Chapter One: The Black Creature

At the bottom lay a patch of black so absolute it looked like a hole burned through the suitcase. When Lu Chen reached for it, the darkness bit his glove. Its teeth did not break skin, but cold traveled up his bones. He heard a heartbeat as if it came from behind a distant door. The owner went pale. “That one isn't mine.” Lu Chen knew the difference between fear of a missed flight, fear of a fine, and fear that something might wake up. “Detain the entire case.” The man ran. As customs officers pursued him, the black hatchling crawled from its torn bag and hid inside Lu Chen's reflective vest, two dark-gold eyes peering out. Airport veterinarian Su Wanqing arrived to transfer the animals.