Black Jade by Kylie Chan

absolutely! All of us do.’
    You didn’t tell them? Greg said.
    I shook my head without looking away from Colin. I’d prefer they never know. It’s done and finished and I’m separate. No need to torture my family with what might have been.
    How much of his knowledge of the Arts did you gain? Greg said.
    I will never be one with the Arts as he is, and my human brain doesn’t seem capable of holding all of his knowledge, but the answer to your question is: a great deal. Don’t tell my family.
    Wait . . . do the family know you’re Immortal?
    I sighed and my shoulders slumped. That will be hard. It’s tempting to hide it completely from them — to age myself as the years pass and then pretend to die when I’m old enough — but I cannot live a lie. I hope I don’t lose them when they discover that I’ve attained Immortality, something they probably never will.
    Now you know why so many of us disappear for a hundred years after we’re Raised , he said.
    I nodded. But I don’t regret coming back. I am needed.
    â€˜You’re talking silently — I didn’t know you could do that,’ Colin said. ‘Who are you talking to? Uncle John? Can he train us?’ He lunged towards the door, then stopped. ‘Can I bring the other guys to learn off him?’
    â€˜None of you are of age yet,’ I said. ‘You need your parents’ permission.’
    â€˜And don’t look at me, I don’t count,’ Greg said.
    â€˜Dammit,’ Colin said under his breath.
    â€˜Let’s go and talk to your mother now,’ I said. ‘Then you can come back to the training room tomorrow morning, all three ofyou. I will teach you, not John; that will be much less scary for your families. Tell them that you’ll learn from me for fitness and therapy, and don’t mention that you wish to fight just yet. We’ll deal with that when you’re of age and can make that decision for yourself.’
    Colin screwed up his face and opened his mouth to protest that he wanted to learn from the Dark Lord.
    â€˜Before you say anything,’ Greg said, his voice full of warning, ‘I think there’s something you should know. Lady Emma, may I tell him?’
    â€˜Share the information with the boys only,’ I said. ‘I’ll follow to Persimmon Tree in about ten minutes and we can talk to their parents over dinner. If they accept me training the lads, I’ll see them back here first thing tomorrow morning.’
    â€˜Wah, Emma,’ Greg said.
    â€˜It will pass with time.’ I hesitated. ‘I think.’
    â€˜Does it worry you?’
    I shrugged. ‘I’m still me. There’s some of me in him too. Sometimes he loses his temper and sounds Australian.’
    â€˜Now that’s something I’d really like to hear,’ Greg said with humour. ‘Come on, Colin, I have a story to tell you.’
    â€˜Don’t tell my parents or sisters!’ I said. ‘They really don’t need to know.’
    He waved back at me without turning around.
    â€˜And thanks, Greg,’ I added more softly.
    He nodded and guided Colin out.
    More students like you. Excellent, John said with relish. I wonder which other youngsters we can round up to teach. How old is Greg and Jen’s little boy? Fathered by a powerful son of the Tiger, mothered by one of you Western Serpents . . .
    Only three years old!
    Perfect. Are they planning to have a second one? If we could use modern medical technology to overcome the obvious problem you and your sisters have with carrying girls to term —
    A breeding program? I said with fierce distaste.
    He was silent for a moment, then, And all it entails, I know. It’s just that you’re so damn powerful, Emma. The females of your line are much more gifted.
    And dangerous. Let’s work carefully with these boys as we bring out their talents, because their demon nature