The Black Dragon

By F. Carod

The Black Dragon is the first book of the saga: Acts Without Consequences.

Fostered by the Jones, but still enslaved to her past, Janny struggles to meet the standards set for her: a normal and gracious teenager her brothers expect, and a fearless leader in a life of tormenting assignments, as she trains for a position in her father’s sinister business: The Black Dragon. Janny’s conflict not only questions her sanity, but the sense of who she is.

When Janny is assigned to destroy the lives of innocents, she has to make a decision: she confronts her worst fears, endangering the people she loves, or she lives in regret forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: F. Carod
• Release date: Mar 22, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370259564

F. Carod

F. Carod is an enthusiast and a free soul. She’s passionate about learning, writing, and creating. She loves nature, animals, and people. She developed her leading and following skills in an extreme adventure park in Cancun, where she started as a receptionist at the age of 18 and years later became the park manager. She’s now a full-time writer with works written in Spanish and English, and a business and life coach. She graduated from the World Coach Institute as a Spiritual Coach, and she believes in the goodness of humanity.

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The Black Dragon

Copyright 2013 F. Carod Book One: Acts Without Consequences Saga

Published by F. Carod at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Chapter One: Digging Up Memories

Chapter Two: Training Time

Chapter Three: A New Meaning To Fear

Chapter Four: Challenges Arise

Chapter Five: Losing Focus

Chapter Six: It All Comes Down To Decisions

Chapter Seven: Unexpected

Chapter Eight: Enough Is Enough

Chapter Nine: Prepare For The Worst, Expect The Best

Chapter Ten: Playing Full Out

Chapter Eleven: Compelling Future

Epilogue

Other books by F. Carod

Connect with F. Carod

Acknowledgements

To my mother Aracely and my sister Paola, who have encouraged me and believed in me, without whom this book and my amazing life would not be possible.

Special thanks to my editor Steph, who helped me in so many ways to make this happen, and my life coach Guido, who has believed in me and from whom I’ve learned to make the impossible – possible.

Chapter One: Digging Up Memories

I’m used to being in Jason’s office constantly but not usually this late. Everybody in the school left over an hour ago. I was putting my things away in the locker, when Jason, the dean, said he had a message from Ronnie and asked me to meet him in his office.

I’ve been sitting in this chair in front of his desk for more than twenty minutes and he’s still looking at his computer screen without saying anything, the repetitive tap of his finger on the desk the only sign that he’s in the room with me.

I stare at him impatiently; Jessie and Katie are waiting for me outside to give me a ride. I take out my phone to text them: ‘Jason is stalling’.

I clear my throat to get his attention when his phone rings. He looks at me and answers his phone at the same time.

She’s with me…. Yes, of course. Right away.

So?

Training starts next week.

Training for what? I ask.

Jason stands up before he speaks. Someone told Ronnie about this military-like gym, and he wants you to take one of their programs. You will be going on more missions so he wants to make sure you are in shape. I’ll send you the address and details, but just so you know, it’s every afternoon.

That makes no sense, I train at the Company.

Weird… He lowers his eyebrows in a gesture of exaggerated confusion and walks back to his chair. Ugh! That’s right, but maybe I told him I had reasons to be worried about your condition. I mean… I’ve seen you at the gym here when you are in class.

I narrow my eyes at him. I don’t have any problems with gym class.

I know. He smiles, enjoying himself.

So you are getting back at me for…

Did you hear me saying you are going on more missions? His smile disappears.

That’s not really up to me; I don’t even want them. If you want to take my place it’s fine by me, I retort and he doesn’t respond. Obviously, it’s not up to him either. What about my brothers?

I’ll take care of that, he answers amused. I wonder what lie he’s going to tell them so I can have an alibi but I know it’s not going to be good. He loves to make up anything that gets me in trouble.

I start to leave but I stop by the door.

Jason, even if I wasn’t in your way… Ronnie wouldn’t choose you as a leader, you just don’t have it in you.

I see his hands clenching into fists and close the door behind me.

Shit, I mutter. Now the alibi is definitely not going to be good.

Sorry guys, I apologize to Jessie and Katie who are standing by Jessie’s car.

No problem… Who doesn’t want to stay longer at this place? Seven hours are not enough, Jessie says, getting into the driving seat. What did the psychopath say?

I’ll be training in the afternoons, apparently something like going to the gym, so nothing too bad.

Any reason in particular? Katie asks.

No, he’s just trying to get back at me for being Ronnie’s favorite, I wink at her.

And he couldn’t just tell you tomorrow? I don’t know how you put up with him. Jessie shakes her head as she starts the engine

I don’t have much choice, Jess. You know it’ll be worse if I don’t, and like I said, it’s not too bad.

I hate him, she retorts.

Who doesn’t? Katie adds.

Jessie drives us to Sinclair, a quiet community where we live. Most are two-story houses but some owners have built a third floor. My brothers are amongst them. Luckily no one seems to be at home when I get there.

My brothers really worry about school and I wish I could tell them the truth, but Ronnie doesn’t want them to know anything that has to do with him or the Company that he runs: The Black Dragon. And when it comes down to choosing which side I’m going to be in trouble with, Ronnie is not an option.

I finish some homework, and then look at the secret file marked with ‘assignments’ which is a file I share with Ronnie. Satisfied, after seeing there’s nothing new, I take a shower, then I go downstairs.

My brothers are already sitting at the table. George, Ethan and Ryan are talking to each other, and Brad is paying for the pizza they ordered.

Don’t worry, George says to me when I pull a face at the pepperoni pizza. We ordered a mushroom salad for you and Ryan.

Thanks, I say and sit down. We all went vegetarian three years ago but Ryan and I are the only ones to stick to that diet.

Before we start dinner, Jan, what will you do about what Jason told us? says George, crossing his arms. About you having to do these extra classes?

He didn’t call to congratulate me then? So that’s the story Jason has told my brothers so that I can do that extra training without them getting suspicious.

I regret saying that when George’s face goes red.

At least she speaks fluent sarcasm, Ryan jokes, but Ethan is the only one that laughs.

Do you get points for that?

George gives them both a look that clearly says it’s not funny. He said some teachers are having problems with you, and that’s not going to be helpful when it comes to college applications.

My grades are good.

Yeah I know that, which is why I’ll only expect an explanation from you. I think he overreacted a little.

I– I sigh. I’ll work harder. I’ve never been very good at lying but this isn’t necessarily a lie.

Good. Like I said, your grades are always good so this is just a warning: you know how serious we are about school, it’s your only responsibility. We wouldn’t want to have to do something drastic.

I want to respond to his challenge, but I’m skilled at controlling my reactions – something I’ve learned from working with Ronnie, and from the Chamber.

The Chamber is the torture room in Ronnie’s company. It’s a room with nine sets of torture devices. It’s not like the Spanish inquisition but being there doesn’t exactly qualify as vacation time. There’s a small cage, similar to a cage that dogs are transported in. There’s also a tub, which seems innocent, but fill it with ice-cold water and it stops being innocent. There’s an electric chair, and a metal table with the same purpose as the chair, meant to give you shocks. And there are six other beds like that chair, which have a cable that connects to your heart rate and pulse. They send waves of pain until you relax or lose consciousness. I’ve taken the tour there, like every other member of the Company, but I’ve also been incarcerated in there four times and I’m never going back there again.

I bring my attention back to dinner and I observe my brothers while they talk. George, Brad and Ryan have brown hair and brown eyes, and Ethan and Matt, who’s running late tonight and isn’t here yet, have blond hair. Personality-wise they are all very different: Ethan and Ryan are the crazy ones, while George, Brad and Matt are more serious. They are all very athletic; they like to stay healthy and be in good shape. On weekdays they eat very sensibly, but there’s no weekend without pizza.

What do you think of the place, Jan? Brad asks me, but I wasn’t paying attention. The restaurant? he says, lifting his eyebrows.

I think it’s amazing!

They’ve been talking about opening a restaurant for years and they’ve finally made the decision to do it. They bought a place five blocks away from here so they could avoid traffic. Brad designed it: it’s modern with gray chairs, glass tables and white walls with yellow stripes. He claims yellow is a good color to increase your appetite.

I think we should throw a party tonight, says Ryan.

What’s the occasion? asks George.

We’re going to Paris in two days! Ryan has some bits of paper in his hands and he gives one to each of us. Plane tickets. Surprise! he says, with a big grin on his face. Ethan gives him a high five.

At first we all think he’s joking but the tickets are real. Like I said, Ethan and Ryan are the crazy ones, so this is something to be expected from him.

Wait, I’m getting married soon. And what about the restaurant? George protests, but I can tell by the spark in his eyes that he’s excited.

Everything’s taken care of, man, Ryan assures him. You know how careful my planning always is.

Everyone starts laughing over that but they agree to the trip.

Wait. Is Jason going to be okay with you skipping a few days with your current grades issue, Jan? asks Ethan, worried.

No. Jan had better stay behind this time: she needs to start taking her future more seriously. She can come with us next time, George replies, shooting a warning look in my direction, implying ‘don’t say a word’.

It should really take more than that look to stop me from saying something, but I don’t argue because I know I have to stay for the training anyway, and also because I appreciate my alone time. I’m glad they’re leaving for a few days – I’ll have the place to myself. I focus on my salad that’s staring back at me like it knows I lost my appetite. I separate the mushrooms from the rest, pretending I’m listening, until I eventually tune out.

So what do you think, Jan? asks Ethan, a little anxious.

I’m sorry, I wasn’t listening. Again.

Maybe that’s why your grades are so low! Are you daydreaming in school as well? says Brad, and I’m not sure if he’s joking or serious.

There’s actually nothing wrong with my grades, I mutter.

Matt walks in as we are about to finish and he gives me a strange look.

I heard you’re staying late in school for extra classes? he says, eyeing me carefully.

That discussion was an hour ago, Matt, you’re a bit late, I say, trying to avoid the conversation. I wonder where he heard it, since it’s a lie and only Jason would know. Matt is only two years older than me, and he used to go to my school so he knows there are no extra classes. He also believes there’s something strange about Jason but I don’t think he suspects he works for Ronnie and we’ve never discussed it.

Hey Matt, Ryan just bought tickets for everyone. We’re going to Paris!

Of course he did he laughs. That’s great! When are we leaving?

In two days, says Ryan with a big smile that makes him look like a seven year old that got away with something.

Two days? he repeats astonished, and then looks at me. Don’t you have those extra classes?

I’m not going.

To those classes? he asks, full of disbelief.

Jeez, George is here, calm down.

She’s not going on the trip, George amends.

You’re staying here by yourself?

I’m not ten, I think I can handle it. I lift an eyebrow, shushing him.

I’ll stay with you – I have a big game anyway. I’ll pay you back for my ticket, Ryan.

My eyes involuntarily turn to the ceiling at his lack of trust. There goes my alone time.

No need for that. Sorry about the short notice, but you know how this goes.

Yeah, we all know about your impulsive behavior, laughs Brad.

It’s not the first time someone has bought tickets for a surprise trip. Two years ago Ethan bought us all tickets for Thailand, although only Ryan and Matt went with him, and last time Ryan bought us tickets for Disneyland and that’s the only trip we’ve all been able to go on.

Someone knocks on the door and Matt opens it. Everyone says hi to Jessie, who’s standing there.

She and Katie are my best friends and neighbors, and we go to school together. They had to face their own demons at a young age so we understand each other better than most of our peers.

Hey Jess, want to come in?

Thanks Brad, but it’s just a quick visit!

I stand up when I realize she’s not coming in and I walk to the door.

Alright, say hi to your brother for me, calls Brad from across the room.

Will do! she promises and turns to me in almost a whisper. Do you remember Tracy? She knows my brothers are always trying to eavesdrop.

Yeah. The girl from Sylstan’s.

We went to that restaurant-bar last week for my eighteenth birthday, and that’s where we met Tracy. A blonde girl with blue eyes, not very outgoing, but she didn’t seem to mind being at the restaurant by herself, and that is what caught our attention and we started talking. She was new in town, but it soon felt like she was part of the group. She wasn’t sure where she would study or what she would do here. Like us she’s graduating from college this year. Her aunt sent her here to live with her uncle because she was causing trouble back home.

It turns out she lives down the street, and she’s going to go to school with us.

You’re kidding!

Jessie waves her head. Want to go visit her?

George stops his conversation but doesn’t look at me. I know that he’s been listening.

Guys, I’ll be back in an hour, I’m going out with Jessie, I say, hurrying to the door before they get a chance to say something else about my grades.

The air feels cold outside. I blow on my hands and rub them together to warm them. My brothers are throwing a party tonight, you want to come?

Maybe. You know I’m not a big fan of their parties.

I laugh. You’re not a big fan of any party.

And you are?

Maybe, I tease.

How many parties have you gone to this year? Not counting your brothers’.

Point taken, but that’s only because George is overprotective.

Liar, you haven’t even asked him once if you could go. At school they even stopped inviting us… Not that I’m complaining.

Not true! Remember that guy? Neal, the one that sits behind me in math? I went to his party.

No, you didn’t. You stopped by for literally three minutes and made up a lame excuse to leave.

Jessie stops walking. I guess this is the house.

In my defense, I didn’t make up anything, I just left. I must have been late to the party because when I got there, everyone was pretty wasted. Neal was sitting with his friends on the couch but when he saw me he stood up, hitting a lamp with his shoulder and nearly falling. He said something that sounded like he was happy to see me, and fell to the floor. I stepped in, helped him back to the couch and stepped out.

Jessie knocks on Tracy’s door while I text Katie to meet us at the coffee shop. We wait for a few minutes and a tall guy with short, black hair and blue eyes comes out. He looks pleasant and not too strict. I assume this is the uncle she talked to us about.

I don’t think she mentioned his tattoos or piercings in his left ear, though. Jessie asks politely about Tracy and she comes outside a minute later.

See? Not kidding, Jessie says to me, lifting her eyebrows to make her point. Can you go out?

Tracy smiles at me, It depends, where are we going?

There’s a coffee shop right down the street, Jessie answers.

Ah, sure

Why? Were you expecting a party?

I’m not really into parties, Tracy says.

I exchange a look with Jessie.

We all walk to the coffee shop where Katie is waiting for us, and we begin chatting.

Why don’t we start with something light? suggests Katie.

Light… OK. Are you girls dating? asks Tracy.

Each other? asks Jessie, mock-seriously.

Tracy stares back, not shocked by the question at all. I burst out laughing. I like her.

Fine, bad question. It was the first thing I could come up with, Tracy apologizes, shrugging one shoulder.

Well, the answer is ‘no’ to both questions, I say, Although Katie here has been very distracted lately… I raise my eyebrows, expecting some information from her.

Katie laughs. Well, there’s this guy, Mike–

Mike? As in ‘get-a-life’ Mike? Jessie asks, surprised.

Mike really likes Katie. He’s always trying to come up with a reason to talk to her and he has asked her out several times, but up to now she has never paid any attention to the poor guy.

The same one, admits Katie. He’s been so insistent, so I went to the movies with him the other day.

And you enjoyed it! I announce, with a grin on my face.

Obviously her blushing has nothing to do with the weather.

Yes, she smiles. I might give him a chance if he continues to be as romantic as he was.

Why the nickname? asks Tracy, curious.

Katie laughs before explaining, It’s kind of stupid actually. We were sitting in class once, and he started mumbling, ‘I don’t have a life, I don’t have a life.’ That really annoyed me so, exasperated, I turned to him and yelled: ‘Then get a life, Mike!’ He looked up from his book, which I didn’t realize he was reading out loud from, and with a smile he said, ‘Cool, you know my name’.

Tracy smiles at Katie’s story.

I guess I’m the romantic one, Katie tells Tracy. Not like these two. She points at Jessie and me.

What’s that supposed to mean? frowns Jessie, incredulously.

Oh c’mon, the two of you run away the minute someone says anything corny or gives you something. You both look at any potential suitor like they’re some sort of predator!

Yeah, I don’t like corny, I say, pulling a face.

Or predators, Jessie adds.

Exactly, I agree.

And so the predator corners its prey at a romantic movie… I’m not sure which one the predator is, what do you think, Jan? Katie or Mike? asks Jessie.

I don’t know. Where were his hands during the movie, Katie? And where were yours? I inquire.

Okay guys, please don’t get started. Katie raises her hands in mock despair. Then she smiles. So what about you? She turns to Tracy.

There was someone, back home, sighs Tracy. A real predator, she teases with an amused smile.

Great, it’s getting contagious, groans Katie.

All three of us laugh at Katie. Sarcasm is always a part of our conversations.

We get serious but Tracy is hesitant to tell us her story so Jessie elbows me to start with mine. I give her a look to inform her I don’t know where to start.

The waiter interrupts us and while everyone is ordering, I glance at Jessie. She’s sweet and even shy in a way, but she can be tough and brave when she has to. I’ve told her my story before but I’ve never given all the details. I’ve never given all the details to anyone – they’re too disgusting, too painful, and too embarrassing.

Katie is like that, too; she’s both gentle and tough, but she’s more safety-conscious. She’ll ask questions and think about things before agreeing to a course of action, unlike Jessie, who says ‘yes’ without bothering to check what she’s saying ‘yes’ to. But we all trust each other implicitly. We might not be seen by others as outgoing, but most people confuse that with people-pleasers, and we definitely do not fall into that last group. We don’t run with the herd. I get the feeling that Tracy is like us in that way. She doesn’t seem to be in a crystal world where everything is about her: I can tell she has had difficult times but that they haven’t taken away her joy and appreciation for the small things, and those are often what we value the most.

The waiter brings us our drinks and when he’s gone, I begin introducing myself.

Well, my name is Janny Cadwell and I’m eighteen. I’m not very sociable, but the few friends that I do have, and you are looking at them, are a very important part of my life, along with my brothers.

How many brothers do you have?

Tricky question. I start with the family everyone knows about. "I live with my five brothers. They’re all amazing people. George is thirty-seven. He’s an architect. He’s the oldest and the strictest of them. He’s going to get married soon to a nice girl, Lorraine.

"Brad is thirty-five, very protective as well, but he’s easy-going when George is around. When George is gone, though, he takes his place and gets more serious. But he’s usually very loving and patient. He’s single and he’ll be managing the restaurant they’re all going to open soon.

"Ethan and Ryan are more open-minded and they trust me more than George and Brad. These two are the crazy ones of the family. Ethan is thirty-two. He has a bar twenty minutes away from here. He loves music, and parties, and he’s very funny. Ryan is twenty-eight. He plays hockey and he’s very focused in that area. He’s a bit unpredictable, and he likes surprises and pranks.

"And Matt, he’s twenty. He attends the university next to our school. Girls love him and basketball is his passion.

They all get along really well and they try to be good examples to me… well, except for Ethan, I add, smiling, and they all provide a loving home. They expect me to be nice, careful and very smart about my future… I guess I’m half of that. I pull a face. But I do try to be all of that for them. I owe them that much.

Suddenly I feel very warm. I take off my jacket and hang it on the back of my chair. Katie takes a sip of her coffee, and Tracy is fidgeting with a straw as she pays attention to me. Jessie leans back in her chair getting comfortable. I hesitate, but Jessie’s mouth turns to a smile so I continue.

I was no more than five when I first met them. I was living with Jacob at the time, my real brother.

So those five aren’t your biological brothers? Tracy interjects.

No. When you meet them you’ll see they look nothing like Jan, Katie tells her.

Tracy nods at Katie and looks at me again, waiting for me to continue. I sigh before diving into those buried memories from my past.

Jacob is five years older than me and he used to be very close to Ronnie, my father. Ronnie is the type of guy you see in a horror movie – the one who always gets away with murder. He’s smart, manipulative and loves power. Ronnie was rarely at home, and even when he was, he was in the basement with ‘bad men’ – or at least that’s what he said they were.

The image of Ronnie thirteen years ago comes to my head. He always had his hair in a low ponytail, and his body revealed his work-out addiction. These days he wears his hair short but other than that he hasn’t changed much.

I remember the first time I saw him working. I was four years old. A loud thud woke me up. Then I heard another noise, which sounded like someone was screaming. I grabbed Gin, my doll, I explain, "and went downstairs to see what was going on. The sound came from the basement, which was off-limits, but I was curious, although I was scared too, so I hugged Gin tighter and went down the