PROLOGUE
Thick ebony smoke drifted towards the gloomy sky, the snake-like wisps of air dancing on the cool winter breeze. Angry flames of blazing orange and yellow raged on, swallowing up everything in their path like a vicious beast.
Screams rang out around her. Humans ran for cover, their panic stricken faces turned towards the heavens, desperate for some form of salvation.
A massive shadow of terrifying proportions slithered over the fleeing mortals. Ever so slowly, she lifted her gaze, awe and trepidation mixing in a violent concoction, threatening to consume her as she stood rooted to the spot.
A colossal snout with rows upon rows of razor sharp teeth appeared first as the rest of the creature’s body came into view. Mouth gaping, her throat dried up instantly, not believing the sight before her very eyes.
Wings spanning entire fields on each side spread out as it soared over them, the silver scales of its powerful body shimmering in the dim light seeping through the dense clouds. Like a river of never-ending brilliant diamonds, it circled the burning village, its long tail whipping back and forth like a lethal flail, leveling all that stood in its vicinity.
Opening its mammoth jaw, its head tilted back as a sea of pale blue fire erupted from its center, engulfing entire blocks of buildings in its wrath, turning everything to ashes in a matter of seconds.
A cry rang out, snapping her out of her daze.
She bolted for the highest tower, the one that held the sole deliverance from the evil fiend wreaking havoc on the land and its remaining inhabitants.
Fist clenching around the iron spear, her grip unrelenting as she ran up the many steps to the dragon slaying contraption, one that every village in the entire kingdom had installed as a last desperate safety measure against the mighty beasts of legends.
It was man’s only hope of ever surviving in the Land of the Kaminari, the dragons of old.
Once, many eons ago, they were ridden into battle by their distant cousins, the Raijin, lethal dragon shifters that shaped the history of the known world. Hunted down and butchered until the very last Raijin was wiped from existence, they were now only a distant memory, forever captured in the numerous heavy volumes decorating the Royal Library in the capital city of Akira.
The silver monster screeched, snapping her back to the present.
She lunged over the last few steps, sliding as a ball of fire exploded over her head. Pulling herself up, she pushed the spear into position, locking it in as she took aim.
The beast circled back, its mighty wings flapping in the wind.
She stood unmoving, counting the seconds, her hands gripping the lever as she held her breath.
Come on, come on.
As if hearing her thoughts, its head snapped around, its eyes locking on her. It roared, diving for the tower and the mortal that would bring about its eternal doom.
All sense of self-preservation abandoned her as she pulled the latch, the weapon exploding from itsconfinement, flying through the air at the magnificent creature charging straight at her.
It lifted its head, its powerful wings spread out wide as it opened its jaw, hovering in midair.
The spear blazed forward at the speed of light, hitting it straight on, lodging itself under the dragon’s left wing, right above its monstrous heart.
Time stopped. The creature screaming into the approaching night, its pains of agony spreading across the land as it plummeted to the cold ground.
CHAPTER
1
“Two pints of beer, and make it quick.”
She turned around to the gruff voice, shooting the middle-aged warrior a quick glance before pouring him his order. “A little early to be getting drunk.” The clunk of glass echoed around them as she placed thedrinks on the counter, her curious gaze traveling over the man’s substantial form.
Rich brown curls reaching broad shoulders in cobalt blue military garments framed a stern face, the features rough yet welcoming. A ragged narrow scar cut across the male’s nose, his chocolate brown eyes locked on her as she inspected him from across the bar. A neatly trimmed beard covered his square jaw, its dark shade a perfect contrast to his toffee colored lips.
A moment of silence passed between them. “I’m looking for someone.” He took a sip. “Perhaps you can help me.”
Squinting, she appraised him once more. A pair of gold rings shimmered on his left hand, the royal insignia of the horned phoenix like a stamp of superiority and indisputable homage to his high rank.
“What business does the Captain of the King’s Guard have in this desolate village?”
