"Not just technological ones," Xaihuang added thoughtfully. "There's old magic involved, too. A hybrid approach."Sage's eyes widened. "Hybrid. Like me." She turned to the pool again, watching her reflection shift between human and something else— what if the person who made this coin did it by accident, just as she had with her stories? A human dragon hybrid that didn’t know if they were meddling in things that their dragon side opened the door to that their human side wasn’t meant to know. The thought crystallised with startling clarity, making her pulse quicken. "What if DragonCoin wasn't created by someone trying to expose dragons? What if it was made by someone like me who didn't know what they were?"Marcus's expression shifted from scepticism to alarm. "A dormant bloodline, awakening through technology instead of traditional means?""It would explain the hybrid magical-digital approach," Xaihuang mused, his bronze eyes gleaming. "And the timing. If another Convergence bloodlin
"The Convergence," Xaihuang's voice seemed to come from very far away. "She's accessing the collective memory."Strong hands gripped her shoulders, pulling her back from the coin. The visions faded, leaving her gasping and disoriented. Marcus's face swam into focus, his eyes bright with concern."What did you see?" he asked urgently."Choices," Sage managed. "Three different futures, all of them..." She trailed off, trying to process what she'd experienced. "The dragons in the visions—they weren't hiding. In any of the futures."Xaihuang moved closer, his expression intense. "Because hiding is no longer sustainable, my dear. The digital age has made concealment a losing battle." He gestured toward the pool with his cane. "Every smartphone, every wireless signal, every piece of modern technology creates interference patterns that weaken our glamour magic. DragonCoin is simply the final catalyst."Sage steadied herself against the alcove, her mind still reeling from the visions. "But if
"That wasn't a coincidence," Casey—no, Sage—whispered, watching the water with new eyes. "Did I... did I do that?""Your awakening is accelerating," Marcus said, glancing around the food court with concern. "We should continue this conversation somewhere more private."Xaihuang tapped his cane sharply against the floor. "For once, I agree with Mr. Chen. Though we differ on what should happen next.""What do you mean?" Sage asked."Marcus represents the traditionalists—those who believe we should continue hiding, continue limiting our true nature." Xaihuang's voice dropped to a silky purr. "I represent a different perspective. Why should dragons with your potential be forced to live as fast-food workers? To suppress their true nature for the comfort of humans?""Don't listen to him," Marcus warned. "Xaihuang was exiled from the Council for trafficking in dragon artifacts. He's the one who's been authenticating stolen coins for the black market.""Stolen?" Xaihuang scoffed. "One cannot
"How could you possibly—""Six months ago," Xaihuang continued smoothly. "Right around the time you started your dragon series. Right around the time of the Shimmer Incident at the tech conference downtown." His smile widened. "The same incident that revealed certain... vulnerabilities in our concealment magic when exposed to advanced digital frequencies."Marcus stepped closer to Casey, his posture protective. "Enough, Xaihuang. She doesn't need to know about the Incident.""Doesn't she? When her very existence might be connected to it?" Xaihuang's fingers drummed against his cane handle. "The timing is too convenient, Marcus. A dormant bloodline awakening just as our magical infrastructure starts failing? Just as someone launches a cryptocurrency that shares our most sacred symbols?"Casey's head was spinning. "Dormant bloodline? What are you talking about?"Marcus shot Xaihuang a warning look before turning to her. "Your family name—Ember-Brooks. It's not just hyphenated. It's a tr
"I'm sorry, sir, we only serve what's listed on our menu board," she recited, just as Tomas had instructed.The man—Xaihuang, according to the business card he suddenly produced—leaned on his cane and studied her with keen interest. "Of course, of course. How foolish of me." His fingers drummed against the carved handle of his cane, a rhythmic tapping that somehow reminded Casey of coins dropping. "Perhaps instead you could tell me about your... writing projects? I understand you're working on something quite ambitious. Dragons, is it?"Casey's hands trembled as she gripped the edge of the counter. "How does everyone suddenly know about my book?"Xaihuang's smile widened, revealing teeth that seemed too sharp. "Word travels quickly in certain circles, my dear. Especially when someone writes with such... authenticity about subjects they shouldn't understand." He paused, tilting his head. "Tell me, where do your ideas come from? Your descriptions of elemental magic are remarkably accura
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Thanks." Casey handed over her loyalty card, still distracted by the strange man. "Double shot today, please. Covering Mika's shift.""Rough," Prisha sympathised, punching in the order. "Hey, did you ever finish that dragon book you were working on? My niece is obsessed with dragons lately."Casey's attention snapped back. "Still working on it. Turns out writing a novel while working at fast food isn't the productivity hack they advertise.""Well, when you're famous, I'll tell everyone you used to order vanilla lattes here," Prisha grinned, sliding the coffee across the counter.Casey arrived at Burger Blast with five minutes to spare, nodding to Tomas, who looked relieved to see her."Thank god you're covering," he said, already untying his apron. "Saturday morning rush is about to start and we don’t have a moment to lose.”"No problem," Casey said, tying on her apron and checking that the register was properly stocked with receipt paper. "Mika feeling better?""She t