I nod and take my empty food tray to the guard at the door. I can see the stairs at the end of the hallway. It is tempting to run, but there are more soldiers upstairs. I would not get far. If only my wings would sprout. If I could make it aboveground, I could fly away.
Is that why Master Han keeps me below ground?
“You’ve learned a new word.” He steps closer to the wall and nods with approval. “Gratitude.”
Angry fire simmers in my belly. Should I be grateful I am a prisoner? I could blast fire at Han and all his soldiers. I could make them writhe in agony while I escape.
My skin grows hot with disgust. I have killed before. Sometimes I wake, drenched with sweat, for the memory seeps into my dreams and burns the brand of murderer onto my soul. I breathed fire on Lord Liao and his soldiers when they sought to bring the demon, Darafer, back from hell.
My actions solved nothing. Darafer still came. He was the one who captured me and brought me to Han. He boasts that I will kill again but from now on, he and Han will choose my victims. I will be trained to submit, Darafer tells me. It is only a matter of time, and he has time at his command.
I turn away from the door and the guards outside. I will not kill in order to escape. I will never kill again. For if I did, I would belong here with Han and Darafer. I would be like them. I would have surrendered to evil.
I can never surrender. Nor will I submit.
“I have good news for you.” Han walks up to me and pats me on the back. “It’s been quiet the last few nights, so I thought we’d resume your archery lessons.”
Then we would go aboveground? I nod and give Master Han a smile.
My spirits rise as he leads me up the stairs. We cross the main guardroom. The soldiers jump to attention and bow low as Master Han passes by. There are only a few officers who dare to look upon his golden mask.
Four guards rush up the last staircase and crank open the heavily sealed door. They dash outside, then one returns to report that all is clear.
Han selects a longbow and quiver of arrows, then hands them to a soldier. We ascend the stairs and emerge into a small cave. Five guards wait at the cave entrance, and five more surround us as we leave the cave.
I breathe deep of the fresh night air. The moon above is half full. When it becomes full, will I shift for the first time? Will my wings burst from my back?
I look around, my eyes quickly adjusting to the dark. We are in a semiarid region of hills and giant boulders. At the base of the hill, a dirt road extends into a dark horizon. A target has been set up across the road.
As we descend the hill, the guards spread out, leaving Han and me centered a short distance from the target.
“Do you remember the proper stance?” Han hands me the bow.
I turn my left shoulder to the target and plant my feet apart. I extend my left arm straight, my hand fisted around the bow.
“Very good.” Han hands me an arrow.
For a second, I consider slamming the arrow point into Han’s chest. But he is wearing the thick black armor over his chest. And I will not kill again.
I notch the arrow into the bowstring, pull back, and take aim. The arrow flies and hits the edge of the target.
“Not bad, son!” Han pats me on the back. “You’ll get better with practice.” He hands me another arrow.
“Master.” A soldier runs toward us and bows. “A truck is coming.”
The guards gather around us, their swords ready. Dust swirls on the dirt road as the truck zooms toward us. It comes to a halt and two men emerge—the driver and Wu Shen.
Han waves his hand to disperse the crowd of soldiers around us. They step back as Wu Shen dashes toward us.
“Report,” Han says.
Wu Shen bows quickly, then says, “I bring bad news. Camp number three failed to report in this morning. I took a unit of soldiers there, and it was empty.”
Han stiffens. “They deserted? I will hunt them down and kill them!”
Wu Shen shakes his head. “There were signs of a battle. Two dead soldiers and bloodstains on the ground. I believe the camp was attacked by the same group of vampires and shifters that have been plaguing us for months. Most probably, the survivors were taken prisoner.”
Han draws in a hissing breath and clenches his fists. “Those evil bastards! How dare they attack me!”
I step back. I have seen Master Han kill in a fit of anger. I hope he will not kill Wu Shen. The officer always looks kindly at me and asks if there is anything I need. His eyes have been sad lately. I heard the guards outside my door talk about him. He had two sons who served Master Han, and they both died at Beyul-La.
“I also received word that another camp was attacked last night,” Wu Shen continues. “There was a skirmish outside the barricade, and two soldiers were killed.”
“Dammit!” Han spins around, shaking his fists in the air. “Why do they keep persecuting me?”
I step back again. Everyone is watching Han with worried faces, afraid of what he will do. No one will notice if I call the birds.
I send out a distress signal far and wide. A hawk is first to respond. Then a pair of eagles. A host of smaller birds arrives and circles far overhead.
I am dragon, I tell them. I am Xiao Fang. Remember my name and location. Spread the news as far as you can fly. The warrior women of Beyul-La are looking for me. They will understand you.
I hear the birds chirping overhead. They are discussing which ones will go in different directions.
“We should kill those bastards!” Han continues to rant. “Where are they hiding?”