Chapter One: The Black Creature

The hatchling inhaled. The words charred, curled off the screen, and became red sparks in its mouth. A silver line appeared on its forehead. Lu Chen's thumb froze above Su Wanqing's number. The creature looked up and spoke in a young, perfectly clear voice. “At last I have found you, Gatekeeper.” Outside, an aircraft without a flight number crossed the sky in silence. At the same moment, Baggage Carousel Three—disconnected for two years—lit up green.