Blue Dragon. Kylie Chan

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СКАЧАТЬ and it suited us just fine. He couldn’t carry his white katana, that was too big. But he could slip the matching wakizashi, a long dagger, easily into one pocket and it was entirely invisible. He’d never been caught with it in a shopping mall or on the street, and he’d already had to use it three or four times, but not on humans. Guys still came after him, but he was a match for any human bare-handed. The weapon was for demons.

      John had suggested that Michael be armed at school and we’d had a huge argument about it, me and Michael both firmly against it. If he was caught with it in the changing room or at the lockers he’d be in serious trouble.

      The bell on the shop door rang and Kitty Kwok wandered in, as casual as anything, and strolled up to the counter.

      ‘Michael, have a careful look around right now,’ I said loudly.

      There was silence from the changing room. Then: ‘Nothing,’ Michael said. ‘Any problem, Emma?’

      I went to the curtain and spoke quietly. ‘Mrs Simon Wong just walked in.’

      ‘Holy shit,’ he whispered over the frantic sounds of him dressing. ‘You want me to call someone?’

      ‘Check Simone,’ I said softly as he threw the curtain back and peered around.

      His eyes unfocused, then snapped back. ‘She says she’s okay.’

      ‘Are you absolutely sure there are no demons anywhere near here?’ I said.

      His eyes unfocused again. ‘None. Simone says no as well.’

      Kitty chatted with Bridget.

      ‘She may have brought humans, Emma,’ Michael said. ‘Neither of us can sense them.’

      ‘Let’s go up to Simone’s classroom,’ I said. ‘Leave the pants. Let’s go.’

      Kitty ignored us completely as we went out.

      ‘What the hell is going on?’ I said as we headed to the stairs.

      She’s following us, he said silently.

      ‘Can we take her? The two of us?’ I whispered as we went up to the second floor where Simone’s class was. Kitty wandered casually behind us.

      ‘Easily,’ Michael said. ‘She’s a perfectly normal human being with no training whatsoever.’

      ‘What the hell is she doing then?’ I hissed. ‘She’s on the run from the police right now!’

      ‘You want me to call for help?’ Michael said.

      At the top of the stairs I hesitated. ‘Let’s check Simone first.’

      Michael nodded and we both went to Simone’s classroom. I didn’t open the door; I used my Inner Eye to check inside. No demons. Michael’s eyes snapped back to focus on me; he had been doing the same thing.

      Everything’s fine, Emma, Simone said silently.

      Kitty came up the stairs behind us. Michael and I readied ourselves.

      Kitty walked right past us and tapped on the classroom door, then opened it. She ignored us completely. Michael and I shared a look. When she went in, we followed her.

      Kitty went up to the teacher and smiled. ‘I’m here to take Helen to the dentist.’

      Michael and I posted ourselves either side of the door and waited.

      ‘Sure, Mrs Ho,’ the teacher said.

      One of the little girls rose from her desk and went straight to Kitty and took her hand. Kitty turned and walked right past us out the door, the little girl holding her hand and smiling.

      Michael and I spun and followed her. Both of us ignored the look the teacher gave us.

      This is extremely weird, Michael said.

      Kitty stopped and waited for us outside the classroom. ‘This is my niece, Helen. Say hello to Miss Donahoe, Helen.’

      ‘Hello,’ the little girl said, obviously shy.

      ‘What are you going to do to her?’ I said.

      ‘I’m taking her to the dentist,’ Kitty said.

      ‘You’re not taking her anywhere.’

      ‘Go in and ask the teacher. I’ll wait for you,’ Kitty said. ‘She’s my niece. I collect her from school all the time.’

      ‘What are you up to?’

      ‘You have a problem with me taking her?’ Kitty said.

      I suddenly understood. I went to the little girl. ‘Can you give me your hand, please, sweetheart?’ I said. ‘Double-check for me, Michael.’

      Michael came up behind me as I took the little girl’s hand. As far as I could see, she was a perfectly ordinary human.

      The little girl stiffened and squeaked, her eyes wide. Then she relaxed. Michael had turned his Inner Eye on her.

      Perfectly ordinary human, Michael said.

      ‘Is this your aunty, Helen?’ I said.

      The little girl nodded without saying anything.

      ‘Oh, I’m sick of this. I’ll take her to the dentist another day,’ Kitty said. ‘Come on, sweetheart, I’ll take you back to class.’ She spun on her heel and went back to the classroom, holding the little girl’s hand. The girl glanced back at me, eyes wide, as Kitty pulled her through the door.

      We followed them. Kitty came out of the classroom and walked briskly away, passing us as if we weren’t there.

      What the hell is she up to? Michael said.

      I peeked through the classroom door. The little girl had returned to her desk as if nothing was amiss.

      I hesitated. Then I went in. ‘Can I talk to you privately for a moment?’ I said quietly to the teacher, a sweet blonde Australian woman by the name of Jo.

      Jo glanced at the class, then shrugged. I led her out of the classroom, where Michael was waiting.

      ‘Is there a problem, Emma?’ Jo said.

      ‘That woman’s on the run from the police,’ I said. ‘Underworld connections.’

      Jo inhaled sharply. ‘I didn’t know. You sure?’

      ‘Damn right I am. I know her well. Her boyfriend keeps trying to kidnap Simone.’

      ‘Is that why you’re here?’ she said, eyes wide. ‘You thought she was about to try something?’

      ‘Why’d she take Helen?’ I said.

      Jo paused, her eyes still wide. ‘That’s strange. She’s СКАЧАТЬ