Free The Dragons of Heaven by Alyc Helms

disappeared.
    I hate it when the shadows get cheeky. Like I need the reminder that there’s some kind of sentience there.
    David Tsung slid to the floor, his groans attracting the attention of several triads who weren’t dealing with Johnny or the hawk. What I needed was another distraction. I slammed the knife against the mesh of the chow’s kennel.
    There is no skirmish that won’t be made more confusing by the addition of a large, barking dog. Especially when that dog can grow to the size of a pony, with jaws as wide as a great white’s and teeth to match.
    Utter pandemonium. I slid over to the snake’s cage and pressed the knife to it. The flash of light was almost anticlimactic amid the chaos caused by the other guardians and the flailing triads.
    â€œLet’s get you out of here. Follow me.” The snake slithered back to the box-filled hallway. I skulked behind, casting a glance over my shoulder.
    â€œShouldn’t we help?”
    Though it didn’t look like Johnny and friends needed much help now that they were free. The Triads did, but I wasn’t inclined to assist them.
    â€œThis is Chinatown business,” said the snake, leading me up the stairs. The fire door swung open of its own accord. “You should stay out of it.” And then he slithered back down the stairs to rejoin the fight.
    Ungrateful little hisser.
----
    I waited out on the street, but Johnny didn’t follow me out; he didn’t have to. As Guardian of Chinatown, he had the run of the place. Literally. He could tap in to the ley lines, or whatever it was he used, and be wherever he wanted to be within the confines of the Dragon Gates. It was akin to my connection with the Shadow Realms. Except a lot cooler. And safer.
    So I went back to the kwoon , let myself in, and waited.
    It was a long wait. I tidied the equipment area, frightened dust-bunnies out from under the free-standing lockers, and tried to meditate, which had the opposite effect of what I was going for and just set me to pacing. Outside, it grew dark.
    It was a very long wait, but that didn’t stop Johnny from starting in as soon as he arrived. He burst through the door and came storming into the practice space.
    â€œYou are a special kind of stupid, Missy Masters. What were you about, coming after me? Did you even have a plan?”
    I gaped. Yelling was not what I’d expected, but I held my ground, ignoring the way he loomed over me. Johnny intimidated the hell out of me, but that was a matter of power and skill: he had more. Chest thrusting didn’t cut it with me. I had more. Barely.
    â€œThe plan was reconnaissance. I didn’t come after you. I was following some kids who turned out to be the lantern-carrying fellows. Didn’t have much else do to, since you didn’t show up for practice this morning. You’re welcome by the way.”
    Now he remembered to be a little gracious. He rubbed the back of his neck. “Thank you.”
    â€œBetter.”
    â€œEven though I’m not sure you bumbling in and freeing us was the best thing.”
    â€œWhy? What did you learn from Lao Chan?”
    â€œI didn’t learn anything from him, except that he’s even more pissed at you now.”
    â€œMe?” Shit. David Tsung had recognized me somehow.
    â€œMr Mystic. That’s who he thinks was there.” Johnny turned from me, putting away the mop and broom I hadn’t gotten around to storing myself. Classic stalling tactic. He wasn’t going to share anything else.
    I grabbed his arm. “Johnny, will you just tell me what’s going on?”
    The universe was determined to deny me the answer to that question. A crash from the street interrupted us, followed by a siren, and the whistle and crack-boom of fireworks.
    â€œWhat the hell?” Johnny pushed past me and drew the shade on one of the narrow, floor-to-ceiling windows that lined the street-facing wall of the kwoon . I