I reach my hand up to take the much larger hand of the man guiding me through the dusty streets of San Francisco.
“Daddy, where are we going?” I question him, but he doesn’t respond. His face is a mask of worry, lines marring his forehead, as he mutters something unintelligible to himself. “Can we walk a little slower?” I grumble. I’m only ten, and my legs are a lot shorter than my father’s. It’s almost impossible to keep up with him without breaking into a run.
“I wish we could, Jax, but we need to hurry.” My father’s eyes dart around like he’s looking for something hidden in the shadows.“It won’t be long now. You’re doing really well.”
“Okay,” I half moan but start running to keep up with my father.
Eventually, we emerge out of the slum district of the city into a more opulent looking area. The houses are big, the lawns well-manicured, and the cars all look like they’re brand new and very expensive.
“It’s just over here,” my father informs me as we head across the street.
He’s still nervously looking around him, and I wonder what for. We’ve not seen anyone since we left our home in Chinatown. We’ve been living in San Francisco with my mother’s family since we arrived here when I was eight. People often ask me and my cousins how we’re related as we look so very different, especially me with my tuft of brilliant blond hair. I stick out like a sore thumb, but I never want to live anywhere else. Everyone is a lot nicer and more friendly here than where we used to live in New York.
Eventually, we reach the biggest house on the block, and several men, wearing all black outfits, step out of the shadows like demons to stop us from going any further.
“Tell Gaozu they’ve come for him. It’s time,” my father informs them, and the men hurry to let us in the gate and escort us into the house.
We enter a grand entrance hall, and I’m so tired from running around the city after my father that I instantly climb up onto a soft-looking chair and collapse.
“Jaxon, get up,” my father orders.
He doesn’t sound angry with me but worry lines still mar his face. I reluctantly slide off the chair and stand, my feet aching in my well-worn sneakers.
Another man appears, seemingly out of nowhere. What is it with this place? They all move too silently for me. I can never be quiet. My mom always tells me I’m like a ‘bull in a china shop’. I hope she’s all right. She was sleeping on the floor when we left the house. Well, that’s what my father told me. It seems a funny place to sleep when you have a perfectly comfortable bed, if you ask me.
“He’ll see you now,” the man says.
“Thank you.” My father bows to the man, and we’re led into a highly decorated room. It’s red and gold with statues all over the place. It reminds me of some of the posh restaurants back in Chinatown. In the center of the room a man is sitting in a massive chair covered in gold, and to the right of it is a statute of a bird with fabulous wings.
“Daddy, what’s that?” I tug on my father’s hand and point to the bird.
“It’s a phoenix.” He presses his finger to his lips. “Jaxon, you have to be a good boy here. I need you to be silent unless you’re spoken to directly, and if I bow to anyone, you must do so as well. Stay close to me the entire time until I tell you otherwise.”
I don’t understand why I have to do these things, but I know my father is stressed. I shrug my shoulder nonchalantly and nod to confirm I’ll do as he has instructed.
“Thank you.” He ruffles the hair on the top of my head.
We stop in front of the chair with the phoenix, and I look more closely at the man sitting there. He’s of a similar age to my father and has a long dark beard plaited on his chin. He’s dressed in an outfit I’ve seen being worn by some people in Chinatown before, but this one is different—it looks more expensive. I know instantly this man is someone important, and when my father bows to him, I do the same.
We straighten again, and the man looks me up and down before giving me a smile. It relaxes me a little. He doesn’t seem like a bad man.
“You said they’ve found him,” the man speaks to my father.
“Yes, my wife…” My father lowers his head, and I get the sense there are unspoken words passing between the two men—I don’t know what they are, though.
I place my hand over my mouth and yawn before rubbing my eyes. It’s late at night and probably past my bedtime. After walking such a long distance, I can feel myself wavering with exhaustion, standing there. I want to sit down. There are lots of chairs around us, but my father told me to stay with him.
The man in the big chair clicks his fingers, and someone else appears from the darkness at the edge of the room and bows. “Give the boy a chair. He looks exhausted.”
“We had to make our way here on foot. I wasn’t able to bring my car,” my father explains.
I’m given a chair and climb up onto it, relieved to be able to sit down. I would usually swing my legs, but I’m even too tired to do that. I rest my head back against the soft fabric chair covering, and fighting to stay awake, I listen to what’s happening around me.
“We knew this was coming.” My father steps forward and lowers down onto his knees in front of the man in the golden chair. “I’ve served with loyalty and honor. Please, protect my son. I beg of you.”
Protect me? Why would I need protection?
“Does he understand what’s happening?” The man in the posh chair gets to his feet, and approaching my father, he places his hand on top of my father’s head.
“No, sir. My wife wanted to keep it a secret for as long as possible. We’ve been training him in the ways of the Yi Shu, though, and he’s learning the language. He’s a well-behaved boy and will be an asset to you.They can’t be allowed to take him. Please, they’ll kill him.”
I gulp.
Kill me?
I’m ten. Who would want to kill me?
“I’ve already taken a big risk getting involved in this feud. It’s not my fight, but destiny talks of a blond warrior bringing balance to our way of life. I don’t know if it’s him, but I suspect he’s been thrown into my path for a reason.” The man addresses my father before coming over to me, and I lower my head to him as he approaches.
I know I should probably slide from my chair and bow properly, but I don’t think my legs will allow me. They ache.
“Jaxon, do you know who I am?”
I shake my head. “No, sir.”
“Have you heard of the Yi Shu,”
Again I shake my head.
“I’ve not heard that word until my daddy just mentioned it.”
“We own and control most of San Francisco. We also protect the people you’re now living with.”
“Uncle Tan and Auntie Ulrika?”
“Yes,” the man confirms. “Do you remember anything of your life in New York?”
“There were some horrible men. They tried to take me from my mama and daddy. They didn’t win, though. I kicked them where it hurts.” I smile proudly.
I remember the day well. It still haunts me sometimes in my nightmares. Men broke into the school I was at and tried to take me with them, but I kicked them and ran all the way to my father. We left New York that day and came to San Francisco.