Seraphina
London's air was still as thick as it comes, and the skies were ever grey. But none of that mattered. Today was another exhibition. One I had spent weeks planning. Not even London's weather would stop me from hosting.
I watch Valentine walk hurriedly towards me with glee in her eyes.
"Dr. Sarah."
"Val," I replied, hanging the last of the paintings with me.
"The last piece has been delivered," she said. "I didn't think they'd deliver it on time, but they did. And…we need you to inspect the paintings before we put them up."
A smile stretched my face and I nodded. We made our way to my private inspection room. Val unveiled the painting before leaving me to my devices.
I liked to double check every piece that comes into the museum, and everyone knew it. It's also why we owned the most successful antique house/museum.
I listen for the door shutting, and let the other part of me out. I feel my eyes shift to slits a little, and glow. I pulled my gloves snuggly against my wrist and approached the painting. I scanned for any sign of tampering.
I spent ten minutes studying the painting before nodding in satisfaction.
This wasn't what I planned on doing when I stumbled into the human world centuries ago, but after doing so many occupations, I finally found one I really liked. I wasn't quite letting my other self out, but using my powers even for little stuff like this makes me happy.
I head out to the main building and instruct the other guys where to hang the piece. Last minute arrangements were made, and everything was set into place.
I felt my scent start to seep out a little and quickly ran to the bathroom. Humans will start making their way in real soon, and if I don't hide my pheromones, I could attract the wrong kind of attention. I layered scents from my purse to mask my scent.
I began my routine. Layering scents was an art form. Four pumps of lavender to calm my nerves, the pumps of vanilla to mask my dragon scent, scented oils on all my pulse points. The smell of my little concoction filled the air and I gave a small nod of satisfaction.
Leaving the bathroom only when I felt satisfied with how I smelled.
Feets shuffle in, and people slowly move about, standing in front of pieces that call to their attention with drinks in their hands. I watched celebrities with face masks trying to blend into the crowd as they embarked on their secret museum dates with their partners while I moved about explaining certain pieces to interested prospects.
The sky darkened even further and it began to drizzle by the time the exhibition came to an end. Numbers were taken down, and orders were made before they began filing out after staring at the paintings for hours.
The clock ticked down to closing hour. It was down to me and the security team. Outside the museum, a package was placed on the doorstep with my name on it but the museum's insignia.
I took it back to my office, and tore it open. Inside was a small elegantly wrapped box, and a note attached to it.
"From the hoard of Lestat the Black," it read. No further explanation.
I opened the box and a scale stared back at me. I looked around desperately. My eyes widened and I looked around to ensure no one was around. I doubt anyone knew my secret, but the scale staring back at me doesn't rule out the possibility.
I could still sense the residual power in the scale which made me reach for it. As my hand made contact with the scale, a vision hit me like a tidal wave.
A black majestic dragon soaring in the sky. Its beautiful wings spread so far apart covering a part of the sky. A tide of loneliness washed over me as the vision played out.
I dropped the scale and the vision ended. My veins pulsed with erratic energy. What does it mean? Was someone trying to tell me there were still more like me out there?
I reached for the scale again, but nothing happened. It only pulsed gently in my hand as if reminding me it was once filled with life.
Lestat the Black… I had heard whispers of the name before. The horrors and chaos he had caused in his wake.
What could he possibly want from me?
I drove to my apartment just outside London with loads of my mind. Years of living in solitude and I still wouldn't want it any other way.
I placed my keys in the bowl by the door and slid into my home slippers. After hours of reining in my scent, I could finally let some of it out in the comfort of my home, and that was what I did.
Years of living with humans, and what I appreciated the most was the bath time. The few minutes I gave to myself during bath time were always the best part of my day.
I wasn't sure what type of dragon I was and after centuries I've come to accept that I may never know.
The entire forest in these parts is entirely mine. And it helps that it's been concealed from human eyes. Can never be too careful.
I replied to a few work emails and checked out today's exhibition review after my bath. But at the back of my mind, the elephant in the room waited for me to address it. The scale.
I didn't have many means of finding out who sent it, but I knew someone who could perhaps track it down the sender for me. I sent him a message before deciding to call it a night.
I prayed for only darkness as I slept but my prayers went unanswered. My dreams have other plans. I'm surrounded by flames and my ears are filled with screams of pain.
I willed my body to move, but nothing happened. I fill my father's arms to reach for me as he carries me to safety.
I tried to yell the warnings but words won't come. All I can do is watch.
"Run far away from here, Seraphina," my father said with a sad voice. "Go on and live your life faraway from here. Be careful and be safe."
The tears started, I wailed, holding on tightly to him. I knew what was coming. He would be killed the minute he returned for my mother.
"I know you're scared little one, but I promise you it will all be okay," he mumbled, and kissed my head softly.
I saw the tears in his eyes as he pulled away from me. He studied my features, burning them into his memory one last time.
He urged me to run through the tunnel and my little legs obeyed despite wanting nothing than to return.
I ran and ran until my legs gave out and the screams died down.
I woke up to tears running down my cheeks. The memory still burned, the pain and the fear seared into my psyche like a brand.
I wiped the tears away and reached for the water on my nightstand, drinking a generous amount.
My phone rang with a notification. I read the time and location "he" had sent me.
"Obsidian bar. 8pm. Meet m "
I can't bring back my family, but I sure as hell can find out who sent me a dragon scale and why he sent them to me.