Kylie Chan: The Gravity Engine

‘Look, Enzio,’ Michael said with exasperation. ‘You know what? Clarissa was twenty times the financial manager that I will ever be, and you treated her like shit because she’s a woman. I’m not coming back.’

‘I never treated her badly, Michael, that’s all in your mind. Young Clarissa was talented, yes, but she didn’t have the aggression , the hunger , that you have. I can offer you a serious pay rise, much better than anything your father can—’

Michael cut him off. ‘Enzio, you sexist piece of shit? Go find something long, hard and sharp, and stick it a very long way up your ass, and while you’re at it, never call me again.’

Enzio’s voice gained a cruel edge. ‘You’re more man than that, aren’t you? Look at you, a slave to a woman, pussy-whipped into submission by a little—’

‘Fuck. You.’ Michael slammed the phone down and raced out to the garden.

He threw himself to sit on the same bench and tried to calm his breathing as he waited. He didn’t pretend to read a book; either she would see him and approach, or… He didn’t think about the rest.

The carer wheeled her into the garden and his heart leapt. She saw him; their eyes met. She looked up to speak to her carer and he felt even more excitement. She frowned slightly and spoke again, and the carer replied. The carer wheeled her out of the garden and he slumped with disappointment.

Okay. He had plenty to do. Plenty. Busy. He needed to keep busy. He teleported back to his office and sat behind his desk. He fiddled with the spreadsheet but the numbers didn’t mean anything. He shoved the keyboard away, put his arms on the desk and rested his head on them. This was the third time he’d lost her.

He heard a metallic clatter outside his office, and rose to see what was happening. He stopped with shock when he saw that Clarissa was attempting to wheel herself into the building, her clawed hands having difficulty gaining traction on the wheels as she tried to push herself through the doorway. She hadn’t seen him; she was concentrating on coming through the door, hitting the frame with a metallic rattle with each attempt.

‘Um…’ he said.

She glanced up and saw him, and her expression went stern. ‘Why are you just standing there? Help me!’

‘Can I give you a push?’

‘Of course you can,’ she said, releasing the wheels to wave one hand furiously at him. The wheelchair rocketed backwards and he raced to stop it, then took the handles and pushed it into his office.

‘Stop here,’ she said at his desk. ‘I need to talk to you.’

He parked her at his desk then stood in front of her. He studied her gaunt lines and fragile skin, and loved her even more. Her soft fragrance filled the air and he cursed his half-tiger senses. It would kill him to say goodbye.

‘She argued with me when I asked her to take me to you, she said you’re the reason I’m like this.’

‘She’s right,’ he said.

Clarissa held her hand out and he hesitated. She pushed it at him, and he took it.

Everything went completely still for a moment as he stood dazed and dazzled by her touch.

She leaned her weight on his hand and he held her as she pulled herself up to stand on her own. Her smile widened as she quivered with the effort of standing, grasping his hand with all her might.

She lost her balance and he grabbed her other hand before she could topple. She lowered herself to sit in the chair, still holding both his hands, and he knelt on one knee in front of her.

‘I did it,’ she said, her voice full of triumph.

‘You did,’ he said.

She pulled at his hands and he moved closer. She closed her eyes and remained unmoving for a moment. She released his hand, slipped it behind his head, and pulled him in so quickly that he was kissing her before he knew what was happened. He stiffened with shock, then fell into the chasm of joy that was the feeling of being with her again. He put his arms around her and held her as she massaged the back of his head and ran her fingers through his hair. Her hand slipped onto his cheek and she pulled back to see him, her eyes full of doubt.

‘I probably can’t have children,’ she said.

‘I don’t care,’ he said.

‘You’re Immortal and I’m just a weak and mortal human.’

‘I don’t care.’

‘I’ll be permanently disabled, I’ll never be as strong as I was—’

‘Clarissa, my love.’ He cut her off. ‘I don’t care . All I care about is you, and I want to be with you. Always.’

‘Are you really sure, Michael?’

‘I’ve never been more sure of anything. I want to be with you for the rest of your life. Do you still want to be with me?’

She took a deep breath and her eyes sparkled with tears. ‘Always.’

He kissed her again and tasted her tears, and something rang like a great bell deep inside him. This was the real Clarissa. This was her. There was no doubt.

She rested her forehead on his. ‘Always.’ She pulled back to smile into his eyes. ‘Hey.’

‘Hmm?’

‘I’ve really missed flying. Take me out, please?’

‘What, right now?’

She nodded.

He picked her up out of the chair like a child and carried her out of his office. She put her arms around his neck and smiled, the tears running down her face.

‘Hold on tight!’ he shouted, and shot straight into the air.

She shrieked with delight, and the skies of the Heavens rang with her peals of laughter.

SMALL SHEN

Standalone graphic novel illustrated by QUEENIE CHAN

BLACK SCALES WHITE FUR

XUAN WU SAGA DARK HEAVENS

White Tiger

Red Phoenix

Blue Dragon

JOURNEY TO WUDANG

Earth to Hell

Hell to Heaven

Heaven to Wudang

CELESTIAL BATTLE

Dark Serpent

Demon Child

Black Jade

Copyright © 2014 Kylie Chan

Cover image by Madeleine Chan, photo from iStockphoto