes on, ladies, we’re going to White City.’

‘Oh geez,’ I said softly as I followed him down the stairs.

We were laughing as we climbed the stairs from the basement carrying all the shopping bags. Simone stopped and concentrated. ‘Dinner’s ready, we should go straight there.’

‘Good, I’m starving,’ Leo said.

We stacked the shopping bags against the wall and headed to the dining room. John and Franklin were seated at the table, along with my sister’s ex-husband, Leonard, who acted as our UK lawyer.

‘Good, you’re here,’ John said. ‘Someone make Paul and Peta sit with us. They seem to think they’re not part of the family.’

Peta came in and placed a dish covered with a warming lid on the table. ‘And I’ve kept saying that it’s not because of that; it’s because the princesses were late and we had to keep their food warm for them.’

Simone put her hands on her hips. ‘And what’s wrong with being a princess?’

‘Nothing,’ Leo said. ‘I’m Princess Leo for the rest of the night. I deserve a promotion.’

‘Exactly,’ Peta said.

‘Come and sit with us and I’ll tell you what I bought, Princess Peta,’ Simone said.

‘As soon as we bring the rest of your food up,’ Peta said, and went out.

‘Leonard, do you know Franklin?’ I said as I filled my bowl.

‘My family have known about Franklin since we were first retained. I think it’s close on three hundred years,’ Leonard said.

‘They’ve been a huge help in my dealings with the local council,’ Franklin said. ‘The number of times they’ve stopped my house from being torn down and the cemetery redeveloped — well.’ He raised his glass of water to Leonard. ‘I appreciate it. Thank you.’

‘Still couldn’t get around the compulsory visibility vest and OH&S nonsense,’ Leonard said. ‘If we could get you out of that, it would be a miracle worthy of His Lordship here.’

‘Not even I can overcome the dark forces of Occupational Health and Safety,’ John said, his voice deep and powerful.

Leo gaped at him.

‘What?’ John said.

‘I don’t know which is more scary,’ Simone said. ‘Him having a sense of humour or him being dark and grim all the time.’

‘I like to think I’m scary either way,’ John said with satisfaction.

After dinner, we went down to the basement to sort out Franklin’s sleeping arrangements.

Franklin studied the MG with interest. ‘I hope you’ve been taking that out for runs. It’s far too special to be left locked up down here.’

‘So are you,’ I said.

Franklin smiled. ‘It’s for the best, believe me, Miss Emma.’

He followed John to the corner, where a three-metre-square cell had been constructed. Three of the walls were brick and concrete, the fourth was iron bars from floor to ceiling. It looked like a medieval dungeon, complete with manacles chained to the wall.

I pointed at the chains. ‘You do not need to use those.’

‘No, I don’t,’ John said, and unlocked the door.

Franklin bobbed his head, went inside and looked around with satisfaction. ‘Hasn’t changed at all, and thank your manservant for bringing my little bag in here.’ His expression changed. ‘Um … have you had a power point fitted? I need to plug in my laptop to check my email. Does the house have wi-fi?’

‘I’ll find you an extension cable and give you the password for the wi-fi,’ John said. ‘Use it as much as you like. How’s the phone signal down here?’

Franklin pulled a mobile phone out of his pocket. ‘One bar.’ He touched the phone to the bars of the cell. ‘Ah, there we go, two bars … plenty.’

‘You are far too intelligent and self-controlled to need this,’ I said.

Franklin moved closer to the bars and fixed his dark eyes on me. ‘You say that now, madam, but you are powerful and smell fresh and full of life. And in the middle of the night, if I was in a guest room, I don’t think I would be able to resist you.’

I gestured towards John. ‘He would destroy you in his sleep.’

John closed the door of the cell and turned the key. ‘That is why he’s in here.’

Franklin bowed slightly to him. ‘I thank you, my Lord. Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll get some sleep.’ He changed to True Form and flopped to lie on the bed. ‘And please don’t forget that extension cord — I have a lovely little thing in Russia that I email all the time. She thinks I will send her a lot of money so she can come here.’

‘She’s a fifty-year-old man,’ I said.

He chuckled. ‘My favourite flavour.’

Upstairs, John went to find an extension cable. Leonard was still sorting through the documents in the office, chatting with Leo and Simone.

‘You should be gone already,’ I said.

‘Having too much fun here,’ he said. ‘Actually, I was wondering if you’d like to walk down the street for a pint and share family stories? I know a fabulous little pub just two blocks away — how about it?’

‘I’d love to,’ I said. ‘Just let me get a jacket. Leo? Simone?’

‘I’ll come too, just to keep an eye on you,’ Leo said.

‘If you don’t mind, I’ll skip it,’ Simone said. ‘I hate the taste of beer. I’m taking a book to bed.’

‘You’re too young to be drinking beer!’ Leo said, shocked.

‘I’m nearly eighteen, that’s the drinking age here,’ Simone said. She pushed Leo playfully. ‘You don’t know everything about everything, Mister Immortal.’

‘I don’t know anything about anything,’ Leo said. ‘Go to bed, Simone.’

She put her arms up and he bent so she could hug him and kiss him on the cheek. They squeezed each other affectionately, and she went out.

The cool autumn air on the street was invigorating. The pub was one of Leonard’s favourites: a genuinely old establishment, with softly glowing brass and dark wood fittings worn smooth from many years of use. Leo sat at the bar and people-watched while Leonard and I shared a booth. He had beer and I had a mineral water.

‘He doesn’t need to sit there, you know,’ Leonard said, indicating Leo with his glass.

‘He knows we have family in common that we want to share,’ I said.

Leonard studied his lager. ‘That we do.’ He looked up at me and his intelligent features were subdued. ‘Do you hear much from them?’

‘I get an email about once a week. They all seem to be doing well.’

‘The boys email me,’ Leonard said. He shrugged and turned the glass in his hands. ‘Jen doesn’t. I guess she’s too busy with her new life.’

‘Andrew’s coming along; it’s good to hear he’s back at school,’ I said. I felt a shot of remorse; everything Andrew had suffered was because of me.

‘Don’t blame yourself,’ Leonard said, seeing my face. ‘We had a wonderful time living on the Celestial Plane. It was a perfect life. Things happen. I just …’ He ran the back of his hand over his tear-filled eyes. ‘I miss the boys, you know?’

‘I miss them all.’

He took a big gulp of beer. ‘Jen used to drive me nuts. Nothing was ever good enough, everything had to be perfect — her version of perfect. And now I don’t know what to do without her.’ He sniffled, pulled a handkerchief out of his pocket and wiped his nose. ‘How am I supposed to compete with a god?’

‘Come and live on the Mountain with us,’ I said. ‘We’re losing our legal advisor; Gold’s resigned to be a full-time parent. He and his wife are moving to Hong Kong so she can pursue a law degree and take over from him when she’s qualified.’

‘She wants to do that after seeing what Gold puts up with?’

‘She says anything’s better than being stuck at home with the twins. She hates it, even with domestic help; and he loves being with the kids, so they decided to swap. It’ll take her a few years to attain her degree, so we’re without a good full-time lawyer until she does.’

‘Thanks for the offer, Emma, but …’ Leonard smiled slightly at his beer. ‘It’s all a little too Chinese for me up there, you know? No good curries, no good lager, all the buildings are so … pointy.’ He shrugged. ‘And I have parents and a sister here who need me. But I really do appreciate the offer.’

‘Anyone new in your life?’ I said.

He shook his head. ‘I’ve done my dash, I’ve had my family, that’s all for me.’ He gulped his beer. ‘It was inevitable, really; Jen and I’d been drifting apart for a while. I was wrapped up in my work, she was wrapped up in hers — and then Greg shows up, all glowing and powerful. How am I supposed to compete with that?’

‘I hope you find someone, Leonard. You’re far too good a person to be left alone and sad like this.’

‘Ah, you’re very kind, Miss Donahoe,’ he said. He checked his watch. ‘I promised Mr Chen I wouldn’t keep you out too long — oh.’

Leo had come to the booth. I wriggled over to let him sit next to me.

‘John says we should be getting back, Emma.’ He nodded to Leonard. ‘Sorry, man.’

‘What?’ I said. ‘Since when did he think he could order me home like a teenager?’

‘Something has him seriously spooked,’ Leo said. ‘He’s been checking with me constantly the whole time we’ve been here. He’s been driving me nuts. It’s all I can do to stop him from coming down here and guarding you himself.’ He tapped the table with the bottom of his glass. ‘He was doing it while we were out shopping, but now it’s dark he’s ten times worse. He ordered me to tell you to come home.’ He turned to Leonard. ‘As a sworn Retainer, if he orders me to do something, I have no choice but to obey.’ He ran one hand over his bald head. ‘It’s not like him to pull rank on me like this though. I have to wonder what the hell’s going on?’

‘Has anything happened back at the house?’ I said.

Leo silently contacted John, then shook his head.

‘That telepathy business is so useful,’ Leonard said.

‘Mobile phones do exactly the same thing without the invasion of privacy,’ Leo said. He stiffened. ‘He’s doing it again!’

‘Can’t you block him?’ Leonard said.

‘Not as long as I’m a Retainer.’ He nudged me with his elbow. ‘Save me, Miss Donahoe. Please rescue me from the big bad man.’

‘I will,’ I said grimly. ‘Tell him he’s getting an earful when I get home.’

Leo concentrated, then grinned broadly. ‘Oh, now he shuts up.’

‘Go home to your man, Emma,’ Leonard said. ‘Treasure what you have with him.’

‘Don’t worry, I do.’

We all rose, and Leonard shook Leo’s hand.

‘Remember, I want an invitation to your wedding, sir. The two of you are an example of devotion that many of us should strive to emulate, and I want to be part of the celebration.’

‘I’ll make sure of it,’ Leo said. ‘But unless the Jade Emperor changes his mind, the best we’ll ever have is a half-assed piece of paper saying we’re in a relationship.’

Outside the pub, Leonard hailed a passing cab. He waved goodbye as it drove off.

Leo linked his arm in mine and we walked through the cool autumn evening.

‘Thinks he can order me home, does he?’ I grumbled under my breath.

‘Let him have it,’ Leo said, amused.

We passed an all-night pharmacy, its lights still bright.

‘I need to get something really quickly,’ I said. ‘Can you wait out here for me?’

‘Sure,’ Leo said, and leaned on the window, sticking his hands in his pockets. He hadn’t moved when I came back out a few minutes later.

‘Got everything you need?’ he said.

I nodded. ‘Let’s go home. It’s been a very long day.’

‘That it has.’

John was waiting for us in the entrance, his hair a bedraggled mess. He looked like he’d been pacing in circles. I glared up at him.

He shrugged. ‘There’s something I need to tell you.’

My heart fell. ‘What’s happened?’

‘Nothing. Nothing’s happened.’ He gestured helplessly. ‘Come upstairs, we need to talk.’

‘Do you need me any more?’ Leo said.

‘Dismissed,’ John said, and turned to go up the stairs, his shoulders hunched.

Tell me later if you can, Leo said.

I nodded and followed John.