Page 82 of The Dragon 1

My hands shook.

Because I’d already stepped into your world and the door behind me had already quietly closed.

I looked back at Kaoru—Pinky—who leaned one shoulder against the tree and crossed his arms. That pink hair glowed in the moonlight. He looked like he wanted to wink at me again but didn’t.

Yep. Kenji is here.

I turned away and thought about what Pinky had said earlier, about my opening doors I couldn’t close.

At first, I’d figured that he meant the doors themselves were irreversible. That once I gave Kenji a gift, once I stepped intothis world, he would never let go. That I basically might stir something in him I could not un-stir.

But now I wasn’t so sure that’s what Pinky really meant.

Maybe he wasn’t talking about Kenji at all.

Perhaps, he was saying that the more I intrigued Kenji the more he would lure me into his world, to doors of power, of luxury, of a life so far-removed from my own that the doors might as well exist in separate realities.

Once opened,Iwould not be able to close those doors.

Not because Kenji wouldn't let me but becauseImight not want to.

Fuck.

The man continued to hauntingly play his instrument on the stage and my attention went to the swaying hook above it.

A woman strolled over, holding a tray. When she arrived, she placed a blue and white porcelain pitcher on the table and then two tiny blue cups. “Here you go, Ms. Palmer.”

“Thank you.”

“This is Juyondai. It has aged for three years. The flavor palate is bold with ripe dried fruits, caramel, and subtle hints of vanilla.”

“Sounds outstanding, thank you.”

She poured me a cup and stood there waiting for several seconds.

I touched my chest. “Oh, should I try it?”

Smiling, she did a half bow.

I picked up the warm cup and sipped the sake. The smooth liquid slipped into my mouth with an elegance I’d never experienced with any type of wine. The caramel soothed my tongue while the sweet taste of fruits finished the experience.

It was so light.

I almost chugged the rest of it.

Instead, I set it down so that I could have a clear mind around Kenji.

“The sake’s perfect. Thank you so much.”

She poured a little more, bowed again, and left.

I took another sip of the sake, letting the warmth trail down my throat.

Then, the wind shifted.

The air changed.

Subtle.