The Dragon Awakens

Chapter One

(Thank you @VHThompson for the new cover!)

She would remember this day for the rest of her life. It was autumn, her favorite time of year. She was strolling through the gardens, sipping a cup of hot apple cider, thinking about how she needed to buy a new pair of cashmere gloves when she saw him. A cold breeze brushed her cheek and she felt time slow down to a snail's pace. He was so perfect and she knew her life would never be the same again because of this boy. His perfect cheekbones, killer smile, and chestnut hair blowing in the wind. She stopped walking and stared at him in the golden light and took a slow sip of her cider. 

He was the one. The first boy she would ever kill.

She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and took off her scarf and hat and stuffed it in her bag. Within seconds she was shivering but that was the goal: to appear weak. She walked across the dead grass and it crunched under her leather boots. He was leaning over a bench talking with a group of other boys, all of them in their prep school blazers. He was facing her directly so when she walked over he immediately stood upright and straightened his tie.

"Hello," she said cherrily, wrapping her bare hands around the lukewarm cup. She shivered and was pleased he noticed.

"Uh, hi. Can I help you?" he asked, eyeing her up and down, probably looking for a symbol on her school uniform so he could place her. Figure out where she belonged in his social circle. Was she worthy enough of his attention or just another admirer, hoping to blend lines from scholarship kid to the upper class? He wouldn't find one though, she made a point not to wear her school uniform outside of school grounds.

"I think so? I was like, walking through here on my way home from some shopping," she held up a nondescript paper bag, "and I have found myself like, terribly lost. Do you think you could just show me the way out? I'm like, super directionally challenged."

All his buddies gaped at her and then at him, and he nodded, a smirk playing on his lips. He would have been stupid not to. "Yeah, yeah, of course. Uh, see you guys later." He walked up to her and gave his friends half a wave before holding out his arm for her to take. Such a gentleman, she thought. I think I'll be kind to you.

"So where is it you're trying to get to?" he asked, looking down at her petite frame. She was about average height and thin, which made her deceptively weak. It usually worked to her advantage like it was right now. Small, weak girl lost in the park turns to smart, strong guy to save her. Classic story. Works every time.

"Silver Heights?" she asked with a sheepish smile. Not anywhere near where she lived, but by the surprised look in his eyes, she knew it was his. All of his type lived in that area so it hadn't been hard to narrow it down really. Her instructions came with a basic profile and all she had to do was fill in the rest. It didn't matter how, she just needed to get the job done.

"Hey, that's where I live! How come I've never seen you before?" he asked and she gave a nonchalant wave of her hand that would send a gentle waft of her perfume into his nose. It was jasmine and apple blossoms, her favorite.

"Oh, I've been away for a while at boarding school and my parents are always traveling." They entered the neighborhood, passing through the wrought-iron side gate and under the oak trees that were a rainbow of colors. A breeze rustled the leaves and a few of them filtered down onto the sidewalk. She shivered again and he noticed, pressing himself closer to her side.

"Hey, why don't you come in for a warm cup of tea or something?" He gestured up to one of the brownstones the city had quartered off to "preserve history." She loved these houses and their stories, and the new ones that would be crafted inside them. One of which she would help create.

"That sounds great." She gave him a warm smile and he lead her down the street and through an ally before walking up to his house and pressing in the code that opened the door with a soft click. These houses might look old on the outside, but everything about them from the plumbing to the refrigerators was completely state-of-the-art. He lead them down the wood paneled hallway that smelled faintly of cigar smoke and into the kitchen that looked like it had come straight out of a magazine. 

"Please, have a seat," he gestured to the stools at the marble counter and she sat delicately, crossing her knees to show off her long legs; one of her best features.

"I really appreciate you walking me here. What did you say your name was?" she asked as he set two mugs on the counter. He turned to get the kettle and she leaned forwards and dropped a powder in his mug that she had hidden inside one of her rings. He didn't notice the powder as he poured in the tea. And he wouldn't as he took a sip, and then downed the whole glass.

"Ben," he answered with a smile.

"Ben," she smiled and took a sip of her tea. "It was a pleasure to meet you."

"And what was your again?" he asked, pouring himself another cup of tea. The sunlight filtering in behind him created a halo around his head and she had to refrain from rolling her eyes at the irony. He was anything but an angel. But then again, neither was she.

"Mulan."